On Sunday Feburary 4, 2024 nearly 250 participants and guests attended TBC’s town forum “Confronting Acts of Hate in Our Community,” planned by our Social Action Group to Confront Antisemitism and Hate in cooperation with Riverbrook Regional YMCA and the Wilton Library. Panelists included Cantor Harriet Dunkerley, Father Reggie Norman (Our Lady of Fatima) Rachel Simon ED (Norwalk Triangle Center), Sohair Omar (Muslim Community), and Sarvesh Damle (Hindu Community).  In addition, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Representative Jim Himes, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, and Wilton First Selectman Toni Boucher spoke. Steve Hudspeth, Coordinator of Wi-ACT, moderated the session.
(Cantor Harriet Dunkerley’s remarks are available here.)
Afterwards, panelists, speakers and attendees agreed that this was an important and timely event, successfully speaking to the experience of minority/marginalized groups in Wilton and encouraging the development a community framework for addressing hate crimes and supporting individuals and groups who are victimized by them.
Selected coverage of the event in the local press may be seen here:
Many of those in attendance expressed their interest in helping plan for and implement a sustainable community framework to address these issues, and signed up to be contacted. A preliminary brainstorming meeting will be scheduled in March.
It is worth mentioning that our sponsorship of this event accomplishes one of the important responsibilities TBC took on in becoming part of the ADL Kulanu Program. (Kulanu means “All of Us”)
Many thanks to Bonnie Heft and Andy Bayer and members of the TBC Social Action Group to Confront Antisemitism and Hate who led the effort to make this important project a success.
For more information, send email to kulanu@templebnaichaim.org. |
