Together We Stand
By: Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro
October 27, 2018. A normal, quiet Saturday morning in Squirrel Hill. A beautiful, tree lined neighborhood of brick houses and generations of families, firmly nestled in the hills of Pittsburgh. The Tree of Life Synagogue began services as they would have on any other day. Just another peaceful Saturday morning, until it wasn’t.
The peacefulness of this day was shockingly and violently interrupted, by hate.
When I saw the news, all I could think was not again, not in another place of worship, not more innocent victims.
When tragedies such as this occur in our schools and places of worship, we cling to one another for comfort and support.
Following this sad day in America, we gathered together for an interfaith service at the Senior Center in Monroe. Almost 700 of our residents, friends and neighbors, seeking to make sense of the senseless tragedy in Pittsburgh. Rabbis from four different congregations here in Monroe, as well as clergy members from the catholic parish and the coptic orthodox congregation.
I shared with this solemn crowd, that I found it difficult to express in words the sadness and remorse I was feeling.
Our hearts are broken for the Tree of Life Synagogue congregation. Husbands and wives, brothers, a university research specialist, a doctor, a dentist, the synagogue greeter and a 97-year-old family matriarch. All active and faithful members of their religious community, gone in the blink of an eye. Taken by a person consumed with hatred against the Jewish people.
Anti-Semitism, hate, bigotry, and racism have no home in American today. Bullying, intolerance, intimidation, and ignorance can not be part of the fabric of our community either. This is not who we are, and it is not the example we want to set for our children.
Each of us as caring, compassionate, respectful human beings have a moral obligation to speak up, speak out, and speak against hatred in all its forms.
We cannot let this become the new normal. We are better than this. All of us must renew our commitment to ending the hate on the internet, in our homes, our schools, our communities, and our nation.
I am a member of the Mayors United against Anti-Semitism Initiative, along with other U.S. Mayors and municipal leaders from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, representing nearly 90 million people to join this effort against anti-Semitism.
Together, we must publicly condemn prejudice, hatred and discrimination perpetrated against all people. We have an obligation as citizens to BE THE CHANGE. Not just in the face of the horrific display of hatred in Pittsburgh, but always when we witness discrimination.
As some of you know, I served in our military. I believed then, as I still do today, that we fought for our freedoms, including the freedom of religion and that each of us is created equal. Racism and religious persecution are the opposite of these values.
Our diversity, as a country and as a community, is not a weakness, but rather our greatest strength.
I hope you stand with me in this fight, because anti-Semitism, violence, and any form of hate has no place here in Monroe Township.
Wishing you a peaceful and healthy holiday season and a joyous New Year!