In the wake of the horrific antisemitic attack that took the lives of 11 Jews at the Tree of Life synagogue, we are writing to express our solidarity and support for Pittsburgh's Jewish community.
“We at The Jewish Agency for Israel are in pain and mourning with the Pittsburgh Jewish community, and will assist in any possible way,” said Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive Isaac Herzog. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."
Immediately after hearing the news, Herzog called The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh's CEO Jeff Finkelstein to express condolences and solidarity and to offer any assistance necessary. Herzog will arrive in Pittsburgh at the end of the week to spend Shabbat with the Pittsburgh community and to express the Jewish Agency's solidarity and share our deepest condolences there.
The Jewish Agency has strong ties to the Pittsburgh community. “The attack is a severe blow and something no one seriously thought could happen,” said Andrey Kogan, The Jewish Agency’s Israel Fellow who serves on the campuses of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. “I personally have a hard time accepting that there are still Jews around the world who don’t feel safe."
Through our Partnership2Gether program, the Jewish community of Pittsburgh is closely connected to the Karmiel-Misgav region in northern Israel. "The people of Karmiel-Misgav and all the partnerships stand by our family during this terrible time" said Andrea Arbel, Director of The Jewish Agency’s Partnership Unit.
Immediately following the attack, in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in coordination with the Federation, we engaged with the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC) to dispatch a mission of five post-trauma and grief specialists from Israel to Pittsburgh. They’re providing immediate assistance to traumatized community members. These ITC specialists will also develop a long-term healing plan, which will guide The Jewish Agency on ways to provide assistance ongoing.
We share in the anguish, and we extend our hearts in love and our hands in support, ready to assist in any way possible. May the Jewish people know no more sorrow.
