Dear Pittsburgh
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Dear Pittsburgh: Words of Comfort and Support From Around the World TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from JFCS President and CEO Dr. Jordan Golin 2 Letters from around the world 3 Post-Gazette Obituaries Joyce Fienberg 138 Richard Gottfried 140 Rose Mallinger 142 Jerry Rabinowitz 144 Bernice and Sylvan Simon 146 Daniel Stein 148 Melvin Wax 151 Irving Younger 153 Cecil and David Rosenthal 155 Letter from Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu 158 !2 Dear Pittsburgh: Words of Comfort and Support From Around the World Letter from President and CEO Dr. Jordan Golin Dear Community, The synagogue attack on October 27, 2018 was so horrible, so evil, that our entire community was changed forever. Even now, months later, it’s hardly possible to fathom such a violent act being perpetrated on Jews while they worship. While we are no strangers to anti-Semitic behavior, this particular event that took place in our own community has shaken us all. But even in the midst of such intense darkness, we found light. That very day, waves of shared outrage, grief, sympathy and even hope began to pour in from all over the world. In the subsequent weeks and months, support came to us from everywhere in every form. This book is a collection of some of the more than 500 letters received by JFCS, sending the victims and their families, community responders and service agencies and our entire city messages of love and solidarity. These letters told us that we weren’t alone. At JFCS, we have been comforted by these messages. They clearly demonstrate that our differences give our world beauty and grace, not division and violence. The process of healing will take a long time, but the care and concern that is being so clearly conveyed here is an important part of that process. Thank you for being with us. We are with you. Sincerely, Jordan Golin, Psy D, President and CEO, JFCS Dear Pittsburgh: Words of Comfort and Support From Around the World !3 Dear Pittsburgh, ******************** To those afflicted by the Pittsburgh shooting, I am devastated that innocent lives were lost at the hands of hatred and bigotry. May you find healing in your loved ones, your community, and our G-d. May our people stay strong in the face of adversity. Yana, New York NY ! My heart breaks for you during this extremely difficult time. I send my love and positive healing energy to you. Denise Lytle, Fords NJ ! I'm sending my condolences. As a Jew, a woman, a human. As a friend who has so many friends from my synagogue in Los Angeles who are connected to your synagogue, please accept my sympathies, share in my strength and commitment to you and to our people, and know that I and so many others stand with you. Sending prayers and love. Michelle Geil, Marina del Rey CA ! You are strong and you will get through this, You are not alone. Owen Gustafson, Buffalo MN ! The daughter of southern christian parents who did not learn or teach hate. The wife of a protestant clergy member who"s mother was a southern white and father was Jewish. The wife of my second husband who was an Irish Roman catholic who did not teach hate. I believe we can overcome hate, We can learn to accept all faiths and skin colors and we can learn to teach love. But the untaught human may not yet understand this, so we must never stop teaching, learning and giving love to all. Sallie M Crittendon, Harpswell Maine !4 Dear Pittsburgh: Words of Comfort and Support From Around the World ! To the families of those lost and injured at the Tree of Life Synagogue: We wish to comfort you in your loss. Words cannot heal but time will slowly heal. Because of the tragic shooting we became aware of your amazing record through HIAS of supporting refugees of all races and religions throughout the world. We are Lutherans and the week after the shooting our pastor handed a $10 bill to each person in the congregation saying we should use it to do some good. We chose HIAS because according to the NYTimes for over 135 years HIAS has been a beacon of hope to the oppressed. In Hawaiian the word for thank you is MAHALO, so we say mahalo to you for your humanitarian concern for the oppressed. God’s blessings! Richard and Marilyn Kennedy, Honolulu Hawaii ! I detest that we are still coping with the aftermath of shooting after shooting while elected officials dither, ignore, pontificate but do nothing. I write letters, make calls, sign petitions in favor of common sense gun controls. I pray for you all and hope for peace and harmony for all of us. Carolyn Dinneen, Virginia MN ! As Jews everywhere have been affected by what happened, our hearts reach out to all of you. I wanted to let you know about a program that we are planning, for January 20th. I am an Orthodox rabbi, living in Savannah, Ga, and have been invited to speak before a large group of young Jewish parents living in the area. A group consisting of Jews with various affiliations, we are coming together, to not only memorialize those martyred in Pittsburgh, but to focus on what we can learn and how to grow from it. The title of the program is "Confronting Anti-Semitism in America, Discussion and insights on facing Anti-Semitism in America, particularly in light of the tragic shooting in Pittsburgh in October." I believe it is truly remarkable ( "Mi Ke'amcha Yisrael!") how even 3 months later, Jews throughout the country are still touched by what happened and have not lost focus on the obligation for reflection and growth. If there is anything you would like me to share at the event, Rabbi Eitan Herskovitz, Savannah Georgia ! Dear Pittsburgh: Words of Comfort and Support From Around the World !5 The tragic and horrific loss of your loved ones is not forgotten. May 2019 be void of further sorrow. RBG, Toronto Canada ! Dear Friends, You are not alone. We are thinking of you and wish you all the best for the future. Welcome to our country - your new country. You are so very welcome here. Love, The Smith Family Killeen, Texas, USA ! Please be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones. May you receive welcome and peace! My prayers are with you all. Sister Carol Boschert, O'Fallonw Missouri ! If we could see beyond today, As God can see, If all the clouds should roll away, The shadows flee; O'er present grief's we would not fret, Each sorrow we would soon forget, For many joys are waiting yet, For you and me. If we could know beyond today, As God doth know. Why dearest treasures pass away, and tears must flow,. And why the darkness leads to light, Why dreary days will soon grow bright. Some day life's wrong will be made right, Faith tells us so. If we could see, if we could know, We often say. But God in love a veil doth throw across our way. We cannot see what lies before, and so we cling to Him the more, He leads us till this life is o'er, Trust and obey. Norman J. Clayton --My deepest and sincere sympathy to you all. Shirley F. Ubinger, Bethel Park, (Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania ! I hope you find strength in knowing that the city of Pittsburgh stands with you during this difficult time. We are a diverse city that loves all of our neighbors. Please know that you are not alone in your grief and that help is always available. Marissa, Pittsburgh PA !6 Dear Pittsburgh: Words of Comfort and Support From Around the World ! I am so very sorry. I myself grew up in Squirrel Hill and was simply devastated by the news. There is not a day that has gone by that you have not been in my thoughts. May Hashem comfort you amongst all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Pittsburgh, stronger than hate. Samantha Sora Supernaw, Austin TX ! Many many of us are very saddened by the awful deeds of October. May God be giving you peace......somehow...in the midst of this hard time. Your community is loved and affirmed by many of us in the greater Pittsburgh Area. We love you and want you to thrive. May healing come as fast as possible.....and may it someday be complete. Lorisue North suburb of Pittsburgh PA ! To all the families ,friends ,and loved ones of Tree of Life Worship Community I seek your encouragement. Please know that nothing can separate you from the Love of God. I pray your hearts and souls be healed this Holiday Season, and that you experience the Peace of God that surpasses understanding. Hope, Peace and Joy to you all. -Love a Daughter of the King Elizabeth Evans, Mckeesport Pennsylvania ! I cannot imagine what your community is going through. I'm sure it seems like the world has moved on to other issues, but your wounds are still fresh and will take time to heal, if they ever heal. As a staff member at a sister JFCS organization, we, along with our clients, mourn with you. I hope you find comfort in your faith, in your community, and in each other as you navigate these times ahead. Please know that people all across the country and the world are thinking of you and wish you peace. Sending you love and strength from Louisville, KY.