On January 17, in a Dallas synagogue, ten lives were changed forever. Texan Malik Akram entered the synagogue and took ten people hostage. Earlier in 2020 Akram was investigated by M15 in England as a “terrorist threat,” but was ultimately disregarded.

“It was extremely unfortunate and I’m glad no one was injured in the attack,” said Freshman Joel Acton.

The hostage standoff lasted a total of ten hours. The hostages tried to reason with the gunman to spare their lives. The Rabbi decided to take action and surreptitiously edge towards the door. They were stopped and forced to kneel from the gunman. The Rabbi then grabbed a chair and heaved it at the gunman then bolted for the door. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker had been deemed a hero for his heroic actions.

“It was a very brave and quick decision that saved many lives,” said Freshman Jack Ferrell.

In an interview, Rabbi Cytron-Walker said he had taken part in at least four separate trainings in recent years, from the Colleyville Police Department, the F.B.I., the Anti-Defamation League and the Secure Community Network, a nonprofit group that provides security resources to Jewish institutions nationally.

“If he wouldn’t have taken that training, there is no saying what would’ve or could’ve happened to those people,” said Junior Cayman Huntsman.

Synagogues have been even more acutely aware of threats since 2018, when an assailant armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle and multiple handguns entered the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh on a Saturday morning. The man, who was shouting antisemitic slurs, killed 11 people.

“There’s a lot of hate in America right now, and unfortunately we aren’t heading down a good path,” said Junior Aiden Frost.