This is a statement I shared on behalf of the Upper Main Line Ministerium at a rally against antisemitism in Chesterbrook

Recently, individuals have defaced buildings and signs in Tredyffrin with antisemitic and pro-Nazi graffiti. These vile acts are local expressions of what has been a nationwide rise in crime motivated by hate against others due to their religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation.

As members of the Upper Main Line Ministerium, we are lay and ordained religious leaders committed to inter-religious dialogue and cooperation. As such, we must speak out against these expressions of hate in our community against our Jewish siblings and all those who are threatened by the violence that swastikas represent. We urge our faith communities and neighbors of good conscience to do so as well.

We have the responsibility to defy the spread of the corrupt values and misinformation that motivate hate of all forms. We must teach and live out the moral courage and compassion that are at the heart of each of our religious traditions. We must humbly examine the ways our religious traditions can teach bias against people of other religions, in this case bias against Jewish people. We must do the good, necessary, and at times difficult work of cultivating communities that honor our differences and celebrate our shared humanity.

The need is urgent. The time is now. We invite you to join us.

Mr. Mohammad A. Aziz, Islamic Society of Valley Forge, Devon

Amy Dawson, Valley Forge Friends Meeting

Rev. Scott Dorsey Chaplain, Tredyf rin Police Department

Rev. Greg Impink Pastor, Wayne United Methodist Church

Rev. John R. Loring Pastor, The Baptist Church of the Great Valley, Devon

Rev. Nathaniel Mahlberg Pastor, United Church of Christ at Valley Forge

Rev. Patrick Marshall, Senior Pastor, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Devon

Rev. Amy Yoder McGloughlin Pastor, Frazer Mennonite Church, Malvern

Rev. David H. Messner, Ph.D. Interim Senior Minister, Main Line Unitarian Church

Father Paul O’Donnell, Parochial Administrator, Church of St. Monica, Berwyn

Chaplain Mindy Oppenheimer, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Paoli Hospital, Paoli

Rev. Kevin Rutledge Pastor, Berwyn United Methodist Church

Rev. Matthew Staniz Pastor, Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Devon

Rev. Thomas J. Szczerba, Jr. Associate Rector, St. David’s Episcopal Church, Radnor

Rev. Sarah Weisiger Pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Berwyn