Federation shocked at terror attack in France

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh expressed shock and outrage at the tragic terror attack on a Jewish school in southern France that has left at least four dead, including three children.

Early news indicates that a terrorist on a motorcycle carried out a fatal shooting outside Ozar Hatorah, a Jewish school in the southern French city of Toulouse. Recent updates report that four have been killed, including a teacher, Rabbi Sandler, his two children Gavriel, aged 6, Arye, aged 3 and Miriam Monstango, aged 8, daughter of the school principal. Others remain in critical condition.

Louis B. Plung, chair of the federation, stated, “We at the Jewish Federation are devastated by the horrific events that took place in France this morning. The news broke our hearts and we send our deep and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. We pray that those injured have a speedy recovery. We stand proudly by the Jews of France at this tragic and difficult time.”

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According to the federation’s president and CEO, Jeffrey H. Finkelstein, “Once again, people were killed for committing the apparent crime of being Jewish. I simply cannot express how saddened and shocked I am by this horrible terror attack aimed specifically at Jewish children. The Jewish community of Pittsburgh stands with the Jews of France at this time of sorrow.”

Jewish communities across the globe are stepping up their security procedures, and the federation will continue to monitor the situation closely with the Jewish Federations of North America.

For more information, contact Brian Eglash, senior vice president and chief development officer, at 412-992-5240 or beglash@jfedpgh.org.