The German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller wrote this chilling confession in 1946 which is on display as part of the permanent exhibition at the United States Holocaust Museum:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
We know that we cannot remain silent when others are the targets of bigotry or xenophobia. We have learned, time and again, that when others speak up and stand with us, we are strengthened; when others are victimized, we are called to offer that same strength and empathy.
The rising tide of violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is of grave concern to us as Jews and should alarm all Americans of conscience. And so, we raise our voices in protest, in alarm, and in opposition against any who falsely accuse the AAPI community of any culpability for the COVID pandemic. It is the kind of false, vicious libel with which Jews are all too familiar.
We stand in solidarity with the entire AAPI community, including members of our Wise family and the greater am Yisrael (the Jewish People) who identify with this community. Our hearts ache with yours, knowing that we all strive for nothing more than to realize the vision of the prophet Micah: that we might sit beneath our vine and fig tree and none shall make us afraid.
May the Holy One comfort all those who have lost loved ones in the Atlanta slayings and may we all do our part to build a world where we might truly see one another as sisters and brothers, members of one global family, united in our common humanity.
— The Clergy of Stephen Wise Temple
