MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - With spirited songs and burning candles, hundreds of people came together in Miami Beach to pay tribute to the lives lost during what is being called the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation hosted the “Stand Up to Anti-Semitism, Stand Up to Hate” community-wide solidarity vigil in honor of the 11 people gunned down at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Tuesday night.

The event was held at the Holocaust Memorial, located along the 1900 block of Meridian Avenue, the same space where people come to learn about and honor the lives lost during the Holocaust.

7News cameras captured a heavy police presence and tight security as crews shut down Meridian Avenue between 19th Street and Dade Boulevard. Miami Beach Police officers and private security performed security screenings as people of all ages filled the venue.

When asked why he felt compelled to attend, Miami Beach resident Karim Sabet replied, “To support the community. We are a community: Miami Beach, Pittsburgh, United States of America. I came out with my children and my wife.”

“It’s very important to attend these rallies,” said attendee Julie Feld.

On a stage that was set up for the event, a large black banner with a yellow Star of David and the words “Stronger Than Hate,” hung near the podium, close to the U.S. and Israeli flags.

Rabbis and synagogue congregation members led the memorial with messages of positivity.

“Love conquers hate, and light conquers darkness,” said Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz from Temple Beth Shalom.

Christian and Muslim religious leaders also spoke at the ceremony. Their interfaith message was clear.

“We grieve with you. We grieve,” said a speaker.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber also paid tribute honor to the shooting victims. Before the vigil, he spoke with 7News about unity in the community.

“We’re stronger than hate, and hope is stronger than hate, and love is stronger than hate, and we as a people are stronger than that,” he said. “Whether you’re Jewish or black or Muslim, you can stand together at this moment because that’s what America’s about. That’s what the world should be about.”

Carol Brick-Turin, one of the vigil’s organizers, shares the same opinion.

“I think when our community, and when I say our community, the interfaith community, the Miami-Dade community, is feeling vulnerable or scared, we need community,” Brick-Turin said. “We need to know that we’re not alone.”

Laszlo Selly, a Holocaust survivor who spends time at the memorial educating visitors, spoke with 7News Tuesday morning.

“During the Holocaust, six million Jews were killed for the simple reason that they were Jews, and I thought that it was over, that the hate was over after that, but it appears that it’s not,” he said.

South Beach visitors Zoey Bellaiche and Marcel Rosenthal said it’s important to pay tribute.

“For me, it’s very important to make this kind of event,” said Bellaiche. “I think anti-Semitism is a big problem in the world, and I think all the governments, they have to fight against anti-Semitism.”

“It’s quite good to keep the [victims’] memories in our minds, especially now,” said Rosenthal.

Love was preached from every corner of the vigil. It came from the Hollywood-based biker group Rolling Thunder.

“Live in peace, but defend yourself with the fist, if you have to,” said a Rolling Thunder member.

“We’re here for the community, we’re here to support. We’re here for our Israelis and our Jewish communities,” said another member.

Meanwhile, in Parkland a community interfaith vigil was held at the Congregation Kol Tikvah synagogue, a tribute from one city in mourning to another.

Tuesday’s vigil follows several other gatherings across South Florida. Monday night, a large crowd gathered at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus for a candlelight memorial.

In Weston, local leaders joined mourners at the Stanley & Marilyn Cohen Chabad Center for a somber prayer service. 7News cameras captured Broward Sheriff Scott Israel and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz lighting candles in honor of the shooting victims.

At the Holocaust Memorial ceremony, the community stood together for a one-hour program with speeches, prayer, songs and psalms.

The hope is that the vigil comforts people and helps begin the healing process.

Selly said the event also sends a message to the world.

“This is not a behavior that can be tolerated, that killing for the simple reason that somebody’s religion is Jewish cannot happen,” said Selly. “We cannot allow it to happen.”

“They talk about how God is inside each one of us, and right now in this event, you can see it,” said attendee Yaniv Cohen.

Organizers expected about 1,000 people to attend.

Another event, titled “Pittsburgh Strong,” is set to take place at Aventura Hospital on Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m.

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