Rabbi Carl M. Perkins
Cantor Jamie Gloth
Melissa Rudman, Executive Director 
Arlene Bryer, President

A Few Local Reactions --
and a Call to Get Involved

June 4, 2020 | 14 Sivan 5780
Dear Friends,

A few days ago, I wrote to express my anguish following the death of George Floyd in police custody. Clearly, I am not alone. Many of us remain highly disturbed that in 2020 in the United States of America a murder of this kind could take place, seemingly with impunity, under color of authority.  

In the meantime, several local responses to the tragedy have come forward that I would like to share with you.

First, Chief John Schlittler of the Needham Police Department issued the following letter, which was read at the recent meeting of the Needham Select Board Meeting:
Second, I joined with other members of the Needham Clergy Association in drafting a statement that was published today by the Needham Times :

Dear Community,
We grieve the recent tragic deaths of Mr. George Floyd, Ms. Breonna Taylor, Mr. Ahmaud Arbery and the many other victims of violence perpetrated in circumstances in which racial prejudice was a major factor. We acknowledge the fear and confusion that we all feel in response to these tragedies and the reactions they have brought on in our state and our nation. We affirm the anger and righteous indignation that is felt by so many and the protest that has resulted. We pray and hope that this direct action eschews acts of violence and forges a path toward life giving solutions.
We bemoan the fact that racism has, overtly and covertly, been a part of the fabric of American life and continues to perpetuate division and discord within our society. We do so as we mourn with our nation over the more than 100,000 lives lost to COVID-19 pandemic. We acknowledge that the pandemic, because of the systemic racism afflicting our society, has caused disproportionate rates of death within communities of color.
We, the leaders and representatives of many communities of faith in Needham, are united in our belief in the dignity and equality of every human being and the essential oneness of all humanity. We affirm the sacredness and inherent dignity of black and brown lives in both body and soul, and stand with those who call for justice and the accountability of those who are sworn to serve and protect. 
To our neighbors of color, we stand with you, and are committed to solidarity with you, holding onto love and the hope that together we can purge our nation of the destructive disease of racism. We pray in unity for all the victims and their families. We also pray that in our personal and communal actions we continue to stand against any acts of injustice.
In solidarity,
Rev. Daryn Stylianopoulos and Rev. Maddie Foster, Co-Presidents, and members of the Needham Interfaith Clergy Association


Third, I would like you to see the short, straightforward and important message to the Jewish community from a group of JCRC heads, including Jeremy Burton , the head of the Boston JCRC , which was published in today’s Forward . You can read it here . (Incidentally, if you do not already subscribe to the Forward , I encourage you to do so. Click here to purchase a six-month subscription for $10.)

Clearly, much work remains to be done. Let’s keep before us the goal of real structural change in our country, in order to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, ... promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." As Rabbi Tarfon taught us, It is not upon us to complete the task, but neither are we free to desist from it. Let’s heed his words.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Carl M. Perkins

PS. I have just learned (from a WGBH text) that Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has encouraged all of Boston to participate in a nationwide moment of silence for George Floyd this afternoon, and he has pledged to make Boston a leader in a national effort to address systemic racism. As we know, George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer pinned him to the pavement with his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. In Mr. Floyd's memory, the moment of silence will last 8 minutes and 46 seconds beginning at 3:45 PM Eastern Time.

“I'm participating in this, and I ask everyone to please participate in the moment of silence,” Walsh said at a midday press briefing. Floyd’s death “has brought out real pain that has existing in this city for a long, long time,” and city leaders need to listen “to the voices and messages of our black neighbors who are harmed by systemic racism every day,” Walsh said.

“I am committed to making real change,” Walsh said. “I pledge my commitment to making Boston a national leader in healing the wounds of our history and building a more just future.”