Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar
Statement on Paris Terrorist Attacks
Dear friends,
Over the past week, we have all been feeling horror and sadness in the wake of the murder by terrorists of innocent civilians in Paris, including the most recent stabbing of a Jewish teacher in Marseille. Our deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims, and our prayers are for the recovery of all who are injured.
This struck me personally because I participated in the solidarity mission to Paris this past winter. During that mission, we met the leaders of the French Jewish Students Association. Last week, Suzette Fisher and the other dozen Cincinnatians who participated at the annual national meeting of the Jewish Federation system in Washington, DC hosted these same French Jewish student leaders at our community dinner.
We consider the vile, unprovoked violence an assault on all of us, as members of a global family that collectively stands for peace, democracy, and the dignity of life. When innocent people are targeted by terrorists, we all share the pain.
We also thought you would want you to know that your donations to the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati are helping to provide assistance to those most in need of our support. The Federation’s international partner, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, is working with the Psychotrauma and Resilience Unit of a French Jewish humanitarian organization, the Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants, to do just that.
As our hearts break with concern for the people of Paris, we must continue to collectively condemn all heinous acts of terror, and to call for peace and security around the world.
Shep Englander
CEO
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati
