To the East Greenwich Community:

As religious leaders in East Greenwich, we are writing today with a shared sense of grief, profound concern, and absolute solidarity. The recent discovery of antisemitic graffiti at Hanaford Elementary School, Cole Middle School, and East Greenwich High School is an assault on us all and a violation of the safe community we work hard to build.

To the Jewish community: Please hear this clearly – you are not alone. We see you, we value you, and we stand with you. When any group within our town is targeted, our entire community is diminished. These acts of hate do not represent the values of East Greenwich, and we unequivocally condemn them.


We see these incidents as part of a distressing trend of hateful behavior in our public spaces. We know that removing the graffiti, as school officials have done, does not erase the fear, pain, and discomfort it causes students and families. Such rhetoric has no place in our schools or our town.


We are grateful for the work of East Greenwich Police and East Greenwich Public Schools in investigating these incidents. We look for timely and appropriate communications to the community about outcomes and consequences from these incidents. We know that a meaningful response must not be limited to identifying and disciplining the children who committed these acts. We are committed to fostering a culture of understanding and respect in our entire community. We support educational programming for children and adults with the message that East Greenwich is “No Place for Hate."


As clergy, we call upon all members of our congregations – and all citizens of East Greenwich – to proactively engage in conversations about empathy, responsibility, and the impact of our words and actions. We must stand together against antisemitism, racism, and all forms of bigotry.


We look forward to a continued partnership with Jewish leaders in our town and across Rhode Island to ensure that East Greenwich remains a place where every individual feels safe, welcomed, and honored.


In solidarity and with hope for peace,

Rev. Deborah Bennett, Minister, Westminster Unitarian Church, East Greenwich

Pastor Thom Blackstone, The United Methodist Church in East Greenwich

Rev. John M. Fountain, Rector, St.Luke’s Episcopal Church, East Greenwich

Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser, Temple Sinai, Cranston

Rev. Bernard A. Healey, J.C,L, S.T.L., Pastor, Our Lady of Mercy Church, East Greenwich

Rev. Cheryl Lavornia, Christ Church, East Greenwich

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Malone, Pastoral Associate, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, East Greenwich

Rabbi Ari Y. Saks, Temple Torat Yisrael, East Greenwich