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Last week, Rabbi Evan Schultz, head Rabbi at Congregation B’Nai Israel, shared on his Facebook page, that the Menorah outside of the synagogue had been vandalized. Built by a Holocaust survivor whose grandchildren grew up in the Congregation, the Menorah was lit for Hannukkah the night it was damaged. It served as a symbol of light and hope not only for the B’Nai Israel community, but all of us, the surrounding neighbors and passersby. Anything I share about this incident cannot fully convey the depth of my sadness and anger. With antisemitism on the rise and acts of hatred and intolerance increasing and even encouraged in some places, it is incumbent upon all of us to reject these acts.
Rabbi Schultz is a respected leader and friend. In his writing, he shared, “Congregants tell me how exhausted they are. How this feels different from anything they’ve seen before in this country. And somehow each time we raise ourselves out of the pit.” I share this perspective with you, as this is what the people of B’Nai Israel and our local Jewish community are feeling in the face of this incident.
May each one of us embrace the Jewish community, and all of our neighbors as fellow members of the human family, whatever our religion, political beliefs, gender identity, immigration status, income level, education, age, or ability. May we reject hate and intolerance, acts of vandalism and violence, and work actively for justice, peace, and understanding.
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