Baruch Dayan HaEmet. Blessed is the True Judge.
In the wake of the horrible attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, the Jewish Policy Center offers condolences and gratitude. Condolences to the families of the murdered – may their memories be a blessing to you, the community, and our country. Gratitude to American law enforcement officers who laid down their lives in defense of Jews at prayer. Gratitude also to the people of Pittsburgh – Jews and non-Jews – who filled the blood banks and held a Havdalah service last night outside the shul. These are our people; this is our country.
To those who have already begun the nasty and divisive “blame game” – including blaming victims for being Jewish, Jews for being pro-Israel, Israel for being there, the President, or the media – shut up. This is not your place.
The United States has been the “Goldene Medina,” the Golden Land, to Jewish people for centuries. It remains that. This is the place Jews can freely live, work, pray, rise, commune, prosper, aid others and take aid when necessary. That didn’t change yesterday; there have always been haters and haters will remain. What is clear at this sad time is that along with the blessings of freedom we enjoy in this country comes the responsibility to secure it for ourselves and our children.
Rabbi Hillel said, “Im ayn ani li, mi li?” “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?”