The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston is shocked and saddened by events yesterday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and earlier this month in Dallas, Texas. We mourn for the brave law enforcement officers who have been targeted and murdered in recent days. It is impossible to sufficiently convey our gratitude to all those in public safety who willingly sacrifice their own safety for that of our communities. We are outraged by the violence committed against these men, cutting short lives full of promise and committed to the public good.

As Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans said yesterday, “This all too common trend we are seeing of violence against law enforcement officers who are out there each day serving and protecting neighborhoods across the country is alarming and disheartening….Now more than ever, we need to come together as a community in our shared efforts to prevent further tragedy.”

While we must continue the national conversation and our own efforts to address the disparities in our criminal justice system, violence can never be the answer to our challenges as a society. It falls on all of us to work to make our world a more peaceful and just place. Under no circumstances, can we begin to accept this violence as a new normal. JCRC calls on all Americans to come together and recognize that our common humanity teaches us to cherish every single life.

“Hate takes too much energy” wrote Baton Rouge Police Officer Montrell Jackson, one of those taken from us yesterday, in a recent Facebook post. “These are trying times. Please don’t let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better.”

May his memory, and those of all the victims of this violence that plagues our society, be for a blessing. May we realize his hope and prayer in our time.

Jeremy Burton                                    Adam Suttin
Executive Director                           Board President