February 18, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Local Jewish Leaders Hold Westside Vigil in Wake of Synagogue Shooting

Mayor Garcetti and more mourn death of 11 synagogue attendees in Pittsburg.

By Sam Catanzaro

In the wake of the mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday that left 11 worshipers dead, local Jewish leaders and lawmakers came together Sunday evening at a vigil on the Westside to pay respect and mourn the tragedy.

“Tonight Los Angeles comes together with Pittsburg. Tonight Westwood is Squirrel Hill. Tonights Jews and Christians and Muslims and people of every faith and even no faith come together at this moment, to light a candle with neighbors, to make a connection,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at the gathering in front of the Federal Building on Wilshire Boulevard. “Do not be afraid, this is your country.”

Garcetti, who is the first elected mayor in the city’s history, gave an impassioned speech during the vigil, reading the name of the 11 victims killed during Saturday’s worship services.

“I know we are told to be silent in moments like this. To just remember the emotions and not to say anything else…but tonight we will not be silent,” Garcetti said. “When swastikas in this country march by synagogues, when elders are mowed down, when are people are killed as a baby is being named, when our first responders who come to protect us are shot alongside…we will not be silent.”

Jay Sanderson President & CEO of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles spoke of the importance of putting aside differences and coming together in the wake of such tragedies.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (right) in a moment of silence at Sunday’s vigil.

“The 11 people that died in that synagogue are all of us. We all have to come together, to be strong together,” Sanderson said. “This isn’t about the Jewish community, this isn’t about any one community. The only thing we can do to mend our broken hearts is to be one, is to respect each other, to live with each other, to love each other, to celebrate what we have in common, not where our differences are. We are not Jews, we are not Muslims, we are not Christians, we are people, we are human beings.”

Rabbi Sharon Brous with Ikar LA made clear in her remarks that in mourning the mass shooting, it is important not to forget the hatred that exists in the United States fuleing such tragedies.

“We must be clear-headed and unequivocal in naming and condemning the disease of hatred that has permeated the culture of this nation,” Brous said.

According to the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations’ recently released 2017 Hate Crimes Report, while overall religious motived hate crimes did not rise, Anti-Semitic crimes rose four percent from 2016. In addition, 72 percent of all religious hate crimes were targeted at the Jewish community.

On March 3 of this year a serial vandal spray-painted, “Jew Rat” on a bank and a kosher market on the same block. A synagogue is located across the street from the bank.

A breakdown of religiously motivated hate crimes in Los Angeles for 2017. Graphic: Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, who is Jewish himself and represents much of the Westside, put out a statement following the shooting expressing his sorrows and while offering his office’s services.

“Our prayers are with the families of those killed in this horrendous act of violence. Shalom means Peace,” Kortez said. “In response to the tragedy in the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, please know pro-active measures are being taken by the LAPD and my staff to reach out to our neighborhood Rabbis and Schuls.”

Koretz’s Director of Public Safety Gregory Martayan has been in communication with relevant public safety agencies in the coordinated, unified response to the tragedy. In his statement, Koretz encouraged all Jewish institutions in the Fifth District who may have concerns to reach out to Martayan (213) 505-8420.

Related Posts

Metro LA to Begin Ticketing Bus Lane Violators with Camera Enforcement

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

Motorists Parked in Bus Lanes Will Face $293 Fines For Each Infraction Drivers who park in bus lanes will soon...

The Department of Public Health to Hold Virtual Town Hall on Post-Fire Air, Soil, and Water Safety

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

LA County Officials Will Discuss Environmental Testing, Recovery Efforts The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will hold a...

Los Angeles County Launches $32.2 Million Relief Grant for Wildfire Victims

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

Eligible Households Affected by the Palisades Fires Can Apply Soon The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs...

Culver City Police Seek Suspect in Weekend Battery Incident

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

Man Accused of Assaulting a Victim is Still at Large Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a...

(Video) Enjoy Beach Proximity and Prime Amenities at Ocean View Hotel

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

For More Info, Go To Oceanviewsantamonica.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/RmxV3mgYCs pic.twitter.com/30oSvl7Zvf — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) February 17, 2025

Deadly Stabbing Outside Popular Santa Monica Bar on Saturday

February 16, 2025

February 16, 2025

One Man Killed, Another Injured in Early Morning Attack The Bungalow, a popular restaurant and bar in Santa Monica, was...

Iconic Gloria Vanderbilt Estate Hits the Market for the First Time in 72 Years

February 16, 2025

February 16, 2025

Historic Beverly Hills Mansion With Star-Studded Past Listed at $16.5 Million For the first time in 72 years, the historic...

Melrose Avenue Businesses Forced to Close After Floodwaters Inundate Stores

February 16, 2025

February 16, 2025

Heavy Rains Turned Melrose Avenue Into a River, Causing Severe Damage  Heavy rainfall in the Fairfax District caused flooding on...

State Farm Faces Scrutiny Over Emergency Rate Hike Request From State Official

February 16, 2025

February 16, 2025

Commissioner Lara Demands Answers on Financial Stability and Consumer Impact California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has responded to State Farm’s...

UCLA Suspends Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Following Protest at UC Regent’s Home

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Chancellor Cites Potential Student Code Violations; Student Groups Reject Allegations UCLA has suspended two pro-Palestinian student organizations following a protest...

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Burn Areas, LAFD Officer Swept off Road by Debris

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Storm Damage Closes Pacific Coast Highway, Officials Urge Caution Not even members of the LAFD are being spared from the...

Culver City Police Investigate Disturbing Incident in Culver City Park

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Police Secure Area as Investigation Unfolds on Thursday Morning The Culver City Police Department received a call around 7:23 a.m....

Here are Your Last Minute Ideas if You Still Haven’t Planned Your Valentine’s Day Date

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Luscious Cookies, Delightful Drinks, Full Dinners at Home or In House, We’ve Got Them Okay, maybe you have been a...

Beloved Baldwin Hills Family-Owned Restaurant Post & Beam to Close After 13 Years

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Community Icon Shuts Doors as Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Redevelopment  In yet another loss for the Los Angeles culinary community,...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....