Dear John,

Yesterday, as I sat in Yizkor, the Memorial Prayer Service, at my synagogue on Yom Kippur, my heart was heavy as we added yet more names to the list of those we lost this year to anti-Semitic violence. First Pittsburgh, then Poway, and now, Halle. May their memories be a blessing.

Waking up to the news of yet another attack near a synagogue, on the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people, was truly heartbreaking. With reports of two dead and others injured after at least one shooter opened fire in Halle, Germany, we are concerned for our global community. And with news coming in that the shooter is a purported Holocaust denier, who apparently livestreamed his gruesome attack, we are all too aware of the impact of the rise of global anti-Semitism.

We are continuing to investigate the devastating situation as we mourn those lost and pray for those affected. You can read ADL’s account of what we know so far here. We particularly are grateful to those in law enforcement who help keep our houses of worship and communal institutions safe and secure on the high holidays and every day, in the U.S. and around the world.

From Charleston to Pittsburgh to Oak Creek to Poway and from Christchurch to Sri Lanka, and now Halle, we need to say, “enough is enough.” No one, of any faith, should live in fear of going to their house of worship. Now, more than ever, world leaders need to stand united against anti-Semitism and extremist hate and address it both on social media and in our communities.

Before Rosh Hashanah I emailed you, and shared on social media, hopes of peace for the coming year. And now, the Hebrew year 5780 is already experiencing the increasing scourge of hate we are seeing spread across the globe. ADL remains steadfast in its mission to fight anti-Semitism, and hate of all kinds, wherever and whenever they may occur.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Greenblatt

CEO and National Director

ADL