https://komonews.com/news/local/religious-groups-stand-in-solidarity-in-wake-of-synagogue-shooting
SEATTLE — Interfaith communities are standing together and showing their support for Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue on Sunday.
In Seattle, different communities are coming together to support those touched by the tragedy and to pray for healing. A prayer vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday night at Kol HaNeshamah Synagogue in West Seattle. Another vigil is scheduled for Monday night at Temple De Hircsh Sinai in Capitol Hill.
On this Sunday, there’s a show of support that spans all faiths and all backgrounds.
At St. Mark’s Cathedral in Capitol Hill, church members listen and reflect and stand in solidarity with their Jewish brothers and sisters knowing that tragedy has touched lives of many families.
“Our hearts are breaking,” said Dean Steve Thomason of St. Mark’s Cathedral.
The shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue during Shabbat morning services has drawn lots of reaction from many different religious leaders and groups.
“Our message is one that holds both attention,” said Dean Thomason. “We lament that things are not what they should be. And we demand that things need to be done differently, while also as people of faith, we hope there can be a different way.”
A few miles away, member James Mason is headed to Mt. Zion Baptist Church this Sunday morning.
“It’s the world we live in. It’s the time we live in,” said Mason. “My condolences to the people, the family and friends. I just pray and hope people are going to be healed.”
Meanwhile, the president of the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) Mahmood Khadeer said an attack on one house of worship is an attack on all houses of worship. He issued this statement on Facebook:
“Our nation is better than this. We as a diverse people, whose welfare depend on each other, are better than this… We can all show love over hate and have faith over fear.
Interfaith leader Reverend Terry Kyllo with the historic Treacy Levine Center said this tragedy is an opportunity to show compassion.
“To do our best to accompany our Jewish neighbors and let them know we stand with them as Americans and as humans,” said Rev. Kyllo.
Rabbi Zari Weiss at Kol HaNeshamah Synagogue said, “At times like these, we need one another.”
Everyone is welcome to join the Sunday vigil at the Kol HaNeshamah Synagogue in West Seattle. It starts at 6 p.m.