‘We cannot sit by silently’

The murder of Leiby Kletzky was a tragic event that has brought together people of all faiths and creeds in grief and heartache. Young Leiby’s death reminds us that consolation comes from all peoples, not just peoples of a particular stripe.

The disgusting attribution made by Yehuda Levin, that young Leiby’s death happened because of the recent acceptance of same-sex marriage in the state of New York, is a bastardization of Jewish law and a deep insensitivity to the family of this innocent and sweet child. Yehuda Levin’s public displays are an abomination.

Some in the Jewish faith might be opposed to marriage for gay men and lesbians while others celebrate this law as a watershed moment of our religious history. In essence, those differing views are the beauty of Judaism – different colors and voices that make the tapestry and harmony of the Jewish religion. As our Sages teach: “These and these are the voice of the Living God.” But no one in our tradition can take any comfort in the senseless death of this young boy.

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Our good senses might tell us to ignore such fringe behavior exemplified by Yehuda Levin. However, trivializing the murder of this boy undermines the very core principles that are undeniably part of our Jewish faith. For this reason, we cannot sit by silently while the props and garb of Judaism are being used in disguise to espouse un-Jewish behavior.

We condemn, without reservation, these deeply painful correlations of Leiby’s death. We offer our condolences to the Kletzky family. May Leiby Kletzky’s soul be bound in the bond of life. May his memory be a blessing.