Rabbi, himself a victim of violence, calls Tree of Life victims martyrs of the faith
When King David, the Old Testament psalmist, wrote centuries ago, “God has severely chastised me, but on to death he has not handed me,” he could have been prophesying what happened to his namesake, Rabbi David Novitsky.
Just out of law school and working in Philadelphia in 1986 at age 26, Novitsky was shot six times by a client who held a grudge against the firm.
“I was listed as a homicide at first, but I totally recovered,” he said Thursday morning after the Washington County commissioners invited him to offer an invocation at their meeting.
Novitsky, rabbi at Beth Israel Synagogue in Washington, lived to offer hope to those who joined him in prayer in the aftermath of the horrific rampage last Saturday in Pittsburgh.
“I do think it’s important that we turn to God at this particular time,” he said, citing belief in resurrection held in common in both Judaism and Christianity. “God made a future world to correct all the things that aren’t perfect in this world.”
Novitsky read Psalm 118: “God is with me. I do not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side to help me. I will see my enemies defeated.”
He said after the meeting he considers those who died at Tree of Life Synagogue to be martyrs of the Jewish faith who have ascended to heaven and compared them with first-century Christians who were persecuted.
It was hard, he explained, to discuss his personal experience in light of the tragedy in Pittsburgh.
“I try to be helpful,” Novitsky said.
Commission Chairman Larry Maggi said the members of the board requested Novitsky lead them in prayer “during trying times” just days after the massacre at Tree of Life in Squirrel Hill where 11 people were murdered and six, including four police officers, were wounded.
Robert Bowers, 46, of Baldwin, on Wednesday was indicted by a federal grand jury on 44 counts, including hate crimes and murder, in what is believed to be the deadliest act of anti-Semitism in North American history.
Maggi also called for a moment of silence to honor the victims.
Washington County Judge Gary Gilman, president of the Beth Israel congregation, accompanied the rabbi to Thursday’s meeting.
The judge thanked the rabbi for providing inspiration and hope that the horrific events will not be repeated.
Beth Israel plans an interfaith service for the community at 7:30 p.m. today at 265 North Ave. as part of a Solidarity Shabbat in the wake of the attack on those gathered last Saturday morning at Tree of Life.