We are appalled by news of the white supremacist rally and violence in Charlottesville, Va. last weekend that directly led to the deaths of an innocent counter-protester, and many others hurt.

The Jewish community cannot sit silent while Nazis, KKK and other groups bent on hate, march openly and proudly down our streets. We have witnessed the world vision for Nazis and we vowed Never Again. The messages of anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia, combined with violence, strike at our community as they do at people of color, immigrants, and individuals of good will throughout our country.

They remind us that we cannot stand idly by in the face of hatred and that the Jewish community must be united with all communities to work against anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination in all its forms. In the words of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, “Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society.”

We continue to defend the right of all Americans to free speech, regardless of how despicable, but not when it is an incitement to violence. We must work toward peace and tolerance, keeping hatred and bigotry out of Connecticut and our nation.

The Rabbis and Communal Leaders of Eastern Connecticut stand with our interfaith and diverse community partners to let Connecticut know that hate is not tolerated here or elsewhere in our nation.

Rabbi Ken Alter

Rabbi Marc Ekstrand

Rabbi Julius Rabinowitz

Rabbi Rachel Safman

Rabbi Susan Schein

Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz

Jerry Fischer, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut