ADL to Commemorate One-Year Mark of the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting with "11 Actions for 11 Lives"

New York, NY, October 16, 2019 … In memory of the 11 people who lost their lives in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today announced “11 Actions for 11 Lives,” an online campaign encouraging Americans from all walks of life to participate in one meaningful action to help commemorate the one-year mark of the tragedy.

Beginning next week and leading up to the October 27 commemoration, ADL will be sharing a list of 11 suggested actions – one for each individual killed in the shooting – across its social media channels and from its 25 regional offices across the country. The 11 proposed actions include holding a moment of silence in honor of the victims, sending a message of solidarity to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, signing a petition urging Congress to enact the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act and the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, holding a special Shabbat dinner, or volunteering for an organization of one’s own choosing. ADL will encourage all those participating to share their activities on social media using the hashtag #FightHateforGood.

The online campaign is one of a several events ADL will be holding across the country in honor of the lives lost and the families affected by the attack on the building shared by three Squirrel Hill congregations – Congregation Dor Hadash, New Light Congregation and Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha Congregation – on October 27, 2018.

“The anniversary of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting is a time to remember and mourn, but also a time to engage in meaningful action and to fight hate for good,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “The best thing that can emerge from the most violent anti-Semitic attack in American history, is a resolve to ensure that it never happens again. It doesn’t matter whether people can devote a few hours or even a few seconds to the fight against hate – everyone can play a part in taking meaningful actions on this day for the greater good.”

ADL will have a strong presence in Pittsburgh on October 27, where the community will be holding a commemorative day of service, study and community. James Pasch, ADL’s regional director for Ohio and Pennsylvania, along with a delegation of leaders from Cleveland, will join the ADL Pittsburgh Council for the weekend and the group will attend the Pittsburgh commemoration activities along with Mr. Greenblatt and other ADL leaders. Rabbi David Sandmel, ADL Director of Interreligious Engagement, will lead a session titled, “We Can’t Do It Alone: Joining Together Against Hate” during a group Torah study in Pittsburgh.

Scheduled ADL regional office programs include:

• Boston | Oct. 27: ADL’s New England Regional Office will hold The Good Fight: A Forum on Confronting Anti-Semitism Today & Tomorrow, a one-day conference dedicated to combating anti-Semitism, 9-2 p.m. at the Newton Marriott, featuring CNN’s John Berman moderating a panel featuring author and Emory University history professor Deborah E. Lipstadt and New York Times columnist and author Bari Weiss.

• New York City | Oct. 23: ADL’s New York region will host a Pittsburgh commemoration event, “One Year After Pittsburgh: Remembering Our Past and Fighting for Our Future,” Oct. 23 at East End Temple, 7-9 p.m. on the Lower East Side. The program will include remarks from ADL staff, community partners and elected and an announcement about new programming ADL will be conducting for the Jewish community in New York City.

• Atlanta | Oct. 27: ADL’s Southeast Regional Office will host “Taking Action Against Hate: From Pittsburgh to El Paso,” an interfaith community event focused on taking action against hate. The program will include a panel discussion from hate crimes legislative advocates and community leaders, and will take place at Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta from 2-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

• Denver | October 27:  The Mountain States Regional Office, along with its co-sponsors, JEWISHcolorado and BMH-BJ Synagogue, as well as over 30 community partners, will be hosting an event titled, "ONE YEAR LATER - Remembering the Victims of Anti-Semitism." Twelve community rabbis will participate in memorializing those who lost their lives in Pittsburgh and Poway. Gov. Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser and U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn will provide comments.