June 10, 2020
The Honorable Andrew Cuomo
Governor of New York State
New York State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Cuomo,
We represent a broad array of leaders, synagogues and communal organizations from throughout the Jewish community in New York State. As New Yorkers who believe in the importance of putting our Jewish values into action, we are compelled to speak out at this pivotal moment in our state and nation, when structural racism in law enforcement is the subject of daily protests. Our urgency is inspired by our tradition: “Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed” (Leviticus 19:16). Even more, Judaism requires us to stop others from doing harm if we are able: “Whoever can prevent his household from committing a sin but does not, is responsible for the sins of his household; if he can prevent the people of his city, he is responsible for the sins of his city; if the whole world, he is responsible for the sins of the whole world” (b. Shabbat 54b).
We cannot and will not stand idly by as important legislation is being considered that begins to address violence and abuse of power by law enforcement. We write to urge the swift signature of (S. 8496/A. 10611), the #Repeal50A bill. Section 50-A, a police secrecy law, has enabled law enforcement to cover up abuses, including multiple murders of Black people. Additionally, we strongly support legislation that forms the rest of the SAFER NY Act and that will account for discriminatory policing through increased reporting practices (S. 1830C/A. 10609), and strengthening prosecutorial oversight of police misconduct (S. 02574C/A. 01601).
This legislation will help our state start to confront the years of brutality and misconduct towards communities of color, especially Black communities, by law enforcement. We say their names: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Eric Garner, Delrawn Small, and too many others.
In addition, the acts of police violence we have witnessed in the streets of New York, Buffalo, and elsewhere in New York this past week demand that we shine the brightest possible light on the culture and actions of law enforcement in the state.
The repeal of 50-A comes after four years of organizing led by the most impacted New Yorkers, including the families who have lost loved ones to NYPD violence, as well as Jews of color from our own community. Now that the bill has arrived on your desk, we stand firmly in opposition to any attempts to water down repeal or offer partial reform measures. Creating any loopholes in the law would provide a false sense of progress while continuing to allow for secrecy, and thereby abuse of office. Police and other law enforcement are given extraordinary power, and with this power comes great responsibility to exercise that power in a way that ensures equal justice under law. They should welcome the thorough scrutiny that good governance requires.
While legislation will not undo 400 years of systemic racism, these bills will recognize this ongoing injustice and institute safeguards that will help prevent additional Black adults and children from becoming household names that deepen the trauma of violence at the hands of the police. In addition, they are an important step in bringing the NYPD and law enforcement throughout New York State into compliance with the values of our democracy which demand transparency and accountability for all who pledge to “protect and serve” in the name of the law.
Sincerely,
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice
New York Jewish Agenda
Ameinu
Avodah
Aytzim
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Bend the Arc: Jewish Action
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah Ending Mass Incarceration Team
Habonim Dror North America
jGirls Magazine
Keshet
Lab/Shul
National Council of Jewish Women
Religious Action Center of New York
Romemu
Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester
The Workers Circle
Torah Trumps Hate
United States Congressman Jerry Nadler
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer
New York State Senator Julia Salazar
New York State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein
New York State Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal
New York State Assembly Member Dan Quart
New York City Council Member Brad Lander
Rabbinical Student Shani Abramowitz, Jewish Theological Seminary
Rabbi David Adelson, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Anita Altman, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Cantor Irena Altshul, Temple Israel of the City of New York
Amram Altzman
Jess Applebaum
Cantor Mariel Ashkenazy, Union for Reform Judaism and American Conference of Cantors
Rabbi Nicole Auerbach, Central Synagogue
Rabbi Guy Austrian, Fort Tryon Jewish Center
Rabbi Vicki Axe, Congregation Shir Ami
Cantor Nancy Bach
Judy Balaban
Hugh Baran
Mr Fred Basch, Co-President of Village Temple
Adam Basciano
Dr. Helene Bass-Wichelhaus, West End Synagogue
Sivan Battat
Holly Baum
Gigi Becker
Kohenet Rachel Leah Bello, Kohenet Institute
Talia Benamy
Joelle Berman
Kate Berman, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Cantor Melissa Berman, West End Synagogue
Ross Beroff
Naomi Blakeman
Jeannie Blaustein
Mrs. Margery Block
Amy Blumsack
Harriet Bograd, West End Synagogue
Ezra Bookman, Lab/Shul
Elianna Boswell
Ms. Michal Bowen
Cantor Alan Brava, Free Synagogue of Flushing
Ms. Andrea Brecker, West End synagogue
Cantor Josh Breitzer, Congregation Beth Elohim
Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor
Dr. Jessica Brown
Rabbi Melissa Buyer-Witman, Temple Israel of the City of New York
H. Xavier Caceres, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Cantor Julia Cadrain, Central Synagogue
Alan van Capelle, CEO of Educational Alliance
Rabbi Ariana Capptauber, Jewish Theological Seminary
Rabbi Carie Carter, Park Slope Jewish Center
Ms. Lorraine Check, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Mr, Ronald Check, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Ms Sharon Cinamon
Ms. Sheri Clemons
Rabbi Ayelet S. Cohen, New Israel Fund
Rabbi Emily Cohen, Lab/Shul
Lawrence Cohler-Esses, Former Assistant Managing Editor of The Forward
Cantor Jonathan Comisar, Union for Reform Judaism and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Victoria Cook, Torah Trumps Hate
Ms. Elizabeth Cooper, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Cantor Melanie Cooperman, Community Synagogue of Rye
Rabbi Joshua Davidson
Rabbi April Davis, Central Synagogue
Cantor Shayna De Lowe, Congregation Rodeph Sholom
Aaron Dorfman
Eliane Dreyfuss
Sandi DuBowski
Francine Dunkel, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Cantor Harriet Dunkerley, American Conference of Cantors
Rabbi Amy Ehrlich, Temple Emanu-El
Rabbi Barat Ellman
Rabbi Shira Koch Epstein
Mr. Marc Epstein, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Senior Rabbi Steven Exler, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale — The Bayit
Daphna Ezrachi
Rabbi Susan Falk Jews for Racial and Economic Justice Rabbinical Council
Sabrina Farber, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Roberta Feldhusen, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Mr. William Fern, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi Brian Fink, Marlene
Meyerson JCC Manhattan
Sylvaine Frances
Cantor Claire Franco, American Conference of Cantors
Evelyn Frankford
Rabbi Jonathan Freirich, Temple Beth Zion
Mr. Peter Frey
Sherry Fyman
Cantor Rebecca Garfein, Congregation Rodeph Sholom
Rabbi Jonah Geffen, Hunter Hillel
Rabbi David Gelfand, Temple Israel of the City of New York
Dr. Janet Geller, New York State Society for Clinical Social Work
Mrs. Marla Gerber, Lab Shul
Karyn Gershon, New York Jewish Agenda Board of Directors
Gili Getz
Student Rabbi Josh Gischner, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Cantor Tobias Glaser, Congregation Rodeph Sholom
Senior Cantor Mo Glazman, Temple Emanu-El
Ms. Mikki Golar
Rabbi Laura Gold
Stella Gold, West End Synagogue
Leonard Gold, West End Synagogue
Lee Jason Goldberg
Judith Goldberg, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg, Malkhut
Erik Goldman, Co-founder and Editor of Holistic Primary Care — News for Health & Healing
Rabbi Barbara Goldman-Wartell, Temple Concord
Student Rabbi Lily Goldstein, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Student Cantor Jordan Goldstein, Union Temple
Carly Goteiner
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All
Rabbi Lisa Grant, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer
Rabbi Matt Green, Congregation Beth Elohim
Rabbi Katie Greenberg, Conservative Synagogue Adas Israel of Riverdale
Blu Greenberg, International Beit Din
Dr. Emily Greene, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Mahala Greene
Rabbi Reuven Greenvald
Reva Grossfield
Rabbi Igael Gurin-Malous
Rabbi and Scholar Steve Gutow,
Robert F Wagner School of Public Service at New York University
Rabbi Hilly Haber, Central Synagogue
Frank Hagelberg
Jessica Haller, Candidate for New York City Council District 11
Miss Caitlin Hayes
Rabbi Deborah Hirsch, The Village Temple
Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman
Dr Judith Hollander, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Dr. Jennifer Holzer, Dorot Foundation
Rabbinical Student Margo Hughes-Robinson
Cantor Bradley Hyman, Temple Chaverim
Ms. Lauren Jacobs, Romemu
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism
Rabbi Marisa James, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Mimi Jefferson, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi Andy Kahn, Temple Emanu-El
Nancy Kahn, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Dr. Debra Kalmuss
Ms. Valerie B Kanofsky, Romemu
Josh Kanter
Talia Kaplan, Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary
Rabbi Juliana Karol, Congregation Rodeph Sholom
Tamar Karpuj
Goldalee Katsanis-Semel, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Roberta Katz, West End Synagogue
Nancy K. Kaufman, New York Jewish Agenda Board of Directors
Rabbi Elie Kaunfer Hadar
Lawrence Kay
Rabbi Leora Kaye, Union for Reform Judaism and Central Conference of American Rabbis
Mary Lou Kelley
Dove Kent, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action
Cantor Todd Kipnis, American Conference of Cantors
Elaine Klein, B’nai Jeshurun
Robert Klein, B’nai Jeshurun
Idit Klein, President & CEO of Keshet
Robert Klein, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Allison Klein, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Senior Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Ms. Sara Kleinbaum, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Jan Kliger, Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom
Shira Kline, Lab/Shul
Rabbi David L Kline, Lab/Shul and Congregation Beth Elohim
Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, Union Temple of Brooklyn
Mr. Jonathan Kopp
Gilbert Kulick, Partners for Progressive Israel
Marc Landis, Union for Reform Judaism North American Board and Democratic District Leader, AD67
Ellen Landsberger, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Micah Lasher, New York Jewish Agenda Board of Directors
Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, Lab/Shul
Mr. John Lawrence, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
David Lawson
Cantor Meara Lebovitz
Faye Lederman, Never Again Newark
Student Rabbi Jacob Leizman, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Ms. Jessica Levin, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi Robert Levine, Congregation Rodeph Sholom
Harold Levine, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Tamar Lindenbaum
Kobi Lindenbaum
Nancy Lipmann, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi Serge Lippe, Brooklyn Heights Synagogue
Rabbi Ellen Lippmann
Allen Lipson, Hebrew College
Rabbi Janet Liss, North Country Reform Temple
Joseph Litman
Rabbi Ari Lorge, Central Synagogue
Mr. Harvey Lubitz, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Aari Ludvigsen, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah Ending Mass Incarceration Team
Rabbi Sara Luria, Beloved Brooklyn
Alyson Malinger
Dr. Andrew Mandel, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Ms. Elizabeth Mandel, jGirls Magazine
Becky Mann, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Rabbi Marc Margolius, Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Ms. Noemi Masliah, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi José Rolando Matalon, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Meryl Meisler, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Becky Mer, Harvard
Ruth Messinger
Ms. Susan E. Meyer, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi Shira Milgrom, Congregation
Kol Ami
Ms Myra Miller, SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All
Rabbi Bethie Miller, Sanctuary
Susan Miller, The Heschel School
Dr. Elissa Miller-Kay
Jo-Ann Mort
Rabbi Joel Mosbacher, Temple Shaaray Tefila
Evelyn Moschetta
Paul Moschetta
Rabbi Mike Moskowitz, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Carrie Nelson, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Todd Nelson
Rabbi Jason Nevarez, Temple Shaaray Tefila
Rabbi Daniel Nevins
Matt Nosanchuk, President of the New York Jewish Agenda
Rabbinical Student Blair Nosanwisch, Jewish Theological Seminary
Jessie Obadia
Rabbinical Student Andrew Oberstein, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Monica ONeill, Lab/Shul
Matthew Orley, Lab/Shul
Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, American Conference of Cantors
Mr. William Palant
Gregg Passin, Board President of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi Shuli Passow
Rabbi Hara Person, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Cantor Lauren Phillips Fogelman, Temple Israel of Northern Westchester
Cantor Daniel Pincus, American Conference of Cantors
Ms. Julia Porper, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Cantor Ayelet Porzecanski, Brooklyn Heights Synagogue
Eva Posman, West End Synagogue
Rabbi Jonathan Posner, Jewish Theological Seminary
Yolanda Potasinski, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Ms. Susan Prager, West End Synagogue
David Prager, West End Synagogue
Esther Raphel, West End Synagogue
Harry Reis, Director of Policy and Strategy for New Israel Fund
Rabbi Mackenzie Reynolds
Nancy Richner
Heidi Rieger
Marcia Riklis
Rabbi Mira Rivera, Romemu
Avery Robinson
Dr. Lorna Ronald, West End Synagogue
Melissa Rosen, Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York
Ira Rosenblum, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Edward Rosenfeld, Rosenfeld Media
Cantor Richard Rosenfield, Ithaca Area United Jewish Community
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, Dayenu
Greta Rosenstock
Ms. Alexandra Ross, UJA-Federation
Jon Ross
Rabbi Daniel Ross, Central Synagogue
Jill Rothstein, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice
Rabbi Judi Rowland, American Conference of Cantors
Mr. Jacob Rozenberg
Sam Rubin, New York Jewish Agenda
Donna Russo, New Sanctuary Coalition
Ms. Carole Sadler, The Village Temple
Thomas Safian
Johanna Sanders, Director of Policy & Organizing at The Vaid Group
Lani Santo
Rabbi Sara Sapadin, Temple Emanu-El
Audrey Sasson, Executive Director at Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ)
Cantor Jodi Schechtman, Reform Movement
Cantor Randall Schloss, American Conference of Cantors
Barbara Ann Schmutzler, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Kim Schneiderman, Romemu
Susan Schorr
Dr Leah Schwartz, Lifted Heart
Kayla Schwarz
Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, Reform Temple of Rockland
Melissa Shaw, Lab/Shul
Dr. Jill Sigman
Marijke Silberman, Lab/Shul
Rabbi Mia Simring
Cantor Daniel Singer, American Conference of Cantors and
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
Kyle Sircus, Associate Managing Director of Playwrights Horizons
Rabbi Jonathan Slater, Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Sara Sloan, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Rabbi Felicia Sol, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun
Rabbi Benjamin Spratt, Congregation Rodeph Sholom
Jonathan Springer
Rabbi Joshua Stanton, East End Temple
Rabbi Abby Stein, Sacred Space
Ms. Phyllis Stern, Congregation Beth Simchat Torah
Sam Stettiner, Former Jewish Federations of North America and Hillel
Mr. Jason Stevens, Mitsubishi International Corporation
President Margaret Stix, Lookout Hill Public Policy Associates
Amy Stone, Lilith Magazine
Rabbi Michael Strassfeld
Sarah Strnad, Director of Operations & Community Engagement at Lab/Shul
Cantor Lilah Sugarman, Congregation B’nai Yisrael
Meg Sullivan
Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, Bnai Keshet
Abbe Tiger, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Sabina Tilevitz
Rabbi Rachel Timoner, Congregation Beth Elohim
Rachel B. Tiven
Evan Traylor
Rabbi Gordon Tucker
Rabbi Burton Visotzky, Jewish Theological Seminary
Judy Wall
Rita Wasserman, Jewish Center of the Hamptons
Ms. Cynthia Webb, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Abigail Weber, Jewish Theological Seminary
Rabbi Joshua Weinberg, Union for Reform Judaism and ARZA
Jenna Weinberg
Rabbi Scott Weiner, Temple Israel of New Rochelle
Ms. Joyce Weinstein, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
Dr. Emily Chaya Weinstein, West End Synagogue
Ms. Rivka Weinstock, Dorot Fellowship
Jeffrey Weiss
Rabbi Micah Weiss, Reconstructing Judaism
Monica Weiss
Rabbi Alex Weissman, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Elena Weissmann, Bronx Freedom Fund
Rabbi Greg Weitzman, Congregation Rodeph Sholom
Talia Werber, West End Synagogue
Itamar Wigoder, New Israel Fund
Alex Willick, Avodah
Cantor Josee Wolff, American Conference of Cantors
Michael Young
Wendy Zeichner
Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller, Temple Chaverim
Maya Zinkow, Jewish Theological Seminary
Barrie Zinn, Congreation Beit Simchat Torah
Rebecca Zwilling
*Organizational affiliation of individuals for identification purposes only