An Interfaith Message from the clergy of Central Synagogue, the Islamic Society of Mid Manhattan, and Saint Peter's Church

June 8, 2020, New York, NY

As leaders within three different houses of worship in New York City, we come together at this time united in purpose and hope. Our common Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions share a commitment to the sacredness of human life and shared humanity. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the disregard for human lives, as evidenced by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless others. It is all too clear that entrenched racism and systematic injustice cannot be met with silence, and we stand in solidarity with those who are persecuted, oppressed, or killed due to the color of their skin. We join together committed to fighting racism in all its forms, and we support those seeking justice through the sacred act of peaceful protest as they transform despair and outrage into hope.

As we look at these recent turbulent days, even as violence touches our own neighborhoods and communities, we know the importance of separating the acts of vandalism and looting from the legitimate and powerful call for change echoing across the country. We must hear the groundswell of voices and listen to the pain and protest emanating from every corner of our beloved nation.

We must remember – there is more that unites us than divides us, whether in the color of our skin or the ways in which we worship. We are stronger when we work together, arm-in-arm, for real change.

Together, we pledge to work with members of our community to encourage change where it is needed, to support and amplify under-represented voices, to fight racism and discrimination, and to remind each other of our mutual, unbreakable bonds of love and fellowship in the eyes of the Divine.

Senior Rabbi Angela Buchdahl
Senior Cantor Daniel Mutlu
Rabbi Hilly Haber Dir. of Social Justice Organizing on behalf of the entire clergy team at Central Synagogue

Imam Dr. Ahmed Dewidar
Imam Mohamed Dweidar
Secretary Abdul Haqq

The Rev. Fabián Arias
The Rev. Jared R. Stahler