CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The tragic news broke as rabbis in Charlotte were wrapping up morning services.
Charlotte rabbis Asher Knight and Murray Ezring knew something was wrong when they were called off the pulpit at their separate temples Saturday morning.
Police said a gunman had entered The Temple of Life Congregation Synagogue in Pittsburgh and had opened fire, leaving 11 dead and 6 other injured.
[ [Pittsburgh synagogue shooting: 11 dead, 6 injured] ]
"Unfortunately, we in the Jewish community are all too familiar with temples and synagogues being the target of senseless acts of hatred," Knight said.
For the first time in Ezring's 41 years as a rabbi, he told worshippers to get out their phone during a service, knowing some of them have loved ones in Pittsburgh.
"If Tree of Life in Pittsburgh can be attacked with live ammunition in the middle of a Shabbat morning service, it can happen to anyone, anywhere," Ezring said.
This is why these two rabbis said their temples continue to tighten security and heighten awareness.
Knight and Ezring said they have been contacted by other faith leaders across Charlotte with words of support, love, and kindness.
[ [IMAGES: Pittsburgh synagogue shooting: 11 dead, 6 injured] ]
"When any house of worship is attacked, all houses of worship are attacked," Knight said.
Each temple service ends with a prayer for peace and wholeness -- this is part of the message Ezring has for the community.
"Sometimes, we have to believe in good, and peace and justice, and not allow other people to prevent us from living our lives the way we live our lives," Ezring said.
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