Top Stories

Thousands attend vigil at Soldiers and Sailors to honor victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

PITTSBURGH — An interfaith vigil was held in Oakland on Sunday for the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

Thousands gathered at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial to remember the victims.

How to help victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

“At this time of grief, coming together as a community offers us some comfort and solace. We hope that being together will strengthen our bonds at this difficult time,” said Jeffrey Finkelstein, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers spoke at the vigil. He said he began services at 9:45 a.m. Saturday and the shooting started a few minutes later. Myers said there were 12 people in the sanctuary at the time, most sitting in the back.

"I helped pull out the people that I could from the front. But, alas, I had eight people in the back. One fortunately survived," Myers said. "I'm a survivor. I'm a mourner."

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the victims and those affected by the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue. CLICK HERE to donate.

Rabbi Jonathan Pearlman of the New Light Congregation is credited with shepherding some of his congregants behind a door and saving their lives during the shooting.

During Sunday's vigil, he spoke of losing three pillars of the community who, he said, "would give you the third off their back."

"What happened yesterday will not break us," Pearlman said. "We will continue to thrive and sing and worship and learn together."

Reading this in our app? Tap + above the headline to subscribe to alerts for the very latest updates on this developing story. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

RELATED HEADLINES:

Cox Media Group

Most Read