November 19, 2014 – The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), a program of JEWISHcolorado, and the Rocky Mountain Rabbinical Council (RMRC) condemn the recent terror attacks in Israel targeting innocent civilians. These attacks exacerbate an already fragile situation.

JCRC Chair, Jacki Cooper Melmed, stated:  “We offer our condolences to the loved ones of all these victims of terror, the Israeli people, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. There is no possible justification for such indiscriminate killing.”

RMRC President, Rabbi Joe Black said:

Yesterday we awoke to the news of a horrific attack on a synagogue in the Har Nof section of West Jerusalem.  Armed with knives, meat cleavers, and handguns, two Palestinian terrorists burst into a holy sanctuary during morning prayers – killing five Israelis, including several rabbis.  Three held American/Israeli citizenship, one held British/Israeli citizenship, and one was a Druze Israeli police officer.  In addition, seven civilians were wounded, three seriously.  Images of bloody worshippers still wrapped in tallitot (prayer shawls) and tefillin (phylacteries) shook us to the very core.  This latest atrocity, coupled with several other murderous incidents in and around Jerusalem, cause all those who love Israel and pray for peace on a daily basis to cry out in pain and frustration.”

The synagogue attack impacted the local Boulder community, as one of the victims, Rabbi Kalman Levine, 55, was the brother of Boulder’s Shelley Levine and brother-in-law of Shelley’s husband, Jonathan Bein.

Last week, two such terror attacks left two dead and two others wounded.   A 20 year-old soldier, Almog Shiloni, was killed near a train station in Tel Aviv;  26 year-old Dalia Lemkus was stabbed to death near the West Bank settlement of Alon Shvut.  This was especially difficult for our Colorado community as Dalia Lemkus was related to one of our community members. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must be held accountable.

JEWISHcolorado President and CEO, Doug Seserman said:

We are very concerned about the tragic loss of life and rising tensions throughout Israel. Israelis and Palestinians must find a way to live together in peace and security. We thank the elected officials of the U.S. who have condemned these acts as well as the political provocations that preceded them.”

About the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

The JCRC advocates for domestic and international policy issues that affect the Colorado Jewish community, represents these views to the Jewish community and to the general community of Colorado, and organizes the Jewish community in times of crisis. JCRC consists of 37 member organizations in Colorado and is affiliated with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA).

About the Rocky Mountain Rabbinical Council (RMRC)

The RMRC is a multi-denominational agency serving Colorado rabbis across all the movements.  The RMRC serves the spiritual, intellectual and professional needs of its rabbinic members. Its monthly meetings provide an opportunity for members to share Jewish knowledge and insights, to have study opportunities as well as to have a forum to discuss public response to pressing current events and community and synagogue issues. The RMRC also provides a forum where representatives from local and national agencies (Jewish and non-Jewish) can provide a briefing to clergy on pertinent issues.

About JEWISHcolorado

Founded in 1946, JEWISHcolorado, formerly known as Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, is a proud member of the Jewish Federations of North America, which is among the top ten charities in North America. JEWISHcolorado raises and allocates funds to a wide variety of partner agencies and organizations in Colorado, Israel and in more than 60 countries worldwide.  Last year, JEWISHcolorado’s annual campaign raised $10.4 million and the endowment arm houses more than $50 million in long term assets for individuals, agencies and synagogues in the community.  JEWISHcolorado’s mission: We secure, steward, and share philanthropic and human resources in support of vibrant Jewish life in Colorado, Israel, and around the world.  We also mobilize the Jewish community in times of need.

For more information, visit us at www.JEWISHcolorado.org.