Dear JCOGS family,
We are ever grateful that the hostages at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas made it out safely. Relief gives way to prayers for recovery, as we think about the healing needed for the individuals and families most impacted from this terrible trauma, and for Jewish and other faith communities reeling from this attack.
There are several ways that you may wish to join in community:
- Tomorrow/Tuesday at 5p.m., ADL is holding a community briefing, during which law enforcement and security professionals will address how we can keep our communities safe.
- On Wednesday at 6p.m., the Jewish community across Vermont and our allies will join together to reflect and pray and to stand stronger together.
- This Friday at 6p.m., some of our dear friends from the Greater Stowe Interfaith Coalition will join us for our online Shabbat services to show their support.
JCOGS shares a lot in common with Congregation Beth Israel. Both are growing, creative, diverse synagogues in smaller towns with close ties to other faith communities, dedicated to the repair of the world. This horrible event has, understandably, rattled many of us with anger, sadness, hurt, anxiety, and despair. It has hit close to home.
For me, this too is personal. One of the hostages was Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. While I do not know him personally, he was in a previous cohort of the Clergy Leadership Incubator that I recently completed, and too, and we share many of the Jewish and human principles of care for our neighbours.
As details continue to emerge, it is clear that the FBI and local law enforcement were instrumental in ensuring the safe release of the hostages, performing under extraordinary circumstances and succeeded in their mission, thank G-d. JCOGS continues to be in direct touch with our own law enforcement, while receiving updates from the Secure Community Network. None are aware of any specific, credible threat to the Jewish community. As we plan reopening to hybrid in person and online services beginning in February, we are taking great care to implement our security measures and to do what we can to ensure that our community stays safe and secure.
On this day each year marking the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of just how much more work there is for us to do to fulfill his dream of a more just, loving world. In his words: “We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.”
I also leave you with the words of Rabbi Charlie:
“I am grateful for my family.
I am grateful for the CBI Community, the Jewish Community, the Human Community.
I am grateful that we made it out.
I am grateful to be alive.” Let us say: Amen.
With love and resilience,
Rabbi David
