Dear friends,

In June, a letter to Worcester Magazine labeled me anti-Semitic; I was profoundly disturbed by this serious allegation. Please forgive the time taken to find the right response. (I address elsewhere the confusion about my foreign policy positions).

I am deeply committed to backing the Jewish community against discrimination or exclusion in Worcester to the best of my ability, like all the communities of our wonderfully culturally and spiritually rich City.

Not being raised Jewish, my grasp of anti-Semitism is inherently somewhat limited. I was however raised in New York amid a strong Jewish community. My family took explicit actions against anti-Semitic discrimination and instilled great respect for Jewish traditions.

Jewish values around justice, righteousness and atonement heavily influenced me. I still learn and am nourished by Passover and Yom Kippur observances and increase my understanding of Jewish life.

Whether supporting my co-workers’ right to various religious holidays, joining celebrations or publicly denouncing anti-Semitic graffiti and other outrages, I always strive to serve and lead. Well-being and respect for those of us who are Jewish remains central to me as does the well-being of every person: no one is expendable on my watch.

L’Shana Tova,

Grace C Ross, City Council Candidate