A plea for unity: Let’s help our homeless neighbors and community

Out of concern for our Anchorage community that we all love, I want to take a moment to write about unity in regards to the effort to provide supportive housing and treatment facilities in Anchorage for some of our most vulnerable community members. I believe now is the time to call for unity, for all of us to come together in helping our homeless neighbors and community

I, first and foremost, wish to express my sincere desire to support the Homeless Coalition, the Rasmuson Foundation, Mrs. Diane Kaplan, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and the members of the Assembly for taking on this important issue. The current proposals have been preceded by years of hard work and research to create a comprehensive plan to help our homeless neighbors and community, including putting together more than $50 million to be used toward making these ideas a reality. Working together to help our neighbors who are homeless or struggle with substance abuse is a noble cause, and goes to the root of our American and Jewish values.

I believe we can all agree that there is a great need to increase the resources available to the homeless and vulnerable in our community. Although we share the common goal to establish better facilities and resources, there has been some tension and disagreement as to the location of these facilities. The controversy in our community over the proposal last week has been difficult and heated for many of us, as we work to find a way to help our brothers and sisters in need, as well as keep our neighborhoods safe. There has been some misunderstanding and mistrust between neighbors and friends who took opposite sides on this issue. Let us speak with kindness and respect to each other, though we may disagree. Let us respect those neighbors in the community who have expressed concerns regarding the specific location in mid-town, and who have offered alternative locations for a substance abuse treatment center. Let us make sure the concerns regarding the facilities located in close proximity to schools and residential areas have been taken into consideration before a final decision is made.

Although differing sides may not agree on specific details, we can all agree that hatred and bigotry against our homeless neighbors and community, or against any minority, is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in our community, nor in any part of our civil conversations.

As we move forward in working together toward our common goal of increasing the resources for those in our community, let us remember to have civility and respect for each other and respect for the democratic process. We are all neighbors of the same community. We work together, we shop in the same stores and we enjoy the same parks and trails. Peace and unity in the community is a noble cause and a core value. Let’s not sacrifice one noble cause for another. I know there are very caring citizens on both sides of this issue, who have been very involved in the civic community for decades and have contributed to many charitable causes in Anchorage. Each side deserves to be listened to and respected.

Regardless of where the specific location of the facilities will be, let us show our great respect for the comprehensive plan put together by the Homeless Coalition, the Rasmuson Foundation, the mayor and the Assembly. All have put an extraordinary amount of work and research in developing these projects. We should all salute them for their terrific efforts and for their great accomplishments in working to take care of the needs of the disadvantaged members of our community. I trust that our community leaders can help us build bridges of understanding as we work together to construct a plan that will be safe for all.

In Jewish culture, we always try to find a glimpse of light and goodness in the times that are dark and difficult. I sincerely hope that this controversy, though challenging, will bring a greater awareness to the community of the plight of the most vulnerable, and will motivate more people to get involved and join the great effort in helping our homeless neighbors and community.

In these troubling times, when we are all facing the unknowns of COVID-19 that is challenging our way of life and testing our humanity, we must all come together to support each other and find ways to build a better and stronger community for the benefit of all.

With prayers for unity and peace in the community.

Rabbi Yosef Greenberg serves as rabbi for the Lubavitch Jewish Center in Anchorage.

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