Almost one year ago, on a quiet Saturday morning, Pittsburgh’s Jewish community suffered the most brutal anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history when a gunman opened fire in the Tree of Life building, taking the lives of 11 innocent people across three Pittsburgh congregations: Dor Hadash, New Light, and Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha. One year later, we will take a moment to honor their memory. In solidarity, we are asking people around the world to join us in taking a moment to Pause with Pittsburgh.

On October 27 at 5:00 pm ET, one year to the day since the attack, the Pittsburgh community will join in a public memorial service for a moment of remembrance. Though we cannot all be there in person, friends are invited to stop – wherever they are – and join together virtually. Those who wish to participate can sign up to receive a text message at 5 pm EST that will contain a video reading of a mourning prayer and the names of the 11 lives lost. Following the prayer, you can tune in to a livestream of Pittsburgh’s public memorial service and submit messages of support and solidarity by text.

“Nothing can erase what happened one year ago – but we can choose to stand even stronger and strive even further to demonstrate our resilience and strength as a People,” said Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. “Through the darkness of this tragedy we have seen a wave of solidarity, and we are gratified that it has sparked a movement of renewed unity.”

Pause with Pittsburgh is an initiative of The Jewish Federations of North America.