September 20, 2024
The Central Conference of American Rabbis is appalled by the false statements of Former President Donald J. Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, claiming that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio have stolen, killed, and eaten house pets. The claim endangers members of the Haitian immigrant community in and beyond Springfield. These false claims have created extensive turmoil in that city, which has welcomed these immigrants, the vast majority of whom are in the United States legally.[i] We are horrified that Senator Vance continued publicizing these statements even after his staff was told they were false.[ii]
Disregard for the truth is repugnant to the Jewish people, who have historically been victims of such lies. Our Talmudic sages taught, “God’s seal is truth.”[iii] Across several centuries, Jewish people were the target of blood libels, fictitious and fabricated claims that Jews murdered Christian children to use their blood to make matzah, the unleavened bread we are commanded to eat on Passover. Countless Jews were murdered by those who believed these lies.[iv] Today as a new set of lies is being spread, we fear for the welfare of the Haitian immigrant community and all who live in Springfield. The impact of these lies reaches beyond Springfield to cast suspicion on immigrants all over the United States.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis is grateful for the work of CCAR rabbis in and beyond Ohio who are working to welcome immigrants and combat hateful rhetoric. Reform rabbis across America are speaking out against the blood libels and offering their support to all the residents of Springfield.
The CCAR calls upon Former President Trump and Senator Vance to retract their libelous claims and act to protect all the people of Springfield, Ohio, including Haitian immigrants.
Rabbi Erica Asch, President
Rabbi Hara E. Person, Chief Executive
Central Conference of American Rabbis
[i] https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4888505-springfield-emergency-proclamation-public-safety/.
[ii] https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vance-false-claims-haitian-migrants-after-aide-told/story?id=113821189
[iii] Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 55a.
[iv] https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/blood-libel.