Sharpsburg, Rankin mayors attend Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism
Sharpsburg Mayor Kayla Portis visited New Orleans for the first time with a heavy heart.
Portis attended the 2025 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism held Dec. 2-4 in New Orleans.
“The Tree of Life shooting is a tragedy that continues to weigh heavily on our region,” said Portis, invited to the summit through the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the African American Mayors Association. “For me, it represents the most devastating example of how hate, if left unchallenged, can manifest in unimaginable ways.”
Portis was joined by Rankin Mayor Joelisa McDonald during the conference.
“As communities in the greater Pittsburgh area, we can’t look away from that reality,” Portis said. “Attending the summit brought that memory to the forefront again, reminding me why this work is urgent. The victims, the families and the entire Jewish community deserve leaders who refuse to be passive.”
The Pittsburgh region is home to more than 43,000 Jewish residents, according to a 2025 Community Pulse Survey provided by The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
Of the 532 Jewish residents surveyed, 41 percent are between the ages of 25-54.
This research reinforces the strength of our Jewish community, but it also gives us the clear direction we need to grow stronger together,” said Jeff Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
Rankin Borough Mayor Joelisa McDonald was particularly impacted by listening to one of the summit’s keynote speakers, a former hostage.
“Their story was a powerful reminder of why this work matters and why leaders must stay committed to creating safe, inclusive communities,” McDonald said. “In Pittsburgh, the Tree of Life tragedy shows us the real and lasting impact of hate. It’s something we can never ignore.”
The summit welcomed more than 300 mayors from the U.S. and Canada. It was hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and the City of New Orleans.
Mayors in attendance were provided with information on practical playbooks with model ordinances and sample resolutions, tools to track and respond to antisemitic incidents, law enforcement training resources, crisis communication guidance, peer roundtables and coalition strategies to bring communities together.
“It reminded me that even small communities like Sharpsburg, have to power to lead with compassion and take actionable steps towards fostering safety, inclusion and understanding,” Portis said.
Portis is hopeful all public officials will step up to bring continued awareness against all forms of hate.
“We must teach love, model compassion and confront hate directly because hatred is learned — and so is empathy — and I carry that lesson every day with me in public service.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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