To my Jewish brothers and sisters.
I was reminded of how proud I am to be a Reform Jew when I read this statement by the URJ: https://urj.org/blog/2020/06/12/reform-jewish-leadership-statement-black-lives-matter-jewish-value
For too long we’ve been content with being not racists. More, we point to isolated incidents of anti-racism and tell ourselves we are true friends of the systemically abused and neglected. But it’s time we move forward toward a goal of complete anti-racism. Only then will we be true allies.
To be anti-racist means recognizing the current system allows the murderers of Breonna Taylor to walk free while those who protest her murder are jailed.
To be anti-racist means recognizing that a rush to support the owners of broken windows and looted stores while remaining silent on what drove these protests elevates those material objects above living, and dying, Black and Brown people.
To be anti-racist means recognizing our Jewish community hasn’t always been the safest friend to the Black and Brown community and now we must begin a process of rectification by over-correcting and standing with them fully in body, in voice, and in pocket.
And to all those who would so quickly stand with us, it is our time to stand with you.
עושה שָׁלום בעשי”ת: הַשָּׁלום בִּמְרומָיו הוּא יַעֲשה שָׁלום עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן
Osey shalom bimromov, hu ya-aseh sholom olaynu, v’al kol yisro-ayl, v’im’ru Amen.
Shalom.
