A community and solidarity gathering at Chabad of Western Monmouth County, Manalapan, on May 1 brought people seeking comfort and offering support for the Chabad House of Poway, Calif., which was attacked by a gunman on April 27.
More than 150 area residents in a standing room only crowd left with inspiration offered by local rabbis and the mayor of Manalapan, according to a press release.
The program began with a video that featured Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein of Chabad of Poway, who was one of three people injured in the rampage.
“Jewish unity is needed more than ever,” Goldstein said. “Go to your synagogues. A lot of light will push away darkness.”
Rabbi Avraham Bernstein of Chabad of Freehold said that following four hours of surgery, Goldstein immediately wanted to inspire other Jews. He said people should learn from Goldstein and see the world in a more positive way.
“The news shook us to our very core,” Bernstein said of the attack that left three people injured and a pillar of the community dead. “The meal at the end of Passover is supposed to be a great celebration. We need comfort.”
Manalapan Mayor Susan Cohen assured those in attendance the Manalapan Police Department remains focused on Chabad and all other Jewish synagogues and organizations, according to the press release.
The program included a live video feed with a Poway resident who grew up in Freehold. The man, who chooses to remain anonymous, was worshipping at the Poway Chabad when the attack occurred, according to the press release.
The man said at first, with his prayer shawl over his head, the gunfire did not register. In the chaos, he was unable to find his 10-year-old daughter for one hour. She and a friend were eventually found at a neighbor’s house.
Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, director of Chabad of Western Monmouth County, said Goldstein was his classmate and, therefore, what happened was very personal for him.
“Where do we go from here?” Chazanow asked. “It’s a very emotional time with the shooting and similar acts of anti-Semitism. We thought it only happened in Israel and then it happened in Pittsburgh, a big city. You think that in a small suburb no one knows you exist.
“God’s promise to Abraham was to save us from those who want to annihilate us. It happens in every generation. No matter how persecuted, you will survive and thrive,” he said.
To honor the memory of Lori Kaye, who was killed in the Poway attack, and to answer the call of Goldstein, mitzvah (good deed) pledge cards were handed out at the event.
Attendees were asked to undertake or improve on attending Sabbath services, volunteering, and “Lighting for Lori,” lighting Sabbath candles in honor of Kaye. The signed pledge cards will be sent to the California Chabad House, according to the press release.
