News

Jewish community hosts two memorial events

Published November 1, 2018 9:09 PM

Various Coachella Valley Jewish communities are extending messages of unity, tolerance and love in the wake of the nation’s latest hate crime — the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre that killed 11 men and women in Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 27.

Two memorial events on Friday Nov. 2 will remember the victims and serve as an invitation for the community to show support.

Temple Isaiah of Palm Springs will host the annual Interfaith Pride Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, Nov. 2 in Palm Springs at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to anyone in the community and will commemorate the victims. A wreath laying ceremony will take place the Thursday Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.

Also on Friday Nov. 2, the Har El Institute for Study and Worship in Palm Desert will host a memorial service at 6 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.

Both events are open to the public and will include increased police security.

Saturday’s massacre in Pittsburgh comes at a time where anti-Semitic hate crimes are on the rise. According to a report by the Anti-Defamation League, there was a 57 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidences in 2017 compared to 2016.