Emanuel Welcomes ECRA Guests

Last Friday we hosted numerous congregations from the Edgewater Community Religious Association (ECRA). We also welcomed some women from an organization called the Daughters of Abraham, who brought us flowers and a lovely card. They all came to express solidarity with us in response to the recent bomb threat. And during the service, Rev. Barbara Cathey of Edgewater Presbyterian Church read the following letter, which I'd like to share with you here. In addition, we have a photo and card from Rev. Heitzman and the Edgewater Congregations Together (ECT) Youth Group. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support. It means so much to have such good friends.

Dear Rabbi Marantz, Cantor Friedman, and Members and Friends of Emanuel Congregation,

We, the following religious communities of Edgewater, cherish the interfaith relationships that we share as children of Abraham and as part of ECRA. We appreciate the many opportunities we have to pray and learn together, and to collaborate in serving the Edgewater neighborhood.

We wish to express our deep sorrow and anger that our Jewish brothers and sisters were targeted by a terror-monger who called in a bomb threat to the Chicago Jewish Day Schoolon Tuesday morning, March 7. We are thankful that no one was injured and that in their wisdom the leaders of the school and the synagogue, as well as the police, handled this situation well.

In a nation founded on religious freedom, no one should have to face acts of prejudice, hatred or injustice based on their religion. As our religious communities stand with you here in Edgewater, we also condemn the bomb threats at Jewish schools, community centers and synagogues, as well as the vandalism of Jewish cemeteries across this country.

Emanuel Congregation was a founding member of ECRA and has long supported and often hosted ECRA's programs. We want to reaffirm that we desire to be supportive of the school, your congregation and members in any way we can, as together we seek justice and shalom for all.

Ebenezer Lutheran Church

Edgewater Presbyterian Church

Episcopal Church of the Atonement

Epworth United Methodist Church

Granville Methodist Church

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Ismaili Center

New Story Church

North Shore Baptist Church

St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church

St. Gregory Roman Catholic Church

St. Ita Roman Catholic Church