Vice President Pence Visits Chabad of Poway

By COLlive reporter

While on a visit to San Diego Thursday, US Vice President Mike Pence used the opportunity to stop by at the Chabad Center of Poway, which was the scene of a tragic shooting a few months ago, and show his solidarity with the Jewish community.

Poway Shliach Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein embraced Pence as he entered the Chabad Center’s lobby. Goldstein’s hands were still wrapped with a blue bandage, covering the injuries he received from the gunman.

“We had to come,” Pence told Goldstein.

The Vice President and his wife Karen toured the Chabad Center, accompanied by Rabbi Goldstein, who described the horrific event in detail, retracing the shooters’ footsteps.

“I was looking down the barrel of a rifle, right here in my home,” Goldstein said. “I heard children playing behind me.”

Rabbi Goldstein also showed Vice President Pence the Mechitza in the Shul which still contains bullet holes from the tragic event.

Rabbi Goldstein then blessed the Vice President and his wife with the blessing of “Yevarechecha,” in Hebrew and English, and thanked him for being there for the American people.

“Rabbi Goldstein thanked the Vice President for coming to our home, building a bridge between Washington and our house of worship,” a person in attendance told COLlive.

“Karen & I were honored to stop by the Chabad of Poway, the site of a terrible shooting in April. To Rabbi Goldstein—your faith & courage is an inspiration to the nation. No one should fear in a house of worship. We will always condemn evil acts of antisemitism. We are with you!” the Vice President tweeted after the visit.