The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles announced on Nov. 12 that they are awarding $200,000 to four organizations that provide support to the victims and survivors of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
According to a press release from the Foundation, the four organizations that will receive the grants include the Victims of Terror Fund and the Community Security Initiative – both of which are programs of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles – as well as the Anti-Defamation League and Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).
“Our Board of Trustees, believing positive action is the best response to this terrible and senseless tragedy, approved these emergency grants to organizations that will provide direct aid to victims’ families, as well as to support causes working proactively to prevent such despicable and evil acts from occurring in the future,” Foundation President and CEO Marvin Schotland said in a statement. “With the sharp rise in anti-Semitism and premeditated violence, we must join together so that all Americans, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity, are safe and free to worship—fundamental principles of our society.”
Each organization will receive $50,000.
The shooter, 46-year-old Robert Bowers, singled out HIAS in his social media posts, writing right before the shooting: “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.”
HIAS provides aid to refugees that enter the United States.
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