Our staff and clergy today observe a Day of Reflection – a Sabbath of Conscience – honoring the call coming from the African American community for a General Strike. We are detaching ourselves from the tasks of the week to learn, reflect and dialogue about the costs of privilege and the stubborn toxicity of racism – to remember that we are all created b’tzelim Elohim in the image of the Creator.
It is within this context – of Jewish values applied to real-world challenges – that we approach questions that have arisen in the wake of the closure of the East Precinct. Some community members have inquired about SPD vehicles parked in the public spaces on 16th Avenue in front of Temple. We have been in ongoing communication with SPD, and do not believe that a failure to object to legal parking constitutes complicity in racism or brutality. The needs of the neighborhood to address ongoing criminal activity unrelated to recent protests remains a concern.
We work closely with SPD on security matters concerning the Jewish community, and we are grateful for their help against antisemitism, a clear and present threat to our community. They have stepped up to support us at a time when our Jewish community is particularly vulnerable in light of vicious attacks across the globe. At the same time, we stand with our African American fellow citizens in a call to restructure departments of public safety in ways that will transcend the enduring stain of structural racism.
As with all issues that matter most, complexity must be met with thoughtful deliberation and substantive dialogue. We urge all to engage in that dialogue with respect, and open hearts and minds.