Londoners will have a chance this week to mourn the victims of one of the worst anti-Semitic attacks in North America.
Jewish London Ontario will host a vigil for the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue attack on Thursday night at the London Jewish Community Centre on Huron St. It begins at 7 p.m. and everyone is welcome.
According to a post on its Facebook page, Jewish London says the memorial service will be among the efforts they are making to connect with London's Jewish community, elected officials, and leaders representing all religious faiths as they come to terms with Saturday's tragedy.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the Jewish Federations of Canada condemns the attack at the Tree of Life synagogue and expresses sympathy for the families and friends of the victims. The statement also says the CIJA was in contact with Canadian law enforcement while the attack was ongoing and there is no evidence suggesting an elevated anti-Semitic threat in Canada.
Investigators in Pittsburgh are still trying to piece together how the massacre happened. The incident took place during a weekly Shabbat service Saturday morning. Eleven people, ranging in age from 54 to 97, died. The alleged gunman, a 46-year-old man, also engaged in a brief shootout with Pittsburgh police before being taken into custody. Three Pittsburgh police officers were injured.
NBC News reports that the victims included a husband and wife, who were married 56 years before at the synagogue; and two brothers. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto told MSNBC Sunday morning that the city has a history of being resilient and "being able to come back."
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has ordered the resources of state troopers to assist in the investigation. The attack has been classified as a hate crime, and the FBI has become the lead agency investigating.
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