A Message from Mayor Shapiro

Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro made the following statement at Monday’s Village Board meeting:

I speak with a heavy heart and with deep outrage over the violence we witnessed this weekend. In Australia, the killings were aimed directly at the Jewish community, an act of antisemitic hatred intended to intimidate and terrorize people for who they are and how they worship. Such violence is not only an attack on individuals; it is an assault on the values of tolerance and mutual respect that bind communities together. Deerfield is home to a vibrant and proud Jewish community. You will never stand alone in the face of hate. 

The killings at Brown University struck a place dedicated to learning and the free exchange of ideas. And yet, as shocking as this tragedy is, it is also tragically familiar. It was one of 391 mass shootings this year alone. That number should stop us cold, not just as a statistic, but because it reflects lives lost, families shattered and futures cut short.

We are outraged that hatred continues to find targets. Outraged that faith communities and in particular the Jewish community must worry about its safety. Outraged that schools and public spaces are no longer assumed to be safe. 

We will remain vigilant and diligent in ensuring that our Village and our Jewish community its synagogues, schools, and gathering places are safe and protected. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement and community leaders. Safety is not optional; it is fundamental.

These moments demand clarity and resolve. Antisemitism has no place in Deerfield, in Illinois or anywhere in the world. Violence cannot be normalized and indifference is not an option. We honor those lost by standing with the grieving, protecting one another and recommitting ourselves to a community defined not by fear, but by dignity, safety and justice for all.

Thank you,

Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro