Eight years after Pittsburgh synagogue shooting: Remembering means protecting the future

On Oct. 27, 2018, 11 Jewish worshippers were murdered during Shabbat morning services in Pittsburgh.

They came together to pray, to be with friends and family, and to carry out the traditions that had united their community for generations. Instead, they became victims of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history.

For the Jewish community, Oct. 27 is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a time of remembrance, grief and reflection. Eight years later, the pain remains, as does our responsibility to honor the lives lost and ensure that the lessons of that day are never forgotten.

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The lesson is clear: Protecting lives means preparing for threats.

In Pittsburgh, that responsibility has brought the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the Secure Community Network together in a partnership focused on protecting Jewish life and ensuring that our community can continue to gather, worship and celebrate safely.

The preparation began before Oct. 27, 2018. In the years preceding the attack, Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, through the Federation, had invested in security assessments, emergency preparedness, and training. More than 6,000 community members participated in over 130 training sessions, and more than 45 facilities underwent security assessments.

Those investments helped save lives.

Survivors have credited their training with helping them make life-saving decisions. Steve Weiss, a member of the Tree of Life Congregation, recalled how his training helped him recognize the danger of remaining in place. He escaped the building and survived.

No amount of preparation can undo the tragedy of that day. But preparation does save lives, and the lessons from Pittsburgh have helped influence how Jewish communities across the country approach security.

In the eight years since, the threats facing Jewish communities have gotten worse. Threats that begin online can quickly become violent, making it more important than ever to recognize warning signs, share information, and coordinate with law enforcement before an attack occurs.

During the 2023 trial of the shooter, the Federation and SCN established a temporary command post alongside the Federation’s security team to monitor potential threats connected to the proceedings. This collaboration helped identify a threat that ultimately led to an arrest. Another tragedy was averted.

Last year, our partnership expanded with the launch of SCN’s Embedded Analyst Program, designed to provide the Federation with a dedicated analyst to identify and manage potential threats to Pittsburgh’s Jewish community.
But identifying threats is only one part of the equation. Training remains just as important.

More than 35,000 members of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community have now received security training through the Federation, helping them recognize suspicious activity, respond to emergencies, and protect themselves and those around them.

That level of preparedness does not happen by accident. It requires sustained investment, coordination, and a commitment to making security a priority.

Security is an investment in protecting lives, strengthening our communities, and ensuring that Jewish life can continue without fear. Its success is measured not only by the incidents we respond to, but by the tragedies that never happen and the names we never have to learn.

That commitment is also reflected in SCN’s Standing With Strength initiative, which preserves survivor testimonies, including those from Pittsburgh, to help future generations understand the importance of preparedness.

Eight years later, Pittsburgh’s Jewish community continues to demonstrate what resilience means. Synagogues remain open. Families continue to gather. Traditions continue to be passed from one generation to the next.
On this anniversary, we remember the 11 lives taken from us and honor the survivors, their families, and a community forever changed.

The most meaningful way to carry forward the lessons of Oct. 27 is not only to remember what happened but to help ensure that future generations can live, worship and build their communities safely. PJC

Jeff Finkelstein is the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Michael Masters is the national director and CEO of the Secure Community Network, the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America.