Jews across the world mourn for the families of the two young Jews slain by an American in the U.S. capital last night. Our family is among those who are praying for the couple and their loved ones.

This tragedy will be remembered for many years to come.

There have been a number of killings attempted or carried out by anti-semites in the U.S. over the last decade. But this act of wanton racist violence — because of the site of the murders in the heart of the nation’s capital; because of the youth and promise of the victims — has even more deeply burned its memory into the soul and psyche of Jews everywhere.

I write that because I know what my sisters and brothers are feeling right now. As much as we thought it would never come to this, we are now fearful of broadcasting our identity in public spaces.

Would Tracie and I let our children attend an event like the one in Washington last night? Would we ourselves attend? The answer for an increasing number of Jewish-identifying families in the U.S. is no.

Americans of all stripes need to start speaking out more loudly and more clearly against anti-semitism. We need to let our communities know that anti-semitism — even the offhanded “joke” about Jews and associated stereotypes — are not acceptable in our society.

And when it comes to this sort of abject violence, Jews and gentiles alike need to stand together in solidarity, just as we have stood together against historic racist violence aimed at other peoples.

The murderer reportedly yelled a pro-Palestinian refrain before taking the lives of his young victims. I have strong feelings about the war in Gaza and I have much to say on this topic. But here and now is not the place. Right now, the only thing to do is pray.

G-d bless the victims and their families. G-d bless us all.

Image via Adobe Stock.