Police officers guard the Tree of Life synagogue following Saturday’s shooting at the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
Federal prosecutors are lobbying for Robert Bowers to receive the death penalty for allegedly shooting and killing 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
The New York Times reports that United States Attorney Scott Brady has started the process to obtain approval from Attorney General Jeff Sessions to seek a death penalty sentence for Bowers. Sessions said on Oct. 27 that the death penalty could be a possibility for Bowers.
“These alleged crimes are reprehensible and utterly repugnant to the values of this nation,” Sessions said. “Accordingly, the Department of Justice will file hate crimes and other criminal charges against the defendant, including charges that could lead to the death penalty.”
Bowers appeared in court on Monday, where he was ordered to be held without bail. His next hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The alleged gunman faces 29 federal charges over the shooting.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victim’s families and with the community,” Brady told reporters. “And rest assured, we have a team of prosecutors working hard to ensure that justice is done.”
Shmuel Rosner chats with Einat Wilf and Adi Schwartz, the writers of the book “The War for the Palestinian Right of Return”, about the Palestinian refugees, the right of return and the existence of UNRWA.
Einat Wilf is a writer and a politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Independence and the Labor Party.
Adi Schwartz is a journalist and academic. A former staff writer for Haaretz, he currently works as a freelance journalist for Israeli and international newspapers and magazines.
Entrance to the Emergency Trauma Center at Allegheny General Hospital, where authorities say Saturday’s Tree of Life synagogue shooting suspect Robert Bowers is hospitalized, is pictured in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 27, 2018. REUTERS/John Altdorfer
Jewish doctors and nurses provided treatment to Robert Bowers, the shooting suspect accused of killing 11 people and wounding several others at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27.
Bowers, who faces 29 federal charges for committing the shooting, was wounded after exchanging gunfire with police officers, where he stated, “They’re committing genocide to my people. I just want to kill Jews.”
He was then taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where he was treated by Jewish staff members at the hospital; the president of the hospital, Dr. Jeff Cohen, is a member of a Tree of Life synagogue.
“Isn’t it ironic that somebody who’s yelling in the ambulance and in the hospital ‘I want to kill all the Jews’ is taken care of by a Jewish nurse and there’s a Jewish hospital president who checks in on him afterwards?” Cohen told CNN.
Cohen said that after Bowers was treated, he asked Bowers how he was doing. Bowers said he was feeling alright and asked Cohen who he was. Cohen said he was the president of the hospital and walked away.
“The FBI agent who was guarding him said, ‘I don’t know if I could have done that,’” Cohen told ABC. “And I said, ‘If you were in my shoes, I’m sure you could.’”
Cohen added that at his hospital, people are to receive treatment regardless of who they are or what their insurance status is.
Federal prosecutors are attempting to obtain a death penalty sentence for Bowers.
What is the proper response to Pittsburgh? Grief, yes. Sorrow, yes. Anger, yes. Resolve, yes. Unity, yes. Surprise, no. Fear, no. My dear rabbi, Rabbi David Wolpe, likes to say that we in America live in a golden age of Judaism after 2,000 years of persecution, fear, torture, murder, hiding and being on the run from land to land. Now we are living in a country where we are generally treated with warmth and respect by our Christian, Muslim and other non-Jewish neighbors, friends and strangers. We need to be grateful for this.
During the martyrology service this year on Yom Kippur I reflected on how our forebears dared to worship in public, despite Roman orders not to, and paid the ultimate price for it, sometimes in unbelievably cruel ways. Yet the synagogue I attended was nearly empty. It’s a funny thing about freedom — some things we just take for granted. I do. We all do.
Two other prayers stood out for me during the same service. One prayer was for our fellow Jews in other places who are being persecuted. Miraculously, I could not think of one country where this is systematically occurring on a daily basis. Anti-Semitism, yes. But active persecution –even in countries that don’t particularly like us — no, partly because we have been driven out of many countries and are choosing to leave others, because finally after 2 millennia we have a choice. Perhaps it is because we have the United States on our side and countries would face sanctions and far worse. Perhaps because we ourselves have the will and means with which to fight back.
The other prayer is that we should be in Israel next year. But how many Jews have never been to Israel, actively criticize it, don’t support it or don’t stand up to the insidious anti-Semitism that is the BDS movement or to the bullying of our children on their college campuses? As I said, some things we just take for granted.
“By going to synagogue this Shabbat, we can show our resolve and we can thank God for living in such a wonderful country.”
I do not mean to imply that I am saying I am “religious.” I am not, by standard measures, but I am proudly a Jew. I was reading the Wall Street Journal Saturday morning when I happened to see a friend’s text about “what happened in Pittsburgh.” So the first thought I had, after I had the chance to digest the news, is that I should have been in synagogue that day and I vowed that I would next Shabbat. I texted my kids and told them they should go, too. My brother asked me if we had armed security at our synagogue. The answer happens to be yes, but I go to a high-profile temple (I do not wish to get into the politics of that whole issue except to say that I think we could all agree that no one needs a personal arsenal of military assault weapons). Not every synagogue might make this choice, and law enforcement has vowed to increase its presence. The good news is that 99.99% of Americans are not sociopathic anti-Semitic killers with personal arsenals. So our response shouldn’t be fear.
My suggested response to Pittsburgh? Let’s go to shul this Shabbat. Let’s fill up ALL the synagogues this Shabbat. Conservative, Reform, Orthodox, LGBT, it doesn’t matter. If you normally go to synagogue, bring your children. If they usually go, have them bring their friends. Bring your friends. Bring your neighbors. By going to synagogue this Shabbat, we can show our resolve and we can thank G-d for living in such a wonderful country. By doing so, we can exercise our precious First Amendment rights to freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly all at the same time.
G-d bless America and the Jewish people.
Dr. Joel Geiderman is the former vice-chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and is the California chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition.
Columbia University revised their initial Oct. 28 statement on the Oct. 27 shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh after facing criticism for not mentioning Jews or anti-Semitism.
The initial statement, which was sent out to the Columbia community from Columbia’s student life office, says that they are “deeply saddened by the senseless violence” and they “stand strongly against these efforts to create fear and terror.”
“For some in our community, this is a particularly frightening time as we have seen a growing number of highly visible attacks directed at faith and identity – on worshippers and people of faith as they go through their daily lives, on groups gathered to celebrate an LGBT Latin night at Pulse Nightclub, on civil rights and anti-racist protesters in the streets of Charlottesville, and in so many other places, as occurred in last Wednesday’s shooting of two African-American shoppers in Kentucky,” the statement read. “Please know that you are not alone, and that you are a part of this community founded on the fundamental dignity and worth of all.”
Zachary Neugut, a Columbia alumnus, tweeted on Oct. 28 that he was “embarrassed” by the university’s email.
“Classic @Columbia to send an email about the #TreeOfLifeSynagogue shooting and mention anti-LGBT and anti-black hatred but NOT ANTI-SEMITISM,” Neugut wrote. “The world has gone mad, I’m embarrassed today to call myself an alumnus & regret having donated to @CC_Columbia this year. #Columbia”
Neugut tweeted on Oct. 29 that Columbia apologized to him in a private Twitter message and revised their statement. The statement now reads, “We are deeply saddened by the horrific anti-Semitic attack on Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday morning. Violence in our nation’s houses of worship is an affront to the freedoms our community holds dear. We stand strongly against yesterday’s violent attack on the Jewish community and against other efforts to create fear and terror.”
“They shouldn’t make this mistake in the first place and their new statement is barely better,” Neugut tweeted. “Conflating anti-Semitism with other hatreds is idiotic.”
Neugut elaborated further in a Facebook message to the Journal that anti-Semitism “has nothing to do with the other ‘forms of oppression’ (though those are obviously also bad).”
“Instead of taking an intersectional approach which dilutes the focus from Jewish oppression immediately after the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history, the focus should be on anti-Semitism,” Neugut wrote.
Negut added that he was angered by Columbia’s initial statement because he “had only amazing experiences” at Columbia up till that point.
Simon Wiesenthal Center Associate Dean Rabbi Abraham Cooper told the Journal in an email, “11 Jews are mass murdered in a synagogue on Shabbat morning by a gunman who was screaming ‘kill all Jews’ and a university in New York City with massive Jewish alumni is caught disrespecting a grieving Jewish people? Updating? How about a wake-up call for all universities to stop coddling anti-Semites on their campuses?”
“These academics get an F,” Cooper added. “They simply refuse to say the A word. And too many university leaders refuse to deal with anti-Semitism on their own campuses leaving Jewish students targets for anti-Semitic intimidation and worse.”
“This refusal to recognize, let alone combat, anti-Semitism explains why the Simon Wiesenthal Center supports a Congressional bill to define the term, so the U.S. Dept. of Education can finally defend Jewish students when Universities won’t.”
Columbia had not responded to the Journal’s request for comment at publication time.
Saturday’s shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue left more than just the Jewish people in a state of fear and sadness. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first hate attack or sign of anti-Semitism in the United States. This information isn’t settling but, when tragedy strikes, communities in America and around the world prove to be stronger when they bond together.
The good news is that it’s already happening. Immediately following the news, social groups around the country stood with the Jewish community and within hours,Muslim-American non-profits Celebrate Mercy and MPower Change started a LaunchGood campaign, “Muslims Unite For Pittsburgh Synagogue.” In less than 48 hours they’ve already raised more than $130,000 for the grieving families.
Thousands are helping the Pittsburgh community every minute showing that love and action stop hate. If you want to help but are not sure how here are a few ways to get involved.
Donate to the Tree of Life Synagogue GoFundMe. Shay Khatiri in Washington D.C. started the fundraiser to help the synagogue with the physical damages to the building, as well as help the survivors and the victims’ families. Khatiri ensures donors “that money is processed by GoFundMe’s nonprofit partner PayPal Giving Fund, and funds are sent directly to the Tree of Life Congregation. GoFundMe is in contact with and supporting the synagogue throughout this process.” In two days the GoFundMe account has already raised $662,000.
Donate to HIAS Non-profit HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), has been working around the world for more than 130 years protecting refugees who have been forced to flee their homelands, including ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities. Prior to the shooting, Robert Bowers, posted on the social network Gab, “hias likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” In response to Saturday’s attack, the organization said, “Our mission is to stay the course and continue our work. We help people who are in need…We know that there is hate and we know that more must be done about it. One thing everyone can do is stand up to hate speech.” To donate to the organization, click here.
Donate Blood Vitalant is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit community blood service providers in the nation, and has more than 127 donation centers around the country. They are always accepting donations of all blood types, especially during an emergency. The Pittsburgh Penguins partnered with Vitalant for a blood drive Monday, Oct. 29 but you don’t have to be in Pittsburgh to donate blood. To find a donation center near you click here.
— Vitalant – Pennsylvania & Ohio (@VitalantPAOH) October 29, 2018
Donate Directly to Tree of Life Synagogue Though the donations go to other things besides support to the grieving families, donations made here can help with the synagogue’s security, programming, cemetery, facility maintenance, religious school, or auxiliaries. Contributions may be made by sending a check, calling the office, or online through Paypal.
Vote Many say “don’t get political” or “don’t make tragedies about politics.” But if Americans don’t vote, how will things change? We have the privilege as members of the Free World to vote whenever there is an election. To perform our civic duty and have a working democracy. Election Day is next week and our voices matter. Make your concerns and voice heard Nov. 6 by electing the people you think will protect the rights of all people no matter race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. To find your polling place, click here.
On Sunday night, the Los Angeles community gathered at the Federal Building in Westwood to honor and remember the victims of the Pittsburgh shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue.
Mourners react during a memorial service at the Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Hall of the University of Pittsburgh, a day after 11 worshippers were shot dead at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 28, 2018. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
There may be many reasons to target President Donald Trump, but those who are blaming him for the horrific shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue last Saturday are only accentuating the deep divisions within our community.
I realize that with the midterm elections around the corner, it’s tempting to double down and simply blame Trump for anything bad that happens in America. But before rushing to politicize the horror in Pittsburgh, it would behoove us to slow down a little.
Anti-Semitism transcends politics.
First, the vile anti-Semite who murdered 11 Jews, Robert Bowers, didn’t just hate Jews—he also hated Trump. As Kelly Weill writes in the Daily Beast, he “raged at Donald Trump for being insufficiently anti-Semitic.”
Bowers, Weill writes, was “among a set of neo-Nazis who criticized President Donald Trump for being, as they saw it, not biased enough toward Jews.” When Bowers wrote on Gab, “There is no #MAGA as long as there is a kike infestation,” he was surely aware that Trump is surrounded by Jews, including his Jewish grandchildren, and has embraced his daughter’s conversion to Orthodox Judaism.
Bowers would certainly recoil at the president’s statement on the day of the massacre that “Anti-semitism represents one of the ugliest and darkest features of human history. Anti-semitism must be condemned anywhere and everywhere. There must be no tolerance for it.”
So, if we’re going to speculate about what triggered this murderer, let’s include the fact that President Trump was too pro-Jewish to nourish this Nazi’s appetite for Jew-hatred. Of course, if it’s Jew-hatred this killer is looking for, he can find just as much on the Farrakhan left as on the nationalist right.
Second, we know one thing that did trigger Bowers— Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), the venerable Jewish nonprofit that aids Jewish and non-Jewish refugees. Two hours before his rampage, Bowers posted on Gab: “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I’m going in.”
I get that Trump has used harsh and divisive rhetoric, but does that mean he’s responsible for this bigot’s rage at HIAS and his DNA-level rage at immigrants?
My point is not to defend Trump but to argue that we’re missing the bigger picture. Choosing the murder of 11 Jews in a synagogue as yet another opportunity to target Trump distracts from the evil act itself. It makes it about politics, not human hatred. It keeps us all in partisan-fighting mode.
I’d be saying the same thing if a far-left, anti-Zionist Jew-hater had committed this atrocity. I’d be imploring the Right not to exploit the tragedy to bash the anti-Zionist Left. I’m not naïve. I know that virtually everything these days has become political.
But if there were ever a cause that merits putting our political differences aside, how can it not be fighting anti-Semitism?
As ADL leader Jonathan Greenblatt wrote in the New York Times on Sunday, “People of all faiths and ideologies must speak out clearly and forcefully against anti-Semitism, scapegoating and bigotry in our society.”
To put it more bluntly, should we focus our energies against Trump or against Jew-haters? Greenblatt’s predecessor, Abe Foxman, agrees that Trump “needs to change the rhetoric he uses to explain his policies,” but, as he said on JPost, “Trump is part of the problem but not the problem. We have to make him not the problem because we don’t want to politicize anti-Semitism, which is a disease of both the Left and the Right.”
How useful was it for Jewish Trump critics in Pittsburgh to release a statement saying, “President Trump, you are not welcome in Pittsburgh…” followed by a series of demands? Even if those demands are the height of morality, it’s embarrassing to use a moment of public grieving to target a president.
Our community pays a heavy price when we allow our political ideologies to get in the way of the great Jewish imperative of our time. Instead of uniting to fight a common foe, we are digging in and turning on each other.
Instead of discussing strategies to anticipate and fight Jew-hatred of all kinds, we’re fighting over which political side is more responsible.
If we’re serious about honoring the lost souls of the Tree of Life, we must transcend our obsession with politics and unite around the ultimate Jewish cause of fighting anti-Semitism. If we fail to do that, the only ones who will celebrate will be the anti-Semites– both right and left.
The violent speech, the praise of politicians who body slam journalists, the not so subtle dog-whistles that stir up racist hatred, Trumps’ appeal to white nationalism, his intolerance of people of color, his slander of those seeking political asylum because of their well-founded fear of persecution should they return to their nation of origin, his absurd accusation that Middle East terrorists have inserted themselves into a wave of frightened women, children, and men refugees walking hundreds of miles to escape harm, his attack on the “other” (that is, anyone who isn’t white), his calling every political critic “evil,” his attacking journalists as fake-news gatherers – all of it must stop and we must be the agents of change to stop it.
We American Jews thought we were safe from violence, but we now know if we didn’t before that the Jewish people remain the eternal scapegoats for haters because we affirm that every human being is created b’tzelem Elohim and is imbued with infinite value and worth.
We Jews have become the targets yet again of the haters’ projected venom and rage. Old world anti-Semitism showed its ugly head on Shabbat morning service in Pittsburgh and we mourn the loss of eleven Jews who wanted nothing other than to pray in peace and celebrate Shabbat.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at Westwood Rally Sunday night.
As every speaker last night at the Westwood Federal Building Rally noted, all of us are in the same boat, America’s strength is our diversity, and Muslim, Christian, Jew, Latino, Black, women, men, and children are brothers and sisters. We may pray out of our respective religious traditions, but we’re all Americans.
It’s time to assert ourselves as we’ve not felt we’ve had to do before, to use the power of the vote on November 6 and take back the US government from those politicians who refuse to exercise moral courage and stand up to Trump and his minions.
It’s time to return decency to our nation and integrity to our democratic processes and institutions, to say no to voter suppression, and to support those candidates who will restore checks and balances that define our constitutional democracy.
The following analysis by Marty Kaplan in the Forward connects the dots between Donald Trump’s relentless tweets and rhetoric and the Pittsburgh atrocity – “The Straight Line From 5,000 Trump Lies To 11 Jews Murdered In Pittsburgh” –
By Marty Kaplan October 27, 2018 – the Forward – go to – https://bit.ly/2PuTenJ
