Charlie Cytron-Walker: Rabbi hostage in Texas synagogue thanks 'security courses' for saving life
COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS: A rabbi, who was the hostage of a suspected terrorist, has said that he’s “grateful to be alive”. Charlie Cytron-Walker and three of his congregation were in the captivity of 44-year-old Mailk Faisal Akram for around ten hours on Saturday, January 15, as the British anti-Semite demanded the release of an al-Qaeda terrorist – Aafia Siddiqui, the 'Lady Al Qaeda'.
However, all four hostages were rescued safely Saturday night after Akram was shot dead by the cops. Now, Cytron-Walker has thanked his active-shooter training for a second chance at life granted to him and the other three hostages. He said, “Over the years, my congregation and I have participated in multiple security courses from the Colleyville Police Department, the FBI, the Anti-Defamation League, and Secure Community Network. We are alive today because of that education.”
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The married dad of two daughters also added: “I encourage all Jewish congregations, religious groups, schools, and others to participate in active-shooter and security courses. In the last hour of our hostage crisis, the gunman became increasingly belligerent and threatening. Without the instruction we received, we would not have been prepared to act and flee when the situation presented itself.”
Who is Charlie Cytron-Walker?
Cytron-Walker is a Lansing native, who served as the rabbi of the 140-strong congregation for more than a decade. After his release from the harrowing situation, he took to Facebook and wrote, “I am thankful and filled with appreciation for All of the vigils and prayers and love and support, All of the law enforcement and first responders who cared for us, All of the security training that helped save us. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the CBI Community, the Jewish Community, the Human Community. I am grateful that we made it out. I am grateful to be alive.”
He also released a press statement saying, “We are resilient and we will recover.” According to The New York Post, the Congregation Beth Israel’s website has described Cytron-Walker as a spiritual leader who’s “worked to bring a sense of spirituality, compassion and learning into the lives of our community.” The site has reportedly added: “Since Rabbi Charlie arrived at CBI He loves finding a connection with people of every age and strives to carry forward the CBI tradition of welcoming all who enter into our congregation, from interfaith families to LGBT individuals and families to those seeking to find a spiritual home in Judaism, along with all others.”
Cytron-Walker had addressed his congregation after the October 2018 killing of 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburg. At the time, he also posted on Facebook, “Too many times in Jewish history we faced tragedy without love or support. Too many times to count, we were left to pick up the pieces of tragedy and destruction. Believe me. The love and support matters,” before adding, “Thank you for helping us through these dark times. Thank you for standing together.”
Meanwhile, after the recent incident and safe release of Cytron-Walker and three of his congregation, a lot of people expressed their gratitude. A user commented below the rabbi’s recent social media post by writing, “God be praised for your safety, Rabbi, and the safety of those who also endured this with you.” Another one said, “From Kerem Shalom, Concord MA- we are so grateful that you and others are safe. KS has CBI in our prayers and in our hearts.” “So scary for you, your family, your congregation, and for Jews everywhere. We are all so glad that the captives were safe,” a person noted.