Details are scarce but a bit more than an hour ago, a ‘Run For Their Lives’ gathering in Boulder, Colorado, where Jews and their allies gather weekly to walk, run and demand the return of the hostages, was firebombed by a man who has since been apprehended. Local and Federal law enforcement are engaged and on scene. There are multiple injured. As we begin the holiday of Shavuot, please have prayers in mind for those injured in this attack, described as terror by the Director of the FBI. And please maintain the extraordinarily high level of vigilance that we are all at, and that these times demand. Many thanks to our partners in law enforcement at all levels, including our local village, town and county departments as well as the Stare Police, Joint Terrorism Task Force, Federal Homeland Security and Department of Justice. And thanks as well to all of the security volunteers among our community institutions. (fb)

We have a tradition, a story that when the Almighty was choosing where to bestow the Torah upon his people Israel, the mountains competed for the honor. “Choose me, for I reach up to the sky!” said the tallest mountain. “Choose me, because I am the broadest, from one sea to the other!” But the Almighty chose Mount Sinai. Not the tallest, not the broadest, but the humblest, with space before it to shelter the nation. As we celebrate Shavuot beginning this evening, studying Torah late into the night and enjoying delicious cheesecake, we recall that it is our incredible capacity to shelter, help, and ultimately uplift each other that truly makes our people distinct even though we are not numerous. From all of us at the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County, have a Chag Sameach! (fb)