On Tuesday, June 12th, Rodeph Sholom had the pleasure of attending a Community Potluck dinner at the Fourth Universalist Church on Central Park West and 76th Street. The dinner brought together our religious communities, along with those of Ethical Culture and All Souls Church. Rabbi Levine, Rabbi Spratt, and Cantor De Lowe were all in attendance, and Rabbi Levine spoke to the community.
We gathered in support of Aura Hernandez, who has taken up residence in the church with her 15-month-old daughter. If she steps out of the church she will be arrested and deported, leaving behind a husband, two sons (who are DREAMers), and two younger children born here. Aura’s strength and determination is overwhelming. Her story of abuse and sexual assault that brought her to the U.S. to seek asylum is heartbreaking, and now she lives most of the time in a cavernous building all alone.
Aura has been here for 15 years and has established a life here. We hosted the monthly potluck to tell her we care and we are kind, and we will protect her and her family. To learn more about the monthly potluck, as well as the Fourth Universalist Church, click here.
