This week’s stabbing in Golders Green – following the attacks on Finchley Reform Synagogue and Kenton United Synagogue and the burning of Hatzola ambulances – has once more left our community shaken.
Our thoughts are with the two men who were seriously injured, and our thanks are with the CST, Hatzola, Shomrim and the Metropolitan Police for their quick response.
Incidents like this are not only felt in one place. They ripple across our communities. They sit in our conversations, in how we move through the world, and in how we show up publicly as Jews.
The Movement for Progressive Judaism and our communities remain determined not to give in to hate and terror, and to ensure that Jewish life continues to thrive.
At the same time, we understand how hard it can feel to be Jewish, and to show our identities or speak about our Judaism to others, at this time. For many, even going to synagogue or taking our children to cheder can feel daunting.
That is why we ask, first and foremost, that you please take care of yourselves and of each other. If you need to step back, to talk, or simply to check in with someone, make sure you do.
For those of you who are members of communities with clergy, please do reach out to them. For those without, pastoral support is available through the Movement. You are not on your own in this. You can contact us directly at co-leads@progressivejudaism.org.uk.
We will continue to stay closely connected with our security partners and pass on any information and advice that they have.
Please know that our door, and our inbox, is always open. May we move, together, from narrowness towards a little more space.
With care,
Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, Co-Leads of The Movement for Progressive Judaism