WASHINGTON – In response to yesterday’s attack on cyclists in New York, which left eight victims dead eleven more injured, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and the wider Reform Movement.
“Yesterday’s terrible act of violence in New York City breaks our hearts and wrenches our souls. Such acts, committed in the name of religion, twist and deform the message of love that is central to true expressions of faith. We pray for those whose lives were taken, and for healing of those who were injured. As we learn more in the coming days about yesterday’s attack, we caution against any words or actions that sow division and fear. Let us instead recognize the Divine spark within every person and amplify messages that celebrate the holiness of humanity.”
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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.rac.org for more.
