Contact: Max Rosenblum or Graham Roth
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2016 – In response to a deadly attack yesterday in Nice, France, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
“We join with the French people and all those affected in mourning the horrific loss of at least 84 people at a Bastille Day celebration in Nice. Our hearts break as another tragedy strikes in France, this time amidst the French people’s national holiday. What should have been a day of celebration and joy has been marred by an act of inexplicable violence.
We stand united with the people of Nice as they begin the process of healing and recovery, and we pray for comfort for the family and friends of the victims and those injured in this attack. In these challenging times, we know that we cannot let fear divide us. Our shared goals of peace and prosperity for all God’s children must be our guide. In the face of violence and terror, we must choose the path of peace and understanding, even as we grieve. For, only when we choose light over darkness, love over hate, can we repair the brokenness in our world.”
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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose nearly 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.