Congregation Shaarei Shamayim

Very proud that the Reconstructionist movement, along with the Reform and Conservative movements, signed this joint statement.

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 𝗝𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Adding our voices to millions of others across the United States, leaders of the Reform, Conservative/Masorti, and Reconstructionist Movements of Judaism condemn, in the strongest terms, the violence with which the Department of Homeland Security is enforcing American immigration law—above all, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as in cities and towns across the nation.

Many Americans are deeply disturbed as they see their neighbors targeted for detention and deportation in their homes, at work, at their schools, and at their houses of worship. They are deeply concerned about numerous accounts of the use of intimidating and violent detention tactics, dangerous and unhealthy holding facilities, lack of appropriate warrants or due process, and wrongful apprehension of US citizens or individuals with proper visas based on appearance or language.

In response, some are taking nonviolent steps to warn and protect their neighbors from this immigration enforcement overreach. The right to protest and speak freely are fundamental American rights, protected by the United States Constitution. Too often, though, nonviolent protest and civil disobedience is being met with violence.

The United States is a nation of laws, and as Americans we expect that our laws will be enforced with clarity and consistency. We are pained by reports and videos indicating that in carrying out their assignment, members of law enforcement are engaging in behavior that escalates confrontation, risking the safety of those suspected of having violated the law, of bystanders and protesters, and their own safety. Candidates for law enforcement must be properly vetted, fully and carefully trained, and held accountable when they do not meet appropriate standards. Such accountability includes investigating complaints fairly, transparently, and impartially, particularly but not only, in cases of officer-involved shootings. To that end, we call on the Department of Justice to investigate the shooting death by an ICE officer of Renee Good, z”l.

Our sages taught that the Book of Deuteronomy’s directive צדק צדק תרדף (Tzedek, tzedek tirdof), “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (16:20), implies that the law must be enforced through a fair process, and that one should pursue justice whether it would be to one’s advantage or to one’s loss.

Immigrants are members of our congregations, our families, and people with whom we interact in our broader communities. American Jews cherish our own families’ immigration stories. We recall that, like many being expelled from America today, we or our ancestors came to this country to escape oppression and find opportunity. That is why so many Jewish congregations, rabbis, cantors, and lay leaders have engaged in a variety of legal actions to protect immigrants in our midst. We grieve an American promise that seems to be no more.

We who lead the North American Reform, Conservative/Masorti, and Reconstructionist Jewish Movements stand with the members and leaders of Jewish communities in Minneapolis—and before that, in the Chicago area and other cities in the United States—who have confronted Immigration and Customs Enforcement nonviolently, legally, but resolutely. We fear that additional communities will need to be prepared to do the same in the months ahead.

We call on President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to pursue immigration enforcement and their response to protest through just and non-violent means, upholding our nation’s highest values and commitment to due process and the rule of law.

• LINK: https://www.ccarnet.org/jewish-cross-denominational-statement-against-violent-immigration-enforcement/

Thank you to our partners:
• ReformJudaism.org
• Union for Reform Judaism
• Reconstructing Judaism
• United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
• American Conference of Cantors
• Rabbinical Assembly
• Cantors Assembly
• The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

https://www.shamayim.org/event/on-repentance-and-repair-preparing-our-hearts-for-the-holiday-season.html

Join Rabbi Rena Blumenthal for a four-part series in the month of Elul just before the High Holidays. Classes take place on Tuesdays in September, starting on September 3. Rabbi Rena will be using On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Rabbi Danya Rutenberg.

There is an 8-person minimum in order to hold the class so please register below as soon as possible.

Feel free to invite friends and family.

https://www.shamayim.org/event/on-repentance-and-repair-preparing-our-hearts-for-the-holiday-season.html