We, the Downtown Interfaith Clergy, are a multi-faith coalition of clergy representing more than
35,000 Minnesotans from congregations across the city of Minneapolis.
Today, we write to condemn in the strongest possible terms, the anti-Semitic hate speech spray-
painted on the walls of Temple Israel on Wednesday morning. These threats against our Jewish
siblings, neighbors, and friends are unacceptable. They run contrary to the teachings of our
diverse faith traditions. And, they have the dangerous potential of inciting further violence.
Anti-Semitism threatens not only our Jewish siblings, but also the social fabric of our larger
community, the democratic foundations which we share, and people of all faiths or no faith to
worship and gather in safety and freedom.
We encourage members of our congregations, the people of the Twin Cities, and our regional
neighbors to join us not only in condemning this particular act of hate speech, but also in
learning about, humanizing, and extending care to our Jewish neighbors, friends, and family.
For us and for our congregations, interfaith learning, support, and collaboration have
strengthened our lives of faith, emboldened our pursuits for common good, and expanded our
capacities for compassion. While we, in these interfaith relationships, do not always agree on
matters of theology or politics, we do always agree that we are each and all made in the image of
God, have inherent dignity and worth, and deserve the opportunity to live and flourish in
freedom without fear.
We believe, even now, that it is possible for people of different faiths and political commitments
to join together in creating a society and a world that is characterized not by mutual destruction,
but by mutual blessing.
Today, we bless, in particular, our Jewish neighbors, friends, and family and invite you to join us.
The Rev. Dr. Jessica R. Patchett, Senior Minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church
On behalf of the Downtown Interfaith Clergy including
Rev. Jullan Stoneberg, Interim Minister, First Unitarian Society
Rev. Ben Masters, Interim Pastor, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay, Lead Pastor, Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
The Rev. Timothy M. Kingsley, Cathedral Provost, Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral
Rev. JT Smiedendorf, Intentional Interim Minister, Plymouth Congregational Church
Rev. Peter Nycklemoe, Senior Pastor, Central Lutheran Church
Most Rev. Kevin Kenney, Pastor of St. Olaf Church and Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of
Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Rev. Elijah L. McDavid III, Senior Pastor, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Jen Crow, Senior Minister, First Universalist Church of Minneapolis
Rev. Daniel Griffith. Pastor and Rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary
