Two years ago yesterday, an armed gunman, a 46-year old homegrown terrorist from the Pittsburgh suburbs, burst into the morning Sabbath services at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Armed with a Colt AR-15 and three Glock .357 semi-automatic pistols (all four weapons were fired), and shouting “all Jews must die”, he took the lives of 11 innocent congregants. Fueled and inspired by white supremacy groups, whose actions have still not been criticized by the current resident of the White House, the violence against Jews has escalated dramatically in the past four years, parallel to the violence against blacks and immigrants.
In response to the Tree of Life massacre, I wrote the following message…nothing has changed other than the time that has passed…just mentally change the “two” to “four” in the timelines.
“My heart is breaking for the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, a community that is so peaceful, that is so filled with family and faith…a community that has been shattered by the actions of a violent, hateful anti-Semite who decided that it was OK to “go in”. And we have a president who thinks that houses of worship should hire armed guards so the congregants can worship freely?
My heart is breaking for the Jewish community of the United States, against whom anti-Semitic incidents and attitudes have risen over 60% over the past year.
My heart is breaking for the entire country, which is suffering not the creation, but the enabling and empowering of hatred, racism, homophobia, misogyny, xenophobia, violence and more over the past two years.
My heart is breaking for the children of this country, whose education, physical environment, healthcare, safety and very freedoms outlined by our founding fathers are being challenged and threatened.
My heart is breaking for the victims and families of victims of all of these horrific acts, not just because of their losses, but also because of people who are spreading vitriol that the events never actually occurred, that they were fabricated to be part of a huge conspiracy, that they are false stories invented by people who oppose violence for political purposes.
My heart is breaking for first responders whose lives are on the line every single day, not because of immigrants, but because of violent, hate-filled, homegrown terrorists who are attacking innocents who worship, go to school, go to malls, go to work on a daily basis.
My heart is breaking for those who challenge what is happening, because they fear to speak out in so many communities.
How has this happened to my America? My grandparents immigrated to America for a better life – they would be ashamed. How has this happened to the country my beloved Tom served with honor, faith and dignity? When does this end?
My heart is breaking.”
It is time to end this violence. It is time to end the hatred. With the election less than a week away, I fear for a civil war at the same time as I pray for peace.
My heart is not just breaking…it is trembling with fear.
