An open letter to our elected representatives:
Congregation Sukkat Shalom, a Reform Jewish congregation in Juneau, condemns the recent increase in anti-Semitism including attacks on Jewish institutions and individuals across the United States. Although unfortunately not a new phenomenon, the current increase has been sharp and is directly attributable to political rhetoric, the president’s appointment of advisors with known anti-Semitic beliefs, and the president’s own reluctance to firmly address the issue. We expect you, as our representative in government, to publicly condemn anti-Semitism and demand action be taken to prosecute the perpetrators of these hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law.
Jews have a long and storied history in Alaska, indeed Jewish involvement in Alaska well predates U.S. settlement. A young Jewish soldier named Benjamin Levy has been credited with hauling down the Russian flag and hoisting the Stars and Stripes when the formal transfer of sovereignty took place in Sitka. The Gold Rush brought more Jews to Alaska who eventually settled in Alaska’s growing number of towns. Anchorage’s first mayor was Leopold David, whose descendants are still very active in the Jewish community and in the advancement of Anchorage. Another prominent Jew, Zachary Loussac, served as mayor of Anchorage and established the city’s public library system. Ernest Gruening, Alaska’s longest-serving territorial governor and oft-times called the father of Alaskan statehood, was born into a Jewish family in New York. Joan Goldstein Adler’s family were original Juneau pioneers, are members of our congregation, and were instrumental in obtaining our synagogue. These are but a few of the many Jews who have contributed to Alaska. We, the Jewish community, continue to be vital members of our communities, serving in every capacity and working for the betterment of our neighbors, city, state and nation. Our contributions have made this state, and nation, prosper and excel.
We expect you, our elected officials, to add your voice and use your influence to end the unprecedented upswing of violent rhetoric and attacks against the Jewish community and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Silence on this issue is approval of anti-Semitism and the criminal acts that target Jewish people. We urge you to show leadership in condemning these acts.
Respectfully,
Patricia Turner Custard
• Patricia Turner Custard is a co-chair of the Social Action Working Group. She wrote this on behalf of herself, Leah Farzin, co-chair of the Social Action Working Group, Rabbi Avi Fine and Chava Lee, board president of Congregation Sukkat Shalom.
