Religious, city leaders unify against hate
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 1, 2006
EVERETT – Religious and civic leaders plan to gather at Temple Beth Or in Everett tonight for an event they are calling “A Stand Against Hate.”
The gathering is a response to Friday’s shootings at a Seattle Jewish charity center.
In a time when the region’s Jewish community and many others may be fearful, it is important to have a united front against violence, said Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman of Temple Beth Or, Everett’s only Jewish place of worship.
“We’re hearing that people are concerned, and they’re saying, ‘How can we respond? What can we do that is helpful, that is healing, that is supportive?’” Karz-Wagman said.
Temple Beth Or, United Way of Snohomish County, the Interfaith Association and the Washington Association of Churches began planning the event in the hours and days following the shooting.
On Friday afternoon, a man claiming to be a Muslim entered the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and shot six people including Pamela Waechter, 58, of Seattle, who died at the scene.
Christina Rexroad, 29, of Everett, was among those shot. She is an accountant for the Jewish Federation.
The alleged gunman, a resident of the Tri-Cities area, also lived briefly in Everett.
The incident led to tightened security measures at Jewish temples and centers around the region, including at Temple Beth Or, Karz-Wagman said.
“I feel threatened,” Karz-Wagman said. “But more than fear, I have gratitude toward the Everett Police. They’ve been very supportive in making sure we were provided with all the possible security measures.”
Everett Police will be present at tonight’s event, he said.
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon is expected to attend. Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson told organizers he hopes to stop in between other engagements.
Local clergy from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities are expected to speak. There will also be music and prayer.
Kim Buike, chairman of United Way’s “Community Matters” Vision Council is among the handful of civil leaders expected to speak tonight.
Buike said he doesn’t know whether Friday’s shooting was a hate crime, but because many people will assume it was, it’s important to stand together.
“(Tonight) will be about people behaving responsibly,” he said. “It’s a reaffirmation that being a community is all about supporting one another.”
Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.
Stand Against Hate
“Stand Against Hate” will be at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Temple Beth Or at 3215 Lombard Ave. in Everett.
For more information, contact Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman at 425-259-7125.
