Dear Temple Beth El Community,
Over the last few months, Jewish communities across the United States have been targets of vandalism, bomb threats, and hate crimes. Our beloved Charlotte Jewish community has been affected by this wave of terror threats. One of the scariest aspects of the last six months is that these threats have become more commonplace. We cannot dismiss the dangers. Yet, panicking impedes wise reactions. We are unwilling to let this become our “new normal.”
I commend Temple Beth El’s staff and leaders and our Shalom Park partners for handling the distressing and disruptive events with diligence and composure. We are doing everything we can to safeguard our children, families, staff, and all who visit our community. With safety and security in mind, we have been exceedingly careful about posting on social media platforms and releasing specific information about the nature of the threats. We are trying to reduce the potential for copycats. One fact is clear: the intimidation of one our Shalom park partners is unacceptable to all of us.
Upon learning this news, Charlotte’s law-enforcement, political, religious, and community leaders have reached out to us with overwhelming solidarity. The support from our broader community is greatly appreciated. In our vigilance, we can be compassionate with ourselves and one another. Please consider reaching out to friends you know in our community and checking in with them to see how they are doing. Our clergy are here for you. If you find yourself needing to talk, please do not hesitate to reach out.
As you may have experienced, Temple Beth El is keeping our doors locked and we have increased security. As one example, while “buzzing-in” instead of just “walking-in” feels less warm and welcoming, please understand that our security practices help us live active Jewish lives in safety. We will not let fear overwhelm or prevent us from developing meaningful relationships and connections, creating dynamic Jewish prayer and learning, and persisting in our efforts to repair our world and living Jewishly.
This is also a perfect time to reach beyond ourselves and deepen coalitions and connections in our community and across lines of faith and ethnicity. One way to do this is to attend Temple’s Comparative Religion Series, which is asking, “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” Our series will conclude on Thursday, March 9th, with Rabbi Jonah Pesner, the Director of the Religious Action Center and Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Pesner will speak about how people of faith can work across lines of difference to repair our world. Bring your Jewish and non-Jewish friends and join us. Finally, I invite you to attend Shabbat services and the worship and celebration opportunities in the coming weeks, especially as we partner in friendship with Temple Israel to honor Roz Cooper and all of our community’s teachers and for a Purim celebration.
These incidents feel scary. The tendency towards fear is natural. We will not be deterred from living with joy, gratitude, and the Jewish values that teach us of our responsibilities to each other and our world.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Asher Knight
