As Passover Approaches, 600 Jewish Clergy Address Deep National Anxiety
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(The following was sent to Scarsdale10583 by Rabbi Jonathan Blake of Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale.)
At a time of fear and uncertainty over the direction of the nation, Jewish clergy around the country are speaking up about the importance of articulating and incorporating religious beliefs in shaping the current national dialogue.
To date, 600 individual rabbis and cantors from across the country have signed a statement outlining a core set of beliefs, grounded in biblical and rabbinic texts, that they believe are missing in the current domestic political actions.
“Many of us have felt deep anguish over the past few months,” said Rabbi Fred N. Reiner, one of the organizers of the statement. “As we prepare for Passover, our holiday celebrating freedom, we are reminded of its messages: empathy for strangers, caring for those seeking freedom, creating communities of compassion. Today, in the administration’s policies that are unfolding, we feel an absence of so many central religious beliefs that we teach and espouse. We hope that other religious leaders will also come forward with the beliefs and values that their denominations and communities hold and teach.”
Listed in the statement are beliefs that range from “all people are the children of God, endowed with holiness, all equal in value,” to “welcoming the stranger in our midst.” The statement references the belief in honesty, “listening respectfully and valuing the ideas of those who disagree, and seeking peace,” while underscoring the values of justice, compassion, respect and the diversity of practices in our country. The statement ends by saying its signatories “deeply value the American Constitutional guarantees separating religion and state that have made possible the flourishing of all religions in our country.”
A 2025 Statement of Jewish Beliefs
In this time of swirling events and governmental chaos, it is important to remind ourselves of our core beliefs as American Jews. These are some of the values we hold dear and which guide our lives and our actions:
1. We believe that all people are the children of God, endowed with holiness, all equal in value. (Gen. 1:27)
2. We believe in welcoming the stranger, the alien in our midst, the one who lives with us. (Lev. 19:33) We are commanded to love the stranger as ourselves. We are a people of repeated migrations, descended from strangers in Egypt.
3. We believe in honesty, commanded not to bear false witness. (Ex. 20:13, Lev. 19:11)
4. We believe in listening respectfully, valuing the ideas of those who disagree, and seeking peace. (Avot 1:12, 1:18)
5. We believe in fairness in business and all transactions: not engaging in fraud, paying workers promptly, honestly representing what is offered. (Lev.19:13; 19:35-6)
6. We believe in respect for others, especially for the strangers among us, for elders and those less fortunate, and all who struggle. We are commanded not to take advantage of the weakness of others, not to place a stumbling block before the blind. (Lev. 19:32; 19:14) We feel it is important to engage in acts of kindness and believe that we are in relationship with all people and should behave with compassion and empathy. (Avot 1:2)
7. We call what we give to others tzedakah, giving based on justice. We believe in the importance of compassion, but what we give to others in need is based on seeking
justice in society. (Deut. 16:20; Amos 5:24)
8. We believe in knowledge and the exchange of ideas, including minority viewpoints. We value learning and the advancement of knowledge, in science, in literature, sacred and secular. (Avot 1:16)
9. We believe in respecting and caring for our world, for tending the land and acting as dedicated stewards. (Gen. 1:29-30 and Lev. 19:23 ff.)
10. We cherish the religious freedom in the United States and celebrate the diversity of beliefs and practices in our country. We deeply value the American Constitutional guarantees separating religion and state that have made possible the flourishing of all religions in our country.
Rabbi Fred N. Reiner, Chevy Chase, MD
Rabbi Melanie Aron, Washington, DC
Rabbi Donald Berlin, Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Seth L. Bernstein, Silver Spring, MD
Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein, Chevy Chase, MD
Rabbi Rosalind A. Gold, Reston VA
Rabbi Robert S. Goldstein, Washington, DC
Rabbi Marc Gruber, Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Bruce E. Kahn, Chevy Chase, MD
Rabbi Robert D. Levy, Washington, DC
Rabbi Jack Luxemburg, Rockville, MD.
Rabbi Jonathan Miller, Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Gerry Serotta, Chevy Chase, MD
Rabbi Susan Warshaw, Alexandria,
Rabbi Jonathan Aaron, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Joel N. Abraham, Fanwood, NJ
Rabbi Susan Abramson, Burlington, MA
Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder, Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Rachel Ackerman, Washington, DC
Rabbi Ruth Adar, San Leandro, CA
Rabbi Richard F. Address, Mantua, NJ
Rabbi Rachel Adler, Pittsburgh, PA
Rabbi Katy Z. Allen, Wayland, MA
Rabbi Thomas Alpert, Franklin, MA
Rabbi Renni S. Altman, Poughkeepsie, NY
Rabbi Camille Shira Angel, San Francisco, CA
Rabbi Charles Arian, Montgomery Village, MD
Rabbi Daniel Aronson, Keene, NH
Rabbi Erica Asch, Hallowell, ME
Rabbi Arik Ascherman, Jerusalem, Israel
Rabbi Craig Axler, Clarksville, MD
Rabbi Dr. Chava Bahle, Suttons Bay, MI
Rabbi Henry Bamberger, Utica, NY
Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, Williamstown, MA
Rabbi Meir Bargeron, Fort Wayne, IN
Rabbi Eliot Baskin, Greenwood Village, CO
Rabbi Shelley Kovar Becker, New York, NY
Rabbi Martin P. Beifield Jr., Richmond, VA
Rabbi Haim Beliak, Walnut Creek, CA
Rabbi Maynard W Bell, Paradise Valley, AZ
Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows, Buffalo Grove, IL
Rabbi Marci N. Bellows, Chester, CT
Rabbi Debra Bennet, Plainview, NY
Rabbi James Bennett, St. Louis, MO
Rabbi Phil Bentley, Hendersonville, NC
Rabbi Joshua Beraha, Washington, D.C
Rabbi Alan Berg, Portland, OR
Rabbi Stacy Bergman, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Marc E. Berkson, Milwaukee, WI
Cantor Julie Berlin, Newtown, PA
Rabbi Phyllis Berman, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Anna G. Beroll, Austin, TX
Rabbi Linda Bertenthal, Bettendorf, IA
Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, Tempe, AZ
Rabbi Amy B. Bigman, East Lansing, MI
Rabbi Jonathan E. Blake, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Barry Block, Little Rock, AR
Rabbi Sam Blumberg, Waltham, MA
Rabbi Rena Blumenthal, New Paltz, NY
Rabbi Sam Blustin, Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Steven Bob, Glen Ellyn, IL
Rabbi Lisa Bock, Westlake Village, CA
Rabbi Buz Bogage, Framingham, MA
Rabbi Daniel Bogard, St. Louis, MO
Rabbi Ilene Bogosian, Watertown, MA
Rabbi Stephen Booth-Nadav, Denver, CO
Rabbi Neal I Borovitz, New York, NY
Rabbi Bradd Boxman, Parkland, FL
Rabbi Erin Boxt, Ocala, FL
Rabbi Josh Breindel, Sudbury, MA
Rabbi Gary M. Bretton-Granatoor, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Deborah J Brin, Albuquerque, NM
Rabbi Herbert Brockman, Hamden, CT
Cantor Vera Broekhuysen, North Andover, MA
Cantor Barbara Reynolds Slader, Portland, OR
Rabbi Deborah Ruth Bronstein, Boulder, CO
Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, Baltimore, MD
Cantor Susan Caro, Reston, VA
Rabbi Kenneth Carr, Easton, MA
Rabbi Joshua Chasan, Portland, ME
Rabbi Ken Chasen, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Mari Chernow, Studio City, CA
Rabbi Haim Fabrizio Cipriani, Genoa, Italy
Rabbi Paul J. Citrin, Albuquerque, NM
Cantor Gabrielle Clissold, Tinton Falls, NJ
Rabbi Jeffrey Clopper, Huntington, NY
Rabbi Eli Cohen, Santa Cruz, CA
Rabbi Howard A Cohen, Bennington, VT
Rabbi Norman M. Cohen, Minnetonka, MN
Rabbi Paul F. Cohen, Deerfield, IL
Rabbi Valerie Cohen, Holden, MA
Rabbi Hillel Cohn, San Bernardino, CA
Rabbi Holly Cohn, Dallas, TX
Rabbi Lauren S. Cohn, Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Karen Companez, South Bend, IN
Rabbi Julian Cook, Denver, CO
Rabbi David J. Cooper, Piedmont, CA
Rabbi John D. Cooper, Nambour, Queensland, Australia
Rabbi Mychal Copeland, Mountain View, CA
Rabbi Stephanie Crawley, Washington, DC
Cantor Laura T. Croen, Chevy Chase, MD
Rabbi Darryl Crystal, Lexington, MA
Rabbi Julie H. Danan, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz, Cupertino, CA
Rabbi Beth D. Davidson, Manchester, NH
Rabbi Richard A. Davis, Winsted, CT
Rabbi Brian H. Denker, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis, Flower Mound, TX
Rabbi Deni Deutsch Marshall, Elk Grove, CA
Rabbi Lucy Dinner, Raleigh, NC
Rabbi Jessy Dressin, Baltimore MD
Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus, Homewood, IL
Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker, Vancouver, WA
Joseph A Edelheit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rabbi Renee Goldberg Edelman, Tinton Falls, NJ
Rabbi Judith B. Edelstein, New York, NY
Rabbi Laurence Edwards, Chicago, IL
Rabbi Amy Eilberg, Los Altos, CA
Rabbi Diane Elliot, El Sobrante, CA
Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Irvin Ehrlich, Madison, WI
Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Endwell, NY
Rabbi Helaine Ettinger, Maplewood, NJ
Rabbi Craig Ezring, Deerfield Beach, FL
Rabbi Sheldon Ezring, Boca Raton, FL
Rabbi Ted Falcon, Kirkland, WA
Rabbi Charles M. Feinberg, Washington, DC
Rabbi Dena Feingold, Kenosha, WI
Rabbi Ed Feld, Northampton, MA
Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy, Los Gatos, CA
Rabbi Paula Feldstein, New York, NY
Rabbi Sue Fendrick, Newton, MA
Rabbi Michael Feshbach, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Rabbi Michael Fessler, Poughkeepsie, NY
Rabbi Zev-Hayyim Feyer, Stone Mountain, GA
Rabbi Jeremy Fierstien, Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Steven N. Fineblum, Cinnaminson, NJ
Rabbi Dan Fink, Boise, ID
Rabbi Gary Fink, Silver Spring, MD
Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Adam Fisher, Port Jefferson Station, NY
Rabbi Alan Flam, Barrington, RI
Rabbi Nancy Flam, Northampton, MA
Rabbi Allison Flash, Seattle, WA
Cantor Rebecca Joy Fletcher, San Diego, CA
Rabbi Steve Foster, Denver, CO
Rabbi Karen L. Fox, Los Angeles CA
Rabbi Laurie Franklin, Missoula, MT
Rabbi Bruce M Freyer, Armonk, NY
Rabbi Michael Friedland, South Bend, IN
Rabbi Ariel J Friedlander, Modena, Italy
Rabbi Barry Friedman, Skokie, IL
Cantor Florence Friedman, Lambertville, NJ
Rabbi Joan S. Friedman, Wooster, OH
Rabbi Marsha Friedman, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Ronne Friedman, Brookline, MA
Rabbi Stacy Friedman, San Rafael, CA
Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs, Vero Beach, FL
Hazzan Marlena Fuerstman, Bethlehem, NH/Jerusalem, Israel
Rabbi Gordy Fuller, Columbia, MD
Rabbi Steven Garten, Ottawa, Canada
Rabbi Ruth E. Gelfarb, Boulder, CO
Rabbi Laura Geller, Los Angeles, CA
Hazzan Sara Geller, Summerville, SC
Cantor Robert M. Gerber, Reisterstown , MD
Rabbi Kim S. Geringer, New York, NY
Rabbi James A. Gibson, Pittsburgh, PA
Rabbi Josh Gischner, Silver Spring, MD
Rabbi Chana Leslie Glazer, Ardmore, PA
Rabbi Joan Glazer Farber, Tarrytown, NY
Rabbi Rosalind Glazer, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Gary Glickstein, Miami, FL
Rabbi Arnold S. Gluck, Skillman, NJ
Rabbi Shira Gluck, Jersey City, NJ
Rabbi Edwin Cole Goldberg, Woodlands, TX
Rabbi Paula Goldberg, Newtown, PA
Rabbi Dan Goldblatt, Danville, CA
Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg, Jackson Heights, NY
Rabbi Barbara Goldman-Wartell, Pembroke Pines, FL
Rabbi Megan GoldMarche, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith, Broomfield, CO
Rabbi Andrea Goldstein, St. Louis, MO
Rabbi Debra Goldstein, Natick, MA
Rabbi Paul Golomb, New York, NY
Rabbi Marvin Goodman, Foster City, CA
Rabbi Keren Gorban, Tacoma, WA
Rabbi Andy Gordon, Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Samuel N. Gordon, Wilmette, IL
Rabbi Andrea M. Gouze, Providence, RI
Rabbi Roberto Graetz, Lafayette, CA
Rabbi Lisa D. Grant, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Laurie E. Green, Baltimore, MD
Cantor Tanya Greenblatt, Tampa, FL
Rabbi Rachel Greengrass, Miami, FL
Rabbi Ellen A. Greenspan, Montreal, QC, Canada
Rabbi Suzanne Griffel, Chicago, IL
Rabbi David S. Gruber, Frisco, TX
Rabbi Joshua Gutoff, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Leslie Y Gutterman, Providence, RI
Rabbi Debra Hachen, Walnut Creek, CA
Rabbi Shoshana Hantman, Katonah NY
Rabbi Carmit Harari, Homewood, IL
Rabbi Laura Schwartz Harari, Laguna Woods, CA
Rabbi Stephen Hart, Glenview, IL
Rabbi Sharyn H. Henry
Rabbi Eli Herb, Salem, OR
Rabbi Floyd L. Herman, Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, New York, NY
Rabbi Rachel Hertzman, New York, NY
Rabbi Garson Herzfeld, Tampa, FL
Rabbi Jay Heyman, Santa Fe, NM
Rabbi Deborah A Hirsch, Becket, MA
Cantor Naomi Hirsch, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Lawrence A Hoffman, Mamaroneck, NY
Rabbi David Holtz, Tarrytown, NY
Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz, Coralville, IA
Rabbi Mark Hurvitz, New York, NY
Rabbi Debbie Israel, Watsonville, CA
Rabbi Brett R. Isserow, Alexandria, VA
Rabbi Jill Jacobs, New York, NY
Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs, Alameda, CA
Rabbi Daria Jacobs-Velde, Takoma Park, MD
Rabbi Josh Jacobs-Velde, Takoma Park, MD
Rabbi Cantor Ellen Jaffe-Gill, Virginia Beach, VA
Rabbi Shira H. Joseph, Chestnut Hill, MA
Rabbi Ari Jun, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi Bruce Kadden, Tacoma, WA
Rabbi Yoel Kahn, Berkeley, CA
Rabbi Cassi Kail, Palos Verdes, CA
Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky, South Bend, IN
Rabbi Lewis Kamrass, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi Min Kantrowitz, Albuquerque, NM
Cantor Gail Karp, Davenport, IA
Rabbi Henry Jay Karp, Davenport, IA
Rabbi Molly Karp, New City, NY
Rabbi Alan J Katz, Rochester, NY
Rabbi Jan Katz, Rochester, NY
Rabbi Stuart Kelman, Berkeley, CA
Rabbi Justin Kerber, Carmel, IN
Rabbi Beth H Klafter, Melville, NY
Rabbi Andrew Klein, Barrington, RI
Rabbi Jason Klein, New York, NY
Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein, Elgin, IL
Rabbi Marc Kline, Harrisburg, PA
Rabbi Alison Kobey, Damascus, MD
Rabbi Douglas Kohn, Beacon, NY
Rabbi Neil Kominsky, Brookline, MA
Rabbi Randall J. Konigsburg, South Orange, NJ
Rabbi Sandford R Kopnick, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi Elisa F Koppel, Gladwyne, PA
Rabbi Andy Koren, Greensboro, NC
Rabbi Ira Korinow, Westwood, MA
Rabbi Michael L Kramer, Hockessin, DE
Rabbi Philip N. Kranz, Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Robert L. Kravitz, Scottsdale, AZ
Rabbi David J.B. Krishef, Grand Rapids, MI
Rabbi Charles A. Kroloff, Westfield, NJ
Rabbi Judith Kummer, Boston, MA
Rabbi David Kunin, Saratoga, CA
Rabbi Jeffrey Kurtz-Lendner, Harrisonburg, VA
Rabbi Steven Kushner, Jersey City, NJ
Rabbi Howard O. Laibson, Ventura, CA
Rabbi Gilah Langner, Washington, DC
Rabbi Marty Lawson, San Diego, CA
Rabbi Anson Laytner, Seattle, WA
Rabbi Esther Lederman, Arlington, VA
Cantor Allen Leider, Reston, VA
Rabbi Darby Leigh, Concord MA
Rabbi Michele Lenke, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Chaya Lerner, Miami, FL
Rabbi Darah R. Lerner, Albuquerque, NM
Rabbi Charles S. Levi, Scottsdale, AZ
Rabbi David Levin, Merion Station, PA
Rabbi Mark H. Levin, Prairie Village, KS
Rabbi Chai Levy, Berkeley, CA
Rabbi Peter Levy, Lee, MA
Rabbi Craig Lewis, Chattanooga, TN
Rabbi Jennifer Goldstein Lewis, Mason, OH
Rabbi Sheldon Lewis, Palo Alto, CA
Rabbi Richard Libowitz, Merion Station, PA
Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Janet B. Liss, Bayville, NY
Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov, Wilmington, NC
Rabbi Alan Londy, Kansas City, MO
Rabbi Michal Loving, Long Beach, CA
Rabbi SAM Luckey, Oakland, CA
Cantor Abbe Lyons, Ithaca, NY
Rabbi Dana Magat, San Jose, CA
Rabbi Avi Magid, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Allen Maller, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Paula Marcus, Aptos, CA
Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Milwaukee, WI
Rabbi Richard Marker, Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Susan Marks, Highland Park, IL
Rabbi David Evan Markus, Briarcliff Manor, NY
Rabbi Deni Marshall, Elk Grove, CA
Rabbi Cantor Jacqueline Marx, Carrboro, NC
Rabbi Steven S Mason, Northbrook, IL
Rabbi Emily Mathis, Newton, MA
Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger, Fort Worth, TX
Rabbi Bernard H. Mehlman, Boston, MA
Rabbi Rim Meirowitz, Winchester, MA
Rabbi Amy L. Memis-Foler, Mount Laurel, NJ
Rabbi Paul Menitoff, Palm Beach, FL
Cantor Claire G. Metzger, Ocala, FL
Rabbi Margaret Meyer, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi Michael Meyerstein, Bethesda, MD
Cantor Sydney Michaeli, Falls Church, VA
Rabbi Abby Michaleski, Vineland, NJ
Rabbi Brian I. Michelson, Reading, PA
Rabbi Bryna Milkow, Peoria, IL
Rabbi Bennett Miller, Monroe Township, NJ
Rabbi Estelle Mills, Plymouth, MA
Cantor Amy Brenner Mitz, Sugar Hill, NH
Rabbi David Mivasair, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Rabbi S. Robert Morais, Erie, PA
Rabbi Ron Muroff, Harrisburg, PA
Rabbi Robin Nafshi, Concord, NH
Cantor Shira Nafshi, Concord/Manchester, NH
Rabbi Michael Namath, Washington, DC
Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser, Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Cathy Nemiroff, St. Paul, MN
Rabbi Sheryl Nosan, Perth, Australia
Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, Shaker Heights, OH
Rabbi Shoshana Nyer, Pepper Pike, OH
Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, North Brunswick, NJ
Rabbi Saul Oresky, Greenbelt, MD
Rabbi Robert Orkand, Dedham, MA
Rabbi Jack P. Paskoff, Lancaster, PA
Rabbi Norman Patz, North Caldwell, NJ
Rabbi Michelle Pearlman, Malvern, PA
Rabbi Barbara Penzner, Boston, MA
Rabbi Mayer Perelmuter, Walnut Creek, CA
Rabbi Carl M Perkins, Needham, MA
Rabbi James Perman, Naples, FL
Rabbi Sara Rae Perman, Greensberg, PA
Rabbi Daniel Pernick, Nanuet, NY
Rabbi Shoshana Perry, Westford, MA
Rabbi Hara E. Person, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Steven Peskind, Streamwood, IL
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Washington, DC
Rabbi Alissa Platcow, Harrison, NY
Rabbi Gary Pokras, Rockville, MD
Rabbi Jeff Portman, Iowa City, IA
Rabbi JoHanna Potts, Montgomery County, MD
Rabbi Taylor A. Poslosky, Chicago, IL
Rabbi Sally Priesand, Tinton Falls, NJ
Rabbi Deborah Prinz, New York, NY
Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, Irvine, CA
Rabbi Rayzel Raphael, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Laura M. Rappaport, Coral Springs, FL
Rabbi David Reiner, Ridgefield, CT
Rabbi Victor Reinstein, Jamaica Plain, MA
Cantor David Reinwald, Pittsburgh, PA
Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner, Baltimore, MD
Rabbinic Pastor Heena Reiter, Charlottesville, VA
Rabbi Rachel Rembrandt, Port Washington, NY
Cantor Rachel Rhodes, Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Daniel A. Roberts, Denver, CO
Rabbi Harold Robinson, Centerville, MA
Rabbi Liz Rolle, Stamford, CT
Rabbi Norman T. Roman, Green Valley, AZ
Rabbi Jonathan Roos, Kensington, MD
Cantor Aviva Rosenbloom, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld, Albuquerque, NM
Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser, Kensington, MD
Rabbi John L. Rosove, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Dennis S. Ross, New York, NY
Rabbi Francine Green Roston, Whitefish, MT
Rabbi Michael Rothbaum, Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Peter J. Rubinstein, Portsmouth, NH
Rabbi Sandy Rubenstein, Silver Spring, MD
Rabbi Sheila Russian, Stevenson, MD
Rabbi Ofer Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Elissa Sachs-Kohen, Baltimore, MD
Rabbi David Saperstein, Washington, DC
Rabbi Dennis Sasso, Indianapolis, IN
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, Indianapolis, IN
Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller, Berkeley, CA
Rabbi Peter B. Schaktman, Utica, NY
Rabbi Philip Schechter, Stamford, CT
Rabbi Neal Scheindlin, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Simone Schicker, Kalamazoo, MI
Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller, White Plains, NY
Rabbi SaraLeya Schley, Sparks, NV
Rabbi Howie Schneider, Santa Cruz, CA
Rabbi Jonathan Schnitzer, Rockville, M
Rabbi Julie S. Schwartz, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi PJ Schwartz, Huntsville, AL
Rabbi Sid Schwarz, Rockville, MD
Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, McLean, VA
Rabbi Joshua L. Segal, Amherst, NH
Rabbi Kenneth I. Segel, Las Vegas, NV
Rabbi Jerry Seidler, Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Ike Serotta, Deerfield, IL
Rabbi Drorah Setel, Rochester, NY
Rabbi Susan N. Shankman, Washington, DC
Rabbi Howard Shapiro, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Rabbi Jeremy Sher, Oakland, CA
Cantor Wendy Shermet, Omaha, NE
Rabbi Jack Shlachter, Los Alamos, NM
Rabbi David Shneyer, Rockville, MD
Rabbi Eric A. Silver, Cheshire, CT
Rabbi Ariana Silverman, Detroit, MI
Rabbi Suzanne Singer, Riverside, CA
Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin, Washington, DC
Rabbi Raina Siroty, Knoxville, TN
Rabbi Joel Sisenwine, Wellesley, MA
Rabbi Elliot Skiddell, Hewlett, NY
Rabbi Asher Sofman, Cinnaminson, NJ
Joel E. Soffin, Rabbi, New York, NY
Rabbi Ruth Sohn, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Myra Soifer, Reno, NV
Rabbi Idit Solomon, Palo Alto, CA
Rabbi Marc Soloway, Boulder, CO.
Rabbi Hesch Sommer, Guilford, CT
Rabbi R. Sonsino, Westborough, MA
Rabbi Judith Spicehandler, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi Jonathan Spira-Savett, Nashua, NH
Rabbi David Spinrad, Alexandria, VA
Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl, San Antonio, TX
Rabbi Erica Steelman, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Howie Stein, Pittsburgh, PA
Rabbi Peter Stein, Rochester, NY
Rabbi Bonnie Steinberg, Watertown, MA
Rabbi Cantor Sharon Steinberg, Boca Raton, FL
Rabbi Steve Steinberg, Cheshire, CT
Rabbi Oren Steinitz, Syracuse, NY
Rabbi Ron Stern, Sherman Oaks, CA
Rabbi Michael P. Sternfield, Long Beach, CA
Rabbi Kaya Stern-Kaufman, Portsmouth, NH
Rabbi Debbie Stiel, Phoenix, AZ
Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman, Olivette, MO
Rabbi Andrew Straus, Oakland, CA
Rabbi David Straus, Wynnewood, PA
Rabbi Celia Surget, Albuquerque, NM
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, N Wales, PA
Rabbi Robert Tabak, Elkins Park, PA
Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, Montclair, NJ
Rabbi David A. Teutsch, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Lennard R. Thal, New York, NY
Rabbi Jay TelRav, Stamford, CT
Rabbi Shifrah Tobacman, Emeryville, CA
Rabbi Karen Thomashow, Concord, MA
Rabbi Ariel Tovlev, Adelphi, MD
Cantor Ze’evi Tovlev, Adelphi, MD
Rabbi Allison Vann, Beachwood, OH
Rabbi Anne Villarreal-Belford, Houston, TX
Cantor Risa Wallach, Hillsborough, NJ
Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev, Santa Fe, NM
Rabbi Bruce Warshal, Atlanta, Georgia
Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Dallas, TX
Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Sue Ann Wasserman, Waltham, MA
Rabbi Pamela Wax, North Adams, MA
Rabbi Michael Hess Webber, Catonsville, MD
Rabbi Donald A. Weber, Lenox, MA
Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, Abington, PA
Rabbi Gerald I. Weider, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Jennifer Weiner, Springfield, VA
Rabbi Dvora Weisberg, Los Angeles, CA
Cantor Stephanie Weishaar, Clarksburg, MD
Rabbi Stephen J. Weisman, Bowie, MD
Rabbi Faedra Lazar Weiss, Indianapolis, IN
Rabbi Lewis J. Weiss, Indianapolis, IN
Rabbi Zari Weiss, Danville, CA
Cantor Rosalie Will, Rockville, MD
Rabbi Mark Winer, Boca Raton, FL
Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe, Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Eliot Baskin, Denver, CO
Rabni Maralee Gordon, Woodstock, IL
Rabbi Eric Yoffie, Westfield, NJ
Rabbi David N. Young, Chicago, IL
Cantor Natalie Young, Evanston, IL
Rabbi Mary L. Zamore, Westfield, NJ
Rabbi David Zaslow, Ashland, OR
Rabbi Naomi Zaslow, Baltimore MD
Rabbi Deborah Zecher, New York, NY
Rabbi Michael Zedek, Chicago, IL
Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel, Arlington, VA
Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz, Port Washington, NY
Rabbi Ruth A. Zlotnick, Seattle, WA
Rabbi Israel Zoberman, Virginia Beach, VA
Rabbi Rain Zohav, Rockville, MD
Rabbi Gary P. Zola, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi Henry A. Zoob, Westwood, MA
Cantor Michael Zoosman, Vancouver, BC, Canada
And growing; please add your name.
Rabbi Rex D Perlmeter, New York, NY
Rabbi Andrew Oberstein, Boston, MA.
Rabbi Alan E. Litwak, North Miami Beach, FL
Rabbi Arthur Nemitoff, Gardner, KS
Rabbi Donald B. Rossoff, Evanston, IL
Rabbi Michele Paskow, Thousand Oaks, CA
Cantor Ellen Sussman, Allentown, PA
Rabbi Sue Fendrick, Newton, MA
Rabbi Jodie Gordon, Great Barrington, MA
Rabbi Shmuel Birnham, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Rabbi Dean Shapiro, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Shefa Gold, Jemez Springs, NM
Cantor Evan Kent, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi George Wielechowski, San Diego, CA
Rabbi Marcia Plumb, Needham, MA
Rabbi Leah Citrin, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Daniel Gropper, Harrison, NY
Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder, Boulder CO
Rabbi Judith Halevy
Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbis Stephen, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Eva Robbins, Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Shira Milgrom, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Dr. Andrew Vogel Ettin, Pfafftown, NC
Rabbi Dr. Chava Bahle, Suttons Bay, MI
Rabbi Nahariyah Mosenkis, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Rebecca Pomerantz Shinder, Florida, NY
Rabbi Mimi Weisel, Sarasota, FL
Rabbi Rick Sherwin, Orlando, FL
Cantor Jennifer Bern-Vogel, Los Angeles, CA
Cantor Alisa Fineman, Carmel, CA
Rabbi Sandra Cohen, Denver, CO
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, New York, NY
Cantor Paul Buch, Claremont, CA
Rabbi Ira Rosenfeld, Temple City, CA
Cantor Beth Rosenfeld, Agoura Hills, CA
Rabbi Joy Levitt, New York, NY
Rabbi MIchael Strassfeld, New York, NY
Rabbi Avi Schulman, Fremont, CA
Rabbi Joey Wolf, Portland, OR
Rabbi Daniel J. Isaak, Portland, OR
Rabbi David S. Widzer, Burke, VA
Rabbi Ben Herman Sacramento, CA
Cantor Linda Shivers, Portland, OR
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, Washington DC
Rabbi Michael Ross, Beachwood, OH
Rabbi Rebecca L. Dubowe, Bloomington, IL
Rabbi Tamara Miller, Washington, DC
Cantor Judith Seplowin, Providence, RI
Rabbi Randy Sheinberg, New Hyde Park, NY
Rabbi Steve Segar, Shaker Heights, OH
Rabbi Jay Stein, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Rabbi Meredith Kahan, Cincinnati, OH
Rabbi Elaine Zecher, Boston, MA
Rabbi Lon Alan Moskowitz, Baywood Park, CA
Rabbi Stacy Offner, Guilford, CT
Rabbi Dr. Kari Tuling, Glastonbury, CT
Rabbi Michael Danziger, Nashville, TN
Rabbi Len Muroff, La Mirada, CA
Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen, Rockville, MD
Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr, Emmaus, PA
Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker, St. Paul, MN
Cantor David Lefkowitz, NY, NY
Rabbi Ruth E. Gelfarb, Boulder, CO
Hazzan Judy Sofer, Long Beach, CA
Rabbi Alexandria Shuval Weiner, Roswell, GA
Cantor Darcie N. Sharlein, Fanwood, NJ
Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg, Traverse City, MI
Rabbi Marina Yergin, San Antonio, TX
Cantor Harriet Dunkerley, Wilton, CT
Rabbi Matt Friedman, Sacramento, CA
Rabbi Dr. Andy Dubin, Washington, NJ
Rabbi Janet Offel, Los Angeles, CA
Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, Buffalo, NY
Rabbi Lavey Derby, Silver Spring MD
Rabbi David Adelson, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Lisa Vinikoor, Bath, ME
Rabbi Marc Margolius, New York NY
Rabbi Rosalin Mande
Rabbi Jessica Jacobs, Miami Beach, FL
Cantor Alison Levine, Huntington, NY
Rabbi Paige Lincenberg, Mendocino, CA
Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller, Ventura, CA
Rabbi Rachel Brown, Cleveland, OH
Cantor Louise Treitman, Lexington, MA
Rabbi Shalom Bochner, Petaluma, CA
Rabbi Nancy H Wiener, NY, NY
Rabbi Matt Cutler, Schenectady, NY
Rabbi Toba August
Rabba Amalia Haas, Beachwood, OH
Rabbi Sara Zacharia, New York, NY
Cantor Josee Wolff, New York, NY
Cantor Orna Green, Haifa, Israel
Rabbi Bruce Raff, Los Angeles, CA
Hazzan Judy Sofer, Long Beach, CA
Rabbi Ruth E. Gelfarb, Boulder, CO
Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Philadelphia, PA
Cantor Frances T. Goldman, Richmond, VA
Rabbi Betsy Torop, St. Petersburg, FL
Rabbi Barry Altman, Ormond Beach, FL
Rabbi Robert J. Saks, Silver Spring, MD
Rabbi Michael Shefrin. Sarasota, FL
Rabbi Toba Spitzer, Waltham, MA
Rabbi Daniel Alexander, Charlottesville, VA
Cantor Lauren Goodlev, Gladwyne, PA
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, Scottsdale AZ
Rabbi Daniel S. Ross, Forest Hills, NY
Rabbi Jade Sank Ross, Forest Hills, NY
Cantor Shoshana Brown, Fall River, MA
Rabbi Lester Bronstein, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Mira Wasserman, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Julie Wolkoff, Wellesley, MA
Rabbi Brian Zimmerman, Fort Worth, TX
Cantor Lauren Adesnik, Rockville, MD
Cantor Rachel Stock Spilker, St. Paul, MN
Rabbi Amber Powers, Abington, PA
Rabbi David Lyon, Houston, TX
Rabbi Jordan Millstein, Demarest, NJ
Rabbi Reena Spicehandler, Philadelphia, PA
Cantor Penny Kessler, Bethel, CT
Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz, Elkins Park, PA
Rabbi Hannah Goldstein, Washington, DC
Rabbi Richard Steinbrink, Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Julia Watts Belser, Rockville, MD
Rabbi Murray Ezring, West Orange, NJ
Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman, Garden City, NY
Rabbi Stephen Wise Goodman, Garden City, NY
Rabbi Bruce Warshal, Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Robin Damsky, Efland, NC
Rabbi Judith B. Edelstein, New York, NY
Rabbi Renni S. Altman, Poughkeepsie, NY
Rabbi Henry Bamberger, Utica, NY
Rabbi Shelley Kovar Becker, New York, NY
Rabbi Debra Bennet, Plainview, NY
Rabbi Stacy Bergman, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Jonathan E. Blake, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Neal I Borovitz, New York, NY
Rabbi Rena Blumenthal, New Paltz, NY
Rabbi Gary M. Bretton-Granatoor, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Brian H. Denker, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Jeffrey Clopper, Huntington, NY
Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Endwell, NY
Rabbi Paula Feldstein, New York, NY
Rabbi Michael Fessler, Poughkeepsie, NY
Rabbi Adam Fisher, Port Jefferson Station, NY
Rabbi Bruce M Freyer, Armonk, NY
Rabbi Kim S. Geringer, New York, NY
Rabbi Joan Glazer Farber, Tarrytown, NY
Rabbi Rosalind Glazer, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg, Jackson Heights, NY
Rabbi Paul Golomb, New York, NY
Rabbi Lisa D. Grant, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Shoshana Hantman, Katonah NY
Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, New York, NY
Rabbi Rachel Hertzman, New York, NY
Rabbi Lawrence A Hoffman, Mamaroneck, NY
Rabbi David Holtz, Tarrytown, NY
Rabbi Mark Hurvitz, New York, NY
Rabbi Jill Jacobs, New York, NY
Rabbi Molly Karp, New City, NY
Rabbi Alan J Katz, Rochester, NY
Rabbi Jan Katz, Rochester, NY
Rabbi Beth H Klafter, Melville, NY
Rabbi Jason Klein, New York, NY
Rabbi Douglas Kohn, Beacon, NY
Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Janet B. Liss, Bayville, NY
Cantor Abbe Lyons, Ithaca, NY
Rabbi David Evan Markus, Briarcliff Manor, NY
Rabbi Daniel Pernick, Nanuet, NY
Rabbi Hara E. Person, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Alissa Platcow, Harrison, NY
Rabbi Deborah Prinz, New York, NY
Rabbi Rachel Rembrandt, Port Washington, NY
Rabbi Dennis S. Ross, New York, NY
Rabbi Peter B. Schaktman, Utica, NY
Cantor Benjie Ellen Schiller, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Drorah Setel, Rochester, NY
Rabbi Elliot Skiddell, Hewlett, NY
Joel E. Soffin, Rabbi, New York, NY
Rabbi Peter Stein, Rochester, NY
Rabbi Oren Steinitz, Syracuse, NY
Rabbi Lennard R. Thal, New York, NY
Rabbi Gerald I. Weider, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Deborah Zecher, New York, NY
Rabbi Irwin Zeplowitz, Port Washington, NY
Rabbi Rex D Perlmeter, New York, NY
Rabbi Leah Citrin, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Daniel Gropper, Harrison, NY
Rabbi Shira Milgrom, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Rebecca Pomerantz Shinder, Florida, NY
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, New York, NY
Rabbi Joy Levitt, New York, NY
Rabbi MIchael Strassfeld, New York, NY
Rabbi Randy Sheinberg, New Hyde Park, NY
Rabbi Jay Stein, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cantor Barbara Ostfeld, Buffalo, NY
Rabbi David Adelson, Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Marc Margolius, New York NY
Cantor David Lefkowitz, NY, NY
Cantor Alison Levine, Huntington, NY
Rabbi Nancy H Wiener, NY, NY
Rabbi Matt Cutler, Schenectady, NY
Rabbi Sara Zacharia, New York, NY
Cantor Josee Wolff, New York, NY
Rabbi Daniel S. Ross, Forest Hills, NY
Rabbi Jade Sank Ross, Forest Hills, NY
Rabbi Lester Bronstein, White Plains, NY
Rabbi Linda Henry Goodman, Garden City, NY
Rabbi Stephen Wise Goodman, Garden City, NY
SHS Students Advocate for Adoption of Diwali and Eid as Official School Holidays in Westchester
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 780
(The following letter was submitted by Arun Nayakkar and Ravi Vora of Scarsdale)
For the past several months, we have been supporting Westchester County Legislator David Imamura in his push to compel all County public school districts to adopt Diwali and Eid as official school holidays. That itself has been one piece of a larger effort to introduce Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) education into school curriculums. As juniors at Scarsdale High School of South Asian descent, we felt uniquely motivated to help lead the charge.
When Scarsdale Schools became among the first districts to formally recognize Diwali and Eid starting with the 2023-’24 calendar year, the benefits were immediate and meaningful. We no longer feel invisible in our own school or have to call in “sick” for the sole reason of celebrating and practicing our religion, and we know that incoming classes will be able to embrace the adoption of these holidays.
Unfortunately, despite the ways in which this kind of recognition demonstrably fosters a culture of awareness and tolerance for all students and their families – regardless of whether South Asian populations are prevalent in their communities – more than 20 of 43 total districts have not affirmatively adopted either holiday.
It is our firm belief that, no matter the demographic percentages in any one school building, it would be in the collective best interest for all students to share their customs and heighten sensitivity to the diversity in our midst. And crucially, without those who observe these occasions having to miss school and fall behind on their work in order to celebrate them.
Lunar New Year is already a mandated statewide holiday in all public schools, and Diwali has been adopted in all New York City public schools. Nearly 10 percent of Westchester’s population represents the AAPI diaspora, so even if the movement here has to be taken up district-by-district – which we have facilitated by coordinating with students across the County, sending correspondence to superintendents and Boards of Education, and meeting with other community leaders to further the cause – it is a fight worth fighting.
Anyone who wants to assist with this essential initiative can reach out to us at email.anayakkar@gmail.com and ravipvora@gmail.com or contact Legislator Imamura’s office at 914-995-2095. We look forward to seeing this initiative progress further.
Sincerely,
Arun Nayakkar and Ravi Vora
Westchester Residents and AAPI Student Advocates
Remember to Vote for Mayor and Village Trustees on Tuesday March 18
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 505
Though the election for Mayor and Village Trustees is uncontested, it’s still important to vote on Tuesday March 18 at Scarsdale Public Library.
The Scarsdale Citizens’ Non-Partisan Party has nominated the following slate:
Justin Arest for Mayor
David Goldschmidt for Village Trustee
Dara Gruenberg for Village Trustee
Jason Kofman for Village Trustee
Arest and Gruenberg are currently on the Village Board and running for second terms, while Goldschmidt and Kofman will be newcomers. The two 
new members will replace Village Trustees Sameer Ahuja and Karen Brew who have completed their terms of service.
Why is it important to vote? Because your participation demonstrates your support for Scarsdale’s non-partisan system which facilitates the selection of candidates to serve in a fair and democratic process, without the rancor of partisan politics.
In order to help you get to know the candidates we have published four extensive interviews with them which you can access below.
Mayor Justin Arest
Candidate David Goldschmidt
Trustee Dara Gruenberg
Candidate Jason Kofman
So remember to vote on Tuesday March 18 from 6 am to 9 pm at Scarsdale Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY.
The candidates held a Meet and Greet at Scarsdale Library on Sunday March 16, and here are a few photos. Learn more here:
October 8, Globalize the Intifada Movie, Plays to Packed Theaters
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- Written by Sharon Higgins
- Hits: 766
Last week several Scarsdale social media posts popped up announcing the one week only showing of the documentary “October 8, Globalize the Intifada.” Many group texts also circulated to publicize the movie. Messages on social media urged attendance by more than just a homogeneously Jewish audience. Those advocating for attendance wanted diverse viewership and “not a preaching to the choir” event as one post mentioned. There was a solicitation for packed attendance in the theaters. Some commentators thought that they should buy tickets regardless if they showed up to watch the documentary. I cannot attest to all showings but in my particular screening, practically every seat was taken.
The first shots of the movie were taken in the long vertical rectangular shape of a smart phone video. For so long I had purposely avoided videos on social media. I realized now how this brutal attack was broadcast and captured as no other before: in intense and public detail.
But quickly the movie turned from the accounts of violence on October 7 to focus on its effects on the United States. It outlined the professional planning of the pro-Hamas, pro-Palestine protests across the country, first on social media and then on university campuses. Protests were made to seem like natural grassroot reactions but the movie presented evidence indicating they were systematically designed over many years and supported by organized terrorist groups with substantial funding.
With this topic front and center in the media, there might not be new information in the documentary for anyone who has been following it closely for the past year and half. However, the insights and details put the information into chronological order and an organized, digestible narrative that sheds some light on what happened and how this could affect the future –not necessarily in the Middle East – but here in the United States.
I interviewed movie attendees as they walked out of the theater and collected responses that ranged from feelings of anger, sadness, shock, and hopelessness. However, they all agreed that the film was a must-see.
Chinese Intergenerational Impact Group Bridges the Cultural Divide
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 552
L-R: Felix Mao, Lili Zu, Stacey Cook, Liping Han, Maida Silver, (Scarsdale Recreation Department) and Brian Zhao(Submitted by Scarsdale Family Counseling Service)
One of the many unique qualities about Scarsdale is its celebration of diversity. Numerous international families call Scarsdale home and many of those families make significant contributions to the well-being of the community. Ensuring that all residents feel included is a shared responsibility and over the past year, Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service and the Scarsdale Recreation Department have increased their efforts to make their programming more inclusive to the Chinese Seniors of Scarsdale.
While Chinese seniors have always been invited to participate in senior programming, the language barrier typically presented an obstacle that resulted in separate programming. That is until the SFCS Aging in Place Coordinator, Stacey Cook met with a group of enthusiastic Chinese Scarsdale High School Students through the Chinese Intergenerational Impact Group (CIIG). The CIIG is a new student organization whose purpose is to explore ways to engage all senior residents, overcoming language barriers to support mental agility and social connections.
The CIIG students have become regular attendees at senior programming events, providing interpretation services, facilitating communication, and actively encouraging participation in the various activities. Through their attendance, the CIIG students serve as a vital bridge between Chinese speaking and non-Chinese speaking residents. Additionally, they have fostered a cultural exchange by inviting the non-Chinese speaking residents to take part in Chinese events and celebrations such as the Chinese New Year festivities.
While technology and translation apps may one day take the place of human interpreters, the CIIG students have been instrumental in helping shape SFCS’s Aging in Place programming to a more inclusive space, a true reflection of Scarsdale’s commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusion.
For more information about Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service and its Aging in Place services, please contact Stacey Cook at Scook@sfcsinc.org or visit https://www.sfcsinc.org/.
