[Eds. note: This letter to the editor is in regard to yesterday’s story about the vandalization of the newly rennovated Temple Israel]
Dear Friends,
I was so incredibly saddened and upset to hear the news of the newly renovated Temple Israel, an SCIC member faith community in Long Beach, being vandalized on November 12.
The Long Beach Police Department was called at about 10:25 p.m. on Monday, November 12, to Temple Israel, which is located at the corner of Third Street and Loma Avenue. Vandals had spray-painted offensive language and symbols on the temple’s white-painted main exterior. Someone walking by the temple at night discovered the vandalism and called the police. Officials said the incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime.
As an interfaith council, we pride ourselves in creating communities of compassion among people of diverse faiths and cultures. We, the South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC), firmly and unequivocally condemn all forms of violence against any and all faith communities and houses of worship.
Appalling instances such as this only remind me of the importance of the work we do as a council and an interfaith community – helping create a society where we honor, cherish, and respect the diversity of faiths and cultures that are existent in our world. Standing together side by side, I am confident that we can – and will – make this world one which is defined by peace and love; not ignorance and hate.
Indeed, we are now and will always be united in hope as one interfaith family!
Sincerely,
Milia Islam-Majeed
SCIC Executive Director