In the wake of the horrific massacre at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, messages of support and love have come in from Jewish communities across the United States and around the world. For Pittsburgh’s partnership region of Karmiel-Misga in northern Israel, the pain was especially deep.
For the past 20 years, both cities have shared close personal and communal bonds through The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Partnership2Gether (P2G), a program that connects Jewish communities abroad with communities in Israel. By bringing together the global Jewish Family, the program seeks to build living bridges in Israel, strengthen Jewish identity, and help promote an understanding of the rich variety of religious expression around the world.
Last week, a memorial service at Karmiel’s Culture hall drew 200-300 people, including many Israeli participants of programs shared with Pittsburgh, as well as 35 visitors from Pittsburgh, who were on missions in Israel when the attack occurred.
“The Jewish community in PIttsburgh has always stood by us,” the outgoing Mayor of Karmiel, Adi Eldar, said at the memorial. “I’m sorry that the last event that I’m taking part in as Mayor is this sad event.”
In addition to songs and addresses from thought leaders, both The Jewish Agency Chairman, Isaac Herzog as well as Debbie and Josh Resnik, the co-chairs of the Partnership in Pittsburgh, were able to join in by video. The service also included a presentation of photographs taken throughout Israel with expressions of love and condolence, gathered by local volunteers.
And the support doesn’t stop in Karmiel-Misgav. An entire community mourns, as leaders of partnerships across Israel held special memorial services just like this one. “At this sad juncture in time, the Jewish community of Pittsburgh has become the singular community of all 46 partnership,” says Andrea Arbel, director of the partnership unit for The Agency. “In the words of Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life congregation, ‘You can cut off some branches—but the tree will continue to grow.’”