Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin
Beth Avraham Yoseph Congregation, Toronto

Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, Montreal

After the attack in Jerusalem, we can’t give in to fear. We must visit Israel, because it needs our tourism, and Israelis need to see that we’re with them through thick and thin. 

Rabbi Grushcow: Many of our hearts and prayers are with Israel following a brutal terrorist attack on a synagogue in Jerusalem. What response can we have from here? 

In my life, Israel has been an important place of learning and connection, a place that has fed my Jewish soul. An attack like the one last week in Jerusalem hits me in the gut. 

We had a moment of silence at our most recent board meeting to acknowledge what happened, and I was glad to be able to share a message of support from a Catholic priest who is a friend to our community. 

At the same meeting, I was proud to announce that we have a congregational trip going to Israel this coming May. But I am left wondering, as my teacher Rabbi Robert Levine often asked, “Az mah?” Now what? What can we do from here?

Rabbi Korobkin: I think the most important thing for all of us is, as Rebbe Nachman used to say, “Lo lefached klal,”  do not at all be afraid. 

Yes, our hearts are broken witnessing our brethren being slaughtered in their tallitot and tfillin. And yes, it hits home, especially for those of us who are at shul regularly for davening, study, and social activities. 

But to express fear, either verbally or by changing our synagogue habits, would be handing a victory to the terrorists, since that is precisely what they wish to accomplish. We must be vigilant and ramp up security in our shuls, but we must never be afraid!

I can’t think of a better time to take a group from your shul to Israel. It is times like these, similar to this past summer’s war in Gaza, when Israel benefits most from visitors from overseas. 

Jerusalem needs our support, Israel needs our tourism and Israelis need to see that we, their brethren, are with them through thick and thin.

Rabbi Grushcow: As a rabbi, my instinct always is to have our doors wide open and welcome people in. Yet so many of our synagogues look like fortresses, impenetrable from the outside. I can’t stand it when a newcomer can’t figure out where to enter a synagogue, because there are three separate entrances and all of them are closed. It’s the wrong message entirely.

Terrorism reminds us that there are those for whom nothing is truly sacred, and as such, nowhere is entirely safe. We do need to do our utmost to protect our communities, but I agree, fear can be crippling and in itself can be a form of defeat. 

I take courage from friends in Israel, who remind me that no life comes with a guarantee. Rather, our challenge is to respond to what is in our control: living lives that are worthwhile and building communities that are holy. On this, I think we agree.

Rabbi Korobkin: When I moved here from the United States, one of the first things I noticed was the more relaxed approach toward security of our institutions. Fortunately, Canada had been spared so many of the security threats that have plagued Europe and the United States since 9/11. But as the recent events in Ottawa showed us, even Canada is not spared from terrorism, and our institutions need to react responsibly. 

Our shul has already significantly ramped up our security. It’s always a challenge finding that proper balance between security and accessibility, but we owe it to our congregants to give them an environment that is first and foremost safe for them and their children.

At the end of the day, our greatest security is that the Shomer Yisrael, the Guardian of Israel, is watching over us. Our job, as you say, is to build holy and safe communities. We leave the rest to HaShem.