Dear JCOGS family,
Saturday night, one of our members wrote to ask me how I was doing. I wrote back: “I am okay.” Of course, that was not entirely true. After the hostages escaped, relief and gratitude set in. But also a sense of lingering distress. That Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the other congregants came out alive was nothing short of miraculous. The alternative could have been tragic.
Yet, when asked by reporters whether he would be returning to his synagogue, unhesitatingly Rabbi Charlie said: “Of course. It is definitely something that we are going to do.” Their synagogue plans to meet this Shabbat.
In a meeting on Monday with our director of education, I choked up and said to Beth: “It is just so good to be working on normal things like educating our JCOGS youth.” We must move forward and carry on, just as our forebearers have done before us. In fact, moving forward is part of the healing.
And so we move forward and continue to heal. Reeling from the terrible antisemitism and terror that took place, we gathered on Wednesday night, a united Jewish community with our other faith partners. We showed each other that we are stronger together. For those who were not able to attend,
here is a recording of the event.
And so we move forward and keep each other safe. Rabbi Charlie said: “I encourage all Jewish congregations, religious groups, schools, and others to participate in active-shooter and security courses.” The Secure Community Network (SCN) is offering a new online training BeAware to improve participants’ ability to recognize suspicious behaviour, guidance on how to report it, and strategies to protect themselves and others from violence. You can register
here for this Thursday, January 27 at 1 p.m. program. JCOGS will also be hosting an in-person training with local law enforcement prior to our reopening in February, date to be announced soon.
And so we move forward and continue to pray. This moment has shown us, once again, how important prayer is in bringing people together.
Tonight at 6p.m. we come together to pray with our local interfaith partners and friends. Our ritual team continues to explore the Siddur Lev Shalem prayer book with our congregation, including inviting you to fill out
this short survey to give your feedback.
And so we move forward and repair the world. This hostage event began when Rabbi Charlie welcomed a stranger into his congregation. Yesterday, I stood in the below freezing weather at the fifth annual homelessness day walk and vigil to remember the 53 Vermonters who died while struggling with homelessness last year. I could not help but think of Rabbi Charlie who opened the door for someone who appeared to be in need, and how I or our members might have done the same thing. After the situation, Rabbi Charlie said: “We have to be hospitable and we have to be secure. And we have to find ways to strike that balance.” JCOGS must unequivocally continue to provide a space for those in need, as we continue our work to repair the world, while also doing our utmost to create a safe and secure place for our community.
And so we move forward and carry on our mission of creating a safe, welcoming, loving Jewish community that makes an impact on all who seek to befriend and belong.
Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David
