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Dear John,
Thanksgiving is just a week away…and here at First Liberty we’re certainly grateful for the historic victories God allowed us to achieve this year.
And of course, we’re thankful for your ongoing support in the fight to reclaim religious liberty.
Yet, while many of us are thankful to have more religious freedom than at any point in the last half century, there are thousands of our fellow patriots still fighting for their rights.
Enemies of religious liberty are chipping away at the most fundamental constitutional ideals—and religious minorities are especially being hit hard by their full-blown assault.
As someone who loves liberty, you know that America shines as a beacon of freedom. For over 200 years, our Constitution’s exceptional protections for religious liberty have made our nation a refuge for the least among us, those oppressed and persecuted because of their faith.
That’s why it’s painful right now to witness the Jewish community suffer so much hatred and animosity. In fact, recent studies and surveys show:
- One in three Jewish-Americans reported avoiding publicly wearing, carrying, or displaying items that might identify them as members of the Jewish community.
- 2018 recorded the third-highest number of anti-Semitic incidents in the past decade, with a sharp 99% increase in claims of harassment, vandalism and violence from 2015.
- 57% percent of religious hate crimes in 2018 were motivated by offenders’ anti-Jewish bias, according to the FBI.
The fact is that if people of faith are bullied or intimidated into hiding their faith behind closed doors, or forced to practice their religion underground...then we’re not truly living up to the longstanding American promise of religious freedom.
In order to have religious freedom in any real sense, we must protect minority faith communities and their right to live out their faith.
That’s why First Liberty continues to be First in the Fight for religious minorities—in particular our ongoing defense of the Orthodox Jewish community in Airmont, NY.
The Village of Airmont has a thirty-year history of blatant bigotry. Its zoning laws have blocked Jewish residents from worshiping in their own homes and forced their faith underground.
It’s the reason why Airmont officials have been the subject of civil rights lawsuits spanning five different presidential administrations. In one of those lawsuits, a federal court concluded the Village created zoning laws based on “animosity toward Orthodox Jews as a group.”
Discrimination has also spread to the local school district, which refuses to provide students at a Jewish day school with transportation and special education services required by state law.
The bigotry runs so deep that the U.S. Department of Justice recently got involved and publicly stated that Airmont clearly has a “troubled history” of anti-Semitism.
Fostering true religious freedom requires us to stand boldly against religious hostility, especially when minority faith communities are the target.
We have an incredible record of success defending the Jewish community, including our victories for the Hebrew Discovery Center and Chabad of Irvine, two synagogues in Los Angeles who’ve endured constant attacks. And, not long ago, we secured a victory for Congregation Toras Chaim in Dallas, TX. They spent nearly six years in court wrangling with city officials over parking—even though its members don’t drive on their Sabbath.
By reclaiming religious liberty for the least among us, we’re defending religious liberty for all...and that has a huge impact for you and I to keep living out our faith in our homes.
We need you on the battlefront now more than ever...because when you stand with us, we can be their greatest hope for victory.
We’re urging YOU to join First Liberty in this critical fight to protect the Jewish community in Airmont, NY—and you can do so today with a financial contribution.
By making a timely donation right now, you are helping us achieve the ideal that America’s Founders had in mind—for our country to be a safe haven for people of all faiths.
Will you go all-in with First Liberty and help us defend that legacy?
Yes, I will make a financial contribution today and help reclaim religious liberty for the Jewish community and other religious minorities under attack.
Gratefully,
Kelly
Kelly Shackelford, Esq.
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute
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