BERGEN COUNTY LEADERS AGAINST HATE
Bergen Community Responds to Synagogue Firebombing
Lawmakers, Community Activists, Religious Leaders Stand in ‘United Opposition’ to Hate and Violence
RUTHERFORD – In response to the latest attack on a synagogue in Bergen County, in which Molotov cocktails were thrown at Congregation Beth El in Rutherford, putting the congregation’s rabbi and his family in danger, several elected and religious leaders issued the following joint statement to express their opposition to the acts of hate and violence being perpetrated against the Jewish community in Bergen:
“We wish to express, in the clearest terms possible, that any attack on a house of worship in Bergen County is an attack on everyone in Bergen County. The violent attacks on synagogues in Rutherford, Paramus, Maywood and Hackensack should be condemned by people of good conscience of every faith and every walk of life who are more interested in spreading peace and love rather than hate and fear. The perpetrators of these violent acts have to be brought to justice, and we will do whatever we can to help the law enforcement community bring an end to the violence in our home county.
“As we celebrate the life and teachings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, let’s remember his famous quote while imprisoned in Birmingham, Alabama – ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ The violent acts being perpetrated against Jewish houses of worship are a threat to the sanctity of spiritual freedom that we enjoy as American citizens.
“We stand in united opposition to those who would seek to do harm to religious leaders of any denomination, or to those who would seek to target individuals based on their race, religion, creed, gender, or ethnicity. Bergen County has a long and proud tradition as a melting pot of diversity, and our differences contribute to making the tapestry of the New Jersey experience all the richer.
“To the individual or individuals responsible for the attacks on synagogues in Bergen County – your terroristic acts will not break the bond of community we share. You may be able to damage some buildings, but rather than sow division, you have bred unity. You will be caught, and you will be held accountable for your crimes.”
The following leaders have signed on to this statement:
Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer
District 36
Assemblywoman Marlene Caride
District 36
Senator Paul A. Sarlo
District 36
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg
District 37
Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson
District 37
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle
District 37
Assemblyman Timothy J. Eustace
District 38
Assemblywoman Connie Wagner
District 38
Senator Bob Gordon
District 38
Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi
District 39
Assemblyman Robert Schroeder
District 39
Senator Gerald Cardinale
District 39
Assemblyman David C. Russo
District 40
Assemblyman Scott t. Rumana
District 40
Senator Kevin J. O’Toole
District 40
Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office
Rabbi Neal Borovitz
Temple Adovat Shalom, River Edge
Rabbi Steven Pruzansky
Congregation B’nai Yeshurun, Teaneck
Rabbi Chaim Shapiro
Congregation K’hal Adath Jeshurun, Paramus
Rabbi Larry Rothwachs
Congregation Beth Aaron, Teaneck
Dr. Meer Safdar Ali, President
Minhaj Ul Quaran Education & Cultural Center, Hackensack
Dr. Shakeel Khan, President
Darul Islah Islamic Center, Teaneck
Waheed Khalid
Member, Board of Trustees
American Muslim Union, Leonia
Reverend John Spencer
First Baptist Church of Englewood, Englewood
Reverend Dr. Vernon C. Walton
Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Englewood
Reverend Dr. Lester W. Taylor Jr.
Community Baptist Church, Englewood
Reverend Gregory Jackson
Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Hackensack
Pastor, Dr. M. Frances Manning-Fontaine
New Hope Baptist Church, Hackensack
Reverend Donald M. Pitches, President
Bergen Council of Churches
First Presbyterian Church, Carlstadt.