Hostage Situation at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, TX

After a horrifying hours-long standoff at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas over the weekend, ADL Washington, D.C. is heartened that the situation has been resolved and all of the hostages are safe. Our colleagues in Texas mobilized, working on the ground with impacted families, law enforcement and the Jewish community. ADL will continue to engage with the FBI, local authorities and communal organizations.

This situation is a painful reminder that our Jewish communal institutions continue to be a target of antisemitism. Unfortunately, our data has repeatedly shown us that antisemitism is on the rise and Jewish communities around the United States are rightly concerned for their security. 

As terrifying as the event on Saturday was, there was power in communities of all faiths joining together to support the people of Colleyville and the Beth Israel community. It is in these relationships that we are able to fight to stop hate and discrimination of all kinds.

We are grateful for the work of federal and local law enforcement, yet the trauma endures. ADL Washington, D.C. wanted to take the opportunity to share some resources that you may find helpful for yourself, your family or community as we begin the path of healing.  

Resources

• Analysis & Education Resources: Hostage Situation at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, TX 
• Fighting Hate From Home:  Lessons from a Hostage Crisis
• ADL Praises Texas Police, FBI for Ending Tense Hostage Situation at Colleyville Synagogue 
• "Colleyville Rabbi: ‘We Are Resilient And We Will Recover’" - CBSN Dallas-Ft. Worth 
• "Texas rabbi details standoff: Gunman ‘literally thought that Jews control the world’" - Forward 
• Extremists Respond to Colleyville Hostage Crisis with Antisemitism, Islamophobia 

• Register for SCN's Community Safety Webinar: BeAware: An Introduction to Situational Awareness
• Urge Congress: Secure our Houses of Worship and Religious Institutions 
• Urge your Senators: Confirm Professor Deborah Lipstadt to serve as the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism 
• Report an Incident 

Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day

• Why are We Still Teaching the Holocaust? Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day 
• We Share The Same Sky: A Podcast by USC Shoah Foundation 

ADL Washington, D.C. Twitter Spotlight

• Colleyville: ADL Grateful for Safe Resolution 
• Maryland: ADL Thanks Montgomery Council for Standing in Solidarity with Jewish Community 
• Voting Rights: Urge Your Senators to Protect The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act 
• MLK Day: ADL Recognizes MLK’s Tireless Efforts to Ensure the Sacred Right to Vote for All Americans 

Is Your Synagogue Part of ADL’s Signature Synagogue Program? 

We are inviting synagogues across D.C., MD, NC and VA to join ADL Washington, D.C.’s 2022 Signature Synagogue Program. Through the program, ADL partners with synagogues across our region to ignite a congregation-wide commitment to raising awareness of and speaking out against antisemitism and hate. Participants in the Signature Synagogue Program will have special direct access to ADL speaking engagements, Words to Action workshops, resources and learning opportunities.

For those who are already participating in the 2021 Signature Synagogue Program, we invite you to renew your participation and join us for the 2022 session. To sign up, gather more information or renew your membership, please reach out to Erica Biegen at [email protected].