Orthodox Rabbis in Support of Human Rights of Muslim Detainees
As Orthodox Jews and people of faith, we are gathering signatures on the following letter as requested by Muslim allies to make sure that Muslim detainees receive unspoiled halal food.
We recognize that ICE as an institution is particularly problematic in that it has become an instrument of oppression against undocumented people, and in particular, people of color. In signing this letter towards a specific immediate need, we do not set aside the equally compelling need to address the rise in nativism in the US and some of its institutions. Nor do we assert that fixing this one item is sufficient to address the troubling nature of the institution, which has existed only since 2003.
We are especially concerned about weaponizing religious practices and the pattern of religious discrimination practiced as tools of humiliation against detainees. This demonization of immigrants in general, and Muslims in particular, should disturb all Americans. We thus also encourage all who sign this letter to sign the below petition and to reach out to ally organizations which focus on immigrant justice.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-ice-stop-serving-pork-to-detained-muslims?source=direct_link&referrer=group-muslim-advocates&redirect=https://secure.everyaction.com/wHQYF407lE2r2OP5xl237w2
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Letter:
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the several dozen Muslim detainees at Krome were able to be faithful to their religious law by choosing foods in the cafeteria. However, since the onset of the pandemic, preselected foods are the only ones available, and there has been no effort taken to provide packaged halal meals that have not expired. This means that Muslims have been forced to make a choice between eating spoiled food, starving, or eating food that violates their religion.
America has always stood for liberty, and among the most important liberties at the heart of the American project is that of religious freedom. It is a repulsive thing for Americans to interfere with others’ religious liberties. It is a cornerstone of decency for those who have power over others to treat those in their care with consideration and respect. That the spiritual authority at Krome responded to the Muslim detainees’ attempts to redress the situation by following proper grievance procedures, by saying, “it is what it is,” is particularly appalling. That ICE has chosen to allow the prejudices of some of its employees to use their power to humiliate and starve those under their authority is despicable.
As Jews, this is a situation which particularly resonates with us. Historically, we have also suffered for our religious principles; and in particular, being forced to eat pork has been a method of shaming and degrading Jews, just as it is today being used to degrade and mock Muslims. We are guided by Proverbs 17:5 which states that, “Those who mock the poor curse their Maker (God)!” Our tradition understands that acts that humiliate or degrade people compound their evil when they target poor, vulnerable or oppressed peoples.
And while it is a sin to force spoiled food or religiously prohibited food on free citizens, this violation is increased exponentially in God's eyes when such a degrading act is done to someone who is already at a disadvantage.To force spoiled or prohibited foods on Muslims who are undocumented or whose status is under question is to compound an evil act. This abuse constitutes nothing less than blasphemy - cursing God - as well as violating human rights.
We, the undersigned Orthodox rabbis echo the call of our Muslim allies to ICE to hold all of their officials accountable and ensure that Muslims at all ICE facilities have access to unexpired halal meals. This must include vetting new employees, training, and supervising all personnel more effectively, as well as disciplining and training those involved so that these violations of Muslim detainees’ rights are neither continued, nor retribution effected on any detainees insisting on their rights.
Rabba Dr. Carmella Abraham
Rabbi David Almog
Rabbi Elisha Ancselovits
Rabbi Dr. David S. Bauman
Rabbi Yonah Berman
Rabbi Loren Berman
Rabbi Shimon Brand
Rabba Dina Brawer
Rabbi Dr. Alan Brill
Rabbi Avraham Bronstein
Rabbi Michael Chernick
Rabbi Barry Dolinger
Rabbi David Fain
Rabbi Dr. Zev Farber
Rabbi Dr. Reb Mimi Feigelson
Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Finkelman
Maharat Ruth Friedman
Rabbi Daniel Geretz
Rabbi Steve Golden
Rabbi Dr. Mel Gottlieb
Rabbi Eric Greenberg
Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Rabbi Dr. Yitz Greenberg
Rabba Shani Gross
Rabbanit Amalia Haas
Rabbi Tyson Herberger
Rabbi Avi Herzog
Rabba Sara Hurwitz
Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe
Rabbi David Jaffe
Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz
Rabbi Frederick Klein
Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn
Rabbi Gabriel N. Kretzmer Seed
Rabbi Michael Langer
Rabbi Hayim Leiter
Rabbi Aaron Levy
Rabbi Eryn London
Rabbi Asher Lopatin
Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Rabbi Devin Maimon Villarreal
Rabba Claudia Marbach
Rabbi Avram Mlotek
Rabbi Levi Morrow
Rabbi Dina Najman
Rabbi Marianne Novak
Rabbi Micha Odenheimer
Rabbi David Polsky
Rabbi Devora Renert
Rabbi Avi Rosenfeld
Rabbi Isaac Sassoon
Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger
Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez
Rabbi Dr. Shalom Schlagman
Rabbi Dr. Devorah Schoenfeld
Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller
Rabbi Aaron Shub
Rabbi Ami Silver
Rabbi Daniel Silverstein
Rabbanit Aliza Sperling
Rabbi Michael Stein
Rabbi Alana Suskin
Darshanit Miriam Udel
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz
Rabbi Alan Yuter