Yesterday, the sweetness and peace of Shabbat was shattered by gunshots. Our brothers and sisters across the pond at Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania face unspeakable anguish, and our hearts are with them as they grapple with this act of baseless hatred.

As we process our own responses to this tragedy, I invite you to email, message or call me if you need anything at all — and to reach out to one another as well. You will find my contact details on the Contact page of this website. In time we will plan, but for now we will talk, listen, and grieve.

Our Adult Education class which was set to begin this Tuesday 30th October will be rescheduled. In its place, we will gather at 7.30 that evening as planned, at our usual venue, together with the wider local Jewish community, for reflection, prayer, and support. All are welcome.

Psalm 34 reminds us that “karov Adonai l’mishberei lev”: God draws near to the broken-hearted. May all the broken-hearted among the Children of Israel be held close in these difficult days, and may we never cease from our commitment to eradicate acts of baseless hatred from our broken world.