Leaders react to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting verdict

“Today, we remember the lives of Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Melvin Wax, Daniel Stein, Irving Younger, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Joyce Feinberg, Richard Gottfried, Cecil Rosenthal, and David Rosenthal. May their memories be a blessing.

“Pittsburgh, please join me in praying for the family and friends of those we lost and those who survived this horrific tragedy. I hope that today helps our Jewish brothers and sisters, and our entire city, begin their journey towards healing.

“As we continue to eliminate hate from our beloved city, remember: Pittsburgh is stronger than hate.

— Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey

• • •

“October 27, 2018 will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days in the City of Pittsburgh. City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety personnel who responded to the tragedy have been indelibly marked by what they experienced that day. The trial has inevitably ripped open wounds that may never truly heal.

“It is the Department of Public Safety’s fervent hope that the verdict brings the victims’ families, and our personnel involved, a measure of justice for those whose lives were lost.”

— Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt

• • •

“Today, we stand together as a community in the wake of the guilty verdict in the trial of the synagogue shooter. While the judicial process continues forward towards sentencing, we remain committed to the therapeutic support for bereaved and injured families.

“In the coming weeks, we will continue our efforts to ensure accessible and comprehensive therapeutic services in the courtroom. Our team of highly trained professionals will continue to provide counseling, trauma-informed care, and resources to support bereaved and injured witnesses and families.

“Therapeutic support is available for all those who are impacted by the shooting — please reach out on 1027HealingPartnership.org to request assistance.

— Dr. Jordan Golin, president and CEO Jewish Family and Community Services

• • •

“The Pittsburgh jury’s conviction of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooter on all 63 charges against him, including 11 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, is a vindication of the American system of justice. It is also an unmistakable reminder of Jew hatred and racial bigotry left unchecked.

“Society cannot remain complacent and only care about the lives of Jews after an atrocity has been committed. We call on all federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies to take all necessary measures to protect synagogues and other Jewish institutions across the United States from any similar tragedy.

“In the memory of those lives lost, may a dark day never be repeated.”

— Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress

• • •

“We acknowledge that today’s verdict is just the first phase of this lengthy trial, as we now begin the penalty phase that will continue through the summer.

“We also recognize that the impact of this shooting extends far beyond those most directly impacted within American society and the Jewish people. We especially thank the citizenry of the greater Pittsburgh region for standing with the Jewish community since October 27, 2018 and supporting our communal efforts towards healing and resiliency.

“We are mindful that while the impact of this event has far reaching implications on a national and global stage, it will forever remain a deeply personal and lasting experience in our neighborhood. May the memories of the 11 individuals taken from us that day forever be for a blessing.”

— JCC of Greater Pittsburgh

• • •

“Justice has been served. We realize it does little to ease the pain for the families and friends of the 11 people murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh simply for being Jewish and practicing their faith. However, we hope this verdict allows them to continue the slow process of healing if not closure. The memories of those taken will always be a blessing. Countering the antisemitic hate that invaded their sacred and joyous space must be the job for all of society, not just the Jewish community.”

— American Jewish Committee

• • •

“In the 7th chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, Moses delivers the powerful message: ‘The Lord has set His heart on you because the Lord loved you.’ Those words were spoken to the beloved Jewish people. At this delicate time for the Pittsburgh Jewish Community and beyond, we all need to embrace not only God’s words but especially at this time set our hearts on our Jewish sisters and brothers as God does.”

— Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese Bishop David Zubik

• • •

“This resounding conviction — guilty on all 63 counts, including hate crimes — is a clear rebuke of the hate and antisemitism that motivated the defendant to target worshippers observing Shabbat morning services across three congregations: Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light.

“We must continue working to root out the antisemitism that plagues our Nation and our world to this day. Antisemitic incidents in the United States reached a new high in 2022, four years after this attack. We owe it to those who lost their lives, the members of these congregations, and the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and beyond to ensure this never happens again.”

— U.S. Sen. Bob Casey

• • •

“Gisele and I are remembering the victims whose lives were taken during the horrific Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh over four years ago. Today, a jury found the shooter guilty of all charges. This is a step towards justice for such a hateful, disgusting, and antisemitic attack. We all must continue to stand in solidarity with Pennsylvania’s Jewish community against the evil of antisemitism.”

— U.S. Sen. John Fetterman

• • •

“May the memories of those taken from us be forever a blessing. And may the strength and resilience shown by the survivors, the victims’ family members, and the entire Jewish community throughout this heartbreaking trial forever be an inspiration to us all. They inspire me to work even harder to confront the root causes of hatred, racism, and bigotry so that no community has to live in fear of such senseless violence ever again.”

— U.S. Rep. Summer Lee