T’ruah grieves the deaths of Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos; we are shocked and saddened at yet another act of senseless violence claiming innocent lives. We pray for a speedy recovery for Shaneka Nicole Thompson, wounded by the same gunman, an innocent woman targeted by her former partner.
The rabbis teach that to destroy one life is to destroy a whole world. Justice is not achieved through more violence. As the organization Black Lives Matterwrote:
An eye for an eye is not our vision of justice, and we who have taken to the streets seeking justice and liberation know that we need deep transformation to correct the larger institutional problems of racial profiling, abuse, and violence. We know all too well the pain and the trauma that follows the senseless loss of our family members and loved ones. We extend our hearts and prayers to the families of those who lost their loved ones this week. No one should suffer the loss of those whom they love.
Today, we recommit ourselves to peace and justice, and to building a world based on compassion. “Olam chesed yibaneh” –building a world of lovingkindness–must be our guiding principle, even in our sorrow.
T’ruah is a member of Communities United for Police Reform, a New York City-based coalition working towards more just policing to ensure a safer New York for all citizens. You can read their statement here. We also encourage you to read NYC Council Member Brad Lander’s beautiful reflection “Our City is black and blue.”