On Oct. 27 in Pittsburgh, Robert Gregory Bowers opened fire at the synagogue with an AR-15 rifle and three handguns, which he owned legally, killing 11 people and wounding six. As he fired at those attending a service, Bowers expressed hatred of Jews.

The killings have left many with feelings of sadness, despair, anxiety, vulnerability, anger and frustration, Rabbi Sruli Dresdner said in a letter to the Temple Shalom community.

“Those are feelings I have. Speaking to members, those are feelings of everybody in the community,” Dresdner said Wednesday.

It’s helpful to know “we are not alone,” he said. Countless members of the Lewiston-Auburn faith community have offered aid and support.

“It’s been overwhelming for me about how many people from the community felt that it was appropriate to reach out to the Jewish community,” Dresdner said, adding that he appreciates the support.

Words of kindness have come from members of the clergy of other faiths, including Sacred Heart Church, from Auburn City Hall, the Bates College Jewish group, from friends and neighbors. Condolences have come via emails, phone calls, texts, hugs.

“I expect there’ll be a million (hugs) on Friday night,” Dresdner said.

The service is expected to last about an hour. It will be followed by a community discussion to share grief in a safe and loving space, Dresdner said. The community discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Elcha Shain Buckman.

Security will be provided by the Auburn Police Department.

Dresdner said he prays for an end to the senseless violence that has destroyed so many lives at schools, churches, public events, night clubs, “and now tragically impacted our brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh as well as the larger American Jewish community.”

Reflecting on what happened, Dresdner said, “Some sensible gun control is in order.”