‘Call to Action’ in NY Capital Region

By WNYT and COLlive

Chabad of the Capital Region in New York gathered for a “Call to Action” event, uniting in prayer and charity to add in goodness and kindness after the terrible shooting in Poway, CA.

At the event, each seat had a card, and people were encouraged to write down their good deeds.

“When we do an act of goodness and kindness, it has an impact not only on ourselves, but also on those around us,” said Rabbi Zalman Simon of Bethlehem Chabad. “And when each one of us does one more good deed, it has a tremendous impact.”

The call to action to do good things was in response to the deadly synagogue shooting in California. Shluchim urged the crowd not to despair, but to “emphasize the beauty and value of each and every mitzvah, every good and kindness that everybody does in their own way.”

There was also a video message from the injured Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein himself– the rabbi who was shot in Poway.

“This weekend, go to your own respective synagogues,” he said. “Fill up the ballrooms! Fill up the sanctuaries! Let them see that nothing will take us down!”

When the call for charity went out, people gave freely.

“We also give Tzedakah because when hatred makes the world darker, we want to make it a little brighter,” said Ilene Sykes.

Delmar Shliach Rabbi Nachman Simon said that in his area, the entire community stands side by side with the Jewish community, which is different than in many times in Jewish history.

“There’s something different in the United States of America,” he said. “That it’s not the anti-Semites against the Jews. It’s just the people who hate, against all humanity.”

Rabbi Zalman Simon said those cards with good deeds written on them will be sent to Poway, in the hope that they will bring the congregation there some measure of comfort.