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Speaking Out on the Growing Racism Against Immigrants and Refugees

10/07/2024 06:17:58 PM

Oct7

Representatives of multiple faith traditions gathered at Midvale Lutheran Church on September 19 to speak out against the growing number of racist lies, hatred, and threats recently directed against immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Many are here legally, fleeing persecution and death threats in their home countries. The Dane Sanctuary Coalition and Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice organized this press conference to take a public stand against growing racism and violence. 

One of the speakers was Rabbi Jon Prosnit, who began by saying that “Nobody leaves home—unless the home is in the mouth of a shark.” He talked about the historical experience of the Jewish people as second-class citizens, scapegoats, and targets of hatred. “But as Jews we are always on guard lest our own hearts harden—lest we grow callous—lest we forget the commandment from the book of Exodus that in each generation we are obligated to see ourselves as though we personally went out from Egypt.” He noted that welcoming and protecting outsiders is the most repeated injunction in the Torah. He urged us to use our ability “to speak up in the name of justice—to love, to nurture, and to build.”
 

April 30, 2025 2 Iyar 5785