Dear Library Minyan community,
It has always been the practice of the Minyan to make space for congregants to make announcements as they see fit. At times, there are complaints that announcements take too long or get too political. This past Shabbat, a much more upsetting line was crossed. An announcement was made that levied an insult targeted at a group within Temple Beth Am.
Public announcements are not the forum for expressing disagreement or disappointment in a mean-spirited or disrespectful manner.
Furthermore, the targeted group in this case — our clergy - deserve our respect as leaders of our institution. An insult to them affects us all. That said, a similar announcement that publicly insults anyone in our shul would be no more acceptable.
I trust that there is no need to alter our tradition of open announcements and that the culture of common decency and mutual respect will resume.
Rachel Rubin Green
Rosh Minyan
|
