05/20/2026
A Message from our Rabbi Josh Gray...
On Monday, two terrorists entered a place of worship in San Diego, California. Three individuals were killed at the Islamic Center of San Diego. I send my deepest condolences to their families and loved ones. I strongly condemn this act of terror. I pray for those lost.
We must condemn all acts of terrorism and violence, especially in places of worship. This condemnation is not naive lip service. I understand, and have heard and read the voices of many fellow Jews. This particular mosque and some associated voices have, at times, been sources of rhetoric and positions that many Jews have experienced as painful or antisemitic, especially in the wake of 10/7. I do not believe we honor truth by pretending those tensions do not exist.
And yet, in Exodus 23:5, we are taught: “When you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must nevertheless help raise it.”
If we do not help raise the burden of our fellow human beings, of our neighbors, do we not perpetuate a cycle of hatred and diminish the possibility of dialogue and peace?
We must resist the urge to remain silent; to leave others with their burdens, even when we ourselves wonder who would help carry ours. Any statement I make will be imperfect, but silence is often most dangerous.
Let us mourn the loss of our fellow human beings, condemn hatred and terror, and refuse to surrender our humanity to cycles of vengeance and silence.
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Joshua Gray
