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I must admit that after I first learned of the hostage situation in Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas last Shabbat, my initial reaction was “Oh no. Not again.” It was traumatic for me, as painful memories resurfaced. I’m doing okay now. But it got me thinking about how you, my congregants, are feeling?

Do you feel the same that I initially did? Are you afraid? Are you frustrated by the continuing rise of antisemitism? Are you feeling “I just don’t know what to do anymore”? Are you angry? All of these, and many more, are legitimate responses, and I for one will not think any different of you if you feel as above or perhaps a different way that I did not think about. I want to reassure you that I am here if you need me, and no, you would not be bothering me.

Perhaps after the valiant and heroic efforts of Rabbi Charles Cytron-Walker, the truth will set in that every, and I repeat it on purpose, every Rabbi, Cantor and synagogue member must take the training sessions offered to learn how to respond to a crisis situation. I am alive today because, upon first coming to Pittsburgh, I enrolled in all of the different sessions that Brad Orsini, Security Director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, offered. Initially hesitant, for I never thought that this was necessary or needed, it might be easy for me to state how wrong I was. The Jewish community of Pittsburgh never thought that this could happen here. The Jewish community of Colleyville never thought that this could happen to them.

The tragic and shameful fact for Jews living in America is that it can happen at any Jewish institution at any time. The shame is not ours. The shame is on America, for continuing to be a breeding ground for antisemitism, a disease that continues to languish as more and more antisemites brazenly act upon their antisemitism. While we certainly will continue to work with caring partners to create an America that is free of every sort of bigotry, nevertheless, this is where we are at. It is legitimate to lament this horrific state of affairs. It is legitimate to be angry and yell “Dayenu”. It is foolhardy to ignore the realities and not be prepared. Thus I plead with every Jew who reads this blog: get the training necessary to be prepared. Better to never need it than regret not having taken these classes.

So how do we respond? My answer is really a simple one. Go to shul this Friday evening and/or Shabbat morning. Do not let the antisemites terrorize us and win by keeping us out of our sacred spaces. Show up in synagogue, and loudly state by your presence that you will not be driven into hiding. That you are proud to be Jewish. Tree of Life requires inoculations and masking. May we be cursed to run out of seats and be challenged to safely distance everyone. Just think for a moment what a powerful statement we will be making to everyone who will listen: You will not chase us from our home. Not now. Not ever. And so my dear reader, the answer is simple: Go to shul this weekend. You have to.