Barukh atah Hashem, matir asurim
Blessed are you God, who releases the imprisoned.Barukh HaTov v’haMetiv
Blessed is the One who is good and does good.
Like you, perhaps, I was up late last night waiting anxiously for news of those held hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, TX, and issued a sigh of relief and a prayer when the news of their release arrived.
Thank God, this terrifying event ended with the safe rescue of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the members of his community. I am grateful to the first responders, the FBI, the multi-faith group of chaplains at the scene, and all who assisted in the rescue and in pastoring to the community. And I am in awe of my colleague Rabbi Cytron-Walker’s calm under immense pressure, as well as of the work he does every day to build bridges in his community.
This horrific incident reminds us once again of the dangerous threat of antisemitism, which remains ever-present, and can arise from all corners. While we do not yet know much about the perpetrator or his motives, it was certainly no accident that he chose a synagogue as his target. Unfortunately, the last few years have brought too many reminders that the very act of walking into a synagogue, which many of us did yesterday and will do again this week, can be a risk, as it has been for generations of Jews before us.
While events were unfolding in Texas, I was at my own synagogue, listening to the reading of Shirat HaYam, the song of the sea. As the Israelites leave Mitzrayim, they see Pharaoh’s troops chasing after them, and cry out to God in despair. God, in frustration with Moses who apparently is engaged in a drawn out prayer, responds, “Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward” (Exodus 14:15). Or, as one Midrash glosses, “Rabbi Yehoshua says, ‘God said to Moses: Moses! There is nothing for the Israelites to do but go forward.’” (Mekhilta d’Rabbi Yishmael 14:15)
Every day and every week, we as Jews take the leap of faith to move forward. Like our ancestors, caught between an encroaching army and the likelihood of drowning in the sea, we make the choice to take the risk, believing that we are moving toward a promised land and a better future.
Even in the midst of our fear yesterday, we found moments of hope — from Rabbi Cytron-Walker’s heroic efforts to keep the calm and to aid negotiations, to the clergy and people of all faiths who prayed with our community, who physically stood with the families of those held hostage, and who called their Jewish friends and colleagues to check in.
Over the next few days, as more information emerges about the background and motives of the attacker, some will use these details to stoke hate among our communities, particularly between Jewish and Muslim communities. The only way we will defeat antisemitism and all other forms of bigotry will be to fight hate in multifaith partnerships. We must take the leap of faith and commit to moving forward–all of us, together.
In solidarity,
Rabbi Jill Jacobs
CEO, T’ruah
she/her/hers