The Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut is appalled by news of the white supremacist rally and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia [on August 12, 2017] which directly led to the death of an innocent counter-protester and injured many others.

The Jewish community cannot sit silent while Nazis, KKK and other groups bent on hate, march openly and proudly down our streets. We have witnessed the world vision for Nazis and we vowed Never Again. The messages of anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia combined with violence strike at our community as they do at people of color, immigrants, and individuals of good will throughout our country. They remind us that we cannot stand idly by in the face of hatred and that the Jewish community must be united with all communities to work against anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination in all its forms. In the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, "Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society."

We continue to defend the right of all Americans to free speech, but not when it is an incitement to violence. We must work toward peace and tolerance, keeping hatred and bigotry out of Connecticut and our nation. The Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut stands with our interfaith and diverse community partners to let Connecticut know that hate is not tolerated here or elsewhere in our nation.

JFACT represents seven Jewish Federations and their respective Jewish Service Agencies across Connecticut.

- JFACT

40 Woodland St.

Hartford, CT 06105

Jfact@mcmgmt.com

www.jfact.org