Muslim Activists Raised Nearly $160K To Restore A Vandalized Jewish Cemetery
After over 150 headstones were damaged in a historic Jewish cemetery, a pair of Muslim activists made a profound statement to show their solidarity.
According to ABC News, the two activists launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to restore Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Missouri, after it was vandalized on February 19 or 20. As of March 5, the campaign had raised nearly $160,000.
"The Muslim-American community extends its hands to help rebuild this sacred space where Jewish-American families have laid their loved ones to rest since the late 1800s," the campaign's website stated.
"Through this campaign, we hope to send a united message from the Jewish and Muslim communities that there is no place for this type of hate, desecration, and violence in America," the activists wrote. "We pray that this restores a sense of security and peace to the Jewish-American community who has undoubtedly been shaken by this event."
The campaign's original fundraising goal was $20,000, according to the site. That goal was reached in just three hours.
Organizers said the additional funds left over will be distributed among other Jewish cemeteries that have been vandalized in recent weeks, including a cemetery in Philadelphia and one in Colorado.
Vice President Mike Pence made an unannounced visit to Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery on February 22 and joined volunteer efforts to clean up the property, according to ABC 6.
"I must tell you the people in Missouri are inspiring the nation by your love and care for this place, for the Jewish community in Missouri," Pence told the crowd of volunteers. "And I want to thank you for that inspiration, for showing the world what America is all about."
Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, who is Jewish, told reporters at the cemetery that President Donald Trump had called him earlier that day to thank volunteers for their work.
The Anti-Defamation League is currently offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the vandals who desecrated Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, according to ABC 6.
The Washington Post reported that Jewish institutions around the country have been the target of more than 100 threats since the beginning of the year.
After speculating that a recent wave of anti-Semitic incidents were a false-flag operation against Jewish centers, Trump denounced the threats during his address to Congress on February 28.
"Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries ... remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms,” Trump said.
