Pittsburgh, PA—The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Board of Trustees yesterday approved the Pittsburgh Jewish Community Relief Fund to manage the Victims of Terror Fund distribution. Charged with overseeing and allocating the funds collected in response to the tragedy at the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, Dor Hadash and New Light congregations, the committee agreed to meet regularly until the funds are fully disbursed.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, an outpouring of support from all around the world flooded into Pittsburgh. To date, the Victims of Terror Fund total exceeded $4 million.
The committee Charter states that the funds will be used to provide for “psychological services, support for families, general services, reconstruction, additional security throughout the community, medical bills, as well as counseling and other services that may prove necessary for victims and first responders during their recovery” as well as counseling for religious and day schools. The funds will go both to Jewish community members and first responders.
The Board asked David Shapira, former chair of the Jewish Federation and former CEO of Giant Eagle Corporation, to chair the committee along with six other outstanding community members (see full list below, in alphabetical order).
- Susan Brownlee, formerly founding executive director of the Fine Foundation
- Jared Cohon, president emeritus of Carnegie-Mellon University
- Stephen Halpern, Jewish Federation board member and president of Woodland Management
- Mark Nordenberg, chancellor emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh
- Charles “Chuck” Perlow, Jewish Federation board member and chairman of McKnight Realty Partners
- Nancy Rackoff, Jewish Federation board member and estate planning attorney at Eckert Seamans