Remarks by the Second Gentleman at the Tree of Life Groundbreaking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

[As Prepared for Delivery]

SECOND GENTLEMAN DOUGLAS EMHOFF: Thank you, Carole.

You have done an incredible job as CEO. I am so thankful for your leadership and for bringing us together for this important ceremony.

To the families, survivors, Tree of Life leadership, Rabbi Meyers, local law enforcement, Governor Shapiro, other elected officials, and everyone here today: it is an honor to join you as we not only remember and reflect on the horrors that took place on this hallowed ground, but begin to rebuild the future of Tree of Life.

I first visited Tree of Life in October of 2020 to remember the eleven innocent worshippers who were massacred simply because they were Jewish.

Then, in 2022, I visited again with my wife, Vice President Harris. We spoke with Rabbi Jeffrey Myers about how we can bring people and communities together to combat hate.

During my third visit – in the aftermath of October 7 – I met with many of the families who are here today.

You shared your stories with me. We spoke about the pain that still lives within each of you. The anger, sadness, and grief that we all still feel from that horrific day.

But we also spoke about your fondest memories of your loved ones and the importance of rebuilding and healing.

On that day I promised that I would attend today's groundbreaking. And I am proud to be keeping that promise.

I felt it was important to come and send a message to the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, to the country, and to the world, that we must never forget what the poison of antisemitism can do.

And that we all have a responsibility to stand up to hate in our communities through action.

Almost six years ago, a white supremacist committed the deadliest attack on American Jews in our nation's history.

Twenty-two people were worshipping at the Tree of Life Congregation. Eleven of them would never return home to their families.

It was an unspeakable act of violence, fueled by vicious antisemitic hate.

Since that evil day, we've seen antisemitism rise to unprecedented levels.

It is a crisis.

We're seeing it in our schools, markets, neighborhoods, synagogues, and online.

Students are terrified to go to class. People are living in fear – scared to wear their Star of David or kippah in public because of what might happen next.

Let me be clear: when Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or identity, and when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is antisemitism, and it must be condemned clearly, unequivocally, and without context.

No one should have to hide who they are. And no one should feel afraid or ashamed to be Jewish.

President Biden and Vice President Harris are fighting back against this hatred and bigotry.

They are working to unite our country, not divide us.

Last year, under their leadership, we launched our nation's first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, mobilizing the full force of the federal government to protect Jewish communities.

I've been traveling across the country and around the world – meeting with stakeholders, community and government officials, and Jewish leaders – to increase awareness and understanding of antisemitism and build cross-community solidarity and collective action against hate.

However, this is not the work of government or Jews alone.

All Americans must stand united against antisemitism and hate in all its forms.

Part of fighting hate is living openly and proudly – celebrating our faith publicly.

That is what I have endeavored to do since taking this role as the first Jewish spouse of a President or Vice President.

When Kamala and I moved into the Vice President's Residence, we affixed a mezuzah on our doorway.

Then last year, during Hannukah, we lit a menorah at our home, while surrounded by friends and loved ones.

The menorah was loaned to us by Tree of Life and designed by renowned architect, Daniel Libeskind, who I first met at the Jewish Museum in Berlin, and who is designing this memorial.

He described the menorah as representing the vanquishing of darkness by light – which is exactly what we doing here today.

We are turning what was once a tragic crime scene into a place of hope and inspiration – a place that is full of light.

This will be a safe and sacred space where people can come together and put their differences aside.

It will celebrate Jewish life and tradition, allow people to learn about the roots and manifestations of antisemitism, and help bridge the gap between diverse communities.

This will be a sanctuary that reminds all of us that there is more that unites us than divides us.

That is what makes America special. It is a place where everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religion can live freely, openly, and proudly as they are.

Each time I visited Tree of Life, I left a stone to honor the memories of those whose lives were stolen.

Today, instead of laying stones, we get to celebrate with the breaking of glass, which will be turned into mezuzahs.

In this moment of joy, we must also reflect. The breaking of the glass reminds us of the brokenness in our world and all that we must do to fix it.

It gives us hope.

We must each do our part.

We must rededicate ourselves to embracing our faith and practicing our traditions.

And we must always live openly and proudly and joyfully as Jews.

Thank you.