My name is Jim Hammerman. I grew up Jewish outside Chicago and now live in Brookline. While I am not a devout Jew, I bake challah and light Shabbat candles; I fast for Yom Kippur and reflect on its promise of repentance and renewal; I delight in playing dreidel and lighting the menorah with my daughters to remember our ancient fight for freedom of religious practice; and I am inspired to work for a better world for everyone by the annual Pesach telling of how our people broke the bonds of slavery in Egypt.

Grace Ross has been a friend and frequent companion in these celebrations for over 25 years. She is not a Jew. But her commitment to freedom, to fighting oppression, and to helping those who the system has forsaken, are deeply consistent with Jewish values. She delights in being part of these celebrations as if they were her own, singing prayers in Hebrew as well as English, discussing the meaning of the holidays, bringing readings and reflections from rabbis and others to enhance and deepen the celebration.

I am appalled to learn that some people are saying Grace is anti-Semitic. Nothing could be further from my experience of her. Grace has a broad and open view of religion and culture and embraces the truths of Judaism alongside many other truths–as we all must in our pluralistic society. As a true friend of those who are Jewish, she fights for a better world for us all.

Sincerely,

James K.L. Hammerman, 307 Tappan St. #3, Brookline, MA 02445

[See also: An open letter from Grace Ross]
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