First Shabbat service since synagogue shooting held at Burlingame temple

BURLINGAME, Calif. (KTVU) - Saturday will mark one week following the worst anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. On Friday night, there was a show of support at the first Shabbat service since the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Hundreds of people attended a service at the Peninsula Temple Sholom in Burlingame.

“People are bringing a week's worth of wrenching emotions, sadness, probably some anger too,” said Rabbi Dan Feder of Peninsula Temple Sholom. 

Last Saturday, a gunman opened fire at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, killing 11 people.

Many worshippers said they needed to be with other Jewish people and the community to stand up to anti-Semitism.

“We don't want people who are shooters and who are haters to win this battle,” said Gail Shak of Burlingame. “We want to win this battle and love our neighbors.”

For other people, it was the first time they attended a Shabbat service. 

“What happened to the Jewish community wasn't an act of violence against the Jewish community,” said San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa. “It was act of violence against America.”

State Senator Jerry Hill and Congresswoman Jackie Speier were among those in attendance. Speier made reference to the explosives sent to prominent Democrats.

“In many ways, violence feels closer than ever,” said Speier. “You may justifiably ask what's the difference between Pittsburgh and Burlingame. It could have been here, in could have been us.”

Worshippers saw increased security with guards and Burlingame police manning the front door. 

A light-hearted moment during the service was a baby naming ceremony. The Pittsburgh shooting occurred doing a similar event. 

“In Judaism you do a baby naming and we are doing a naming for our daughter tonight,” said Matthew Frankel of Tiburon. “I think she's a symbol of rebirth for us in a lot of ways.”

At the end of the service, there was a prayer for the 11 lives lost. The invitation to worship was spread through social media using the hashtag “Show up for Shabbat” and “Solidarity Shabbat.”