By: Savannah Miller
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —
Tragedy struck the United States of America just days ago as one man opened fire in a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania synagogue. This incident left 11 people dead with many more injured. According to police, 46-year-old Robert Bowers walked into the Tree of Life synagogue yelling anti-semitic words and began shooting. He has now been indicted on 44 different counts and is being held without bond.
Though thousands of miles away, the horrific event hit close to home in the Northwest Arkansas area. University of Arkansas graduate student, Toby Klein, says “it really has impacted the way that I think about things. Where is it ok for me to be Jewish? Can I be publicly Jewish? Do I need to be privately Jewish?”
The local Temple Shalom of Northwest Arkansas held a candlelight solidarity ceremony Sunday following the attack to honor those lost. Rabbi Jacob Adler says people of all denominations showed up to support the Jewish community, “it was the biggest event we’ve had since we’ve existed. We were so full we couldn’t;t have anymore people.”
Adler continues to encourage his people to stay strong through faith during this time of suffering. He says the Temple Shalom increased security during recent services to make sure the Jewish community continued to feel safe.