Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
’18 synagogue massacre remembered
PITTSBURGH — The first anniversary of the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history was being marked Sunday with community service projects, music and an online remembrance.
The shooting on Oct. 27, 2018, killed 11 worshippers and wounded seven at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
Lining the fence outside the closed Tree of Life building Sunday were 11 flowerpots, each one bearing the name of one of those killed. People also piled bouquets and crocheted hearts at the site and hung signs on the fence saying the city was “stronger than hate” and calling diversity its strength.
“Today we remember those we lost and come together as a commonwealth to stand united as neighbors,” said a Twitter message from Gov. Tom Wolf, who was scheduled to attend a memorial service in Pittsburgh on Sunday evening.
The commemoration included a private Jewish service, studying the portion of the Torah that was to be read when the shooting happened, opportunities to do community service, and a public memorial service.
In Germany, the Clarion Quartet, comprised of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians, was to perform at a special event in Berlin.
Thousands were expected to participate in Sunday’s remembrance through Pause With Pittsburgh, a virtual memorial event created by the Jewish Federations of North America.
Authorities have charged Robert Bowers, 47, a truck driver from Baldwin, Penn., in the massacre.