As many of you have heard, over the past few days there have been several disturbing incidents of vandalism in Henrico County, including at Godwin High School. The graffiti included deeply troubling anti-Semitic imagery and language.
Our partners at the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond are working closely with Dr. Amy Cashwell, Henrico Schools Superintendent and Henrico Police who are conducting a thorough and robust investigation. Dr. Cashwell told JCFR: “We became aware of the situation early this morning and communicated the unfortunate news to the Godwin community. At that time we let our community know that acts like this have no place in society and that we condemn them in the strongest possible terms. We are working closely with our partners at Henrico Police, and when we find those who are responsible we, The School Administration and Law Enforcement, will address it to the fullest possible extent.”
Yesterday, Henrico Police announced that they are increasing neighborhood patrols in response to this incident. We pray that they bring the perpetrators to justice and do everything within their power to keep our community safe.
Meanwhile, we at Temple Beth-El are doing everything we can to ensure our congregation’s safety: We regularly liaise with JCFR, other congregations and Jewish agencies about security measures; we are routinely in contact with local, state, and national law enforcement agencies to receive training concerning best practices and to remain informed about threats; and we are constantly evaluating and revising our security protocols and procedures. For instance, we recently added security — provided by the Richmond Police Department — for Saturday mornings at Grove Ave. We continue to have armed security guards at Friday evening services, Religious School, and most programs. In this charged climate, we believe it is important to take all threats seriously, and our congregants’ safety is a top priority. We ask each of you, too, to please remain vigilant, and report anything suspicious or concerning to the authorities.
Of course, we also believe that defensive measures like those described above are only part of our security equation. That’s why our SATO Committee works hard to build a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world. We encourage you to join in their efforts. And it’s also why we are constantly working to build relationships across religious, racial, and ethnic lines of difference, with programs like our Interfaith Justice Seder (which drew over 200 people from many diverse backgrounds) and Encounter RVA, the next installment of which will take place this Wednesday, May 15, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Boulevard United Methodist Church. More information here. These initiatives are critical components of how we eradicate hate and build a more inclusive community.
Finally, we know that we are living in an uncertain and anxious time. It is all the more unsettling when hate hits so close to home; we are mindful that many of our children attend Henrico County Public Schools like Godwin. Please know that Rabbi Knopf and Cantor Rosenblatt are here to support you in every way they can during this difficult moment. Do not hesitate to reach out to them.
And know, ultimately, that the best way to defeat hate is to refuse to let hateful people make you afraid or ashamed of who you are. Now is the time to lean in to your Judaism, to discover hope in synagogue, to harvest joy in doing mitzvot, and to seek comfort in community.
May the One who makes peace on high make peace for us, for all Israel, and for all who dwell on earth.
L’shalom, Benita Felmus, Temple Beth-El President Rabbi Michael Knopf Cantor Dara Rosenblatt Faith Kallman
Temple Beth-El 3330 Grove Avenue Richmond, VA 23221
