Tree of Life director disputes Biden's claim he visited after 2018 attack

Tree of Life synagogue’s executive director told a news outlet that President Joe Biden did not visit the synagogue in the aftermath of the Oct. 27, 2018, attack, despite a claim to that effect made by the president on Thursday.

Barb Feige’s statement to the New York Post came in the wake of Biden’s comments to Jewish leaders ahead of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which begins Monday evening. In a video conference, Biden seemed to indicate that he made a visit to Pittsburgh in the wake of the killings of 11 worshippers.

“I remember spending time at the, you know … going to the, you know, Tree of Life synagogue, speaking with … it’s just amazing that these things are happening in America,” Biden said. “And so, I guess the point I’m making is that the attack in Pittsburgh, those attacks — all anti-Semitic attacks — aren’t just a strike against the Jewish community; they’re a strike against the soul of our nation and the values which we say we stand for.”

Feige told the Post that Biden had not visited Tree of Life, either in the immediate aftermath of the shootings, or in the nearly three years since they happened.

Feige on Friday declined requests for comment from the Tribune-Review. However, the Tree of Life provided a statement from Rabbi Jeffrey Myers.

“President Biden kindly called me on my cellphone as I was sitting in Dulles Airport awaiting a return flight to Pittsburgh after I testified before Congress in July 2019,” said Myers. “In a heartfelt way, he extended his condolences and asked how we were doing. We spoke about the challenges of anti-Semitism and he made clear he would confront it with us as president.

“The conversation meant a great deal to me, and I will always be grateful for his kind words and continued support of our community.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Tribune-Review.

President Donald Trump and his family visited Pittsburgh and the Squirrel Hill synagogue a few days after the mass shooting.