All those associated with the Vermont Holocaust Memorial were shocked and deeply saddened Thursday afternoon when we learned that the Chabad Menorah on the Dartmouth Green had been deliberately vandalized earlier in the week (“Dartmouth College menorah vandalized,” Dec. 18).
The Vermont Holocaust Memorial is founded by children of Holocaust survivors. We know what anti-Semitism looks like. We know that it comes from ignorance and fear. We know that it can lead to terrible consequences. And we know that a seemingly small action like the vandalism of a public menorah is not small. Incidents like this are not expected in our community and they will not be tolerated.
Chabad’s Rabbi Moshe Gray posted on Facebook, “in the spirit of Judaism, when they come with darkness, we bring light,” and, in solidarity, Thursday’s lighting of the menorah was enjoyed by more than 100 people who joined the rabbi via Zoom.
The Vermont Holocaust Memorial condemns this incident. We are available to engage and educate the community and help in any way that Dartmouth College or Hanover may request. Through education we envision a time when prejudice, bigotry and hatred will be replaced with respect for all.
HEIDI FISHMAN
Norwich
The writer is a board member with the Vermont Holocaust Memorial.
The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has passed 310,000, with new daily records being set regularly. It’s likely that 400,000 people may die before the vaccines become widely available. No wonder Robert Redfield, director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, said that the next three months are “going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation.”
Yet, sadly, some churches are more concerned about protecting what they see as their “right” to gather in large numbers — presumably unmasked — than they are about protecting the lives of their members and of their neighbors. They have invested the time, energy and money to take cases all the way to the Supreme Court to defend this “right.” But, clearly, they’re unconcerned about the loss of precious human lives that exercising their “right” in this pandemic will surely cost.
Church leaders should read a recent study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. It found that if most Americans would wear masks when they leave home, we could save more than 100,000 lives, perhaps more than half a million, through the end of February. It’s time that they recognize that mask-wearing and social distancing have become matters of discipleship. How can you say you follow the one you call “the Lord of Life” if you choose to put others at risk of death? I urge you to preach, teach and persuade your congregants to truly follow the golden rule. Isn’t that really what Jesus would want you to do?
THE REV. STEVE GEHLERT
West Newbury
The writer is a retired pastor with the United Church of Christ.
We gratefully recognize the contributions and appreciate the years of public service that Abigail Kier has given to Claremont. Some of her accomplishments as a public servant are helping with the master plan, participating on several city committees, and providing significant leadership as a Claremont city councilor.
Kier is not one to step away from controversy. Her recent leadership to address public safety concerns regarding the coronavirus — repeatedly — has been exemplary. She presented an educational program in May that led to the City Council’s support of a nonbinding resolution for Claremont residents and visitors to wear a face mask when in public to help control the spread of the coronavirus. She also created a resolution, passed in July, supporting racial justice and condemning police brutality. Patrick Adrian of the Eagle Times reported, “The Claremont City Council passed a resolution in which it pledges to collaborate with city partners, including the Claremont Police Department, to stand against incidents of racial injustice and police brutality and strengthen community diversity, in part through education and violence-prevention programs.”
For the many hours Abigail Kier devoted to our community to champion public safety and justice, we thank her and wish her and her family the best in their new venture in Washington, D.C.
REBECCA MACKENZIE
and JAMES CONTOIS
Claremont