A deadly anti-Semitic hatred descended on Pittsburgh over the weekend when a gunman opened fire on the Tree of Life synagogue, slaughtering eleven worshippers, and injuring several others including police officers. Words condemning the rising tide of visible anti-semitism in the U.S. poured in from across the interfaith community, including from a few prominent Christian leaders.
Kay Warren, author and speaker
I am walking around my house today in a daze, trying to absorb the shock and horror of a mass shooting in a place of peace and worship. To all my Jewish friends: we are with you in your grief. We weep&mourn& beg God to protect you from evil people.
— Kay Warren (@KayWarren1) October 27, 2018
Karen Swallow Prior, author and professor
I honestly have no words to offer about the horrific and terrible acts of “homegrown” terrorism we’ve seen in this country in recent days.
All I know to say to our Jewish, Black, minority, and politically “other” neighbors is that you are valuable and important, and I’m sorry.
— Karen Swallow Prior (@KSPrior) October 27, 2018
Rev. Dr. William Barber, pastor and activist
I’m reminded of what Dr. King said after four little girls were murdered in an Alabama church: “we must be concerned not merely about who murdered them, but about the system, the way of life, the philosophy which produced the murderer.”
— Rev. Dr. Barber (@RevDrBarber) October 28, 2018
Austin Channing Brown, author and activist
I have no words but want to acknowledge the deep pain of our Jewish family and friends. #PittsburghSynagogue
— Austin Channing Brown (@austinchanning) October 27, 2018
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, author and philosopher
1/ The deadly attack inside a synagogue earlier today in #Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has pierced the heart of Jewish communities worldwide. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost loved ones – may they be comforted among all the other mourners of Zion.
— Rabbi Sacks (@rabbisacks) October 27, 2018
Jemar Tisby, author and activist
So much of the harm that’s happening right now stems from the unwillingness of large groups of people to acknowledge that words matter. The rhetoric, the insults, the inflammatory comments end in violence both emotional and, as we keep seeing, physical, too.
— Jemar Tisby (@JemarTisby) October 28, 2018
Jonathan Martin, pastor and author
Death at The Tree of Life synagogue. If only it were allegory–some twisted Pilgrim’s Progress–not all too real bodies. It is apocalyptic time–many chances to see, & repent. But if we did not listen to Moses, MLK, or the prophets–would we listen if someone rose from the dead?
— Jonathan Martin (@theboyonthebike) October 27, 2018
Carlos A. Rodríguez, speaker and activist
שלום
To our Jewish sisters and brothers. To the Tree of Life community in Pittsburgh. To every family member grieving.
We stand with you.
— Carlos A. Rodríguez (@HappySonship) October 27, 2018
Erwin McManus, Pastor and Author
Rabbi Jason Miller
Remembering the 11 innocent souls at the Tree Of Life Congregation
Joyce Feinberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Melvin Wax, Irving Younger, May their memories be for a blessing.#NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/TNkPCXs6fW
— Rabbi Jason Miller (@RabbiJason) October 28, 2018
Chad Veach, Author and Pastor
deeply saddened and sickened by todays attack… praying for the families who lost loved ones. and once again, praying for our nation. God heal our land, heal our hearts… we need you NOW more than EVER before
— chad veach (@chadcveach) October 27, 2018
Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, Rabbi and Author
This is what I wrote last night about #TreeOfLifeSynagogue. We are obligated to see this atrocity in all of its contexts.https://t.co/sowGPjpqdU
— Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (@TheRaDR) October 28, 2018
Beth Moore, Preacher and Author
Hate murders. (1 John 3:15)
It murders love.
It murders relationship.
It murders families.
It murders friendships.
It murders peace.
It murders compassion.
It murders joy.
It murders PEOPLE.
OUR NEIGHBORS.
It is rabidly contagious.
The hunt for hate starts in our own hearts.— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) October 29, 2018
The shooter, Robert Bowers, is in custody. The investigation is ongoing, but he had a history of posting violent threats against Jews and immigrants on social media platforms.
