Listen. Learn. Lean into Peace.
As part of our call to seek justice and peace for all people, Middle Church is participating in an Offering of Letters for Ceasefire, a campaign organized by members of Christians for a Free Palestine.
For the first two weeks of May, congregations in NYC are using their voices for peace by gathering letters to our elected official, Dan Goldman, to tell him that, as people of faith, we call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the blockade of Gaza, and the return of all hostages.
Together, we have a goal of sending at least 300 letters to our representatives.
Letters will be delivered to Goldman’s office and to representatives all throughout the city the week of May 13th.
It has been almost seven months since October 7, 2023. Since that time, 1,100 Israelis were killed in the attacks by Hamas, 250 Israelis were kidnapped, and over 32,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel, thousands more injured, and the psychological impact of this violence on everyone is incalculable.
As Christians in the United States continue to celebrate this Easter season, we practice resurrection by calling for life where there continues to be so much death. It is our faith in the Risen One that compels us to call for an end to the genocide, an end to US funding of this genocide, the release and return of all hostages, and an end to the blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is that same faith in Rabbi Jesus that calls us to decry the rising antisemitism in our nation and around the globe.
In this Easter season, we are seeing that public pressure on Biden and our elected representatives is working. After pressure from Biden, more aid trucks are entering Gaza and Israel is withdrawing some troops from Gaza. We celebrate these steps and we keep pushing for an end to US funding of the genocide in Gaza. Now is a crucial moment to maintain pressure on our elected officials, here is how you can help us do this:
- If you’re worshipping in person, you can sign the letter before or after worship in the lobby of East End Temple on May 5th or 12th with Rev. Amanda.
- If you’re worshipping remotely, you can send a letter for Dan Goldman here
- If you prefer to send a letter to a different representative, perhaps the one who represents you if that’s different than Middle’s rep Goldman, you can find your representative here.
Once completed please email Rev Amanda: ahshcraft@middlechurch.org to let her know you sent letters as we are tracking numbers.
Thank you for participating in this offering of peace.
Watch previous conversations at the link below, to move beyond social media sound bytes into the nuance about this conflict, so we can all know more and be better advocates for peace.
Listen. Learn. Lean into Peace. Playlist
Resources for Further Learning
Comprehensive Timeline with Details and Analysis
Epic Encounters Culture, Media, and U.S. Interests in the Middle East since 1945
Palestine: A 4000 Year History
Humanitarian Aid Funds
Donations to Medical Aid for Palestinians
Donations to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund