The City of Fort Worth will come together Thursday to remember the lives lost and injured during a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania over the weekend.
The city announced “A Jewish Communal and City-Wide Night of Prayer, Remembrance and Unity” on Monday in partnership with Congregation Ahavath Sholom in Fort Worth.
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“The international word for Peace is Shalom. The Hebrew root of this word is Shalem, which translates to unity,” Rabbi Andrew Bloom said in an email. “In other words, we cannot have peace within our society until we are united as one.”
The gunman who opened fire on 11 people during a baby-naming ceremony at the synagogue in Pittsburgh was identified as 46-year-old Robert Bowers. He was charged with 11 counts of homicide and 13 counts of ethnic intimidation, or hate crimes, according to CBS News.
Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville held a prayer service that was led by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker Monday evening, according to NBC5. Cytron-Walker said the synagogue was packed and estimated that 400 people attended.
Bloom, who serves as a co-chairman on Fort Worth’s Race and Culture Task Force, said it’s important to set aside differences during times like these.
“In these times filled with disunity and dissension, we must realize that only unification, mutual support and respect will stop such hate crimes from occurring,” he said.
Night of Prayer, Remembrance and Unity
Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 6:30 p.m.
Congregation Ahavath Sholom
Fort Worth, TX 76109
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