Remembering Pittsburgh Massacre: Jewish Activism and Immigrant Rights

(PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA) Seven years after the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, Jewish communities here and nationwide marked the anniversary by tying remembrance to action, centering immigrant rights as a core theme of public events and private reflection.

The 2018 attack at the Tree of Life building, carried out by Robert Bowers, killed 11 worshippers from three congregations and remains the deadliest antisemitic assault in United States 🇺🇸 history. Organizers say the motive matters: Bowers targeted the community in part because of its support for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), which helps refugees of all backgrounds. This year’s gatherings made that link explicit.

Candle-lighting, Service, and Practical Support

Candle-lighting vigils and acts of service shaped the October 27, 2025 observance. Volunteers:

• Packed welcome kits for new arrivals.
• Wrote letters to detained migrants.
• Raised funds for local defense networks.

Families read the names of the 11 victims, then invited speakers to talk about why welcoming strangers is a Jewish duty and a civic responsibility. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this anniversary remains a defining moment for Jewish social action groups, who see their work with asylum seekers and refugees as a direct answer to the hate that fueled the shooting.

Connecting the Attack to Refugee Support

Dor Hadash, one of the three congregations attacked, has been explicit about the connection between its refugee work and the gunman’s motive. Members frequently note that their participation in refugee support drew the gunman’s rage, rooted in antisemitic and anti-immigrant conspiracy theories—including the so-called “great replacement theory.” Activists say remembering the Tree of Life victims means doubling down on help for people fleeing war and persecution.

• Some community members visibly promote the link. For example, Jonathan Mayo wears shirts that read, “Immigrant Justice is a Jewish Value,” reminding neighbors why the cause is central to local memory.

HIAS, Local Partners, and Ongoing Programs

HIAS leaders and Pittsburgh Jewish Family and Community Services partners used the anniversary to reaffirm their mission. They highlighted:

• Continued refugee resettlement in the region.
• Training for volunteers.
• Joint programs that pair new arrivals with local mentors.

For refugees and asylum seekers, support is often practical and immediate: help with housing, school enrollment, job searches, and basic legal referrals. The commitment is framed as both a tribute to the victims and an expression of longstanding Jewish ethics. HIAS and synagogue advocates emphasize that standing with immigrants is not a trend—it is part of who they are.

Community projects launched after 2018 remain active. Members of Dor Hadash and allied groups raised more than $18,000 for the Casa San Jose Rapid Response Deportation Defense Network, and those efforts have continued with new fundraisers and volunteer drives.

Organizers from Never Again Action, including Symone Saul, argue that the best way to honor the 11 lives is sustained engagement:

1. Show up at detention center visits.
2. Support families in court.
3. Work with coalition partners across faith lines.

Many local leaders invoked history—such as the SS St. Louis, the ship of Jewish refugees turned away in 1939—as a warning about the cost of closing doors.

“Remembering the Tree of Life victims means doubling down on help for people fleeing war and persecution.” — sentiment echoed by activists and organizers

Education, Lawful Channels, and Volunteer Roles

While grief runs deep, the message this year stressed agency over despair. Speakers urged attendees to learn how the U.S. refugee system works and where to plug in. For those seeking official guidance, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services maintains a page on refugee pathways, screening, and resettlement priorities. Readers can review eligibility and process details on the USCIS website under “Refugees” at https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/refugees.

Service providers at the gatherings reminded volunteers that lawful channels exist and need community help to succeed, including:

• Language support for new arrivals.
• Transportation to appointments.
• Assistance navigating paperwork and medical exams.

Conspiracies, Overlapping Motives, and Public Framing

The anniversary also sparked broader debate about conspiracies that target minorities and immigrants. Scholars and watchdog groups say hateful myths move quickly online and can turn violent offline. Community leaders urged reporters and officials to name the attack’s dual motive—antisemitism and anti-immigrant fear—so the public does not treat them as separate issues.

Survivors emphasized that the same lies that blame immigrants for social change also blame Jews for helping them. That overlap, they said, was central to how the gunman chose his target at the Tree of Life.

Policy Goals and Practical Needs

At public forums, advocates explained how memory shapes policy goals. They called for:

• Better protection against hate crimes.
• More resources for mental health services for survivors.
• Steady federal support for resettlement networks.

Faith leaders stressed the difference between political fights and people’s lives: families waiting at airports, children starting school, parents rebuilding careers. Volunteers highlighted small but concrete wins—securing an apartment, buying winter coats, finding a first job—in the shadow of a building still associated with loss.

How Residents Can Help — Practical Steps

The anniversary featured clear, actionable steps for residents who want to help:

1. Join a local welcome team to assist with school registration, bank accounts, and bus routes.
2. Donate to legal defense funds that provide representation in removal cases.
3. Partner with synagogues and churches that support housing, food, and job search assistance.
4. Attend training on trauma-informed support for families recovering from violence or displacement.
5. Learn the basics of refugee and asylum terms to avoid spreading false claims.

Many speakers noted these efforts align with both Jewish and civic values, arguing that honoring the victims means standing up to hate in daily life and helping neighbors, regardless of where they were born.

Commemoration Tied to Immigrant Rights

Local and national media often focus on grief and antisemitism around the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre. This year’s organizers asked for equal attention to the immigrant rights thread.

They reminded audiences that the shooter blamed Jews for “bringing in the caravan,” echoing false stories about Central American migrants. By framing remembrance around service to refugees, Jewish groups sought to reclaim the narrative and resist fear. They also urged officials to avoid language that paints migrants as threats, warning that words set the stage for harm.

Ongoing Advocacy and Policy Context

Advocates said policy details matter, but the heart of the work remains human. Families resettling in Pittsburgh need clear information and patient guides through paperwork, medical exams, and school placements. Community groups partner with recognized agencies to avoid legal problems and to keep cases moving.

They also point people to official resources, including USCIS guidance for refugees, to ensure help aligns with federal rules. VisaVerge.com reports that tying memorials to concrete tasks—transport, interpretation, childcare—keeps volunteers engaged long after the candles go out.

Closing: Memory, Duty, and Action

As the evening events ended, participants returned to a theme repeated since 2018: remember the names, tell the truth about the motive, and act in the victims’ honor. The Tree of Life site remains a symbol of loss, but also of duty.

Organizers say that is the legacy they want to carry forward—grief joined to welcome, memory tied to action, and a clear stand against both antisemitism and anti-immigrant hate.