Rabbi Knopf's Blog

Dear friends,

Many of you have no doubt heard of the despicable act of vandalism that occurred at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.  In troubling times like these,  it's encouraging to know that the Jewish community has many allies. Indeed, in the wake of the St. Louis incident, the Muslim community raised over $40,000 in under 48 hours (see press release below).  I am grateful for their steadfast friendship and support,  and I'm proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them against hatred and bigotry.

Should you be so moved to thank our local Muslim friends and/or express your reciprocal feelings of friendship with them, send me your message in an email (rabbi.knopf@bethelrichmond.org) and I will gladly pass it along.

If you would like to help the St. Louis community recover from this incident, you may do so online here: https://www.jfedstl.org/emergency-response/

Warmly, 

Rabbi Michael Knopf

Press Release
Issued by the Islamic Center of Virginia

Richmond, VA. 2/22/2017.  The Muslim Community of Greater Richmond is appalled by the recent series of anti-Semitic crimes occurring throughout our country, including the desecration of Jewish graves at the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. As we have done in the past, we will continue to stand with our Jewish sisters and brothers in the face of such blatant bigotry. Shortly after these acts of vandalism, a nationwide fundraising campaign was launched entitled “Muslims Unite to Repair Jewish Cemetery,” raising over $40,000 since it began.

Attacks of this nature are not simply demoralizing for religious minorities but detrimental to our American values. We recognize that we have a shared responsibility to continue to work together with leaders of all faiths and their communities to fight the dehumanization of all peoples based on their religion, race or ethnicity. With the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred, rhetoric and bigotry, now more than ever, people of faith must stand together for truth. Today, Richmond is truly an interfaith city committed to the security and well-being of all people of faith, and the Muslim community is honored to be a part of such a welcoming city and region. #StandingTogether:One communityOneNation#