Long Islanders are hosting vigils across the region to show solidarity with the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that left 11 dead and many others injured Saturday.
Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against 46-year-old Robert Bowers, who was arrested and charged with opening fire at the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue while allegedly shouting anti-Semitic phrases. Among those killed was Rose Mallinger, a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor.
“The shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh is a sad and frightening reminder that the forces of antisemitism and hate are alive and threatening,” the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County said in a statement. “Too many incidents like this have happened in Europe and other parts of the world in recent times. It is clear that the significant increase in antisemitic incidents all over our country – including here on Long Island – are not merely harmless acts of a lunatic fringe, and that appropriate and strong responses are called for.”
Local vigils planned are as follows:
Student Vigil
The Interfaith Center, the Jewish Student Union, Chabad, the Center for Student Involvement, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Office of the President of Adelphi University will be holding a vigil at the Flagpole. Adelphi University, Garden City. 5 p.m. Oct. 29.
Prayer Vigil
Standing in solidarity with prayers for the Jewish community. Islamic Center of Long Island, 835 Brush Hollor Rd., Westbury, icliny.org 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
Community-Wide Solidarity Rally & Vigil
STOP the Hate, Standing Together Opposing Poisonous Prejudice. Dix Hills Jewish Center, 555 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
Candlelight Vigil
Long Beach city officials, religious leaders and community leaders remember those lost. Kennedy Plaza, 1 W. Chester St.m Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
A Time To Mourne, A Time To Hope
The Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center, along with the Interfaith Clergy Councils and many of our local synagogues, will be hosting a vigil for the community. This will be a time to come together in solidarity to mourn this terrible loss and to unite us at a time when we need to support each other regardless of our different beliefs or appearances. Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Rd., Plainview, miyjcc.org 7 p.m. Oct. 30.
Combat The Darkness With Light
Community vigil hosted by Chabad of Oceanside, Friedberg JCC, Hewlett/East Rockaway Jewish Center, Oceanside Jewish Center, Temple Avoda, and Young Israel of Oceanside at the Oceanside Veterans Triangle, Long Beach Road, Oceanside. 7 p.m. Oct. 30.
Long Island Jewish Teens Gather In Solidarity
n an evening of solidarity, Long Island Jewish teens will gather for “One Hour of Unity” in memory of those murdered in The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. This is a project of Jewish youth groups. #Mitzvah4Pittsburgh The Chai Center, 501 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills. 7 p.m. Nov. 1.
