“My colleague Councilmember Trayon White reached out to me earlier this evening regarding his Facebook post referencing an anti-Semitic myth that Jewish people are somehow involved in climate manipulation. In our conversation, he apologized and expressed his sincere regret, I believe, for having offended members of the Jewish community.

“He reiterated, “that’s not who I am, and that’s not what I’m about.” I believe he is being truthful when he says he didn’t realize what his statement implied.

“That said, as a Jewish leader I know how scary these times are, with anti-Semitism and white supremacy on the rise across our country, stoked by the hateful words and actions of our own President. It’s all the more important that our leaders across the country focus on eradicating hate and bigotry in all forms, and not make them worse, either purposefully or unwittingly.

“As the Councilmember representing the most diverse ward in the District, I understand how important it is to build bridges between our marginalized communities. My experiences of persecution as a Jew, and the experiences of my ancestors, are at the core of what drives me to serve the community. My Jewish values tell me to help those less fortunate than I am, to work to repair the world and to do something when I see injustice. My Jewish values also teach me forgiveness.

“It is my sincere hope that my colleague has learned from this experience, and that together we can serve the diverse people of the District of Columbia with a focus on lifting each other up, rather than tearing one another down.”

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