In a statement addressing the Trump campaign’s use of inflammatory language, the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia has voiced concerns about recent derogatory comments directed at Puerto Rican communities. The board’s statement, referencing a Talmudic teaching on the dangers of harmful speech, denounced what they describe as “racist, slanderous language to characterize human beings.”
“We are horrified by the Trump campaign’s denigration of the people of Puerto Rico,” the board’s statement read. “The rich culture and beautiful traditions of Puerto Rico make our nation stronger and more vibrant. We deserve a president who treats our fellow Americans, regardless of race, religion, or country of origin, with dignity and respect.”
Rabbi Beth Janus, co-president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, shared her personal connection to Puerto Rico, recounting family trips to explore the country’s landscapes and welcoming communities. “I come here today to stand with you as an ally,” Janus said. “I can tell you the land of Puerto Rico is absolutely gorgeous… But the reason I went back after the first time was because of the warmth and generosity of the ‘boricuas.’”
The rabbinic response highlights a growing concern within Jewish communities in Pennsylvania and other battleground states as divisive rhetoric escalates in the 2024 presidential race. Rabbis emphasize the importance of solidarity and the commitment of the Jewish community to challenge harmful language wherever it appears.
Jewish leaders from across the country have rallied in support of the statement, underscoring the interconnectedness of Jewish and Latino communities in facing challenges like discrimination and bigotry.
With Pennsylvania housing one of the largest Jewish communities among battleground states, Jewish voter sentiment in the area reflects broader concerns over antisemitism, social unity, and economic stability.
Pennsylvania’s Jewish voters are also paying close attention to the U.S.-Israel relationship and the recent tensions in the Middle East, a topic made more pressing by Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran-backed groups. As Jewish leaders continue to encourage unity over division, they also emphasize the vital role that American Jewish voters will play in shaping the tone and policies of the next administration.
Rabbinic Statement Against Racism and Slander
The Talmud teaches: “Evil talk kills three: the one who says it, the one who listens, and the subject of the gossip.”
We are horrified by the Trump campaign’s denigration of the people of Puerto Rico, and the campaign’s continued use of racist, slanderous language to characterize human beings. The rich culture and beautiful traditions of Puerto Rico make our nation stronger and more vibrant. We deserve a president whose campaign is not based on bigotry and libel. And we deserve a president who treats our fellow Americans, regardless of race, religion, or country of origin, with dignity and respect.
Rabbi Rachel Kobrin
Rabbi Jack Moline
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
Rabbi Michael Rose Knopf
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann
Rabbi Annie Lewis
Rabbi Felicia Sol
Rabbi Scott Shafrin
Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr
Rabbi Elliot Dorff
Rabbi Harold J Kravitz
Rabbi Alana Suskin
Rabbi Jill Borodin
Rabbi Marc Soloway
Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum
Rabbi Hannah Laner
Rabbi Michelle Dardashti
Rabbi David A Teutsch
Rabbi Ira F. Stone
Rabbi Shoshana Hantman
Laurie Hahn Tapper
Rabbi Joe Black
Rabbi Robert Dobrusin
Rabbi Deborah Waxman
Rabbi David Ackerman
Rabbi Rachel Esserman
Rabbi Gabriel Kretzmer-Seed
Rabbi Evan J. Krame
Rabbi Brian Field
Rabbi Arielle Hanien
Rabbi Josh Gischner
Rabbi Patti Haskell
Rabbi Lev Herrnson
Rabbi Howard Stein
Rabbi Josh Ratner
Rabbi Sue Fendrick
Rabbi Julie Pfau
Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone
Rabbi Tzemah Yoreh
Rabbi Rena Blumenthal
Rabbi Pamela Jay Gottfried
Rabbi Rick Brody
Rabbi Joshua Gutoff
Rabbi Harry Brechner
Rabbi Beth Janus
Rabbi David Jaffe
Rabbi Benjamin Arnold
Rabbi Nancy Fuchs Kreimer
Rabbi Adam Wohlberg
Rabbi Aderet Drucker
Rabbi Jeremy Winaker
Rabbi Carol Harris-Shapiro
Rabbi Shoshana Leis
Rabbi Alyson Solomon
Rabbi Robert B. Barr
Rabbi Deborah Bravo
Rabbi Leana Moritt
Rabbi Barry Block
Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith
Rabbi Charna Rosenholtz
Rabbi Molly Karp
Rabbi Sunny Shnitzer
Rabbi Mark Hyman
Rabbi Jan Uhrbach
Rabbi Jordie Gerson
Rabbi Scott Levine
Rabbi Carrie Benverniste
Rabbi Sara Adler
Rabbi George Barnard
Rabbi Seymour Rosenbloom
Rabbi Rayna Grossman
Rabbi Rain Zohav
Rabbi Jenny Solomon
Rabbi Eric Solomon
Rabbi Roly Matalon
Rabbi Esther Adler
Rabbi Tyson Herberger
Rabbi Dr. Joel Hecker
Rabbi Elliot Holin
Rabbi Debbie Israel
Rabbi Amalya Volz
Rabbi Marsha J Friedman
Rabbi Sandra Rosenthal Berliner
Rabbi Rachel Weiss
Rabbi Leah Nussbaum
David Greenstein
Rabbi Stephen Booth-Nadav
Rabbi Phyllis Berman
Rav Naomi Gurt Lind
Rabbi Sharon Stiefel
Rabbi Nahariyah Mosenkis
Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker
Rabbi David Greenstein
Rabbi Phyllis Berman
Rabbi Aaron Weininger
Rabbi Fredi Cooper
Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman
Rabbi Jill Avrin
Rabbi Morris Allen
Rabbi Yosi Gordon
Rabbi Yaffa-Shira Sultan
Rabbi Georgette Kennebrae
Rabbi George Stern
Rabbi Jodie Futornick
Rabbi Cantor Robbi Sherwin
Rabbi Howard Avruhm Addison
Rabbi Chai Levy
Rabbi Elyssa Cherney
Rabbi Donna Cephas
Rabbi Eliana Sherangelo
Rabbi Penina Podwol Alexander
Rabbi Rosalind A. Gold
Rabbi Ami Silver
Rabbi Debra Rappaport
Rabbi Philip Warmflash
Rabbi Shawn Zevit
Rabbi Elyse Seidner-Joseph, MD
Rabbi Yael Levy
Rabbi Brian Michelson
Rabbi Robert Tabak
Rabbi Jacob Best Adler
Rabbi Margo Hughes-Robinson
Rabbi Esther Lederman
Rabbi Robin Damsky
Rabbi Reba Carmel
Rabbi Matthew Soffer
Rabbi Melissa B. Simon
Megan GoldMarche
Rabbi Reena Spicehandler
Rabbi Herschel Aberson
Rabbi Katie Mizrahi
Rabbi Mira Wasserman
Rabbi Alanna Sklover
Rabbi Adam Morris
Rabbi Erin Boxt
Rabbi Gordon Fuller
Rabbi Jacob Best Adler
Rabbi Erin Hirsh
Rabbi Alan Iser
Rabbi Nathan Martin
Richard F. Steinbrink
Rabbi Sandra Cohen
Rabbi Erica Steelman
Rabbi Lewis Eron
Rabbi Fred Greene
Rabbi Alan Henkin
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman
Rabbi Seth Goldstein
Rabbi Grace Gleason
Rabbi Marci Bellows
Rabbi Batsheva H. Meiri
Rabbi Erik L Uriarte
Rabbi Jaymee Alpert
Rabbi Judy Cohen-Rosenberg
Rabbi Gary Mazo
Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky
Rabbi Samuel Stern
Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater
Rabbi Yael Ridberg
Rabbi Claire M. Green
Rabbi Jeremy Kridel
Rabbi Lisa Izes
Rabbi Mark Hyman
Rabbi Yaacov J. Kravitz
Rabbi Shelly Barnathan
Rabbi Richard F. Steinbrink
Rabbi Sara Gilbert
Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald
Rabbi Eli Cohen
Rabbi Paula Marcus
Rabbi Gila Colman Ruskin
Rabbi Deborah Tract
Rabbi Marjorie Berman
Rabbi Cheryl Weiner
Rabbi Lori Klein
Rabbi Michael Hess Webber
Rabbi Michelle Dardashti
Rabbi Amber Powers
Rabbi Paula Goldberg
Rabbi David A. Mersky
Rabbi Susanne J Greenberg
Rabbi Howard Laibson
Rabbi Avi Winokur
Rabbi Alan D. Fuchs
Rabbi Rachel Greengrass
Rabbi Cantor Deborah Jacobson
Rabbi Marci Vitkus
Rabbi Birdie Becker
Rabbi Rayzel Raphael
Rabbi David Dunn Bauer
Rabbi Diane Elliot
Rabbi Jonah Geffen
Rabbi Robert S Leib
Rabbi Maurice Harris
Rabbi Beth Klafter
Rabbi Adam Lautman
Rabbi Jacob Singer-Beilin
Rabbi Michael Hess Webber
Rabbi Amber Powers
Rabbi Paula Goldberg
Rabbi David A. Mersky
Rabbi David Levin
Rabbi Cantor Jacqueline Marx
Rabbi Eliot Baskin
Rabbi Geoffrey Claussen
Rabbi Jason van Leeuwen
Rabbi Kliel Rose
Rabbi Ned Soltz
Rabbi Amy B Bigman
Rabbi Micah Streiffer
Rabbi Judith Beiner
Rabbi Julie Benioff
Rabbi Bernard Gerson
Rabbi Rachel Adler
Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman
Rabbi Ariel Tarash
Rabbi Moshe Halfon
Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis
Rabbi Josh Jacobs-Velde
Rabbi Meir Bargeron
Rabbi Laura Schwartz Harari
Rabbi Doug Weber
Rabbi Karen Thomashow
Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde
To sign the statement, click on the link Rabbinic Statement Against Racism and Slander
