Rabbi's Blog

​​​​​​​Tifereth Israel Chevrei,

Our attention is pulled in multiple directions as we woke up this morning to the news of two young people who were taken from us last night by a man directing his anger and passion in the wrong place and in the wrong way. One message I constantly try to convey is that taking violent steps against another individual, to advance one’s view, whether as a child frustrated with a peer or an adult despondent with a political situation, is wrong.

We saw this carried out to the extreme last night when Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were shot and killed. The targeting of these young people, because they were attending an event of the American Jewish Committee which was “dedicated to fostering unity and celebrating Jewish heritage,” forces us to face the antisemitism and antisemitic acts often prevalent in our world these days. Our hearts break for Sarah and Yaron and for their families and close friends. We will mourn them and mourn the loss of their efforts to build bridges and advance peace and hope for all.

We are faced with the question of how do we respond? Among others, one response is to wonder about our own safety. There is much that has been happening in DC since this occurred, focusing on the safety of our Jewish institutions. This morning there was a briefing by Mayor Bowser and the MPDC Chief of Police, Pamela Smith. They shared steps that have been taken to support synagogues and other institutions. For a period of time this morning, there was a police car stationed outside of TI and the department is carrying out more regular patrols. In regards to our security presence at TI, there is currently no intel indicating specific threats to synagogues and we will therefore continue procedures we already have in place. The following was previously shared with the congregation by Hal Cohen, our Security Subcommittee Chair:

       "TI’s baseline security presence includes our trained security manager and shomrim, who are TI members and know the community best. Shomrim are backed up by a professional contract-security service that supplies trained and equipped security personnel with extensive field experience in both de-escalation and physical countermeasures; our contractors can proactively respond to apparent or emergent threats, and they also step in to support the shomrim as needed. We lock ALL of our doors at ALL times and control entry on a person-by-person basis, and we reserve the rights (and exercise them) to check bags, respectfully interview potential entrants, and refuse entry as indicated."

Another response is overwhelming sadness. There is sadness over the deaths of Sarah and Yaron. There is sadness over continued hopelessness we feel as we seek peace. There is sadness that people feel the need to resort to violence to promote their views. There is sadness that this senseless act of violence puts a bigger wedge between peoples whose futures are bound up with each other. There is sadness that we see things getting worse and not better.

One way to deal with the sadness is to avoid the feeling of isolation. Be with others. Seek out those who you can depend on for comfort and strength. Connect with your community.

This evening there will be an opportunity to connect in this way at a vigil on the north side of the White House, at Lafayette Park at 8:00. It is being promoted as a “Vigil & Song Session” organized by a friend of the victims and that there will be “No speeches, just songs, hugs and prayers.” I will attend (therefore the calendaring meeting that was scheduled is postponed to June 5) and welcome others to as well.

As I conclude this already too long note, I wish all in our community Chizuk (strength) and Nechemta (consolation & comfort). I welcome those who want to talk to reach out and we will find a time. And as, this Shabbat, we will conclude the book of Leviticus, we will share the words, Chazak Chazak v’Nitchazek, Be strong, be strong and we will be strengthened.
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May we all be strong together and raise up the memories of Sarah and Yaron in continued efforts towards peace.
Amen