To our Jewish Colorado Community:
As the Jewish holiday of Shavuot is about to begin, our community is once again faced with news of a horrific terror attack – this time injuring multiple pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder attending a Run for Their Lives gathering. The FBI says it is investigating the case as a “targeted terror attack.” Our hearts and prayers are with those injured, their families, and anyone who witnesses this violent act.
The Run for Their Lives event is one of 230 weekly that take place around the world, designed to honor the 58 hostages kidnapped by Hamas and held in captivity for more than 600 days.
The Boulder Police Department says one person was arrested after throwing a Molotov cocktail towards the crowd in the vicinity of 13th and Pearl. At an afternoon press conference, Boulder PD said several people were injured and that the extent of their injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening. We are told two of the injured were airlifted for treatment for severe burns.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack on hostage as a “vicious act of terrorism.” “As the American Jewish community continues to reel from the horrific antisemitic murders in Washington, D.C., it is unfathomable that the Jewish community is facing another terror attack here in Boulder,” Polis said on X. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called the event a hate crime.
Our Response
JEWISHcolorado in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jco’s Secure Community Network, the ADL, IAC, RMRC, StandWithUs, Stop Antisemitism Colorado, is working together to respond in support of the Boulder Jewish community. We will share details of a community gathering later this week.
JEWISHcolorado will expedite safety and security dollars to Jewish preschools in another round of grants in cooperation with the Tepper Foundation. The grants support use of security personnel at these locations.
Meanwhile, the JCRC and its 40-member organizations issued this statement earlier today:
We are outraged and heartbroken over the vicious attack that took place earlier today at the Run for Their Lives Walk in Boulder. While details are still emerging, and the investigation must run its course, we know that innocent people were severely injured for nothing more than raising awareness of the hostages held by Hamas for over 600 days. Our prayers are with the victims of today’s attack.
This attack must be viewed in context. It comes shortly after a Coloradan was arrested for plotting to firebomb a U.S. embassy office in Israel, and after two young adults were murdered outside a Jewish event in Washington, DC. We must look in the mirror and ask ourselves how our society allowed this to happen and keep happening.
Our community has consistently warned that hateful and reductive rhetoric about Israel and Jews puts us in danger. We’re not being alarmist—we’re just paying attention.
Violence against Jews is immoral and must end. Colorado must be a place where every Jew feels safe, supported, and free to live their authentic Jewish lives. We will continue to live proudly and openly.
Anyone who claims to care about human lives and dignity must speak out against this attack and against antisemitism.
We will share updates as they become available and follow up after details on community events that will take place after Shavuot.
SCN and our Regional Security Advisor Kevin Farrington says law enforcement believes the perpetrator acted alone, and while the threat level remains high, “situational awareness is highly encouraged as a logical precaution.” Organizations are encouraged to follow all safety and security protocols.
JFNA Responds by:
Jewish Federations of North America President & CEO Eric D. Fingerhut said, “The attack in Boulder is another example of a wave of domestic terror attacks aimed at the Jewish community. This must be the highest priority for the Trump Administration and Congress.
The following steps, endorsed by Jewish organizations across the ideological spectrum, must be taken:
1. Congress increase Nonprofit Security Grant (NSGP) funding to $1 billion to meet the urgent and growing need and demand. The process is cumbersome and lacks transparency, and should be made more flexible and accessible, and ensure funds are disbursed quickly. Last year only 43% of applicants received funding.
2. The government dedicate funding to meet the urgent need for additional security personnel at Jewish institutions, such as day schools and yeshivas, synagogues, Jewish early childhood centers, JCCs, and summer camps.
3. The FBI increase its intelligence capabilities to prioritize and thwart domestic terrorism and receive whatever funding it needs to do so.
4, The government increase funding for local police and law enforcement to create capacity for both monitoring and protecting Jewish institutions. The demands on local and state law enforcement far outpace their capacity to meet the need, which disproportionately affects targeted communities like the American Jewish community.
5. The government aggressively prosecute antisemitic hate crimes and extreme violence to the full extent of the law.
6. The government holds social media, gaming, messaging, and other online platforms accountable for amplification of antisemitic hate, glorification of terrorism, extremism, disinformation, and incitement.”
With prayers for a complete recovery for those injured and continued prayers for all of the hostages, we wish you a meaningful and peaceful Shavuot
Renée Rockford, President & CEO, JEWISHcolorado
Ben Lusher, Board Chair, JEWISHcolorado