Columbia Jewish community holds vigil for Pittsburgh synagogue shooting victims

The Jewish community in Columbia organized a rally Sunday evening to honor the memory of those killed in Saturday morning’s mass shooting at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

Hillel, Congregation Beth Shalom, Chabad and the Jewish Student Organization were among those groups who put on the event, and gathered everyone together in Peace Park on the University of Missouri campus.

Multiple rabbis spoke and stressed the importance of traditional Jewish values after a tragedy.

They urged those gathered to lift others up during these times, instead of letting anger take over.

“We just needed to be together, we needed a big hug, and we hoped our friends and supporters and the Columbia community at large would join us,” said Sheri Weinman, the president of Congregation Beth Shalom. “As you can see from tonight, they did. That’s such a great feeling to know we have that support.”