The Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit Condemns Antisemitism
The Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit expresses its solidarity with the Metropolitan Detroit Jewish community and condemns, in the strongest terms possible, all manner of hateful and violent words and acts against our Jewish brothers and sisters and their houses of worship. The recent spate of antisemitic incidents across our country and in our community is vile and entirely antithetical to our respective faiths' teachings. We hereby affirm that attacks, hatred, and discrimination against any person on the basis of his or her religious identity have no place in our country or community. In years past, the Religious Leaders Forum has condemned instances of Islamophobic and racist bigotry in our community. Recent attacks on Jews require us again to speak out forcefully. Any attack on one of us shall be deemed an attack on each of us. We will continue to promote tolerance and respect for one another. Nothing short of this is acceptable.
The Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit believes that the significant moral and social values espoused by their respective religious groups are important considerations for the entire community. Its leaders share an unshakeable belief that God is bountifully at work in our community. Its members join together to foster mutual respect for one another and work together to utilize their collective influence for the betterment of the metropolitan Detroit civic community.
Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit
Reverend Stancy Adams, Chair, InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit
Bishop David Bard, Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church
Hajji Najah Bazzy, Muslim Religious Leader
Reverend James Curenton, Mayflower Congregational Church
Elder David DeVries, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Executive Director, Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC
Imam Steve Mustapha Elturk, President, Islamic Organization of North America
Rabbi Robert Gamer, President, Michigan Board of Rabbis
Father Aren Jebejian, St. John’s Armenian Orthodox Church
President David Johnson, Westland Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Monsignor John Kasza, Interfaith Officer, Archdiocese of Detroit
Bishop Donald Kreiss, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Southeast Michigan Synod
Rabbi Harold Loss, Temple Israel
The Right Reverend Bonnie Perry, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Michael Peterson, President, Bloomfield Hills Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Father George Shalhoub, St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church
Imam Hassan Sayed Qazwini, Islamic Institute of America
Bishop Edgar Vann, Second Ebenezer Church
Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Holy Ghost Church
The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit
About the Religious Leaders Forum
The Religious Leaders Forum, a group of senior clergy leaders, have gathered together to foster mutual respect and work towards a metropolitan Detroit community that thrives in compassion and peace. They believe that the significant moral and social values of their diverse religions are important considerations for the entire community. The Religious Leaders Forum is convened by the InterFaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit.
