Nassau County reacts to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

Rabbi Royi Shaffin, of the South Baldwin Jewish Center, called the Oct. 27 shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue a tragedy for the Jewish people and for the spirit of freedom, democracy, and tolerance in the United States.

“Today's tragedy in Pittsburgh reminds us of the dangers of anti-Semitism and intolerance,” Shaffin continued. “It makes us aware that we must remain vigilant in our struggle to remain a free and open society.”

Robert Bowers — a resident of Baldwin, Pa., who posted many anti-Semitic remarks on social media before the attack — was arrested and charged with killing 11 worshippers at the synagogue and injuring six others. Prosecutors are reportedly seeking to have Bowers face the death penalty if convicted of a hate crime.

The victims included brothers, a married couple and a 97-year-old woman.

“We are greatly saddened by the loss of life and bless those families in mourning with consolation from God among the mourners for Zion and Jerusalem,” Shaffin said. “May those injured be healed speedily with refu'a shleima (a complete recovery).”

President Donald Trump, and others, quickly called the attack an act of hatred. “It looks definitely like it’s an anti-Semitic crime,” Trump told reporters. “And that is something you wouldn’t believe could still be going on.”

But anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise, according to the Anti-Defamation League. In 2017, hate crimes against Jews surged 60 percent — a total of 1,986 cases of harassment, vandalism or physical assaults against Jews were committed last year.

The ADL said the shooting was the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history. "It is simply unconscionable for Jews to be targeted during worship on a Sabbath morning," the group said, "and unthinkable that it would happen in the United States of America in this day and age."

Additional security was provided to Nassau Jewish institutions in the aftermath of the shooting. “The Police Department Intelligence Division is working closely with federal, state and local officials to monitor the situation,” the Nassau County Police Department said in a statement. “The public is reminded if they see any suspicious activity to contact 911 immediately.”