6 days ago
Rabbi talks about how Boulder attacks have left community reeling: ‘I know all of them'
BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — A rabbi who typically would participate in the weekly peaceful walks on Sunday to raise awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza is speaking out about how the community is reeling from the attacks.
Rabbi Ori Har, born in Israel, says that because Boulder is a small community, she knows all the victims, whether that's personally or by meeting them a few times in prayers or celebrating holidays.
Attack at demonstration calling for Israeli hostages' release was first where group faced violence
She says the victims who were injured have all made the walk before, except for one guest who came from out of town to walk for the first time.
'We always tend to believe Boulder is a safe bubble, even though it's an illusion,' said Har. 'It's a story people hold, and that bubble definitely burst last Sunday.'
Har is still in shock after Sunday's peaceful afternoon walk turned violent.
'Sometimes, as a rabbi, you have to officiate a funeral and a wedding in one day,' said Har. 'That's kind of just the nature of life, but this one has been so out of the normal.'
It was devastating to learn that people she was familiar with had been badly burned on Pearl Street.
'I know all of them, of course,' Har said. 'It's a small community we know each other. It's so hard to even you know conceive something like this happened. It's painful, it's months of months of recovery. I just pray for a speedy recovery, but don't know any specific details. After the Holocaust, we thought people learned from history, but history repeats itself.'
Har is referring to one of the 12 victims, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor who she says is a real activist, especially for immigrants.
'Also for their well-being. Here she was hit by an immigrant. I mean, this is just, I have no words to describe it,' she said.
Emergency fund created for victims, Jewish safety after Boulder terrorist attack
She says all the support has been overwhelming and says it really has been helping the Jewish community to navigate through this difficult time.
'I think the community is now engaged in this conversation to see how safe it is in the future, maybe it'll be more of a police presence in the future. Usually, it's no police presence, so it's time,' said Har.
She says the tragic situation comes on the heels of celebrating a holiday.
'It's a very special holiday. It's called Shavuot. Which is celebrating the giving of what we call the Old Testament. It's a holiday you know we celebrate, but that didn't give a reason to celebrate.'
A community vigil is scheduled to be held Wednesday, June 4, for the victims of the recent attacks. It will be held at the Boulder Jewish Community Center beginning at 5 p.m.
The Boulder Jewish Festival scheduled for Sunday will still go on, but will be 'reimagined' to incorporate healing and recognition of the victims.
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