http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39049102
Thanks to Nolan Rappaport for sending in this article from the BBC:
“A US Muslim-led fundraising project to help repair a Jewish cemetery that was vandalised has raised more than four times its $20,000 (£16,000) target.
The crowdfunding campaign, which calls for “solidarity with the Jewish-American community”, aims to help “rebuild this sacred space”.
More than 170 headstones were damaged at the Jewish cemetery in St Louis, Missouri on Monday.
It comes after a string of anti-Semitic threats targeting the Jewish community.
The fundraising effort, launched by Linda Sarsour and Tarek El-Messidi, has received over 3,000 donations and has raised more than $85,000.
“Muslim Americans stand in solidarity with the Jewish-American community to condemn this horrific act of desecration,” the fundraising page states.
The project, which is still accepting funds, aims to repair damage at the Chesed Shel Emeth cemetery in St Louis, but the campaigners said that any additional funds raised would be used to “assist other vandalised Jewish centres nationwide”.
Vice-president Mike Pence visited the cemetery on Wednesday during a trip to St Louis.
“We condemn this vile act of vandalism and those who perpetuate it in the strongest possible terms,” he told reporters travelling with him.
He added that “it’s been inspiring to people all across this country to see the way the people of Missouri have rallied around the Jewish community with compassion and support”.
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Helping those in need is the American way! And, I think that it is good that Vice President Mike Pence personally showed up, rolled up his sleeves, and pitched in to help clean things up. Positive symbolism combined with visible actions are important. Sadly, and to me unbelievably, anti-semitism seems to be on the rise throughout the world. It’s critical that we stand together in rejecting the hateful message.
PWS
02/22/17
