08/18/2026
A Message From JCRC Board President Arthur Slepian: Lessons From the Attack at Central Synagogue
Dear JCRC Friends and Supporters,
My husband Gerry and I, in addition to our local synagogue membership, are members of The Neighborhood, the vibrant online community of New York City’s Central Synagogue. Last Friday, during Shabbat services, we watched in fear alongside thousands around the world as the beauty of the service was violently disrupted.
Thankfully, the synagogue’s security team quickly intervened to control the assailant, who has since been charged with a hate crime, but not before he caused significant injury to a congregant and damaged the synagogue, including by toppling over the candlesticks. The security team did their job well and the clergy worked effectively to restore calm to a visibly shaken congregation. In fact, the service was eventually resumed, the Shabbat candles were relit, and everything concluded peacefully. But for one moment, our worst fears came to life.
For many of us, as we walk into synagogues and Jewish community events – often through metal detectors, usually with security personnel present – we wonder if we are truly safe. We worry about not if, but when hateful rhetoric will escalate into violence against our community next.
For me, witnessing something like this underscores the critical importance of the work of JCRC Bay Area. Security is vital – and we are very grateful to Jewish Federation Bay Area for the work of its security team – but we cannot address safety issues solely by building higher walls. To proactively prevent antisemitism and all forms of hate, we must also work in collaboration across communities.
That’s why I am so proud of what we do at JCRC Bay Area. We are deeply committed to building partnerships with our allies beyond the Jewish community in ways that enable us to work everyday with local community groups, elected officials, educators and others to ensure that antisemitism does not find its way into our public institutions and schools. And we must continue the work of helping elected and civic leaders understand the importance of their role in ensuring that valid criticism of the Israeli government does not morph into cries of “Death to Zionists” here at home.
Lastly, one of the most important things we all can do at times like this is to simply show up for each other wherever Jews are called to gather together. We must not stay home out of fear, but rather act with strength, love, and confidence in the Jewish community we are all building together.
- Arthur Slepian, Board President
