Tree of Life to become living memorial to lives lost to antisemitism
Casey secured $1 million in community project funding to help Tree of Life develop an educational hub to combat antisemitism
Casey and Fetterman’s bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act passed the House of Representatives, awaits Senate vote
Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) hosted the exhibit, REMEMBER REBUILD RENEW: LIGHTING THE PATH FORWARD, in the Russell Senate Office Building Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The exhibit honored the 11 lives lost during the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue—the deadliest antisemitic attack in the history of the United States. The exhibit also depicted the community’s response to the tragedy and presented the next phase of the congregation’s story. REMEMBER REBUILD RENEW: LIGHTING THE PATH FORWARD featured artifacts from the synagogue, on display for the first time, as well as educational posters about the legacy of antisemitism in America.
“With reports of antisemitism at an all time high in this country, this exhibit serves as an important reminder that the dark, cold evil of antisemitism is no match for the bright light of education that inspires compassionate communities,” said Senator Casey. “We must always honor the memories of the 11 worshipers who lost their lives six years ago: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax, and Irving Younger. Antisemitism is not a Jewish problem; it is an American problem, and I will keep fighting until we root it out.
“In the aftermath of the horrific and hateful act of violence in 2018, it’s incumbent on all of us to stand together, vocally and across party lines, to declare that antisemitism has no place in our country or beyond. Today’s political climate sadly underscores that need. I want to commend The Tree of Life congregation and community at large for their tireless work on the path to recovery. It is an honor to help them share their story here in the Senate,” said Senator Fetterman.
In the wake of the 2018 tragedy, Tree of Life has pledged to be a leader in the national fight against antisemitism. Both Senators Casey and Fetterman have worked tirelessly with Tree of life to advance its mission of eliminating antisemitism through remembrance and education. Tree of Life is collaborating with diverse partners to preserve its historic Pittsburgh synagogue while also establishing a memorial to commemorate the lives of the 11 worshipers killed in the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, constructing an education hub that shares the history of antisemitism and its manifestations in the United States, and developing national educational programs to fight hatred in all its forms.
See Senator Casey’s full record with Tree of Life and on combatting antisemitism HERE.
###
