Letter to the Editor, Pride and Prejudice

Dear Editor,

Since turning over the reins for FJMC’s Inclusion Initiative to you and our colleagues, I’ve been thinking how nice it would be to not need an Inclusion Initiative. What if everyone we encountered was treated in the same welcoming manner we treat our good friends? I’m old enough to remember when we had someone to our home for dinner Friday night or lunch Saturday because my parents met them at the synagogue that day and invited them over.

Today, we see example after example where people are treated differently because they don’t have white skin, or because they have mental health issues, or because they aren’t a member of whatever group we identify with…just differently because we don’t know them. We’re taught — strangers, dangers — when in fact, it’s much more likely the people we meet that we don’t know, that maybe are different in some way, are likely much more deserving of a friendly interaction than we imagine. THAT’S why we need this Inclusion Initiative. THAT’S why we need Pride & Prejudice. THAT’S why we need training for our employees, reminders at our houses of worship, and this program promoting a welcoming attitude wherever we are and wherever we go. We ALL deserve that!

Sincerely,
Jerry Brodsky