This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Across the world, the Jewish community has raised strong voices against the shameful and injurious position to refuse admission of all Muslims to the United States. Already, this position has inflamed hate speech and actions.

As leaders of the Utah Jewish community, we add our own clear voice to condemn this stance that threatens the religious freedom of every American, of every faith and no faith.

As Jews, we cannot remain silent. Both our historical experience and religious teachings demand that we speak out. We know firsthand the effects of stereotyping and scapegoating … and indifference.

And, while all citizens also enjoy freedom of speech, we expect our leaders to understand the fundamentals of our country's ideals and values and to ground their policies and words in those values instead of recklessly promulgating racism, discrimination and hate.

Major American Jewish organizations and leaders have taken a strong stand opposing discrimination on the basis of religion in our beloved America. We can supply full references for those who wish to read them. In sum, we remember President George Washington's stirring letter to the Jewish community of Newport, R.I., in 1790. It says, in part:

"It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States … gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance."

In the same way, all faith communities must turn away from those who seek to destroy these freedoms and instead join together — and act — to protect these deeply held values and support the people and religions that are threatened.

We support and value our Muslim neighbors who share our love of country and God.

We choose love … not hate.

Rabbi Ilana Schwarzman, Congregation Kol Ami; Rabbi Fred Wenger, Congregation Kol Ami; John Cuomo, president, Congregation Kol Ami; Rabbi David Levinsky, Temple Har Shalom; Cantor Wendy Bat-Sarah, Congregation Kol Ami; Ruth Davidson, president, Temple Har Shalom; Ellen Silver, executive director, Jewish Family Service of Utah; Alex Shapiro, executive director, United Jewish Federation of Utah; Andrea Alcabes, executive director, Wagner Jewish Community Center; Kitty Kaplan, state policy chair, National Council of Jewish Women; Kay Brief, co-chair, Congregation Kol Ami Social Action; Jay Jacobson, United Jewish Federation of Utah; Larry Goldsmith, Congregation Kol Ami; Alan Bachman, Interfaith Initiative, Congregation Kol Ami; Sue Prottas, Interfaith Initiative, Congregation Kol Ami; David Sonnenreich, Interfaith Initiative, Congregation Kol Ami; Ann Bernstein, president, Jewish Family Service of Utah; Jim Schallheim, president, United Jewish Federation of Utah; Eileen Hallet Stone, president, National Council of Jewish Women; Lisa M. Browdy, president, Chavurah B'Yachad; David Litvack, co-chair, Congregation Kol Ami Social Action; Rep. Patrice Arent, Utah House of Representatives; Geraldine Siegel, chair, Mitzvah Committee, Congregation Kol Ami; Susan LaMere, Interfaith Initiative, Congregation Kol Ami; Betty Yanowitz, Interfaith Initiative, Congregation Kol Ami.