Comments from CEO Jeff Finkelstein, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

Jeff Finkelstein, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh made the following comments regarding the synagogue shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue:

"Today our city, which has ordinarily been among the most safe and secure in the nation, was rocked by horrible tragedy. Our hearts are broken, and we offer our condolences to the friends and family of those killed. I hope and pray for the healing of everyone affected and for all of us who are sickened by these recent events. We are truly all family in the Pittsburgh Jewish community, so these deaths have affected all of us as would a death in one’s nuclear family.

We want to thank our brave first responders, some of who were reported wounded. We have had an excellent relationship with the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Police, and their response in this emergency was exemplary.

Many synagogues share the sacred space where this tragedy occurred, including the combined Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation, a Conservative congregation, and Dor Hadash, a Reconstructionist congregation.

An attack of any kind—and especially an attack on a place of worship—is despicable. Violence has no place in our society or in our community.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh will work in the coming days and weeks, alongside our many community partners, Jewish agencies and synagogues, to bring the Jewish community and all of Pittsburgh together to mourn, to help those affected and to heal. We are stronger than the tragedies that befall us because we are strong together.

For the bereaved families, we offer the traditional Jewish condolences, 'May the families of the fallen be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

We also offer a Refuah Shlema, a traditional Jewish prayer for healing for those injured and for all sickened by this tragedy."