On Saturday afternoon, July 28, 2018, the Greater Indianapolis Jewish community was shocked and appalled when large antisemitic images and burn marks were discovered on the campus of Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, a synagogue in Carmel, Indiana.
The Jewish and general communities immediately came together. With support from the Indy JCRC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Shaarey Tefilla hosted a Community Solidarity Gathering on Monday evening, July 30.
Well over 1,000 people from throughout Indiana gathered inside the synagogue, including elected officials at the city, state, and congressional levels, to hear from Jewish communal leaders and nearly 20 guest speakers sharing messages of support from the Muslim, Black, Hindu, LGBTQ+, Sikh, and several Christian communities.
The Indy JCRC will be distributing several updates in the forthcoming days.
Today’s Update #1 is our way of saying THANK YOU for the incredible outpouring of support! Below, we have shared letters we’ve received from our community partners, listed the Solidarity Gathering speakers, and linked to statements of elected officials and other Jewish communal organizations.
Forthcoming Updates will:
- address the Hate Crimes legislation, advocacy, and what you can do;
- share personal reflections from members of the Jewish community, photos, and remarks from those who spoke at the Solidarity Gathering.
Additionally, the Indy JCRC will be updating a dedicated page to our website that will include all the information and links contained in our Updates, along with all press releases and news (print, television, radio, podcast).
The mission of the JCRC is to safeguard Jews here, in Israel, and around the world. We do this by protecting and promoting an American society that is just, democratic, and pluralistic. Through our “Stand Up! Speak Out!” programming, we help people (especially Jewish teens) learn how to recognize and combat antisemitism and hate in all its forms, and we help teachers learn how to teach accurately about Jews and Jewish history. The JCRC has been advocating on behalf of the Indiana Jewish community and building relationships with all Hoosiers for over 75 years. If you’re interested in contributing to the JCRC’s Combatting Antisemitism Fund, please click here.
(If we’ve missed any statements, posts, media, please share with us and we’ll add to our website: awelcher@indyjcrc.org)
Our Statement
Jewish Organization Statements
ADL Midwest Release Announcing $2,500 Reward
CANDLES Holocaust Museum
Community & Interfaith Partner Letters of Support
Center for Interfaith Cooperation
Greater Indianapolis Muslim Community
ACLU Indiana
Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
Speakers at Solidarity Gathering (in order of appearance)
Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow, Congregation Shaarey Tefilla
Mayor James Brainard, Mayor, Carmel Indiana
Rabbi Shelley Goldman, Indiana Board of Rabbis (Chair), Congregation Beth-El Zedeck (Assistant Rabbi), Indianapolis
Emily Schwartz, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), Indianapolis Chapter President
Ashhar Madni, Carmel Interfaith Alliance (Board of Directors), Al Salam Foundation (Board of Trustees)
Tony Mason, Indianapolis Urban League, CEO
Charlie Wiles, Center for Interfaith Cooperation (CIC), Executive Director
Pastor Lori Bievenour, St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Senior Pastor, Carmel
Aliya Amin, Muslim Alliance of Indiana, Executive Director
Angie Martinez, IndyPride, President
The Rev. Bruce Gray, Holy Family Episcopal Church, Rector, Fishers; CIC Board Member
Dr. Anita Joshi, Hindu Temple of Central Indiana; CIC Board Member
Chris Paulsen, Indiana Youth Group, Executive Director
KP Singh, Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis; CIC Board Member
Ruth Ellen Homer, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; CIC Board Member
Annette Gross, Indianapolis PFLAG, Vice President
Maria Pimantel-Ganon, Advocate and Member of both the Hispanic/Latino and Catholic Communities; CIC Board Member
Greg Maurer, Anti-Defamation League, Board Member
Lindsey Mintz, Indy JCRC, Executive Director; CIC Board Member
Corey Freedman, Congregation Shaarey Tefilla, Board President
Elected Officials & Candidates for Office
Vice President Mike Pence
US Senator Joe Donnelly
US Senator Todd Young
US Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks
US Congressman André Carson
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard
Indiana State Representative Carey Hamilton
Indiana State Senator Ruckelshaus
Indiana State Senator Eddie Melton
Indiana State Senator Rodric Bray
Indiana State Senator Mike Delph
Indiana State Senator Greg Taylor & Candidate for Indiana State Senate JD Ford
Candidate for US Senate Mike Braun
Candidate for US Congress Dee Thornton
Support Expressed via Social Media
American Jewish Congress
Chabad Center for Jewish Life – Lubavitch of Indiana
Congregation Beth-El Zedeck
Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis (Rev. Lauren Grubaugh)
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
Indiana University Hillel Blog (Rabbi Ron Klotz)
St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church of Carmel
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Support Expressed via Email
Carmel Interfaith Alliance
Central Indiana Community Foundation
The International Center, Indianapolis
Niagra Foundation of Indiana (Turkish Muslim Community)
JCRC Boston
JCRC Chicago
JCRC Cincinnati
JCRC Louisville
JCRC Miami
JCRC Milwaukee
JCRC of Minnesota and the Dakotas
JCRC San Francisco
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA)
JFNA Washington Action Office
Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley
Jewish Federation of San Antonio
Jewish Federation of Springfield, IL
Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg
Simon Wiesenthal Center, Midwest
Consulate of Israel to the Midwest
Da’at Educational Expeditions