By Barry Shrage, President of CJP

On Sunday, I attended Ezra Schwartz's funeral. Hundreds of Ezra’s young friends filled the synagogue along with hundreds of people from around the region who wanted to comfort his family and declare, along with his Rabbi, Meir Sendor, that while Ezra led a tragically short life, it was one with great meaning. His death was meaningful, too. His teenage friends gathered in small groups throughout the synagogue crying and hugging each other as they remembered their friend’s life and his commitment to Jewish life and his acts of loving kindness.

This is enough. Enough children murdered, enough confusion about the cause of the terrible murders that continue throughout Israel and throughout the world. The murder of innocents in Paris and the murder of innocents in Israel are part of the same wave of terrorism that threatens to tear apart our communities, our nation and our world. Jonathan Greenblatt, executive director of the ADL, wrote an excellent piece on the dangers of excusing terror because of “root causes.” “In fact, the common theme of Islamic terror — whether it targets France or America or Israel, whether it targets Christians, Jews or Muslims — is a goal to destroy those who represent a desire to lead a different kind of life simply because they want to live their own lives.”

Ezra wanted to explore Israel and learn about his faith. He wanted to make lives better for those around him, as a son, as a brother, as a classmate, as a friend.

Last night, 70,000 Patriots fans observed a moment of silence and heard a moving tribute to Ezra Schwartz and all victims of terror. Millions more watched live on ESPN.    

Now we need your help. Help us tell Ezra’s story, to keep his name on our lips this week, as families come together and one family in Sharon feels the unimaginable pain of the loss of a son.

• Share the video. A fan who attended the game shot this amateur video that puts you inside the stadium.
• Share the story. Local and international coverage of Ezra’s tribute at Gillette can be found at WCVB, on Tablet%u2019s website and the Times of Israel.
• Share statements from local and statewide political leaders, including Rep. Joe Kennedy III, Senator Ed Markey, and Gov. Charlie Baker.
• Boost our social media. “Like” CJP Israel Advocacy on Facebook then boost the visibility of this post about Ezra by liking, sharing or commenting.

Follow CJP Israel Advocacy on Twitter and re-tweet or favorite this from last night’s game.

Video from last night's #Patriots tribute to #EzraSchwartz z"l. https://t.co/iD4VEAcous #Israel #StandWithIsrael

— CJP Israel Advocacy (@CJPIsrael) November 24, 2015