To Our Decalogue Community,
The words “I can’t breathe” are antithetical to the essential Jewish belief that all people are created in the image of G-d through a holy gift of the breath of life. The murder of George Floyd deprived our fellow citizen of that gift, as it deprived him of his human dignity at the hands of those who abused power.
The murder of George Floyd only underscores the violence against members of protected classes that has increased recently. Those who sow seeds of division have been emboldened to encourage and perpetrate heinous acts against minorities. Unfortunately, this trend has continued to escalate over the last 6 months. George Floyd’s death highlights the harms inflicted against Black Americans, which also included the February 23, 2020 murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia on account of his skin color. We all, Jewish or not, join the cries of our Black American friends and neighbors to end racism.
Jews understand generational trauma. And we must be ever-vigilant to prevent acts of hate from being “normalized.” This has not been an easy task. Even after the anti-Semitic synagogue attacks in Pittsburgh, Poway, and elsewhere, within the past few months, Jews have been brutally attacked and murdered, including in a New Jersey kosher supermarket and during Hanukkah celebrations.
We mourn all of these losses – losses borne of hate.
As recently as last week, synagogues continue to be targets of anti-Semitic acts, including graffiti and vandalism. These are separate from the vile conspiracy theories directed against Jews, Asians and others in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. These events emphasize the need for our solidarity in condemning acts that cause such harm to our friends and neighbors.
As citizens, we have faced numerous challenges during the closures brought about by the pandemic. Our justice system and first responders have been strained to address these challenges. And we continue to be grateful to those who sacrifice for others.
But, we cannot let these challenges impede our efforts. For over 8 decades, Decalogue has stood firmly against discriminatory policies against all communities. Now more than ever we need to redouble our efforts to ensure all have access to justice and that those who abuse their power are brought to justice.
May our efforts serve to help the United States of America achieve its full potential as a beacon of light unto the nations, and a society where the rule of law justly prevails equally among its inhabitants.
Helen B. Bloch
President, Decalogue Society of Lawyers