|
Dear John,
As I stood on the Brooklyn Bridge I witnessed a beautiful sight. The march had started slowly, as a massive crowd overflowed Manhattan’s Foley Square, then gathered momentum across the magnificent bridge and surged into Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza where we spoke together, listened together, mourned together and cheered together as we called for “No Hate. No Fear.”
The participants came from across the Jewish community — from the political left and right, Orthodox and secular, multi-racial, Russians and Israelis. People came in cars and buses and trains from places across the region, including Cleveland, Washington, Philadelphia and Boston to take part.
And vitally, marching alongside the broader Jewish community were contingents from so many strands of New York’s diverse fabric — Caribbean, Muslim, church groups, Latinx and more.
One Community
Orthodox Jewish communities in Monsey, in Jersey City, in Brooklyn and elsewhere have been violently attacked. And that is just in recent weeks, and just in the New York/New Jersey area. Across the country and around the world, Jews have been attacked, demonized or isolated. But those who have faced attacks because of faith, heritage or appearance should not feel alone. As I said from the stage during the march...
... I might not wear a long coat. I might not have a black hat. But those are my Jewish brothers and sisters. These are attacks on my family. Because we are all part of one Jewish family. Whether Satmar or Chasidic, Orthodox or Reform, observant or unaffiliated, Jews of color and Jews by choice, we are all part of the same Jewish family and an attack on one Jew is an attack on all Jews.
That morning, before the march, I had the honor to be there as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $45 million in new funding to protect religious institutions. The governor also took a critical step in recent days by
pushing to classify mass violence motivated by hate as domestic terrorism.
One Voice
We are grateful to everyone in the ADL community who joined us at the march, which we co-sponsored along with UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the Board of Rabbis of New York and the American Jewish Committee. We thank you for showing strength and resolve in what is shaping up to be a challenging year.
This was an inspiring day. Now, let’s keep the momentum going in 2020 by speaking up, sharing facts and showing strength. You can:
With you marching by our side, we are a powerful voice Fighting Hate for Good.
| Sincerely, |
|
| Jonathan Greenblatt |
| CEO and National Director |
| ADL |
|
