Mayor Eric Adams, heart, leads Jewish, Muslim, and Christian religion and group leaders in dialogue to deal with hate throughout 5 boroughs.
Picture courtesy Workplace of Mayor Eric Adams
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams not too long ago convened a gathering with Jewish, Muslim and Christian religion and group leaders within the wake of a latest spike in hate crimes throughout each the Jewish and Muslim communities since Oct. 7, 2023 — when Hamas launched a terrorist assault on Israeli civilians.
Within the 5 weeks because the assaults, Adams stated tensions have risen throughout New York Metropolis and the remainder of the globe, sadly resulting in an increase in hate crimes in sure communities.
Subsequently, the mayor introduced these leaders collectively to debate find out how to struggle hate inside the 5 boroughs and the way New Yorkers can work collectively to create a “safer, extra accepting New York.”
“There isn’t a place for hate in our metropolis and we’d like all of our homes of worship to come back collectively on this second and discuss how we carry gentle into the darkness that we’re all experiencing,” stated Mayor Adams. “It is a very painful second we’re all going by way of, and I don’t have all of the solutions, which is why listening to from our religion leaders is so essential.
“I’m hoping this circle of dialogue and mutual respect continues to develop as we navigate all that’s occurring throughout our planet,” he added. “I firmly imagine that what performs out within the worldwide enviornment mirrors what performs out on the streets of New York Metropolis as a result of we’re such a global group.
“Our greatest energy is our range, however, currently, I’ve seen that energy slipping away,” Adams continued. “I’m proud we’re displaying not solely the nation, however the globe, that, even in these tough moments, we’re nonetheless in a position to lean into the energy of our range.”
“You will need to come collectively in good instances, however it’s much more necessary to come back collectively in a difficult second,” stated Imam Shamsi Ali, Jamaica Muslim Heart. “As residence to a few of the most various communities, New York Metropolis has the privilege to carry us collectively. Regardless of our variations, we at all times discover a method to be united. In actual fact, we have to be conscious that we might conform to disagree with out being unpleasant. We’re one, New York!”
“We as leaders should display that there is usually a unity of spirit in addition to range of thought,” stated Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, New York Board of Rabbis. “We will share totally different beliefs, however we should present our younger folks that we belong to at least one human household.”
“Engagement, service, and dialog are important to co-existing,” stated Shahriar Rahman, president, Bhalo. “Placing geopolitics apart, we have to focus and emphasize on group progress and inter-community bonding. The assembly yesterday is a begin to an extended restoration and constructing course of between many communities.”
“We recognize the management of Mayor Adams and his workforce who convened our religion leaders to debate pathways that may construct tolerance and understanding throughout this difficult time,” stated Hindy Poupko, senior vp, group and exterior relations, UJA Federation of New York.
“It was a constructive assembly with a number of actionable outcomes,” stated Mohammad Razvi, CEO, Council of Folks’s Group (COPO). “COPO does a weekly meals distribution with volunteers of many backgrounds. We are going to instantly start a volunteers’ dialogue previous to beginning every of our distributions.”
“Hatzalah is grateful for the mayor’s management in bringing teams like this collectively to higher perceive one another and discover ways to reside pretty much as good neighbors,” stated Yechiel Kalish, CEO, Hatzalah. “By clearly speaking our shared values overtly and truthfully below the steerage of leaders like Mayor Adams we are able to proceed to make New York the very best metropolis on this planet.”
“As an Imam, we’re below one creator,” stated Imam Muhammad Shahid Ullah, president, Islamic TV. “My religion teaches me to reside collectively, work collectively, and keep collectively. My message could be very clear as a religion chief: There ought to be no hate in New York Metropolis.”
“Lovely assembly with our Muslim, Jewish, and Christian group leaders to fight hate,” stated Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, Kehilat Sephardim. “Nobody is born hating. You might be taught to hate.”
Following Monday’s assembly, Adams stated the group of Jewish and Muslim religion and group leaders plan to schedule a follow-up assembly to pursue each short-term and long-term actionable gadgets mentioned.
Becoming a member of Adams and administration officers at Monday’s assembly have been the next religion and group leaders: Imam Shamsi Ali, Jamaica Muslim Heart; Sheikh Musa Drammeh, Muslim group activist; Doughlas Jablon, Maimonides; Rabbi Yechiel Kalish, Hatzalah; Bob Kaplan, Jewish Neighborhood Relations Council (JCRC); Marian Soltz- Loike, Touro College; Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, Kehilat Sephardim; and Avi Posnick, Stand With Us.
Others have been: Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, New York Board of Rabbis; Hindy Poupko, UJA Federation; Shahriar Rahman, Bhalo; Raja Azad Gul, Raja Neighborhood Heart; Mohamed Razvi, Council of Peoples Group; Imam Shahid Ullah, Islamic TV; Adrienne Shamie, Sephardic group chief; Joe Shamie, Sephardic group chief; Imam Ahmed Ali Uzir, IQRA Masjid Neighborhood & Custom; Archpriest Rev. Thomas P. Zain Vicar, St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral; and Dovi Zeitlin, Yeshiva Chaim Berlin.
