My friends,
I wanted to share with you all the Board of Rabbis statement on the arson in Mississippi. I am as upset and angry about this crime as I am sure you are too. For me the message is, we must stay alert, we must ’see something/say something’. We all stand with our fellow Jews in Mississippi and support them. There are some links here for fundraising efforts for the rebuilding. We grieve and hug each other close and then we move forward into the task of Tikkun Olam, the task of repairing our torn and tattered world.
Rabbi Ron
Board of Rabbis Statement on the Arson Attack in Jackson, MississippiWe were all shocked and saddened by the arson attack at the state’s oldest Jewish institutions, Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, but not surprised considering the rise in antisemitism and the current threat landscape. We are grateful that no one was hurt, but devastated for the Jackson community at the loss of their library, including two sifrei Torahs, but even more so for their loss of their sense of security. Although this happened thousands of miles away, this incident reverberates across the nation, and we too feel a loss here in Los Angeles. However, I pray that along with those feelings, we also feel resolute in our faith, and resolute in our determination to continue to live proudly and openly as Jews. And that we continue to attend and support all of our local Jewish institutions. Antisemites will never cease to traffic in fear, trying to push us to the shadows. But we are strong, stronger than they will ever know. Am Yisrael Chai!JFNA has opened a special mailbox – the Beth Israel, Jackson MS Rebuilding Fund. All donations will be forwarded in full to Beth Israel Congregation with appropriate attribution.If you wish to donate directly, the synagogue has indicated the following fund will be used to support the costs of the damage and rebuilding: Beth Israel Congregation Rebuilding Fund, Jackson MS.