Northeast Ohioans Prepare To Remember Tree Of Life Attacks

BEACHWOOD, OH — It has been nearly one year since 11 people were murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. On October 27, Americans will be asked to join together in a moment of solidarity and mourning for the lives that were lost.

The Pause with Pittsburgh event will start at 5 p.m. EST on October 27. Those who wish to participate in the "pause" can sign up to receive a text message at 5 p.m. The message will contain a video reading of a mourning prayer and the names of the 11 people who were killed. After the prayer, there will be a livestream of Pittsburgh's public memorial services.

“Nothing can erase what happened one year ago—but we can choose to stand even stronger and strive even further to demonstrate our resilience and strength as a People,” said Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. “Through the darkness of this tragedy we have seen a wave of solidarity, and we are gratified that it has sparked a movement of renewed unity.”

The Tree of Life attack sent shock waves through Northeast Ohio's Jewish community. Security was heightened at all synagogues and communities were on high alert. One year later and the community is still shaken.

"Pittsburgh was a wake-up call to the North American Jewish community that security is no longer an option, but a necessity,” said Erika B. Rudin-Luria, president of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. “We need to do whatever we can to combat anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms. Cleveland stands together with our neighbors in Pittsburgh – only standing together are we stronger than hate.”