Dearest Beth Israel Family,
Our hearts are broken. This past Shabbat proved to be the most difficult Shabbat in the history of the San Diego Jewish Community. It is hard to imagine, and even more difficult possibly to speak about or make sense of the hatred and anti-Semitism that was experienced at Chabad of Poway. Moreover, how do we explain it to our elderly parents, our children, our friends and even to ourselves? The death of Lori Gilbert Kaye z"l, member of Chabad of Poway and former member of Beth Israel, has touched each of us in so many different ways.
But hopefully, through our tears of mourning in the aftermath of the terror attack on Jews of OUR Jewish community in San Diego, we can also be reminded of how important Beth Israel and all the gathering places of the Jewish people are. The Chabad Rabbi of Poway, Rabbi Goldstein, has urged all Jews to go to synagogue this Shabbat.
Rabbi Goldstein has been teaching since the attack, while his hands were still bleeding, that Jews should respond with pride and courage and fill their synagogues. He stood on a chair before the first respondents arrived at the shul with the cry, "Am Yisrael Chai! The people of Israel lives!" Let's show the same courage as the rabbi, and the vibrant life of our community, by filling our sanctuary this Shabbat.
This Shabbat,
we will come together in courage and with pride at 6:15 PM for #SanDiegoStrongSolidarityShabbat. After the oneg, your clergy will help facilitate a conversation in the Chapel. Let us make sure our children see this pride and courage, and that we are not afraid.
Most of all, let's keep before us the vision of Beth Israel as a truly caring community and recommit ourselves to increasing the warmth and love of our synagogue.
We have collected several links from professionals on how to talk to your children and others about tragedies such as this one we endured in Poway. Here are a few we hope will be helpful:
Let's never forget the purpose of the synagogue: to create a community of people who care for one another, inspired by the teachings and traditions of the Jewish people. Know that we remain a resource to you and your family.
Wishing you a week of peace,
