PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR. BOB, THANK YOU. AND WHILE TODAY’S VERDICT IS WELCOMED BY LOCAL JEWISH LEADERS, IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING. PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR. REPORTER SHELDON INGRAM JOINS US NOW. AND SHELDON, RELIEF IS ONLY PART OF THE RANGE OF EMOTIONS PEOPLE ARE FEELING TONIGHT. WELL, TONIGHT, SOME KEY MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY SAY THEY ARE PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE VERDICT TODAY, BUT THEY SAY IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO SIT IN THE COURTROOM, TO LISTEN TO TESTIMONY. OCTOBER 27TH, 2018, A HAIL OF BULLETS AND HATRED FILLED THE HALLS INSIDE THE TREE OF LIFE SYNAGOGUE. TODAY, RELATIVES OF THE VICTIMS, SURVIVORS OF THE SHOOTING AND VOICES FROM THE JEWISH COMMUNITY NOW KNOW THAT ROBERT BOWERS WILL BE PUNISHED. THIS WAS AN ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENT PERIOD, AND WITH THAT, FOUR AND A HALF WEEKS OF TESTIMONY PROVED TO BE A GRUELING ORDEAL. IT’S DIFFICULT TO SAY THE EMOTIONS WE FEEL RIGHT NOW. ONE OF RELIEF, OBVIOUSLY, THAT THE JURY RETURNED A FULL VERDICT OF GUILTY TO ALL 63 COUNTS. THE DEFENSE DID NOT ARGUE THAT HE DID NOT DO IT. THE DEFENSE PRESENTED NO DEFENSE AT ALL. BUT WHAT HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 27TH STILL RINGS LOUDLY. THIS IS TOUGH. WE ARE RELIVING WHAT TOOK PLACE IN 2018. ONCE AGAIN. AND I KNOW I SPEAK FOR ALL OF US WHO WERE WHO WERE THERE TODAY. IT’S VERY RETRAUMATIZING MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ARE GRATEFUL THAT BOWERS WILL BE PUNISHED FOR CARRYING OUT A DEADLY MEASURE OF HATE. THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY EMOTIONS AND SO MUCH INTENSITY THROUGHOUT THE TESTIMONY AND THE CLOSING STATEMENTS YESTERDAY, BUT I AM FEELING A SENSE OF RELIEF THAT AFTER FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, THE WORLD HAS HEARD AGAIN ABOUT THE HORRIFIC ACTS. ON OCTOBER 27TH, 2018, AND THE SHOOTER IS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THOSE AWFUL ACTS AND IN THE COMING DAYS IN THE COURTROOM, MORE INTENSE MOMENTS AS THEY EXPECT TO HEAR THE VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS FROM RELATIVES OF THOSE KILLED IN THE MASS SHOOTING. FOR NOW, REPORTING LIVE FROM SQUIRREL HILL, SHELDON INGRAM, PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR. SHELDON, THANK YOU. AND PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRO RELEASED THIS STATEMENT, QUOTE, TODAY’S VERDICT WAS A STEP TOWARD JUSTICE IN PITTSBURGH. BUT THE HORROR AND PAIN OF OCTOBER 27TH, 2018 WILL NEVER GO AWAY. HE GOES ON TO SAY THIS, QUOTE, MY HEART REMAINS WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE 11 VICTIMS WHO WERE MASSA
Pittsburgh synagogue shooter found guilty: Reactions to verdict
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Updated: 3:50 PM EDT Jun 16, 2023
Reactions are pouring in after the conviction of Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter. “I am grateful to God for getting us to this day," Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Congregation, who survived the attack, said. And I am thankful for the law enforcement who ran into danger to rescue me, and the U.S. Attorney who stood up in court to defend my right to pray. Today I'm focused on being with my congregation and praying, singing and clapping in praise of God as we do each Shabbat. In the face of the horror of our community has experienced, I can think of no better response than practicing my Jewish faith and leading worship.” "Today's verdict was a step toward justice in Pittsburgh, but the horror and pain of October 27, 2018 will never go away," Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Twitter. My heart remains with the families of the 11 victims who were massacred as they worshipped at Tree of Life that day. May their memories be a blessing.“While the verdict will not bring back your loved ones who were so violently killed, my hope is that today provides some level of comfort and helps to ease the pain, even if ever so slightly. May their memories always be for a blessing," said Carole Zawatsky, CEO of Tree of Life. "Let us, this day, reaffirm our resolve to bring light into our world and keep the memory of each of the victims in our hearts as we do the work of Tikkun HaOlam, repairing our broken world.” “I am thankful for everyone who got us to this day. Every day for the past four and a half years, I’ve tried to look for the helpers: the public safety department and law enforcement officers, the attorneys, our fellow Pittsburgers who have continued to offer their care and support day in and day out," Tree of Life President Alan Hausman said, echoing Fred Rogers. "The way our community and people of all faiths came together after October 27, 2018, has helped me and continues to inspire me and give me strength as we move forward.”“Our community has been waiting a long time for this day," Michael Bernstein, chair of the Tree of Life Interim Governance said. "We are grateful to the Justice Department and the jury for their work to get us to a verdict. Today is a reminder that we live in a nation where vulnerable communities can be confident that those who engage in hate-fueled violence will be held accountable. It also marks the start of a new chapter for our community as we continue to heal and move forward as work to build a world in which hate no longer impacts any community. As the legal process continues, our energies will lie in building a better future for all as a part of the collaborative movement across communities and generations to uproot antisemitism and identity-based hate in all its forms.” "Justice has been served," the American Jewish Committee said in a statement. "We realize it does little to ease the pain for the families and friends of the 11 people murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh simply for being Jewish and practicing their faith. However, we hope this verdict allows them to continue the slow process of healing if not closure. The memories of those taken will always be a blessing. Countering the antisemitic hate that invaded their sacred and joyous space must be the job for all of society, not just the Jewish community.""The guilty verdict comes as no surprise and is the first step in delivering Justice to the victims, their families, and the entire Pittsburgh community," said Republican Committee of Allegheny County Chairman Sam DeMarco. "As the sabbath approaches, let all of us reflect on the shared humanity of all people of every creed and begin the process of healing. It is also time to reject the increasingly strident attacks on the Jewish people and on Israel. You cannot attack the Jewish state without encouraging attacks on the Jewish people."“Let us remember that the survivors reopened these wounds for us, for humanity,” said State Rep. Dan Frankel. “Because there has to be a record. The work to hold back hateful ideologies and violence stands on history.”"In the 7th chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, Moses delivers the powerful message: ‘the Lord has set His heart on you because the Lord loved you.’ Those words were spoken to the beloved Jewish people," said Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik. "At this delicate time for the Pittsburgh Jewish Community and beyond, we all need to embrace not only God’s words but especially at this time set our hearts on our Jewish sisters and brothers as God does."“Gisele and I are remembering the victims whose lives were taken during the horrific Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh over four years ago," said Sen. John Fetterman. “Today, a jury found the shooter guilty of all charges. This is a step towards justice for such a hateful, disgusting, and antisemitic attack. We all must continue to stand in solidarity with Pennsylvania’s Jewish community against the evil of antisemitism.”“Today’s conviction is a step towards justice for the 11 Jewish worshippers killed by a white supremacist gunman in 2018," U.S. Rep Summer Lee said. “May the memories of those taken from us be forever a blessing. And May the strength and resilience shown by the survivors, the victims’ family members, and the entire Jewish community throughout this heartbreaking trial forever be an inspiration to us all. They inspire me to work even harder to confront the root causes of hatred, racism, and bigotry so that no community has to live in fear of such senseless violence ever again.”"Five years ago, our city was shaken when 11 lives were taken in an act of antisemitic hate," said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. "Today, we remember the lives of Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Melvin Wax, Daniel Stein, Irving Younger, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Joyce Feinberg, Richard Gottfried, Cecil Rosenthal, and David Rosenthal. May their memories be a blessing. Pittsburgh, please join me in praying for the family and friends of those we lost and those who survived this horrific tragedy. I hope that today helps our Jewish brothers and sisters, and our entire city, begin their journey towards healing. As we continue to eliminate hate from our beloved city, remember: Pittsburgh is stronger than hate."
Reactions are pouring in after the conviction of Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter.
“I am grateful to God for getting us to this day," Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Congregation, who survived the attack, said. And I am thankful for the law enforcement who ran into danger to rescue me, and the U.S. Attorney who stood up in court to defend my right to pray. Today I'm focused on being with my congregation and praying, singing and clapping in praise of God as we do each Shabbat. In the face of the horror of our community has experienced, I can think of no better response than practicing my Jewish faith and leading worship.”
"Today's verdict was a step toward justice in Pittsburgh, but the horror and pain of October 27, 2018 will never go away," Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Twitter. My heart remains with the families of the 11 victims who were massacred as they worshipped at Tree of Life that day. May their memories be a blessing.
“While the verdict will not bring back your loved ones who were so violently killed, my hope is that today provides some level of comfort and helps to ease the pain, even if ever so slightly. May their memories always be for a blessing," said Carole Zawatsky, CEO of Tree of Life. "Let us, this day, reaffirm our resolve to bring light into our world and keep the memory of each of the victims in our hearts as we do the work of Tikkun HaOlam, repairing our broken world.”
“I am thankful for everyone who got us to this day. Every day for the past four and a half years, I’ve tried to look for the helpers: the public safety department and law enforcement officers, the attorneys, our fellow Pittsburgers who have continued to offer their care and support day in and day out," Tree of Life President Alan Hausman said, echoing Fred Rogers. "The way our community and people of all faiths came together after October 27, 2018, has helped me and continues to inspire me and give me strength as we move forward.”
“Our community has been waiting a long time for this day," Michael Bernstein, chair of the Tree of Life Interim Governance said. "We are grateful to the Justice Department and the jury for their work to get us to a verdict. Today is a reminder that we live in a nation where vulnerable communities can be confident that those who engage in hate-fueled violence will be held accountable. It also marks the start of a new chapter for our community as we continue to heal and move forward as work to build a world in which hate no longer impacts any community. As the legal process continues, our energies will lie in building a better future for all as a part of the collaborative movement across communities and generations to uproot antisemitism and identity-based hate in all its forms.”
"Justice has been served," the American Jewish Committee said in a statement. "We realize it does little to ease the pain for the families and friends of the 11 people murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh simply for being Jewish and practicing their faith. However, we hope this verdict allows them to continue the slow process of healing if not closure. The memories of those taken will always be a blessing. Countering the antisemitic hate that invaded their sacred and joyous space must be the job for all of society, not just the Jewish community."
"The guilty verdict comes as no surprise and is the first step in delivering Justice to the victims, their families, and the entire Pittsburgh community," said Republican Committee of Allegheny County Chairman Sam DeMarco. "As the sabbath approaches, let all of us reflect on the shared humanity of all people of every creed and begin the process of healing. It is also time to reject the increasingly strident attacks on the Jewish people and on Israel. You cannot attack the Jewish state without encouraging attacks on the Jewish people."
“Let us remember that the survivors reopened these wounds for us, for humanity,” said State Rep. Dan Frankel. “Because there has to be a record. The work to hold back hateful ideologies and violence stands on history.”
"In the 7th chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, Moses delivers the powerful message: ‘the Lord has set His heart on you because the Lord loved you.’ Those words were spoken to the beloved Jewish people," said Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik. "At this delicate time for the Pittsburgh Jewish Community and beyond, we all need to embrace not only God’s words but especially at this time set our hearts on our Jewish sisters and brothers as God does."
“Gisele and I are remembering the victims whose lives were taken during the horrific Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh over four years ago," said Sen. John Fetterman. “Today, a jury found the shooter guilty of all charges. This is a step towards justice for such a hateful, disgusting, and antisemitic attack. We all must continue to stand in solidarity with Pennsylvania’s Jewish community against the evil of antisemitism.”
“Today’s conviction is a step towards justice for the 11 Jewish worshippers killed by a white supremacist gunman in 2018," U.S. Rep Summer Lee said. “May the memories of those taken from us be forever a blessing. And May the strength and resilience shown by the survivors, the victims’ family members, and the entire Jewish community throughout this heartbreaking trial forever be an inspiration to us all. They inspire me to work even harder to confront the root causes of hatred, racism, and bigotry so that no community has to live in fear of such senseless violence ever again.”
"Five years ago, our city was shaken when 11 lives were taken in an act of antisemitic hate," said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. "Today, we remember the lives of Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Melvin Wax, Daniel Stein, Irving Younger, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Joyce Feinberg, Richard Gottfried, Cecil Rosenthal, and David Rosenthal. May their memories be a blessing. Pittsburgh, please join me in praying for the family and friends of those we lost and those who survived this horrific tragedy. I hope that today helps our Jewish brothers and sisters, and our entire city, begin their journey towards healing. As we continue to eliminate hate from our beloved city, remember: Pittsburgh is stronger than hate."
