We write to express our deep sadness and outrage that our community has been attacked yet again in Poway on Shabbat morning. We mourn the death of an innocent woman, who came in peace to her synagogue to say kaddish for her mother, and we pray for the healing of those injured in this attack. Beyond that, we pray for strength and courage as these events are becoming all too frequent, all too violent, all too disturbing of our nation’s heart and soul, all too harmful to the human and American spirit. We recommit ourselves to raising an organized, vocal, and intentional message of love, rooted in an intolerance of hatred.

We stand in the firmest opposition to acts of terror. We stand in the firmest opposition to laws that allow people access to weapons designed to kill. We stand in the firmest opposition to white supremacy and to those forces that encourage and incite hatred. At our core, we are a community of love. At our core, we are a community of hope and peace and belonging. We will not be silent in the face of hatred.  We will not be silent in the face of forces intent on stoking our fears.

To all those intent on silencing us: Hear our love and our moral outrage echo across our country! It is a resounding cry, trumpeting from the souls of peace-loving neighbors.

We assure our community that we have tightened security. Our first obligation is to the safety and security of our community.

L’shalom,

Rabbi John L. Rosove

Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh

Rabbi Jocee Hudson

Shelly Fox, Cantorial Soloist and Music Director