Letters To Editor

Missouri Jewish groups express solidarity with Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau

Published April 30, 2020

Joint statement from Missouri’s Jewish communities in solidarity with the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau

On behalf of the Jewish community of Missouri, we write both with sadness and hope to our Brothers and Sisters of the Islamic Center of Cape Girardeau, sharing our pain for the devastating loss of their building and sanctuary due to a suspicious fire last Friday, April 24, at the start of the most holy month of Ramadan. We stand with them as law enforcement partners in the region conclude the investigation, so glad to learn an arrest has been made. We feel the impact of hate on the Muslim community in Cape Girardeau, around the region and across the country with the heartache and fear that such violence creates. We are hopeful because we see an outpouring of friendship from interfaith and community allies in the region, and we add our voices to theirs and pledge to help the Islamic Center rebuild, both structurally and spiritually. Each time one of these horrific acts occurs, we are further strengthened in our commitment to enhancing our understanding of each other’s communities and allowing new friendships to deepen our collective ability to improve the communities in which we live.

For those who are able to help, donations can be made through the following GoFundMe link, established by the Islamic Center.

ADL Heartland

AJC St. Louis

Avodah Kansas City

Columbia Jewish Community – Congregation Beth Shalom

Jefferson City Jewish Community – Temple Beth-El

Jewish Community of Southwest Missouri

Jewish Community Relations Bureau |AJC, Kansas City

Jewish Community Relations Council, St. Louis

Jewish Family Services of Greater Kansas City

Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City

Jewish Federation of St. Louis