Dear Congregation Beth Israel members and friends,
Those who came to CBI this Shabbat were greeted by an extraordinary sight: our entryway and front door decorated with expressions of love and support from our local community.
This was a Graffiti Love-In, organized by Veronica Bosley and created by many many local hands, most of whom are unknown to us. (You can see photos of it happening in the Berkshire Eagle. I’m also enclosing some below.)
I knew it was coming because Veronica reached out to me to ask permission, but even so, I was moved to tears when I drove up to our synagogue and saw this beauty.
Since the Tree of Life synagogue shootings, my colleagues around the country have reported antisemitic graffiti — swastikas and the like — on their buildings. But not here in northern Berkshire.
Here in North Adams we got love graffiti, and I am more grateful than I can say. Our neighbors cherish us, and support us, and want us to know that we are loved. I hope this brings y’all the same comfort that it brings me.
Blessings to all,
Rabbi Rachel
CBI: From the Rabbi 