To my Wilton Community:

This weekend my family and I will be going to see the documentary “October 8”  (formerly known as “October H8te”). This movie has a limited release in theaters starting tonight, Friday, Mar. 14, for this coming week only. 

October 8 is about the explosion of hate against Jews here in the United States immediately following the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel. Its focus is not on the events of Oct. 7 but instead on how mass riots came together here in the United States supporting HAMAS (a genocidal terrorist organization) before Israel even responded. It will dig into how, despite the 250-plus people taken hostage and the savagery of the attacks, the media, NGOs and student bodies were biased against Israel and instead parroted facts and opinions from the terrorist organization. It will not be easy viewing as it is about a tough topic and it will expose all the worst traits of humanity. 

This sad tale of hatred is locally relevant as much of it takes place at Columbia University, a mere 90-minute train ride from our own Wilton station, as well as many other colleges and universities across our country. Columbia University has been and continues to be ground zero for this hate.

I invite you to also make the trip to the movie theater and understand why American Jews like my family have never been so scared for our future. I believe in the American dream — in fact, America has been one of the best countries in history in which to be a Jew. But as a Jew I know history has shown time and again the tide can turn against us in an instant and we can be slaughtered.  The reason I want all of us to see this film, Jews and non-Jews alike, is simple: we have the ability to confront our shortcomings as a nation and to rise up and be better. We can fight back against the hate and make a brighter future for all of us!

See you at the theater.  Tickets and schedules for showings at the AMC theaters in Norwalk and Danbury can be found online.

Josh Kesselman

2 replies on “Letter: Invitation to View ‘October 8’ Film About Antisemitism”

  1. Thank you, Josh, for your powerful letter. I more than appreciate you sharing this with the town and I truly value your perspective on such an important and deeply troubling issue.

    I will absolutely make it a point to see October 8. It is crucial that we understand the rising tide of antisemitism’s hatred and intolerance so that we can stand against it together.

    Peter

    1. Thank you Peter. My hope is that people of all stripes go see this film to increase understanding in our overly polarized world.

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