Jewish Press of Pinellas County

Bay area Jewish organizations join with nation in call for justice, end to racism


The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police has prompted Jewish organizations in the Tampa Bay area and throughout the nation to express outrage and grief over the killing and demands to end racism and to reform of law enforcement agencies.

Among those issuing statements in recent days have been the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Tampa JCCs & Federation, the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, and Hillel Academy in Tampa.

The statement issued by the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast reads, “As Jews we know personally and painfully the dangers of unchecked hatred. We join all who mourn the loss of Mr. Floyd’s life and pray that his memory is for a blessing to his family and all who loved him. We share the grief and fury that others throughout our community feel over this and so many other recent senseless deaths.

“Judaism is clear about our obligation not to stand idly by in the face of injustice.” In condemning Floyd’s killing, the federation also commended the peaceful protests but condemned the violence that occurred during some of the protest demonstrations.  The statement was signed by the Federation’s interim executive director Maxine Kaufman and Federation President Ezra Singer.

The Tampa JCCs & Federation joined with 130 Jewish organizations nationwide to endorse a statement of solidarity with the black community, issued by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA). Those signing the statement are pledging to work in partnership with the black community to help institute sweeping changes to law enforcement and end systemic racism.

The Tampa Federation’s JCRC issued its own statement on the Floyd killing and noted that members of the Jewish community had joined with clergy of other faiths, African-American clergy, other religious leaders, and local elected and law enforcement officials for a peaceful interfaith service at Lykes Gaslight Park in downtown Tampa on June 1.

“We join all who mourn the loss of Mr. Floyd’s life and pray his memory is a blessing to his family and all who loved him,” the JCRC statement reads, adding, “We mourn the deaths of countless others who have lost their lives because of hate, racism and bigotry. We stand in solidarity with our friends in the African-American community and in all communities of color, united as an ally in the fight for equality and the right of all people, regardless of the color of their skin, to live without fear.”

The Florida Holocaust Museum also issued a statement that it “joins all people of conscience in condemning the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. We are pained and frustrated by the racial inequities and injustices that continue to contribute to tragic deaths throughout our country.”

In the Holocaust museum’s statement, issued by Executive Director Elizabeth Gelman and board chair Michael Igel, they wrote: “We must recognize our shared humanity and care about injustice even when we, ourselves, are not the targets of injustice. That is one of the central lessons of the Holocaust, and it motivates us to make our voice heard.

Every day, throughout the State of Florida, we teach about the consequences of hate and the consequences of not speaking up when we see others denigrated or marginalized. Every day, we teach that we cannot remain silent in the face of injustice. We all have a responsibility, as American citizens, to speak out against hate and ensure the rights of all.”

Museum officials pointed out that its recent exhibit, “Beaches, Benches and Boycotts: The Civil Rights Movement in Tampa Bay” recounted the stories of ordinary people here decades ago “who took extraordinary steps in the pursuit of justice and equality. We are equally as responsible for the type of community and the type of country we want to live in today.”

Joining in the calls for justice and an end to racism was Hillel Academy of Tampa, which issued an open letter to the community and posted it on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HillelAcademyTampa/

“As a multiracial community,” the school’s letter reads, “we know that anti-Black racism and violence is active all the time, not just when someone captures it on video. We are painfully aware that members of our community have direct experience with this kind of injustice. We are also grateful to the police and military who serve to protect regardless of race or ethnicity. At Hillel, we are committed to fighting racism, and to teaching our students to recognize and fight all systems of oppression.”

The school’s letter also contains links to resources adults can use for taking to children about race, and resources for ta

2 responses to “Bay area Jewish organizations join with nation in call for justice, end to racism”

  1. Alan Bergstein says:

    It seems the nation’s entire organized Jewish community has spoken out with one voice against systemic racism and specifically, anti-black hate. Terrific, and I applaud that stand. However, where has the reciprocity been on the part of the African-American community to stand by their Jewish brethren when it comes to the support for the survival of Israel, or the condemnation of blacks attacking Jews on the streets of New York City? Do they remember the Jews who were the leaders in the creation of the NAACP? When have they called out Al Sharpton for his overt Jew hating and his leadership of the violent black hordes that terrorized the Jewish community of Crown Heights back in the 90’s? Isn’t it time that our own Jewish leaders demanded that blacks respond in kind to the support the Jewish community has given them over the years? Why are we and they silent?

    • Irma Gordon says:

      This letter has been edited for language.

      Perhaps they are afraid that black people won’t like us or fear that they will turn it into an argument and will verbally attack us…telling us, no…accusing us of not doing enough for them….

      Too many Jewish men lack the balls to stand up to lies or false accusations. Too many Jewish women haven’t the knowledge to know that the (bs) they are fed is absurd. They live their life dodging and/or drowning in guilt.

      Enough said.

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