On January 15th, while we were marking Tu b’Shvat with a Shabbaton focused on what Judaism has to teach us as we live into and through unsettling times, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three other people with whom he was making Shabbat were held hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. After two weeks to process events of that day, I wanted to share some information on what KSS leadership has been doing and discussing in response.
KSS Executive Board members received alerts as the events were unfolding through a Jewish Columbus supported notification system. In the following week, we followed messages that came out from Reconstructing Judaism, the ADL, and others which added to and contextualized our understandings of the incident.
We were invited to informational events for Jewish leaders at the national and local levels. At those sessions, we were reminded that we are not alone and that we cannot allow fear to blind us to our values. The path ahead may not be clear, but if we continue to study, explore, and reach out to others, if we continue to cultivate open-minded vigilance, we will help to make the world safer not just for ourselves, but for all Earthlings.
Based on what we heard in the meetings, the KSS Board is committed to reviewing our security plans and update them if necessary – in consultation with First UU – before reviewing with our members. We will be sending representatives to various trainings – contact me if you want to join our security brain trust. And we will be considering opportunities to join and host conversations among our members and the local community about anti-Semitism. On this last point, Jewish Columbus is hosting a virtual discussion with ADL’s Cleveland Regional Director James Pasch, “The State of Hate: Anti-Semitism in Ohio and Beyond,” Februrary 16th @6:30pm ET. Click here to register for this free event.
Kehilat Sukkat Shalom is premised on the idea that together we build a shelter of peace. Everyone of you can help this dream come alive. Start by smiling at folks when you walk down the street and offer to shovel a neighbor’s driveway the next time it snows. Do it by bringing your talents to build communal capacity in your communities of culture, geography, and interests. And come be in mindful presence with us – in-person or on Zoom. A KSS event is always just a few days away.
I leave you with these words from Reconstructing Judaism (1.16.2022),
“This past Shabbat, we read of the Israelites beginning their journey through the desert. In Deuteronomy 30:19, at the very end of their long sojourn, we read that God says to the Israelites: ‘This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses… that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.’ We have long known that there are people who are willing to kill for what they believe, who are ready to kill us. It is ever more clear that now is the time for us to fully embrace how we want to live for what we believe.“
May we continue to build a shelter of peace,
Jodi Kushins
KSS Board Chair