Over 1,000 Attend Skokie Evening Of Unity After Synagogue Attack

SKOKIE, IL — Members of the Chicago area Jewish community and local rabbis arranged a community gathering Monday to send a message of solidarity and unity in response to an attack on worshipers in Southern California, the latest anti-Semitic hate crime to target house of prayer. More than 1,000 people attended, according to organizers, as a standing room only crowd filled the ballroom of the Holiday Inn and Suites Chicago North Shore.

The shooting Saturday at Chabad of Poway in San Diego County killed Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, as she reportedly jumped in front of the rabbi after a teenager armed with an AR-15-style rifle entered during services and began shooting. Three others, including an 8-year-old girl, were wounded before the gunman's weapon jammed. The attack occurred on the final day of Passover and six months to the day after a gunman entered the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and killed 11 people. The men charged with murder in both cases reportedly made anti-Semitic statements and online posts before the attacks.

The Skokie gathering took place the same day Kaye was laid to rest. Rabbis led prayers, telling the packed crowd another attack on Jews gathered in a house of worship was unbelievable, but the community must respond to darkness with light instead of violence.

A video message from Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein of Chabad of Poway, who lost a finger after he was shot in the attack, followed addresses from local leaders. The wounded rabbi encouraged Jewish people everywhere to attend synagogues and demonstrate support for one another.

“Fill up the sanctuaries. Let them see nothing will tear us down,” Goldstein said, Pioneer Press reported.

Rabbi Meir Moscowitz, senior rabbi of Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook and regional director of Chabad of Illinois, said it was incomprehensible to experience another attack on a synagogue in just six months. But he said there was a shared feeling the community can come together, spread light and dispel the darkness.

"The diverse and the broad participation from all parts of the community, from all parts of the city and suburbs, in a matter of 36 hours, coming together in such a powerful way, was amazing," Moscowitz told Patch. "Rabbi Goldstein said 'We are strong, we are united, they can't break us,' and I think that was the sense from this event.

The rabbi said he expected a large turnout for services the week after the attack, which will see upgraded security measures.

"There's a big interest in people to attend Shabbat services this week to show that we're not going to be knocked down," Moscowitz said. "So synagogues throughout Chicago, throughout the country, throughout the world are pushing for everything to attend."

Related:

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• Family Of Accused Poway Synagogue Gunman Expresses Shock, Sadness
• Accused Tree Of Life Killer Pleads Not Guilty To New Federal Hate Crime Charges