Last night we experienced a painful attack on our Synogogue and our Bushwick community.
Together with my wife, children, and our members, we’ve built a strong and diverse congregation in Bushwick that unites Jews of all ages and backgrounds in celebrating our faith and spreading the warmth of our traditions. Last night was a wonderful example. Our community was seated around the table, enjoying each other’s company and the peace and joy of the Shabbat, when our front window w…as shattered and destroyed by the attackers, feet from where my children were playing. Thank G-d no one was injured but we easily could have been. We thank the police department for their quick response and their ongoing investigation.
We face this unfortunate experience not with discouragement, but with solid determination: to continue celebrating our faith, sharing our rich heritage, and offering our culture in an inclusive and warm environment. At the same time, we acknowledge the disturbing and increasingly frequent incidents of hate and prejudice in our New York community and its destructive and divisive effects, especially on young people. We encourage each other and the public to stand up against it, whenever it occurs, whatever form it takes, and towards whomever it is directed. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.
Despite the intentions of this attack to divide and intimidate, our doors will remain as open as ever, welcoming visitors to join our growing Bushwick family. We are determined, G-d willing, to share many years of celebrations and achievements together with the wider Bushwick community.
