Dear John,

Two years ago today, in an act fueled by anti-Semitism and anti-immigrant hatred, eleven people were murdered at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. The building was home to three Jewish communities — Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha Congregation, Congregation Dor Hadash, and New Light Congregation — all gathering for worship on a Shabbat morning. 

On this yahrzeit, October 27, so much hangs in the balance. With ever-deepened commitment, we continue to fight for our country as we wish it to be: a country that protects and upholds the deeply Jewish and American values of safety, freedom, welcome, and justice. We remain undeterred in our work to build a safer world for refugees.

Please watch this special video message from HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield.

And later today you can listen to HIAS’ Rabbi-in-Residence Rachel Grant Meyer on a call with J Street and Integrity First for America about uniting against white supremacy (advance registration required).

We will never stop mourning the individuals who lost their lives that day. The victims will forever be in our thoughts and prayers: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax, and Irving Younger. May their memories be for a blessing. 

May our collective actions bring about a more just, compassionate, and welcoming country.  

All of us at HIAS