Peduto visits Jewish state

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto visited Israel last week as part of the 33rd International Mayors Conference. The event gathers global leaders with Israeli high tech, energy and cyber companies and urban development experts to discuss smart, sustainable and secure cities focusing on urban development in the 21st century.

While in Israel, Peduto visited the Western Wall and placed prayers from several families of the victims of the Tree of Life massacre. Additionally, the mayor visited the 9-11 Living Memorial Plaza created by Keren Kayemet LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), as well as the headquarters of the Jewish National Fund, where a second memorial was made weeks after the Oct. 27 killings. Peduto also planted an olive tree in memory of the victims of the Tree of Life shooting.

“I have a long history with the Tree of Life congregation; I knew some of the victims personally,” Peduto said in a press release. “Unlike 80 years ago, when Jews were murdered, when synagogues were destroyed and businesses were shattered, when the community called this time, the police didn’t turn their back, they ran in to help.

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“Politicians didn’t look the other way or try to hide, they stood up and said never again,” he said. “And business leaders and community leaders gathered as one and said ‘an attack against one is an attack against us all.’” PJC

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinehrz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org