As we prepare for Sunday's Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Commemoration, which marks the 70th anniversary of this historic resistance to Nazi persecution, I am struck by the events this past week in Boston. As senseless violence pervades our society, our communities, our neighborhoods, we need spaces to come together and discuss the impact of violence on our lives. Whether the violence we witness and experience is to be lauded as resistance to oppression, or condemned as terrorism, all violence impacts us. The uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto was a heroic response to brutal, on-going violence being perpetrated against Jewish communities throughout Europe, and as such deserves to be honored. And yet, even this type of heroic violent resistance ripples through the generations, impacting our children and our children's children. We hope that you can join us on Sunday as we honor this resistance, and as we create a space to heal from the impacts that all violence has on us.

Have a safe and loving day,

Kalil Cohen

Director, Workmen's Circle / Arbeter Ring, Southern California Region

Santa Monica Synagogue

1448 18th St., Santa Monica (corner of Broadway)