We grieve for the families of those killed and injured at the Tree of Life Synagogue, for the entire Jewish community of Pittsburgh, and for our community here in Boulder County. We stand together in sympathy and care.
Dear Friends,
We grieve for the families of those killed and injured at the Tree of Life Synagogue, for the entire Jewish community of Pittsburgh, and for our community here in Boulder County. We stand together in sympathy and care.
Last night, we gathered as a community. Jonathan Lev, Executive Director of the Boulder Jewish Community Center, read these words by Chaim Stern:
WHEN EVIL DARKENS OUR WORLD
When evil darkens our world, let us be the bearers of light.
When fists are clenched in self-righteous rage, let our hands be open for the sake of peace.
When injustice slams doors on the ill, the poor, the old, and the stranger, let us pry the doors open.
Where shelter is lacking, let us be builders.
Where food and clothing are needed, let us be providers.
Where knowledge is denied, let us be champions of learning.
When dissent is stifled, let our voices speak truth to power.
When the earth and its creatures are threatened, let us be their guardians.
When bias, greed, and bigotry erode our country’s values,
let us proclaim liberty throughout the land.
In the places where no one acts like a human being,
let us bring courage;
let us bring compassion;
let us bring humanity.
Shalom,
Jeff Hirota
How to help:
- Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
- Anti-Defamation League
- Boulder Jewish Community Center (JCC)
- Donate to the #LoveIsStronger campaign launched by the Pittsburgh Foundation to raise funds supporting eight organizations engaged in meeting the needs of those killed and wounded during the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
- Give books to children in Pittsburgh: Adam Flango works for the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Child Development, which is located less than a mile away from the Tree of Life Synagogue. After Saturday’s tragedy, Adam’s office established the ambitious goal of giving every child in Squirrel Hill and the surrounding areas access to books to help them process fear and grief, and to celebrate the diversity that makes the Squirrel Hill community so extraordinary. Purchase a book from this list curated by the early childhood professionals at Pitt (the goal is to collect at least 8K books).
