MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- Local synagogues are standing in solidarity with the Tree of Life congregation after a gunman entered the service and killed 11 people. Authorities said the suspected gunman, Robert Bowers told police he wanted to kill Jewish people.
On sunday, theBbeth-el Orthodox synagogue held a special service for the 11 people killed, and have 11 candles burning in their honor.
“Our heart is broken. Everybody come crying. How come? What was their sin to die inside the synagogue,” said Rabbi Shlomo Elharar, Rabbi at Beth-el Orthodox Sepharic Congregation.
The suspected gunman Robert Bowers was armed with an A-R 15 and three handguns during the 20 minute assault and told officers he wanted to kill Jews.
“The Torah teaches us to fight for life and to save life and here we saw the opposite,” said Rabbi Elharar.
The Rabbi said sadly, history is filled with hate crimes like this even in the 21st century.
He remembers Benjamin McDowellm who was sentenced to 33 months in prison on a gun charge. The FBI said McDowell planned a racial attack, and inferred a threat on a Myrtle Beach synagogue in a Facebook post.
“We prepare for that. We have our system, our defense,” said Rabbi Elharar.
The Rabbi said security isn’t necessarily the answer to the problem.
“The way is education. The government has to put more into education, to get them to understand we’re not the enemy of any nation or religion,” said Rabbi Elharar.
Rabbi Elharar prays for all nations, and the 11 people who lost their lives.
News 13 reached out to Temple Emanu-El, but they did not want to comment.
