Love wins: No room for hate

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MAHOPAC – Christians and Jews united in fellowship when some 125 men and women gathered in downtown Mahopac for a rally dubbed: ‘Love wins: No Room for Hate’ and organized by houses of worship throughout the greater Mahopac-Carmel-Mahopac Falls area.

The Rev. Casey Carbone, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Mahopac known as the Church on the Hill, who helped to coordinate the vigil, told the audience gathered at the Mahopac Chamber of Commerce Park overlooking Lake Mahopac, “It is unfortunate that acts of violence and hate against Jews have taken place throughout our country and as close to home as Monsey in Rockland County and in nearby Yorktown Heights. We must show the world that love wins and there is no room for hate. We say no to hate; no to fear and in the end, love is what will win.”

Rev. Carbone, who arrived in Putnam County last April, called on Putnam County residents to “show your solidarity and never forget that love wins while acts of hate and violence have no place in Mahopac or in our neighboring communities. We must stand up and live that mantra each and every day.”

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne described diversity as “one of our greatest strengths not just who we are or where we worship or where we come from or our differences and political beliefs but by cherishing every moment of the day by working together. Those who spew hate and violence are the super minority. We are the majority because we are compassionate and care about each other.”

State Senator Peter Harckham told the audience “hate or bigotry has no place in the Hudson Valley. Hate is not funny nor is it cute and it won’t be tolerated. We must also become a part of the solution. Love, kindness and tolerance will win in the end because we embrace diversity throughout our local communities. Gentle acts of kindness on a daily basis will become victorious.”

The Rev. Martin McGeachy of the Gilead Presbyterian Church in Carmel reflected on the magnificent day of weather. “The sun feels so good. It warms the body and soul which will lead us all into the light together. We are here today standing for love. I am so grateful so many have joined in by standing in the light.”

Rev. Kathleen Berkowe of the Church of the Holy Communion praised residents of Putnam County for “standing together, working together and worshipping together. We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters because God loves us all.”

Rabbi Sarah Freidson of Temple Beth Shalom in Mahopac expressed appreciation of her church colleagues for organizing the rally. “Anti-Semitism has been around for a long time. We stand together and announce our values –tolerance, diversity, open-mindedness, forbearance, patience and charity. We stand proud and will not allow hatred of any minority in our community.”

The rabbi told people of all faiths, “You have our backs as we have yours.”

The 45-minute rally ended when Rev. Carbone led the audience in a moving rendition of “We Shall Overcome.”

Other pastors joining in the celebration of love were the Rev. Jennifer Boyd of Trinity Lutheran Church, The Rev. Martha Vink of the Drew United Methodist Church, the Rev. Kathleen Meyerson of the Southeastern Dutchess Cooperative of the United Methodist Church and Rabbi Avi Korer of Putnam Chabad.




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