{"id":282358,"date":"2026-09-09T17:38:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T17:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/282358\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T17:38:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T17:38:20","slug":"pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-tree-of-life-shares-new-name-for-center-against-hate-antisemitism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/282358\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh synagogue shooting: Tree of Life shares new name for center against hate, antisemitism"},"content":{"rendered":"

PITTSBURGH \u2014 The institution established following the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting<\/a> announced its new identity Wednesday: The Tree of Life Center for Humanity.<\/p>\n

The organization grew out of the communal response to the Oct. 27, 2018, attack, which was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. <\/p>\n

Officials say the updated name reflects an education-centered mission to counter antisemitism, hate and division through community building and shared values.<\/p>\n

RELATED COVERAGE >>> PHOTOS: Remembering the 11 people killed in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting<\/a><\/p>\n

The new identity was unveiled in a video<\/a> featuring a voiceover by actor Tom Hanks, who served on the honorary cabinet when the campaign to rebuild began.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Tree of Life Center for Humanity will not only be a beacon of Jewish life here in Pittsburgh, but also will be a national model for bridge building and education,\u201d CEO Carole Zawatsky said. \u201cOur new name codifies the shared humanity central to our mission of uprooting antisemitism and hate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur shared humanity is paramount to everything our organization does,\u201d Michael Bernstein, chair of the Tree of Life board of directors, said. \u201cThe Tree of Life Center for Humanity will open its doors to thousands of students, families and people of good moral conscience, equipping them to uproot antisemitism by remembering those taken from us and building relationships across difference to repair our world.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Eight years after deadliest antisemitic attack in US history, Tree of Life rabbi bids farewell<\/a><\/p>\n

Construction is currently underway on the memorial and building<\/a> designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. The facility will house a museum that traces the history of antisemitism in the United States and documents the Oct. 27, 2018, attack and the community\u2019s response. <\/p>\n

The Tree of Life Congregation, one of three congregations impacted by the shooting, will return to the site once it reopens.<\/p>\n

More than $51.5 million has been raised to rebuild and reimagine the center from local and national donors. Financial supporters include the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Henry Hillman Foundation, the Heinz Endowments, the PNC Foundation and the Ford Foundation. <\/p>\n

The project also received federal grants secured by the Pennsylvania congressional delegation, as well as funding through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania\u2019s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.<\/p>\n

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Allegheny County authorizes up to $18M for Tree of Life redevelopment<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to building construction, the funds will support the museum, the creation of the 10\/27 Memorial and programming such as the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and the LIGHT Initiative. The funding will also cover seed operations costs and program reserves for long-term financial stability.<\/p>\n

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