The Jewish community in Pittsburgh – five months after suffering a xenophobic terror attack of its own – has raised over $50,000 for the victims of last week’s terrorist attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Tree of Life Synagogue, where eleven people were killed last October, launched a GoFundMe campaign in support of Muslim communities in Christchurch and are fundraising to help the families of the 50 victims murdered in the massacre.
In a column titled “The Piece I Knew I Would Have to Write,” Tree of Life’s Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said he cried when he heard the news of the far-right terrorist attack in New Zealand.
“The most comforting thing to me throughout the past nearly five months has been the outpouring of love and support from all good people throughout the world – all races, creeds, colors, sexual orientation, and ages,” the rabbi said. “They have uplifted me through their heartfelt letters, prayers, and gifts. They continually remind me of all the good that is in the world.”
In the wake of the synagogue shooting in October, a crowdfunding campaign called “Muslims Unite for Pittsburgh Synagogue” raised more than $200,000 in four days for those affected by the terrorist attack. A day after Myers published the column, his congregation responded in kind and launched the fundraising campaign for the victims of Christchurch.
“We feel compelled to come to the aid of those communities, just as our Jewish community was so compassionately supported only a few short months ago by people around the world of many faiths,” the website says. “We recall with love the immediate, overwhelming support Tree of Life received from our Muslim brothers and sisters in Pittsburgh.”
The terrorist attack in New Zealand was the first mass shooting at a house of worship since the Tree of Life congregation was targeted.
[Photo: Guardian News / YouTube]