July 2, 1999

UNION OF ORTHODOX JEWISH CONGREGATIONS
APPLAUDS U.S. HOUSE CONDEMNATION OF
SACRAMENTO SYNAGOGUE BURNINGS

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation's largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization representing nearly 1,000 synagogues nationwide, applauded the overwhelming passage of a resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning the recent arson attack on Jewish synagogues in Sacramento, California.  One of the houses of worship destroyed by fire - Knesset Israel Torah Center - is a member congregation of the UOJCA.

The House resolution condemns these criminal acts and calls upon federal, state and local law enforcement officials to vigorously pursue and prosecute those who committed these acts of arson.

Rabbi Raphael Butler, executive vice-president of the UOJCA, stated that "it is a tragic irony that these synagogue burnings took place just as the Jewish community is about to enter a three-week period commemorating the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.  The American Jewish community," continued Rabbi Butler, "is very grateful for the strong stand in support of the Jewish community taken by members of Congress and is comforted by their action today."

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• Arson Fires Set to Three Sacramento Synagogues

• "The Sacramento Fire Bombings - a Time for Realism" - July 3, 1999 - Thinking Aloud - Rabbi Rafael G. Grossman