Our hearts are heavy after another shooting at a synagogue this past weekend. We stand together with the Jewish community of San Diego and the Chabad of Poway. We mourn the loss of Lori Gilbert-Kaye who was fatally shot trying to save the life of her beloved Rabbi, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, during morning prayers. May her memory be a blessing. We pray for the speedy recovery of those wounded both physically and emotionally.
When an act of terrorism happens in Poway, California, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or anywhere else in the Jewish world, it is an act against our entire community. When people of any faith are targeted, it is an act against all of us.
We stand against hatred and anti-Semitism in all of its forms. We are committed to making our community safe, secure, and resilient.
We want to reassure you that our Federation’s Community Security Initiative (CSI) is actively engaged in our protection. We continue to work with every institution, school, and synagogue throughout our community. Since the recent attack, we have been in constant contact with local and national law enforcement.
We have reached out to the Jewish Federation of San Diego County and to Chabad’s Rabbi Shlomo Cunin to offer our condolences and our support as they move forward.
We hope that you will attend services at a local congregation this weekend to show the strength of our community especially during challenging times and heed the inspirational words of Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein “to shine more light and do more good in the world.”
Sincerely,
Julie B. Platt
Chair of the Board
Jay Sanderson
President & CEO
