Tree of Life Or L'Simcha Congregation Shooting
https://www.tolols.org/
To assist the families of the victims and to assist with rebuilding the synagogue, two donation funds have been set up at the First National Bank of Pennsylvania: Tree of Life Victims and Family Account and Tree of Life Synagogue Account. Donations may be made directly at any branch of First National Bank of Pennsylvania or may be mailed to:
First National Bank of Pennsylvania
Attention: Toni North
1940 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217
https://www.tolols.org/
To assist the families of the victims and to assist with rebuilding the synagogue, two donation funds have been set up at the First National Bank of Pennsylvania: Tree of Life Victims and Family Account and Tree of Life Synagogue Account. Donations may be made directly at any branch of First National Bank of Pennsylvania or may be mailed to:
First National Bank of Pennsylvania
Attention: Toni North
1940 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217
HIAS and the Pittsburgh Shootings
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, or HIAS, known for its resettlement work in the United States and internationally, is one of the oldest refugee protection agencies in the country. The organization became part of the national conversation Saturday [October 27, 2018] after the man accused of shooting and killing 11 at a synagogue in Pittsburgh appeared to have referred to the group online.
In a post on the social network Gab, the accused shooter, Robert Bowers, 46, linked to a directory of synagogues participating in a HIAS event, National Refugee Shabbat, saying he "appreciated" the list. As part of the elaborate anti-Semitic conspiracy theory to which he subscribed — which prosecutors say motivated his crime — Bowers claimed that HIAS was working to bring people to the United States to do violence.
Founded in 1881 as a storefront on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the organization began as a mission to help Eastern European Jews who were fleeing anti-Semitism and war.
HIAS held its National Refugee Shabbat on Oct. 19 and 20 across the country so congregations could "deepen" their understanding of the refugee crisis. Speakers included Ahed Festuk, a Syrian activist from Aleppo, and Debora Barrios-Vasquez, who recently resettled in the United States after fleeing Guatemala.
"If you look on social media, you will see people who are against our work in accepting immigrants and helping them, but this is the first time we have ever seen it expressed in violence, at least towards us," Swersey said. "People have criticized us before, but no one has ever taken it this far."
He said the humanitarian aid group doesn't believe that Bowers called it out because of its Jewish roots but because it is assisting immigrants in finding refuge in the United States.
"I think what [Bowers] was responding to is the idea of the Jewish community supporting other people coming to live here," Swersey said. "This is an elevation of the issue of anti-immigration, and it's a concern to us and should be a concern to all Americans."
For 137 years, HIAS has welcomed the stranger and protected the refugee. In the face of a global refugee crisis of unprecedented scale, this work is more important than ever. Will you add your name to stand with HIAS and support its life-changing work that helps refugees of all faiths build new lives in safety and freedom? Click HERE!
Donate Now to Support the work of HIAS at their Go Fund Me Page.
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, or HIAS, known for its resettlement work in the United States and internationally, is one of the oldest refugee protection agencies in the country. The organization became part of the national conversation Saturday [October 27, 2018] after the man accused of shooting and killing 11 at a synagogue in Pittsburgh appeared to have referred to the group online.
In a post on the social network Gab, the accused shooter, Robert Bowers, 46, linked to a directory of synagogues participating in a HIAS event, National Refugee Shabbat, saying he "appreciated" the list. As part of the elaborate anti-Semitic conspiracy theory to which he subscribed — which prosecutors say motivated his crime — Bowers claimed that HIAS was working to bring people to the United States to do violence.
Founded in 1881 as a storefront on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the organization began as a mission to help Eastern European Jews who were fleeing anti-Semitism and war.
HIAS held its National Refugee Shabbat on Oct. 19 and 20 across the country so congregations could "deepen" their understanding of the refugee crisis. Speakers included Ahed Festuk, a Syrian activist from Aleppo, and Debora Barrios-Vasquez, who recently resettled in the United States after fleeing Guatemala.
"If you look on social media, you will see people who are against our work in accepting immigrants and helping them, but this is the first time we have ever seen it expressed in violence, at least towards us," Swersey said. "People have criticized us before, but no one has ever taken it this far."
He said the humanitarian aid group doesn't believe that Bowers called it out because of its Jewish roots but because it is assisting immigrants in finding refuge in the United States.
"I think what [Bowers] was responding to is the idea of the Jewish community supporting other people coming to live here," Swersey said. "This is an elevation of the issue of anti-immigration, and it's a concern to us and should be a concern to all Americans."
For 137 years, HIAS has welcomed the stranger and protected the refugee. In the face of a global refugee crisis of unprecedented scale, this work is more important than ever. Will you add your name to stand with HIAS and support its life-changing work that helps refugees of all faiths build new lives in safety and freedom? Click HERE!
Donate Now to Support the work of HIAS at their Go Fund Me Page.