I wanted to take a moment this week to take a break from politics and touch on a subject that is once again, aptly, beginning to surface as a topic of discussion here in our nation's smallest state.

Earlier this week, as Rhode Island Catholics woke to the mark the begining of Holy Week,  a visiting scholar from Israel awoke to a scene more reminiscent of the Middle East than Providence, R.I.

In what was either a stunning coincidence or targeted act of hatred, three Molotov cocktails were flung into the window of the apartment of Yossi Knaffa, a visitng scholar from Israel working with Brown University's Hillel association.

Two days later, three teenagers were arrested for setting a fire outside a former synagogue.

Now the FBI is investigating and Jewish leaders are speaking out.

Whether there is any connection between the two incidents - and even whether the first incident was in fact inspired by religious motives - remains to be seen.

However, for the first time in a long time, I found myself this week having conversations with friends and family members about religion and tolerance, and am reminded of my state's long and mostly proud tradition of religious freedom.

You see, Rhode Island was founded upon the ideals of religious tolerance by Roger Williams in what he described as "a lively experiment."

The first Baptist church in the colonies is still standing in our state capitol. In 1658, a group of fifteen Jewish families, hearing about Roger William's "lively experiment," where the civil government was devoid of power over spiritual matters, sailed into Newport harbor. It was there that Touro Synagogue - the first Jewish house of worship was built. It stand there even now as a proud reminder of Rhode Island's tradition of tolerance and liberty.

In 1781, George Washington cloistered himself with Generals Lafayette and Rochambeau inside the confines of Touro synagogue to plan the final battles of the revolution.

Touro is not only the oldest synagogue in America but it also one of the oldest symbols of liberty. In a state where corruption and governance appear hand in hand, it is important to remember that there was a time when liberty and religion were even more so inextricably bound.

After the war, Touro Synagogue served as a meeting place for the Rhode Island General Assembly, Rhode Island Supreme Court and the town of Newport.

In 1790, the Jeshuat Israel community wrote to George Washington, expressing its support for his administration. He wrote a response that stands ever true as a testament to our founders' respect for, and belief in, the practice of individual religious freedom.

"The Government of the United States," he wrote, "gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance...May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy."

Today, Rhode Island is home to the largest percentage of Catholics in the country, and today marks Good Friday. Sure enough, Rhode Island's churches will swell today and penitent church goers will ask for forgiveness and offers prayers for their loved ones.

I too will be praying for my family, and I'll be sure to take stock of my shortcomings. But I think I'll also pray that our history is not forgotten and that Rhode Island's legacy of tolerance will heal the wounds of a community that is synonymous with liberty.

UPDATE: More news from the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island

Just got this from the JFRI:

PROVIDENCE – A car on loan to a young Israeli spending a year in the U.S. on a community service mission was vandalized Thursday night while the woman was participating in a celebration of the Jewish holiday of Purim in Providence's East Side neighborhood. Nothing was taken from the car, and the damage was limited to a broken window.

 

The incident is the third in less than a week involving Jewish targets in Providence, leading Jewish leaders to urge caution and stepped up security among synagogues, Jewish day schools and agencies.

 

"At this point, we do not know if these incidents are related," said Marty Cooper, director of community relations and security coordinator for the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island. "But taken together, they are a reminder to our community that we must be vigilant about security and we must look out for one another."

 

Last Saturday, two firebombs were thrown at the apartment of an Israeli working at the Brown University/Rhode Island School of Design Hillel, and on Wednesday three youths were arrested in connection with a firebombing at a vacant synagogue on Broad Street. The Providence Police Department is investigating both incidents, but has said they do not appear to be related.

 

In Thursday's incident, Hadas Naki, 18, discovered the damage to her car when she left a Purim celebration at the Providence Hebrew Day School. Naki, who is in the U.S. for a year under the auspices of the Jewish Agency for Israel, works for the Rhode Island Bureau of Jewish Education and lives with a host family in Providence.

 

"We are thankful that Hadas was not hurt and that the Providence Police Department is investigating this vandalism seriously, particularly in light of the previous incidents this week," said Cooper.