Denver Hosts Congress to Confront Antisemitism
The David Merage Foundation gathered hundreds to address rising antisemitism and protect democracy.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Judaism
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The David Merage Foundation hosted the Congress to Confront Antisemitism & Preserve Democracy in Denver over two days this week. The event brought together 450 attendees from across the U.S. to address societal antisemitism.
Why it matters
Organizers held the event to foster broader engagement in combating hate following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. They specifically sought to involve non-Jewish participants to demonstrate that antisemitism is a challenge for all of society.
A 2025 American Jewish Committee survey of 1,222 Jewish Americans found that 91% feel less safe due to attacks. Additionally, 46% of those surveyed identify antisemitism as a serious national problem.
The players
Phil Weiser
He is the Attorney General of Colorado and served as a speaker at the congress.
Jared Polis
He is the Governor of Colorado and participated in the event discussions.
Mike Johnston
He is the Mayor of Denver and provided remarks at the summit.
Stephen Redfearn
He is the Chief of Police in Boulder and addressed the congress regarding the Pearl Street Mall attack.
The David Merage Foundation
This organization hosted the Congress to Confront Antisemitism & Preserve Democracy.
The details
The congress featured video interviews with 15 Boulder residents, which were presented on a free-standing video board. Speakers included Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Governor Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Boulder Chief of Police Stephen Redfearn, who discussed the June 2025 firebombing of the Pearl Street Mall that resulted in the death of 82-year-old Karen Diamond.
Timeline
October 7, 2023: Hamas attacks occurred on Israel.
June 1, 2025: Firebombing attack occurred on Boulder's Pearl Street Mall.
October 20, 2026: Congress started on Monday.
October 21, 2026: Keynote discussions held on Tuesday.
Culture Shift
The congress serves as a platform to address the trauma and community impact following the June 2025 firebombing attack on the Pearl Street Mall. This event underscores a broader shift toward involving the public in addressing hate as a collective societal responsibility.
Residents may see a renewed focus on security and community education initiatives following the discussions held by city and state leaders. The involvement of non-Jewish community members highlights a shift toward wider public participation in reporting and challenging antisemitism locally.
The takeaway
The event highlights that combating hatred requires consistent, cross-community engagement rather than just isolated responses to violence. Attendees can implement this by fostering open dialogues about discrimination within their own local neighborhoods.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to address faith-based issues in the Judaism section.
More information
View the Boulder attack survivor video interviews presented at the congress.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Denver Post.
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