Statement by Members of The Coalition of Religious Leaders of New Jersey
As members of the Coalition of Religious Leaders of New Jersey and as interfaith religious and spiritual leaders we seek at this moment in time to affirm our concern for the common good of the people of New Jersey. Our deep concern is grounded in our moral and ethical sacred texts that teach compassion and caring for one another.
We are concerned for the well-being of the most vulnerable, the older adult, the poor, the homeless, the prisoner, the immigrant, the socially isolated, and those whose physical and mental health are at risk. We see all over New Jersey and beyond, how our faith communities continue to reflect and live out acts of kindness and caring. We are truly blessed with wonderful communities that are springing into action by providing outreach initiatives to care and attend to those in need and most vulnerable. From deep in our hearts we thank you for your willingness and sacrifices to provide for the least among us.
We encourage all of you to engage in sacrificial giving to meet the incredible human needs at this time of uncertainty. Our faith beliefs call us to reflect the spiritual nature of our Creator In sharing our love, time and resources for others in need.
With a deep sense of gratitude, we recognize those who in this time of crisis who have responded with a deep sense of compassion and moral commitment to act. We are very grateful for our Governor, members of our federal and state legislatures, county, and municipal elected officials for their cooperative initiatives in addressing this crisis.
We will forever be in debt and hold a deep thankfulness for those in the medical community whose actions place their own lives at risk as they seek to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Much love and thanks goes to the police officers, First Responders of the Department of fire and emergency services, the civic and service workers, the educators, the grocery workers, the food deliverers, the retail associates and corporate offices who are adapting, leading and showing up so that we can all be safe and healthy. They work tirelessly for the good of all. We may not know their names, but they are deeply appreciated.
As Religious leaders we too are facing challenges that have deeply impacted the life of our faith communities. For many of us at the center and heart of our faith traditions are the acts of coming together in worship, in service and in community gatherings. We are learning and adapting to ways we can continue our traditions and connect our members and others to the spiritual places that we cling to in times of crisis. This challenge will not negate our foundational tenets of faith to care for the common good. This is our prayer and commitment in this moment in time.
Be Kind to each other.
March 30, 2020
Signed By:
Rabbi Matthew Gewirtz
Congregation B’nai
Jeshurun; President Coalition of Religious Leaders of New Jersey
Rev. Timothy Levi Atkins-Jones
Pastor, Mt. Bethany Baptist Ch.
Rev. Darrell Armstrong
General Baptist Convention
of NJ
V. Rev. Peter A. Baktis
Orthodox Church of America
Bishop Tracie Bartholomew
NJ Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Imam Qareeb Bashir
Islamic Center of Ewing
Rev. Dr. Tanya Bennett
Greater NJ Annual Conference, UMC, Board of Church and Society
Very Reverend Archimandrite Ambrose Bitziadis-Bowers
Ecumenical Officer, Greek Metropolis of NJ
Rev. Charles Boyer
Executive Director Salvation and Social Justice
Rev. Dr. Deborah Brincivalli
Presbytery Executive
West Jersey Presbytery
Elder David L. Buckner
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Mr. Marcus Burnett
President, NJ Council of Churches
M. Ali Chaudry, Ph.D.
Islamic Society of Basking Ridge
Imam Hamad Chebli
Islamic Society of Central New Jersey
The Most Reverend James F. Checchio
Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen
Joan M. Diefenbach, Esq.
Director, NJ Council of Churches
Rev. Leslie Dobbs-Allsopp
Interim Executive of the Elizabeth Presbytery
Rabbi Menashe East
Interfaith Council of Morris County
Rev. Rusty Eidmann-Hicks
Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Bolivar Flores
Vice President of the NJ Coalition of Latino Pastors and Ministers
Rabbi Daniel Geretz
Maayan of West Orange
Rabbi Arnold Gluck
Temple Beth El, Hillsborough, New Jersey
Fr. Timothy Graff
Archdiocese of Newark
Rabbi Andy Green
Tri-County Board of Rabbis
Rev. Rob Gregson
Unitarian Universalist Faith Action
Mr. Michael Gruber
NJ Community Outreach Director, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Bishop Carlye Hughes
Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Rev. Jack Johnson
Coordinator, Coalition of Religious Leaders
Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale
Reformed Church of America
Dr. Harsohena Kaur
Sikh Research Institute
Mr. James King
NJ Catholic Conference
Rabbi David Levy
AJC – NJ Regional Director
Rev. Sara Lilja
Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy Ministry of New Jersey
Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley
General Secretary Emeritus American Baptist Church
Rev. Miriam Mendez
Executive Minister American Baptist Churches of NJ
Rev. Nelson Murphy
Interim Associate Conference Minister, Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Freeman Palmer
Conference Minister of Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ
Rev. Jeanne Radak
Presbytery Leader, Newton Presbytery
Mr. Raghu Rao
Hindu Faith Community
Rev. Dr. Joshua Rodriguez
NJ Coalition of Latino Pastors & Ministers
Rev. Raul Ruiz
President of NJ Coalition of Latino Pastors & Ministers
Rev. Scott Russell
Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer, Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey
Bishop John Schol
Greater NJ Conference of the United Methodist Church
Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree
Clergy Affairs Manager, Office of the Mayor of Newark
Imam W. Deen Shareef
Convener of the Council of Imams in NJ
Ms. Ardaman Singh
Garden State Sikh Association
Ms. Harinder Singh
Co-founder Sikh Research Institute
Sutinder Singh
Executive Board of the American Sikh Council
Gurdas Singh
President American Sikh Council
Reverend Barbara Smith
Executive Presbyter, Newark Presbytery
Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan
Diocese of Camden
Rev. Dr. Amaury Tanon-Santos
Presbyterian Synod of the Northeast
President Bradley Thatcher
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin
Archdiocese of Newark
Rabbi David Z. Vaisberg
Senior Rabbi, Temple B’Nai Abraham