Following attacks on synagogues, El Paso’s religious community increases security
In six months, there have been two attacks on two different synagogues in the United States.
“I can’t believe that I’m standing here in front of you six months to the day of another synagogue shooting,” El Paso City Councilman Peter Svarzbein told ABC-7.
On Holocaust Rememberance Day, Svarzbein expressed his frustration at the most recent attack. He wore a pin with the Jewish word, ‘Zahor,” which translates to “remember.’
“Hateful rhetoric leads to hateful actions,” Svarzbein said.
It’s not just El Paso’s jewish community: Other faiths are increasing security measures during worship.
“I think it’s a sign of the times,” said Mark Rotramel, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church. “We seem to be such a divided society. It seems like there’s less and less room for tolerance.”
On Sunday, an El Paso policeman kept watch outside Sunday’s service.
“We are concerned enough that we have taken steps to handle that,” Rotramel said.
Svarzbein’s grandmother, Cecilia Camp, survived the Holocaust. However, eight of her nine siblings died at the hands of the Nazis.
“Goodness will prevail over evil, but we need to stand strong,” Svarzbein said.
On Monday, El Paso’s Jewish community is planning a gathering of solidarity and prayer at Chabad Lubavitch on 6615 Westwind Drive. It will start at 6:30 p.m.
