Dear community members,
We are saddened by the senseless terrorist attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
It feels like we are living in a nightmare, grieving for the victims and their families. We are sorry for them, and we are sorry for our nation. Horrific acts of antisemitism and other forms of bigotry and hatred, for example, the domestic terror massacre at Mother Emmanuel Church, are increasingly scarring our country and world. They are pure evil, perpetrated by evil and stoked by evil, hateful rhetoric.
One of the few things that can offer solace at these dark moments is coming together as a community. The Museum family has received caring messages of support and solidarity from DuSable Museum, The Muslim Community Center Interfaith and Outreach Committee, Syria Faith Initiative and more.
While answers feel elusive, we must fight this evil together. We must redouble our efforts as a community, nation and world to find our common ground and recognize our common humanity. We must hold accountable those who speak of the "other" and disparage groups of our fellow human beings.
Words matter, and those in positions of power must wield them thoughtfully and as tools to repair our world. We can and we must use our voices and our privileges as citizens to demand leaders who help us create peaceful communities built not on hate but on tolerance and mutual respect and who help us work towards the day when never again is a reality.
Fritzie Fritzshall
President, Illinois Holocaust Museum
Susan Abrams
CEO, Illinois Holocaust Museum
