As the leaders and membership of the Wellesley Jewish Alumnae, we are once again, deeply shocked and saddened by the vicious attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego during the final day of the celebration of Passover. This violent act comes exactly 6 months after a similar attack in Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life Synagogue and six weeks after the attack of members of the New Zealand Muslim community in their houses of worship. This fundamentally depraved behavior has reared its head far too often in this country and in the world.

 

As an alumnae organization dedicated to the fostering of religious and spiritual life, we offer our support and prayers to our sisters and community in San Diego, and our condemnation of the continued manifestation of religious persecution and hate. As human beings, we will rise above such evil and ill will, and work towards values of peace, acceptance and community. We strongly believe that love is exponentially more powerful than hate.

"In the face of senseless hate we commit to live proudly as Jews in this glorious country,"

-Rabbi Yonah Fradkin, executive director of Chabad of San Diego County.

 

The Wellesley Jewish Alumnae (WJA) condemns and is deeply saddened by the recent attack on the New Zealand Muslim community in their houses of worship. As our members end the observance of Purim, which celebrates the prevention of a massacre of Jews in ancient Persia, and approach Shabbat, as a time to pray for the sick, injured, and deceased, the WJA sends a sincere and comforting prayer to our Muslim sisters and to any Wellesley Alumnae and students affected by the heinous massacre in two New Zealand mosques. This is a tragedy that impacts our entire religious community and all people of good will.

 

If you would like to connect with others to offer or receive support,

the Wellesley Jewish Alumnae Facebook page is a moderated, safe space for discussion. For questions contact WJAPresident@alum.wellesley.edu