I am writing this note the week before Rosh Hashanah at a time when there is much controversy over the proposed building of a Muslim Center a few blocks from Ground Zero. I understand the sensitivity of the issue. I myself was very upset when the Catholic Church erected a church on the site of Auschwitz. I am also sensitive about what will be built on Ground Zero. I would not like to see a shopping mall or a business or one particular place of worship that may seem to indicate that a particular religion owns that space.

The Muslim Cultural Center, however, is not on Ground Zero or even within sight. It will proudly join other religious/cultural centers such as the YMCA and the JCC as a tribute to New York's pluralism. Its leaders have a proven track record of bridge building and moderation. Americans and American Jews in particular should proudly and unambiguously support it as a monument to our values of religious
pluralism and religious freedom.

For those Americans rightly concerned about the use of Islam in acts of religious violence, the best response is to support and strengthen peaceful and moderate expressions of this great heritage, and the proposed Center is just such an expression. There is nothing more challenging to any religious extremism than religious moderation by co-religionists who challenge extremist understandings from within the tradition.

All Americans, but Jews especially, should be wary of demagoguery that exploits people's fears and demonizes a religious group. Freedom of religion and religious pluralism has been one of America's greatest gifts to the world. It has enabled Jews and Judaism to thrive here, despite our small numbers. It is not a gift to be taken for granted. We will need to fight for it whether for ourselves or on behalf of others in each generation. May this issue, polarizing and difficult as it has been, become an opportunity for greater understanding of each other--our strengths and our fears, our uniqueness and our common humanity. May this time of the Jewish year be a time of healing and deeper reflection for our country. May we emerge strong enough to show compassion and generosity for each other.

I look forward to seeing many of you at services during the holidays. Brian, Galya and I would like to wish all of you a Shana Tova-a good and sweet year filled with good health and many blessings.