LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentuckians from different backgrounds are calling for peaceful solutions to the conflict in Israel.
Almost 70 days of war have passed between Israel and Hamas. Since then, people in communities across Kentucky have voiced their thoughts, concerns and prayers for the people who are impacted.
That conversation was recently brought to the surface by leaders in Lexington.
Mindy Haas, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass in Lexington, said, “They asked us, I know that the intention was to meet with the Muslim community as well. So after I was supposed to meet with both of the groups, they decided to reach out and ask us if we’d be interested in meeting together. and of course, both sides said absolutely.”
The organization hones in on cultural, social, and educational factors that impact the Jewish community.
“Being able to provide programs that are that focus on today’s issues such as antisemitism in America. I’m wearing this blue pin right now, and this is the hashtag blue square, which signifies stand up to stop Jewish hate.” Hass said.
The city of Lexington recently called on Hass and people of other backgrounds to help bring together different groups and perspectives on the sensitive matter.
Haas, along with Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, council members, Fayette County Public Schools and faith leaders, signed a statement to keep the city peaceful.
It’s why she and other Jewish community members, and members of the Muslim faith, sat down to discuss why the city says “not here” to extremist attacks on these groups.
“What we’d like to see for a brighter Lexington or to keep the temperature of anti-Semitism and the war that Israel and Hamas are having right now.” Haas explained. She added, “And how that would affect how we did not want that to affect how we felt in this community or how we behave in this community.”
Haas says their organization is dedicated to preventing hate.
Lexington’s Masjid Bilal mosque president, Dr. Jamil Farooqui also signed the statement. He told Spectrum News 1, “Islam teaches us peace as one of our core values as Muslim. It also encourages us to stand against oppression and do the collective good.”