BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:America/Chicago X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Chicago BEGIN:VEVENT UID:5431@ansheemet.org DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20200619T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20200619T120000 DTSTAMP:20200619T163805Z URL:https://www.ansheemet.org/events/faith-community-led-peaceful-demonstr ation/ SUMMARY:Faith Community Led Peaceful Demonstration DESCRIPTION:Click here to watch &\; share on Facebook\nClick here to wat ch &\; share on YouTube\nClick here to download FIJAP App for all detai ls\n\n\n\nDear Friends\,\n\nEight years ago\, Pastor Chris Harris and I be gan a meaningful friendship that has evolved into an important effort to c reate deeper partnerships between the Jewish community and predominantly b lack faith communities. Our congregation\, along with Bright Star Church\, has been at the forefront of what has proven to be a remarkable journey o f honest communication\, deepening understanding and meaningful action. It is truly breathtaking to see what has been accomplished in such a short a mount of time and how our original vision has expanded to include major ph ilanthropies\, vital institutions\, city\, state and federal officials\, a long with the interfaith community. All of this will be on full display to morrow in a “Faith Community Led Peaceful Demonstration” to protest th e pervasive racism in our country and to begin to take the steps toward im proving police and community relations\, racial reconciliation and healing . This march has the support of our Mayor and has been planned with the fu ll cooperation of the Chicago Police Department. Like the interfaith march that Pastor Harris led in Bronzeville two weeks ago\, I believe that this demonstration represents the best of Chicago and the essence of our First Amendment right to peaceably assemble\, and to petition the Government fo r a redress of grievances. I am so very proud that our community has been such an integral part of this effort from the very start.\n\nUnder normal circumstances\, I would strongly encourage attendance by our Anshe Emet co mmunity. As we remain in the midst of a global pandemic\, these are hardly normal times. While the march is taking place outdoors and there is a “ no mask no march” policy and a focus on social distancing\, the dangers of COVID-19 are still very much present. Being in a high-risk category mys elf\, I have made the difficult decision not to march tomorrow. However\, Pastor Harris has asked me to represent the Jewish community in a prayer f rom the bandshell at Grant Park. Because I will have limited contact with others in that setting and because of the significance of the moment\, I h ave accepted the honor. Most importantly\, while this march is an importan t step in the struggle to combat racism and create a more equitable societ y\, it is part of a much longer process of societal change. There will be many opportunities in the future for our community to participate in this historic struggle.\n\nPlease know that your family’s health and safety i s our priority and we understand each of us must make our own choices in t his regard. If you are high risk\, living with someone high risk\, or plan ning on visiting someone who is high risk\, please consider virtual partic ipation because it is not only your health that you may be jeopardizing bu t also the health of others close to you. I urge you to make the decision that is safest for you and your family whether to participate in the march in person or to watch\, share and/or re-post the Facebook Live feed from the Bright Star Church.\n\nIf you choose to march these are the recommenda tions from public health experts for maintaining personal safety:\n\n Wea r a fitted mask at all times that covers your nose and mouth\n Everyone s hould bring hand sanitizer and use it liberally\, especially before and af ter removing your mask.\n As much as possible\, stay 6 feet from other pe ople.\n When you arrive home\, we recommend that you immediately remove y our mask and clothes\, put them in the wash\, sanitize hands\, shower and wipe down any doorknobs or surfaces you may have touched.\n\nThis is a sig nificant moment for a nation that has struggled from its very inception wi th the plague of racism and the violence and inequity that it has spawned. I believe that real\, sustained change is possible\, and that it is our c ollective obligation as Jews to do everything we can to fight for a bright er and more just tomorrow. The march that began in Gettysburg which led to Selma continues through Chicago and into the future.\n\n\n\nB'Shalom\nRab bi Michael S. Siegel ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ansheemet.org/wp-content/uploads/202 0/06/FAITH-COMMUNITY-MARCH-FLYER-WEB-IMAGE.jpg CATEGORIES:Featured END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20200308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR