An East Brunswick teen wrote to Biden about antisemitism. The president wrote back.

EAST BRUNSWICK – David Brown is so passionate about politics that his Bar Mitzvah party last year had a “David For President” theme, complete with ballot seating cards and a red, white and blue balloon drop.

Proud of his Jewish identity and angry and scared about the recent spike in antisemitism, David fused politics and faith and wrote a letter to President Joe Biden in November.

And Biden wrote back.

“I was surprised,” said David, an eighth-grader at Churchill Junior High School. “Not just that he wrote back, but that he wrote back so fast and wrote so much. They were taking interest in what I wrote and actually cared.”

David’s interest in politics skyrocketed when he got an insider’s view in 2019, said his mother Lori Nattrass. That year, his father, Jeffrey Brown, ran for the District 18 State Assembly seat.

Though Brown did not win, David received a personal, close-up education on politics. He became enveloped in the political process − rallies, meet-ups, discussions, town halls and issues.

The primary issues on his mind now are the rise of antisemitism, American support for Israel, the hostages and threats to democracy.

In the aftermath of the Hamas attack in Israel, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tracked an unprecedented rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. and around the world.

Proud of his Jewish identity − and angry and scared about the recent spike in antisemitism after the Hamas attack on Israel, David Brown, 14, of East Brunswick wrote a letter spelling out his concerns to President Joe Biden. Then, the president wrote back.

One of those incidents hit close to home at Congregation Etz Chaim – Monroe Township Jewish Center on Nov. 8. The synagogue was targeted in vandalism with “repulsive messages” spray-painted on exterior doors.

That shook up David. This was his synagogue − the place where he became a Bar Mitzvah and where he is a member of Gesher L’Kesher, a peer-led education program.

David did not want to sit back. He wanted to act and that call to action resulted in a letter to the president.

“I wrote a letter to President Biden because of the weight of the recent wave and antisemitism,” David said. “Because of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack and that Hamas still has hostages. And also because the synagogue − my synagogue − was unfortunately vandalized.”

More: Jewish War Veterans offering reward in Monroe synagogue vandalism

In his letter, David spelled out how he felt and his concerns. Then he asked the president to take action.

“All these antisemitic attacks were happening and it was like no one was doing anything,” David said. “I just want to write someone who actually had the authority to do something. You can keep hoping but if you don’t do anything, nothing’s gonna happen.”

Biden’s letter assured the teen that he and his administration were taking the matter seriously, acknowledging the Hamas attack was one of “pure evil” and “reports of atrocities are seared on our soul.” In the letter, Biden said “silence is complicity.”

Proud of his Jewish identity − and angry and scared about the recent spike in antisemitism after the Hamas attack on Israel, David Brown, 14, of East Brunswick wrote a letter spelling out his concerns to President Joe Biden. Then, the president wrote back.

“I want you to know. I will not be silent,” Biden said. “The United States stands with Israel. We will continue to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against terrorism in accordance with international humanitarian law. I will bring all resources to bear to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas − including our fellow Americans.”

Biden said he has directed his team to “identify, prevent, and disrupt any domestic threats that could emerge against Jewish, Muslim, Arab, or any other communities.”

“There is no place for hate in this world,” Biden said. “Under my Administration, the United States will continue to combat antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate. And we will continue to reject terrorism and its indiscriminate evil, just as we have always done.”

The letter eased David’s concerns.

“Joe Biden is very busy, but the fact that he wrote me a letter told me that he really cared,” David said. “He took the time to write me this big letter.”

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Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: [email protected] or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: An East Brunswick teen wrote to Biden about antisemitism. The president wrote back.