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Local Jewish Leaders Respond to Recent Synagogue Shooting Local Jewish Leaders Respond to Recent Synagogue

Local leaders of the Jewish faith say it's important to spread love.

By Natalie Fahmy

A sign that says "Jewish Community Center"
© 2018 Natalie Fahmy
A brick wall in the Jewish Community Center where it lists the different services and amenities offered there.
The Jewish Community Center where Michael Balanoff’s office is located.
© 2018 Natalie Fahmy

After the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting, Syracuse local leaders of the Jewish faith reacted to the tragic incident. They said that it is important to spread love during this time. 

The shooting that killed eleven people on Saturday has brought the Jewish community in Syracuse together. President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Central New York, Michael Balanoff, said that it doesn’t matter what branch of Judaism someone practices, everyone is together. 

“There’s no lines here. We are one people that have a firm faith in our togetherness and our mission as people and we support each other,” Balanoff said. 

The President of a local Synagogue, Chaim Jaffe said that large numbers of people showing up to Temple, after such acts of hatred, sends a message of strength.

“It does speak volumes, it tells people who are out there who don’t care for us that we will win and you will not knock us down,” Jaffe said. 

Jaffe says that such tragedies cause people to take a moment to pause and think, but hate never wins.

The outside of a brick building. The building is the Jewish Community Center.
Where a vigil was held for those who lost their lives in the shooting.
© 2018 Natalie Fahmy

“At the end of the day love always conquers hatred and intolerance,” Jaffe said. 

NATALIE FAHMY: The Pittsburgh shooting in a Synagogue has brought the Jewish community in Syracuse together. President and C-E-O of the Jewish Federation of Central New York, Michael Balanoff, says that it doesn’t matter what branch of Judaism someone practices.

MICHEAL BALANOFF: “There’s no lines here. We are one people that have a firm faith in our togetherness and our mission as people and we support each other.”

NATALIE FAHMY: The President of a local Synagogue, Chaim Jaffe says that large numbers of people showing up to Temple sends a message of strength.

CHAIM JAFFE: “It does speak volumes, it tells people who are out there who don’t care for us that we will win and you will not knock us down.”

NATALIE FAHMY: Jaffe says that such tragedies cause people to take a moment to pause and think, but hate never wins.

CHAIM JAFFE: “At the end of the day love always conquers hatred and intolerance.”

NATALIE FAHMY: Reporting live in studio…Natalie Fahmy, NCC News.

Reported by
Natalie Fahmy

Natalie Fahmy

Natalie Fahmy is a student, graduating in 2021, at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications studying broadcast and digital journalism. Natalie is also involved in various multimedia stations on and around campus and has previous internship experiences.

Other stories by Natalie Fahmy

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