Summit Mayor: Fight Against Hate At Interfaith Menorah Lighting

SUMMIT, NJ - Hate-laden graffiti found in both Summit Middle School and High School over the past ten days has prompted Mayor Nora Radest to urge the community to attend the "No Room For Hate Here" Menorah lighting on Tuesday at Summit's Temple Sinai.

Temple Sinai is located at 208 Summit Ave.

"It is my strong hope that Summit citizens will attend the interfaith menorah lighting tomorrow evening as we join together as a community to fight against hate and promote tolerance and inclusion," Radest said. "It will be a meaningful part of an ongoing discussion about the importance of eliminating bias and hate in our community."

The event has been organized by the Summit Interfaith Council and Vice President Rabbi Hannah Orden of Congregation Beth Hatikvah, took to social media to describe the times.

"We are living in a time when acts of hatred, anti-semitism, and racism are increasing," she wrote on Facebook. "In the town where I live, swastikas were found at the middle and high schools over the past two weeks and anti-Semitic and racist words and symbols have recently appeared in neighboring towns as well."

Orden said no community is immune to messages of hate and discrimination, but what matters is how the community responds.

"These incidents are nothing new, but when they happen, it can be a wake-up call, a reminder not to be complacent. It is an opportunity to bring into the open underlying currents of anti-semitism and racism that continue to afflict our society," Orden said. "It is a time to examine what we are teaching our children both at home and at school. And it is a chance to come together to state clearly that our town stands for the dignity and value of all people."

To that end, the Summit Interfaith Council has reached out the administration of the Summit schools to explore how they can work together.

"Together our light will banish darkness," Orden said.

For her part, Radest said the terrible incident needs to serve as an opportunity for families and the schools to discuss the history of hate symbols and how they will not be tolerated in Summit.

"I firmly believe that this incident does not define us as a community; we are compassionate and respectful," Radest said. "We support one another and we must continue to stand up against hatred and bigotry wherever we see it."

(Photo courtesy of the City of Summit)

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