Thousands of people from all faiths united behind calls that love defeat hate Sunday as Pittsburgh mourned the worst anti-Semitic attack in recent US history and the city's "darkest hour."
From an Islamic leader who announced that Muslims had raised tens of thousands of dollars to help their Jewish brethren, to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin's taped message of solidarity, to promises of support from Christian clerics, Pittsburgh stood shoulder to shoulder against anti-Semitism.
"I'm a victim. I'm a survivor. I'm a mourner," said Rabbi Jeffrey Myers from the Tree of Life synagogue who helped pull worshippers to safety when the shooter opened fire minutes into Shabbat services.
"Seven of my congregants were shot dead in my sanctuary. My holy place has been defiled," Myers declared.
"Words of hate are unwelcome in Pittsburgh," he said to cheers and a standing ovation. "Ladies and gentlemen it has to start with you as our leaders.
"My words are not intended as political fodder. I address all equally. Stop the words of hate."
He finished with a memorial prayer in Hebrew, his voice aching with emotion, and wiping tears from his eyes with a handkerchief.
Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania city that made its fortune in the steel industry, is made of stern stuff -- proud of its blue collar roots, sporting prowess and reputation as a sanctuary for all.
- 'City of compassion' -
The names of the 11 dead, many of them elderly, were written on a screen, hanging before inscribed words from Abraham Lincoln, and the entire ceremony was translated into sign language for the deaf.
"We will defeat hate with love. We will be a city of compassion welcoming to all people no matter what your religion or where your family came from," promised Mayor Bill Peduto.
"We will drive anti-Semitism and the hate of any people back to the basement on their computer and away from the open discussions and dialogue around the city, around this state and around this country."
There was standing room only in the neoclassical surrounds of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, with people lining the back walls, filling the lobby and others crouched on the floor.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, several congressmen, and billionaire Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, joined the service.
Mourners stood to sing the US national anthem, Israel's national anthem the Hatikvah and Irving Berlin's secular anthem "God Bless America." An African-American choir took to the stage.
The ceremony closed with a quartet from the Pittsburgh Symphony playing two pieces, one written by a Holocaust survivor whose family perished in Kristallnacht.
Wasi Mohamed, head of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, announced that Muslims had already raised more than $70,000 to help their Jewish neighbors, news greeted by a spontaneous standing ovation.
- 'Shattered' -
"We just want to know what you need. If it's more money, let us know. If it's people outside your next service protecting you, let us know we'll be there," he said.
Israeli cabinet minister Naftali Bennett, who flew through the night to mourn with Americans, called the slaughter the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in the history of the United States.
"Nearly 80 years since Kristallnacht when the Jews of Europe perished in the flames of their houses of worship, one thing is clear," he said.
"Anti-Semitism, Jew-hating is not a distant memory... nor a chapter in the history books, it is a very real threat.
"We will not stay silent. We will overcome. Unity will defeat division. Love will defeat hatred. Light will defeat darkness."
A speaker informed the room that outside "thousands" of people had braved the cold and rain to listen to the more than 90-minute service on loudspeakers.
"I thought that it was beautiful and mournful, and it was hopeful and it was a true reflection of what Pittsburgh has to offer," said Mark Dixon, a 42-year-old filmmaker huddling in the chilly weather outside.
"I love this city and it pains me to see it shattered, even for just a moment by hate, and so I just had to come and be present for the ceremony that ultimately rejects hate."
Thousands of people from all faiths united behind calls that love defeat hate Sunday as Pittsburgh mourned the worst anti-Semitic attack in recent US history and the city’s “darkest hour.”
From an Islamic leader who announced that Muslims had raised tens of thousands of dollars to help their Jewish brethren, to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin’s taped message of solidarity, to promises of support from Christian clerics, Pittsburgh stood shoulder to shoulder against anti-Semitism.
“I’m a victim. I’m a survivor. I’m a mourner,” said Rabbi Jeffrey Myers from the Tree of Life synagogue who helped pull worshippers to safety when the shooter opened fire minutes into Shabbat services.
“Seven of my congregants were shot dead in my sanctuary. My holy place has been defiled,” Myers declared.
“Words of hate are unwelcome in Pittsburgh,” he said to cheers and a standing ovation. “Ladies and gentlemen it has to start with you as our leaders.
“My words are not intended as political fodder. I address all equally. Stop the words of hate.”
He finished with a memorial prayer in Hebrew, his voice aching with emotion, and wiping tears from his eyes with a handkerchief.
Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania city that made its fortune in the steel industry, is made of stern stuff — proud of its blue collar roots, sporting prowess and reputation as a sanctuary for all.
– ‘City of compassion’ –
The names of the 11 dead, many of them elderly, were written on a screen, hanging before inscribed words from Abraham Lincoln, and the entire ceremony was translated into sign language for the deaf.
“We will defeat hate with love. We will be a city of compassion welcoming to all people no matter what your religion or where your family came from,” promised Mayor Bill Peduto.
“We will drive anti-Semitism and the hate of any people back to the basement on their computer and away from the open discussions and dialogue around the city, around this state and around this country.”
There was standing room only in the neoclassical surrounds of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, with people lining the back walls, filling the lobby and others crouched on the floor.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, several congressmen, and billionaire Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, joined the service.
Mourners stood to sing the US national anthem, Israel’s national anthem the Hatikvah and Irving Berlin’s secular anthem “God Bless America.” An African-American choir took to the stage.
The ceremony closed with a quartet from the Pittsburgh Symphony playing two pieces, one written by a Holocaust survivor whose family perished in Kristallnacht.
Wasi Mohamed, head of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, announced that Muslims had already raised more than $70,000 to help their Jewish neighbors, news greeted by a spontaneous standing ovation.
– ‘Shattered’ –
“We just want to know what you need. If it’s more money, let us know. If it’s people outside your next service protecting you, let us know we’ll be there,” he said.
Israeli cabinet minister Naftali Bennett, who flew through the night to mourn with Americans, called the slaughter the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in the history of the United States.
“Nearly 80 years since Kristallnacht when the Jews of Europe perished in the flames of their houses of worship, one thing is clear,” he said.
“Anti-Semitism, Jew-hating is not a distant memory… nor a chapter in the history books, it is a very real threat.
“We will not stay silent. We will overcome. Unity will defeat division. Love will defeat hatred. Light will defeat darkness.”
A speaker informed the room that outside “thousands” of people had braved the cold and rain to listen to the more than 90-minute service on loudspeakers.
“I thought that it was beautiful and mournful, and it was hopeful and it was a true reflection of what Pittsburgh has to offer,” said Mark Dixon, a 42-year-old filmmaker huddling in the chilly weather outside.
“I love this city and it pains me to see it shattered, even for just a moment by hate, and so I just had to come and be present for the ceremony that ultimately rejects hate.”
