7 Ways to Help the Pittsburg Synagogue Shooting Community

Nikkolas Smith

Saturday, October 27th, an armed NeoNazi walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue during a worship service, brutally gunning down members of its congregation in a place in which they should have felt safe. 11 members of that congregation were murdered and half a dozen others, including 4 responding officers, were injured.

This officially the worst violence against Jews in United States history.

In the wake of this violent and hateful act, people have begun to rally. Two Muslim-American non-profits, Celebrate Mercy and MPower Change in collaboration with Islamic Center of Pittsburgh were behind "Muslims Unite For Pittsburgh Synagogue" campaign, a campaign that has raised $110,000 in a matter of two short days for the Tree of Life community.

While no amount of money will bring back the lives lost or completely right this horrible wrong, there are so many ways to help The Tree of Life congregation and community. Here are just some ways you can help victims of the Pittsburg Synagogue Shooting and their families:

GoFundMe: GoFundMe already has a campaign to support of the Tree of Life Synagogue. The description reads, "A Nazi attacked and killed several attendees to a baby’s bris at a Pittsburgh synagogue. This fundraiser is meant to help the congregation with the physical damages to the building, as well as the survivors and the victims’ families." All of the proceeds will go directly to the Tree of Life community.

March For Our Lives: March For Our Lives was founded by students, families, and advocates following February's Parkland, Florida high school shooting. March for Our Lives raises money to fund intervention programs, gun violence research, advocate for universal background checks, and other initiatives.

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS): HIAS was originally founded to support Jews fleeing persecution in Russia and Eastern Europe. Now, HIAS is an international non-profit that supports refugees and Jewish communities around the globe. 

Southern Poverty Law Center: The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a non-profit organization with a mission to teach tolerance, fight hate, and seek justice for victims of discrimination. The SPLC monitors over 1,600 extremist groups here in the U.S. (like neo-Nazis) and challenges systemic racism through litigation as well as helps educators teach inclusiveness in the classroom.

Sarah Epperson

Anti-Defamation League: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is an organization dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism and hate by shaping legislation and training law enforcement officers in the fight against extremism, terrorism, and hate crimes.

Everytown for Gun Safety: Everytown's goal is to end gun violence by supporting stricter gun control measures and getting out the vote.

Speaking of voting...

One of the best ways you can help make sure that hate crimes like this Pittsburg Synagogue and the Charleston Church never happen again is to vote against the current administration, who has done nothing but relax gun control laws, affirm hate groups, and spout divisionist rhetoric and ignorance from the highest offices. Your vote matters and your vote is your voice. 

Make sure you get out to the polls on November 6th and use your voice.