Chicago interfaith meeting condemns Jew-hatred

CHICAGO — More than 1,000 people joined in an interfaith gathering against Jew-hatred at the Chicago Loop Synagogue here Feb. 8. The rally, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish United Fund, took place four days after an attack on the synagogue left a plate glass window broken and swastikas pasted to the door.

“We are drawn together with a clear message that hate has no place in our city or our country,” Emily Sweet, the council’s executive director, told the crowd.

“Support is evident here from our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters who are here,” said Dr. Steven Nasatir, president of the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. “We are gathered here to say loud and clear that we will not surrender to fear, we will not surrender to hate, we will not surrender to divisiveness.”

In 2015 acts of vandalism and violence targeting Muslims increased by 67 percent. Over the same period Jews were the targets of more than 50 percent of religious-based crimes, according to FBI statistics.

Jenan Mohajir of Interfaith Youth Core spoke of the need for unity, noting, “I am a Muslim woman, the daughter of Indian immigrants, the mother of mixed-race children, and an educator.”

Also speaking at the rally were Bishop Sally Dyck, United Methodist Church; Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III, Trinity United Church of Christ; Pastor Chris Harris, Bright Star Church; and Rabbi Michael Siegel, Anshe Emet Synagogue.

— JOHN HAWKINS