Joint Statement from Boulder’s Jewish Community
As we continue to process the horrific attack on members of our community during Sunday’s Boulder Run for Their Lives walk, we wanted to share some important updates. First and foremost, we continue to hold the victims and their loved ones in our hearts. We are praying for their recovery and holding space for our entire Jewish community during this time of heightened fear and insecurity.
While some of our community leaders are observing Shavuot, it remains important for us to share these critical updates during the Chag due to the urgent and exceptional nature of the circumstances.
Victim Support & Community Resources:
We have received incredible support from the Boulder Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and other law enforcement partners and were fully briefed today. They have expressed their unwavering solidarity with the Boulder Jewish community and are working closely with us to support the victims in meaningful ways, including assigning each victim a Victim’s Advocate and Public Information Officer.
If you are interested in more information about the attack, you can read FBI Agent Jessica Krueger’s full affidavit here (https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1402301/dl?inline=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery)
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado is officially charging this attack as a hate crime.
Mental health support is available to anyone impacted by the attack through Jewish Family Service Boulder,(https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/about-jfs-boulder) free of charge.
Ten 1:1 Mental Health sessions: Contact Melissa Mascarenas at 720.459.3883
Group EMDR this week: Thursday, June 5, at 12 and 5:30 pm, and Friday at 9 am. Contact Coco Caporal at 720.598.2071. More sessions will be added in the coming weeks.
JEWISHColorado has established the JEWISHcolorado Boulder Security Fund to support the victims. You can donate here (https://www.jewishcolorado.org/jewishcolorado-boulder.../)
Security Update:
As always, your safety and security remain our highest priority.
We are working closely with JEWISHcolorado’s Secure Community Network (SCN), Boulder Police, and the FBI to ensure that the Boulder JCC, local synagogues, and all community events have appropriate security.
You may see an increased security presence at the Boulder JCC and other Jewish community events in the days ahead. These measures are precautionary, they do not indicate any known threat to the community.
Community Events:
Healing begins with coming together in community. Please join us:
Coming Together: A Community Vigil
Hosted by the Boulder Jewish Community
Wednesday, June 4, at the Boulder JCC
5:00 - 5:30 PM – Time for connection
5:30 - 6:30 PM – Program
Register Here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5182561
This event will be live-streamed starting at 5:30 pm at boulderjcc.org/main/livestream
Boulder Jewish Festival
Sunday, June 8, Time 11 am - 5 pm
As you are aware, the Boulder Jewish Festival is scheduled for this coming Sunday, and we are taking steps to reimagine the event in a way that helps our community heal and feels grounded in the reality of yesterday’s attack. Based on the fact that Run For Their Lives was targeted, we want to center this event in furtherance of their cause, which is to bring awareness to the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, while making space to recognize the victims in our community. We are still finalizing details and will update you as plans are finalized.
In moments like these, our strength is in our unity. Thank you for standing together. We will continue to share updates and support one another.
In solidarity,
Rachel Amaru and Bruce Shaffer, Boulder Run for Their Lives
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein, Adventure Judaism
Rabbi Jamie Korngold, Adventure Judaism
Rabbi Marc Soloway, Congregation Bonai Shalom
Rabbi Fred Greene, Congregation Har HaShem
Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein, Congregation Nevei Kodesh
Rabbi Charna Rosenholtz, Haver: Boulder’s Rabbinic and Cantorial Council
Rabbi Caryn Aviv, Judaism Your Way
Linda Foster, Jewish Family Service
Elyana Funk, CU Boulder Hillel
Stefanie Clarke and Mindy Miller, Stop Antisemitism Colorado
Jonathan Lev, Boulder JCC
Brandon Rattinor, JCRC
Renee Rockford, JEWISHcolorado
Susan Rona, ADL Mountain States