We Will Not Be Cowed. We Will Live Proud and Unafraid

As you have undoubtedly heard, yesterday, mid-day, in broad daylight, Rabbi Shlomo Noginski, a husband, a father of ten, was stabbed multiple times outside the Shaloh House in Brighton. He lives in Israel, but is in Boston to bring Torah to our beloved Russian Jewish community.

This hate crime, this act of violence against Rabbi Noginski, is an act of violence against us all. Us all being the Jewish people. Us all being Americans. Us all being human beings.

Hate crimes are designed to intimidate, to send the message that it is not safe to be you. It is not safe to live proud and unafraid as a Jew. Stay home. Stay in. Be cowed.

No. Not us. Not now. Not ever.

Whatever you were doing, if you are in town, change your plans. Come to shul tomorrow morning.  We will have additional security. We will not be cowed. We will live proud and unafraid.

And, in addition, CJP, JCRC, and ADL are organizing a community gathering today at 10:00 am on the Brighton Common, 30 Chestnut Hill Avenue, to stand together, and to pray for Rabbi Noginski.

May Rabbi Noginski enjoy a rephuah shelaimah. May his brutal attack inspire us to do our part to form a more perfect union.

Shabbat shalom,

Wes, Michelle, Elias, Aliza, Dan