​DuPage United Stands With Schmaltz Deli​, Supports Understanding

6/22/2017, Glen Ellyn, IL - We, the signatories below, on behalf of DuPage United, stand in solidarity with Schmaltz Delicatessen in Naperville and the Bender family, and against all acts of unlawful vandalism.

What happened to the Jewish-owned Deli is unfortunate and should be condemned. This is political speech in an unlawful and unproductive manner (i.e. graffiti). DuPage United stands for building relationships, fostering understanding and working on common goals.

As an umbrella organization comprising more than 30 member faith communities and associations, we see the power of having allies comprising like-minded neighbors. People join hands and work collectively on issues that affect all residents of DuPage County. The impact of our efforts is systemic change. We invite those who’d like to build bridges and foster understanding to join us in working shoulder-to-shoulder on common causes, driven by shared values, to get to know our neighbor's up close and personal. In doing so we recognize, and celebrate, our shared humanity and core American values.

We invite you to explore our work at www.dupageunited.org and join us for our next assembly on August 3rd, 2017, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Details will be posted on our website shortly.

DuPage United Member Institutions

1. Jericho Road Church, Wheaton, IL
2. First Church of Lombard, Lombard, IL; Rev. Jeffrey Phillips
3. North Central College, Naperville, IL; Chaplain Rev. Eric Doolittle,
4. Congregation Etz Chaim, Lombard, IL; Rabbi Ricky Kamil,
5. Downers Grove First United Methodist Church, J. Renee Hyzy Chair: Mission, Justice and Community
6. The Mecca Center, WillowBrook
7. DarusSalam Foundation, Lombard
8. St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Naperville
9. Islamic Circle of North America Relief
10. Islamic Center of Naperville
11. Muslim Society Inc., Glendale Heights
12. Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, Hinsdale, IL; Rev. Pamela Rumancik
13. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn; The Rev. George D. Smith & The Rev. Victor Conrado
14. Church of the Holy Nativity, Clarendon Hills
15. Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn, IL; Rev. Joe Yucha
16. Sister Beatrice Hernandez, Wheaton Franciscan Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Office, Wheaton, IL
17. Islamic Foundation, Villa Park

Ally Organizations

1. Nancy Oetter, Regional Coordinator, Pax Christi USA, Illinois, Woodridge, IL
2. Masjid Uthman, Lombard IL
3. Syrian Community Network, Chicago, IL
4. Islamic Circle of North America, Chicago
5. Jeffrey R. Jenkins, Mercy Harbor Church, Geneva, Illinois
6. The Rev. Dr. Lindsay Bates, Senior Minister, The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, IL