New Rochelle Rallies for Justice, for Peace
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WESTCHESTER June 2020 -- Sivan-Tammuz 5780, Volume 26, Issue 6 1994-2019 JewishWESTCHESTER COUNTY’S ONLY MONTHLY JEWISHLife NEWSPAPER New Rochelle Rallies For Justice, For Peace BY STEPHEN E. LIPKEN Schuck, Beth El Synagogue Center and Scott Weiner, Temple Israel New Ro- Approximately 40 citizens, elect- chelle. ed officials and clergy gathered on the “Why are we still talking about front steps of New Rochelle City Hall, eradicating racism in 2020,” Sears asked. on Sunday, May 31st, rallying in mem- “G-d created humanity in His own image ory of George Floyd, 46 who died on and G-d blessed us.” Monday, May 25th in Minneapolis, MN “This afternoon we are united, as a result of a police restraining hold black, white and brown,” Bramson con- to his neck. Floyd was detained for al- tinued. “We are united in grieving for legedly trying to pass a counterfeit $20 the family of George Floyd and united in bill and restrained for allegedly resist- our determination to seek justice... We ing arrest. are united in advocating for peace, here All participants were masked, in our own City...” except for brief times that they spoke “I stand here with a heavy heart on the podium. Mayor Noam Bramson and troubled spirit,” New Rochelle welcomed the City Council; County Ex- Branch NAACP President Minister Mark ecutive George Latimer; Congressman McLean, stressed. “We are sick and tired Eliot Engel; NYS Senator Andrea Stew- of being sick and tired. art-Cousins; Legislators Terry Clem- Martin Luther King once said, ‘The ents, Damon Maher, Catherine Parker; ultimate measure of a man is not where Assemblyman Steve Otis; Kathie David- he stands in moments of comfort and son, Administrative Judge, 9th District; convenience but where he stands in School Board President Amy Moselhi times of challenge and controversy.’” and members; Library President Diedre “I am a son of the Jim Crow South, woman Yadira Ramos-Herbert and Kyla New Rochelle, Clergy stated: protesters. The harm that these riots Clark, board members and City Man- where segregation was practiced against Golding, 18, Reverend Robert Gahler, As faith leaders, we affirm every have caused to innocent people cannot ager Charles B. Strome III, introducing our race,” Pastor Allen Paul Weaver, Jr. Trinity St. Paul’s Episcopal Church gave American’s right to peacefully protest be tolerated. We pray for peace, equal- Reverend Denise Smartt Sears, who observed. “I stand here today, proud to the Benediction. and we simultaneously condemn all acts ity, and a day when our country will rendered the Invocation. be an African-American.” The Beth El Synagogue Center, of violence committed by and against stand united against injustice. Two Rabbis were present, David After brief remarks from Council- County Executive George Latimer Commits to Take Action On June 1, County Executive George Latimer commented, “In Westches- ter County, in our home, we are committed as a county government to take action that is within our authority and within our jurisdiction. I am empanel- ing today a working group comprised of County and local police profession- als, individuals who serve in our Human Rights Commission, on our police board, members of the African-American clergy, justice activists, to review in detail all of the procedures and policies that are used by the County at our County Police Academy to train new police recruits and to provide in-service training for those that are already working in law enforcement, and to estab- lish changes and reforms that are needed to make sure that every police of- ficer, new or old, understands how we avoid and place implicit racism or any bias behavior in the conduct of their duties. “Across Westchester on Sunday, May 31, in New Rochelle, in Hastings, in Peekskill, in Ardsley, men and women marched and rallied and met to pro- test to call for new policies. They met in peace. Within the bounds of civil discourse in a free democracy. They conducted themselves with honor. And the police who worked alongside of them did so as well with honor. I’m proud of that Westchester.” Visit www.westchesterjewishlife.com for updates. In Solidarity Against Racism The RCA Condemns the Murder of On June 2, The Anti Def- tration, one thing is certain: amation League {ADL} issued silence is not an option. ADL George Floyd the following statement: calls for all of the former po- The Rabbinical Coun- law enforcement not only to “We are outraged by the lice officers involved in the cil of America, the leading preserve the law, but also to events of recent weeks and murder of George Floyd to membership organization restore justice, fairness and are devastated by the tragic be held responsible for their of Orthodox rabbis in North a sense of compassion to loss of life. Today, we stand actions, and we call upon America, condemns the all. Inciteful language must in solidarity with Black and the Hennepin County Attor- senseless murder of George cease, and efforts must be Brown communities in New ney’s office to act immedi- Floyd. “He, like every human expended which will edu- York and New Jersey and ately, without further delay, being, was created in the im- cate our society away from across the country, and join to bring the perpetrators to age of Almighty, and the loss racism and towards a better the call for immediate ac- justice. of his life is a tragedy.” understanding each for the countability, justice, and ac- “ADL NY/NJ will con- “Furthermore, we stand other.” tion to dismantle systemic tinue to organize, protest and together with all who fight “We stand resolute in racism in America. advocate for justice and fair racism, bigotry and hatred. our belief that the good- “Racism is foundational Jonathan Greenblatt treatment for all, because this We believe that the equal ness of human nature will to our country’s history. It work is not optional. You can rights and opportunities prevail, but we call upon ev- ly and we see its taint today in taints the country’s applica- act by taking a stand in your guaranteed by our laws are, eryone to end the violence,” the very institutions we turn Rabbi Daniel Korobkin tion of its laws, values and own community and support- as the founders of this great added Rabbi Binyamin Blau, to for justice and safety: our ideals of justice. It is used to ing organizations engaged in land proclaimed, “inalien- first vice president of the decide who will be heard, who courts, police, and govern- this effort. able rights” which derive effecting positive change is RCA. “While the hurt and will be free and who will be ment institutions at every Collectively, we must from our Sacred Scripture. through peaceful demon- the anger felt and expressed deserving – of justice, educa- level. imagine a country that is bet- As a faithful Jewish commu- stration, not through de- today must not be ignored, tion, health care, mercy, and “While we struggle to ter, believe it is attainable, nity, we stand together with stroying property, looting the solution to our national most tragically, life itself. We find the words to express and work together to create all who defend the rights and harming others.” pain will only come through have seen its taint historical- our sadness, anger and frus- it.’’ of others, especially the “Our rabbis taught that peaceful demonstration, de- “widow, the orphan and the society subsists on the three liberate conversation, and stranger.” basic values: law, truth, and effective action. As Dr. King Shoreline Publishing “We also condemn the peace,” said Rabbi Daniel said, ‘Every man must de- lawlessness of the few who Korobkin, the president cide whether he will walk Westchester’s Community Newspapers defile the memory of George of the Rabbinical Council in the light of creative altru- Floyd and others, by riot- of America. “We call upon ism or in the darkness of de- ing and looting. The key to those in government and structive selfishness.’” ADVERTISING Conference of Presidents Denounces STIMULUS Racism: Calls for Engagement and Dialogue PROGRAM to Move Forward On June 3rd, 2020, Ar- measures that can and must be thur Stark, Chairman, Wil- implemented to help prevent a re- liam Daroff, CEO, and Malcolm occurrence of this terrible event. Hoenlein, Vice Chair of the “The First Amendment Conference of Presidents of right to peacefully protest, an Major American Jewish Orga- American birthright, must be nizations, issued the following protected. At the same time, we statement: condemn acts of violence and “We join our fellow Amer- vandalism, and urge respect icans nationwide in mourning for the law and those charged the appalling and detestable to enforce it with justice, most killing of George Floyd. We are of whom are people of good outraged and call for the po- faith endeavoring to serve and lice officers responsible to be protect our communities. The held accountable and brought violence and looting hurt many to justice. This tragedy is one families and individuals while 3 ads for the price of 2* that has occurred all too often. undermining the sense of se- “American Jews histori- William Daroff curity and trust essential to the cally have been and will con- effective functioning of our so- Get 3 same size ads in the next tinue to be allies of the African speech. Many other prominent ciety. It must stop. American community and all Jewish leaders, along with “We pray for an end to the 3 consecutive months for the price of 2. others in the fight against rac- thousands of American Jews, scourge of racism that led to ism and injustice in the United were and are actively involved George Floyd’s death, an end Ask your Account Executive about our States.