Decision on Pittsburgh synagogue shooter's fate draws reaction from victims' families, Jewish community, others

Almost immediately after a jury recommended the death penalty for Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers, statements began to pour in from family members of victims and survivors, Jewish leaders, politicians and others.

“Although we will never attain closure from the loss of our beloved Rose Mallinger, we now feel a measure of justice has been served. This sentence is a testament to our justice system and a message to all that this type of heinous act will not be tolerated. Returning a sentence of death is not a decision that comes easy, but we must hold accountable those who wish to commit such terrible acts of antisemitism, hate and violence. … May we always remember those who were taken too soon - Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil and David Rosenthal, Daniel Stein, Bernice and Sylvan Simon, Irving Younger, Melvin Wax, and Rose Mallinger. May their memories be for a blessing.”

— Family of victim Rose Mallinger and attack survivor Andrea Wedner

It is with great appreciation and respect that the family of Bernice and Sylvan Simon wholeheartedly expresses our extreme gratitude to the entire jury for their service during this very long and arduous trial. In the course of performing their civic duty, they unselfishly endured great personal sacrifice, time away from family, friends and work, as well as being disconnected from many everyday activities. They patiently and very attentively listened to all of the testimony and scrutinized the voluminous amount of evidence presented throughout the entire trial. We fully respect their verdict and decisions.”

— Family of victims Bernice and Sylvan Simon

“In the years we have spent waiting for this trial to take place, many of us have been stuck in neutral. It was a challenge to move forward with the looming specter of a murder trial. Now that the trial is nearly over and the jury has recommended a death sentence, it is my hope that we can begin to heal and move forward. As we do, I have my faith, bolstered by the embrace and respect with which my community has been treated by our government and our fellow citizens. For this and the seriousness with which the jury took its duty, I remain forever grateful.”

— Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Congregation

“As a congregation, we were prepared to accept either decision: death or life in prison. Many of our members prefer that the shooter spend the rest of his life in prison, questioning whether we should seek vengeance or revenge against him or whether his death would ‘make up’ for the lost lives. Vigorous debate continues about the purpose the death penalty serves. Yet Attorneys General Barr and Garland concluded that this case was different, that the death penalty was appropriate. New Light Congregation agrees with the government’s position that no one may murder innocent individuals simply because of their religion. We take this position not out of a desire to seek revenge or to ‘even the score’ but because we believe that the shooter crossed a line. Too often in the past — and not just the recent past — governments and religious authorities have looked away when murder and mayhem occurred against Jews. Too often in the past, these actions were sanctioned and championed by governmental authorities. Too often, perpetrators have been allowed to celebrate their depravity. Life in prison without parole would allow the shooter to celebrate his deed for many years. New Light Congregation accepts the jury’s decision and believes that, as a society, we need to take a stand that this act requires the ultimate penalty under the law.”

— New Light Congregation

“What happened on Oct. 27, 2018, is never far from our minds. Eleven innocent people were murdered simply because they were Jews. Do not forget them. They were: Joyce Fienberg, Bernice Simon, Richard Gottfried, Sylvan Simon, Rose Mallinger, Daniel Stein, Jerry Rabinowitz, Melvin Wax, Cecil Rosenthal, Irving Younger, David Rosenthal. They were killed because they were Jews. Our public discourse in this country has shifted to allow antisemitism and white supremacy into the mainstream. Our elected officials and the media need to combat white supremacist lies that the ‘white race’ is in danger of being replaced and Jews are to blame. And easy access to guns allows hate-filled people to make their antisemitic beliefs deadly. Politicians, legislators, religious leaders and others in positions of power must recognize that their rhetoric has power and renounce such bigotry and hatred. We must all learn to recognize antisemitism, which can surface in a wide range of speech and conduct, and call it out each and every time we see it. We will always remember the 11 lost and hold them in our hearts, along with their family members and the survivors. And we will strive to treat each other with kindness and caring, following the example of our beloved Jerry Rabinowitz.”

— Dor Hadash Congregation

“This sentence sends a message to violent extremists, terrorists, and antisemites everywhere that the United States will not tolerate hate and violence against the Jewish people, nor any people of faith. Though nothing will replace those taken from us nor ever fully assuage the grief that continues, this sentence is another step on the path to justice. I hope today’s decision delivers some measure of resolution for the victims and their loved ones, and our entire community — and nation.

— Michael Masters, CEO of Security Community Network, the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America

“As we collectively process the jury’s decision today, what should always be top of mind is the memory of the 11 people murdered in a synagogue while at prayer by a cold-blooded hater of Jews. Ultimately what is of most significance is not how the shooter will spend the end of his life, but the fact that the U.S. government pursued this case with vigor and demonstrated that such crimes will not be countenanced, excused or minimized.”

— American Jewish Committee

As this chapter comes to a close, we reflect on the strength and resilience of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and the entire community. Although healing is not a linear process, together we have supported people in need of mental health services and ensured that we stay safe from harm. In the wake of the horrors of the worst antisemitic attack in U.S. history, our community neither retreated from participating in Jewish life nor suppressed our Jewishness. Instead, our community embraced our Jewish values — strengthening Jewish life, supporting those in need and building a safer, more inclusive world. We will continue to help people through the long healing process and to honor those who were taken from us by remaining a proud, vibrant, visible, strong and connected Jewish community, now and for generations to come.

— Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

“This has been a test of one’s stance on the death penalty for many in our community. It is easier to say the state has no right to take life in the abstract than it is when the offender has taken the lives of those in your neighborhood, your faith congregation or your family. I commend the jurors for their willingness to perform this balancing test, and I respect their ultimate decision. October 27, 2018, and its aftereffects painstakingly highlighted throughout this trial, have demonstrated the clear and ongoing threat that antisemitism brings to our society. False and derogatory beliefs about Jewish people, often blended into other toxic conspiracies, can have deadly consequences—the consequences all those impacted by these killings will continue to feel for the remainder of their lives. We will never be able to reclaim the lives taken that day, but we will honor their memories, continue the long, uneven process of healing, and resolve to fight hate in all its forms, wherever it lingers.”

— Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger, D-Shadyside, whose district includes the Tree of Life synagogue

“I hope that today’s sentencing decision in the synagogue shooting case marks a step forward toward healing for our community. I hope that we can use this decision to start a new chapter that uplifts and protects our city’s Jewish community. … May their memories be a blessing today and every day. And may we continue to stand together as one Pittsburgh that’s stronger than hate.”

— Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey

“Today, I am remembering the victims who lost their lives in the Tree of Life massacre — eleven lives lost because of antisemitism and hate. I hope that today’s sentencing decision is a step toward justice and healing for the families of the victims, the survivors of the attack, and the broader Jewish community in Pittsburgh and across the country. This was a heinous crime, and I believe that the jury’s decision today is appropriate and just.”

— U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock

“Legally, today closes the book on this painful, horrendous chapter in our community’s history. I sincerely hope that the families and loved ones of those murdered can begin to find some peace and healing. As we move forward, we must support each other and work together to make sure a tragedy like this never occurs again.”

— State Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, whose district includes the Tree of Life synagogue

“Today’s verdict doesn’t right that wrong. For some, it may not even bring closure or comfort. It certainly doesn’t erase the horror and grief felt by the families of those who died, by the survivors, or our Jewish community. Even today, almost five years later, I’m still overcome with emotions thinking about that day. But I also remember standing in the rain at Forbes and Murray, in the heart of our Squirrel Hill neighborhood, with thousands of our neighbors. They came together to show support, express their love, and mourn as a community. … Our community must stand united against hate, against antisemitism, and in support of our Jewish family, friends, and neighbors. Hold all of those impacted by this tragedy in your heart today and always.”

— Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald

“I’m grateful that the trial is over, so our community can move forward in recovery. I respect the wisdom of a jury who has found this act of hate and violence abhorrent and beyond the bounds of rehabilitation. This verdict doesn’t restore the lives of the people lost to hate. We will forever mourn them, and the loss is sewn into the fabric of our community, just as the building on the corner of Shady and Wilkins avenues attests to both the tragedy – and hopefully – the path forward in healing and education. My small part in this is to continue to fight against hate, against hate crimes, and try to compel the full force of our government against this viciousness, this antisemitism, and these attacks against targeted communities.”

— State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, whose district includes the Tree of Life synagogue

“Today closes a painful chapter in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, but our work to honor the victims, and to root out antisemitism, must never end. … We can never bring back those 11 lives or forget the senseless attack on our Jewish community, but we can honor the victims and stand with our Jewish community by working every day to call out and end hatred and bigotry wherever we find it.”

— U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton

“Every Pennsylvanian deserves to be safe and feel safe when we’re worshipping in a church, synagogue or mosque. Since 2018, that feeling of safety has been shattered for many in the greater Pittsburgh community and especially amongst our Jewish brothers and sisters. Today’s sentencing can never bring back the 11 precious lives lost in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. I hope the legal process has brought some small measure of closure.”

— Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, D-McKeesport