Lamont, religious leaders urge solidarity against antisemitism
WOODBRIDGE — Love is contagious, said Gov. Ned Lamont, but so is hatred.
Therefore, he said, it is the duty of all people to speak out against hatred to prevent it from spreading.
Following the start of Hannukah Sunday night, Lamont was in Woodbridge at the JCC of Greater New Haven with a coalition of local Jewish nonprofit and racial equity group leaders on behalf of the Shine a Light on Antisemitism campaign, an initiative of Jewish organizations in America and Canada.
Judy Alperin, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, said Hannukah oft is referred to as the Festival of Lights.
“It’s the perfect time to join together to shine a light on antisemitism,” she said.
Lamont put that sentiment in writing, with a proclamation reading, in part, “in support of using the Festival of Lights this Chanukah to champion the message of light, and send a national message of support and solidarity with the Jewish faith and people, and by extension for all — do hereby officially proclaim the week of November 28th-December 6th as Shine a Light Week” in Connecticut.
Groups such as the Anti-Defamation League track incidences of antisemitism across the nation, compiling reported antisemitic incidents such as swastikas drawn on school property, distribution of antisemitic fliers and bomb threats called in to Jewish community centers.
David Warren, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, said antisemitism is “manifest in the U.S.” and on the rise, citing a shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed 11 people in October 2018. He said antisemitic incidents reported to the FBI have increased in recent years, and an American Jewish Committee survey reported that 90 percent of American Jews believe antisemitism is at least somewhat of a problem in America.
Alperin said that the purpose of the Shine a Light campaign is to inspire pride in American Jews instead of fear.
“We hope it raises awareness so people see the problem and feel pride in who they are,” she said.
David Hopkins, CEO of the Urban League of Greater Hartford, said that after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, a call from Warren was one of the first he received. He said the need for solidarity among all races and creeds is necessary.
“Standing with the Jewish community is nothing new for the Black community,” Hopkins said.
Dori Dumas, president of the New Haven NAACP, said the goal of the NAACP is fair treatment for all.
“Hate and racism, we have that same fight and we are advocating against it,” she said. “We must speak out and stand together. We have joined together in the past and we will continue to work together.”
State Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford, whose district includes Woodbridge, referenced the concept of “tikkun olam,” or repairing the world.
“I think it’s important we be the light and repair the world with one act of kindness at a time,” he said.
Lamont said he believes the pandemic brought out the best in the residents of Connecticut, who demonstrated kindness of conscientiousness. He said that, in that spirit, residents should be able to speak up against acts of hate and bigotry.
“We look out for each other,” he said.