Beth Israel rabbis perform an outdoor service
Rabbis of Congregation Beth Israel conduct a summer Shabbat service in the synagogue’s courtyard. Courtesy of the congregation

The oldest Jewish congregation in Southern California will host a community vigil Monday night in the wake of Saturday’s attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue that left 11 dead.

The event at Congregation Beth Israel is being organized by the local chapter of the ADL in partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation San Diego, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, the Leichtag Foundation, and the San Diego Rabbinical Association.

“Now, more than ever, we must stand together as a community in this moment to denounce anti-Semitism and hate in all of its forms,” said a letter to members of Beth Israel, which was founded in 1861.

Issued Sunday by Senior Rabbi Michael Berk, congregation President Gary Hirschfeld and Executive Director Lesley Mills, the letter said: “This tragic act of violence offers a sobering reminder of what feelings of hate can look like in action.”

The “Standing Together Against Hate” vigil honoring the lives taken at Tree of Life synagogue is set for 7 p.m. at Beth Israel, 9001 Towne Centre Drive in University City.

The letter said all bags will be checked, with large bags not allowed, and “please be prepared to show ID.”

The ADL said that the “unthinkable” had happened in the American Jewish community.

“It is simply unconscionable for Jews to be targeted during worship on a Sabbath morning, and unthinkable that it would happen in the United States of America in this day and age,” said national ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.

“Unfortunately, this violence occurs at a time when ADL had reported a historic increase in both anti-Semitic incidents and anti-Semitic online harassment.”

San Diego’s Roman Catholic leader issued a statement as well, saying his faith community “stands in solidarity and love with the Jewish community of our nation.”

“The shock and horror of the Pittsburgh shooting confront us with the reality that hatred and violence abound in the country that we all cherish,” said the Most Rev. Robert McElroy. “And the targets of that hatred and violence remind us of the virulence of anti-Semitism, an unforgivable sin against God for which our own Catholic Church bears grave historic responsibility.”

On Saturday, prominent San Diegans including Mayor Kevin Faulconer and state Sen. Pro Tem Toni Atkins reacted on social media.

A sampling: