A synagogue is welcoming people of all faiths, saying there is no place for hate

When five people were wounded in a stabbing attack as they celebrated Hanukkah in New York, religious and community leaders in northeast Tarrant County came together to counter hate and bigotry.

Congregation Beth Israel at 6100 Pleasant Run Road in Colleyville is holding a Shabbat service at 7 p.m. Friday, and all are welcome to stand against hate.

“The whole idea is about solidarity,” Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker said. “It’s a way to stand up against antisemitism and all forms of hate.”

“The idea of uniting and praying together for things like peace is really important, especially at a time of division. It’s a very important thing for us to stand up for those who are targets of such attacks whether they are online, verbal or physical.”

Dr. Shahid Shafi, a Southlake council member who was targeted by some Tarrant County Republican precinct chairs because he is Muslim, said he is a friend of Cytron-Walker, and he will attend the service.

Shafi recently resigned his post as vice chairman of the Tarrant County Republican party when Darl Easton stepped aside as the Tarrant County Republican party chair.

“What I went through last year highlights why we need to bring communities together. A lot of hate comes from fear and ignorance,” Shafi said.

Shafi and Cytron-Walker are also members of Peace Together, a coalition of churches, mosques, synagogues and Humanist groups that organized shortly after the 2017 Unite the Right rally of white nationalists and other right wing groups in Charlottesville where a woman was killed.

Peace Together organizes walks and vigils where people visit churches, synagogues and mosques to learn about different faiths and beliefs.

Vigils were also held following the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, and the shootings at the mosque in Christ Church, New Zealand.

“I am a surgeon. Underneath the color of our skin we all have the same fears and aspirations,” Shafi said.