I hope you’ve had a great week! This week began with an incredible event for our Jewish community. Thank you to everyone who attended Sunday’s Jewish Culture Fest. We had well over 1,000 people throughout the day join us to celebrate all that we love about being Jewish. The musical and entertainment acts were incredible, the vendors had amazing Jewish items for sale, and the food was delicious. It truly was a perfect day and represents what every event for our community should be like. I’m so glad the Alliance could lead this effort.
Unfortunately, the news later this week has not been as joyous. Yesterday evening the Providence City Council introduced an ordinance change that would direct the city of Providence to divest from any Israel bonds that it holds. The language in the legislation specifically singles out Israel as a pariah state, which is antisemitic.
Click here to read the transcribed version of the Shabbat message.
You may be asking what you can do. Included with this message is more information on the ordinance as well as the email addresses for each city councilor in Providence. If you are a Providence resident, I’d urge you to reach out to them and share why this legislation is a bad idea for the city and how it makes you feel as a member of the Jewish community.
Click here for more information about the ordinance.
Helen D. Anthony: Ward2@providenceri.gov
James E. Taylor: Ward8@providenceri.gov
Rachel M. Miller: Ward13@providenceri.gov
John Goncalves: Ward1@providenceri.gov
Jo-Ann Ryan: Ward5@providenceri.gov
Pedro Espinal: Ward10@providenceri.gov
Oscar O. Vargas: Ward15@providenceri.gov
Mary Kay Harris: Ward11@providenceri.gov
Sue R. AnderBois: Ward3@providenceri.gov
Justin M. Roias: Ward4@providenceri.gov
Miguel A. Sanchez: Ward6@providenceri.gov
Ana S. Vargas: Ward7@providenceri.gov
Juan M. Pichardo: Ward9@providenceri.gov
Althea A. Graves: Ward12@providenceri.gov
Shelley T. Peterson: Ward14@providenceri.gov
Working together, I’m confident we can defeat this egregious, antisemitic effort and get back to bringing our community together for the joy and not for the oy.
Until next time, I wish you a safe, peaceful, and joyous Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom,
Adam Greenman
President & CEO