The Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Respond to Yom Kippur Attack in Halle, Germany

NEW YORK – In response to the deadly terrorist attack in which a gunman murdered two people outside a synagogue on Yom Kippur in Halle, Germany, the Conservative/Masorti movement of Judaism issued the following statement:

"We are appalled by the terrorist attack that targeted a synagogue during the holiest day in our faith. A space reserved for introspection and atonement was ripped apart by racist prejudice and violence – ruthlessly broadcast on the Internet to further incite hate.

"We wish comfort to our brethren in Germany and to all those whose lives will be impacted by this tragedy around the world. We pray the families of the deceased find peace and that the wounded recover fully and speedily.

“And as Conservative/Masorti Jews, it is not lost on us that this attack comes less than one week after an attempted attack last Shabbat at the Masorti congregation in Berlin.

"We are especially somber as we approach October 27, 2019, the one-year anniversary of the attacks at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA and too soon after the shooting at Poway, CA. This latest attack is another tragic reminder that antisemitism is still on the rise globally.

"This act of senseless violence against yet another community must intensify our efforts to eradicate hate in all forms. In this fearful time, we call for unity, not divisiveness. We hope that in the new Jewish year we fulfill the promise of Leviticus 26:6: 'I will grant peace to the land, and you shall lie down untroubled by anyone.'"

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The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is the major congregational organization of Conservative Judaism in the U.S., North America, and the largest Conservative/Masorti Jewish communal body in the world. USCJ maintains a network of nearly 600 Conservative Jewish communities.

The Rabbinical Assembly is the international association of Conservative and Masorti rabbis. The Assembly publishes learned texts, prayer books, and works of Jewish interest; and it administers the work of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards for the Conservative/Masorti movement. Rabbis of the Assembly serve congregations throughout the world, and also work as educators, officers of communal service organizations, and college, hospital, and military chaplains.

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