Members of Westmoreland County gathered on Monday, Oct. 29 to remember the 11 lives lost in the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pa. last Saturday.
The candlelight vigil was hosted by the Westmoreland County Diversity Coalition and Voice of Westmoreland. Voice of Westmoreland estimates that more than 500 community members attended the vigil.
Opening remarks were given by Carlotta Paige and Rabbi Sara Perman, co-founders of the Westmoreland County Diversity Coalition, along with Sheila Confer, president of the board of directors of the Blackburn Center. Throughout the evening, representatives from the Blackburn Center were present to provide counseling.
Sister Barbara Einloth and Sister Mary Norbert Long of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill were among the community members who spoke at the vigil. Music was provided by the groups Heavenly Biscuits, Garment of Praise and Tupelo and Noah.
Voice of Westmoreland also collected donations throughout the evening for the Congregation Emanu-El Israel Synagogue Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, which “provides assistance to individuals and/or organizations in need.”
Photos by Haley Carnahan, Setonian Co-Editor-in-Chief.
The duo Heavenly Biscuits performs as members of the community gather for the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
A community member holds a sign that reads “No matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor” at the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
A community member holds a sign with the names of the 11 victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue during the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29.
Carlotta Paige (left) and Rabbi Sara Perman (right) speak at the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Members of the community listened to speakers throughout the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
A young member of the community holds her candle during the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Members of the community hold their candles during the vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Members of the community hold their candles during the vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Voice of Westmoreland estimates that nearly 500 people attended the the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Members of the community hold their candles during the vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Members of the community listened to speakers throughout the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Sister Barbara Einloth of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill speaks at the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
The American flag at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg flies at half-staff in memory of the lives lost in the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Members of the community hold their candles during the vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
The Westmoreland County Diversity Coalition and Voice of Westmoreland organized the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Reverend Roy Aiken Jr., senior pastor of Living Word Congregational Church of Jeanette, speaks at the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
Seton Hill University senior Sebastian Murabito reflects during the candlelight vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
From left: Seton Hill University professors Jen Jones, Debra Faszer-McMahon and Christine Cusick hold candles at the vigil at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg on Oct. 29 for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
