Dear Friends,
As we celebrated Acharon Shel Pesach in a state of simcha and tranquility, our brothers and sisters in Chabad of Poway, California were fleeing for their lives as a gunman entered their Shul during services. This event is a tragic reminder of the surge in anti-Semitism within this country. But this event also portrays the magnificent and holy fabric of the Jewish people. Laurie Gilbert-Kaye z’l gave her life to save a fellow Jew. Oscar Stewart, a longtime congregant and U.S. military veteran, charged the gunman. Almog Peretz, an IDF veteran risked his life to usher children to safety. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, the Rabbi of Chabad of Poway, tended to his flock, ensuring that all were safe and accounted for before being treated for his own injuries. Rabbi Goldstein’s message has been one of rebuilding, resilience and the need to create light. His words have been a remarkable Kiddush Hashem.
We must reflect on this tragedy which follows on the heels of the Pittsburgh tragedy. We must confront anti-Semitism when it rears its ugly head. Words are not empty vessels. Words matter. Negative words foster hatred. Hatred of the heart can tragically lead to brutal behavior and bloodshed. We must confront anti-Semitism in our press (as was seen in the New York Times international edition this past weekend), on social media and even at times espoused by elected officials of this great nation. We must acknowledge that all too often anti-Israel sentiment is tragically a form of veiled anti-Semitism. We must stop looking the other way because words really do matter.
We must use this opportunity to build bonds of unity within our people. Chabad is the paradigmatic example of unconditional love for one’s fellow Jew as well as respect for all of God’s children. Let’s look for ways to build achdus (unity), especially during these days of sefirah. Let’s try to settle differences, avoid infighting and create national cohesion. Rabbi Goldstein quoted the Lubavitcher Rebbe z’l who said, “a little bit of light can drive away much darkness.” We each have the ability to create light. We generate this light through our Torah learning, Chessed (acts of kindness) and Tefilah (prayer). Do something today to create light. Don’t lament the darkness; use your talents, abilities and energy to create light. I don’t know that we can eliminate the darkness of evil which exists in this world, but we can flood the world with so much light that the darkness recedes to the corners and edges of our society and world.
Lastly, let us pray for the wounded, Noya Dahan (age 8), Almog Peretz and Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein. Let us daven that the neshoma of Laurie Gilbert-Kaye z’l ascend to the highest levels of shamayim (the celestial sphere) and may her family find strength and comfort in the days ahead.
May we be privileged to experience the redemption of Moshiach speedily in our days.
Kol Tuv,
Rabbi Shmuel Silber
