Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack: Jewish Community Rallies For Healing

PITTSBURGH, PA – Before Tuesday, Chris Music had never participated in a political rally or demonstration. Events of the last few days in Pittsburgh motivated him to pick up a poster board and take a stand.

It was also no coincidence that his decision to take part in the Pittsburgh Loves All Our Neighbors rally coincided Tuesday afternoon with a visit to Pittsburgh by President Donald Trump.

“I don’t like the hateful rhetoric that comes out of his mouth,” said Music of Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood. “It’s detrimental to the country … I decided when there is a horrific event like (the deadly attack on the Tree of Life synagogue) happens, it’s time for me to take a stand.”

Music was not alone.

Several thousand people came out to the rally that started at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Beechwood Boulevard to show their support and love for families of the 11 people who were killed in the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday. The rally, which included traditional prayers and song of the Jewish faith, was organized by Bend The Arc, a Jewish activist group.

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The rally also was intended to send a loud message to Trump.

During the demonstration, organizers read aloud a letter sent to the White House saying that Trump was not welcome in Pittsburgh until he changes his stance on white nationalism and political agenda against refugees and immigrants.

Throughout the crowd, people held signs with slogans like “Trump Apologize for Stoking the hate or go home” and “Hate’s enabler is not my neighbor.”

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Cassidy Pearsall, a Carnegie Mellon University student and Rochester, New York native, carried a sign that simply read: “We are stronger than hate.” It was a message that permeated throughout the crowd.

In perhaps the ultimate show of kindness on the sunny autumn day, David Long of Pittsburgh was serving up homemade soup and bread along the street.

“I’m just giving food away,” Long said as he ladled a bowl of the beef soup with black truffles to Diana Aschner of Beechview. “People need to eat.”

Aschner warmly accepted the soup.

“Oh my god, it’s so good,” Aschner said as she prepared to take part in the rally. “I want leaders who favor peace over cronyism,” she explained between slurps of soup. “As a community, we can do that.”

The rally and march stretched west on Forbes Avenue and then turned north on Shady Avenue. A block south of the Tree of Life synagogue, the march halted. It was at that time that President Trump’s motorcade arrived at the synagogue for a visit.

The crowd in unison, turned it’s back and kneeled away from the president’s contingent.

The group then rose to its feet and continued with a brief prayer: “Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha’olam dayan ha’emet.” (Translation: ‘Blessed are You, Adonai Our God, Ruler of the Universe, the True Judge.”

The march then continued west on Northumberland Street and then onto Murray Avenue.

Photos by Jeff Stacklin/Patch