|
Dear Friend,
It is with great pain and sadness that we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at the Chabad Center in Poway, California, whose holiday services and celebration were brutally disrupted by the anti-Semitic shooting attack, fueled by hatred and darkness.
In Poway, Pittsburgh or Jerusalem, we have been targeted simply for being Jewish.
The Jewish people are like one big family. And every Chabad House anywhere in the world is home to every Jew and every person who enters.
The murderer did not differentiate based on "affiliations" or other artificial labels between Jews; his hatred was to all Jews equally…
The Lubavitcher Rebbe's mandate for Chabad is to not differentiate between Jews, in the realization that we are, in fact, all entirely equal in the eyes of G-d. This tragedy reminds us once again that we are truly one people: Am Yisrael - Am Echad!
Rabbi Goldstein and I go back many years; I have personally served with him on a school board, and have taught two of his children. He is indeed a special human being, with a giant heart and a generous, joyous spirit. I am not surprised by the reports of his bravery and his heroism.
I thank everyone who reached out with concern, love and care. Your friendship is truly felt and appreciated.
Locally at our Chabad Center in Merrick, we are taking steps toward strengthening our existing security. If you are able to help with either your expertise, volunteering or by donating towards the costs of enhanced security measures, please let us know.
Let us offer up a blessing for the California Highway Patrol and the local government for their quick response during this tragedy.
Please pray for those injured in this terrible attack, including Rabbi Yisroel ben Chana Priva, Almog ben Sarah and Noya bat Sarah.
Do an extra Mitzvah - a good deed - in memory of the brave soul of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, of blessed memory.
In the words of Rabbi Goldstein, "...We need to show them that terror will never prevail." In solidarity with Poway, and in a communal outcry against the rising tide of anti-Semitism, at Chabad Center for Jewish Life, we will be holding the following events. Details to follow:
1. For teens: A special discussion for teens will be held on the topic of comating anti-semitism and hatred. This discussion will take place during the Teen Cooking for Hope this Wednesday evening.
2. For all: A community-wide Shabbat candle lighting ceremony this Friday evening @ 7 pm, that will include a brief service, kiddush and light dinner buffet.
3. For men: A mega Men's BLT (bagels, lox, Tefillin) on Sunday, May 5th @ 8:30 am.
Together, let us stand tall as proud Jews who celebrate the freedoms afforded us by this blessed nation to celebrate our faith without fear or intimidation.
In the words of Rabbi Goldstein to his congregation moments after being shot: "We are strong. We are united. They can’t break us!"
"Am Yisroel Chai!"
Rabbi Shimon & Chanie Kramer
*
SOME RELATED LINKS:
|
