11/27/18 *Photos by Ron Miskoff

By: Ron Miskoff

PERTH AMBOY – With about 60 people in attendance on Tuesday night, Nov. 27, Temple Beth Mordecai was the location of a memorial program to honor the people who were shot to death at a Jewish temple in Pittsburgh about a month ago. The commemoration was to mark the 30-day period following death. Rabbis and Cantors from congregations in and around Middlesex County joined laymen for what was called the “Pittsburgh Sheloshim Commemoration.” A “sheloshim” is the 30-day mourning period following burial. This program came 30 days after a gunman went into a Jewish synagogue on Oct. 27 and killed 11 people during services. Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz attended. One of the speakers discussed the effects of violence: “We stand in grief with the devastated families in our nation. We weep over the incomprehensible loss of life. We cry out with shock, confusion and pain. We mourn together over this senseless act of violence and destruction.” Rabbi Sara Metz of Beth Mordecai also participated in the program.

A cantor sings a prayer to the attendees.

Rabbi Sara Metz addresses attendees at Congregation Beth Mordecai, 224 High St. in Perth Amboy.

Three cantors sing at the commemoration at Beth Mordecai Tuesday night. From left, Cantor Sheldon Levin of Neve Shalom in Metuchen, Cantor Anna Ott of Congregation Anshe Emeth in New Brunswick and Cantor Bruce Rockman of B’Nai Tikvah in North Brunswick.