Dear Stephen Wise Temple and Schools community,
We are absolutely devastated to hear of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Tex. So far, 18 elementary-age children and one teacher are confirmed dead.
Because mass shootings in our nation have become so common, it has—quite tragically—become trite to add that our “thoughts and prayers” are with the Uvalde community. But, indeed, our thoughts and prayers are very much with the families of the victims, their friends, educators and staff at the school, and the entire community of more than 15,000 souls that will never, ever be the same again.
Our hearts are broken. Many of us feel exhausted by yet another story of senseless violence that has claimed the lives of schoolchildren. Some of us are angry that our elected officials have failed time and again to pass sensible gun-control legislation. Others are deeply concerned about the fabric of our society, one that somehow produces a seemingly endless supply of mostly young men—in this case reportedly 18 years old—who procure rifles, handguns, and body armor with ease, and then proceed to shoot up schools, shopping malls, synagogues, churches, and supermarkets.
Amid the anger, fear, heartbreak, and exhaustion, our response to these moments must also include a commitment to hold on to hope, and a rededication to building a community of love and compassion that holds the preservation of life as its most noble goal.
Part of the way we live this value at Wise is by ensuring that our students, faculty, members, guests, and staff are kept safe and secure on our campus. We are blessed with an amazing team of security professionals who have become family to our community. We work continuously to review and refine our safety protocols with our risk management committee assisted by outside security experts. We regularly upgrade our security systems on our campus and, in addition to the generous support of our congregants, we have recently received several state and county grants to further enhance the safety of our community.
We will continue to offer our prayers for a time when violence shall be no more, and with vigor and determination, we will continue to do what is necessary to make our campus—and God willing, someday, our entire world—a sanctuary of safety and peace.
May the lives of those killed today in Uvalde be for a blessing and may God comfort their families, their friends, their community, and our world.
In solidarity,
Yoshi Zweiback
Senior Rabbi
Tami Weiser
Head of School
Rabbi Josh Knobel
Director of Center for Youth Engagement
Sharon Spira-Cushnir
Executive Director
Steve Bram
Temple President
