I was outraged by the news today about the hostage-taking and shoot-out in the kosher supermarket in Paris’ 12th arrondissement. I was already reeling from the attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine earlier in the week. As someone who has shopped in Hypercacher Alimentation Générale near Porte-de-Vincennes in Paris and lived not far from the offices of the magazine, I was particularly pained by these acts of terror.
Our Synagogue leadership – Blake Teichman, President, Sheldon Rotman, Chair of the Board, Executive Director Randy Spiegel, and all the Klei Kodesh – joins me in condemning these attacks on civic institutions and Jewish targets, in the strongest possible terms. We mourn the loss of innocent lives, pray for the injured, are grateful for those rescued, and express our support for the people of France and the Jewish community of Paris at this difficult time.
The Torah portion this week gives us some warning, reminding us that “a new Pharaoh arose who knew not Joseph”. The security of Jews, which we once took for granted, has changed dramatically over the past ten years.
We are also given guidance and insight, as we are told of the courage and initiative of Moses who saw innocent people attacked. “He looked this-way and that-way; seeing that there was no man to intervene, Moses acted.” We are grateful that the French security forces responded rapidly and strongly to these terrorist attacks, which appear to be linked. We hope that all European states will, while safeguarding the civil liberties represented by Charlie Hebdo, also take action to ensure basic security and safety in the face of extremism, which is a fluid and fiery combination of jihadi and political violence.
There is a growing recognition of the threat that Islamic terrorists represent to all democratic states. We welcome the condemnation of these attacks by other people of faith – Muslims and Christians – and hope there will be increased efforts to work together to maintain a peaceful society in Canada.
This past week, many around the world rallied with the words “Je Suis Charlie”. Those words now should be paralleled by “Je Suis Juif”.
We will take note of the events of this week during Shabbat services and welcome you to respond to these acts of terror by an affirmation of Jewish life. Please join us in solidarity tonight for Kabbalat Shabbat (4:45 p.m.) and tomorrow morning.
As we mourn with the French Jewish community, we will continue to confer with CIJA and government agencies on matters of Jewish communal safety and update you as necessary.
With prayers for a Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl
Wednesday, January 14 at 8:00 p.m. at Shaarei Shomayim Congregation (470 Glencairn Ave.), the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto will hold a memorial for the victims of the recent terrors attacks in Paris. Admission is free but seating is limited. To register, click here.
Years ago, a French Jew, Edmund Fleg (d. 1963) wrote a short credo beginning with the words Je suis Juif:
Je suis juif, because the faith of Israel requires no abdication of my mind.
Je suis juif, because the faith of Israel asks any possible sacrifice of my soul.
Je suis juif, because in all places where there are tears and suffering the Jew weeps.
Je sues juif, because in every age when the cry of despair is heard the Jew hopes.
Je suis juif, because the message of Israel is the most ancient and the most modern.
Je suis juif, because Israel’s promise is a universal promise.
Je suis juif, because for Israel the world is not finished; human will complete it.
Je suis juif, because for Israel the human being is not yet completed; we are completing the human being.
Je suis juif, because Israel places Humanity and its unity above nations and above Israel itself.
Je suis juif, because above Humanity, the image of the Divine Unity, Israel places the unity which is divine.
To view the French text of Jew suis Juif, click here.
