Philadelphia Stands with Pittsburgh

Tonight I was proud to stand with hundreds of Jews and Non-Jews in Rittenhouse Square as we mourned the dead, prayed for a brighter tomorrow and came together as Philadelphians to stand united against antisemitism.

Earlier today, the Jewish Community in Philadelphia and throughout the world was rocked with the devastating news out of Pittsburgh that 11 Jewish-Americans were murdered at their place of worship at Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. They were murdered for one reason – they were Jewish.

Tonight’s event was organized by Jewish Millennials; Molly Wernick, Brett Goldman and Harlan Rosen (and many others). I want to applaud them for organizing such a heartwarming vigil service in just a couple of hours that included prayers, song and moments of silence.

I am the only Jewish Millennial running for Congress in Pennsylvania so I feel it is my responsibility to speak up for my generation & my community. I want to offer a very clear and concise message to the anti-semites in the USA:

“You will not succeed. You will not scare us. We are not afraid of you. When you come for one of us, we will rise as one. Your cowardly acts don’t define us as Americans. We, Americans, stand united against antisemitism, hatred, bigotry and racism of all forms. Your beliefs and actions have no place in America. Anti-Semites have no place in America so LEAVE, get out of our country – you’re not welcome here!”

To the Jews who were murdered, we say, May their Memories be a blessing. We will never forget you. We will continue fighting back against antisemitism in your name and in your memory. Philadelphia stands with Pittsburgh.