FILE - A memorial is placed inside the locked doors of the dormant landmark Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. The head of security for Pittsburgh's Jewish community said Friday, May 12, 2023, there has been an “uptick in hate speech” on the internet, but no specific threats, in the early stages of the trial of the man accused of killing 11 worshippers at a synagogue here in 2018.
Brokos and others spoke Friday at a news conference at the federation's offices to talk about how the Jewish community has been preparing for the federal trial in the worst antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Jury selection began April 24 and is slated to continue at least into next week, followed by further weeks in which jurors will weigh the defendant's guilt and potentially a death sentence.
That counseling continues in such settings as the courthouse and the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill, the neighborhood where the attack happened. Michele Rosenthal, who lost her brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal in the attack, gave thanks to several restaurant and grocery vendors who are cooperating to send meals to the courthouse so that victims' families don't have to rush out and back to court between sessions.