AVENTURA, Fla. – The community came together in Aventura Friday for the young couple killed in Washington, D.C. in what’s being called a stunning act of violence fueled by hate.
“We should not have this happening in the United States or anywhere in the world, and it is time we come together to unite against hate,” Aventura City Commissioner Rachel Friedlander said.
On Wednesday night, police say 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez opened fire on the Capitol Jewish Museum, killing Israeli embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.
According to court documents, after the victims fell to the ground, Rodriguez reloaded and fired again.
He’s now facing charges including first-degree murder.
Here in South Florida, the Jewish community, one of the biggest in the world outside Israel, is on edge.
10 a.m. Saturday report:
Zalman Myer-Smith, who runs security for the Jewish organization Chabad of Florida, based in Miami Gardens, says nowadays, having a strong safety and security protocols at Jewish events is extremely important.
His biggest fear? A copycat event.
“There’s no one on the outside to evaluate that there was a guy walking up and down. That’s something that was very reactive,” said Myer-Smith. A proactive officer would’ve identified that.
Congregations and organizations are looking at security protocols.
People at Friday’s event said hateful rhetoric and anti semitism is on the rise, but their leadership and their ability to come together as one community are stronger than ever.
