Faith Leaders and Allies,
During this time of year, many religions and groups turn to messages of light and peace, along with multiple holiday observances. The Jewish community is in the midst of the celebration of Hanukkah, a holiday that speaks to the core of religious freedom. We live in times when freedom, religious and otherwise, are increasingly threatened.
The Jewish community, among other groups, has been subjected to an alarming rise in hate incidents in the last few years. These include:
· Antisemitic flyers disseminated across North Carolina neighborhoods and malls.
· Jewish students on college campuses targeted for being Jews and condemned and banned from using student spaces.
· Letters mailed to Jewish leaders at their homes threatening torture and violence against Jews.
· The kidnapping of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and his congregants in Colleyville, Texas. (Rabbi Cytron-Walker now serves a NC congregation)
Many of our families live in fear. In a recent meeting with Governor Cooper, one rabbi shared that: “I’ve had parents and even some children ask me, “Rabbi, should I hide away my Star of David necklace?”
“This Hanukkah, there is one question beating in the hearts of Jewish North Carolinians: Is it safe for us to place our Hanukkah menorahs in the window of our homes as Jewish tradition demands?”
Twenty-nine years ago, when antisemitism was maligning the Jewish community in Billings, Montana, a group of community leaders joined together and published a full-page picture of a Hanukah menorah in the newspaper and invited people to put the picture in their window as a sign of solidarity and support for the Jewish community. The response was overwhelming and transformative for Jews and non-Jews alike.
Many of you have asked how you can support us during these times of increased hatred. The Governor has placed a Hanukkah menorah prominently outside the executive mansion in solidarity with the Jewish celebration of religious freedom. We invite you to consider: sharing the story of transformation from Billings, Montana; displaying a menorah in your community or home window, or reaching out with a card or call of support to the Jews that you know. Every time you reach out in support you help keep the Hanukkah lights and the message of this season before us.
This letter was crafted by Rabbi Lucy Dinner of Temple Beth Or in Raleigh in the immediate aftermath of the antisemitic disruption that took place at a Raleigh public high school.
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