Aspen’s Jewish community speaks out after the terrorist attack in Boulder

In the wake of a recent terrorist attack in Boulder that injured 12 individuals peacefully demonstrating in support of hostages held in Gaza, Aspen’s Jewish community is grieving and calling for solidarity, compassion, and action.

Rabbi Mendel Mintz of the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen condemned the attack as an appalling act of violence against innocent people.

“What happened was a disgrace, and we were totally shocked that someone could harm innocent, elderly people who were simply taking a walk to raise awareness about the hostages being held in Gaza,” Mintz said. “Everyone I spoke to, both Jew and non-Jew alike, were very pained by it.”

Despite the horror of the incident, he said he was moved by the outpouring of support from across the Roaring Fork Valley. Community members from every background, he said, reached out to express condolences and solidarity.

“This is something beautiful about our valley, that the community as a whole is standing with us during this tragedy,” he said. “We had sentiments of love from every denomination of religion in our area, and I shared that with my congregation, how our neighbors are there for us.”

He emphasized that, in times of senseless hatred, unity and moral clarity are critical.

“This serves as a reminder that everyone must do what they can to fight hate, violence, and disgraceful and despicable behaviors such as these,” he said. “From our end, it’s important to strengthen our traditions, strengthen our commitment to Judaism and Israel, and strengthen our community by doing acts of goodness and kindness to bring us all together.”

Aspen City Council member Bill Guth, who is also Jewish, echoed Rabbi Mintz’ message, warning against misrepresenting the motivations behind such acts of terror.

“I think mislabeling this as Palestinian support is dangerous. This is a clear killing that is happening,” Guth said of the Hamas attack on Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023. “There is a big difference here, and what is happening in Gaza is a terrible tragedy, but the propaganda that people have been led to believe is a travesty.”

He stressed that the violence stems not from political complexity, but from the deliberate actions of a terrorist organization.

“The real enemy here is Hamas, which is the enemy of the Palestinian people and people around the world,” he said. “It is sad and disappointing that people continue to spread this kind of hate against a pretty peaceful group of people.”

He called on the broader public to seek out facts and not fall prey to misinformation.

“We want people to educate themselves on the truths. This is not a war about oppressing anyone or controlling land. It is simply about a hostile group that has been resistant to every single settlement offer and who has invaded another sovereign land and refuses to release hostages,” Guth said. “If Hamas returned the hostages tomorrow, there would be no war.”

He added that the more than 600 days in captivity for those hostages represent an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

“The horrors they have been experiencing are beyond imagination,” he said.

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