Unite Against Extremist Acts in Israel

Dear Colleagues:

All of us who feel an abiding connection to the people and state of Israel are following with growing concern news reports of recent religious extremism and violence, including in Beit Shemesh. Though the verbal and physical abuse has been at the hands of a few, their reprehensible actions and words have reverberated throughout the Jewish world.

These events have heightened awareness of the growing divide, both in Israel and throughout the Jewish world, between those who seek to embrace Judaism and modernity and those who believe that Judaism and modernity are incompatible and therefore create more insular lifestyles. UJA-Federation of New York is, and has been for many years, investing in programs and efforts to open lines of communication and bridge these divides.

At present, it is critical that the broadest range of Jewish leadership publicly express our collective outrage. Indeed, in the past few days, such statements have been dispatched from many corners of the Jewish world, from leaders of the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, secular, Israeli, and North American communities. All have raised their voices to make it clear that we condemn these actions.

I am proud that the first statement that came across my desk was issued by the Jewish Federations of North America. It states clearly that while we may come from different backgrounds and have different views on multiple issues, we stand united in denouncing acts of violence, intimidation, and coercion within our community and the Jewish people — particularly when taken in the name of Judaism.

On this eve of a new secular year, while wishing each of you a year of health, I am including that statement -- Jewish Federations Condemn Wave of Religious Extremism and Violence in Israel. I wanted each of you to have the opportunity to review it. As always, I am most interested in your reactions to the statement and to this latest challenge facing our people.

Shabbat shalom.

John