Strength After Disaster: Three Years Since Shooting at Jewish Federation Offices

SEATTLE—Three years ago this week, a lone gunman forced his way into the offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle killing one woman and gravely injuring five others. While the shooting occurred on July 28, we commemorate it each year on the third Friday, or Shabbat, of July.

“Those physically injured are still healing and will carry the pain and memory with them always. Our hearts and support continue to go out to them,” said Richard Fruchter, President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, who started his tenure at the Jewish Federation a week early to help respond to the shooting.

“It is amazing how the Jewish community came together after the shooting and has gained strength from this rallying. We are a more united and better prepared community as a result,” reflected Fruchter. A community-wide alert and response network, called SAFE Washington, is now in place to deal with this or other kinds of natural or manmade disasters threatening our community.

The first trial of the gunman ended in a mistrial. The second trial is slated to begin in October of this year.

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle works to ensure a vibrant Jewish community that is connected locally, nationally and worldwide.
 

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