The outpouring of love and prayers following a threatening phone call to Temple Emanu-El on Monday has been deeply gratifying, Rabbi Ken Aronowitz said.
“We at Temple Emanu-El have been tremendously moved by the gifts we’ve received this week in the form of calls and emails from congregations across Oahu as well as the offices of Senator Brian Schatz, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the Honolulu Police Department,” Aronowitz said in a statement.
Hawaii’s largest synagogue evacuated its Gan Yerushalayim preschool at the repeated demands of an anonymous caller, who would not offer any reason for making the demands. Security guards have been posted since Tuesday in the parking area.
Richard Field, executive director of the synagogue, said local and federal law enforcement officials have provided daily updates on their investigations. The FBI actually has been in contact since the fall as a precaution in light of escalating threats against Jewish schools and community centers across the mainland, Field said.
Aronowitz said, “Since January of this year 100 threatening phone calls have been made to Jewish community centers, preschools and day schools across the United States. … Such an anti-Semitic act made its way to Hawaii this week with a threat of violence against the youngest population at Temple Emanu-El, our preschoolers.”
The temple staff and trustees have been working on improved emergency response procedures and ways to make the grounds more secure, he said. “Most of all, we are determined to continue as always, striving to be a gathering place for study, prayer and service to the community.”
As an example of the “tremendous outreach” from the public, Field said more than 13,400 people responded to an initial post about the threat on the temple’s Facebook page. “We’ve been very, very humbled that so many people saw and cared about what happened,” he said.
Robert Fitzgerald, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Honolulu, sent this message to the temple Friday: “Please know that the Episcopal Church in Hawaii stands with you in the face of such hate and misplaced anger. …
“In a time when hate is given license and words of division have become the new norm, those of us who carry the seal of Jesus Christ are called to be the heralds of peace and the stewards of justice. Such threatening and mindless hate is unacceptable against any person, for every human being is made in the very image of God.”
Filmfest celebrates Jewish community
Now in its 15th year, the Honolulu Jewish Film Festival starts today and will run until March 26 with films that celebrate the Jewish diaspora, along with documentaries on the impact of the Jewish community on the performing arts.
An opening reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today, followed by the screening of “Denial” at 7:30 p.m. at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre. Co-sponsors are Temple Emanu-El in memory of Kirk Cashmere, and the Oahu Jewish Ohana. Cost is $15, $12 for museum members. For the entire film schedule, visit shaloha.com.
Other programs with a Jewish theme at the Honolulu Museum of Art follow throughout the month:
>> Bank of Hawaii Free Family Sunday — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 19. At Spalding House: art activities, reading of “Fiddler on the Roof,” Yiddish activities, music.
At the museum’s Beretania Street location: art activities, writing prayers/requests at replica of the Western Wall, rubbings of ancient artifacts. Cultural activities include writing names in Hebrew, Passover story and Seder plate, blowing shofar, music, dance and storytelling.
>> Tour and Talk Story — 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by complimentary cookies and talk story in the Palm Courtyard. Tuesday, Thursday and March 12: “Jewish Collectors and Art Dealers,” with Karlyn and Bill Pearl; March 14 and 16: “Jewish Artists,” with Margery Ziffrin and Andrea Snyder; March 21, 23 and 26: “Religions in Art,” with Karlyn and Bill Pearl.
>> Book Club — 1 to 3 p.m. March 25 and 29. Discussion of “The Secret Chord,” by Geraldine Brooks; includes a gallery tour at 2 p.m of related art pieces — David-and-Goliath bronze sculpture, Cain-and-Abel painting, and Leonard Baskin’s “Isaac and the Ram.”
Click here for more events.
