They didn’t set out to find quick answers, and they didn’t find them. But they hoped to lay the groundwork for some long-term solutions.
About 150 local leaders of different faiths and denominations gathered at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill on Thursday morning to talk about next steps following the Oct. 27 synagogue massacre less than a mile away.
The session was titled, “We Have to Talk.” It served as both a show of solidarity with the Jewish community and a wider call to action against a spreading intolerance of other religious, racial and ethnic minorities.
“Clergy needed a space like this,” said the Rev. Liddy Barlow, executive minister of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania. The ecumenical organization was one of the organizers behind the event, along with the JCC, the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.
"This has affected clergy very deeply, some personally, others just by trying to prioritize spiritual leadership in a hurting city,” said Rev. Barlow.
In the Oct. 27 attack, a gunman killed 11 and wounded other worshipers and police officers in an attack on three congregations gathered for Shabbat observances at the Tree of Life / Or L’Simcha synagogue building in Squirrel Hill. Members of Tree of Life, New Light Congregation and Congregation Dor Hadash all lost members. Authorities say the gunman, now in custody and possibly facing the death penalty if convicted, had posted anti-Semitic rants online.
The clergy gathering Thursday, including two of the rabbis of the targeted congregations, talked about what they needed to do to build stronger interfaith ties and combat the hatred behind the attack.
Some of those attending were long-time participants in interfaith dialogues, while others are newcomers, and organizers say they will review comments of participants to plan next steps.
“No one of us is doing this alone,” said Rabbi Ron Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Life at the JCC. “We do not know what is next, but we know we’re going to make sure this is not a one-and-done.”
Peter Smith: petersmith@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1416; Twitter @PG_PeterSmith.
First Published: November 9, 2018, 2:55 a.m.