POWAY, Calif. — The Chabad of Poway held an online memorial and tribute Sunday to honor the woman who was killed at the synagogue last year. Lori Kaye died on April 27, 2019, after being shot in the chabad by a gunman who also injured three others.
Speakers at Sunday's memorial included Lori's husband Dr. Howard Kaye, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Rabbi Yosef Y. Jacobson.
The tribute lasted a little over 40 minutes and was live-streamed on the Chabad of Poway's website. It can also be viewed in the player below.
Lori, 60, was the only person killed in the Chabad of Poway shooting which took place on the last day of the Jewish holiday of Passover. Lori, a longtime member of Chabad of Poway, was at the temple with her husband and daughter to honor her mother, who had recently died.
"It's been a very, very challenging time," said Howard Kaye, Lori's husband in a pre-recorded message during the service. "She took every mitzva, every kindness, and amped it to the very high level. She helped all people of all nationalities, of all religions."
Lori Kaye has been honored and remembered by the community in several ways over the past year. In December 2019, the City of Poway renamed a street in honor of Lori turning Eva Drive into Lori Lynn Lane.
"For the last 20 years, Laurie was at every Jewish funeral, especially those people didn't have families, and she always had a kind word or a quote for them," said Kaye.
The congregation's rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein, lost a finger in the shooting. Two other people -- Almog Peretz and his niece, Noya Dahan -- were also injured.
The now 20-year-old man who is accused of committing the attack is scheduled to go on trial later this year. Prosecutors allege he was motivated by antisemitism. Since the shooting, Goldstein has spoken about the dangers of antisemitism during a speech to the U.N. General Assembly and a visit to the White House.
"He, the rabbi, and the entire community taught millions and millions of Americans how we could look inside to discover our shared humanity, to discover our shared commitment towards each other, to discover our responsibility to stand up to hate of all forms," said Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Jacobson, a prominent Chabad rabbi based in Upstate New York.
Goldstein stepped down from his leadership role at Chabad of Poway in November. His son, Mendel, now runs the Chabad and thanked those who helped in the aftermath of the shooting.
"The first responders, law enforcement, medical professionals, local leaders, organizations and neighbors. There are so many of you, and you know who you are. Each and every one of you are precious and dear to me and to the entire community," said Mendel.
The alleged shooter faces charges including murder, attempted murder, arson and hate crime allegations for both the shooting and an Escondido mosque burning in March. Last month, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office announced it will seek the death penalty for him.