Words matter. The Torah teaches that God created the world through words. We remember as much in the daily prayers, "Praised is the One who spoke and the world came to be." The responsibility rests with the words we choose whether we build or destroy worlds. And how we respond to the words of others matter.
Words matter everywhere in the ongoing work of creation. A week does not go by when we don't hear from Jewish kids in local public schools who are bullied for being Jewish or about a political or religious leader who spews hate. Living with the trauma of anti-Semitism is part of our complicated reality. How we talk about that, without being offensive, is a struggle we navigate even within the Jewish community.
The words of our leaders matter. Representative Ilhan Omar's words matter. She is a United States Congresswoman. Her words hurt, and they are wrong. They amplify anti-Semitic stereotypes that have no place in the kind of world we have a responsibility to build. The impact of her words land painfully on Jewish people at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise. We denounce Congresswoman Omar's statements and strongly urge her to use her words to build a world of kindness and tolerance.
Words matter when Congresswoman Omar faces death threats, and her name is inexcusably linked to the 9/11 attacks.
Our words matter.
We name anti-Semitism where we see it. We lift up efforts, especially between the Jewish people and communities of faith everywhere to build a more just, compassionate and equitable world. The work of creation does not always bear fruit. But if something is to grow at all, we know it takes the willingness to engage beyond the headlines of a moment.
Words matter. Just as we, as proud Jewish leaders in the United States of America and throughout North America and the World commit ourselves to making a positive difference. We demand our leaders do the same by refraining from false, hurtful and insensitive remarks concerning Israel and the Jewish People.
Rabbinical Assembly
Cantors Assembly
Jewish Educators Assembly
The Jewish Theological Seminary
Masorti Foundation
Masorti Olami
Mercaz Olami
MERCAZ-Canada & Canadian Foundation for Masorti Judaism
MERCAZ USA
Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano
The Schechter Institutes, Inc.
Women's League for Conservative Judaism
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies