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Vol. 81/No. 8 February 27, 2017
Chicago interfaith meeting condemns Jew-hatred
CHICAGO — More than 1,000 people joined in an interfaith gathering
against Jew-hatred at the Chicago Loop Synagogue here Feb. 8. The rally,
sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish United
Fund, took place four days after an attack on the synagogue left a plate
glass window broken and swastikas pasted to the door.
“We are drawn together with a clear message that hate has no place in
our city or our country,” Emily Sweet, the council’s executive director,
told the crowd.
“Support is evident here from our Muslim and Christian brothers and
sisters who are here,” said Dr. Steven Nasatir, president of the Jewish
United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. “We are gathered
here to say loud and clear that we will not surrender to fear, we will
not surrender to hate, we will not surrender to divisiveness.”
In 2015 acts of vandalism and violence targeting Muslims increased by 67
percent. Over the same period Jews were the targets of more than 50
percent of religious-based crimes, according to FBI statistics.
Jenan Mohajir of Interfaith Youth Core spoke of the need for unity,
noting, “I am a Muslim woman, the daughter of Indian immigrants, the
mother of mixed-race children, and an educator.”
Also speaking at the rally were Bishop Sally Dyck, United Methodist
Church; Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III, Trinity United Church of Christ;
Pastor Chris Harris, Bright Star Church; and Rabbi Michael Siegel, Anshe
Emet Synagogue.
— JOHN HAWKINS
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