Local Community Memorial Gathering Planned to Honor Victims in Pittsburgh Synagogue

A local community gathering is planned Monday night in honor of the 11 people killed Saturday, in a Synagogue in Pittsburgh. The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis announced a Community Memorial Gathering with faith leaders from across Central Indiana.

Senior Rabbi Dennis Sasso, at Congregation Beth-L-ZeDeck, says in times like these the entire community — of all faith must stand together.

“I think the message we want to communicate is at times like this we don’t circle the wagons," Sassao says. "At times like this, we expand the circle of hospitality and we support one another.”

Lindsey Mintz, with the Jewish Community Relations Council, says people of all backgrounds and religions can learn from one another.

“We have to know one another on an individual level. Faith leaders can come together, congregations can come together, which is wonderful, but it really takes members of our community at large making an effort to get to know people who are not like themselves,” Mintz says.

Tonight’s service will begin at 5:30 at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian St. in Indianapolis.

The following is part of a joint Statement from the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, the  Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Indiana Board of Rabbis.

"Jewish Communities in Indiana are pained and devastated by the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, on Shabbat morning, October 27, 2018. We are heartbroken, as we send condolences to the families and friends of those murdered in this unspeakable act of terrorism. We stand in solidarity with, and send prayers for healing to, the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community, as well as to the police officers who risked their lives to protect those in the synagogue.

Within greater Indianapolis, the Jewish community extends our gratitude to local law enforcement, who have increased presence and patrols at our synagogues and other Jewish institutions. We will continue to work closely and communicate with central Indiana law enforcement officials."