Ted Deutch Shares Jewish Upbringing in Wake of Synagogue Shooting

 Democratic lawmakers Ted Deutch and Debbie Wasserman Schultz are scheduled to hold an event at the Jewish Federation of Broward County in Davie, Florida. The event aims “to denounce the anti-Semitism that fueled a horrific mass shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh on Saturday.” Also in attendance will be religious leaders and representatives from the Anti-Defamation League.

Deutch’s office announced that “This is a moment for religious and community leaders to band together and speak out against this and other recent hate-driven crimes that are becoming all too common, not only across the nation but in our own community.”

Commenting on the shooting over the weekend, in a Facebook post, Representative Deutch wrote that “This morning, I spoke to high school activists about taking action to stop mass shootings. Then I walked out to learn of a mass shooting at a synagogue. A horrific act of anti-Semitism. This afternoon, I spoke to a different group of high school students, this time at a synagogue. Because it was still Shabbat, they weren’t using their phones; they had no idea what happened in Pittsburgh. We talked about Israel and anti-Semitism. I told them how important it is for our community to speak out against anti-Semitism that can sometimes lead to violence, even in synagogues. They didn’t understand why I said that. Sadly, they’ll learn after sundown.”

Deutch also noted that “I’m a Jew. I grew up in Pennsylvania. My conservative synagogue was the center of my life. This mass shooting in Pennsylvania feels intensely personal, like the one that occurred just a few miles from my home in Florida. This anti-Semitism is terrifying. But terrorists like this guy will not, cannot, cause us to back down. We’ve got to stand up to anti-Semitism, racism, hatred and bigotry in all its forms. They cannot win.”

Deutch then concluded that his “heart breaks for the families, the community, and Pittsburgh. This synagogue, this Jewish community, and this neighborhood will never be the same. Sending love from South Florida. We are with you - today, tomorrow and every day as we work to make this madness stop. We’re divided on so much, but can we come together to condemn hatred and violence? Just that? Maybe that would be a start.”