SAN DIEGO (Press Release)—From the local level to the national and international, Jewish agencies on Friday, January 9, solidarity with France and condolences for the victims following a string of Islamist attacks against a French satire magazine, police officers, and customers in a kosher market.
Michael Sonduck, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, said: “It is with heartfelt sadness and determined resolve that the worldwide Jewish community rallies as one voice to condemn the terrorist attacks in France. Following the horrific murders at the Charlie Hebdo magazine office this past Wednesday, gunmen stormed a Jewish kosher supermarket this morning, taking the lives of four innocent people. May their memory be a blessing. The Jewish Federation of San Diego County stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the innocent victims and hostages. We mourn the loss of life, pray for the injured, and express our sincerest support. Together, with Jewish Federations everywhere, we stand united.”
Michael Siegal, chair of the Jewish Federations of North America Board of Trustees, said: “Once again, we are forced to bear witness to the reality that terrorism continues to pose a threat to civil societies everywhere. Together, as a global community, we must find a way to move past this horrible specter of hatred and violence.”
The two federation leaders said “As we mourn with the French Jewish community, and condemn the loss of innocent lives now is the time to contact legislators so we may continue the dialogue on how to combat terrorism. As we light the Shabbat candles tonight, our hearts are especially heavy as we reflect on the lives lost in France this week.”
Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations sent their condolences to the leaders and members of the French Jewish community, in particular, to the families of the hostages reportedly killed at the kosher supermarket.
“We call upon the government of France as well as other European governments to act decisively and comprehensively to root out those who had any involvement or provided support for the escalating terrorist attacks. There must be a total commitment to bring to bear all the resources, both public and private, to end the scourge that has taken so many lives and hurt many more,” said Sugarman and Hoenlein.
“The urgency to confront the Islamist extremist infrastructure is underscored by the presence of the many hundreds of young French fighters in Syria who are being trained to kill and carry out barbaric acts. All civilized nations should be joining together to create a solid wall of opposition that will honestly and forthrightly confront the root of the terrorism and extremism,” they added.
Elsewhere, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
“Like others around the world, we have watched with horror and shock at the events this week in Paris where terrorists have taken lives, sown fear throughout the city, and attacked the values of free speech that are foundational to free and open societies. Today we are also praying for strength for those who were held hostage in a kosher supermarket and elsewhere, and for the comfort for the families of all those who have been killed.
“The words of Leviticus (19:16) admonish us: ‘Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed.’ Religious freedom and diversity are at the core of strong and healthy communities. In too many nations across Europe, those principles are threatened from multiple sides. We call on all national, communal and faith leaders to condemn religious intolerance and violence, and to take the difficult but necessary steps needed to build relationships rooted in mutual respect and understanding.
“On this Shabbat, the holiest day of the Jewish week, we come together as a community to pray for the lives of those who were brutally murdered in France, journalists, Jews, Muslims, police officers — all French citizens who were going about their daily lives. We pray tonight for those whose voices were silenced.
As it is written in the Gates of Prayer, ‘We pray for winds to disperse the choking air of sadness, for cleansing rains to make parched hopes flower, and to give all of us the strength to rise up toward the sun.'”
J Street issued this statement: “We are heartbroken by the tragic news this afternoon that four hostages have been killed in Paris after a violent standoff at a kosher supermarket. The nightmare that has gripped the city this week has shaken the conscience of the world. We condemn these horrific acts of terrorism and grieve for the victims: the Jewish families who were buying groceries before Shabbat, the 12 men and women who were murdered on Wednesday at the headquarters of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, and the two police officers who were killed in the manhunt that followed. Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time.
“We are proud to stand with others around the world in solidarity with the French people, for we know that no act of hatred or violence will ever extinguish the honored spirit of liberté, egalité and fraternité. On this somber Shabbat, we hope for the day when no synagogue must close out of fear, and no act of speech is met with violence or intimidation.”
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Preceding compiled from news releases sent to San Diego Jewish World