I’m writing with heavy news. A terrorist opened fire in Jerusalem, killing six innocent people—a teacher, a rabbi, a father of six, a grandmother, a newlywed immigrant, and a former American cardiologist.

I heard about this yesterday right after standing with Ald. Debra Silverstein and Jewish community leaders at City Hall. We were there because Mayor Brandon Johnson let people with a history of trashing Jews and Israel speak at a hearing on anti-Jewish hate crimes—while the people who actually live with antisemitism every day were pushed aside.

That’s backwards. And at a time when anti-Jewish crimes in Chicago are up 58% this year—one-third of all hate crimes even though Jews are just 3% of the city—our leaders should be standing with us, not giving a microphone to the people fueling the hate.

Look, a lot of folks will put out statements after something like this, and most will say nothing or worse. What we need is leadership. Real leadership. That means calling out antisemitism the minute we see it—not waiting until it’s safe. It means holding people accountable when they flirt with this kind of rhetoric. And it means not taking money from, or partnering with, anyone who trashes Jews or smears Israel.

That’s my pledge to you:

• Call it out early. No hedging, no waiting.

• Back it with action. Support policies that protect Jewish Americans and strengthen our ties with Israel.

• Keep clean alliances. I won’t take money from or work with groups or politicians who disparage Jews or Israel.

This is personal. I will be your steadfast voice and your champion—for the Jewish people, for the US-Israel relationship, and for this great country we share, the United States of America.

Thank you,