Temple Shalom, St. Cross together in aftermath of Tree of Life tragedy
The communities of Temple Shalom and St. Cross are outraged over the hateful shooting of worshipers during Shabbat morning prayers at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue. Ongoing intolerance, irrational anti-Semitism, fear, ignorance and baseless hatred motivated a deranged man to kill eleven strangers. We are broken-hearted and devastated by these senseless tragic deaths.
We extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families. “El Malai Rachamim” (God of Mercy) be with the pure, innocent souls, the victims of the senseless, heinous murder. May the grieving families be granted solace and comfort in the weeks ahead.
The most powerful way to combat hatred is with love. The interfaith worship services being held spontaneously in other synagogues and churches, and images of crowds standing together at vigils inspire hope and remind us of the strength we share with communities all around the country. It is this interfaith connection of love, tolerance, understanding and hope that has bound St. Cross and Temple Shalom together for the past 14 years. Voices singing “Hinei mah tov u’mah nayim shevet achim gam yachad ( How grateful we are to stand together as brothers and sisters) pierce our hearts and stirs our souls.
When will senseless violence cease? How can we stay hopeful when tragedy surrounds us? When will positive change come? We believe change comes when love overcomes hate. Change comes when we see each person as a child of God first before any other label. Change comes when hope triumphs over fear. Change comes when we stand up to anti-Semitism and call it out for the evil that it is. Change comes when we stand together regardless of religion, race or creed and know that love wins every time.
All are welcome to join Temple Shalom for their Soulful Shabbat Service this Friday,Nov. 2, at 7:15 p.m. on the St. Cross/Temple Shalom campus.
With gratitude and love,
Rabbi Toba August, Rabbi Cantor Lily Blum, the Rev. Dr Rachel Nyback, the Rev. Robin Denney, the Rev. Nathan Biornstad, the Rev. Patti Angelo