Statement on the Black Lives Matter movement at this time - 6/17/2020
The multi-faith members of the Farmington Valley League of Light stand together to support justice for all and the common good. We are called to speak out on issues of injustice and foster better understanding in our community. As such, we decry any instances of police brutality and recognize the larger pattern of systemic racism in this country. We emphatically state that Black Lives Matter. As stated in our vision statement, we will continue to unify and strengthen our community by nurturing better understanding of our differences and commonalities, fostering constructive dialogue and advocating for those who are hurt by hate, ignorance or injustice. There is much work to do, and we are committed to being part of the positive change our community needs.
The multi-faith members of the Farmington Valley League of Light stand together to support justice for all and the common good. We are called to speak out on issues of injustice and foster better understanding in our community. As such, we decry any instances of police brutality and recognize the larger pattern of systemic racism in this country. We emphatically state that Black Lives Matter. As stated in our vision statement, we will continue to unify and strengthen our community by nurturing better understanding of our differences and commonalities, fostering constructive dialogue and advocating for those who are hurt by hate, ignorance or injustice. There is much work to do, and we are committed to being part of the positive change our community needs.
Statement on the Words and Actions of This Administration
Farmington Valley League of Light- August 20, 2019
We are deeply concerned about the recent actions and divisive speech coming from the current administration.
As a multi -faith community organization made up of individuals from different backgrounds, we are committed to unifying our community. In accordance with our spiritual and religious teachings, we believe that actions and speech should reflect our respect for the dignity of all individuals. We also believe that we are called to protect and care for the needy and welcome the stranger. If our policies and speech do not emphasize compassion and respect for all, we cannot honor our faith traditions nor fulfill the beautiful aspirations that our founders imagined for America.
Last year U.S. officials began separating babies and children from their immigrant families in large numbers at our southern border. In addition to being cruel for the entire family, the separation practice has been widely condemned by medical professionals because it leads to serious and lasting psychological and developmental harm to children.
In 2019, we are seeing a continuation of inhumane policies regarding immigrants and asylum seekers. There is still family separation at the border, and we saw earlier this summer that detainees were housed in unhealthy and dangerous conditions. In particular children were put in overcrowded barracks with limited supervision and medical care, given poor diets and allowed to wear dirty diapers and filthy clothes. These conditions need to be corrected immediately and children should be reunited with their families except in very unusual circumstances.
The President in tweets and at rallies continues to disparage unauthorized immigrants arriving at our southern borders with inflammatory and derogatory remarks. Insults and demeaning language are also being used against non-white lawmakers who do not agree with administration policy. The President recently suggested that four Congresswomen of color go back where they come from. Recently the President insulted an African American Congressman serving the Baltimore area, and the whole city of Baltimore seemed hurt and offended. Words have always mattered in our country because words have consequences.
We are concerned that the recent type of rhetoric in Washington D.C. by political leaders and officials could lead us back to an earlier era in which bigoted and degrading speech were commonplace. This is unacceptable to us. Ugly rhetoric supports the false premise that under our laws some are more equal than others. In our divided country, the messages offered by officials have the power to embolden hate groups and motivate violence in our community. Although we can use words to offer healing, forgiveness and love, we must not forget that words have also helped to start wars and fuel genocides around the globe. Words can lead to actions that tear a community apart, wound it deeply and threaten the safety of all.
We Ask:
As approved by the Farmington Valley League of Light Steering Committee and the following individuals: Anees Ahmed, Khamis Abu-Hasaballah, Rabbi Debra Cantor,Rev. Chris Dion,Rosanne Druckman, Janna Gross, Heather Johnson, Barbara Marcus, Holly McGrath, Mike Smoolca, Betsy Van Loon, Barbara Wolfe, and Elizabeth Zagata
Farmington Valley League of Light- August 20, 2019
We are deeply concerned about the recent actions and divisive speech coming from the current administration.
As a multi -faith community organization made up of individuals from different backgrounds, we are committed to unifying our community. In accordance with our spiritual and religious teachings, we believe that actions and speech should reflect our respect for the dignity of all individuals. We also believe that we are called to protect and care for the needy and welcome the stranger. If our policies and speech do not emphasize compassion and respect for all, we cannot honor our faith traditions nor fulfill the beautiful aspirations that our founders imagined for America.
Last year U.S. officials began separating babies and children from their immigrant families in large numbers at our southern border. In addition to being cruel for the entire family, the separation practice has been widely condemned by medical professionals because it leads to serious and lasting psychological and developmental harm to children.
In 2019, we are seeing a continuation of inhumane policies regarding immigrants and asylum seekers. There is still family separation at the border, and we saw earlier this summer that detainees were housed in unhealthy and dangerous conditions. In particular children were put in overcrowded barracks with limited supervision and medical care, given poor diets and allowed to wear dirty diapers and filthy clothes. These conditions need to be corrected immediately and children should be reunited with their families except in very unusual circumstances.
The President in tweets and at rallies continues to disparage unauthorized immigrants arriving at our southern borders with inflammatory and derogatory remarks. Insults and demeaning language are also being used against non-white lawmakers who do not agree with administration policy. The President recently suggested that four Congresswomen of color go back where they come from. Recently the President insulted an African American Congressman serving the Baltimore area, and the whole city of Baltimore seemed hurt and offended. Words have always mattered in our country because words have consequences.
We are concerned that the recent type of rhetoric in Washington D.C. by political leaders and officials could lead us back to an earlier era in which bigoted and degrading speech were commonplace. This is unacceptable to us. Ugly rhetoric supports the false premise that under our laws some are more equal than others. In our divided country, the messages offered by officials have the power to embolden hate groups and motivate violence in our community. Although we can use words to offer healing, forgiveness and love, we must not forget that words have also helped to start wars and fuel genocides around the globe. Words can lead to actions that tear a community apart, wound it deeply and threaten the safety of all.
We Ask:
- As a multi-faith organization, we ask with great humility that all of us consider and reflect on our own thoughts and speech. We encourage each person to consider how you can best continue your days with love and compassion for all.
- We call on political leaders and officials from all political parties to rise above and reject the rhetoric that causes discord, division and violence in our communities.
- We ask you to speak up and not remain silent if you believe that any leader or government official is sowing seeds of hate or division in your community.
As approved by the Farmington Valley League of Light Steering Committee and the following individuals: Anees Ahmed, Khamis Abu-Hasaballah, Rabbi Debra Cantor,Rev. Chris Dion,Rosanne Druckman, Janna Gross, Heather Johnson, Barbara Marcus, Holly McGrath, Mike Smoolca, Betsy Van Loon, Barbara Wolfe, and Elizabeth Zagata
July 6,2018 - The Farmington Valley League of Light Steering Committee has been joined by 23 area Faith Leaders in signing a comprehensive demand to reunite Immigrant families, for Immigration Reform as well as to cease harmful Immigrant rhetoric.
Farmington Valley area clergy and faith leaders join League of Light members in strongly condemning recent immigration policies implemented at the United States southern border that have disrupted migrant families and separated children of all ages, including babies, from parents. Even though an Executive Order of June 20, 2018 rolls back this cruel practice of family separation, deep concerns remain about the status of children who were already separated from parents and about ongoing issues related to migrant families.
We belong to varied faiths and follow different traditions, but the religious teachings and values that we all cherish support the need for strong families and vibrant, unified communities. We, therefore, urge that priority attention be given to the following issues:
Our religious traditions teach that compassion must guide us, particularly as we embrace the stranger and aid the poor and the vulnerable. Humanitarian considerations have always been an important part of the American ethos. Any comprehensive effort to reform our current immigration system must take into account how our policies and our rhetoric affect the dignity and strengths of families and communities. We must do better at our nation’s borders.
Signed Farmington Valley League of Light Steering Committee:
Khamis Abu -Hasballah*, Noora Brown, Rabbi Debra Cantor*, Reverened Chris Dion*, Rosanne Druckman, Valerie Eastwood, Jana Gross, Heather Johnson, Alan Maislen, Reem Nouh, Mary Smoolca, Mike Smoolca, Betsy Van Loon, Barbara Wolfe, Elizabeth Zagata
*Steering Committee members who also appear on the list of faith leaders
Signed Farmington Valley and Local Area Faith Leaders:
Khamis Abu–Hasaballah, Farmington Valley American Muslim Center
Rabbi Yitzchok Adler, Beth David Synagogue, West Hartford, CT
Fatma Antar, Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, Berlin, CT
Rev. Michael P. Aparo MSW
Rabbi Jeffrey Bennett, Temple Sinai, Newington, CT
Rabbi Donna Berman, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
Pastor Matt Blazer, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Simsbury, CT
Rabbi Debra Cantor,B’nai Tikvoh –Sholom, Bloomfield, CT
Rev. Karen S. Cook, Pastor, North Canton Community United Methodist Church
Rev. Chris Dion, Simsbury, CT Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rabbi Andi Fliegel, Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, CT
Rev. Laura Galbraith, Asbury United Methodist Church, Forestville, CT
Rabbi Ilana Garber Beth El Temple, West Hartford,CT
Rev. Susan Gibson Pastor, First Church of Christ Congregational,1652, Farmington, CT
Rabbi Rebekah Goldman, Simsbury CT
Samia Hussein President, Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, Bloomfield, CT
Rabbi Randall J. Konigsburg, Beth Sholom B’nai Israel, Manchester, CT
Rev. Dr. Virginia McDaniel, First Congregational Church of Granby, CT
Deacon Art Miller. Simsbury, CT
Rev Erica Nierendorf, Avon Congregational Church
Rev. Gene Ott Simsbury, United Methodist Church
Rabbi Michael Pincus, Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, CT
Rev. Julie Reuning-Scherer Lead –Pastor, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Avon, CT Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Father George Roberts, St James Episcopal, Farmington, CT
Rabbi James Rosen, Beth El Temple, West Hartford, CT
Sister Mary Ann Strain, CP, Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center Farmington, CT
Rev. Kevin L. Weikel Associate Minister, Youth and Young Adults, First Church, Simsbury, CT
Farmington Valley area clergy and faith leaders join League of Light members in strongly condemning recent immigration policies implemented at the United States southern border that have disrupted migrant families and separated children of all ages, including babies, from parents. Even though an Executive Order of June 20, 2018 rolls back this cruel practice of family separation, deep concerns remain about the status of children who were already separated from parents and about ongoing issues related to migrant families.
We belong to varied faiths and follow different traditions, but the religious teachings and values that we all cherish support the need for strong families and vibrant, unified communities. We, therefore, urge that priority attention be given to the following issues:
- Delays in reunification of children with their parents: As a direct result of the family separation policy enacted in April 2018, there are still many children (more than 2,000 as of June 30) scattered across the country in various types of shelters. Some children were placed very far from their families. Family reunification must be a top priority as the potential psychological and developmental harm to a young child in this situation is great, and separation is simply inhumane for the entire family.
- Furthermore, during this recent period there have been reports of makeshift and crowded conditions at shelters for children that were contrary to best practices in the field as well as a violation of human decency. This has to be corrected immediately.
- Future immigration reform efforts: Weaknesses in our immigration laws must be fixed and take into account unintended consequences of family disruption on children and families.
- Harmful rhetoric from leaders about migrant families: Some administration officials appear to demonize immigrants by suggesting that so many are dangerous criminals. This does not line up with crime statistics. Officials also minimize the risks immigrants have taken to save their families from religious persecution, gang violence and other extreme hardships. Recent political rhetoric suggests that leaders could be using migrant children as bargaining chips in a type of political gamesmanship. These toxic messages harm communities by sowing seeds of hate and discord.
Our religious traditions teach that compassion must guide us, particularly as we embrace the stranger and aid the poor and the vulnerable. Humanitarian considerations have always been an important part of the American ethos. Any comprehensive effort to reform our current immigration system must take into account how our policies and our rhetoric affect the dignity and strengths of families and communities. We must do better at our nation’s borders.
Signed Farmington Valley League of Light Steering Committee:
Khamis Abu -Hasballah*, Noora Brown, Rabbi Debra Cantor*, Reverened Chris Dion*, Rosanne Druckman, Valerie Eastwood, Jana Gross, Heather Johnson, Alan Maislen, Reem Nouh, Mary Smoolca, Mike Smoolca, Betsy Van Loon, Barbara Wolfe, Elizabeth Zagata
*Steering Committee members who also appear on the list of faith leaders
Signed Farmington Valley and Local Area Faith Leaders:
Khamis Abu–Hasaballah, Farmington Valley American Muslim Center
Rabbi Yitzchok Adler, Beth David Synagogue, West Hartford, CT
Fatma Antar, Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, Berlin, CT
Rev. Michael P. Aparo MSW
Rabbi Jeffrey Bennett, Temple Sinai, Newington, CT
Rabbi Donna Berman, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
Pastor Matt Blazer, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Simsbury, CT
Rabbi Debra Cantor,B’nai Tikvoh –Sholom, Bloomfield, CT
Rev. Karen S. Cook, Pastor, North Canton Community United Methodist Church
Rev. Chris Dion, Simsbury, CT Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rabbi Andi Fliegel, Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, CT
Rev. Laura Galbraith, Asbury United Methodist Church, Forestville, CT
Rabbi Ilana Garber Beth El Temple, West Hartford,CT
Rev. Susan Gibson Pastor, First Church of Christ Congregational,1652, Farmington, CT
Rabbi Rebekah Goldman, Simsbury CT
Samia Hussein President, Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, Bloomfield, CT
Rabbi Randall J. Konigsburg, Beth Sholom B’nai Israel, Manchester, CT
Rev. Dr. Virginia McDaniel, First Congregational Church of Granby, CT
Deacon Art Miller. Simsbury, CT
Rev Erica Nierendorf, Avon Congregational Church
Rev. Gene Ott Simsbury, United Methodist Church
Rabbi Michael Pincus, Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, CT
Rev. Julie Reuning-Scherer Lead –Pastor, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Avon, CT Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Father George Roberts, St James Episcopal, Farmington, CT
Rabbi James Rosen, Beth El Temple, West Hartford, CT
Sister Mary Ann Strain, CP, Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center Farmington, CT
Rev. Kevin L. Weikel Associate Minister, Youth and Young Adults, First Church, Simsbury, CT