NEW YORK – In response to the safe release of hostages in yesterday’s Texas synagogue attack, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah, a rabbinic human rights organization that represents over 2,300 rabbis and cantors and their communities in North America, said:
“With prayers of gratitude, we share our deep relief that those taken hostage yesterday at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, are safe and free after an 11-hour ordeal. Barukh ata Hashem matir asurim. Blessed are you, God, who releases the imprisoned.
“We send love and strength to our colleague Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who by all accounts remained heroically calm and collected despite the terrifying circumstances, and to the other community members held hostage, their families, and the entire community. We commend the work of law enforcement officials, as well as local interfaith clergy who quickly gathered to offer care and comfort to the families of those trapped inside.
“Throughout the generations, Jews have taken risks to worship. In this moment, rabbis and congregants face not only the pandemic fears inherent in gathering but also the dangers of antisemitic attacks like this one. Far too many rabbis and cantors lead services each week wondering if their community will be next.
“Violent antisemitic acts continue to threaten the welfare of Jewish Americans, as well as Jews throughout the world. In 2020, the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism tracked 2,024 reported antisemitic incidents in the United States. We must continue to call out and fight antisemitism, as well as hatred and oppression in all their forms.
“As facts begin to emerge about what motivated the attacker, some will use these details to stoke hate in our communities, particularly between Jewish and Muslim communities. We urge our fellow Americans not to use this incident as reason for discrimination or violence against any national, ethnic, or religious group. The ministers, priests, imams, and other faith leaders who gathered with the Beth Israel community, who prayed with the Jewish community, and who reached out yesterday to their Jewish colleagues remind us of the power and necessity of a multi-faith community committed to keeping all of us safe.”
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights mobilizes a network of more than 2,300 rabbis and cantors from all streams of Judaism that, together with the Jewish community, act on the Jewish imperative to respect and advance the human rights of all people. Grounded in Torah and our Jewish historical experience and guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we call upon Jews to assert Jewish values by raising our voices and taking concrete steps to protect and expand human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.