04/28/2019
Cleveland Stands with San Diego
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We are outraged by yet another senseless, violent, anti-Semitic attack on an American synagogue, this time at the Chabad in Poway, California. This attack is a sad reminder of the threat that anti-Semitism and hate are to our world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims, their families, and the Jewish community in San Diego. We are indebted to the first responders who are caring for the wounded and apprehended the gunman.
Coming six months following the Pittsburgh Tree of Life massacre, six weeks after the mosque attack in New Zealand, and only one week after the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, the shooting in Poway is a further example that hate threatens our way of existence and our basic rights as human beings. As members of the Jewish community and as Americans, we must not allow our society to be ripped apart by the scourge of hatred and polarization that we are now facing. We must stand together and condemn all forms of hatred and bigotry. We are at our strongest when we stand together.
Jewish Cleveland’s security is of top priority. Yesterday afternoon, JFC Security LLC was immediately in touch with local and national law enforcement to monitor the situation and implement heightened security throughout our local community. We are grateful for our strong working relationship with law enforcement and their quick response.
We want to encourage you to stand together with our brothers and sisters of all faiths in response to the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka at an Interfaith Memorial Service this evening, Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 7:30 pm at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (1007 Superior Avenue E).
After being shot, Rabbi Goldstein of Poway stood before his congregation and said, “We are strong. We are united. They can’t break us.” As a community, we can’t allow those who hate to define us. We should be defined by our humanity, and by how we support each other at times of crisis and in times of need. We must continue to stand together and pray together, every Shabbat as a community at our synagogues. We want to encourage you to do so in the weeks to come.
Ha’makom yenahem etkhem betokh she’ar avelei Tziyon vi’Yerushalayim. May the memory of the precious life lost yesterday be for a blessing and may all those impacted by this attack and loss find comfort and consolation among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
J. David Heller
Incoming Board Chair
