Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Deborah Lipstadt, special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, met on Tuesday at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue with survivors of the attack and family members of the 11 Jewish worshippers who were shot and killed during prayer on Oct. 27, 2018.
“It was humbling, powerful and truly filled me with sadness to return to the Tree of Life synagogue this morning with the families of those killed in the tragic, antisemitic attack nearly five years ago,” tweeted the senator. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time and grace.”
Lipstadt wrote, “I heard the horrific details, learned how first responders rushed into the building, knowing a shooter was inside. At the archives, I saw the doors and prayer books with bullet holes.”
“I left Pittsburgh with the words of the founder of Chassidism, Israel ben Eliezer, Baal Shem Tov on my lips: ‘Forgetfulness leads to exile; remembering is the key to redemption,’” she added.
The synagogue’s Rabbi Jeffrey Myers joined the group.
Earlier in August, a Pittsburgh jury agreed unanimously that the shooter, 50-year-old Robert Bowers, should receive the death penalty.
