Newton Temple Responds To Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack With Vigil

NEWTON, MA — After a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh Saturday, killing at least 11 people and injuring six others towns and cities across the country are showing their solidarity.

Officials at Temple Shalom invited the community to join a prayer vigil to stand up against violence, hate and antisemitism.

"We mourn the senseless loss of life and the blood shed due to an act of gun violence. We can no longer ignore the fact that hatred and antisemitism have been unleashed in our nation," wrote Rabbi Allison L. Berry, Rabbi Laura J. Abrasley, Cantor Peter Halpern in a Facebook post on the temple's page.

"Together, we will lift up our voices to decry violence, hate and antisemitism in all of its forms," they wrote.

The leadership and clergy of Temple Shalom said they are reviewing security plans and there will be increased police presence at the Temple throughout the day Sunday. Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said she also plans to be there.

Boston police announced they are planning to join New York City police and add patrols to Boston synagogues. Patch reached out to Newton Police Sunday evening but police did not immediately respond.

The gathering will be at 12:15 p.m. at Temple Shalom.

The Anti-Defamation League described the attack Saturday as probably "the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States."

Read more: Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack: Victims To Be Identified

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff