Pittsburgh

Only yesterday, I shared how my heart was filled with pride and joy having spent a week in Israel.  One day later, it is filled with the sorrow and outrage I know you also feel tonight.  The heinous and unspeakable mayhem which shattered Shabbat in Pittsburgh shakes every one of us to the core.  To think of the innocent people who have suffered at the hands of such a vile perpetrator leaves tears in my eyes.
 
There will be time for a community response to the tragedy.  There will be time for us to show the Jews of Pittsburgh that they are by no means alone.  We will be communicating with you in the days to come how we intend to be of help and what you can do to show your support.
 
For now, let us be grateful and thankful that our JCRC professionals, including newly hired director of security Dan Plekkenpol, have been working tirelessly on our behalf since the tragedy unfolded and will continue to do so as we learn more.  And let’s all be thankful for each other.  Our collective Jewish community has weathered storms before.  Maya Angelou once said that her mission in life was “not merely to survive, but to thrive.”  As painful as this is, we will emerge stronger than ever.

B’yachad,

Jim