Pittsburgh shooting
A rabbi pleads with AG William Barr: Don’t bring the death penalty to Pittsburgh
By Yonat Shimron — August 13, 2019
(RNS) — To Rabbi Jonathan Perlman, a lengthy trial in which the prosecution would highlight Robert Bowers’ documented stream of anti-Jewish invective might be too much for his congregation to bear.
Telling the Passover story in the shadow of the Pittsburgh massacre
By Yonat Shimron — April 15, 2019
(RNS) — Joyce Fienberg wanted to make people feel loved and cared for. Her daughter-in-law is using that example to invite non-Jews to the seder table.
In Tel Aviv, Jews join with Muslims in vigil mourning New Zealand dead
By Jonathan Harounoff — March 18, 2019
TEL AVIV (RNS) — Dozens gathered outside the New Zealand embassy in Tel Aviv Sunday night for a somber candlelight vigil to commemorate the victims of Friday's (March 15) mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Jewish answer to how to punish the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter
By Beth Kissileff — February 27, 2019
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — I plan to avenge the attack on my husband's synagogue and our community by celebrating our lives as Jews.
How a national emergency order endangers the ‘other’
By Jonathan Perlman and Eric C Manning — February 20, 2019
(RNS) — The leaders of two congregations that have suffered violence incited by hate, we recognize the president's 'emergency' isn’t about an invasion, but the language of governmental overreach.
Fighting hate, from Tree of Life synagogue to Charleston’s Mother Emanuel Church
By Beth Kissileff — January 29, 2019
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — In response to hate, we connected with other victims of hate to increase good in the world and honor those slain in the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018.
Top 10 Jewish stories of 2018
By A. James Rudin — December 27, 2018
(RNS) — The brutality of anti-Semitism in several forms dominated the top 10 news stories related to Jews and Judaism this year.
Anti-Semitism casts long shadows over Jewish festival of lights
By Yonat Shimron — December 3, 2018
(RNS) — As they celebrate an ancient military victory, in which a band of Jewish rebels rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors, many U.S. Jews are still reeling from a new wave of anti-Semitic episodes.
Synagogue shooting prompts Muslims to act charitably—and humbly
By Dilshad Ali — November 8, 2018
(RNS) — Amid the hashtags and photos posted on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and other social media when engaging in charitable acts today, we need a spiritual strategy to avoid seeking attention for ourselves.
A week after Pittsburgh shooting, hundreds #ShowUpForShabbat
By Yonat Shimron — November 3, 2018
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — "I never thought I’d say this, but ‘thoughts and prayers’ feel great," said David Chudnow of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
In Pittsburgh, Muslims are eager to join Jews in fight against immigrant hate
By Yonat Shimron — November 2, 2018
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — Muslims, like many Jews, understand that a person like Robert Bowers could strike at their community too.
Saying goodbye to couple who were married and massacred at Tree of Life
By Yonat Shimron — November 1, 2018
PITTSBURGH (RNS) — Sylvan and Bernice Simon were killed in what has been described as the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history.
Trumps pay tribute at synagogue where 11 were fatally shot
By The Associated Press — October 30, 2018
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Trump stepped into the role of national consoler, a title he wears uncomfortably, with his visit to the Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
In the wake of tragedy, make a difference where you are
By Elisha Wiesel — October 30, 2018
NEW YORK (RNS) — How will we as Jews confront hatred when we disagree on so many things? We will work together because our disagreements are how we will make progress.
Pittsburgh suspect’s hatred of Jews, HIAS part of larger anti-immigrant surge
By Yonat Shimron and Jack Jenkins — October 29, 2018
(RNS) — Congregation Dor Hadash, which met in the Tree of Life building, may have been the real target of the massacre. It was on a list of congregations that observed National Refugee Shabbat.
