Photos: Alex and Liv Pasquarelli
Over 1500 men, women and children from all walks of life gathered in Pittsburgh for a communal day of healing and unity concert on Sunday.
The event was held at the Congregation Beth Shalom Ballroom, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, just a mile away from the recent anti-Semitic shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue that left 11 people dead and 6 injured.
The event opened with inspiring words from the Head Shliach of Western PA, Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, followed by mishnayos and Kaddish by Rabbi Daniel Yolkut.
Singer Shulem Lemmer then led the crowd in an emotional Keil Molei Rachamim in memory of the victims.
Rabbi Elchonon Friedman, Rabbi of Bnai Emunoh Chabad – Greenfield and the event’s organizer, emceed the event.
Rabbi Shlomo Silverman from Chabad of CMU spoke about the activities Chabad on campus has done since the tragedy.
World-renowned Jewish music superstars Avraham Fried, Shulem Lemmer and Lipa Schmeltzer each performed, at times together. They were joined on stage by the Bochurim from Yeshiva Schools for an upbeat “Chazak.”
The event truly uplifted the crowd, and many people put on Tefillin in the merit of the victims.
“This event definitely brought back a lot of joy to the community,” one of the organizers said. “Someone told me she hasn’t seen this kind of mood by anyone since the shooting. This is just the beginning, we will continue to grow stronger together!”
The event was arranged by Rabbi Elchonon Friedman along with Yitzi Goldwasser. Special thanks to Sruly Meyer for musical production.
VIDEO:
Yes, Shulem is Yanky Lemmer’s younger brother.
Are the cutest!!!
chaim zippel without you this event wouldnt be possible i love u keep up the good work
thank you for sharing nice
This was one amazing event!
The food,………. Judah Cowen was yum and plentiful!!
YAY to Naomi Lifshitz for your tremendous help!
We can always count on you!!!
It was a wonderful event to attend. The achdus here in Pittsburgh is beautiful
To comment number 10
Morah Liv is only outdone by Morah Alex!!!!
2 super sweet ,……super talented,…… super loved
teachers,……. and photographers,……. and jack of all trades!!
Stronger than hate!
Stronger with Love!
Strength through unity!
Moshiach NOW!
Go Morah Liv!
Best teacher (and photographer) ever!
It is his brother
Thank you Chaim Zippel for arranging such a beautiful event. You are really amazing!!!
Thank you!
The singers were so inspiring, especially that amazing Chazzan! Is he related to the world renowned Chazzan Yanky Lemmer?
We would love to see the rest of it….
especially having seen so much negative news from Pittsburgh, something so positive would be amazing!!
Lots of people there. Cross section of the Jewish community.
Lots of fun, food, great performers!
Go Naomi!!!
Can we please have the rest of avraham fried Thank You!
Why does it cut off just when Avrohom Fried finally starts singing!?:(
Beautiful singing!
What an amazing event!!
BH!!!
There should be unity like this for Klal Yisroel!!!
Thank you to all the singers,……. the sponsers,……… the Pittsburgh community,…….. the amazing donars,…..,…… Rabbi Choni Friedman,……….. Rabbi Yitzi Goldwasser ,………. and all of the wonderful , wonderful volunteers,…….. especially Naomi Aharon/Lipschitz,…….. and Shifra Van Sickel!!!!!
So beautiful!!!