Grieving Pittsburgh unites in love
Thousands from different faiths pledge mutual support after synagogue attack
PITTSBURGH: Thousands of people from all faiths united behind calls that love defeat hate, as Pittsburgh mourned the worst antiSemitic attack in recent US history and the city’s “darkest hour”.
From an Islamic leader who announced that Muslims had raised tens of thousands of dollars to help their Jewish brethren, to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s taped message of solidarity, to promises of support from Christian clerics, Pittsburgh stood shoulder to shoulder against anti-Semitism on Sunday.
“I’m a victim. I’m a survivor. I’m a mourner,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Myers from the Tree of Life synagogue, who helped pull worshippers to safety when the shooter opened fire minutes into Shabbat services.
“Words of hate are unwelcome in Pittsburgh,” he said to a standing ovation. “Ladies and gentlemen, it has to start with you as our leaders.
“My words are not intended as political fodder. I address all equally. Stop the words of hate.”
He finished with a memorial prayer in Hebrew, his voice aching with emotion and wiping tears from his eyes with a handkerchief.
Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania city that made its fortune in the steel industry, is made of stern stuff – proud of its blue collar roots, sporting prowess and reputation as a sanctuary for all.
The names of the 11 dead, many of them elderly, were written on a screen, hanging before inscribed words from Abraham Lincoln, and the entire ceremony was translated into sign language for the deaf.
“We will defeat hate with love. We will be a city of compassion, welcoming to all people no matter what your religion or where your family came from,” Mayor Bill Peduto vowed.
“We will drive anti-Semitism and the hate of any people back to the basement on their computer and away from the open discussions and dialogue around the city, around this state and around this country.”
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, several congressmen and billionaire Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, joined the service.
Mourners stood to sing the US national anthem, Israel’s national anthem the Hatikvah and Irving Berlin’s secular anthem God Bless America. An African-American choir took to the stage.
The ceremony closed with a quartet from the Pittsburgh Symphony playing two pieces, one written by a Holocaust survivor whose family perished in Kristallnacht.
Wasi Mohamed, head of the Islamic Centre of Pittsburgh, said Muslims had already raised over US$70,000 (RM292,000) to help their Jewish neighbours.
“We just want to know what you need. If it’s more money, let us know. If it’s people outside your next service protecting you, let us know – we’ll be there,” he said.
Israeli Cabinet minister Naftali Bennett, who flew through the night to mourn with Americans, said: “We will not stay silent. We will overcome. Unity will defeat division. Love will defeat hatred. Light will defeat darkness.”