NEWBURGH – As the presidential primary nears, the more than 20 members of the Greater Newburgh Interfaith Council have committed to speak on civility over the weekend.
The clergy, representing all faiths – Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and other traditions – note that this election cycle has been filled with rancor and violence and mean-spirited rhetoric rising to levels not seen for decades.
Speaking for the interfaith council, Rabbi Larry Freedman of Temple Beth Jacob of Newburgh said the clergy are “alarmed” and dismayed by those who use words to harm, spewing stereotypes that kindle bigotry and hatred.
“As the primary is coming here to New York, we wanted to talk to our people about the importance of elections and the importance of choosing our leaders, but to do so without rancor, without hatred, without insult, and to remember that is something that we expect of our leaders,” Freedman said.
The interfaith council’s statement says they “seek a world where racism, hate, and violence are relics of the past, where differences are celebrated and respected, and where our children learn by our examples the ways of peace.”
The clergy said they “recognize that our greatest protection from extremists comes from building bridges of trust with those who appear different from us.”
