The Los Angeles Jewish Home shares the feelings
of many Americans. Shock. Horror. Sadness. Outrage.
Condemnation of the institutional racism that led to
the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud
Arbery and many, many others. We mourn the loss of their
lives and join in the demand for change now.
Racism is cruel. It springs from a
long-held hatred, prejudice, and violence against "the
other." As a 108-year-old Jewish not-for-profit, our
practices are rooted in the Jewish value of justice
and a belief in the sanctity of life. We grieve with
our neighbors and together reject the systemic racism
and acts of hate we have seen. The LA Jewish Home is
a reflection of the richness in diversity that make
Los Angeles the incredible city and society it is. Diversity
and the blessings it brings make us wiser and stronger—as
a society, we are immeasurably richer.
We often think we are doing our best until something
reminds us we can still do better. And so, today, we
pledge to redouble our efforts to promote, justice for
all. And we will fight for an America that fulfills
the dreams we all share: A just America shared
by everyone. No matter the race, age, religion, gender
identity or personal viewpoint, America is us—all
of us together.
For those of us grieving, it is impossible to offer
more eloquent or better qualified advice than the two
words we heard from a longtime resident here who survived
a Nazi concentration camp: "Never hate."
Americans do not hate. We have changed the world before
and with others, resolve to do so again. Our
work is to repair the world we have been gifted and
ensure justice for all.
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