KB Leaders Urge Unity in the Face of Anti-Semitism, Hatred

Village officials and spiritual leaders showed solidarity Tuesday with the Chabad of Key Biscayne at a vigil in response to the April 27 deadly shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California. One person was killed and several others were injured in the attack.

Mayor Mike Davey opened proceedings with a call for all members of the community to espouse true values of kindness, acting as neighbors even in the smallest of circumstances. “We don’t say, ‘Oh well’ and move on; we say, ‘No, not here,’” said Davey.

Chabad Director Rabbi Yoel Caroline echoed calls from Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, wounded in Poway, for Jewish communities to fill their houses of worship this Friday and Saturday. “We take our darkness and turn it into light,” Caroline told the crowd of about 60.

Pastor Silver Feliz of Key Biscayne’s Crossbridge Church voiced his support for the Chabad, saying the Christian community at large stands with the Jewish people against hatred, ignorance and violence.

Since the April 27 shooting, Key Biscayne Police have stationed a car outside the Chabad house on Harbor Drive. Said Chief Charles Press, “The moment there is even the thought of a threat, we will be there.”

Fire Rescue Chief Eric Lang said the community stands well prepared to deal with any threat, but also addressed some of the deeper issues that may lead individuals to acts of violence. “All of us can make an impact. Maybe that individual just needed to be loved more,” he said.

Chabad community member and Key resident Nancy Elisburg read a letter by her 12-year-old granddaughter, Abby Berger, whose prescient words rang some of the truest of the night: “Once we listen, we learn. Once we learn, we understand. Once we understand, we can change.”

Closing the ceremony, the beautiful voices of two young brothers and Chabad members Benny and Mendy Yerushalmy sang an ancient Hebrew verse of faith and strength in the face of persecution.

“We’ve been signing this for thousands of years. We’ll sing it again next year,” promised Rabbi Caroline.

Authorities charged a 19-year-old man, John T. Earnest, with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder, according to a statement from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.