Pennsylvania first lady Lori Shapiro addresses antisemitism and hope at JWF event
JWF’s annual meeting highlights Jewish resilience, service, and $170K in community grants.
It’s been a challenging few weeks for Lori Shapiro, her husband, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and their family. On the first night of Passover, just a couple hours after their seder, their residence was firebombed by an arsonist. The suspect reportedly told a 911 dispatcher that he set the fire because of what the governor “wants to do to the Palestinian people.”
But when the first lady of the commonwealth addressed Pittsburghers at the Jewish Women’s Foundation May 27 annual meeting, she stressed, “We are all doing OK.”
“The residence will be rebuilt and restored as quickly as possible, and we plan to welcome people back this summer,” she said.
Shapiro credited the first responders who ensured her family’s safety and thanked the community for the “outpouring of care and humanity,” which, she said, lifted their spirits.
The core of her message, though, was one of resilience and determination.
“I want you to know that our faith and commitment to the work we do has only been strengthened by this attack, and we will not be deterred from living our faith proudly,” Shapiro said. “We will again build a sukkah, host Shabbat dinners and join together for community seders at the residence. And of course, we will continue to speak out against hate directed toward any of our faith communities, because an attack aimed against any person because of what they look like, where they come from, who they love or who they pray to, makes us all less safe.”
Shapiro’s life has been defined by service, Judy Greenwald Cohen, JWF’s executive director, told the crowd at Rodef Shalom Congregation.
Shapiro graduated from Colgate University and, while working as an information technology consultant, she pursued a graduate degree in science, technology and public policy from George Washington University. She served during the Clinton administration in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and was the liaison between the President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee and the White House.
After taking some time off to raise her four children, Shapiro became a trained parenting educator and she frequently volunteers in the community with organizations that tackle hunger and poverty.
During her address, Shapiro acknowledged, “We are living in a time where, unfortunately, it seems that hatred and antisemitism are on the rise. I know the attack in Washington, D.C. that led to the murder of the young couple who worked for the Israeli Embassy, Yaron and Sarah, is on our minds and is a call from all of us.”
Pittsburgh, she said, “is unfortunately too familiar with acts of violence fueled by hate. After the deadliest attack of antisemitism in our nation’s history, this community grieved and mourned, to be sure, but what inspired me is how everyone came together and made it clear that you are stronger than the forces of hate, and you will continue to proudly celebrate our Jewish identity.”
Recognizing that Jews are feeling “vulnerable and overwhelmed,” and that some may be inclined to “retreat and put our heads down,” she encouraged the community to take the opposite approach.
“I think the best way to stand against the forces of hate is to stand proudly, proud of who we are,” she said. “Reach out to others. Instead of focusing on our vulnerabilities, focus on our strengths. This community has demonstrated strength and resilience and is an example to others.”
Shapiro noted she is an honorary member of the board of directors of The Tree of Life “to help rebuild, remember, fight antisemitism and bring people together to push back against hate in all its forms.”
The first lady has an obvious fondness for Pittsburgh. She recalled the Jewish community here warmly welcoming her two oldest children to holiday celebrations when they were students at the University of Pittsburgh.
“Though we come from different sides of the commonwealth, I really feel at home here, and I think that’s in part because we are all committed to the same Jewish values that drive us to serve others,” Shapiro said. “Our service is rooted in the tradition of tikkun olam, as I know yours is too.”
Shapiro’s address was followed by a conversation with Cynthia Shapira, chair of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors, and a trustee of JWF. Shapira began the conversation by asking Shapiro about some of the biggest joys she’s had as first lady.
“I am really out in the community every day, meeting with people who are doing amazing, amazing things,” Shapiro responded. “And it has just sort of reaffirmed my belief in humanity. There’s so many good people doing so many good things every day. And I think we get so overwhelmed by the barrage of news, and there are a lot of challenges right now and a lot of difficult things. If we just take a look around in our communities, there’s so much good out there.”
It was clear that much of that good is being accomplished by several of the JWF’s grantees. Representatives from Casa San José, Jews for a Secular Democracy, Ruling Our Experiences and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh joined a panel discussion explaining the projects funded by the JWF.
JWF, based on a collaborative philanthropy model, was founded in 2000 and began making grants in 2003. It was created specifically to address the needs of women and girls in both the Jewish and general communities. At least 50% of JWF funds each year are invested into the Jewish community.
Since JWF’s founding, 188 women have become trustees and the organization has to date awarded more than $2 million in grants. This year, JWF grants totaled $170,050. PJC
Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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