A Service of Solidarity ~ Friday, November 2 at 7:30 pm

October 30, 2018

Submitted on behalf of the Bedford Interfaith Clergy Network

We, the Bedford Interfaith Clergy Network, share in the feelings of grief and moral outrage at the senseless mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday.  As many of us did in our houses of worship this weekend, we mourn the deaths of eleven people who died because of one person’s unchecked religious bigotry combined with weaponized rage.  We reject the anti-Semitic attitudes that have been disclosed as a motive by the assailant, along with the nativism and xenophobia that appear to have also fueled his hatred.  As a community that has known expressions of anti-Semitism in recent years, we re-affirm our commitment to stand in support of and solidarity with our Jewish neighbors.

We also lament the increased frequency of hate-filled incidents around our country.  Whether through hateful speech or hateful action, aggression towards groups of individuals based on their shared identity or beliefs has no place in our communities, our nation, or our world.  Further, it has become easy to find ourselves “desensitized” to the horrific nature of this kind of violence and intimidation, and to compartmentalize it as we go about our ordinary lives.  But we reject that desensitization as giving in to a kind of moral despair, and instead we seek to embrace the hope for healing and reconciliation embedded within our many and varied traditions.

As faith leaders, we stand on the side of Love.  We re-commit ourselves to the task of erasing all forms of hatred and bigotry from our own spiritual practices and common life.  We affirm our shared resolve to speak for peace in a world increasingly accepting of violence.

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We invite all people of good will to A Service of Solidarity
When: Friday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Temple Shalom Emeth, 16 Lexington St, Burlington 781.272.2351 Click this link for directions

This will be a time to gather together to mourn, to uphold our shared values, and to stand against prejudice and intolerance.  Please join us in presence or in prayer, as you are able.

– – – –

Also note this profile of Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, brother of Bill Rabinowitz of Bedford: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/us/dr-jerry-rabinowitz-pittsburgh-shooting.html.

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