North Shore Jewish Community Holds Vigils For Pittsburgh Shooting

Congregations on the North Shore are gathering Sunday evening in a show of solidarity with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh in the wake of what is believed to be the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in United States history. During services Saturday, a man armed with a rifle and two handguns entered the Tree of Life Synagogue and killed 11 people and wounded six others over the next 20 minutes. A 46-year-old Pittsburgh man has been charged in connection with the murders, which are being investigated as a hate crime, according to federal investigators.

At a press conference Sunday, Allegheny County Medical Examiner Karl Williams identified the victims as Rose Mallinger, 97, of Squirrel Hill, Melvin Wax, 88, of Squirrel Hill, Bernice Simon, 84, of Wilkinsburg, and her 86-year-old husband Sylvan, Joyce Fienberg, 75, of Oakland, Daniel Stein, 71, of Squirrel Hill, Irving Younger, 69, of Mt. Washington, Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, of Edgewood Borough, Richard Gottfried, 65, of Ross Township, Cecil Rosenthal, 59, of Squirrel Hill and his 54-year-old brother David, also of Squirrel Hill.

"Our nation is in danger," said American Jewish Congress President Jack Rosen, calling on leaders from all parties to counter the "dark forces coursing through America." He told Patch he had "grave concern" for the Jewish community, noting he has already had to send to many messages of condolence and solidarity too other ethnic and religious groups as they have increasingly been targets of violence and hate.

Union For Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs said Saturday it was painful and ironic to live in a time where the Jewish community must temper its loving welcome of strangers to protect itself from hate and violence.

"This time the Jewish community was targeted, in what may be the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history. Other times it has been African-Americans. Or Sikhs. Or Muslims. Or members of the LGBTQ community. Or too many others," Jacobs said. "What we know is this: the fabric holding our nation together is fraying. It is our task to ensure that it does not come apart."

At 12 p.m., Chabad of Wilmette is holding a Prayer for Pittsburgh vigil to unite in solidarity and brief prayer during a difficult time. (2904 Old Glenview Road)

"This is an attack on all of us, and we grieve with the families who have lost loved ones and pray for the recovery of those who are injured," said Rabbi Moshe Teldon, announcing the vigil.

At 5 p.m. Beth Emet is holding a prayer vigil in Evanston. Representatives of numerous faith-based groups will gather in a call for civility, kindness and stronger gun laws. (1224 Dempster St.)

"The hatred and toxic rhetoric in our country combined with easy access to high-powered guns and other weapons has once again left many dead, a community in mourning, and all of us asking how we can keep our loved ones and our communities safe," said Rabbi Andrea London, annoucing the vigil. She said she has received an outpouring of love and concern for the community.

Speakers will include Mayor Steve Hagerty, Pastor Michael Nabors of Second Baptist Evanston, Pastor Daniel Ruen of Grace Lutheran Church, Dilnaz Waraich of the Muslim Education Centre, Zaher Sahloul of the Syrian American Medical Society, Michael Kirby of Northminster Presbyterian Church of Evanston, Candace Moore Hill of Wilmette Institute: A Global Baha'i Learning Center and David Eber of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation.

"I know that the forces of good outweigh those of evil," London said. "I pray that no more lives will be lost while we continue to muster these forces to combat the violence and enmity in our country."

At 6 p.m., North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe is holding a special service to pray for healing and comfort. All are welcome. (1185 Sheridan Road)

"We join with the entire community of the Jewish people, along with all people of good will in our heartbreak that such senseless, hate-driven violence and loss of innocent human life has breached the walls of our most sacred spaces at our most sacred time," leaders of the congregation said. "Together, we link our prayers that the memories of the victims be for a blessing, that their loved ones somehow find comfort amidst such destruction, that the pain of suffering be lessened, that the wounded find healing, that justice be swift, and that there might one day be a world of shalom, peace."

At 7 p.m., Chabad of Northbrook is holding a prayer vigil. (2095 Landwehr Road)

"No words can describe this horror and evil. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families," said Rabbi Meir Moscowitz, announcing the vigil. "We will reflect, say some memorial prayers and stand together with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh."

Chabad of Illinois suggested the following responses to the horrific attack: Increase unity, take the time to reach out to someone you haven't gotten along with or spoken to for a while; show Jewish pride, put mezuzahs on doorposts and proudly wear yarmulkes, add an extra mitvah in memory of the victims and come to synagogue to demonstrate to the world the vibrancy and love that comprises the community.

In Chicago, an interfaith gathering is planned at Federal Plaza from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in solidarity with members of the Tree of Life Synagogue and those killed in a suspected hate crime in Kentucky last week.

Vice President Mike Pence said the Pittsburgh mass shooting was "not just criminal. It was evil, an attack on innocent Americans and an assault on our freedom of religion. There is no place in America for violence or anti-Semitism and this evil must end."

President Donald Trump, at a campaign rally at Southern Illinois Airport with U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and Gov. Bruce Rauner, said it was a "terrible thing what's going on with hate in our country," He described the attack as a "wicked act of mass murder" and "unimaginable." He also suggested the synagogue could have prevented the attack if it had armed guards.

"We must stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters to defeat anti-Semitism and vanquish the forces of hate, that's what it is," Trump said. "Through the centuries, the Jews have endured terrible persecution, and you know that. We've all read it, we've studied it. They've gone through a lot. And those seeking their destruction, we will see their destruction."

More:

• Victims Identified In Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack
• 'Special Attention' On Chicago Synagogues After Shooting: Cops
• President Trump In Illinois For Campaign Rally As 11 Confirmed Dead In Synagogue Shooting