I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. As a resident of Teaneck for over 35 years and now a candidate for Town Council, I have a deep commitment to fostering understanding and unity among all our communities. I have a genuine purpose for healing in our township, especially between the Black and Jewish communities. My campaign is built on the pillars of engaging, educating, embracing and empowering.
I speak to you as someone who understands the weight of history, the pain of exclusion and the longing for a community where every individual is respected and valued. My dedication to my Black heritage, my upbringing, my morals and my integrity are central to who I am, guiding my commitment to addressing the needs of all Teaneck residents.
Over the years, I have worked alongside others to establish initiatives like Teaneck Race Amity, a forum dedicated to fostering empathy and understanding among our diverse communities. It is through this platform that we strive to build bridges of compassion and dialogue.
I want to acknowledge the profound pain that our Jewish neighbors have endured, particularly considering recent tragic events. When I was invited by Rabbi Fridman to witness the unedited footage of the October 7 events, I was deeply moved by the trauma of the worst pogrom against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. This experience only strengthened my resolve to stand against any form of hatred or violence in Teaneck.
Yes, I can call out a terrorist attack on Israel, and yes, I can support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for dignity and prosperity. As a bridge builder, I have consistently worked to help eliminate racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and all other systems of oppression here in Teaneck.
Unfortunately, a wave of antisemitism has reached our town. The weekly car rallies that have taken place in Teaneck, far from echoing the civil rights movement that united the Black and Jewish communities, have instead targeted and harassed our Jewish neighbors. If there are objections to the policies of the Israeli government, those concerns should be directed to the appropriate authorities, not toward our fellow residents in Teaneck. The targeting of synagogues in our town is not justifiable, and I am deeply troubled by the inaction and divisive tactics from some of our current council members on this issue..
Teaneck needs healing now. As such, it is vital to recognize that these challenges for Teaneck did not begin with the tragic events of October 7. When Orthodox Jews are removed from planning boards and boards of adjustment without so much as a courtesy phone call from members of current council, and were told they are “over- represented,” it opens generations of wounds from quotas and discrimination, just as the brutal murder of George Floyd opened the scars of the unjustified shooting of 16 year-old Phillip Pannell for my own Black community. I will dedicate myself to bringing true healing and understanding to Teaneck. We must commit to getting to a place of understanding versus just being understood.
As a candidate for town council, I am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every resident in Teaneck. No synagogue, no church, no mosque, no race, no gender, and no disability should endure any form of hatred or violence. Our strength as a community lies in our ability to support one another, even when times are tough, and especially when our values are tested.
I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every community in Teaneck feels supported, valued and heard. Together, we can bring the “unity” back in our community.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve you. Teaneck, it’s about “You!”
