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Once again, and too soon, the National Council of Churches and its family of member communions is saddened and distressed to learn about the shooting at the Congregation Chabad Synagogue in Poway, California.  Indeed, we are outraged that yet another hate crime has been directed against our brothers and sisters in the Jewish community, an act of anti-Semitism that is at the same time an act of hostility toward all people of faith, all people of conscience, and all people of goodwill.

For many years, Christian churches have been in direct dialogue with the Jewish community through the National Council of Churches.  In this dialogue, we have walked together to better understand each other’s faiths, and out of this dialogue, friendships have flourished.  With our friends, we grieve yet again.

The next session of our dialogue is to take place in three weeks’ time.  One of the main topics of conversation is to be the growing anti-Semitism in our country and in our world.  This focus was prompted by the attack last October at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. We unfortunately now have another tragedy to reflect upon as a result of the attack at Congregation Chabad.

We pray for all who have suffered in this attack.  We pray for the healing of Congregation Chabad and the city of Poway.  And we pray for peace in our country and the world.