At sunset on Wednesday, a diverse, solemn crowd filled the Chapel of Memories. Overflowing from the pews, approximately 200 people gathered with candles in hand, facing 12 white roses arranged at the front of the chapel. Eleven roses represented each life lost in the attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the 12th represented all Jewish lives lost in anti-Semitic attacks.
The Jewish community is no stranger to tragedy, and the oppression of the minority group continued on Oct. 27 when a gunman, suspected to be Rob Bowers, opened fire at the Tree of Life Synagogue, killing 11 congregation members and injuring six. The attack has been named the deadliest anti-Semitic crime in American history.
Hillel, the Jewish student organization at Mississippi State University, partnered with the Student Association to hold a vigil in honor of the lives lost. Young and old, male and female, families and individuals, Starkville citizens and MSU community, religious and non-religious, all gathered to support the Jewish community in commemorating the lost lives.
At the beginning of the event, Jewish students shared their difficult experiences with stereotypes and discrimination because of their religious affiliation. Jacob Craig, a former president of Hillel, said being one of the few Jewish people in his community often caused him to feel alienated. Craig, who is a senior mechanical engineering student, professed the strong Jewish fellowship was one of the main reasons he chose to attend MSU. He spoke of his fury with the injustice in Pittsburg.
“I am a Jew, and yes, I am angry. But I will love the best I can,” Craig said.
Joseph Metz, the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, also spoke about the cruel aversion he has often faced as a religious minority, including religious slurs and even being rejected for dates simply because he was Jewish.
Metz, who is a history major, contended while some attribute Bower’s actions to mental illness, there is no such excuse for this crime.
“This is not a gun problem. This is not a mental health problem. This is a people problem. This is a hate problem,” Metz said.
Mayah Emerson, president of the MSU Student Association, expressed being at a loss for words. However, Emerson offered what she could: her presence.
“When I was asked to speak tonight, I had no idea what I was going to say,” Emerson said to the attendants. ”I still do not have words, but I am here. That is what I can say.”
She encouraged students that even though they might not have the words to comfort their Jewish friends, they can offer their presence.
Though grief and frustration were expressed by many, others spoke a message of hope.
MSU President Mark Keenum offered sympathy to the Jewish community, making a point to introduce himself as a “brother” above all other titles. He preached the agenda of an inclusive atmosphere, especially during tragic times.
“Everyone is a child of God,” Keenum declared. “We will stand as one against violence, hatred, bigotry and intolerance.”
Other religious affiliations were also represented at the event. Pastor Bert Montgomery of University Baptist Church offered a prayer of healing and love. Rani Sullivan, advisor of the Muslim Student Association, also spoke to the power of interfaith fellowship and “the importance of knowing one another.”
Sullivan noted the experience of the Jewish people is not dissociated from other minority groups.
“The things that the young Jewish men were talking about, that’s the same thing that Muslims have experienced, and I’m sure it’s the same thing other minorities have experienced,” Sullivan said.
After the names of the victims were read, a moment of silence was observed. The room was heavy with communal grief, yet the evening concluded with a message of unified hope as the crowd held candles and voices sang “Oseh Shalom,” a Jewish Prayer for Peace, filled the chapel.
The ceremony was healing, according to Tyler Daniel, current president of Hillel.
“The Jewish Student Association could not be more proud and more happy with the attendance we received from university community, ranging from the highest administration, to community members, to faculty, to student organizations, to students themselves,” Daniel said. “The support was outpouring, and for that, we are extremely grateful.”
Daniel also noted the way the event impacted students.
“Several students came up to me after the service in tears, expressing how much it meant to them to have such a diverse group of people come together to express common solidarity with them,” Daniel said.
Sierra Laltrello, former secretary of Hillel and convert to Judaism, commented on the importance of the event.
“We are one, and not just as Jewish people. We are all Americans,” Laltrello said. “This event is important because Jewish communities across the globe, especially in places where they do not have large Jewish communities, need to know that they have a support system. We want people in Pittsburg to know we are supporting them as well.”