Columbia Vigil Mourns Synagogue Victims

COLUMBIA, MD — It was reportedly standing room only at a vigil in Columbia Monday night to mourn those victimized by the Pittsburgh synagogue shootings over the weekend. The gathering was held at Beth Shalom Congregation on Harriet Tubman Lane on Monday, Oct. 29.

In addition to community members, police were in attendance at the vigil.

The Howard County Police Department announced over the weekend that while there had not been any local threats, officers would be increasing patrols at places of worship countywide in the aftermath of the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Oct. 27.

"Please remember, if you see something, say something," police advised. "Call 911 for anything suspicious. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims...their families and law enforcement families."

A gunman killed 11 people and injured several others, with police officers among the wounded, at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27.

The vigil in Columbia on Monday, Oct. 29, was intended to provide an opportunity for mourning and unity, according to the Howard County Board of Rabbis.

It was so big that there was an overflow room where WBAL reported 100 people were gathered.

Chanie Baron, who grew up in Squirrel Hill where the shooting in Pennsylvania occurred, helped light candles at the vigil for the 11 people who lost their lives, according to WBAL.

Several people stood when Beth Shalom's Rabbi Susan Grossman asked whether anyone knew the victims in the synagogue shooting, WJZ reported.

The gathering was at Beth Shalom Congregation, 8070 Harriet Tubman Lane, at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29.

More than 700 people singing “Let There be Peace on Earth” during the prayer service #WBAL pic.twitter.com/LTRM5UUdMo
— Vanessa Herring (@VanessaWBAL) October 29, 2018

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A memorial for victims at the Tree Of Life Synagogue on Oct. 29, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eleven people were killed and six more wounded in the mass shooting that police say was fueled by antisemitism. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)