Interfaith vigil held at Congregation Ahavas Sholom, Newark, NJ for Victims of the Pittsburg Massacre.

Religious leaders joined with political leaders and government officials to call out hate.

Unless you’ve been in a coma, or on the moon, you must know last week (the week of October 21-27, 2018) was an insane and crazy week. It started with some looney (I will not apologize for the reference) sending pipe bombs and packages containing mysterious white powder through the mail. By mid-week, a man went on a shooting spree in Kentucky; killing two senior citizen African-Americans, at a local Kroger store. The crime, being investigated as a hate crime, is even more unnerving, and could have been more catastrophic, when one considers the shooter first tried to gain access to a local church; but, was unsuccessful in doing so. The week ended with a heavily armed man entering a synagogue in Pittsburgh and slaughtering 11 people as they prayed during morning service at The Tree of Life Synagogue. Without getting into the reasons, ramifications, and political fallout, of the week’s events, I was brought in to photograph an interfaith vigil held in remembrance of those lost. The vigil, held at Congregation Ahavas Sholom, the oldest continually operating synagogue in Newark New Jersey, featured religious, political, and civil leaders; as well as law enforcement officials; all  calling for an end to lawlessness, hatred, intolerance, and senseless violence in our society.

Simon Rosenbach, Rabbi at Congregation Ahavas Sholom addresses the attendees and press.

Congregation Ahavas Sholom president, Eric Freedman, quotes Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, while calling for peace and compassion.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka , rouses the crowd.

Attorney General, State of New Jersey - Gurbir S. Grewal

Newark, City Council President Mildred C. Crump

Pastor Jefferson confers with NJ Homeland Security Director, Jared Maples

Prominent  New Jersians standing up to hate

Eric Freedman flanked by Simon Rosenbach & two others Rabbis

New Jersey State Police Chaplain, Rabbi Abe Friedman, laments the tragic events of the prior week.

A local Iman stands with the people against hate and intolerance.

Another Iman is saddened by this wave of senseless violence.

Another Rabbi,(sorry , I did not get his name) addresses the press.

Mark Levenson, Chairmen, New Jersey Israel Commission, said he was encourage by the all the support afforded him and the victims of the massacre; yet, he also discouraged by the reemergence of anti-Sematic hate, he witnessed as a child.

The Hatzaiah of Newark EMS team was there to lend support.

Director, Jared Maples, Pastor Jefferson & Rabbi Abe Friedman

 People from throughout  the area came to lend their support to all victims of hate.

Attendees of diverse, races, religions, and backgrounds, hold hands I unity against hate, intolerance, and senseless violence. 

I was a little slow on this one, told the press conference would be held on the steps outside the synagogue, I didn’t bring a flash. Once I got there; however, it had morphed into a vigil that was to be held inside the sanctuary. The light inside was not the greatest; but there was a skylight directly above the podium that gave me ample light for a good shot. Toward the end, though the sun started to go down forcing me to push up my ISO. When you are in the field conditions change all the time and without warning; and you just have to adapt. If there is something in particular you would like me to address, just leave me a message and don’t forget to check out my  website                      LeadTrac Photography  and leave a message , 

#ATLee #Leadtracphotography #events #eventphotography #photography #judaism #newarknj #nomorehate #treeoflifemassacre#Jewsofnewark #cas #congregationAhavassholom

Until next time; peace and love to all.