Pittsburgh shooting won't change this Seattle rabbi's resolve to help refugees
Communities around the country are still reeling after a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh over the weekend.
For Seattle Rabbi Will Berkovitz, Saturday’s tragedy hit close to home. Berkovitz is CEO of the nonprofit Jewish Family Service. Like the Pittsburgh synagogue, they work to resettle refugees.
His phone was ringing off the hook Saturday. “Jewish and non-Jewish people have reached out to make sure we’re okay,” Berkovitz said.
The reaction has been heartening. But he’s still trying to process the tragedy. He finds strength from a Jewish quote that’s on the side of his office building for moments like this.
Berkovitz said they plan to take extra security precautions. But it won’t change their resolve to work with vulnerable people.
“That is the best response you could possibly give to somebody trying to silence the other is actually step up and speak out and support the other,” he said.
A community vigil is planned Monday at 7 p.m. at Temple De Hirsch Sinai on Capitol Hill.
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Ruby de Luna
Reporter
Ruby de Luna is a reporter with a focus on food and how it intersects with health, communities, and culture. She has also reported on health care, and immigrant communities.
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