Andonia Goergen
Staff Writer
Local religious leaders, along with the help of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees and the Manhattan Beach City Council, held a vigil on Oct. 30 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27 and introduced a new STAND UP Commitment to help prevent hate from being spread across the community.
Community members were encouraged to attend the vigil at the Manhattan Beach Pier and take action to honor those who lost their lives. Participants gathered with candles and took part in a service which included music, prayers and several speakers, including Manhattan Beach Mayor Steve Napolitano, Rabbi Toba August of Temple Shalom, Pastor Matt Jensen of Journey of Faith and Rabbi Yossi Mintz of the Jewish Community center.
“As a Jewish woman, anti-semitism has been an unfortunate reality in my life. Now is the time for every student take action against anti-semitism,” former Costa student Charlotte Sabina said. “Defend your Jewish community and empower yourself and others by educating yourself on news and politics. Now is not the time to passively support the Jewish community, we must fight against hate actively and relentlessly.”
Along with the vigil, the board adopted the STAND UP Commitment, pledging to stand up against hate, prejudice, violence and bullying. The commitment encourages the promotion of respect and inclusion, Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews said in an email to district parents.
“I think the STAND UP committee is a great thing for MBUSD to implement today because there is so much hate and prejudice against others in our world today,” Mira Costa Senior Lauren Goldston said. “It is important to teach kids at a young age to respect each other’s beliefs, and that is exactly what this commitment will do.”
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