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]

I have known Grace for several years from when I got involved in the community organizations she lead in the MetroWest area. She always made those groups welcoming to all of us and worked with us to help us make them welcoming to everyone as well. Didn’t matter race, or age, or religion. In fact, when my friend first came to our holiday party, she was so happy. She is Jewish and although I had never understood why exactly until then, it meant a great deal to her that it was a Holiday party. Yes, we had Santa Claus but Grace always made sure we either had story tellers or stories read about different holiday celebrations. And if no one else was there to do it, Grace told the story of Hannukah to all the children and their mothers, she lead the singing of the Hebrew blessing on the candles and lit the Manorah.

My friend and the children always felt safe and included. Thank you, Grace

Carol Dyer, Hopkinton

My name is Frances Weisberg Brookner. I first became best friends with Grace when we were thirteen, 33 years ago. My mom considers her another daughter as Grace’s mother was my second mother until she died. Grace has been an integral part of my family for years and has participated in many of our family Seders! Grace has always been an amazing support in many ways.

When I moved to DC and had my children, I felt the critical gap of a Jewish community to raise my children in. I did not know any of the Jewish congregations in DC and I did not begin to know how to sort out which one would feel right for me and my family. I struggled with this decision for too long; I needed help!

Grace knew this and she had scheduled to come the weekend of Yom Kippur when she typically goes to Kol Nidre services. She contacted various Jewish friends in her network. When she arrived, she came equipped with a list of four different Jewish congregations that she knew I might like, with descriptions of how formal, what branch of Judaism and their general political leanings, size, etc. We went through the list, chose one and when I wanted to chicken out after we were dressed and ready to go, she gently insisted that we attend the service.

Now, four years later, Grace was in my prayers on Yom Kippur. I LOVE the synagogue that we chose together, Temple Micah. and it was so fitting that Grace was the one to introduce me to it.

Frances Brookner, Washington, DC

My name is Felice Yeskel. Grace and I have know each other for over 20 years – we have frequently worked together in designing and leading workshops partly because our backgrounds are so different. She has been one of the best allies to me as a Jewish person I have known my entire life. First listening and learning, she has become someone who has joined me in leading workshops on many issues of oppression including working with Non-Jews to undo their anti-Semitic assumptions and behaviors.

One story. I and my partner when we first moved to Western Mass, still worshiped at the Havarat in Somerville (where Grace has sometimes joined us). We wanted somewhere to break our fast for Yom Kippur with our closest friends. Grace generously gave us her home. My partner is very orthodox about the meal, we covered all the surfaces in the kitchen but in her house Grace has always kept the plates separate so we could welcome our friends to her home with no worries.

One more thing, I have read some of the outrageous statements in the local paper, and I assure you, Grace’s views on Israel are well within the range of views held by Jewish people here and in my travels in Israel and the Occupied Territories.

Felice Yeskel, Amherst, MA