Victims In Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Identified
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The identities of the victims that were inside the Tree of Life Synagogue Saturday are now being released.
Robert Bowers allegedly killed 11 people and injured another six, including four police officers, Saturday when he opened fire in what police say was a hate-filled killing spree.
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The 11 victims that were killed in the shooting were identified as:
- Joyce Fienburg, 75, of Oakland
- Richard Gottfried, 65, of Ross Township
- Rose Mallinger, 97, of Squirrel Hill
- Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, of Edgewood
- Cecil Rosenthal, 59, of Squirrel Hill
- David Rosenthal, 54, of Squirrel Hill
- Bernice Simon, 84, of Wilkinsburg
- Sylvan Simon, 86, of Wilkinsburg
- Daniel Stein, 71, of Squirrel Hill
- Melvin Wax, 87, of Squirrel Hill
- Irving Younger, 69, of Mt. Washington
MORE INFORMATION ON VICTIMS:
Joyce Fienberg worked for years as a research specialist at the University of Pittsburgh until she retired in 2008. She was married to the late Stephen Fienberg, who was a well-known professor at Carnegie Mellon University. They had two sons.
Richard Gottfried was a well-known dentist. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and went on to get his dental degree at Pitt. He had a practice in Westview and also volunteered with Catholic charities at their free dental clinic.
Rose Mallinger was 97, but everyone who knew her said she seemed much younger and full of energy. She was a regular at services. Her daughter, 61-year-old Andrea Wedner, was also shot. She remains in the hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.
Jerry Rabinowitz served as a personal physician for former Deputy District Attorney Law Claus for over 30 years. Law released a statement to media this morning.
"Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz was more than just a physician for me and my family; for over three decades he was truly a trusted confidant and healer who could always be counted upon to provide sage advice whenever he was consulted on medical matters, usually providing that advice with a touch of genuine humor," said Claus. "He had a truly uplifting demeanor, and as a practicing physician he was among the very best."
Rabinowitz was a beloved family doctor and his patients are overcome with a sense of grief and loss.
Brothers David and Cecil Rosenthal were inside the synagogue when Bowers opened fire. Both David and Cecil were killed. According to a friend that spoke with KDKA-TV's Ross Guidotti, both brothers were very well known in the Jewish community and the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. Cecil and David were always at the synagogue, according to friends. Cecil was a greeter at the synagogue, often escorting worshipers to their seats. David would carry the Torah during religious ceremonies.
Kris Kepler, a friend of the brothers, says Cecil likely died first in the front of the chapel with his quiet younger brother's final actions speaking loudly of his character and love for his sibling.
"The people in the front of the room by the stage and by the beam were trying to take David up behind the stage and hide with him, and I heard something that David turned around and went back into the chapel, maybe to go back for his brother, and I would, I guess, guess that that's when he was killed as well," Kepler said.
Services for both David and Cecil will be held at Rodef Shalom Temple on Fifth Avenue at Morewood on Tuesday at noon. Visitation will be held at Temple from 10 a.m. to noon.
In lieu of flowers, family asks contributions may be made in David and Cecil's memory to Tree of Life/Or L'Simcha Congregation, 5898 Wilkins Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, or Achieva, 711 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.
Sylvan and Bernice Simon, a married couple, were remembered by neighbors as a kind and loving couple who enjoyed cooking. They were married in the Tree of Life Synagogue building 62 years ago.
Daniel Stein was killed in the shooting. Friends describe him as a kind, family man and a new grandfather.
Stein's son posted on Facebook on Sunday, saying, "Yesterday was the worst day of my life! My dad's life was taken at the Tree of Life shooting. My mom, sister and I are absolutely devastated and crushed! Our lives now are going to have to take a different path, one that we thought would not happen for a long time. My dad was a simple man and did not require much."
Melvin Wax was a father, grandfather and a retired accountant. He was a member of the New Light Congregation and a fixture at Tree of Life. He was leading Shabbat services in the basement of Tree of Life at the time of the shooting.
Irving Younger is being remembered as a wonderful father and grandfather who was devoted to his faith. He taught classes on current events at the local community center. Friends say he adored his two grandchildren and would often share pictures and stories about what they were doing.
In addition to those killed, multiple people were shot and injured.
Daniel Leger, 70, was shot and is in critical condition. Officials at UPMC say that Leger had a gunshot wound to the torso involving major organs in his abdomen. He underwent two surgeries at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Leger is a nurse and a chaplain at UPMC who was scheduled to lead a service Saturday morning at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Leger is married and has two sons.
A 40-year-old male officer is also in critical condition.
Two victims -- Wedner and a 55-year-old male officer -- are in stable condition. A 27-year-old male officer was released from UPMC Mercy Sunday. Another officer was treated and released Saturday.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to collect donations for the Tree of Life Synagogue, the survivors and the victims' families. To donate, click here.
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