Jan 13, 2019 1 min read

Area teens have organized a read-a-thon in conjunction with the Tree of Life Synagogue, Beth Israel Congregation of Washington and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh to benefit families of the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. The read-a-thon will officially kick off with a Holocaust Remembrance Day event scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Chartiers-Houston Community Library, featuring host speaker Shulamit Bastacky. The Pittsburgh area Holocaust survivor will share her experiences of being a hidden child, separated from her family in order to survive in Nazi-occupied Poland.

During the Read-a-Thon, readers will have a one-week period, Jan. 27-Feb. 3, in which to read a maximum of 20 hours. Donors are encouraged to support readers by pledging to support their efforts via a flat donation or by pledging a certain amount of money per hour read that the reader completes. In addition, a portion of the money raised will go back to the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. Those interested in participating in the read-a-thon or sponsoring a reader should contact atharvhb@gmail.com.