A vigil Sunday night on the University of Minnesota campus for the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting carried a theme of recognizing the humanity in other people no matter their differenc\u2026<\/b>
\nA vigil Sunday night on the University of Minnesota campus for the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting carried a theme of recognizing the humanity in other people no matter their differences.
At least 200 people attended the service at the Minnesota Hillel, the student Jewish center. The event included songs, prayers, scripture reading and lighting of candles to remember the synagogue victims.
On Saturday morning, authorities say, Robert Bowers entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh and opened fire, killing 11 people and wounding six others. Four of the wounded were police officers. Bowers was shot several times and was hospitalized in fair condition.
Bowers was charged Saturday night with 29 federal counts, which could lead to the death penalty.
Related: Police: Synagogue gunman said \u2018I just want to kill Jews\u2019
Steve Fletcher, a Minneapolis city council member, spoke at the vigil. He said he attended Hillel as a college student and wanted to let the community know he would be more open about being Jewish in his role on the council.
\u201cWhen we are under attack we need to work to be more visible,\u201d he said. \u201cWe need to let people know that this thing that affects Jews affects people they know.\u201d
Eli Singer, the Hillel student body president, urged the community not to let the actions of one person \u201cdefine who you are.\u201d
\u201cWe are here tonight because we are horrified by the shooting in PIttsburgh and crave to share those emotions with others,\u201d he said. \u201cDo not let the actions of one person destroy us.\u201d
Twelve candles were lit by students at the front of the room. Each student said a victim\u2019s name as they lit a candle. The 12th candle was lit in memory of all the victims of gun violence around the world.
Freshman Ben Wallerstein said he attended the vigil in part because he is Jewish but also because he \u201cfelt it was important to come together as a community in the wake of a tragedy and to remember the victims and strengthen the community.\u201d
Wallerstein said he feels safe attending events at Hillel but said the thought of being at risk at his place of worship did cross his mind after Saturday\u2019s shooting.
During the vigil, Rabbi Ryan Dulkin said that the country\u2019s political, civic and religious leaders are not doing enough to stop the spread of hate. He also called on community members to see the humanity in others.
\u201cWe will answer darkness with light,\u201d he said. \u201cLet us live our lives as a testimony to love and a rejection of hate.\u201d
Dulkin called the shooting an \u201cunspeakable, heinous act.\u201d As to the shooter, he said, \u201cI will not utter his name.\u201d
Iris Tzafrir attended the vigil with her husband and teenage daughter. She said it was important to show support for the Jewish community. She said she was impressed that people of other faiths attended and offered support, noting that is what the Jewish community does.
\u201cWe need to stand up to hate together. That\u2019s the long and the short of it,\u201d she said.
\u201cWe have to really pay attention to the escalation of hate in this country,\u201d she added. \u201cIf you see someone different than you being attacked or treated in a not-right way, we need to do something. We need to help each other. We need to do an act of kindness and get back to the basics. We need to see the humanity in everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Similarity rank: 19<\/div>\n

Sentiment rank: -0.7<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

TW posts: 1<\/div>\n

TW reposts: 0<\/div>\n

TW likes: 0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n