June 3, 2020
Dear Kol Rinah Family,
Every morning, as we read through the inspirational texts for study that appear in the Siddur Sim Shalom, one speaks to us at this moment:
Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel used to say: on three things does the world stand: On justice, on truth and on peace, as it is said: “execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates” (Zechariah 8:16).
- Mishna Avot 1:18
Without speaking truthfully and acknowledging the painful truths that confront us at this very moment, we cannot hope to achieve justice in our communities or peace in our world.
And the truth is that we, our community and our nation, are failing our siblings of color.
Let us recognize that we are speaking now to those of us in our Kol Rinah family who, like the two of us, are white. But let us also recognize and appreciate that we have Jews of Color in our community whose experiences now are very different from those of white Jews. You can read here and here to understand more about how Jews of Color are experiencing and reacting.
In recent days, you have no doubt seen the horrific footage of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by local police, as well as the local and national outpouring of grief, frustration, anger, righteous indignation, and sadness from people of all walks of life. Sadly, this is not the first time that a person of color has been killed unjustly through misuse of force by police officers. In his passing, we hear echoes of the lives and stories of Brionna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, and so many others.
The scourge of racism is prevalent in only some, but far too many, parts of our law enforcement community, and must be addressed, holding those guilty of abuse accountable to the strictest penalty and reforming our system so that it truly upholds justice for all. It has become painfully evident that the overwhelming majority of decent officers and others entrusted with police powers and their oversight have not been able to make the necessary changes to a system that disproportionately targets minority communities and people of color.
Our justice system must be one that values the lives of every individual, and we must do our part to ensure the system becomes just, much as the prophets, exactly like Zechariah above, demanded we do.
We stand in solidarity with our siblings, friends, and neighbors of color, and all those who are taking part in the non-violent protests around our city and throughout the nation to make their voices heard. We call for our leaders to act, not only to hold those responsible for George Floyd’s death accountable, but to make real and lasting structural change that will end the terror and oppression of communities of color.
Most of all, we call on all our people to unite with one another and other people of conscience in working for a more just world for all.
For those of you who want to get involved and preserve stringent social distancing, read through the amazingly thorough list of resources the Jewish Community Relationship Council of St. Louis put together here . Learn about the systems of oppression that may you may not have fully perceived and also investigate all the different ways you can work n concert with allies in order to dismantle them. We also have an incredible Social Action Committee here at Kol Rinah that is continually investigating ways to work for justice and to improve our community and our world. To learn more about their work, please contact Benj Singer ( benjamin.d.singer@gmail.com ).
Silence and inaction communicate that we don’t care. Let us all commit to action, to doing things--to learning, speaking, writing, giving, volunteering, teaching, working, protesting, advocating, lobbying, reflecting, supporting.
What is one thing you will do today to help foster truth, justice and peace for black people in America?
We hope you will each continue to stay safe, stay hopeful, and take care of one another. We pray that tomorrow will be a brighter day for all of us, and for all people everywhere. As the prophet Micah (4:4) teaches:
וְיָשְׁב֗וּ אִ֣ישׁ תַּ֧חַת גַּפְנ֛וֹ וְתַ֥חַת תְּאֵנָת֖וֹ וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד כִּי־פִ֛י יְי צְבָא֖וֹת דִּבֵּֽר׃
But every person shall sit under their vine and their fig tree, and none shall make them afraid.
With blessings,
Rabbi Noah Arnow & Rabbi Scott Shafrin |
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