Tamar Manasseh

Tamar Manasseh

Tamar Manasseh founded MASK – Mothers and Men Against Senseless Killings in 2015, following the shooting death of Lucille Barnes on the south side of Chicago. Since then, the mother of two, who received her rabbinical training from the The Israelite Academy, presented by The Israelite Board of Rabbis, has been focusing on preventing gun violence and addressing its underlying causes of poverty, joblessness, food insecurity, and a failing educational system.

MASK’s purpose is to put eyes on the streets, interrupt violence and crime, and teach children to grow up as friends rather than enemies. MASK partners to ensure that community members have access to necessary city services, opportunities for education and professional skills growth, and economic development.

Manasseh has also helped launch MASK initiatives in cities throughout the nation, including Evansville, Indiana, Staten Island, New York, and Memphis, Tennessee.