Arizona Faith Network 550 E. Meadowbrook Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85014 3/2/2016 The Rev. Erin Tamayo FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Executive= Director 3/2/2017 Arizona Faith Network [email protected] (602) 561-5483 Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman Arizona Faith Network Board of Directors [email protected] (602) 391-3079 200 Interfaith Leaders Issue Letter of Support to the Arizona Jewish Community Lifting up our dedication to stand in solidarity with one another in light of the recent bomb threats at 2 Arizona Jewish Community Centers ARIZONA, March 2nd, 2017– In response to the threats at Jewish Community Centers in Arizona that were suffered this week, part of the 5th wave of Anti-Semitic threats against the Jewish Community nationwide, Arizona Faith Leaders reach out in support and solidarity. A letter of support was quickly written by members of the “Faith in Solidarity” group organized by the Arizona Faith Network (AFN) under the leadership of executive director Rev. Erin Tamayo. 200 Signatories quickly signed on that come from across the religious, political and racial-ethnic landscape of Arizona. 3/2/2017 The “Letter of Support for the Jewish Community of Arizona,” authored by Arizona Faith Network board member Rev. Dr. Andy Burnette states: “All of our traditions call us to speak out with love in the face of hate, and to stand with those who are persecuted. Know that no act of hate can separate us from you. Though our faiths are varied, our commitment to love and justice unites us.” Rev. Erin Tamayo- Executive Director of Arizona Faith Network said, “as clearly stated in the book of Pslams: “Your kingdom is ruled by justice and fairness, with love and faithfulness leading the way.” It is my hope that our Jewish Community understands that we aren’t able to take away the pain and frustration that are being suffered in this moment, although we would like to. Instead, we prayerfully stand together in sacred solidarity in the face of hate and violence in any form. We work together, arm in arm, until this vision of a just, fair and safe community is achieved, allowing love and faithfulness to lead our efforts as we walk this path together.” ABOUT ARIZONA FAITH NETWORK – The mission of Arizona Faith Network is to bring together people of faith, under the inspiration of God, as a bridge to understanding and action. We dedicate our mission to building understanding between people through education and dialogue; we dedicate ourselves to action through inviting people of different faiths to work together for a better world, one based on the virtues of peace, respect and justice. Letter: Dear Leaders and Members of the Arizona Jewish Community, As leaders in several faith traditions, we write to express our solidarity with you, our Jewish neighbors. We are appalled by the recent threats against Jewish community centers and synagogues. We realize that these threats are only the latest in a long history of anti-Semitic violence in the United States and around the world. All of our traditions call us to speak out with love in the face of hate, and to stand with those who are persecuted. Know that no act of hate can separate us from you. Though our faiths are varied, our commitment to love and justice unites us. The psalmist said, “Your kingdom is ruled by justice and fairness, with love and faithfulness leading the way.” May the love and faithfulness of the Holy One, and Page 2 3/2/2017 the strength of the bonds of community, sustain you in these times. We stand with you, dear friends, as we are all family in faith. Shalom! Peace! Salaam! Your Neighbors, Rev. Erin Tamayo, Presbyterian, Arizona Faith Network Rev. Ryan Hersch, Lutheran, Ascension Lutheran Church Chapter Director Sandy Bahr, Humanist The Reverend Susan Anderson-Smith, Episcopal, Imago Dei Middle School Rev. Tully Fletcher, PCUSA, Orangewood Presbyterian Mary Dawes, Unitarian Universalist , Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix Rev. Dr. Judy Winkelpleck, Christian, Mission del Sol Rev. Kate Lehman, Ecumenical Catholic Communion, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community Imraan Siddiqi, Muslim, CAIR-AZ Mark Sanders, Progressive Judeo-Christian/ELCA, Desert Cross Lutheran Church Khalid Munir, Islam, Islamic Center of Laveen Mr Ken Pavlisick, Lutheran Ms Michelle Steinberg, Jewish Rev. Peggy Roberts, Presbyterian U.S.A./UCC, Beatitudes Campus Rev. Edward Spence, Presbyterian Church (USA), Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church Lay Leader Terry Pizzi, Ecumenical Catholic, Guardian Angels Catholic Community Rev. Dr. Wesley Avram, Christian, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church The Rev. Chuck Milhoan, Episcopal, The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist Rev. Sue Ringler, Ecumenical Catholic Communion, Guardian Angels Catholic Community Lay Leader Terry Pizzi, Ecumenical Catholic, Guardian Angels Catholic Community Page 3 3/2/2017 Mr Vernon Reamer, Lutheran , Living Water Pastor (Rev.) Charles G. Kieffer, Roman Catholic, Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Ms Kathy Melamed , Unitarian/Jewish, Valley UU Congregation Oscar De Los Santos, Catholic/Episcopalian Rev. Dr. Andy Burnette, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Chandler Rev. John Fife, Presbyterian, Southside Presbyterian Church Youth Director Johnny Martin, Arizona Interfaith Movement Rev Jayne Baker, Lutheran, Ascension Lutheran Church Rev Debra Peevey, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Retired Imam Ahmad Shqeirat, Islam, MLFA Director of Outreach Billie K. Fidlin, , Desert Southwest Conference UMC Ms. Nancy Jamison, United Methodist, Dayspring United Methodist Church Chaplain Rose Martin Ms. Evelyn Martin, Christian, North Scottsdale United Methodist Church North American Regional Coordinator Sari Heidenreich, United Religions Initiative - North America Rodo Sofranac, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran Peggy Guerrero, Catholic, Jordan Ministry Team Dr. Tamera Zivic, Christian, WHEAT, the World Hunger Education, Advocacy & Training Organization Stephen Batalden, Christian, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Murchie Javelosa, Roman Catholic Most Rev. Thomas Olmsted, Catholic, Diocese of Phoenix Sister Barbara Einloth, Roman Catholic, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill Rev. Michael Diskin, Catholic, Diocese of Phoenix and President, Arizona Faith Network John Linda, United Church of Christ, Desert Palm, Tempe Page 4 3/2/2017 Deacon Glenda Blegen, ELCA Lutheran, All Saints Lutheran Church Rev Joseph Keesecker, Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.) Kathleen Rogers, Lutheran, First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mesa Lita Johnson, Ecumenical, Trinity UMC Ms. Randi Garfield, Jewish, Temple Solel Rev. Dr. Kristin Hansen, Christian, Desert Foothills United Methodist Church Ms. Deb Browning, United Methodist, Stephen Ministry, Desert Foothills United Methodist Church Mrs. Meri Coash, Christian, Living Streams Dr. Leah Sarat, UCC, Phoenix First Congregational United Church of Christ Sarah Schmutz, Jewish Rev. Jane Baker, United Methodist, Dayspring UMC Bishop Eduardo Nevares, Roman Catholic, Diocese of Phoenix Edward Casper, Buddhism, SGI-USA Paul Gryniewicz, ELCA, Desert Cross Lutheran Church Imam Didmar Faja, Islam, United Islamic Center of Arizona The Reverend Kenneth Page, Presbyterian, Orangewood Presbyterian Church Heidi Richmond, Unitarian Universalist , Valley Unitarian Universalist Reverend Kathleen Baughman, Unitarian Universalist, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix Chaplain Don Burgess, Lutheran, La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church Rev. Eric Lederman, , University Presbyterian Church, Tempe, AZ Vice-President Sharon Kopina, Unitarian Universalist, People Demanding Action-AZ PDactionAz.org Rudy Armijo-Pack, Ecumenical Catholic, Guardian Angels Catholic Community Rev. Rebekah Krevens, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Foothills Christian Church Page 5 3/2/2017 Senior Pastor Daniel Megorden, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Desert Cross Lutheran Church, Tempe & Gilbert Reverend Jan Trulock, Christian, Disciples of Christ Rachel Cushman, Christian , United Methodist Church Dr. Uzma Jafri, Islam, West Valley Islamic Center Robin Roach, Non-denominational Christian, CCV Richard and Susan Smith, Lutheran, Ressurection Lutheran Church Mr Sean Haas, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation Mr. Gary Erickson, Unitarian Universalist, Valley U U Reverend Lara Forbes, ELCA Lutheran, Faith Lutheran Church Mrs. Eileen Garces, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation Pastor Sarah Stadler, Lutheran, Grace Lutheran Church Rev Renee Geiger, Lutheran, AZ Faith Network Rev. Jose' Olagues, , Presbyterian Church (USA) Rev. Scott Fischer, Christian, Pinnacle Presbyterian Church Nancy Anderson, UUU, VUU Mrs. Patricia Riemer, United Church of Christ, Desert Palm United Church of Christ Linda Dunkleberger , Catholic Mrs. Carolyn Bame, Christian, United Methodist Church Ms. Lauren Michaud, Pagan, SunDABT Rev. James Pennington, United Church of Christ, First Congregational United Church of Christ – Phoenix Senior Pastor Jack Marslender, Christian, Baptist, First Southern Baptist Church of Avondale Ms. Melinda Iyer, Unitarian Universalist, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix Sister Elizabeth Christensen, Roman Catholic, Most Holy Trinity Parish Page 6 3/2/2017 Lucia Kisiel, Catholic Co Clerk Tom Haines, Quaker, Phoenix Quaker Meeting Rev Donna Buckles, Christian, Palmcroft Baptist Church Ms Karen Johnson, Protestant, All Saints Lutheran Church Karen Stucke, Unitarian Universalist, Valley Unitarian Universalist Anne Schneider, Unitarian universalist,