FOCUS: Guilty! Synagogue Shooter Verdict Reached

Synagogue Massacre Trial: Dark Chapter in U.S. History

BACKGROUND

“All Jews had to die” – synagogue terrorist’s comment to a police officer at the scene

The Tree of Life Synagogue massacre – the deadliest attack against Jews in the U.S. – stands as one of the darkest moments in recent American history. The shooting shocked the nation, bringing to light the ongoing struggle against religious intolerance and violence. The terrorist killed 11 Jews and forcefully shook the American Jewish community. He was found guilty of 63 federal charges.

On the same day the jury delivered its verdict, FBI agents arrested a Michigan man accused of planning a mass killing at a synagogue in East Lansing, Michigan. The would-be terrorist discussed the attack on social media, where he frequently posted remarks about hating Jews. Law enforcement discovered numerous firearms and a Nazi flag in his home.

Andrea Wedner and her 97-year-old mother, Rose Mallinger, laid head to head on the ground in an attempt to escape death. Andrea testified in court how “we were filled with terror; it’s indescribable, we thought we were going to die.” Both women were shot. Andrea “saw my right arm get blown open in two places.” She a felt a faint pulse in her mom’s wrist and knew the end was near; Rose didn’t survive.

Survivor Daniel Leger remembered hearing gunfire echoing within the synagogue and thought, “This can't be gunfire. It must be the furnace blowing up.” Realizing that it was, in fact, rapid-fire bullets, Daniel, a nurse, instinctively ran towards the gunfire to help treat any wounded worshippers. He was shot in the abdomen and feared he was dying. Daniel started praying, and later stated, “I was ready to go.”

Rabbi Jonathan Perlman first heard shattering glass followed by gunfire. He instructed three worshippers, “We're in danger, and I want you to follow me. We're going to hide in this storage closet.” Rabbi Perlman led the three congregants to safety. Unfortunately, when Melvin Wax peered out of the closet, he was fatally shot.

Police officers bravely risked their lives to end the shooting spree. Pittsburgh SWAT Officer Timothy Matson was shot seven times, including in the head: “The bullet fractured my skull and my jaw.” He has endured 25 surgeries to repair the damage, but testified he would go through the synagogue’s door again to save lives.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette printed the first five words of the Jewish mourner’s prayer (kaddish) in Hebrew as the front-page headline spread on the Friday following the attack. The newspaper’s editor, David Shribman, wanted to “bring our readers to the heart of the incident” following “the modern day shots heard ‘round the world.”

The terrorist, Robert Bowers, a then 46-year-old truck driver with a history of expressing anti-Jewish views online, repeatedly attacked Jews on social media and praised the Holocaust before massacring Jews. The shooter called Jews “public enemy number one” and ranted that “Jews are the children of Satan.” The white supremacist calmly explained to responding police officers that “the Jews are killing our women and children so I had to do this.”

Bowers spread many conspiracy theories on social media. He hated immigrants and refugees, a popular belief that is heavily promoted in extremist movements. He became fixated on HIAS – formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society – provider of services to immigrants and refugees worldwide. He railed against HIAS’s National Refugee Shabbat program in his online posts. A Jewish congregation that rented space at the Tree of Life Synagogue participated in the HIAS program. This was a significant reason for why he targeted Jews for murder at this synagogue.

During Shabbat morning services on October 27, 2018, in Pittsburgh, the terrorist entered the synagogue armed with multiple firearms. The attack lasted 20 minutes. In the days following the massacre, vigils, memorials and interfaith gatherings were organized to honor the victims and provide support to the affected families.

The surge in recent years of anti-Jewish attacks is attributable to various factors, including proliferation of extremist ideologies online, rise of far-right movements and polarization of American society. Jews have historically been targeted for their beliefs, becoming scapegoats for societal problems and resulting in the creation of conspiracy theories. Deep-seated prejudice and belief in conspiracy theories often culminate in attacks against Jews, most notably in the Holocaust.

Remembering the victims:

Joyce Fienberg – Richard Gottfried – Rose Mallinger – Jerry Rabinowitz – Cecil Rosenthal – David Rosenthal – Bernice Simon – Sylvan Simon – Daniel Stein – Melvin Wax – Irving Younger

TALKING POINTS

1. Deadly threats against Jews continue

Neo-Nazis continue to pose an alarming threat to the U.S. Jewish community. The arrest of a Michigan man on the day the jury delivered its guilty verdict is a harsh reminder of the continuing dangers facing American Jews. Both men are white supremacists who ranted on social media about their hatred of Jews and owned numerous weapons to turn their threats into reality. White supremacist propaganda – anti-Jewish flyers in neighborhoods across the country and even neo-Nazi flags outside Disney World – soared to an all-time high in 2022. The recent trial verdict and arrest serve as powerful reminders that Jews are still marked for targeted killings.

2. Anti-Jewish conspiracy theories lead to the murder of Jews

Baseless and harmful narratives, often rooted in age-old prejudices and stereotypes, fuel hatred and sow the seeds of violence. Conspiracy theories have historically been used to scapegoat and dehumanize Jews. Tragically, these dangerous beliefs have inspired acts of terrorism, such as the Tree of Life Synagogue, Poway, CA, synagogue and NJ kosher supermarket shootings. It is essential to recognize the corrosive nature of these conspiracy theories and combat them through education, dialogue and the promotion of interfaith understanding. By addressing the root causes of anti-Jewish hatred and debunking these unfounded theories, we can strive to create a world where everyone can live in safety.

3. Social media hatred fuels real-world attacks

The ease of communication and anonymity provided by social media platforms have enabled the rapid spread of extremist ideologies and amplified the voices of hate. Online forums are echo chambers that allow individuals with malicious intent to find validation, connect with like-minded individuals and plan acts of violence. The consequences are devastating, and not just for Jews – the 2019 El Paso, TX, shooting targeting Latinos killed 23 and the 2022 Buffalo shooting targeting African Americans killed 10. The deadly attacks against Jews and other minorities prove that the dangers of hate speech, disinformation and extremist content on social media too often lead to violence.

4. Standing with other maligned Americans unites communities

The synagogue massacre stands as a reminder that we must continue to strive for a society where diversity is embraced. Deadly threats from neo-Nazi white supremacists continue to alarm minority communities. Despite efforts to combat hate and intolerance, extremist ideologies persist, fueled by prejudice, ignorance and a desire to sow fear and division. More than ever, communities must engage with allies through education, dialogue and solidarity. Recently, the National Black Empowerment Council launched an initiative to rekindle the Black-Jewish alliance. By eradicating the poisonous roots of antisemitism, racism and other forms of bigotry, we can jointly build a future where all individuals are free from the fear of violence and discrimination.

5. Remember the victims so we never forget

The Tree of Life Synagogue shooting left an indelible mark on the lives of those who lost loved ones. We must honor and remember the 11 victims, celebrate their lives and the contributions they made to their communities. Each victim had a unique story and a deep connection to the synagogue, emphasizing the devastating loss. By keeping the names and stories of the victims alive, we ensure that their voices echo through time. We owe it to them, their families and future generations to work tirelessly towards a world where such senseless violence becomes a distant memory.

ACTIONS TO CONSIDER

A. If you see something on social media, say something

When you see or hear someone spewing anti-Jewish vile or making threats against Jews on social media, report or flag the post and alert the proper authorities. Major Jewish organizations offer resources for reporting antisemitic incidents, occurring both online and offline: ADL, Combat Antisemitism Movement, StandWithUs.

B. Contact your Congressional members to fund nonprofit security grants

The Pittsburgh massacre proved that we live in a time when Jewish houses of worship must be defended by armed guards. Jewish and non-Jewish institutions have increasingly relied on federal security grants to strengthen their facilities. Now, nonprofit security grants are at risk. Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to ask for the vital funds necessary to protect all houses of worship.

C. Contact your Congressional members to demand solutions to online hate

Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to support the Safeguarding Against Fraud, Exploitation, Threats, Extremism and Consumer Harms (SAFE TECH) Act to reform Section 230 to hold social media companies accountable for anti-Jewish discrimination on social media platforms. Congressional representatives respond best to personally written emails.

D. Advocacy and partnerships between Jews and other religious and ethnic groups are vital

There was an outpouring of support following the synagogue terrorist attack from non-Jewish organizations. Some were spontaneous reactions and others reflected years of dedicated community-building relations. This stand against bigotry shows the power of unity. When Jews and their allies stand together against the hate mongers who would seek to destroy minority communities, we form a mighty majority.

STORIES MAKING NEWS

Palestinian Terrorists Launch Deadly Attacks on Israelis

Two Palestinian terrorists killed four Israelis – including two teens – in a shooting attack at a West Bank hummus restaurant. The terrorists were members of the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorist organization. Hamas claimed the attack was partially in response to the false claim of Israeli ‘crimes’ against Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque. The night of the shooting, Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced the death of two teens who were killed in an accidental blast while handling explosives.

Before the shooting, PIJ terrorists detonated a bomb against an Israeli Defense Forces vehicle in the Palestinian city of Jenin. In the ensuing gun battle between the terrorists and the IDF, five Palestinians were killed and dozens hurt; eight IDF troops were injured. The leader of PIJ stated that “today’s confrontation in Jenin is of great importance.”

Following the deadly terrorist attack, Israeli Jewish vigilantes again attacked Palestinian towns, injuring dozens of Palestinians, torching 140 cars and vandalizing property.

Hatred of Jews in America

NY man shouts anti-Jewish slurs, assaults Jewish woman and chases Jewish children who ran to safety
Mass. Jewish teacher resigns after facing anti-Jewish harassment from 12-year-old student now facing a criminal charge; student made Nazi and Holocaust jokes
CUNY leaders call anti-Israel commencement address as “hate speech,” professors union slams reaction
University of California at Santa Cruz leader: battling antisemitism “will take long-term cultural change”
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg: “Antisemitism has always been there, it’s either been just around the corner and slightly out of sight but always lurking, or it has been much more overt like in Germany in the ’30s, I’ve never experienced this in my entire life, especially in this country.”

Stories Impacting the U.S. and Israel

Palestinian journalist on official PA TV: “Hitler and the Zionist movement cooperated” to create Israel; the Holocaust was “truly fabricated”
U.S. reportedly reassures Israel on its security amid reports of emerging interim Iran deal
Bipartisan group of senators urges Biden to “strengthen efforts to deter” Iranian nuclear program
U.S. leads 27 countries in condemning UN Human Rights Council probe into Israel; American ambassador: “Alarmingly, antisemitism and anti-Israel bias emanates from one Commission of Inquiry member”
UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution for the first time in its 77-year history that explicitly condemns hatred against Jews, in resolution co-authored by Abraham Accords participant UAE and UK
Ryanair flight attendant on flight to Tel Aviv welcomed passengers to Palestine multiple times; airline CEO termed it an “innocent mistake”
Israeli soccer player to become first Jew to play in an Arab league after signing with UAE team
BDS-busting move: Intel to invest “unprecedented” $25 billion in chip manufacturing plant in Israel, “a global center of technical talent and innovation”

The Focus Project develops and distributes news, background, history and weekly talking points on timely issues to inform individuals and organizations about issues affecting the American Jewish community and Israel, and help readers speak with more consistency and clarity. The editions also provide potential responses for addressing incidents of Jew hatred and anti-Zionism. With input from a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations, we focus on that which unites us, rising above political and individual agendas.

Recognizing that Jew hatred comes in many forms and directions, we strive to address all sources as they arise, and educate our growing audience on topics ranging from inter-religious relations to relevant international developments. From week to week, we may focus on issues arising from the political left, university campuses, from the political right and from institutions, government, and corporations. We don’t try to address all issues in each edition. We hope you will find this information useful in your writing and/or speaking. We are always open to your feedback: [email protected].