Statement on Anti-Semitism
January 26, 2022
Dear New Rochelle Community,
As the sun sets this Friday evening, the Jewish community here in New Rochelle, along with Jewish communities across the country and the world, will celebrate Shabbat – the Sabbath Day. The Sabbath, according to Jewish tradition, is meant to be a day unlike others – filled with joy and rest, rather than work and toil. It was amidst this day of rest two weeks ago, on Saturday, that an act of anti-Semitic terror was carried out against the Jewish community in Colleyville, Texas. The Inter-Religious Coalition of New Rochelle fully denounces this act of anti-Semitism. Here in New Rochelle, a community founded on the principle of religious freedom by the Huguenots, we know that bigotry in any form must be condemned. In this community, we are united, regardless of the different paths we take in our search for connection with the Divine.
We also recognize that in this country and around the world, Jews are the most targeted religious minority. While the Jewish community in the United States comprises less than 2% of the population, Jews are the targets of more than half of all religious-based hate acts. Our Coalition works hard to build bridges and will always stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters.
The Inter-Religious Coalition of New Rochelle wants the Jewish community to know that we are here for you in the wake of this most recent attack, and always. In the words of Psalm 133, “Behold! How good it is when brothers [and sisters] dwell together in unity!” Indeed, we here in New Rochelle, dwell as united brothers and sisters, and we will not tolerate a hatred of Jews to pollute this community or to rend our unity.
This past weekend’s attack took place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, when our community gathered to celebrate his legacy, including the inter-faith bonds that Dr. King created in the Civil Rights Movement. His words echo in our ears still, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” While the Jewish community in Colleyville was targeted, an attack on Jews anywhere is an attack on Jews everywhere. An attack on people of faith anywhere is an attack on peoples of faith everywhere. An attack on a minority anywhere is an attack on all minorities everywhere.
On behalf on the entire Inter-Religious Coalition, please join me in condemning this most recent act of anti-Semitism and all acts of anti-Semitism. On behalf on the entire Inter-Religious Coalition, please join me in offering comfort and solace, support and friendship, to the Jewish community. On behalf on the entire Inter-Religious Coalition, I invite you to join us in our work in building a stronger, better community through inter-faith fellowship. And let this Shabbat, and all others, be a Shabbat shalom, a Sabbath of peace, for us all.
In solidarity,
Minister Mark McLean
President
Inter-Religious Coalition of New Rochelle
