#charlie cytron-walker

[jacensolodjo]

Colleyville one year later. Colleyville, Texas. Beth Israel Synagogue.

The antisemitic attack began, the first cry for help was “I’ve got someone who has a gun and ... he says he has two bombs and he’s asking police to move back.”

It wasn't the first and it won't be the last synagogue to come under attack if we don't change things. If our allies don't stop it before it starts. It isn't even the first synagogue in Texas to be under attack.

The one change in the usual script is this man not only wanted to hold Jews in Texas hostage, but Jews in New York. He demanded the number of another rabbi based in New York. He wanted the release of a prisoner. This was supposedly his whole purpose for being at Beth Israel. He was under the impression not only that Beth Israel could aid him in this, but Rabbi Buchdal from New York.

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker no longer is rabbi at Beth Israel. He moved to a congregation in North Carolina back in July of last year. Not because of what happened at Beth Israel, he had already been given the job when he was taken hostage. He says he has not suffered any post traumatic stress, which is a blessing in and of itself.

We are used to being told we have far more power than we actually do. The antisemite was certainly convinced that a grand total of 5 Jews could get a Pakistani terrorist released. Without having any actual connection to the prison the terrorist-- Aafia Siddiqui-- was being held. Beth Israel is a relatively small congregation in a moderately affluent part of the DFW metroplex. Nowhere could anyone find how he expected these 5 random Jews to have the power he wanted.

We apparently have all this hidden power and yet we are murdered. Antisemitic attacks have risen sharply in the past few years. If we had all this power antisemites claim, we would not be dying in senseless violence in our places of worship or even just being in our neighborhoods.

We have seen it all before. We know the script. We yell 'never again' and are ignored. The only power we have is getting right back up and proclaiming we are still here. Thousands of years, millions murdered, and yet, Jews are still here. Our power doesn't extend beyond that, though we wish it did. We wish we could wake up tomorrow and be free of the worry that today is the day we're going to be killed for the crime of being Jewish in public. A vast majority of our holidays are this proclamation: they tried to kill us. They failed. (Let's eat.)

We have no other power. We are told 'choose life' and so we do. Every time. When will the people around us do the same?

[ausetkmt]

NPR: As the Bidens mark Hanukkah, the White House gets its own menorah for the first time

NPR: As the Bidens mark Hanukkah, the White House gets its own menorah for the first time.

This year, to celebrate the ancient Jewish festival of lights, the White House added a menorah to its holiday lineup for the first time.

The nine-pronged candelabra was created by the Executive Residence Carpentry Shop out of wood removed from the building in 1950 during a Truman-era renovation, the White House says.

White House unveils its holiday decor, including 77 trees and a 'We the People' theme

POLITICS

White House unveils its holiday decor, including 77 trees and a 'We the People' theme

It now sits in Cross Hall, between portraits of former presidents Jimmy Carter and Lyndon Johnson, as part of this year's "We The People"-themed holiday display. The White House welcomes roughly 50,000 visitors each holiday season, in addition to offering virtual tours of the decorations.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are set to add the menorah to the permanent White House collection at a Hanukkah reception Monday evening, which will mark the first time a Jewish artifact is added to the White House archives, according to the White House.

NATIONAL

Many American Jews are conflicted about publicly celebrating Hanukkah amidst growing anti-Semitism

Various menorahs of special significance have been loaned to the White House over the years, the Hill reports.

A 2007 event included the parents of murdered Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl and a menorah that had belonged to his great-grandfather, and in 2010 then-President Barack Obama lit candles on a menorah that had been recovered from a Louisiana synagogue hit by Hurricane Katrina.

It's one of several ways the Biden administration is marking the holiday

The Biden administration marked the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday by publicly denouncing antisemitism after a rise in troubling incidents and hate speech. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, who is himself Jewish, lit the National Menorah on the White House Ellipse.

Second gentleman Emhoff says antisemitism has become an epidemic

POLITICS

Second gentleman Emhoff says antisemitism has become an epidemic

"Together, we must stand up against the disturbing rise in antisemitism. And together, we must stand up against bigotry in any of its forms. Our democracy depends on it," he said, according to CNN. "As a descendant of those who fled persecution because they were Jewish, it is especially meaningful to be here tonight as we light this menorah in our nation's capital and under the protection of its laws."

The White House points to other actions that Biden has taken to support the Jewish community, from convening a summit to combat hate-fueled violence to forming an antisemitism task force to securing the largest-ever increase in federal funding for the physical security of nonprofits, including synagogues and Jewish Community Centers.

Antisemitism is on the rise, and it's not just about Ye

UNTANGLING DISINFORMATION

Antisemitism is on the rise, and it's not just about Ye

Monday night's Hanukkah reception will include a blessing and menorah lighting, with special guests including Holocaust survivor Bronia Brandman, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker (who was among the hostages held at a Texas synagogue earlier this year) and Avigael Heschel-Aronson, the granddaughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.

The White House says that Biden's remarks will "make the case that in the face of emboldened antisemitism in the U.S. and around the world, silence is complicity — and we must forcefully say that all forms of hate, antisemitism, and violence can have no safe harbor in America."

A brief history of White House Hanukkahs

The first president to mark Hanukkah in the nation's capital was Carter, who lit what would come to be known as "the National Menorah" in nearby Lafayette Park in 1979.

Hanukkah officially arrived in the White House a decade later, when President George H.W. Bush displayed a menorah (given to him by the Synagogue Council of America) in the building. Bill Clinton became the first president to actually light a menorah in the people's house in a small ceremony in 1993 (at which a young student's hair famously and briefly caught fire).

How to address antisemitic rhetoric when you encounter it

RELIGION

How to address antisemitic rhetoric when you encounter it

President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush hosted the first White House Hanukkah party in 2001, lighting a 100-year-old menorah borrowed from the Jewish Museum in New York.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff led the menorah lighting at last year's Hanukkah party, which Biden called a White House tradition that was newly "a family tradition" as well.

And this year, the president and first lady hosted the first-ever High Holiday reception at the White House in September.

[quotesfrommyreading]

Acts of sudden violence have become a grim part of American life. In cities and small towns, churches, schools and concert venues have become the settings for terrifying scenes of mayhem.

Synagogues have been even more acutely aware of threats since 2018, when an assailant armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle and multiple handguns entered the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh on a Saturday morning. The man, who was shouting antisemitic slurs, killed 11 people.

“The Jewish community security world is looked at as pre-Tree of Life and post-Tree of Life,” said Stuart Frisch, a national training and exercise adviser at the Secure Community Network.

In August, Mr. Frisch provided an hourslong training session to Rabbi Cytron-Walker and several dozen congregants in the sanctuary at Congregation Beth Israel.

Jonathan Greenblatt, who leads the Anti-Defamation League, said that Jewish congregants and synagogue leaders are more actively participating. “They’ve all done active shooter drills,” he said. “They’ve all learned how to handle a hostage situation. They’ve all learned how to cope with terrorism.”

Rabbi Cytron-Walker compared the courses he took to C.P.R. training, noting that it is rarely needed, but crucial when the moment arises.

“This kind of instruction is necessary for all of us as a society,” he said. “Whether it’s synagogues or grocery stores or mosques or shopping malls, it can happen.”

 —  The Hostages Escaped. But Synagogues Ask, How Can They Be More Secure?

[ammg-old]

“Going out the door, I stumbled hitting the ground hard,” Cohen wrote. “I heard our attacker open the door. I was on the ground without my glasses, my plan became getting through the hedge line. In all honesty, I thought I was further under than I was. In fact, I was quite exposed.”

Cohen said he heard the door close and an officer yell, and he got up and ran to safety.

“It is not like the movies,” Cohen said. “Movies are scripted. Everyone knows exactly what every other actor will do. It is not surreal. On the contrary, it is quite real and realistic.”

[eretzyisrael]

Akram’s first demand was to speak to Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the leader of Central Synagogue in New York City, who he believed could free Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist imprisoned on terrorism charges at a facility near Beth Israel.

“This was somebody who literally thought that Jews control the world,” Cytron-Walker said. “He thought he could come into a synagogue, and we could get on the phone with the ‘Chief Rabbi of America’ and he would get what he needed.”

Buchdahl ultimately spoke with Akram twice, but she declined to detail those conversations, citing security concerns.

Cytron-Walker said that most of the nearly 11 hours that he was held hostage consisted of sitting around, speaking with the FBI’s hostage negotiator, and making conversation with Akram.

“We listened to him, we answered his questions, we shared a little about ourselves,” Cytron-Walker said, “and every moment was terrifying.”

Details emerge about hostage-taker as Jews upset by FBI remark on his motive

Cytron-Walker credited the rapport they developed with Akram with his decision to release the fourth hostage in the afternoon. But as the afternoon turned to night, the prospects for a peaceful resolution began to dim. He had been taught in FBI and Anti-Defamation League security workshops that bold action was sometimes necessary — in this case, seizing on a moment when Akram appeared distracted and the trio were near an exit to throw a chair at him and run.

“Having that information really provided me with the courage to do what I need to do,” Cytron-Walker said. “It allowed me the willingness to try something that was incredibly, incredibly risky.”

[voidingintotheshout]

https://amp.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article257360862.html

Everything you need to know about the hostage attack on congregation Beth Israel in Colleyvlle, Texas. Fair warning: it is an extremely long and detailed read. Worth it. I am so sad that the rabbi and his congregation had to go through this. I don’t really know how to talk about the situation but from what I have heard, this rabbi is an awesome person and a strong ally to anyone who needs him and so I want to say that I stand with this rabbi and this congregation and anyone who would hurt the Jewish people is not a friend of mine.

[fred-erick-frankenstein]

[ID: A tweet by @ JacobMagid, tweeted at 2:52 PM on Jan 17, 2022. It reads:

In first TV interview since crisis, Rabbi Charlie Cytron Walker says he and other 2 hostages were terrified in last hour of standoff as Akram “wasn't getting what he wanted" After making sure others were ready, he told them to go, threw chair at Akram and they fled

Attached is a video of Rabbi Charlie Cytron Walker, but in the image it's not playing since it's a screenshot. /end ID]

Image description by @weirdlylyricalnotes

The hostages were not saved by police they saved themselves. Rabbi Charlie Cytron Walker threw a chair at the gunman, giving himself and the two remaining hostages with him time to run.

https://twitter.com/jacobmagid/status/1483089952862834692?s=21

[plitnick]

A Different Antisemitic Attack

A Different Antisemitic Attack

At this writing, it’s one full day after the horrific hostage crisis at a synagogue in Texas ended. A lot of information is being withheld from the public, and many questions still remain. But we already know enough that we should recognize two things: this was indeed an antisemitic attack and it was one that was very different in nature, as well as outcome, from others in recent memory.  In a…

[vaspider]

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article257360862.html

January 15, 2021.

12:45pm PST

A Reform rabbi and an unknown number of congregants are being held hostage by a gunman in Texas. @dadhoc was watching the livestream for a while before Zucc cut it off; they said the gunman self-identified as a Muslim and had an accent of (what sounded like to them) Northern England/Southern Scotland mixed with something else. He spoke repeatedly of his conviction that he'd die in this situation but of his desire not to hurt anyone. He wanted to talk to his sister; he mentioned his children.

Please, please be kind to your Jewish and Muslim friends over the next few days. Whatever happens -- and we can only hope and pray for the safe release of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the others currently at the synagogue, including both synagogue members and any potential synagogue employees -- both communities will have to deal with endless Opinions from bigots and newscasters on the validity of our beliefs and lives.

הַשְׁכִּיבֵֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽנוּ, לְשָׁלוֹם, וְהַעֲמִידֵנוּ שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים, וּפְרֹשׂ עָלֵֽנוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ, וְתַקְּנֵֽנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶֽךָ, וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶךָ. וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ, וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵֽינוּ אוֹיֵב, דֶּֽבֶר, וְחֶֽרֶב, וְרָעָב, וְיָגוֹן, וְהָרְחֵק מִמֶּֽנּוּ עָוֹן וָפֶֽשַׁע. וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵֽנוּ, כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ אָֽתָּה, כִּי אֵל חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה. וּשְׁמֹר צֵאתֵֽנוּ וּבוֹאֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, שׁוֹמֵר עַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַד.

Grant, O G-d, that we lie down in peace, and raise us up, our Guardian, to life renewed. Spread over us the shelter of Your peace. Guide us with Your good counsel; for Your Name’s sake, be our help. Shield and shelter us beneath the shadow of Your wings. Defend us against enemies, illness, war, famine and sorrow. Distance us from wrongdoing. For You, G-d, watch over us and deliver us. For You, G-d, are gracious and merciful. Guard our going and coming, to life and to peace evermore.

[a-queer-seminarian]

Post about last weekend’s hostage situation at Beth Israel from Amadi Lovelace on Facebook:

“Everyone fell all over themselves to praise law-enforcement for rescuing Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the congregants at Congregation Beth Israel on Saturday.

But they rescued themselves. Rabbi Charlie threw a chair at the hostage taker and that gave him and the two other men still inside the synagogue time to scramble out the fire door. He, like many rabbis, had training on how to deal with situations like this and he kept his cool and used what he learned. His bravery and strength are commendable and lifesaving.

THEN law enforcement breached the synagogue and killed the hostage taker, even though nobody else was at risk anymore.

Then they stood outside the synagogue and lied, saying that this incident didn’t have anything to do with Jews. They’re claiming that the hostage taker, now conveniently dead and unquestionable, just chose the synagogue at random.

That whole part where he wanted the release of a convicted terrorist who has been specifically and violently antisemitic and when he asked Rabbi Charlie to call another rabbi in New York who he thought was powerful enough to get the antisemitic terrorist released from prison was just all a coincidence. If he had just wandered into a McDonalds and taken hostages there, he would’ve made the manager call Ronald McDonald to try to get that prisoner released, I guess, is what we’re supposed to believe.

In every way, it looks very much that law enforcement made this incident worse than it could have been, especially by turning CBI’s sanctuary into a site of death.”

FURTHER READING:

Interview with Rabbi Cytron-Walker where he describes what happened (video)

Article summing up the above interview

“Gunman literally thought that Jews control the world”

why arming or police presence at synagogues isn’t the answer

This attack was about antisemitism

Tweets about the false “heroic cop” narrative

[divinum-pacis]

Jan. 15, 2022: Imam Omar Suleiman hugs Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker after the rabbi’s release from being held hostage at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.

Photo by Asra Khan

[laundryandtaxes]

This was one individual. I have led thousands and thousands of services at the congregation over my 15-plus years with the community. This was the first time we had something along those lines. So when someone comes to the door? Yes, I'm going to do the same kind of visual scan that I did. And I'm going to assume that even if they do not look like the stereotypical person who's going to come into a Jewish synagogue, I want them there. Whether they're somebody who's Jewish, who's coming in from another community or from our community, or whether they're not Jewish, and maybe they're exploring Judaism for the first time, or they just want to see what a Jewish service is all about because they're curious and they're asking, am I going to belong? And I want them to know that they are going to belong. Hospitality means the world.

[greenandhazy]

one of the things this is really driving home for me is... the vulnerability of our rabbis. like in a way it should be obvious--when antisemites attack synagogues at Shabbat services, there will always be a rabbi there--but it's even more true during the pandemic, when many synagogues have chosen to prioritize livestreams, and there are fewer people in shul in person, or sometimes none at all except for the rabbi and possibly two or three other people to help out. I'm not sure if that was the situation here, but there were only four people in total in the building, so that might be the case. (one hostage has been released--only the rabbi's name is currently known/being shared with the public.) if there is danger in a synagoguge, a rabbi will be in danger. that's just how it is.

and yet... rabbis are the ones who hold us up. the rabbi currently being held hostage wrote a beautiful, moving Facebook status after the Tree of Life shooting that's being passed around on twitter right now. when something happens, they give us a way to move forward. just today, I was contemplating a difficult family situation and thinking to myself that when Shabbat was over, I was going to email one of my rabbis, to pass on my burden to someone who doesn't even have a real connection just because I know the rabbis at my synagogue and I know they would take it.

both of them are parents, with spouses and very young children--Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker's bio on the synagogue's website makes a point of mentioning his love for his wife and two daughters. rabbis go into the synagogue multiple days a week, every holiday, every Shabbat and stand in the middle of the room on a raised platform and tell the rest of us that things are going to be okay. kein y'hi retzon.

[sethshead]

Akram’s first demand was to speak to Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the leader of Central Synagogue in New York City, who he believed could free Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist imprisoned on terrorism charges at a facility near Beth Israel.

“This was somebody who literally thought that Jews control the world,” Cytron-Walker said. “He thought he could come into a synagogue, and we could get on the phone with the ‘Chief Rabbi of America’ and he would get what he needed.”

“Not related to the Jewish community,” my tukhos. This is the same antisemitism Akram shared with Siddiqui, who demanded DNA tests to determine if jurors at her trial were Jewish. It’s the same antisemitism that pervades her entire family and the many demonstrations organized by CAIR to demand her release, in which “Zionist judges” are blamed for her incarceration. Rabbi Cytron-Walker is a hero for his courage and cool under stress. But don’t pretend the gunman was a “mentally disturbed aberration” given the prejudices and rhetoric or the organizations and communities of which he was a part.

[writer-at-the-table]

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I listened to an interview with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who was held hostage at gunpoint along with congregants in his synagogue during Shabbat services two weeks ago.

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I started reading a book about the mass murder of Jews during Shabbat services in Pittsburgh in 2018.

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day I picked my preferred date and registered for active shooter training at my synagogue, so that if (when?) a man with a gun comes in during Shabbat services, I will know what to do.

I don't mean to sound cynical, but I don't think all of this Holocaust Remembering is working.