Vigil at University Synagogue in Irvine following Pittsburgh mass shooting draws hundreds
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An interfaith service to help people grapple with the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history was held at University Synagogue in Irvine on Monday night and drew a standing room-only crowd of hundreds of people.
On Saturday, a gunman stormed The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing 11 of its members and injuring more, including members of law enforcement.
The Monday, Oct. 29 event was led by University Synagogue Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, who was joined by Rabbi Peter Levi, director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Orange County/Long Beach regional office, Douglas Haynes, UC Irvine vice provost, and others.
In announcing the service, Rachlis said, “We’re all shocked and angry as we deal with the murderous anti-Semitic shooting in Pittsburgh that has left 11 people dead. We are comforted that so many people of all religions have condemned these murders, but we are also aware that there’s too much anti-Semitic and white supremacist rhetoric that is too often overlooked in our society.
“We mourn for the victims and we offer strength in the days ahead to their survivors and to all who were present during this tragedy,” he said.