American Jewish groups, leaders send support to a Texas synagogue after hostage situation--and look to what comes next

American Jewish organizations and leaders are looking at how they can support the Colleyville community and American Jewry at large.

Some American Jews found out right when reports of a hostage situation at a synagogue started to spread. Others saw the news alerts as they logged back online when Shabbat, the Jewish sabbath, concluded at sundown on Saturday.

Reactions poured in at lightning speed, with some Jewish organizations calling for solidarity, psalms and prayers; and others getting in touch with the local community and with law enforcement as they hoped for a peaceful resolution.

Those prayers would be answered: many hours after a British national took Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and other congregants hostage in Congregation Beth Israel, a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, law enforcement stormed the synagogue, killing the assailant and the hostages escaped.

In the days afterwards, tributes to Rabbi Cytron-Walker and the congregation poured in, as well as messages of support for a community reeling from a near-tragedy.