Jewish Groups React to Tree of Life Shooter Being Sentenced to Death

Jewish groups have issued various reactions to Tree of Life synagogue shooter Robert Bowers being sentenced to death on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the jury verdict for Robert Bowers came after a culmination of two months of testimony; he will be formally sentenced on Thursday. Bowers was convicted last month on 63 charges for the murder of 11 Jews at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, 2018. Per ABC News, Bowers had offered to plead guilty if he could avoid the death penalty; prosecutors rejected the offer.

“Today’s sentencing will bring closure to some of the victims of this crime and their loved ones. It does not, however, turn back the clock nor undo the harm done to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and across America,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted. “Ultimately, as long as the hate and conspiratorial thinking that fueled this violence persists, so too will the potential for more violence. To those we lost, may their memories be a blessing. We vow to continue our work to stop extremism and protect the Jewish community.”

Today’s sentencing will bring closure to some of the victims of this crime and their loved ones. It does not, however, turn back the clock nor undo the harm done to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and across America. https://t.co/Yy7WlsWLW8

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) August 2, 2023

Ultimately, as long as the hate and conspiratorial thinking that fueled this violence persists, so too will the potential for more violence. To those we lost, may their memories be a blessing. We vow to continue our work to stop extremism and protect the Jewish community.

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) August 2, 2023

The American Jewish Committee similarly said in a statement, “As we collectively process the jury’s decision today, what should always be top of mind is the memory of the eleven people murdered in a synagogue while at prayer by a cold-blooded hater of Jews. Ultimately what is of most significance is not how the shooter will spend the end of his life, but the fact that the U.S. government pursued this case with vigor and demonstrated that such crimes will not be countenanced, excused, or minimized.”

Simon Wiesenthal Center Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda Rabbi Abraham Cooper said in a statement, “Bowers was a domestic terrorist who perpetrated the largest slaughter of Jewish worshippers in American history. This terrorist was validated and emboldened by others on social media. His just and legal conviction, sentencing, and execution, will send a clear message to tomorrow’s potential killers of innocents in their houses of worship in our country that such extremists will be held fully accountable under the laws of our democracy for any such heinous acts.”

Jewish Council for Public Affairs CEO Amy Spitalnick tweeted, “My heart is with the Pittsburgh community today as this particular chapter comes to a close. We can honor the 11 Jews killed in 2018 by recognizing this increasingly normalized, deadly antisemitic, xenophobic, & racist extremism — & how it puts *all* of us at risk.”

My heart is with the Pittsburgh community today as this particular chapter comes to a close.

We can honor the 11 Jews killed in 2018 by recognizing this increasingly normalized, deadly antisemitic, xenophobic, & racist extremism — & how it puts *all* of us at risk.

— Amy Spitalnick (@amyspitalnick) August 2, 2023

The Republican Jewish Coalition tweeted, “Justice for the Tree of Life synagogue victims, their families, and the greater Pittsburgh, PA community. May the memories of those lost continue to be a blessing forever.”

Justice for the Tree of Life synagogue victims, their families, and the greater Pittsburgh, PA community.

May the memories of those lost continue to be a blessing forever. https://t.co/v0tLaFmiSC

— RJC (@RJC) August 2, 2023

Stop Antisemitism tweeted out a graphic of the 11 worshippers who were murdered at the hands of Bowers. “May their memories continue to be a blessing,” Stop Antisemitism wrote.

Robert Bowers – the Tree of Life Synagogue shooter – has received the death penalty after murdering 11 Jewish worshippers in 2018.

May their memories continue to be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/r8Gw3c1eUt

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 2, 2023

J Street similarly tweeted, “We are thinking of the victims of the Tree of Life shooting.” The Jewish group then listed the names of the 11 victims. “May their memories be a blessing.”

Today, we are thinking of the victims of the Tree of Life shooting.

Joyce Fienberg
Richard Gottfried
Rose Mallinger
Jerry Rabinowitz
Cecil Rosenthal
David Rosenthal
Bernice Simon
Sylvan Simon
Daniel Stein
Melvin Wax
Irving Younger

May their memories be a blessing.

— J Street (@jstreetdotorg) August 2, 2023

Community Security Service (CSS) CEO and National Director Evan Bernstein said in a statement, “The attack on our Pittsburgh Jewish community that day will forever be etched into our psyche as the most horrific incident in American Jewish history. At the same time, it also continues to serve as a vivid reminder that we need to stay diligent and get empowered to help secure our community, and push back on the continued rise of antisemitism. Many were impacted on that horrific October morning. Our volunteers across America stand tall with the families who lost their loved ones and pledge to do everything we can to help keep the Jewish community safe. We hope today’s sentencing provides some solace to the families of the victims.”

Today, Robert Bowers, who was convicted of murdering 11 Jews during Shabbat on Oct 27, 2018 at #Pittsburgh's #TreeOfLife, was handed down a sentence. The incident was the deadliest #antisemitic attack in American history. Reaction from our National Director & CEO @bernstein_evan: pic.twitter.com/zctfDjxcQF

— CSS – Community Security Service (@TheCSSorg) August 2, 2023

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said in a statement, “Our sympathy and prayers go to the families of the victims, survivors and first responders directly affected; to these congregations who lost loved members; and to all of the people traumatized by this crime. We remember and honor the eleven victims: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax and Irving Younger. We are grateful to the prosecution team for their meticulous process to seek justice for the victims, and we are grateful to the jury for their time and dedication in reaching this sentence. This trial shows that our justice system can work by giving a voice to the voiceless and by ensuring that we, as a society, can bring the perpetrator of this horrendous attack to account.”

They added: “Although healing is not a linear process, together we have supported people in need of mental health services and ensured that we stay safe from harm. In the wake of the horrors of the worst antisemitic attack in U.S. history, our community neither retreated from participating in Jewish life nor suppressed our Jewishness. Instead, our community embraced our Jewish values—strengthening Jewish life, supporting those in need, and building a safer, more inclusive world.”

Tree of Life Congregation Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said in a statement, “Today’s decision and the pending sentences on the non-capital crimes mark the closing chapter of an emotional, months-long trial. In the years we have spent waiting for this trial to take place, many of us have been stuck in neutral. It was a challenge to move forward with the looming specter of a murder trial. Now that the trial is nearly over and the jury has recommended a death sentence, it is my hope that we can begin to heal and move forward. As we do, I have my faith, bolstered by the embrace and respect with which my community has been treated by our government and our fellow citizens. For this and the seriousness with which the jury took its duty, I remain forever grateful.”

Some of the families of the victims also weighed in on the verdict.

“Although we will never attain closure from the loss of our beloved Rose Mallinger, we now feel a measure of justice has been served. This sentence is a testament to our justice system and a message to all that this type of heinous act will not be tolerated,” Mallinger’s family said in a statement, per Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE-TV. “Returning a sentence of death is not a decision that comes easy, but we must hold accountable those who wish to commit such terrible acts of antisemitism, hate, and violence.” They later added: “To those who provided support during the duration of this trial, including local businesses who donated lunches and the volunteers who delivered them, and people who sent snacks, children’s letters and artwork, we truly felt the love and support of the community. Words cannot describe how much it means to us.”

Mallinger’s daughter, Andrea Wedner, was sitting next to her in the synagogue when Mallinger was murdered. During testimony, Wedner recalled being on the phone with 911 as she and her mother got down on the floor; both of them were shot by Bowers while Wedner was on the phone. Wedner remained still so Bowers wouldn’t come back and monitored her mother’s pulse, realizing that Mallinger wouldn’t survive her gunshot wounds. When law enforcement arrived and made clear that it was safe, Wedner escaped, but not before kissing her fingers and touching Mallinger as she cried out, “Mommy.” Mallinger was 97. Wedner was hospitalized for 10 days with gunshot wounds to her arm after the shooting occurred.

“It is with great appreciation and respect that the family of Bernice and Sylvan Simon wholeheartedly expresses our extreme gratitude to the entire jury for their service during this very long and arduous trial,” the Simon family said in a statement, per WTAE. “In the course of performing their civic duty, they unselfishly endured great personal sacrifice, time away from family, friends, and work; as well as being disconnected from many everyday activities. They patiently and very attentively listened to all of the testimony and scrutinized the voluminous amount of evidence presented throughout the entire trial. We fully respect their verdict and decisions.” Bernice and Sylvan Simon were 84 and 86, respectively.

ABC News reported that Howard Fienberg, the son of Joyce Fienberg, called the verdict “a relief” during a Wednesday. Fienberg was 75 when she was murdered by Bowers. ABC also quoted Leigh Stein, the daughter of Daniel Stein, as saying that “justice has been served” with the verdict and that “a weight has been lifted.” Daniel Stein was 71 when he was murdered by Bowers.

Additionally, per ABC, Tree of Life shooting survivor Martin Gaynor said after the verdict, “Antisemitism is rising, including the spread and promotion of hate on social media. I and all of the survivors and all of the family members of the victims … know where this leads.” He added that the verdict shows “antisemitism and hate have no place in our hearts, no place in our communities, no place in our country and will not be tolerated.”