I would love to tell you what an awesome weekend it was, but sadly, it was not.
The horrific events of Saturday have scarred this city, and most especially the community of Squirrel Hill. My heart aches for the eleven lives that were brutally ended as they worshiped together at the Tree of Life Synagogue. To the families of the victims, I send my love and prayers to join with those of my fellow Pittsburghers as we stand with you in support.
If you have not read Howard Fineman’s NYTimes OpEd, you should. And, then read Bari Weiss’s article. and, finally, read the Dispatch from Squirrel Hill: Dread in a peaceful place by David Shribman and you will begin to understand the community that Squirrel Hill is, and more importantly, the community that the Tree of Life is.
I have spent much of the weekend wondering where we go from here and how I can help heal these wounds.
Sarah made some excellent suggestions for ways to give in her post, I am adding to her list and adding HIAS. There is also a gofundme for the congregation as well as a LaunchGood campaign for the victims’ families.
We might be bruised, but we are not broken. Hate never wins.
Thanks, Kat. Seeing the outpouring of support from all over is making it easier to process the horror. It is good to know that we are not alone, and I am so glad to live in this wonderful city.
So very saddened by what happened in Pittsburgh this weekend. It is unacceptable to me that so many in our country feel it is ok to attack others based on religion, race, gender, sex…. But then the tone is set at the top – where we are led by a bully and antagonist. We have seen similar reactions from him in the Charleston and Charlottesville tragedies.
Thank you for sharing the articles you did and Sarah’s blog post – which I had read on IG. It broke my heart. And yes – we must stand up, speak out, VOTE!
I am proud to work for an organization that fights against these types of injustices everyday. And represents the underrepresented in a country where not everyone has a voice.
One can only keep eyes focused straight and ahead and invoke the “golden rule,” love thy neighbor, pray…and vote. My heart aches for us all. Thank you for sharing these editorial links. Prayers for us all.
Good thoughts being sent from the other side of the state. It is unfathomable how someone could hate so much.
It’s so hard not to feel discouraged and beaten down right now but we must hold on to hope. The words of others are eloquent and helpful, my heart is with your community right now.
Every time I think we’ve reached bottom, we seem to go lower. I just . . . don’t know what to say anymore. But I’m trying to be . . . MORE. More kind. More thoughtful. More helpful. And I’m looking for hope. Always looking for hope. . .
(When Erin and Keith lived in Pittsburgh, they lived in Squirrel Hill. Very near the synagogue. It is such a wonderful neighborhood — with such a strong community spirit. It’s hard for me to imagine something like this . . . happening in such a place. My heart just aches.)
XOXO
Unfathomable. I hope we see some signs of change on 11/6… we need a rope!
Hate simply can not win, so I’m going to hold peace and love in my heart, for all. I may not see it in my lifetime but we have to vote and keep hoping.
Oh Kat, I’m so sorry for Pittsburgh … and for all of us! I read Sarah’s Instagram post to Marc last night … we both felt close to everything there, but Sarah… words can’t even. Thank you for the links. I just read an email from my church sharing info about interfaith prayer vigils in our area. Sadly I can’t attend any of them, but we had a candle lighting ceremony during our service yesterday that was surprisingly uplifting in spite of the tears. xxoo.
Sending loving thoughts to my DH’s hometown. It is hard to remain hopeful when such hateful actions occur. In addition to your suggestions on how to help, I saw that a Pittsburgh yarn shop has a “Tree of Life” afghan project in the works and a group on Ravely where it’s explained.
Let us hold onto hope, goodness, and courage. Let us be kind and gracious. Above all – Vote. Prayers for all of us.
A terrible tragedy; there’s way too much hate in the world.