PITTSBURGH – Leaders of The Tree of Life, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in the United States, are offering prayers and words of support following last night’s horrific shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. In a statement, Carole Zawatsky, CEO of The Tree of Life, shared her solemn reflection on last night’s tragedy and offered a call to action to uproot antisemitism:

“Our hearts break for Sarah and Yaron, and their families, friends and colleagues are in our prayers. May their memories be a blessing. We also grieve with all who were directly affected by last night’s attack and who are forever changed because of it.

“Unfortunately, last night’s violent antisemitic attack is all too familiar to many in the Pittsburgh Jewish community, resurfacing trauma and reopening lingering wounds.

“But make no mistake, the antisemitism that drove last night’s attack did not appear out of nowhere. Last night was yet another tragic example of how antisemitism destroys lives and families. In the United States, antisemitism is especially insidious. It is independent of political ideology and often woven into how people understand the world. It is a threat to the safety and security not only of Jewish people but of all Americans.

“What happened in D.C. is another glaring reminder of the urgent need to uproot antisemitism and hate, which have taken too many and left too many in fear of what could happen.”

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