Seattle, WA
Seattle Rabbi notices silence around anti-Jewish hate
Jews constitute less than 3 percent of the U.S. population and approximately 0.2 percent of the global population. This minority status inevitably results in Jews being frequently confronted with “Jewish questions.” These inquiries can include, “Do you keep your head covered all the time?” or “Do you support apartheid?”
Such questions can seem innocuous, but they reflect a broader misunderstanding of a rich and diverse community, one that can be simultaneously visible and invisible. And they can paper over the pressing needs of the community, such as a strong partnership with law enforcement to prevent and combat violent antisemitism.
The Jewish people represent a tapestry of experiences and identities. Some are deeply religious, while others identify as secular or even atheist. Our community encompasses individuals of all backgrounds — white, black, brown — each with varying degrees of observance and cultural practices. Cooking, family traditions, and a strong connection to Israel are central to many Jewish identities. The overwhelming majority of Jews are Zionists, believing in a profound connection to our homeland. However, this diversity, while enriching, also renders observant Jews more vulnerable to intimidation and violent antisemitism.
Observant Jews can be easily targeted for hate
Observant Jews, easily recognized by the kippah we wear or the tzitzit on our clothing, often find ourselves concentrated in neighborhoods that facilitate walking to synagogue on Shabbat. This presence can, unfortunately, make us easily targeted. Events such as anti-Israel rallies are often staged in Jewish neighborhoods, strategically chosen for maximum impact. Holding these rallies on Saturdays—when observant Jews refrain from using cell phones—adds another layer of hostility.
In the wake of the terror attack on October 7, 2023, the situation has become increasingly dire.
Many protests have featured flags of U.S.-designated terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, known for their violence against Jews and non-Jews alike. These demonstrations not only serve as psychological warfare against local Jews but also incite further violence. Synagogues and schools have been vandalized, and incidents of intimidation are on the rise. For example, a rock was thrown through a Jewish family’s window simply because they displayed a “Seattle Stands with Israel” sign.
Anti-Jewish violence is on the rise
The reality is stark: visibly identifiable Jews have faced physical violence across North America.
An Orthodox Jewish man was shot multiple times in Chicago while wearing a kippah on the Sabbath. Despite the clear hate crime implications, there was a notable delay in public condemnation of the act. This raises crucial questions: Why is it so difficult to denounce anti-Jewish hatred? Why do vitriolic acts of antisemitism often fade from memory among our non-Jewish neighbors?
Security has become a necessity in nearly every Jewish institution. Attending a Jewish wedding, funeral, or baby naming often requires pre-registration and walking past armed guards. Since October 7, this has escalated to multiple security personnel at events. Gatherings featuring Israeli or pro-Israel speakers are frequently kept secret and must be coordinated closely with law enforcement.
Here’s how we effect change and make our communities safer
To effect change, we must advocate for stronger laws and ensure their enforcement.
For instance, State Representative David Hackney introduced a bill aimed at making protesting on I-5 a felony—an initiative that seems like common sense. Prosecutors must hold offenders accountable. When anti-Israel protestors blocked access to SeaTac Airport last fall, the subsequent dropping of charges only emboldened further criminal behavior, often targeting the most visible segments of the Jewish community. Moreover, police departments and other law enforcement agencies must be equipped with the necessary resources to protect all communities, including the Jewish community.
It is imperative that we collectively strengthen our response to antisemitism, ensuring that our voices are heard and our safety prioritized. Together, we can cultivate an environment where our differences can be safely celebrated, and all individuals can live free from fear and intimidation.
Rabbi David Benchlouch is a special contributor to MyNorthwest. He is the head rabbi of Congregation Ezra BessAroth, a Sephardic synagogue in Seward Park, Seattle, founded by immigrants from the Mediterranean island of Rhodes more than 100 years ago.
CHICAGO (AP) — The struggling New York Mets placed former Seattle Mariners second baseman/designated hitter Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a right wrist contusion.
Mariners Injury Update: Latest on Robles, Vargas and more
The move was made retroactive to Wednesday, a day after Polanco went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in a 2-1 loss at the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 32-year-old Polanco is batting .179 (10 for 56) with a homer and two RBIs in his first season with New York, which has lost nine straight.
“When doctors first took a look at him, it looked like he got hit by a pitch when he didn’t,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “In talking to him, it was just a couple of swings that he took that night. … He didn’t think much of it, but just got worse the following day.
“So you just got to let it calm down a little bit and then we’ll go from there. But we don’t have a timetable for how long this is going to last.”
Polanco, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Mets in December, also has been dealing with an ankle issue.
“He was trending in the right direction,” Mendoza said of the ankle injury. “It’s definitely going to help, obviously now with him being shut down. But the biggest thing now is that we’ve got to take care of that wrist.”
Polanco spent the previous two seasons with the Mariners, who acquired him in a February 2024 trade with the Minnesota Twins.
Polanco struggled during his first season with Seattle in 2024, hitting just .213 with 16 homers in 118 games while playing through a knee injury that didn’t become public knowledge until after the season.
But after the Mariners somewhat surprisingly brought him back for a one-year contract in 2025, Polanco rebounded to hit .265 with 26 homers and an .821 OPS in 138 games last season. He then added three homers during Seattle’s playoff run, along with a 15th-inning walkoff single in Game 5 of the American League Division Series that sent the Mariners to their first ALCS in 24 years.
Seattle Sports staff made additions to this post.
Mariners RHP Bryce Miller to begin rehab assignment
Seattle, WA
Brandon Nimmo hits leadoff homer, Jacob deGrom works 4 scoreless as Rangers beat Seattle Mariners 5-0
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – APRIL 17: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers tags out Dominic Canzone #8 of the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park on April 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
SEATTLE – Brandon Nimmo hit a leadoff home run, Jacob deGrom threw four shutout innings and Gavin Collyer earned his first career win as the Texas Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 5-0 on Friday night.
Seattle lost its fourth straight game, and was shut out for the fourth time in 21 games, falling to 8-13. The Mariners were shut out six times during the 2025 season. Texas won its third straight game.
Nimmo led off the game with a 372-foot shot to right field off Mariners starter Logan Gilbert (1-3). It was Nimmo’s 16th career leadoff homer and second of the season. He also hit a leadoff home run on April 11 in a 6-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
DeGrom effectively maneuvered through Seattle’s lineup, and worked out of a one out, bases-loaded jam in the first inning. The two-time Cy Young Award winner recorded two of his three strikeouts after walking Josh Naylor to load the bases. Randy Arozarena fanned on a curveball, and Luke Raley swung through a fastball.
Texas added to its lead after Nimmo’s homer. Wyatt Langford’s single to left scored Corey Seager, who led off the third inning with a double. The Rangers stretched the lead to 3-0 on an RBI single from Jake Burger in the seventh.
The Mariners’ best scoring chance came in the sixth after Collyer (1-0), who worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, left the game.
J.P. Crawford singled to left off Tyler Alexander with two out, and Mariners third base coach Carlos Cardoza sent Naylor from second base, but he was thrown out by Langford.
Texas added two more runs in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Andrew McCutchen and an RBI double by Josh Jung.
Seattle third baseman Brendan Donovan left the game early due to a left hip issue.
Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller, who started the year on the injured list with a left oblique injury, was at T-Mobile Park for the first time this season. He will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.
Up next
Mariners RHP George Kirby (2-2, 3.25) will face Rangers righty Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 5.40) on Saturday afternoon.
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FIFE, Wash. – A portion of southbound I-5 will be closed overnight in Fife Friday and Saturday night, according to WSDOT.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says the purpose of the closure is to install a new electronic sign and will need two nights to do it.
Crews will close southbound I-5 from 54th Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road starting at 11 p.m. Friday night until 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Closures will resume Saturday night starting at 11 p.m. as well, and lanes will reopen Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m.
WSDOT says the closure will include the 54th Avenue ramps to southbound I-5.
Detours for weekend I-5 closure in Fife, WA
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The Source: Information in this story comes from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
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