Community leaders and police are investigating an antisemitic message found in Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood. “These types of hateful messages are just so harmful to the community,” Pittsburgh District 5 City Council member Barb Warwick said. “To put such a hateful message in a location like that is just extra disturbing, especially.”The message was found on the front cover of a novel found in one of the neighborhood’s many book boxes. Greenfield resident Lisa Simpson owns one of them. “It’s kind of unsettling, but everyone I’ve talked to about my box is glad it’s here,” she said. “I have all kinds of books in my box. Kids’ books, adult books, all kinds.”Simpson isn’t the one who found the hateful message. A family in the community found it earlier this week inside their box. They quickly alerted the authorities and community leaders. The Greenfield Community Association published this post on Facebook Thursday night.“I’m really glad that the Community Association is taking this so seriously,” Warwick said. “They put out a statement to make it clear that’s not who we are in Greenfield. I live in Greenfield myself.”It’s unclear at this point who’s responsible. Now, community leaders are asking people to report any harmful messages.“Whether it’s a large incident or small incident, it all has an impact,” Warwick said. “If you ever see anything like this, even if it’s a small writing on a pole, it’s really important that you notify people. All of these little incidents add up to a larger problem. We have to take them all seriously.”They’re also asking that everyone is aware of how actions like these can be upsetting.“These types of messages might be getting to young people in ways that we aren’t aware of,” the council member said. “Sit down, and talk with your family. Even if you think you don’t have to have that kind of conversation with your family at home and your kids know about these sorts of things, maybe assume they don’t. Everyone in Greenfield should talk about this with their family tonight so that we all know what’s going on. It’s important for us to stick together and stick together with our neighbors.”The following statement is from Rabbi Yitzi Goldwasser of the Chabad of Greenfield:“This week’s cowardly act in Greenfield was upsetting and painful.”At the same time, it is important to say clearly that this does not represent Greenfield.”Greenfield is a neighborhood filled with caring people, good neighbors, and a real sense of community. The Jewish community here feels safe, supported, and deeply connected to the broader community around us. One random act does not change that reality, and it will not change the warmth and goodness that so many people experience here every day.”The Jewish response to darkness is always to add more light. As we enter Shabbat tonight, we encourage every Jewish family to light Shabbat candles and bring more peace, warmth, and holiness into the world. Candle lighting this evening in Pittsburgh is at approximately 8:15 p.m. Come to shul, gather with family and friends, and celebrate Shabbat and our beautiful community proudly and joyfully.”And to everyone in our community, let’s use this moment as an opportunity to add goodness. Reach out to a neighbor. Say hello to someone. Help a friend. Do a mitzvah or a good deed today. The small acts of kindness and care we show one another are what truly define Greenfield, and together we will continue spreading light, warmth, and unity.”
PITTSBURGH —
Community leaders and police are investigating an antisemitic message found in Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood.
“These types of hateful messages are just so harmful to the community,” Pittsburgh District 5 City Council member Barb Warwick said. “To put such a hateful message in a location like that is just extra disturbing, especially.”
The message was found on the front cover of a novel found in one of the neighborhood’s many book boxes.
Greenfield resident Lisa Simpson owns one of them.
“It’s kind of unsettling, but everyone I’ve talked to about my box is glad it’s here,” she said. “I have all kinds of books in my box. Kids’ books, adult books, all kinds.”
Simpson isn’t the one who found the hateful message. A family in the community found it earlier this week inside their box. They quickly alerted the authorities and community leaders.
The Greenfield Community Association published this post on Facebook Thursday night.
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“I’m really glad that the Community Association is taking this so seriously,” Warwick said. “They put out a statement to make it clear that’s not who we are in Greenfield. I live in Greenfield myself.”
It’s unclear at this point who’s responsible. Now, community leaders are asking people to report any harmful messages.
“Whether it’s a large incident or small incident, it all has an impact,” Warwick said. “If you ever see anything like this, even if it’s a small writing on a pole, it’s really important that you notify people. All of these little incidents add up to a larger problem. We have to take them all seriously.”
They’re also asking that everyone is aware of how actions like these can be upsetting.
“These types of messages might be getting to young people in ways that we aren’t aware of,” the council member said. “Sit down, and talk with your family. Even if you think you don’t have to have that kind of conversation with your family at home and your kids know about these sorts of things, maybe assume they don’t. Everyone in Greenfield should talk about this with their family tonight so that we all know what’s going on. It’s important for us to stick together and stick together with our neighbors.”
The following statement is from Rabbi Yitzi Goldwasser of the Chabad of Greenfield:
“This week’s cowardly act in Greenfield was upsetting and painful.
“At the same time, it is important to say clearly that this does not represent Greenfield.
“Greenfield is a neighborhood filled with caring people, good neighbors, and a real sense of community. The Jewish community here feels safe, supported, and deeply connected to the broader community around us. One random act does not change that reality, and it will not change the warmth and goodness that so many people experience here every day.
“The Jewish response to darkness is always to add more light. As we enter Shabbat tonight, we encourage every Jewish family to light Shabbat candles and bring more peace, warmth, and holiness into the world. Candle lighting this evening in Pittsburgh is at approximately 8:15 p.m. Come to shul, gather with family and friends, and celebrate Shabbat and our beautiful community proudly and joyfully.
“And to everyone in our community, let’s use this moment as an opportunity to add goodness. Reach out to a neighbor. Say hello to someone. Help a friend. Do a mitzvah or a good deed today. The small acts of kindness and care we show one another are what truly define Greenfield, and together we will continue spreading light, warmth, and unity.”