New York religious leaders call for hope and unity in difficult times

Monday marks the start of Passover, one of the most important Jewish holidays.

And while it is traditionally a time for celebration, this year has a very different tone due to the war in the Middle East.

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch of New York leads the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue on the Upper West Side. During this Passover, his mind and heart are preoccupied with the war in the Middle East and the hostages still held captive by Hamas.

“A heavy cloud hangs over the entire Jewish world as we celebrate this festival of freedom. We are deeply concerned about Israel’s security,” Rabbi Hirsch said.

Rabbi Hirsch told FOX 5 NY he understands these are difficult times we are in, but he doesn’t want people to lose hope.

“Passover is the festival of hope and it is not a foolish hope. It is not a false hope. It is real hope in faith, in the human condition and those forces of liberty and freedom that will ultimately prevail,” Rabbi Hirsch said.

Imam Shamsi Ali heads the Jamaica Muslim Center and a mosque in Queens. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan recently ended, and like Rabbi Hirsch, Ali is concerned about the rise of hate speech spreading on college campuses.

“I can see the level of emotion in our community, not just on college campuses but in the community at large and that’s my responsibility as a religious leader to remind them that religion is always, you know, about peace, love and compassion go. Imam Ali said.

He says he will remind believers of his guiding principle during these times.

“It is not at all fair to fight Islamophobia without fighting anti-Semitism, because I see that Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are two sides of the same coin,” said Imam Ali.