What do we say in the face of hatred? 

When I arrived at the Temple about 5pm two Fridays ago, I found myself face to face with pure, unadulterated hatred. When I parked and greeted Rabbi Bahar, offering her anything she needed on behalf of myself and Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, I could hear the voices of hatred yelling down the street. As I greeted members of the Temple, I struggled for the words to say. 

For what do you say in the face of hatred? 

We and Temple Beth Israel have a long history of mutual encouragement and support. Just about two years ago, in August of 2021, Temple Beth Israel opened its sanctuary for us to worship when our church had no water. We have had members contribute to worship at the Temple, including Roberta Johstono, who served as the cantor for the Temple’s worship. And together, along with St. Joseph’s and other congregations from time to time, we have put on the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service each November. 

Now, in the face of hatred, we come together again; but not just us. Look at all the people gathered here today. Look at the tremendous outpouring of support. Together, we say to those who would bring hate to our community, “not here. Not in Macon. That’s not who we are.” Together, we respond in the face of hatred, we stand in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Together, by being present today, we say, “we are with you.” 

We are with you, standing in solidarity with you. 

We are with you, choosing to suffer with you. 

We are with you, following the example of God, who is always with us. 

In the prophet Isaiah, God promises to be with us. In chapter 43, God says, “I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you…because you are precious in my sight and honored and I love you.” God chooses to be with us, to protect us, to even suffer with us. 

And so, today, I say on behalf of myself, Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, and all of us gathered here:

When you, Temple Beth Israel, pass through the waters of despair, we will pass with you.

When a river of anti-Semitism threatens to overwhelm you, we will build a dam. 

When you walk through the fires of hatred, we will walk with you. 

When you stand up against people who mean you harm, we will stand with you. 

No flood of hatred, no act of terror, will stand between you and us. As God has entered into our suffering and promised to be with us, so we do the same. We enter into your suffering, we are with you. 

We are with you today. 

We are with you tomorrow. 

We are with you however long you experience hatred. 

We are with you as long as anti-Semitism endures. 

We are with you because you are precious and honored in our sight and we love you. 

What do we say in the face of hatred? In the face of all that is ungodly and unrighteous? In the face of all that means evil? What do we say in the face of hatred? We say those four simply powerful words:

We are with you. 

Amen.