Frankel and Costa Issue Statement on Graffiti on Chabad of Squirrel Hill

PITTSBURGH - July 29, 2024 - State Rep. Dan Frankel and state Sen. Jay Costa issued the following joint statement today regarding Chabad of Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh being vandalized:

"Vandalizing Chabad of Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is an attack on the values of tolerance, respect and community that we as Pittsburghers hold dear," said Frankel. "Hate has no place in Pittsburgh or anywhere else, and we must stand together to denounce such acts of intolerance."

"Today, I am profoundly saddened and enraged to learn that vandals have spray-painted graffiti on the Chabad in Squirrel Hill as well as the Jewish Federation," said Costa. "I condemn in the strongest terms this morning's acts of vandalism, and I call on every person to reject all forms of hatred, discrimination, antisemitism and division that threaten to divide us further from each other."

Last week, Costa and Frankel announced the availability of $10 million in funding for nonprofit organizations to enhance security through the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program.

The program was created in the aftermath of the attack on the synagogues in the Tree of Life building in 2018 to help houses of faith and other community organizations strengthen security. Applications for the fall 2024-25 Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program are being accepted until Aug. 27. For more information, visit PCCD's Nonprofit Security Grant Fund webpage.