Shooting in New Zealand mosque reminds Pittsburgh Jewish community of recent heartbreak

But she said the attacks were questioning the conversation because, as a result of the Pittsburgh shooting, some of her students asked why some people did not like Jews or were afraid of being Jews.

Biersdorff-Wright said that she herself had fought against fear when she taught at the synagogue.

"For a moment, I had to sit with a view of the door," she said. "As a teacher, I have to think about these things, I do not feel safe in my own place of worship, if something like that happened in my synagogue, how could I protect them?"

Adam Hertzman, director of marketing for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, who raises funds for New Zealand victims, said the Squirrel Hill community is still fighting the concept of safety.

"As we have learned today, there are hateful people, crazy people, even crazy people, even in the most peaceful communities," Hertzman said. "I know that even though Pittsburgh is very safe, people are scared every time they hear of such an attack because the memory of last year is still so raw."

But Hertzman said the community remained vigilant and added security measures to counter a similar attack in the future.

And although fear persists after these events, it is also an opportunity to share love and show that the country and the world are opposed to anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and white supremacy – which President Donald Trump said it is not a growing threat "and are working to" silence those voices that spread violence and intolerance, "said Biersdorff-Wright.

"It's a pity that this is our new reality," she added, "but I hope New Zealanders know that the people of Pittsburgh, including myself, are here to them and that we support and love them. I know that what we are feeling now is raw, but I know that in these difficult times, I can stand in solidarity with others and we can take care of each other. "