Please join me as I stand in solidarity with the local Jewish community on Sunday January 8th at 1pm at the Jewish Cemetery, intersection of Fernwood Road and Cedar Hill Road. I received the following information via both email and social media. Please circulate widely to your contacts, and attend if you are able.
Sometime around Christmas five gravesites in the 152 year old Jewish Cemetery (consecrated 1860) were defaced with hateful symbols and slogans. Let’s stand together against these cowardly and hateful acts and show our support for positive community relations.
Vigil at Jewish Cemetery, Sunday, Jan 8 @ 1pm
I am sure that you agree that hate and desecration of sacred places do not belong in our community and that people of goodwill must stand together to discourage such behavior whenever our fellow Victorians are targeted.
On Sunday Jan 8 at 1:00 p.m. Victorians will gather at the Jewish Cemetery of Victoria for a positive affirmation of our commitment to respect, freedom and inclusivity. (Located at intersection Fernwood Road and Cedar Hill Road)
Rabbi Harry Brechner will lead a brief vigil for respect and inclusivity in our community, inviting community leaders to raise their voices in support and bringing people together in positive action. If you can join us you are most welcome. Please re-circulate this message as widely as possible. Let’s have a great turnout and show how a healthy community reacts to hate crimes.
For further information and to send your messages of support please contact Congregation Emanu-El or Rabbi Harry Brechner at rabbiharry@gmail.com.
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I don’t think it’s fair to mention the desecration in such basic terms. Vandals perpetrated a hate crime by spray painting swastikas on Jewish grave stones. It’s my hope that the perpetrators of this crime will be held liable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We are one of the most spiritual countries in the world. We are a country where mortal enemies come to live in peace side by side. For example we have populations of Croats and Serbs, Hutus and Tutsis, Jews/Christians and Arabs/Muslims, Seiks and Hindus, All the European descendants that at one time or another were at war with each other now live side by side. The United states and Canada are the most ethnically diverse countries in the world! Tolerance is our greatest virtue and must be protected!
This would be my hope as well – that the perpetrators would be held liable and prosecuted.