Six years ago, the deadliest act of antisemitic violence in American history took the lives of 11 beloved Jewish community members at the Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha building in Pittsburgh.

As we mark today’s yahrzeit (annual mourning), my prayer is for safety, freedom, and liberation for all of us.

The shooter chose the synagogue because of its work with HIAS, the Jewish humanitarian organization that supports immigrants and refugees. He believed in the "Great Replacement Theory," the antisemitic conspiracy theory that falsely claims Jews are working to replace White Americans through immigration and other means. It continues to be one the greatest threats to Jewish people, immigrants, and communities of color in the U.S., and we recorded this video with our friends at HIAS to explain more.

At Bend the Arc, our work to defeat the MAGA movement is rooted in a deep love for our families, freedoms, and futures. Because Trump and the GOP aren't just failing to condemn white nationalists; they are promising us that they will govern as them.

And we’re not alone in this work. All week, Jewish and non-Jewish partners have been checking in, and today we will mark this day of mourning together. Just like they did in 2018, our friends, neighbors, and allies have our backs in Pittsburgh and across the country.

We knew then and we know now that our safety lies in solidarity.

In mourning and eternal hope,

Jamie Beran
CEO, Bend the Arc

PS: Tonight, help us defeat MAGA extremists and elect Kamala Harris — join us to call swing-state voters, with special guest Congressman Jamie Raskin. RSVP for tonight’s Jews for Kamala phonebank at 5:45pm ET.

May their memories be for a blessing:
Joyce Fienberg
Richard Gottfried
Rose Mallinger
Jerry Rabinowitz
Cecil Rosenthal
David Rosenthal
Bernice Simon
Sylvan Simon
Daniel Stein
Melvin Wax
Irving Younger