Metro Police lined the walls of West End Synagogue Monday night as a crowd spilled out of the sanctuary and into the lobby and hallways. The interfaith gathering was organized after a bullet was found in the synagogue’s facade. Jewish leaders presume the shot was no accident.
“We say no to violence and hate,” the crowd repeated back to the speaker.
Rabbis and pastors spoke about stamping out antisemitism. Congressman Jim Cooper told the hundreds that this is a “serious moment” for Nashville.
Miriam Leibowitz, who is a member at another Nashville synagogue, called the turnout comforting.
“It’s really amazing,” she said. “It’s overwhelming that there is such outpouring of support, both from the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.”
Christians spoke from the stage. Muslims were also in attendance.
Mohamed-Shukri Hassan is part of the Al Farook mosque, which has endured occasional vandalism.
“So I know exactly how this feels,” he said. “This is a separate house of God where people come here to worship God. And to shoot at it is bigger than just that shot.”
Police removed the bullet and sent it for ballistics testing. So far, no one has come forward with information about who might be responsible.
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