Lexington synagogues increase security. Chabad of the Bluegrass holding Monday vigil.

A local vigil for the 11 victims killed Saturday in Pittsburgh has been scheduled as Lexington synagogues step up security measures.

The Associated Press reported that 11 people died when a gunman opened fire during a baby naming ceremony and services at a Pittsburgh synagogue. At least six people were wounded, including four police officers who rushed to the scene. Police sources told CBS Pittsburgh that the gunman identified as Robert Bowers walked into the building and yelled, “All Jews must die.”

In announcing on Facebook the Monday night vigil at the Chabad of the Bluegrass, a Jewish student center near the University of Kentucky, Rabbi Shlomo Litvin said: “We can all choose to be forces of light. I urge each of you, to choose a single Mitzvah, a single good act, to increase this week, and going forward in honor of those who we lost. Fight darkness with light, and anger with kindness.”

The vigil will be held at 8 p.m. Monday at the center at 568 Columbia Avenue in Lexington.

Litvin told the Herald-Leader that he is meeting with Lexington police on Monday about additional safety measures.

A communitywide gathering will be held Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Adath Israel at 124 North Ashland Avenue. The event is being organized by the temple, along with Ohavay Zion Synagogue and the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass.

Temple Adath Israel held an emergency meeting with Lexington police Saturday afternoon to go over and step up security measures in response to the attack in Pittsburgh, the Herald-Leader’s reporting partner WKYT-TV said.

Rabbi David Wirtschafter of Temple Adath Israel told the television station that the attack “leaves a hole in our hearts.”

On Monday, UK President Eli Capilouto, the first Jewish president in UK’s history, also issued a statement on Monday.

“Senseless violence motivated by hate makes even more urgent our efforts to enable our students to meet and know those who are different; to celebrate our diversity; but also to embrace our common humanity,” he said. “We must tirelessly prepare our students to not fear difference and to be leaders today and in their future workplaces and communities in overcoming fear and hate. We recommit today our hearts, souls, and minds to answering the call for love and justice.”

This story was originally published October 28, 2018 at 9:36 PM.