Nat Wasserstein, President, and Diane Sloyer, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Rockland County and Robert L. Pitkofsky, Chairman, Jewish Community Relations Council, and Rabbi Paula Mack Drill, President, Board of Rabbis issue the following statement in response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday morning, December 14, 2012:
The Jewish Federation of Rockland County and the Rockland Board of Rabbis expresses deep sorrow and our sincere condolences to all who were personally affected by the horrific events at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday.
We react as parents, friends, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers and community members. Our hearts are heavy as we continue to learn more details of this senseless and horrific massacre. Our community stands together with the parents, friends and family of the twenty innocent school children and six adults who lost their lives. We recognize the unfathomable burden faced by the family and friends of those murdered as well as the entire Newtown community and offer our support, love, and prayers for strength during this difficult time.
Rockland Jewish Family Service (www.rjfs.org), a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Rockland County, stands ready to assist anyone who may have questions or concerns about speaking to their children regarding this tragedy.
The Jewish Federation of Rockland County has reached out to the Federation of Western Connecticut which supports the Newtown area. We communicated our willingness to provide any assistance that they require, and we stand by them as they support their community in the grieving and healing process.
About Us: The Jewish Federation of Rockland County leads efforts that strengthen Jewish life and meet the critical needs of the Jewish community in Rockland County, Israel, and around the world. As a member of Jewish Federations of North America, we are part of a network of 157 Jewish federations across the continent. Learn more about the Jewish Federation of Rockland County at www.jewishrockland.org
