Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad is joining nearly 50 mayors from around the United States this week in Savannah, Georgia to mark the official kickoff of Jewish American Heritage Month.
Muhammad tells us he was invited to the gathering by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, which has teamed up with Savannah Mayor Van Johnson to bring municipal leaders together in one of America’s oldest Jewish communities.
“We plan to learn, dialogue, assess, and look at the issue of anti-Semitism and all forms of hate that’s plaguing this country,” Muhammad said.
Muhammad says as he worked with the Combat Antisemitism Movement advisory board, he’s learned much about Jewish life, the Jewish presence, and Jewish history. He wants to send a message that as violence and hatred become prevalent in American life, it’s important to pause and unite.
“We need to — as a people, humanity — to come together and heal the wounds and look beyond differences, skin color, cultural differences, religious differences, and see the humanity in one another.”
Muhammad notes in 2018, he hosted a multi-faith vigil following a deadly shooting attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, telling us as the mayor of Benton Harbor, he believes it’s important for the office to embrace all people.
The event Muhammad is attending this week will include educational sessions, cultural experiences, and discussions aimed at equipping mayors with practical tools to enhance the response to antisemitism. He’ll be in Savannah on Wednesday and Thursday.
