MCWRET Resolution to Oct 27th, 2018 Violence at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh

A Resolution

WHEREAS, the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought is committed to striving for justice and peace among all people and respecting the dignity of every human being;

WHEREAS, we are blessed as an interfaith organization with members of the Jewish faith, and we are committed to loving, supporting, protecting and serving our neighbors;

WHEREAS, the unspeakable acts of brutality, hate and anti-Semitism perpetrated against the faithful and innocent congregants of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh as they were gathered in worship on Saturday, October 27, 2018, have horrified and outraged us;

WHEREAS, in the past year, there has been a 57% increase in anti-Semitic acts and speech in this country, targeting more than the Jewish people and;

WHEREAS, we cannot be silent in the face of this evil which is infecting our land;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought stands in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in their grief, outrage and a yearning for shalom.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we commit ourselves to speaking out publicly against all anti-Semitic speech and acts. We commit ourselves to standing as one with our Jewish brothers and sisters and other faith congregations in eliminating the evil of anti-Semitism as we proclaim together, “Never again.”

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we will pray for those innocent lives lost at the Tree of Life Synagogue and their families and loved ones. We also will pray for those who, by word or action, promote hatred and violence. May their hearts of stone be transformed into hearts of compassion, and their words of hatred be transformed into words of shalom.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we commit to gather in worship and invite the community to join us in prayer and solidarity with our Jewish sisters and brothers to give thanks and celebrate our diversity and remember those who lost their lives at the Tree of Life Synagogue:

Joyce Fienberg, 75, of Oakland, City of Pittsburgh
Richard Gottfried, 65, of Ross Township
Rose Mallinger, 97, of Squirrel Hill, City of Pittsburgh
Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, of Edgewood Borough
Cecil Rosenthal, 59, of Squirrel Hill, City of Pittsburgh
David Rosenthal, 54, (brother of Cecil), of Squirrel Hill
Bernice Simon, 84, of Wilkinsburg
Sylvan Simon, 86, (husband of Bernice), of Wilkinsburg
Daniel Stein, 71, of Squirrel Hill, City of Pittsburgh
Melvin Wax, 88, of Squirrel Hill, City of Pittsburgh
Irving Younger, 69, of Mt. Washington, City of Pittsburgh

Adopted by the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought, this second day of November, 2018.
Adapted from the Freehold Clergy Association with permission on the first day of November 2018.