“We need to battle darkness with light . . . To light candles before Shabbat. To put up mezuzahs on [our] doorposts. To do acts of kindness. And to show up in synagogue — especially this coming Shabbat.”
 - Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein Chabad of Poway, California

The final day of Passover should be a time of celebration and contemplation. Instead, a deadly act of antisemitic hate at the Chabad synagogue of Poway, near San Diego, led to the murder of worshipper Lori Gilbert-Kaye z”l, and the wounding of three others, including a child. UJA Federation of Greater Toronto stands in mourning with the families of Lori Gilbert-Kaye and the wounded, members of the synagogue, and the global Jewish community.

In honour of the Poway congregation, and in support of Rabbi Goldstein’s call to action, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto has joined the North America-wide Solidarity Shabbat initiative set for this weekend, to demonstrate our strength and unity as one people. In addition, UJA Federation and our advocacy partner, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), are working with synagogues and local police services to ensure the continued safety and security of our community.

UJA, together with Chabad Lubavitch of Southern Ontario, the Toronto Board of Rabbis and the Vaad Harabonim of Toronto, encourages our community to join with others across the continent and Jewish communities around the world to attend a Shabbat service of your choice this Saturday, May 4th. On this special Solidarity Shabbat we will not only mark the attack but, importantly, recognize the power of “battling darkness with light.”

#strongertogether #standwithchabadpoway