Anti-hate rally planned, donations pour in after Jewish cemetery vandalism
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia will hold a "Stand Against Hate" rally on Independence Mall on Thursday, in response to the vandalism of an estimated 100 headstones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia's Wissinoming section.
Meanwhile, donations for repairs to Mount Carmel Cemetery, where the vandalism was reported Sunday morning, reached more than $140,000 by Wednesday afternoon.
The Stand Against Hate event, which will feature religious, political, and community leaders, is scheduled for noon at Fifth and Market Streets in Center City.
"This is a moment in our history where we can do something. We're not powerless. We can't just let this happen to us," said Naomi Adler, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation. "This event hopefully brings hope to those who are despairing."
Among those slated to attend are Gov. Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Mayor Kenney is also listed as a speaker, but a spokesman said his attendance would depend on how long his budget address, also set for Thursday, lasts.
Religious leaders speaking at the event include Rabbi David Straus of Main Line Reform Temple, Imam Anwar Muhaimin of Quba Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, and Philadelphia Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.
Adler said the "nonpartisan, nonpolitical" event will also feature stories about Mount Carmel, musical performances, children, and prayer.
"Some people are moved by speeches, some people are moved by children, and other people are moved by prayer," she said. "We have to incorporate all of that."
To coincide with the rally, the National Museum of American Jewish History will offer free admission Thursday.
Adler said more than 1,650 people have already donated more than $120,000 to a Jewish Federation fund-raiser for repairs and restoration at Mount Carmel.
"The outpouring has been overwhelming," she said.
A separate GoFundMe campaign organized by Raphael Caroline, 31, of Philadelphia, has also raised more than $21,000, which Caroline plans to give directly to the Jewish Federation.
While the desecration at the cemetery at Frankford and Cheltenham Avenues was first reported to police Sunday, a superintendent from another Philadelphia cemetery said it had been vandalized when he visited on Feb. 21.
Word of the vandalism made headlines worldwide after a similar incident the prior week at a Jewish cemetery in the St. Louis suburbs.
Not only have people donated to cemetery repairs, but a reward to catch the vandals responsible for the crime has grown to $69,000 with donations from the Mizel Family Foundation and the Anti-Defamation League; Councilman Allan Domb; Mayor Kenney's office; Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5; Ronald Firman of Miami and Martin Burns of Las Vegas; an anonymous donor; and the 15th District Police District Advisory Council.
