Dear Friends,
 
Events of the past few months, including the killing of George Floyd and antisemitic comments from people in popular culture, all against the backdrop of the pandemic, have only heightened our sense that we live in precarious and troubling times.
 
On 18 August, our Board of Directors will meet to consider having Mount Zion sign onto a letter supporting Black Lives Matter. Over 600 Jewish institutions and synagogues have already signed it including the Union for Reform Judaism and the Conservative Movement and locally, Adath Jeshurun, Bet Shalom, and Shir Tikvah.

The letter reads in part: 
As Jews, we know how dangerous this is: when politicians target Jewish people and blame us for problems, it leads directly to violence against us. When Black movements are undermined, it leads to more violence against Black people, including Black Jews.

As background, please consider two statements by the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ): “Reform Movement Statement on Recent Wave of Antisemitism” as well as “Reform Jewish Leadership Statement: Black Lives Matter is a Jewish Value”

We seek and welcome your feedback regarding Mount Zion signing the letter. Please send input to michaelckuhne@gmail.com or aspilker@mzion.org. Your feedback, if provided by 18 August, will be shared with the Board.  

Respectfully,
 
 
Michael C. Kuhne, President
Adam Stock Spilker, Rabbi