With about 60 people in attendance on Tuesday night, Nov. 27, Temple Beth Mordecai was the location of a memorial program to honor the people who were shot to death at a Jewish synagogue, Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation, in Pittsburgh, on October 27, 2018. The commemoration was to mark the 30-day period following death. Rabbis and cantors from congregations in and around Middlesex County joined Rabbi Metz to present a program called the “Pittsburgh Sheloshim Commemoration.” A “sheloshim” is the 30-day mourning period following burial.

Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz attended. One of the speakers discussed the effects of violence: “We stand in grief with the devastated families in our nation. We weep over the incomprehensible loss of life. We cry out with shock, confusion and pain. We mourn together over this senseless act of violence and destruction.”

Three cantors sing at the commemoration at Beth Mordecai Tuesday night. From left, Cantor Sheldon Levin of Neve Shalom in Metuchen, Cantor Anna Ott of Congregation Anshe Emeth in New Brunswick and Cantor Bruce Rockman of B’Nai Tikvah in North Brunswick.

A cantor sings a prayer to the attendees.

Category : Middlesex Jewish News Pictures