Anti-Defamation League launches online campaign to remember Tree of Life victims

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is launching a national online campaign asking Americans to join the league and #FightHateForGood to commemorate the victims who died in last year’s mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill.

ADL, a international organization founded in 1913 to combat anti-Semitism and bigotry, dubbed its campaign “11 actions for 11 lives.”

“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,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the ADL.

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 Greenblatt and other ADL leaders. Rabbi David Sandmel, ADL Director of Inter-religious Engagement, will lead a session titled, “We Can’t Do It Alone: Joining Together Against Hate” during a group Torah study in Pittsburgh.

The organization, which will hold events at its regional offices in Boston, New York City, Atlanta and Denver next week to commemorate the victims of the Pittsburgh attack, urges all Americans to participate in one meaningful act in the coming days to honor the lives of 11 worshippers from three congregations who were shot to death in the attack.

The organization suggested 11 ways to participate in the effort and asked that participants share their actions on social media with the hashtag #FightHateForGood.

1. Memorialize the 11 lives lost by signing up to take part in Pause with Pittsburgh, a collective virtual moment of unity and remembrance, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27.

2. Volunteer with your favorite organization.

3. Support Pittsburgh and remember those lost by attending a memorial event in your community.

4. Send a message of solidarity by visiting the Pittsburgh October 27 website (pittsburghoct27.org).

5. Talk to young people about the consequences of hate.

6. Host a Shabbat dinner or gathering using Shabbat Table Talk: Remembering 10/27/18 to reflect on the last year.

7. Learn how to stop the spread of hate online by reporting it directly to social media platform Cyber Action Safety Guide.

8. Report anti-Semitism to ADL and/or local law enforcement.

9. Sign a petition urging Congress to enact the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act and the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.

10. Sign the Backspace Hate petition and encourage government action.

11. Reach out to your local ADL office to learn how you can get involved.