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Resisting the Temptation
To Close the Tent

S

aturday was to be a day of cele-
bration at the Tree of Life syn-
agogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel
Hill neighborhood. According to the
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, a baby
boy was to be welcomed into the cov-
enant of Abraham.
Tradition holds that the night
before a baby boy’s ritual circum-
cision, members of the community
study and recite special prayers next
to the baby to protect him from evil
beings. At the circumcision, the pres-
ence of Elijah and his chair symbolize
the prophet’s role as the protector of
little children.
But in a moment, a heavily armed
madman infused with anti-Semitic
ideology, reinforced by a similarly
warped community of online haters
and fueled by our toxic political envi-
ronment — including the divisive
95-octane rhetoric of the president
of the United States — massacred 11
worshipers and wounded six others,
including four brave first responders.
The peace, the blessing, the hope,
the special joy of this Sabbath day
had been shattered, along with any
illusions about the safety and securi-
ty of our community. All the study,

prayers and the mythical presence of
Elijah would not offset the evil that
is now the largest mass murder of
Jews — because they were Jews — in
American history.
Whether Pittsburgh or Charleston,
S.C., Overland Park, Kan., Sutherland
Springs, Texas, or Oak Creek, Wis.,
all communities of faith marginalized
by white supremacist ideology are
potential targets. Many in the Detroit
metro area recall that for a 30-year
period, the epicenter of Ku Klux Klan
(KKK) activity in Michigan was the
farm of Grand Dragon Robert Miles
— only 40 minutes away from the
heart of our Jewish community.
During this period of intense grief,
we first and foremost mourn the loss
of life and extend appreciation to
those who are trained to run toward
trouble, who provide support and
offer acts of kindness.
Our own feelings of vulnerabil-
ity are deep and understandable.
We want to be safe and secure in
America, in our Jewish schools,
synagogues and community centers,
at community-wide events and yes,
intimate family settings.
More guards. More good people

with guns. More bullet-proof
glass. More metal detectors.
Thicker doors and heavier locks.
Anyone who has visited syna-
gogues or Jewish institutions in
places like Rome, Florence, Paris,
London or Buenos Aires knows
what this looks like.
But how much of that do we need
or want here?
Just as we celebrate continuity
by welcoming a baby boy into the
covenant of Abraham, we were also
reminded in this past week’s Torah
portion about the tent of Abraham
and Sarah — open on all four sides to
welcome guests. Abraham’s legend-
ary hospitality was proactive, as he
would often ask sojourners — perfect
strangers — to visit.
In the coming weeks and months,
we as a Jewish community must
wisely assess our security needs. But
in doing so, we must guard against
closing our tent — becoming isolated
and insulated from our neighbors.
We need to be vigilant while also
cherishing our freedoms. We need
to take care of our Jewish commu-
nal needs while also helping others
who face their own daily battles with
senseless hatred and cruel stereotyp-
ing.
Just like Abraham, we must con-
tinue to actively reach out and engage
with the world round us. Even during
these trying times, this is the core of
our peoplehood. ■

continued from page 5

tradition, peoplehood and the State of Israel.
Whether FJA graduates go directly to univer-
sity or spend a year at yeshiva in Israel, they
are prepared to lead in all parts of our Jewish
community. Today, our FJA community is as
diverse as the community it serves. Students
graduate with a sense of Jewish responsibility
across denominational differences and a drive
to make the entire world a better place.
As the leaders of both schools, we are dis-
appointed by the statement made in the Oct.
18 issue of the Jewish News that Orthodox
children cannot be expected to attend Hillel
Day School or Frankel Jewish Academy
(“Population Snapshot: The Children Are Our
Future,” page 10). They can be expected to,
they do attend and they have always attended,
when Detroit numbered 100,000 Jews and
today, when it numbers 70,000. The presence
of Orthodox Jews adds to the richness of the
overall school community, as does the presence
of all students. Each one graduates with con-
fidence and pride in his or her own personal
ritual practice and with respect for the diversity
of authentic Jewish self-expression.
We need more unity in the Jewish commu-
nity, not less. Whether one is a member of
Young Israel, Temple Israel or B’nai Israel, all
Jewish children are welcome to and, in fact, do
attend our two schools.

— Steve Freedman
Head of School
Hillel Day School

— Rabbi Azaryah Cohen
Head of School
Frankel Jewish Academy

continued on page 10

Arthur M. Horwitz
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November 1 • 2018

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