Pittsburgh Native Rena Sofer Heartbroken Over Hate Crime

For soap vet Rena Sofer, it was deeply personal as the deadliest attack on Jewish people in United States history took place during Saturday morning services at the Tree Of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

Sofer not only grew up right outside of Pittsburgh and attended school in Squirrel Hill (the community where this latest mass shooting took place), she is also the daughter of a rabbi who led a congregation in Ambridge, PA, also not far from the City of Pittsburgh.

When news of the shooting became a national nightmare to so many across the country on Saturday (as well as to those of us in Pittsburgh, as this writer is a Jewish woman living not far from Squirrel Hill), Sofer took to Instagram to post poignant photos from her childhood, as well as express her grief over what happened.

The following are her impassioned words.

“Today I am angry! As I write this I cannot see past my tears of hurt, sadness, anger, frustration and fear!!! First and foremost my heart and soul is with the entire Jewish community of #squirrelhill and with the #treeoflifesynagogue . This is not just any community to me or any “Jewish” community. THIS IS MY COMMUNITY!!!!

“I grew up right outside of #Pittsburgh but I went to school in #squirrelhill I went to Jewish school in Squirrel Hill. These are my people!! The first picture is of my Father in front of the holy ark at his temple in Ambridge Pa. that is where I grew up. The second picture is of my Brother David and me at the age we were when we moved to Pittsburgh!!

“I remember having Swastikas spray painted on our temple as we grew up there and feeling so unsafe. We always learned about #antisemetism in school but learning about it and experiencing it are two different things. It’s terrifying and you feel unsafe and alienated.

“The third picture is of a bus stop right by my home NOW in Los Angeles. Swastikas scratched into the plastic of a poster featuring a beautiful black woman. And it takes me right back to that fear I felt as a child. 45 years apart and the fear is as strong and painful as the first!!”

“If you don’t understand why this election is so important than look no further than a “President” who calls himself a #Nationalist, who doesn’t have the decency to reach out to an ex President, politicians and government workers to calm their fears or offer support after a mad man who is HIS SUPPORTER sends them bombs in the mail!!

“Who blames the Jews shot in a Temple today, ON THE SABBATH, because they weren’t better armed, who calls Nazis very fine people and who stokes hatred of his opponents and fuels violence against any who contradict him!!

“If that doesn’t scare the Hell out of you then who knows what it will take! It’s time to stand on the RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY before it’s too late!! Make it clear!! This is not ok!!YOU ARE NOT OK WITH THIS!! VOTE LIKE ALL OF OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT!! BECAUSE THEY DO!!!”

For background, a gunman opened fire on a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday morning during Shabbat services screaming, “All Jews must die,” according to witnesses and police.

Authorities later found his social media accounts filled with messages that suggested he believed that Jews were helping Central American people violently invade the United States and he felt he had to stop them.

Bowers killed 11 people and injured countless others, including police officers, despite President Trump saying armed guards could have prevented this.

You can see Sofer’s Instagram photos and full messages below.