HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-08-LHRC-min-att (DRAFT)Town of Lexington,Human Rights Committee
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington,MA 02420
humanrightscmte@lexingtonma.gov
May 08,2024
To whom it may concern,
I am writing as the Chair of the Lexington Human Rights Committee (LHRC).The LHRC seeks
to promote a vision of our community that is "free of bigotry,hatred,intolerance,disrespect,and
destructive conflict among its citizens."We do this by fostering respectful,civil,public discourse
on issues that come before us;sponsoring events that recognize and celebrate both our
diversity and our commonalities;and partnering with community members and organizations
that share our vision.
We are pleased to support Lexington United Against Antisemitism (LUAA),as we have found it
to be just that kind of organization --one that,through its thoughtful and strategic approach to
addressing antisemitism,promises in turn,to reduce intolerance and disrespect across groups
in our community.We recognize the particular concerns of our Jewish neighbors at this moment
in time;antisemitic incidents have increased dramatically throughout the United States,and
Massachusetts is reported to have the 5th highest incidence of antisemitism in the country.
Lexington has not been immune to these trends,and we feel fortunate to have LUAA on the
scene,working at the grassroots to build support for our community's efforts to combat
antisemitism and all other forms of baseless intolerance.
The LHRC is well-aware of LUAA's activities over its first year of operation;we co-sponsored,
with LUAA and the LPS,the March 5th event at LHS during which the documentary about the
Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue massacre (Repairing the World)was screened,followed by a
panel discussion among LHS students and faculty of diverse faiths.Several of our members
are faithful attendees at LUAA meetings,and LUAA members have also attended LHRC
meetings.The interfaith,cross-community engagement that LUAA has achieved within
Lexington is noteworthy,especially during this period of mayhem and war in the Middle East.
We understand that LUAA has achieved all that it has solely with volunteers and contributions of
space and materials from our local churches,synagogues,educational institutions,etc.,as
grassroots community groups generally do.However now,with the experience of the past year
under their belts,it would be greatly beneficial to LUAA,and to all of us in Lexington,were it to
receive funding from CJP to expand and deepen its work.We hope that you will consider
LUAA's application seriously.
Sincerely,
Christina Lin,
Town of Lexington,Human Rights Committee Chair
humanrightscmte@lexingtonma.gov
(781)392-6449