As you may have heard on the news, yesterday a Boston rabbi named Shlomo Noginski was forced out of his car at gunpoint in front of his synagogue and then stabbed multiple times. Though the incident has not yet been called a hate crime, it has understandably sent a shockwave of fear through the Jewish community amidst recent spikes in antisemitic attacks.
As president of ECCO and on behalf of our board and staff, I speak loudly and clearly to our Jewish siblings to say: We are with you. We are here for you and are ready to support you in prayer and in action.
Shiloh House, Where Rabbi Noginski Was Stabbed
At a moment like this, it is so easy for any community under attack to turn inwards. And yet, we affirm that we are stronger when we turn toward one another in solidarity to fight oppression. We are stronger when we work together for a just world and we are stronger when we fight antisemitism and hatred in all its forms.
To our non-Jewish community members, we invite you to reach out to Jewish members and neighbors to see how they are doing and let them know you have their backs. It is through connection and community-building that we weave Beloved Community and create safety and security for all.
In solidarity and in prayer for a Shabbat Shalom,
Rev. Andre Bennett, ECCO President, Minister for Youth and Young Adults at Zion Baptist Church in Lynn