Last week, after a stampede at a Lag B’Omer festival in Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people, Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City released the following statement via email:
“We are grief-stricken by the terrible loss of life at the Lag B’Omer celebration in Israel. Thousands of Israelis gathered to commemorate this joyous occasion, which then quickly turned to tragedy. Forty-five lives were lost and 150 were injured in a stampede.
Jewish Federation’s partner, the Israel Trauma Coalition, will begin providing trauma services to first responders, police, and other professionals who witnessed the tragedy. In addition, ITC are reaching out to a number of municipalities where most of the victims originated, to provide assistance with the burial of all 45 victims today.
We send our prayers to their families and wish them comfort at this painful time. May the memories of those lost be for a blessing.”
The statement was signed by Helene Lotman, Federation’s president and CEO, and Federation board chair Amanda Morgan.
