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…
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 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 ‘I just want to kill Jews’
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.
“When we are under attack we need to work to be more visible,” he said. “We need to let people know that this thing that affects Jews affects people they know.”
Eli Singer, the Hillel student body president, urged the community not to let the actions of one person “define who you are.”
“We are here tonight because we are horrified by the shooting in PIttsburgh and crave to share those emotions with others,” he said. “Do not let the actions of one person destroy us.”
Twelve candles were lit by students at the front of the room. Each student said a victim’s 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 “felt it was important to come together as a community in the wake of a tragedy and to remember the victims and strengthen the community.”
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’s shooting.
During the vigil, Rabbi Ryan Dulkin said that the country’s 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.
“We will answer darkness with light,” he said. “Let us live our lives as a testimony to love and a rejection of hate.”
Dulkin called the shooting an “unspeakable, heinous act.” As to the shooter, he said, “I will not utter his name.”
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.
“We need to stand up to hate together. That’s the long and the short of it,” she said.
“We have to really pay attention to the escalation of hate in this country,” she added. “If 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.”
