ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — More than a thousand people of different religious backgrounds gathered at a St. Petersburg synagogue Thursday to honor the lives lost in last weekend's shooting in Pittsburgh, as well as to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

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An estimated 1,100 people gathered inside Temple Beth-El in St. Petersburg for the interfaith service, many saying they heard about the service from their local church, mosque or synagogue.

“When tragedy strikes one, it really impacts all, so this is not a Jewish problem," said United Methodist Church District Superintendent Reverend Candace Lewis. "This is a Christian problem, this is a Lutheran problem, this is a Catholic problem. This is a problem for all faiths.” 

 

 

 

The message of unity echoed throughout the service. It's a message attendees hope will continue.

“I wanted to bring our community together, to understand that we can stand in solidarity and we will not tolerate acts of hatred against anyone,” said Rabbi Michael Torop.

The donations given at the service Thursday will go to Community Tampa Bay, whose mission is to end discrimination.