Our mission

We at the Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee mourn the death of a security guard shot down in a midday assault at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington by an alleged white supremacist. This barbaric attack at a museum that bears witness to the evils of the Nazi Holocaust and the inhumanity of man during those dark days is a stark reminder of the need to both remain vigilant and teach the value of tolerance.

Events such as this one and the recent, tragic murder of three Pittsburgh police officers highlight the importance of organizations such as PAJC, which work to support democracy and pluralism, promote intergroup relations to achieve social harmony and cohesion, and build coalitions to advance shared interests.

Through interfaith dialogues and programs, such as the Caplan-Lieber Human Relations Award for high school seniors and the Catholic Jewish Educational Enrichment Program, run with the support and cooperation of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, we are breaking down barriers between peoples and reducing stereotypes.

We reject the killer's message of hatred and bigotry and pledge ourselves anew to work as American citizens and as Jews to assure that this nation continues to embrace and draw vitality from her diversity.

DEBORAH FIDEL
Executive Director
Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee
Squirrel Hill