Like many of you, we are deeply troubled by the violence that has spread from Jerusalem to southern Israel in recent days. These events rose out of several contentious issues, including, of course, the passions that have been stoked around Jerusalem.

In the past 24 hours, terrorists launched more than 700 rockets at Israeli population centers from Gaza, including longer-range rockets aimed at Jerusalem and communities around Tel Aviv. In southern Israel, Ashkelon and Sderot have been under fire. Schools and businesses are closed, and residents are running for shelter — some with only 15 seconds of warning before potential explosions. We support Israel’s right to defend itself from these outrageous attacks and stand with them unequivocally in their fight against terror.

We grieve the loss of three Israelis killed earlier today by rocket strikes and pray for the recovery of the injured. And we mourn all the innocent lives lost — Palestinian and Israeli — to this seemingly endless conflict.

At CJP, we are in regular contact with our colleagues both here in the United States and in Israel, especially our colleagues and extended Boston family in Haifa. We are conveying the support of Boston’s Jewish community and letting them know that we stand with them always. We are also receiving regular updates from our partners, including the JDC, JCRC, Jewish Federations of North America, and the Israeli Consulate.

Our Board Chair, Shira Goodman, arrived in Israel last week to visit family and we are in regular contact. She and her family are well, and she will have the opportunity to visit our professionals and volunteers in Haifa on Friday.

As we learn more, we will share updates in the coming days via CJP’s social media channels. In the meantime, please join with us as we pray for the cessation of violence and for the safety and security of everyone currently in harm’s way.