The rabbi who escaped a hostage takeover at his synagogue last month testified before Congress for the first time on Tuesday about his ordeal, detailing why he opened the door for the attacker and how he and others were able to flee after the hours-long standoff.
On the morning of January 15 when the gunman arrived, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker of the Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, was running late, finishing preparations for the Torah reading, organizing the online setup and checking sound, he told a House Homeland Security panel.
"And in the midst of trying to do a million different things, I had a stranger come to the door," he said. "I have of course thought about that moment a great deal. I welcomed the terrorist into my congregation. I live with that responsibility."
Source: Rabbi tells lawmakers about hostage ordeal and calls for more funding for security