An event this morning organized by Lakewood Neighbors, a coalition formed to understand and bring together diverse communities, Elan S. Carr, the top US official responsible for directing worldwide US policy and projects aimed at combating anti-Semitism, spoke to an assembled crowd. Attendees included numerous top officials community leaders from Ocean County.

The assembly began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller and a prayer from Chaplain Ralph Berdugo.

A letter of support from Rep. Chris Smith, who represents Lakewood, was read by his chief of staff. The crowd was then addressed by Rabbi Aaron Kotler, CEO of Beth Medrash Govoha, who highlighted the importance of combating anti-Semitism head-on.

Mr. Carr spoke at the end of the event, telling the crowd of policies being undertaken by the State Department to address rising anti-Semitism and the importance of educating people of tolerance and acceptance of people different than them.