To the editor:

Friends and neighbors, we write to express our thanks and gratitude to all who have shown us empathy, love and concern in recent weeks. Like many of you, we in the Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation have experienced a range of emotions and thoughts in the aftermath of the horrific and unprecedented attack on Israel. Fear, anger, disbelief, dismay, disgust, confusion, concern and profound sadness weigh on us.

As we process our feelings and contemplate a communal response we are comforted by your support. The fact that it is safe for Jews to worship and congregate in Lawrence is not something we take for granted. We see how despicable and violent anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim activities sow fear in some communities. We thank you for creating a community where it is safe for all people to worship as they choose. We join in the efforts toward maintaining a safe community for all.

The LJCC is a pluralistic synagogue that seeks to include all Jews and their Jewish-adjacent loved ones who want to be part of our egalitarian congregation. As a lay-led congregation we have the privilege of learning from and listening to each other. LJCC members live our Judaism in a wide variety of ways in terms of worship, observance and theology. Likewise, we have a range of views on political situations locally and globally.

While we may differ on the best path to achieve it, we all pray for peace — now and into the future, and among all people, at home and abroad.

Robin Rosenberg, president of the Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation