As I sat in the wooden pews of my church this Sunday, I couldn't help but think of the members of the Jewish Pittsburgh community.

I looked around at the place that brings me so much peace. I've never felt unsafe in a church before in my life.

But I'm sitting there and I'm thinking, the members of Tree of Life Congregation felt safe as well.

I cannot imagine that they expected this to happen.

In an area that is designed to bring a deep sense of serenity and spirituality, the lowest parts of humanity managed to slip through.

Don't say this is not about religion.

Don't say this is not about gun violence.

Don't say this is not a hate crime.

These victims were shot because they believed in a religion that brought hope and love to their lives.

Because that's why religion is so attractive. It doesn't matter if you believe in one God or 27 gods.

If something doesn't change, this will be the normal, the expected.

Children will go to mass and immediately focus on exit routes to escape a shooter instead of the sermon from the pastor.

Charlottesville and Tree of Life will not be the only ones.

Yes, we will send our thoughts and prayers to victims and families.

But, we have to do more than that.

We need to explore the fundamental issue in our society that allows these crimes to continue.

We need to vote.

We need to look into our own invisible biases and confront them head-on.

Those 11 people didn't attend their service thinking that shots would ring out.

And they shouldn't have had to.

My heart is heavy and my mind foggy with anger and confusion as I think of everyone affected by the tragic event.

I send my love and prayers to the victims and their loved ones.

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I'm begging the people of the United States.

Do not let this tragedy become a familiar occurrence in the news.

Take action.