To the editor:

The front-page article about Barrington’s flag policy (February 3) mentions that the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel opposes the Black Lives Matter flag on the town hall flag pole. We are writing to make it clear that this Coalition, which opposes the Black Lives Matter movement, does not speak on behalf of the Jewish community in Rhode Island or Barrington. In fact, both the RI Board of Rabbis and the Jewish Alliance of Rhode Island have stated publicly:

“We support the Black community and will follow their lead in joining the fight against institutional and individual racism, which continue to traumatize and devalue the lives of people of color in America... We commit to addressing racism within ourselves, our institutions, and our communities. We commit to strengthening our relationships with other communities. We commit to following the lead of communities directly affected. We commit to examining and processing our own histories and actions around racism and inclusion. We commit to continuing the fight for justice and to collaborate to ensure it is justice for all.”

Rabbi Alan Flam

Barrington

Rabbi Andrew Klein

Temple Habonim

Rabbi Howard Voss Altman

Temple Habonim

Rabbi James Rosenberg

Temple Habonim

Rabbi Irvin Wise

Barrington