The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, which represents the organized Jewish community and dozens of Jewish organizations and synagogues, expresses shock and outrage at the shootings at Emanuel African Methodist Church in Charleston on Wednesday. It was the deadliest attack on a place of worship in our country since the 2012 attack on the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek.

We remember the victims of this senseless violence: Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, Cynthia Hurd, Tywanza Sanders, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lee Lance, Daniel L. Simmons, Rev. Depayne Middleton, and Susie Jackson. May their memories be a blessing.

The current spike in violent acts targeting African Americans must be vigorously deterred. We unequivocally support the African American communities that find themselves under siege, and join in the call for their basic right to fairness and justice.

We affirm the sanctity of every life and our commitment to building a just society where every individual is valued and cherished. We affirm our responsibility to pursue justice, work with our coalition partners, and support our law enforcement and justice system to build a better society.

Michael Pollack                        Ellis Bromberg                         Elana Kahn-Oren

JCRC Chair                               Immediate Past Chair             JCRC Director