Youngstown Area Jewish Federation to honor Tree of Life Pittsburgh Synagogue victims

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)- Friday marks 5 years since the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

On October 27, 2018, 11 people were killed while they were in what many consider the safest place in the world, their place of worship. It is the deadliest attack on attack on the Jewish community in American History.

Years later, Jewish communities mourn the innocent lives lost that day. A memorial will honor the victims on Thursday.

It was earlier this year that the gunman faced a jury at trial. In June that jury deliberated for less than a day, finding 50-year-old Robert Bowers guilty on all 63 federal charges. Most of the victims in the attack were older or disabled.

Though the hope was that there would be some closure for families and the Jewish community, the tragedy still sits heavy with many.

The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation will honor the memories of the victims at a service Thursday evening. It will be at 7 p.m. at Congregation Ohev Beth Sholom on Elm Street. Reservations, however – were required.

The memorial comes at a time of mourning and prayer for many in the Jewish Community. This is between the thousands of lives lost in Israel in the ongoing war, and just a day following a mass shooting in Maine.