To the editor:

Based on your coverage of October's Black Lives Matter vigil (October 28, 2020), some of your readers may be under the mistaken impression that Barrington's Jewish community stands in opposition to the goals and aspirations of Black Lives Matter.  Please know that nothing could be further from the truth.

Temple Habonim, and its leadership, are proud to join our Barrington interfaith partners in support of Black Lives Matter.  Anyone who has driven by our Temple (165 New Meadow Road) can see our sign in support of Black Lives Matter.  We have prayed and sang with our brothers and sisters in support of healing and justice.  More importantly, for the last several weeks, we have been engaged in an adult education course entitled "Difficult Conversations, Sacred Conversations: The Impact of Race on Our Lives."  The response to this class, which examines the effect of structural racism and implicit bias in our society, has been unprecedented, with more than 40 people in attendance every week. 

Please know that the handful of protesters from the Rhode Island Coalition for Israel who showed up at the vigil represent only themselves, and not the larger Rhode Island Jewish community.  Indeed, groups such as these seek to sow division and rancor to serve their own political agenda - an agenda entirely unrelated to civil rights or racial justice.

As we are living through some of the most challenging days in our lifetimes, Temple Habonim and its members stand in solidarity with those who have been unjustly marginalized or demonized. We will continue to do so until, as the prophet Amos wrote, "justice wells up like water, righteousness like an unfailing stream."

Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman

Temple Habonim

David Perolman

Director of Education, Temple Habonim

Rabbi Andy Klein

Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Habonim

Rabbi James Rosenberg

Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Habonim