Yesterday's twin attacks in Copenhagen are a tragic reminder of the fragility of peace, security and pluralism. Our thoughts and prayers, of course, go out to the victims and their families. Rabbi Daniel H. Freelander, president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, issued a statement, saying: "The attacks in Copenhagen are an assault on our values and on all free and democratic societies that embrace human dignity."
The rest of the WUPJ statement follows. We will update this post as more information becomes available.
WUPJ Condemns Copenhagen Twin Terrorist Attacks
On Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15, two terrorist attacks in Copenhagen left three people dead and five police officers wounded. The first shooting was at a café that was hosting a discussion on free speech. Hours later, a synagogue and Jewish cultural center were attacked.
The victim of the synagogue shooting was a young Jewish man who was controlling the entrance to the synagogue while a Bat Mitzvah celebration was underway inside, according to the head of Denmark's Jewish community.
The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) condemns these cold-blooded acts of cowardice. Such savagery proves a sad but undeniable truth: the enemies of the Jews and Judaism in Europe are the enemies of freedom everywhere.
The WUPJ mourns with the families and loved ones of the victims of these latest terrorist attacks on European soil.
President of the WUPJ Rabbi Daniel H. Freelander stated that "The attacks in Copenhagen are an assault on our values and on all free and democratic societies that embrace human dignity. While today is a grim reminder that no one and nowhere is immune from such acts of barbarism, we will together remain vigilant against those who wish to strike at our most cherished freedoms."
According to the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) President Leslie Bergman: "Jihadist inspired acts against Jews will become a European problem when the violence extends beyond Jewish targets (such as in Toulouse and the Brussels Museum). Eventually, if uncontrolled, the Jews will become a sideshow in this challenge to European civilization."
As an organization rooted in the teachings of the Hebrew Prophets, the WUPJ promotes justice and equality, democracy and peace, personal fulfillment and collective obligations.
These Jewish values are humanity's greatest hope to combat and ultimately defeat such personifications of evil as the one that reared its ugly head on a Saturday evening in Copenhagen.
Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
וְקֹויֵ֤ יְהוָה֙ יַחֲלִ֣יפוּ כֹ֔חַ יַעֲל֥וּ אֵ֖בֶר כַּנְּשָׁרִ֑ים יָר֙וּצוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א יִיגָ֔עוּ יֵלְכ֖וּ וְלֹ֥א יִיעָֽפוּ
Rabbi Daniel H. Freelander, WUPJ President
Michael Grabiner, WUPJ Chairman
Leslie Bergman, European Union for Progressive Judaism President
Miriam Kramer, European Union for Progressive Judaism Chairman
Dr. Philip Bliss, WUPJ Advocacy Committee Chair
Anti-Semitic Copenhagen Attacks Deplorable
President of World Union for Progressive Judaism Rabbi Freelander: "The attacks in Copenhagen are an assault on our values and on all free and democratic societies that embrace human dignity."
