The past few weeks have been difficult for the Pittsburgh Jewish community. As parents and active members of the Jewish community, the third and final phase of the Tree of Life massacre trial has been very emotional for us.

It is hard to explain to children the history of antisemitism. It’s harder when they find stickers on their local playground with antisemitic messages. Explaining what happened on that terrible day in October 2018 — that’s gut-wrenching.

But we also explain the ways our community and government work to combat hate. Earlier this month, Congress voted 412-9 in a show of much needed bipartisanship to express support for Israel and spell out “Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia.”

Yet, the one Pennsylvanian to reject this resolution and join the nine votes in the minority was our local congresswoman, Summer Lee. When Lee took office, we hoped she would take her role as our representative seriously. That she would understand that it was her responsibility and privilege to represent a district that includes a historic and strong Jewish community. Yet, she has let us down. And for her to take this stance, amid our community — her constituents — reliving its trauma these past weeks, is upsetting and inexplicable.

Gilit James

Marjorie Manne

Squirrel Hill

Abby Lipsitz

Highland Park

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