“No matter where you’re from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor.”
That’s the friendly message in English, Spanish and Arabic emblazoned on dozens of yard signs around the Seattle area now, thanks to Kadima Jewish Community, a rapidly-growing congregation in Seattle that combines social activism with faith.
In the wake of Donald Trump’s election and the vitriolic anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant rhetoric he and his campaigners promoted, Kadima members decided that as a first step, it was important to demonstrate solidarity. Fortuitously, a church in Virginia had already begun to create signs declaring support for neighbors of different faiths and backgrounds and had made them available to other faith communities. Kadima members simply replicated the signs at a local union-friendly print shop.
“We want our neighbors to know where we stand,” said Michal Pearl Waldfogel, a Kadima member who was delighted to snatch up one of the signs and post it in front of her home in Tukwila. “We live in a community full of immigrants and refugees, and we wanted to publicize what we believe to be a fundamental message for our community.”
“I proudly display my ‘Welcome Neighbors’ sign to let all comers know that they will be received with a full heart and we will stand by them both in good times and challenging ones,” added Lauren Plawner, a member of Kadima’s board of directors.
Kadima members are quick to note that their Jewish faith obliges them to take action in the face of hate speech and hate crimes, even if they are not directly harmed.
“The Torah tells us again and again to ‘love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.’” noted Jonathan Rosenblum, board president of Kadima. “We know as a people what it’s like to be victimized by hate. In standing up with our Muslim cousins and immigrant neighbors, we are standing up for ourselves as well, and we are living out the teachings and values of our Torah,” he said.
Kadima members plan to have signs available at upcoming marches and protests around Martin Luther King Day and Inauguration Day. Individuals wanting signs can contact Kadima at 206-547-3914. Donations for the signs are appreciated but not required.
Based in Madrona, Kadima belongs to the Reconstructionist branch of Judaism. A welcoming community for Jews and allies alike, Kadima is committed to racial, economic and gender justice, bridging spirituality and social justice through Shabbat and holiday celebration, inter-generational learning, and solidarity work with #blacklivesmatter and movements to end the Israeli occupation.
More information about Kadima’s activities can be found on our website (www.kadima.org) or on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kadimaseattle/) .
