| January 4, 2009 | 8 Tevet 5769 |
Over the past week, both the Reform and the Conservative synagogues in Knoxville, TN, were vandalized. At Temple Beth El, rocks were thrown and broke four of the six stained-glass windows. This violence follows last week’s incidents at Temple Sholom of Chicago, where a Molotov cocktail was thrown against the building, and in Irvine, CA, where anti-Israel signs were posted at a synagogue.
While there is no evidence that these acts are in any way connected, they do serve as a reminder to us that we need to be vigilant. As the war in Gaza escalates, there could be an increase in tension that might lead to further incidents.
We have therefore gathered resources online, and we urge you to review them.
Most importantly, these acts remind us that we, as a community, must stand united in the face of violence and hatred. Each of us, in every corner of the Union, feels violated when Jewish institutions are threatened. And we are also reminded that, together, we are stronger than any congregation can be on its own.
Stephen Eisen, president of Temple Beth El in Knoxville, posted this note to his fellow presidents following Shabbat worship this weekend.
It's hard to explain what I am feeling. As President, it is my responsibility to show strength and to make sure we move in the right direction. From the bimah I watched the congregants (a full house) stare at the holes in the windows throughout the service. Many cried and my neighbor, a dear friend who I take to services every Friday night, told me she felt like she was back in Germany in the 1930's. She hopes this is not the beginning to more acts of violence.
Quite honestly, I am overwhelmed by the act, the sadness of my congregation and the warmth displayed by you, my fellow Presidents. I've lived my entire life with a fear of something like this happening but never really thought it would. It's always someone else, right?
We will move on. We have insurance, the windows will be repaired. We will find the money to better protect them in the future. The local media is covering the story and there will be a unified outcry from the local religious community.
My question is when will this nonsense end? When will we, as Jews, ever really feel safe? When will religious freedom truly be enjoyed in this great country?
Thank you for your support and prayers. Thank you for sharing this story with your congregations. As the Rabbi from the Knoxville Conservative congregation said to me this evening "when someone hurts one of us they hurt all of us".
Our strength is in our unity.
We pray that there are no further incidents, but, should something occur in your community, please let the Union for Reform Judaism know by contacting either your regional director or Emily Grotta, Director of Marketing & Communications, at ESGrotta@urj.org, 212.650.4227.
|
|
|
0 comments:
Post a Comment