Dear All,
First, I hope you have a wonderful holiday! Perhaps you are traveling to someplace warm. Or, heading to a family gathering to celebrate Christmas. Or, staying home and reading a good book. Whatever it is, I hope it brings you peace and joy. I also hope you all return safe and sound in January for the beginning of the year 2026. My hope and prayer is that 2026 will be a kinder, gentler time for all of us.
Which brings me to something important to share with all of you. Perhaps you heard in the local news about the antisemitic attack on our Jewish brothers and sisters worship space. Forty-five clergy (including myself) from all faith traditions in the Lansing area have sent the following letter in response to these attacks.
“December 19, 2025
Two apparent hate crimes were committed against Chabad Jewish Center in East
Lansing during the festival of Hanukkah this week. On December 16th, a person threw rocks at Chabad and on December 18th, possibly the same person spray painted swastikas on the center and threw more rocks, breaking windows. No one was hurt, we are relieved to say.
However, these acts of violence followed in the wake of the horrific murders in Bondi Beach, Australia on the first night of Hanukkah. Considering this, as well as the continued rise of white Christian nationalism in the United States and the upswing of antisemitic attacks around the world, the Interfaith Clergy Association of Greater Lansing declares:
We condemn this abhorrent attack in East Lansing and the horrific violence in Bondi
Beach in the strongest of terms. We condemn antisemitism in all of its forms, and all violence
against the innocent, whether the violence is in words, acts, or acts left undone. In this local
community, our interfaith association has helped us to become friends and partners together in
building bonds that cross faiths and cultures. So we stand united against any threats to our
Jewish friends, against any intimidation or provocation. We commit to encouraging our
communities to seek peace and understanding with our Jewish neighbors, as it is only through
building strong relationships and educating each other about our perspectives that we can
hope to achieve harmony.
Our faiths all affirm that we are called to act in peace and love, as repairers of the world.
We pray for compassion, kindness, and a just peace for all.”
My hope and prayer for this time forward, is for peace, common sense, kindness and the acceptance that all are children of the same God. May we work tirelessly towards this end so that all my live in safety and happiness.
Blessings to you and yours,
Karen+