In 2014, The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL’s) unprecedented survey global anti-Semitism, the ADL Global 100, released both in English and Spanish, found more than a quarter of the world’s population held anti-Semitic attitudes. On Wednesday night, September 24, the Jewish New Year begins, and Jews all over the world are praying for a year free of anti-Semitism. Today, we’re pleased that people of other faiths are joining us in calling for an end to anti-Semitism, and all forms of prejudice.

                Recently, ADL’s Coalition for Mutual Respect, a group of religious, civic and business leaders dedicated to increasing interfaith understanding and fighting hatred, released a statement denouncing recent anti-Semitic incidents around the globe, and calling for an end to anti-Semitism.  The statement follows:

This past summer, from France to Argentina, from Australia to Chile, synagogues were attacked, Jewish cultural centers were vandalized, Jewish shops were threatened and identifiably Jewish individuals beaten on the street. Jews and Israel were compared to the Nazis. The chant of “death to the Jews” was heard at anti-Israel rallies.

 

               With one voice, Houston’s Coalition for Mutual Respect continues to pray for peace in the Middle East, unequivocally condemns all forms of anti-Semitism, and rejects attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred or violent attacks as an acceptable expression of disapproval or frustration over political events in the Middle East or elsewhere.

 

            The right to protest is fundamental. However, when protests target Jewish institutions with threats, vandalism and violence, when individual Jews are attacked, that is not criticism, that is anti-Semitism.

 

             Political disagreements and frustrations can never be allowed to justify violence or incitement against any religious, ethnic or other minority group. 

 

The Anti-Defamation League’s Coalition for Mutual Respect represents greater Houston’s diverse faith communities and is committed to promoting positive and harmonious interfaith and intergroup relations in our city.  ADL’s Coalition for Mutual Respect Board Members include:  Rev. Jim Bankston, Ghulam Bombaywala, Fr. Brendan Cahill, Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, Michael Chou, Pastor Harvey Clemons, Rev. Mike Cole, Martin Cominsky, Bishop Andy Doyle, Judith Finkel, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Rev. Troy Gately, Rabbi Sam Karff, Mark Kaufman, Dr. Basheer Khumawala, Dr. Stephen Klineberg, Rev. Bill Lawson, Sr. Jane Meyer, Pastor Steve Quill, Macey Reasoner, Bishop Mike Rinehart, Dr. Joe Ratliff, Regina Rogers, Rabbi David Rosen, Michael Solar, Jack Sweeney, Mustafa Tameez, Michael Trevino,  and Dr. Susan Wittjen.