Beth Israel synagogue opens doors for Shabbat services
Visitors to Beth Israel synagogue look at pictures of Bernice and Sylvan Simon, who were killed in the massacre at Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill Oct. 27. The Simon’s son, Marc, is a member of Beth Israel.
Members of the community attended a special service at Beth Israel synagogue in Washington to show support in the wake of the Oct. 27 shootings at Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill that left 11 worshipers dead and six others injured.
Marc Simon, right, a member of Beth Israel synagogue, and his son, Malone, share a moment at a memorial service Friday. Marc's parents, Bernice and Sylvan, were killed by a gunman Oct. 27 at Tree of Life synagogue.
Karen Mansfield/Observer-Reporter
Members of the community attended a special service at Beth Israel synagogue in Washington Friday to show support in the wake of the Oct. 27 shootings at Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill that left 11 worshipers dead and six others injured.
Love was stronger than hate Friday at Beth Israel synagogue in Washington.
About 150 people of different faiths and beliefs attended an interfaith service at the synagogue as a show of love and support less than a week after a shooting at Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill Oct. 27 left 11 worshipers dead.
Among those who were killed were Sylvan and Bernice Simon, whose son, Marc, is a member of the Beth Israel congregation.
Earlier this week, the American Jewish Committee, a global Jewish advocacy organization, organized the #ShowUpForShabbat campaign and encouraged Americans of all faiths to attend synagogues for Shabbat services.
“It’s horrid. It’s just awful what happened,” said Margaret Ottena of Houston, who attended the service with her husband, Barry. “We wanted to pay our respects and show there are caring people out there.”
Pastor Gary Gibson, of North Buffalo Presbyterian Church, who was among a handful of speakers, commended the show of unity demonstrated by people throughout the country and across the world who were attending services.
“We gather tonight putting aside the church we may attend, or may be a member of, for a much bigger reason, and that reason is unity. Tonight our greatest strength is unity,” said Gibson.
Gibson urged those in attendance to consider what action should be taken to prevent future tragedies like the one that occurred at Tree of Life.
“How many schools, how many places of worship, how many more places of employment have to become battlegrounds before we say enough is enough,” he asked, “and come to the realization that we have to change the tone of our expression when it comes to what we believe in and be willing to work together to find the best way for positive change and to bring it about.”
Rabbi David C. Novitsky said the outpouring of support for the synagogue and the Simon family throughout the week has been overwhelming.
“I’ll be honest, the people of Washington are great people. People who came here are here because they want to share your pain and your grief,” said Novitsky. “People are sincerely hurt by what happened and they want to do something.”
The Simons’ children, Marc, Michael and Michelle Simon Weis spoke about their parents’ love for each other and their family.
Also attending was Washington County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Katherine B. Emery, who talked about tolerance.
“How do we recover and heal?” she asked. “We need to celebrate goodness and we need to show love and tolerance.”
In a surprise, Novitksy held a bar mitzvah for Sylvan and Bernice Simon’s grandson, Malone, a student at California University of Pennsylvania, at the end of the service. The occasion, Novitsky said, was celebratory.
“We want you to move forward with your life,” he said.