Speaking up on behalf of the oppressed

 Dear friends,

In both the Old and the New Testament, believers are called upon to speak up for those who are oppressed. Proverbs 31:8-9 says, Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. In the sheep and the goats parable in Matthew 25:40, Jesus tells his followers, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

As you know from a recent newsletter article, I have been facilitating an interfaith clergy group here in Newport News with the aim of finding ways to work together for the betterment of our city. In response to the hostage-taking last month at a Texas synagogue, members of our group composed a statement, which Unitarian Universalist Pastor Andrew Millard submitted to the letter section of the Daily Press and the Virginia Pilot. 

The other day, Pastor Millard received a poignant letter of thanks from a Jewish woman who lives in Norfolk. In her letter (see below), she talks about what it means to oppressed communities when other people are willing to speak up on their behalf. I thought you might want to read and ponder her words.

May God bless us as we carry out the work of ministry, including advocating for others. 

--Anne

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Dear Rev. Millard,

 

I want you to know that your letter to the Editor in the Virginian Pilot, “Address Antisemitism,” affected me deeply. As a past director of the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, I have spent years studying and teaching about this tragic time.

 

One of my “heroes” is Elie Wiesel, survivor of the Holocaust, writer, teacher, and perhaps a prophet in our time.

 

One of Wiesel’s statements has remained with me all these years; “It must be emphasized that the victims suffered more, and more profoundly, from the indifference of the onlookers than from the brutality of the executioner… it was the silence of those he believed to be his friends… which broke his heart.”

 

Your letter came at a time that helps to restore the Jewish people’s faith in humanity, when once again antisemitism rears its ugly head. In the words of Wiesel, “Indifference can be… seductive. It is so much easier to look away from victims… It is, after all, troublesome to be involved in another person’s pain and despair.”

 

Please let your friends in “Pastoring the City” know how grateful the Jewish community is for your courage to speak out, for your commitment to “dismantle antisemitism, racism, hatred and bigotry.” And for your friendship.

 

I am forwarding your letter to Rabbi Ron Koas, the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El in Norfolk (to which I belong) in case he missed it.

 

Again, our hearts are filled with gratitude to know that we have friends, friends willing to speak up on our behalf against not only hate, but also indifference.

 

B’shalom,

Betsy O. Karotkin

Past President of Congregation Beth El