Reflection on the Pittsburgh shooting
Despite what I may tell others, I am not fine. The shooting at the Pittsburgh synagogue hurt me deeply. I cherish my Jewish identity, and all of the memories I have that come with that identity. Each of my Jewish communities — my home synagogue, summer camp and Hillel at U.Va. — provides a warm and peaceful environment. My heart aches to think of the similar peace that was recently broken in Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. The horrific displays of anti-Semitism that occurred, and the knowledge that it resulted in the deaths of 11 innocent Jews who were in the midst of prayer, physically makes my stomach hurt. It made me — and continues to make me — upset, angry and disappointed.