Tuesday, November 18, 2014

In solidarity with our people. Tonight in Berkeley

Our hearts are heavy with sorrow learning of the massacre of our friends and family in Israel. The community will gather in solidarity and prayer,  at Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley.

If you know of other events, we'd be happy to publicize them as well.

Via Rabbi Yonatan Cohen and Maharat Victoria Sutton:

The news from Jerusalem this morning breaks our hearts. The lives of four Jews were shattered in the midst of their prayers - violently taken away from this world as they were reciting the Amidah.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Rabbis Moshe Twersky, Arye Kupinsky and Kalmen Levin, all U.S. citizens, and R. Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, who was English born. All four men bound their fate to the land of Israel, joining Avraham Avinu's ancient journey to the promised land.

R. Moshe Twersky, the grandson of Rav Soloveitchik zt"l and the son of R. Isadore Twersky zt"l, represents generations of Torah scholars and community leaders who devoted their lives to our people - a devotion that is now sealed with blood.

This morning we must also pause to pray for the victims who are in critical condition:

חיים יחיאל בן מלכה
איתן בן שרה
שמואל ירוחם בן ביילה
אברהם שמואל בן שיינה
אריה בן ברכה
Chaim Yicheil ben Malka
Eitan ben Sarah
Shmuel Yeruchum be Beila
Avraham Shmuel be Sheina
Aryeh ben Bracha

This evening, at 7 p.m., our CBI Family will gather to recite Tehilim (Psalms) and learn Mishnah as an expression of our profound sense of grief. Our learning of Mishnah will focus on teachings related to the Amidah service. Maharat Victoria Sutton's weekly class will be held right after at 8:00 pm and will also be dedicated to the memory of the victim of this vicious attack.

May Hashem bring comfort to the families of those who have been murdered and a Refuah Shleimah to those who have been injured. As with the conclusion of the Amidah, we continue to pray for God's blessing of peace.

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