The rabbi who was taken hostage in the Texas synagogue siege has led a Shabbat service exactly a week after his ordeal.
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker called for “healing” as he spoke to members of his congregation yesterday.
The service took place at the Colleyville Center, a mile from the Beth Israel synagogue where British terrorist Malik Faisal Akram had taken the rabbi and three others hostage.
They were held for 11 tense hours before Rabbi Cytron-Walker threw a chair at the gunman and all the hostages were able to escape unharmed.
Moments later Akram was shot dead by FBI agents.
Some members of the congregation were present in person yesterday while others were watching a livestream of the 90-minute service on Facebook, just as they had been a week ago when the siege began.
Rabbi Cytron-Walker told them: “At this time we pray for healing of mind, body and spirit for the four of us, our whole congregation – for our whole community.”
The service included the Birkat HaGomel prayer used to offer thanks after surviving mortal peril.
The rabbi said: “I’ve just been through something really traumatic. I’ve just been through a life-threatening situation.
“And it gives the community an opportunity to respond back, ‘We hear you, we know this, we understand.’”
Rabbi Cytron-Walker added: “We will continue to find ways to heal, we will continue to find ways to have peace.
“For us, for our community, God willing our nation and our world.”
Among those watching online, one sent the message: “Shabbat shalom from Chicago. So wonderful to see you together and safe.”
Another Facebook user said they were sending Shabbat greetings from Belarus.
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