5.20.19
Photo courtesy of Naomi Greenfield
In the aftermath of two suspicious fires at the Center for Jewish Life of Arlington/Belmont and the home of Rabbi Avi and Luna Bukiet, the AHRC organizes a Solidarity Gathering for Arlington and the Greater Boston Jewish community. The goal of the event was to gather in support and solidarity for the Jewish community and to empower everyone to take action against all acts of hate, bias and discrimination that so often lead to acts of violence.
The event was scheduled to be held in the Town Hall Garden but was moved to inside Town Hall due to a sudden downpour. This didn't prevent over 500 people from packing into the lower and upper floors of Town Hall. The AHRC put together a speaker program that consisted of the following: * Welcome and Opening Remarks: Naomi Greenfield, Co-Chair, Arlington Human Rights Commission * Cindy Friedman, State Senator, Fourth Middlesex * Robert Trestan, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League * Rabbi Marc Baker, President and CEO, Combined Jewish Philanthropies * Adam Chapdelaine, Town Manager, Arlington, MA * Julie Flaherty, Acting Chief of Police, Arlington, MA * Rabbi Avi and Luna Bukiet, Center for Jewish Life in Arlington/Belmont
The event also featured a sign-making station, candles and resources from the Anti-Defamation League and Facing History and Ourselves about community responses to incidents and education opportunities. There was also have a children's book selection with discussion questions for any parents who need guidance or support in how to talk to their children about difficult event (or for children in attendance who may need to be occupied).
Downloadable Loves Lives Here signs can be found here.
If you would like to support the Center for Jewish Life as they update their security needs, please visit their Security Initiative Fund here.