Americans are still processing the loss of 49 innocent lives in Orlando, the victims of the largest mass shooting in our nation’s history. Once again, we’ve been forced to confront what happens when hatred, bigotry, extremism, and terror collide. As New Yorkers and as Jews we’ve been here before. But it certainly doesn’t get any easier.

We feel the excruciating pain of the LGBTQ community, which has long fought against marginalization and intolerance. In the midst of Pride month, we share their grief. But it’s not enough to just mourn — we also have to resolve to do better as a community to extend a welcoming hand to all people, particularly those who have struggled mightily to find belonging.

UJA-Federation is proud to be the tent that welcomes Jews of all backgrounds and orientations. Just two weeks ago, a group of New Yorkers representing UJA-Federation participated in a LGBTQ national Federation mission to Israel. We also fund an array of programming and services for LGBTQ people of all ages — from Shabbat retreats for teens, to legal assistance and family counseling.

Tonight, I will represent UJA-Federation at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) for a special Kabbalat Shabbat service. We will read aloud the names of young men and women killed in the prime of their lives, and we will resolve to do even better as a community — in their names.

I also applaud two modern Orthodox synagogues, Stanton Street Shul and the Sixth Street Community Synagogue, who — undeterred by intense communal pressure — opened their doors earlier this month in support of Eshel, an organization that aims to create inclusive spaces for LGBTQ Jews and their families within the Orthodox world. Despite differences in belief, we are all created b’tzelem Elokim — in the image of God — and when we speak of building kehila (a sacred community), this is exactly what we mean.

We can never undo Orlando — but we as a community must truly learn the lessons of respect, acceptance, and love.

Shabbat shalom