City’s Jewish community to hold vigil after Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/10/2018 (2705 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg’s Jewish community is heartened by the outpouring of support from religious leaders and others across the city, in the wake of Saturday’s fatal shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue.

In Roman Catholic churches, a special prayer was held in all liturgies across the city Sunday for the victims and families of the Pittsburgh shooting.

“We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters as God begs us all back to our common humanity as sons and daughters of God,” wrote Rev. Robert Polz, representing the Roman Catholic Church. “We condemn all forms of anti-Semitism and violence.”

Indigenous elder Stan Fontaine told Jewish counterparts that Indigenous people stand in solidarity with Jewish people at this tragic time.

“No one should be the recipient of that kind of racism and hatred in today’s world,” Fontaine wrote in an email. “May God give the Jewish people more strength.”

The local Muslim community also opened its hearts to Jewish people.

“Our Jewish relatives have our support and prayers in this time of grief and trauma,” said Shahina Siddiqui, Islamic Social Services Association executive director. “Canadian Muslims stand with firm resolve against anti-Semitism, religious bigotry, xenophobia and hate.”

A lone gunman shouting “All Jews must die” killed 11 people inside the Pittsburgh synagogue and wounded at least six other people.

Winnipeg’s Jewish community is holding a vigil on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Congregation Shaarey Zedek on Wellington Crescent, which is open to everyone. Similar vigils will be held by Jewish federations across the country. 

Laurel Malkin, president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, said local Jews have been overwhelmed with the support from fellow Manitobans.

“People don’t care what religion you are. Everyone is obviously horrified by the thought of being in a house of worship and someone launching such an attack,” she said.

The incident in Pittsburgh shows such an event could happen anywhere and to any faith, Malkin said.

Many people have been to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh or have connections there, she said. “I was at brunch this morning and a woman said her niece married at that synagogue (Tree of Life Congregation),” she said.

“It’s a very Jewish neighbourhood in Pittsburgh and closely connected. People know each other, like in Winnipeg where we’re all connected,” she said.

Malkin said Jews feel safe in Winnipeg but the federation did get in touch with the Winnipeg police following the Pittsburgh shooting. Malkin didn’t want the full contents of that discussion known but said police informed her they would be doing extra drive-bys of Jewish centres.

“They are so supportive of the Jewish community,” she said. “We have good relations with the police and they have always been there for us.”

She said Jews will be careful. “We are vigilant as a Jewish community but we also have to live our lives,” she said.

“It’s not going to stop us from going to our synagogue. It’s not going to stop us from being Canadian Jews. We will continue doing what we’ve always done. You can’t be afraid.”

Rabbi Shmuly Altein at the Jewish Learning Centre said the community is in shock. “It’s a wake-up call, and community organization are reviewing our security protocol,” he said.

Rabbi Altein said there has been a resurgence of anti-Semitism generally.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca