Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
COMMUNITY HONORS SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING VICTIMS
Local officials, lawmakers and religious leaders remember victims at vigil
WEST CHESTER >> Nearly 300 residents gathered for a candlelight vigil and interfaith prayer service at the courthouse steps in West Chester Thursday night to remember the 11 Jewish congregants gunned down at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
The vigil was organized by Kehillah of Chester County and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. It included remarks from state and local officials, as well as prayers from various faith leaders.
Rabbi Jon Cutler of Congregation Beth Israel of Chester County opened the service by calling the crowd to action in standing against hate and violence.
“How many more vigils are we going to hold? When is it enough? And what are we going to do about it?” he asked.
State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, made an impassioned plea for unity and understanding in a time of partisan vindictiveness and extreme political division.
“Words alone are not enough. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We need to reflect them in our actions and in every ounce of our beings,” he said. “We have an obligation to respect each other as Americans, not define each other as enemies. Let’s sit down and talk. Let’s see what we agree on as neighbors and
as Americans. Let’s stand together for peace and religious freedom.”
West Chester Mayor Diane Herrin extended thanks to the law enforcement and emergency personnel who responded to the scene, including the brave police officers who were injured while taking down the shooter.
The crowd included families, children, and individuals from throughout the Chester County region, many of whom sang along with hymns and shielded their candles against the wind on the picturesque fall evening.
“It’s important to be here. We cannot have this happen again,” said Iris Berger of West Chester who attended with her husband, David. “We cannot allow this hate to take over our country.”
Shelley Rappaport of Kehillah of Chester County lit the Yahrzeit Candle in memory of the fallen and Rabbis Jacob Rosner of Congregation Or Shalom read the 11 names of the victims.
In addition, prayers were offered by the leaders of various faith groups including, Ejaz Sabir of the Islamic Society of Chester County, the Rev. Wayne Croft of Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, and Rabbi Eric Lazar of Temple Brith Achim. Dozens of others were in attendance.
Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline, Kathi Cozzone and Terence Farrell were also present, as was Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.
On Wednesday, a federal grandjurysittingintheU.S.District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania charged Robert Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, Pa. with federal hate crimes, including the murder of 11 people, for his actions during the Oct. 27 shootings at the Tree of Life SynagogueinPittsburgh’sSquirrel Hill neighborhood.
The indictment alleges that while inside the Tree of Life Synagogue, Bowers opened fire, killing and injuring members of the three congregations, as well as injuring multiple responding public safety officers. While inside the Tree of Life Synagogue, Bowers made statements indicating his desire to “kill Jews.”