On Shabbat morning, October 27, 2018, a deranged murderer walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue and killed eleven people, including Joyce Fienberg, a beloved member of the congregation. In response, Joyce’s daughter-in-law, Marnie Fienberg, vowed to find ways to combat the violence, hatred and anti-Semitism that inspired this tragedy. Together with her friend, Lauren Kline, they began The Pittsburgh Interfaith Evolution Corporation, to build bridges of understanding between people of different faiths. P.I.E.’s signature program, 2 for Seder, encourages Jews to invite two guests who have never attended a Seder to join them, learn about Judaism and thereby gain greater understanding and mutual respect. The 2019 pilot program included participants from across the US and Canada.
With the arrival of COVID-19, the original 2 for Seder format was no longer possible, but P.I.E. lost no time in developing an ambitious plan to create podcasts and weekly newsletters that address other innovative ways to combat anti-Semitism. Our funds are used to underwrite website and technology costs.