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An important message about unity from your County Legislator

After my last newsletter, some constituents asked why I did not explicitly label the Golden Horseshoe incident as antisemitic. My intention was not to minimize anyone's pain or fear. Quite the opposite - my words and actions should leave no doubt about my own similar feelings surrounding this incident and antisemitism in general.

In a community as diverse as Westchester, and specifically District 10, it is critical to recognize that an attack aimed at any of our community groups is an attack against all of us. Our community must not perceive antisemitism as just a "Jewish problem," because history tells us where that leads…

The path toward ending hate, bias, and discrimination in our community lies in a united front

I am no stranger to hate. Raised an Orthodox Jew, I've had antisemitic slurs and bottles slung at me as I walked to Young Israel of New Rochelle. A generation later, I began to believe hatred was becoming a relic. Witnessing my children and their peers embrace diversity gave me hope. But recent years have seen a rise in political polarization and the emergence of voices sowing division and hate.

I've already engaged with constituents about hate incidents directed at Jewish, Asian, and Black residents in District 10 in the short time since my election. The shadow of unreported incidents makes this even more distressing. We must do better. I urge everyone, especially our leaders, to join me in working to reject hate, bridge gaps, mend fractures, and foster dialogue in our community so safety and respect flourish. 

Reporting hate is crucial. If you experience or witness any incident of hate, bias, or discrimination, please be sure to report it to the Westchester County Human Rights Commision, even if you are not sure it involves a crime. If criminal activity is suspected, contact local law enforcement and the District Attorney's office. If you need guidance or feel uncomfortable using the resources provided, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.

Please stand united with me as we combat hate. Together, we can build a community where everyone feels safe and respected.

Sincerely,

Judah Holstein
Legislator, 10th District


en Español

Queridos amigos y vecinos,

Después de mi último boletín, algunos de mis electores preguntaron por qué no etiqueté explícitamente el incidente del Golden Horseshoe como antisemita. Mi intención no fue minimizar el dolor o el miedo de nadie. Todo lo contrario: mis palabras y acciones no deben dejar lugar a dudas sobre mis propios sentimientos similares en torno a este incidente y al antisemitismo en general.

En una comunidad tan diversa como Westchester, y específicamente el Distrito 10, es crucial reconocer que un ataque dirigido contra cualquiera de nuestros grupos comunitarios es un ataque contra todos nosotros. Nuestra comunidad no debe percibir el antisemitismo como simplemente un "problema judío", porque la historia nos dice a dónde nos lleva...​

El camino hacia el fin del odio, el sesgo y la discriminación en nuestra comunidad reside en un frente unido.

No soy ajeno al odio. Criado como judío ortodoxo, he sido blanco de insultos antisemitas y botellas arrojadas mientras caminaba hacia Young Israel en New Rochelle. Una generación después, comencé a creer que el odio se estaba convirtiendo en un relicario. Ver a mis hijos y a sus compañeros abrazar la diversidad me dio esperanza. Pero los últimos años han visto un aumento en la polarización política y el surgimiento de voces que siembran división y odio.

Ya me he involucrado con los electores sobre incidentes de odio dirigidos a residentes judíos, asiáticos y afroamericanos en el Distrito 10 en el corto tiempo desde mi elección. La sombra de los incidentes no reportados hace que esto sea aún más angustiante. Debemos hacerlo mejor. Insto a todos, especialmente a nuestros líderes, a unirse a mí en trabajar para acabar con el odio, cerrar brechas, reparar fracturas y fomentar el diálogo en nuestra comunidad para que la seguridad y el respeto florezcan.

Reportar el odio es crucial. Si experimenta o presencia algún indicio de odio, sesgo o discriminación, asegúrese de informarlo a la Comisión de Derechos Humanos del Condado de Westchester, incluso si no está seguro de que involucre un crimen. Si se sospecha actividad criminal, comuníquese con las autoridades locales y la oficina del Fiscal del Distrito. Si necesita orientación o se siente incómodo utilizando los recursos proporcionados, no dude en comunicarse conmigo directamente.

Por favor, únase a mí en pie de lucha contra el odio. Juntos, podemos construir una comunidad donde todos se sientan seguros y respetados.

Sinceramente,

Judah Holstein
Legislador, Distrito 10

 
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