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Tag: Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker to Testify Before a Joint Hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Feb. 6, 2022

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker to Testify Before a Joint Hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security on Feb. 8 at 10:00 a.m. ET

Congregation Beth Israel Colleyville’s Founding President, Anna Salton-Eisen, to be Guest of Deborah Lipstadt for Senate Confirmation Hearing on Feb. 8 at 10:00 a.m. ET

Colleyville, Texas – Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) today announced that its rabbi, Charlie Cytron-Walker, will testify before a joint virtual hearing of the Committee on Homeland Security’s “Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery” and “Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism.” The session will be held Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET.

Titled, “The Nonprofit Security Grant Program and Protecting Houses of Worship: A View from the American Jewish Community,” the event will feature Cytron-Walker; Yosef Konikov, Rabbi, Chabad of South Orlando; the Hon. Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO, The Jewish Federations of North America; and Michael Masters, national director and CEO, Secure Communications Network.

“Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox – those who hate Jews do not distinguish among us,” said Cytron-Walker. “Antisemitic attacks and incidents have increased throughout the country. The Jewish community is concerned, and we are struggling. We know we are not alone. There have been terrible moments of harassment, violence and bloodshed at churches and mosques. Every religion has experienced challenging moments or tragedy. Now is the time to invest the resources necessary to help worshippers feel and be safe in their sacred homes.”

Feb. 8 is a big day for Congregation Beth Israel of Colleyville. In addition to the aforementioned event, member and founding president of CBI Anna Salton-Eisen will travel to Washington, D.C. and be the guest of Deborah Lipstadt for Lipstadt’s Senate confirmation hearing. President Biden nominated Lipstadt to be the U.S. Department of State’s special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism.

“After what my father endured during the Holocaust and what we in America continue face – from Charlottesville to Colleyville – I am delighted to go to Washington to support Deborah Lipstadt during her Senate hearing, also on Feb. 8 at 10:00 a.m. ET,” Salton-Eisen said. “We need her in this position helping to address antisemitism, hatred, racism and violence.”

In addition to her work with CBI of Colleyville, Salton-Eisen is author of the forthcoming book, “Pillar of Salt: A Daughter’s Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust.” She is also the daughter of Holocaust survivors. To watch Lipstadt’s Feb. 8 hearing, visit: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations020822.

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Contact: press@spotlightpr.org

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker’s Publicist Issues Statement on Limited Media Availability

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Jan. 18, 2022

COLLEYVILLE, Texas – Following the horrific hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel and the ensuing media interest, Jennifer R. Farmer of Spotlight PR, the congregation’s media firm, issued the following statement:

“Thank you for your interest in Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and each individual held hostage on Saturday, Jan. 15. During this difficult time, my priority is to support the emotional well-being of Rabbi Charlie and Congregation Beth Israel. To that end, I am unable to honor most media requests for Rabbi Charlie and the individuals’ held hostage. My goal is to balance the media’s need to know with these individuals’ need to heal. Thank you in advance for respecting Rabbi Charlie and the congregation’s privacy during this time. Please do not go to the homes of persons held hostage. This is not just a news story, but a tragedy impacting real people.”

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Contact: Sydney Bagley, sydney@spotlightpr.org

 

Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker: We Are Resilient, and We Will Recover

Posted on

For Immediate Release

Jan. 16, 2022

COLLEYVILLE, Texas – Following a harrowing ordeal, where Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and three congregants were held hostage at Congregation Beth Israel, Cytron-Walker and Michael Finfer, president of Congregation Beth Israel, issued the following statement:

“Over the years, my congregation and I have participated in multiple security courses from the Colleyville Police Department, the FBI, the Anti-Defamation League, and Secure Community Network,” Cytron-Walker said. “We are alive today because of that education. I encourage all Jewish congregations, religious groups, schools, and others to participate in active-shooter and security courses.”

“In the last hour of our hostage crisis, the gunman became increasingly belligerent and threatening,” Cytron-Walker added. “Without the instruction we received, we would not have been prepared to act and flee when the situation presented itself.”

“We know that a situation of this magnitude could increase the concern many of us live with on a day-to-day basis due to antisemitism,” Finfer said. “It is important to note that this was a random act of violence. Indeed, there was a one in a million chance that the gunman picked our congregation. Further, the FBI is confirming that the attacker appeared to be working alone.”

“There is no question that this was a traumatic experience.” Cytron-Walker said. “We appreciate all the love, prayers and support from our local community and throughout the world. We are grateful for the outcome. We are resilient and we will recover.”

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Contact: Jennifer R. Farmer, jenniferr@spotlightpr.org

 

 

 

 

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