COLLEYVILLE, Texas – Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) Feb. 7 that its rabbi, Charlie Cytron-Walker, will testify before a joint virtual hearing of the Committee on Homeland Security’s “Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery” and “Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism.” The session will be held Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET.
Titled, “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program and Protecting Houses of Worship: A View from the American Jewish Community,” the event will feature Cytron-Walker; Yosef Konikov, Rabbi, Chabad of South Orlando; the Hon. Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO, The Jewish Federations of North America; and Michael Masters, national director and CEO, Secure Communications Network.
The United Methodist Church officially condemns all hate crimes including anti-semitism
“Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox – those who hate Jews do not distinguish among us,” said Cytron-Walker. “Antisemitic attacks and incidents have increased throughout the country. The Jewish community is concerned, and we are struggling. We know we are not alone. There have been terrible moments of harassment, violence and bloodshed at churches and mosques. Every religion has experienced challenging moments or tragedy. Now is the time to invest the resources necessary to help worshippers feel and be safe in their sacred homes.”
Feb. 8 is a big day for Congregation Beth Israel of Colleyville. In addition to the aforementioned event, member and founding president of CBI Anna Salton-Eisen will travel to Washington, D.C. and be the guest of Deborah Lipstadt for Lipstadt’s Senate confirmation hearing. President Biden nominated Lipstadt to be the U.S. Department of State’s special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism.
“After what my father endured during the Holocaust and what we in America continue face – from Charlottesville to Colleyville – I am delighted to go to Washington to support Deborah Lipstadt during her Senate hearing, also on Feb. 8 at 10:00 a.m. ET,” Salton-Eisen said. “We need her in this position helping to address antisemitism, hatred, racism and violence.”
In addition to her work with CBI of Colleyville, Salton-Eisen is author of the forthcoming book, “Pillar of Salt: A Daughter’s Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust.” She is also the daughter of Holocaust survivors. To watch Lipstadt’s Feb. 8 hearing, visit: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations020822.