Hundreds of visitors attended an Interfaith Shabbat Friday night in Lombard that began with the lighting of eleven candles. One for each of those innocent souls who died in an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue last weekend.
A cross section of different DuPage County faith communities congregated at Etz Chaim. More than 30 clergy with hundreds more in attendance at the first Shabbat since the Pittsburgh massacre.
Two of the victims, David and Cecil Rosenthal, have family at the Lombard congregation.
"The idea that the hurt family is in our congregation makes this local and real," Rabbi Andrea Cosnowsky said.
The Rosenthal's nieces attended the ceremony with their father.
Cosnowsky described the girls as "wonderful, incredible young ladies" who loved their uncles.
The men were considered pillars of the Pittsburgh congregation who were "devoted to their family and their community."
And their impact was felt here in the Chicago area as well, Michael Ellek, of Carol Stream said.
"We’re gonna have these tragedies but we can’t fall prey to hatred," Ellek said. "And to rise above, that's how you detour hatred."
Portraits of the Fallen
Here are photos of those killed in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
Click to read about each person.
Source: NBC News; Photos: Facebook, Families, CBC
