Dear Friends: Our joyful celebrations of Chanukah were truly diminished this year as each day of the holiday brought sadness, shock and anger over the continuing anti-Semitic acts perpetrated against Jews in Monsey and Brooklyn. Each day a new attack was reported, and this happened only a few weeks after the murders in the Kosher market in Jersey City. We stand with our fellow Jews knowing well that an act of savagery against one of us is truly an act of savagery against all of us.
The Jewish community has been victimized by senseless acts of violence and terror throughout our history. We stand united with the Jewish community and all law-abiding citizens in America denouncing these horrific act ready to work with local partners and law enforcement officials to reduce and prevent this kind of vicious violence. Our thoughts are focused on the victims, praying for comfort and healing as they come to terms with what has happened. We must honor and respect freedom of religion and the ability to worship in peace, upon which our country is founded.
Mayor Susan Cohen has reached out to us to share that Manalapan Police have increased patrols around the Temple property. We have full faith and confidence that our law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels will do all they can to protect us and we have always had a strong relationship with local authorities. The leadership and clergy of Temple Shaari Emeth regularly review current security protocols because ensuring your security is of the utmost and critical importance. We continue to build upon our systems of security, continually updating our procedures and, in the past year alone, we received significant grants from the State of NJ, as well as from Homeland Security. They are enabling us to add new elements of security within and around our building.
At this time, we have not been made aware of any threats to our local Jewish community. However, we ask that everyone remain vigilant and alert staff and/or authorities about any suspicious activity you witness. Simply put, if you see something, say something. Working together we will do what is necessary to make sure that we can pray, learn, and meet in the safety of our synagogue.
Finally, we believe that anti-Semitism must also be fought with education. Rabbi Panken and Cantor Wally continue to work with the Greater Freehold Clergy Association and MOSAIC to build understanding, connection, and respect among those of other faiths. Our local houses of worship are a wonderful place to begin, and we hope you will come out to get to know your neighbors and give them a chance to get to know you. It is imperative now, more than ever, that while we work to secure our Synagogue, we continue to build bridges of understanding and tolerance. There is no place for hate in this world.
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to us at any time or if you are interested in participating in interfaith opportunities please contact Rabbi Panken at rabbipanken@cs.com .
Though Chanukah is over, the hope it brings remains with us. The darkness of hatred can be overcome by the light of freedom, and it is up to us to light this world with tolerance, justice and peace.
