In Solidarity for the Chabad of Poway

Friends –

Once again, a synagogue has been the target of terrible violence. Once again, Jews have lost life and limb as they were gathering to celebrate a holy day. Once again, we have received messages of condolence, support, and encouragement form civic leaders and people from all segments of our community. And once again, we are called upon to come together to mourn, to comfort, and to act.

We urge you to attend a vigil to be held tomorrow evening, Tuesday, April 30, at 7:30 pm at Chabad of Saratoga, 130 Circular St. There are also gatherings scheduled for this evening, Monday, in Bethlehem and Schenectady. For details, and a statement from the Jewish Federations of North America, see below.

If you haven’t seen the thoughtful and timely message sent by our Temple president on Saturday night, please read it.

And here you will find “Four Ways to Take Action After Poway” from Rabbi Jonah Pesner, the Director of the Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center in Washington, D.C.

We encourage all of you, in the face of hate, violence, and intolerance, to show up. To show up for these gatherings of mourning, solidarity, and resilience but, perhaps more importantly, to show up for Shabbat services, for holy days, for the many events and activities that – rather than acts of terror – define who we are as a community and as a people.

Rabbis Linda and Jonathan