A Statement of Solidarity with the Jewish Community (2014)

Whereas, as Christians we recognize and are grateful for the Jewish roots of our faith, noting especially that Jesus himself was a Jew, and Whereas, the American Baptist Churches USA has passed multiple resolutions condemning anti-Semitism at its national conventions (1934, 1939, 1961), and many of our regions took similar actions during the Holocaust era, and

Whereas, the American Baptist Churches USA held its most recent biennial convention in Overland Park in 2013 and will return for its next biennial in 2015,

Therefore, we stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Overland Park, Kansas and grieve with the families that lost loved ones in the Black Sunday attack at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City in Overland Park and at the Village Shalom Retirement Community in Leawood, on April 13, 2014, just one day before the start of Passover.

Furthermore, we reiterate our opposition to all forms of anti-Semitism and prejudice, in the United States and globally, and encourage our churches to do everything possible to express love and friendship to people of every nation, religion and race.

Approved by the Executive Committee of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey on April 14, 2014
Prepared by Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, ABCNJ Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor