01/16/2022
From the rabbis of the Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge:
Dear Congregants and Friends,
We write with heavy hearts as we monitor the ongoing situation at Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, where four people, including our colleague, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, reportedly have been taken hostage earlier today. We understand that first responders and negotiators are on the scene.
We join together in prayer, holding Rabbi Cytron-Walker, all the hostages, and first responders, in our prayers.
Synagogues, like all places of worship, should be sanctuaries of safety, where the only vulnerability we face is opening our hearts to the Holy One and each other.
With hope in our hearts, we await news that the situation has ended, peacefully we pray, without injury or loss of life.
Please know that your safety and the security of our houses of worship are our primary and utmost concern. Tomorrow, security will be present for the Planning & Vision meeting with the architects at the Kleinert Ave. campus at 9:30 am. We have security present for worship services each Friday & Saturday as well as religious school each Sunday.
Take care & be well,
Rabbi Batsheva Appel and Rabbi Teri Appleby
