Latest news with #BoulderJCC
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Boulder Jewish community unites in support of each other after attack, prepares for festival at Colorado site of antisemitic attack
Following Sunday's antisemitic attack in Boulder, the Jewish community has come together to support each other, and one of the places that's been an anchor is the Boulder Jewish Community Center. CBS On Tuesday afternoon, a group of women gathered there to play Mahjong, a game that's popular amongst the Jewish community. It's something they've been doing for decades. After the attack, the sense of community they gain from it is important. "I think it does help. Community definitely helps," said one of the women. "It's the history of Judaism because even with the Holocaust situation years ago, they kept their faith as best they could," another added. Over the last couple of days, the Boulder JCC has been a safe space for people of all ages to come. "People are coming in, and at the same time, we're providing space for them to actually connect," said executive director Jonathan Lev. "There's not one thing that I can say 'the Jewish community is feeling this,' but what I know is that they're feeling a tremendous amount, and we're here to support them." Boulder JCC Executive Director Jonathan Lev CBS For Lev, Sunday's attack was both deeply painful and personal. "The victims are pillars of this community, and there's not a place in in the fabric of what makes up the Boulder Jewish community that they are not part of," said Lev. "And so while many people don't even know who the victims are right now, it's important to know that they are core members of what makes this community so special, and they're people who I know personally." While he's supporting folks at the JCC, Lev says he's also communicating with leaders at every level, including state, national and international about how the community can be better and to stop what he calls harmful rhetoric. "We know when rhetoric turns to antisemitism, Jew hate or directed against the Jewish people or individuals. We know that that leads to violence, and we need that to stop. We can also be an example to other communities of how that might be possible. And now's the time. We can't wait. The Jewish people can't wait at all. We need it to happen now," Lev said. CBS Colorado's Chierstin Susel interviews Boulder JCC Executive Director Jonathan Lev. CBS On Sunday, June 8, the JCC will host its annual Boulder Jewish Festival right on Pearl Street where the terror attack happened. "It's both significant and extremely hard that the Boulder Jewish festival is on that site, and it's part of the reason why the very nature of what the Jewish Festival is is being reimagined and deeply thought about, to try to understand and connect with people who are feeling all different types of things, so that there's something for everyone. But there's also a way for the broad community to come together and show their support and love of the community right now, because we need it," Lev said. Run For Their Lives was the group targeted in the attack while walking to bring awareness to the hostages that remain in Gaza. Lev says that the group will also return on Sunday to continue their mission.
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Colorado's Boulder Jewish Community Center provides resources to community after attack
The Boulder Jewish Community Center is offering resources to the Colorado community after Sunday's attack, where 12 people were injured at a rally calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. One suspect has been arrested, accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at members of the group Run for Their Lives on Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder. Crime scene tape surrounds the area on Pearl Street in Boulder where a man attacked people with Molotov cocktails. CBS Boulder JCC has a special section on its website that details victim support and community resources, as well as this statement from Boulder's Jewish community: As we continue to process the horrific attack on members of our community during Sunday's Boulder Run for Their Lives walk, we wanted to share some important updates. First and foremost, we continue to hold the victims and their loved ones in our hearts. We are praying for their recovery and holding space for our entire Jewish community during this time of heightened fear and insecurity. While some of our community leaders are observing Shavuot, it remains important for us to share these critical updates during the Chag due to the urgent and exceptional nature of the circumstances. Boulder JCC Boulder JCC Some of the resources include mental health support, information about the suspect and those injured in the attack, as well as information about a community vigil and the Boulder Jewish Festival. Coming Together: A Community Vigil, hosted by the Boulder Jewish Community, is scheduled for June 4 at the Boulder JCC starting at 5 p.m. for a time for connection with the program beginning at 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. For those who wish to join remotely, they are asked to register online. The Boulder Jewish Festival is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
