FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 8, 2021
CONTACT: Lindsey Sokol lsokol@adl.org (646) 599-3827
for one-on-one interviews with an ADL NY/NJ representative
New Jersey Faith, Community, and Elected Leaders Condemn Antisemitism;
Unequivocally condemn recent attacks, reaffirm solidarity with the Jewish community, and call on community leaders to join them.
(Trenton, NJ) – Today, over 90 of New Jersey’s faith, community, and elected leaders joined together to unequivocally denounce antisemitism, reaffirm their solidarity with the Jewish community, and called on community leaders to join them by lending their name to “New Jersey Against Antisemitism”, a new campaign launched in the wake of an alarming rise of antisemitic attacks.
The “New Jersey Against Antisemitism” statement reads as follows:
In recent weeks our area has witnessed an alarming rise in antisemitic attacks – physical and verbal, in person and online. Antisemitism, like any kind of hate, is unacceptable in any form. There must be no caveats and no qualifiers when condemning anti-Jewish hate, violence against Jews, and antisemitism in all spaces. We unequivocally condemn these attacks, reaffirm our solidarity with the Jewish community, and call on all community leaders to join us.
Signatories include Governor Phil Murphy; Attorney General Gurbir Grewal; the entire New Jersey Congressional Delegation; NJ NAACP President Richard Smith; Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of the Archdiocese of Newark; and Elder David L. Buckner of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
“We are proud to stand with our Jewish allies, brothers, and sisters against hatred of all kinds,” said NJ NAACP President Richard T. Smith. “No one deserves to be afraid, threatened, or harassed in their home, workplace, or going about their lives. Bigotry of any kind has no place in New Jersey.”
“At a time when we are witnessing a rise in antisemitic rhetoric and acts of hatred against the Jewish community, it is crucial that all people of goodwill join in eradicating this hatred from their hearts, homes, places of worship, and public discourse. We must work together as partners to combat this troubling trend, which puts the Jewish people at risk while threatening the freedom and humanity of all,” said Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
“New Jersey Against Antisemitism” was organized by Jewish Federations of New Jersey which includes the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties and Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, ADL NY/NY, and AJC New Jersey.
“We jointly express our gratitude to the elected officials, faith leaders and community partners who have joined us in recognizing that antisemitism, like any other form of hate, must be condemned without any caveats or qualifiers. At a time when antisemitic attacks are at historic highs it is imperative that leaders of good conscience and good faith speak out against this cancer of hate,” said Dov Ben Shimon, CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest; Susan Antman, Executive Director, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey; Jason Shames, CEO, Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey; Robin Wishnie, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties; and Jennifer Dubrow Weiss, CEO, Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey.
“We are deeply grateful that so many of New Jersey’s faith leaders, elected officials, and communal partners have unequivocally rejected antisemitism,” said Scott Richman, ADL NY/NJ Regional Director. “They recognize that hate against one is hate against all and that we must stand united to combat it.”
“We are deeply grateful for these allies among our Interfaith and Government leaders who join with us in recognizing that antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem. They understand that the targeting of Jews is not only an assault on the Jewish community but is an assault on the very ideals of pluralism and religious freedom at the heart of our American and Faith Community values,” said Rabbi David C. Levy, Director of AJC New Jersey.
To see the full list of signers of the New Jersey Against Anti-Semitism statement, or to lend your name to the list, visit www.njagainstantisemitism.org.
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. More at www.adl.org.