Global Jewry Marks First Year Anniversary of Massacre at Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue

Photo Credit: Daveynin via Wikimedia

This Sunday marks exactly one year since a vicious anti-Semitic shooter opened fire at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, leaving 11 people dead and six more people injured.

Robert Gregory Bowers, 46, was arrested and charged with 63 federal crimes, including some carrying a death sentence, in addition to 36 charges in Pennsylvania state court as well.

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proclaimed Sunday, October 27, a Day of Action to Combat Antisemitism to honor the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue attack.

As we approach the anniversary of the horrific Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, I am proclaiming this Sunday, Oct. 27, a Day of Action to Combat Anti-Semitism.

Let’s honor the memory of those we lost by taking action to fight the sickening rise of Anti-Semitism in our country.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) October 25, 2019

Numerous US communities and politicians likewise signed up to support the campaign as well, declaring the day to be a “Day of Action to Combat Antisemitism.”

Thank you to these 65 Ohio mayors/municipal leaders, incl. the mayors of Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo for standing w/AJC against antisemitism, supporting AJC’s #ShowUpForShabbat campaign and declaring October 27 a Day of Action to Combat Antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/NxrF8fLkFh

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) October 25, 2019

A whopping 88 percent of American Jews believe antisemitism is a problem in the United States; 38 percent of those polled believed it is a “very serious” problem.

According to the 2019 American Jewish Committee (AJC) Survey of American Jews on Antisemitism in America, a survey conducted by the SSRS research firm, only 12 percent of those polled did not think antisemitism is a problem in the US today.

Calls were made to a national sample of 1,283 Jews over age 18 between September 11 and October 6.

As part of its effort to show its solidarity with the Tree of Life congregation on this first anniversary of the deadly attack, the AJC dedicated its efforts in this year’s annual global event, “Show Up for Shabbat,” to the memories of those who were lost in the shooting in Pittsburgh.

Thank you, @RepHuffman, for your solidarity with AJC’s #ShowUpForShabbat campaign and dedication to combating hate and antisemitism. https://t.co/BAn0Q8MNAd

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) October 25, 2019

The AJC co-organized a ShowUpForShabbat service with the Chief Rabbi and the Warsaw Jewish Community, which was attended by the Ambassadors of Israel, Australia, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Spain, Romania, representatives of Hungary and the US, Catholic and Lutheran bishops.

The assistant to the Chief Rabbi of Tunisia also participated, welcoming AJC’s Jason Isaacson and Benjamin Rogers to the Grand Synagogue.

AJC’s #ShowUpForShabbat campaign stretches from the U.S. to Japan to Tunisia to Bulgaria to Uruguay.
It’s Shabbat now in Tunisia, where Moche Uzan, assistant to the Chief Rabbi of Tunisia, welcomed AJC’s Jason Isaacson and Benjamin Rogers to the Grand Synagogue earlier today. pic.twitter.com/gXMNp5Ahck

— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) October 25, 2019

In Jerusalem as well, US Ambassador to the State of Israel, David M. Friedman also added his voice to the campaign:

As we approach the one yr anniversary of the horrific Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh, I have added my name to AJC’s #ShowUpForShabbat site. I stand with all those fighting anti-semitism, whether in the USA, Israel or elsewhere. We surely will prevail over this vile scourge.

— David M. Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) October 25, 2019

As one of the writers on Twitter urged, “Show up for those who no longer can.”