Last week, during the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah (when we rejoice in the gift of our Bible) and our Sabbath, thousands of Israelis were raped, kidnapped, mutilated, and murdered during a day dedicated to celebration and rest. This attack was reminiscent of the Yom Kippur war, 50 years ago, when Israel’s enemies exploited the Jewish people’s holiest day in order to exact the highest possible death toll.

The perpetrators of this most recent attack were members of Hamas, a group the United States government and the European Union designate a terrorist organization. Hamas is supported, trained, and armed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hamas and the Iranian government share a messianic, genocidal theology that encourages and celebrates the oppression, abuse, and subjugation of religious minorities in the Middle East, with a specific, murderous focus on Jews. We saw that theology in action this past weekend.

For those of us in the local Jewish community, many of those victims and their families are our friends and family. We are in mourning.

Let me be clear. People of conscience, regardless of their political leanings and opinions, should neither justify nor minimize what happened. The number of Jews killed this past weekend represented the largest number of Jewish murders in a single day since the Holocaust. The world witnessed the abduction of Israeli infants and toddlers, the public rape of dozens of Israeli women whose mutilated bodies were paraded around the streets of Gaza, and the kidnapping of elderly and disabled senior citizens (one of whom was a renowned feminist peace activist.) The perpetrators engaged in these war crimes without distinction and with visible glee.

This was not political resistance for the sake of liberation — it was orgiastic violence. None of these war crimes will lead to a more free and dignified life for innocent Palestinians who rightly thirst for freedom and security. If the past is prologue, the people of Gaza will suffer tremendously in the coming weeks, both as the result of Israeli counter measures and continued authoritarian Hamas rule.

Speaking personally, I am praying and working for justice and peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. The path toward that end is not simple, clear, or easy. For those of us who want to play a productive role, we would be wise to support those Palestinians and Israelis doing the hard, complicated labor of building relationships that can lead to a better future, and building trust to facilitate the difficult steps necessary for establishing a just peace.

As always during times of war in Israel, Diaspora Jewish institutions become targets of violence and vandalism. Beth Israel Congregation has been the home for Jewish life in Waterville for over a century, and for the most part, has always enjoyed the warm embrace of the greater Waterville community.

We hope that you will join us at our open house on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m., to celebrate the renovation of our building.

This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about our culture, faith, and commitment, while showing solidarity with your local Jewish community, who are both scared and in pain.

We know that true security comes from deep and loving relationships with our Waterville neighbors. The Waterville police department will also be there for everyone’s protection. I look forward to seeing you by our side.

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