Hate group targeting families celebrating Passover in Squirrel Hill with anti-Semitic flyers

PITTSBURGH — A hate group is targeting families celebrating Passover in Squirrel Hill by leaving anti-Semitic flyers in their driveways.

Jennifer Poller and Jon Prince say someone left an anti-Semitic flyer inside of a plastic bag filled with rice on their driveway. They had just gotten home from a dinner celebrating Passover.

“When my 17-year-old son went to go walk the dog, I said, ‘See what’s on the driveway and go ahead and bring it in,’” said Poller. “So he had actually taken the flyer out of the bag of rice and saw it first. It was unbelievable. It’s interesting because it’s hard to believe what we were seeing.”

“It was hard to process all at once because, here it is, a Friday night, our Sabbath, the start of the Passover holiday,” Poller said. “Then we’re also dealing with our own emotions, but then also having our 17-year-old son see that.

The couple called Pittsburgh Police and posted a message to a neighborhood Facebook group.

They told 11 News that several neighbors received the same hateful flyers.

“It’s a well-organized group, and it’s funny because my kids and I looked at the website,” Prince said. “We probably shouldn’t have. Instead of being shocked by it, we kind of laughed. My son said what idiots these people are.”

“This was done by a group that we’re familiar with,” said Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “They have thrown these types of flyers in different Jewish communities across the country.”

Brokos said their group is working with neighbors to see if anyone caught the person on a Ring door bell camera.

Pittsburgh Police told 11 News that they are investigating and want anyone who has been a victim to come forward.

Those targeted had a message for the hate group.

“We’re still here, and we survive, and we’re passing along to our children because we want it to continue,” Poller said. “They’re not going to get the better of us, and they’re not going to get the last word.”

Target 11: Vaccine mandate change in Pittsburgh to include police, firefighters hasn’t happened

©2022 Cox Media Group