In the Jewish News article, “Phoenix set to pause with Pittsburgh,” the work of the JCRC in organizing the interfaith vigil after tragic events in Pittsburgh is highlighted:
“Phoenix had multiple vigils to honor the Tree of Life victims after the shooting. The [Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix ]worked with the Arizona Faith Network, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix to hold an interfaith vigil at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus.
Although he was not the JCRC’s executive director at the time, Paul Rockower said that the shooting was one of the reasons why he ended up accepting the position.
‘The attack on the congregations at the Tree of Life building in Pittsburgh was my catalyst to become directly involved, and helped lead me to the communal public diplomacy work of the JCRC,” Rockower said. “I was overwhelmed to learn that the interfaith vigil that the JCRC organized brought together over 1,200 people from the Jewish community, as well as other faith and ethnic communities — including over 70 clergy of various religious traditions, to stand together against such hate. By building a broad, strong, enduring coalition of allies and community partners, we will never face these vile threats alone.'”