12/20/2021
The Greensboro Faith Leaders Council joins other organizations and all people of goodwill in our community in condemning the recent antisemitic messaging distributed throughout several Greensboro neighborhoods this past weekend. The information is completely false, but also destructive as it connects to an entire history of violent speech and action against the Jewish people.
The disruption of the lives of our neighbors is an ominous reminder of events past, from antisemitic statements and riots in the public square, to the historic demonization of Jewish people, to the systematic oppression and murder of six million Jews in the Shoah. Those of us who are Christian note especially how this violence has been carried out with a supersessionist understanding of our tradition, distorting Christian faith while acting in the name of one who himself was a Jewish rabbi. We, as members of the GFLC, stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors, acknowledging how hatred seen on a global and historic scale can also be found close to us in the places we call home. In these holy days for people of various faith traditions, we acknowledge again the love and compassion that characterize our common life and commit to project that boldly in our local community.
The Greensboro Faith Leaders Council exists to raise a compassionate moral voice for justice and the common good in Greensboro and beyond. We are grateful to so many others who lead our community in this work, making Greensboro the generous, open and diverse community it is. Today we give thanks especially for the leadership of our Jewish neighbors from Temple Emanuel (Rabbi Andy Koren, Rabbi Libby Fisher and Rabbi Emeritus Fred Guttman) and Beth David Synagogue (Rabbi Joshue Ben-Gideon). We also appreciate the work of NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad (Ivan Canada, Executive Director) and their timely response to this recent incident of hatred. Powerful statements from each of these organizations can be found below, and we are proud to join our voices with theirs.
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FROM TEMPLE EMANUEL:
A Few Additional Thoughts from Temple's Rabbis About Antisemitism in Our Area
As your Rabbis, we have had more time to assess the significance of the distribution [yesterday] of an antisemitic propaganda flyer in our community and wanted to share some additional thoughts.
Our original statement stated, among other things, “Hatred has no place in our community.”
We know that demonizing any identifiable group in our community threatens the safety and security of all. Today, that hatred was directed at us. We have spoken with a number of congregants who have been shaken by this.
We in the Jewish community are resolute in our determination to educate ourselves, our youth, and others in our area about the terrible consequences of all types of bias, bigotry, racism, homophobia, Islamophobia and antisemitism.
In the history of the Jewish people, we have seen and experienced the terrible consequences of hate and have learned well the lessons of these horrible occurrences. The main lessons are that hatred must be fought wherever it raises its ugly head and that education against it is of paramount importance.
Indeed, after the death of six million Jews in World War II, the phrase “Never Again” became a watchword of sorts for the Jewish people. We believe that “Never Again” must begin in the classroom and the home.
Cowardly acts such as what occurred today in Greensboro will not succeed in dividing our community.
We will continue to pray and work for the day when bigotry will be replaced by justice, demonization by compassion, and hatred by love. On that day, the Greensboro as it is will become the Greensboro as it ought to be.
May that day come soon and speedily!
Rabbi Andy Koren
Rabbi Libby Fisher
Rabbi Emeritus Fred Guttman
Correction to original statement: We have learned that some individuals who do not receive any newspaper also received this hateful piece. There is no evidence of any information linking the distribution of this piece with the circulation of any newspaper.
FROM BETH DAVID SYNAGOGUE:
We are very thankful the antisemitic actions this morning did not result in any personal injury or property damage.
Please be reassured, we, as a community, contacted the Greensboro Police Department as soon as we were made aware of the morning’s events. In addition, we contacted the ADL to report the incident. This is the first step in our security plan, which we are following.
Many people outside the Jewish Community are contacting us about what they can do to help. We appreciate their support. We need our allies to continue speaking up when they see or hear antisemitism and educating others on issues of hate.
Please do not hesitate on contacting us if you see other incidents of antisemitism.
FROM NCCJ OF THE PIEDMONT TRIAD:
NCCJ condemns antisemitism. We stand in solidarity with Greensboro's Jewish community.
Early [Sunday] morning, a flyer containing antisemitic messages was delivered to the homes of many people in Greensboro – including many members of Greensboro’s Jewish community. The information on this flyer is both false and harmful. Our history shows us repeatedly that antisemitic propaganda can lead to terrible acts of hate and violence.
Truth is the best antidote. We will not quote or reproduce the flyer, but we strongly encourage you to educate yourself about the origins and dangers of the hateful myths it contained. You can start with the ADL’s Antisemitism Uncovered: A Guide to Old Myths in a New Era. (https://antisemitism.adl.org/)
NCCJ condemns antisemitism, as we condemn bigotry and racism in all their forms. We stand in solidarity with Greensboro’s Jewish community.
Note: If you received the flyer, please help ongoing investigations into this incident by reporting it to the police.
