Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, center, of the Tree of Life/Or L'Simcha Congregation, is comforted after saying a prayer for the souls of the deceased during the one-year commemoration of the Tree of Life synagogue attack, at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The first anniversary of the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history was being marked around the world Sunday with community service projects, music and an online remembrance.
The shooting on Oct. 27, 2018, killed 11 worshippers and wounded seven at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, where a steady stream of people stopped by Sunday. Lining the fence outside the closed Tree of Life building were 11 flowerpots, each one bearing the name of one of those killed. People also piled bouquets and crocheted hearts at the site and hung signs on the fence saying the city was "stronger than hate" and calling diversity its strength.
"Today we remember those we lost and come together as a commonwealth to stand united as neighbors," said a Twitter message from Governor Tom Wolf, who is scheduled to attend a memorial service in Pittsburgh on Sunday evening.
Pittsburgh's sports teams joined other organizations in honoring the victims. Steelers president Art Rooney II said Sunday that fans will be asked at Monday night's game to stand for a moment of silence for the victims and their families. The Pittsburgh Penguins said "Hatred and discrimination have no place in Pittsburgh or anywhere else," and the Pittsburgh Pirates echoed that sentiment, saying the memory of the victims "will always be a reminder that hatred has no place in our world."
The synagogue's three congregations now worship at two nearby synagogues. Last week, Tree of Life leaders unveiled their vision for the damaged building: a rebuilt space for places of worship; memorial, education and social events; and classrooms and exhibitions.
The commemoration's theme is "Remember. Repair. Together." It includes a private Jewish service, studying the portion of the Torah that was to be read when the shooting happened, opportunities to do community service, and a public memorial service.
Several hundred people had registered to volunteer at various community organizations on Sunday. In Germany, the Clarion Quartet, comprised of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians, was to perform at a special event in Berlin.
Thousands were expected to participate in Sunday's remembrance through Pause With Pittsburgh, a virtual memorial event created by the Jewish Federations of North America.
Authorities charged Robert Bowers, 47, a truck driver from Baldwin, Pennsylvania, in the massacre. Investigators say he used an AR-15 rifle and other weapons, and posted criticism of an immigrant aid society on social media before the attack, claiming the Jewish charity "likes to bring invaders that kill our people."
Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
A mother hugs her son in front of a memorial at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue, that killed 11 worshippers. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
A group of students from a Pittsburgh Yeshiva school gather outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue, that killed 11 worshippers.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
A man wearing a Stronger Than Hate Yamulke stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue, that killed 11 worshippers.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
Passersby stop to pay respect outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue, that killed 11 worshippers. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
A young boy looks at the fenced off entrance to the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue, that killed 11 worshippers.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
From left Coby Shaw, 10, makes "Thank You" cards with Azi Knoll, 11, his brother Caleb Knoll, and his father David Knoll, during a community service day to mark the one year anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Pittsburgh. The cards will be sent to business and organizations who reached out to Pittsburgh's Jewish community with notes and also in-kind donations after the attack last year. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)
The Associated Press
A woman ties hand-made hearts to a fence outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue, that killed 11 worshippers.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
Laura Fehl, left, hugs Esther Nathanson as they arrive for the one-year commemoration of the Tree of Life synagogue attack at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Pittsburgh. A year ago, a gunman entered the Tree of Life synagogue and killed 11 members of three congregations, Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life/Or L'Simcha, holding Shabbat services in the building. The women are long-time friends from Temple Sinai synagogue. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)
The Associated Press
Survivors of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting stand during the one-year commemoration of the Tree of Life synagogue attack at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Pittsburgh. A year ago, a gunman entered the Tree of Life synagogue and killed 11 members of three congregations, Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life/Or L'Simcha, holding Shabbat services in the building. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)
The Associated Press
Family members of victim Daniel Stein, including his daughter Leigh Stein, center, and his wife Sharyn Stein, right, embrace during the one-year commemoration of the Tree of Life synagogue attack at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)
The Associated Press
Daniel Leger, second from right, and his wife, Ellen Leger, embrace during the one-year commemoration of the Tree of Life synagogue attack, at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Dan Leger was seriously wounded during the attack. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)
The Associated Press
People gather in front of a fence that surrounds the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue, that killed 11 worshippers. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
A woman places stones along a fence outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue, that killed 11 worshippers.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
The crowd stands as the colors are presented to open the one-year commemoration of the Tree of Life synagogue attack at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Pittsburgh. A year ago, a gunman entered the Tree of Life synagogue and killed 11 members of three congregations, Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life/Or L'Simcha, holding Shabbat services in the building. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)
The Associated Press
A family member of one of the victims returns to her seat after lighting candles on stage during the one-year commemoration of the Tree of Life synagogue attack at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Pittsburgh. A year ago, a gunman entered the Tree of Life synagogue and killed 11 members of three congregations, Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life/Or L'Simcha, holding Shabbat services in the building. (AP Photo/Rebecca Droke)
The Associated Press
A man places an American flag outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue that killed 11 worshippers. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press
Monique Mead plays her violin on the sidewalk outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, the first anniversary of the shooting at the synagogue that killed 11 worshippers. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The Associated Press