Tree of Life receives $1 million gift commitments
“We are committed to ensuring this institution, which has been a pillar of our community for more than 150 years, continues its important, expanded mission."
The new Tree of Life announced receiving its first major gifts from four Pittsburgh foundations.
The Henry L. Hillman Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, the PNC Foundation and the Richard King Mellon Foundation have each committed to a minimum $1 million gift to the Remember. Rebuild. Renew. Campaign, which supports the reimagined Tree of Life.
William S. Demchak, chairman, president and CEO of the PNC Financial Services Group said that everyone in Pittsburgh was impacted by the horrific events that took place on Oct. 27, 2018.
“We are committed to ensuring this institution, which has been a pillar of our community for more than 150 years, continues its important, expanded mission,” he said in a press release.
Demchak and his wife serve on the Remember. Rebuild. Renew. Campaign’s honorary cabinet, led by Tree of Life’s Rabbi Jeffrey Myers and includes actors Tom Hanks and Billy Porter and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.
Studio Libeskind, in collaboration with local architects Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, is designing the new Tree of Life building, which will include exhibits that tell the story of Oct. 27 and antisemitism. It will also house a memorial honoring the 11 victims murdered, members of Congregation Dor Hadash, New Light Congregation and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation.
The building will serve as an incubator for new ideas to counter antisemitism and provide educational programs.
“We are tremendously thankful to each of these foundations and for their deep commitment to our community and this project of renewal,” Michael Bernstein, chair of the Tree of Life Interim Governance Committee, said in a statement. “This campaign is a communal endeavor, as is our healing, and these initial commitments are important as we begin to realize our vision to fight antisemitism. This is just the beginning, and we welcome all people, foundations and organizations to reach out and join us in this historic campaign.” PJC
—David Rullo
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