As we begin the new Jewish year, these Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) are a time for us to reflect on the year that was and renew our commitments to tzedakah (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). We also mark these days by heading to our synagogues to pray as a community, which is why it was even more disheartening to hear about a possible hate crime at a synagogue in Baltimore over Rosh Hashanah. According to reports, a man yelled out in front of a synagogue and shot a BB gun in the vicinity of the building.
Not only does the incident so deeply remind us of all the gun violence that happens in our nation, but it’s even more shocking that it happened during the most holy time in the Jewish calendar, and right in our backyard no less. Baltimore is only about 40 miles from the RAC’s offices in Washington, D.C., and it is worrisome that such an incidence happened so close to home. As we continue through this time of individual and communal introspection, we reflect on the year past, and commit ourselves to meaningful ways we can make the new year better than the one before. In 5774, we bore witness to a fatal shooting in Kansas City that was animated by anti-Semitic sentiments, and we saw a rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. With the opening of 5775, we pray for a more peaceful world, and a world in which anti-Semitism, hate crimes, and religious intolerance are eradicated. Thankfully, the shooting in Baltimore did not cause physical harm; yet we extend our thoughts and prayers to the community and all communities around the world whose safety is threatened during this sacred time of the year.
Click here for more resources on anti-Semitism and on synagogue safety.
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