Remembering Tree of Life, Four Years Ago

Remembering Tree of Life, Four Years Ago

October 27, 2022

Today, we honor and remember the eleven beloved Jewish community members at the Tree of Life - Or L’Simcha building in Pittsburgh who were murdered four years ago in the deadliest antisemitic massacre in American history.

May their memories be for a blessing. May we hold their families and communities in our hearts. May the Tree Of Life - Or L’Simcha, Dor Hadash, and New Light congregations be surrounded by love and support.

The flame of a candle with words above it reading:  Today, we remember the eleven Jewish people taken from us in the shooting at Tree of Life - Or L'Simcha in Pittsburgh.  May their memories be for a blessing.  Joyce Fienberg, 75 Richard Gottfried, 65 Rose Mallinger, 97 Jerry Rabinowitz, 66 Cecil Rosenthal, 59 David Rosenthal, 54 Bernice Simon, 84 Sylvan Simon, 86 Daniel Stein, 71 Melvin Wax, 88 Irving Younger, 69

We remember that the attack in Pittsburgh followed months of politicians and pundits manufacturing fear and division for their own gain. Today, antisemitism is again prominently in the news, making many of us feel afraid and alone.

At Bend the Arc, we respond to incidents of antisemitism by fighting the instinct to isolate, resisting cynical attempts to divide our movements, and joining together across racial and religious differences to organize for safety for all of us.

Every year on this day, neighbors and allies share messages of love and solidarity, reminding us that we are never alone.

And we’re deepening these connections every day as we mobilize for the midterm elections with our partners, talk to voters about our vision for multiracial democracy, and help defeat the politicians who seek to divide us.

We’re organizing to win lasting change towards racial and economic justice. That’s the country we’re building, together. Thank you for being a part of this movement.

In community and solidarity,

The Bend the Arc team

To our Pittsburgh Jewish community: we love you. Today, and always.