Pittsburgh community prepares to mark eight years since synagogue shooting
Volunteering, study and commemoration afford community members 'channels' for meaningful engagement
Volunteering, Torah study and a public commemoration will help community members mark eight years since the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
The antisemitic attack on Oct. 27, 2018, targeted three congregations in the Tree of Life building: Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life.
Maggie Feinstein, director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, credited organizers and partnering organizations with helping to “carve out space where we, as a community, remember and honor the 11.”
Both as a lead-up to Oct. 27, and on the yahrzeit of those killed, various activities are scheduled to support the community and preserve the memory of Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Dan Stein, Irving Younger and Melvin Wax — the 11 worshippers who were murdered during Shabbat morning services nearly eight years ago.
On Oct. 25, a blood drive, organized in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and Vitalant, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at both the Squirrel Hill and South Hills Jewish Community Centers.
That same day, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at JFCS’ main office in Squirrel Hill, volunteers can create no-sew blankets and hygiene kits for JFCS’ pantry and immigrant, youth, and older adult services. Participants are encouraged to bring hygiene products, scissors and fleece fabric.
Also on Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., individuals can join Catholic Charities Diocese of Pittsburgh at St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality for socializing and service. Along with conversing with St. Joseph’s residents, volunteers will serve lunch, run activities and help organize materials. Participants are asked to wear closed-toed shoes.
Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. that day, volunteers can join the Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh for a beautification project. Individuals will sweep concrete lanes and walkways, rake leaves, remove dirt from headstones and assist JCBA in its efforts to clean and preserve sacred grounds.
Details and registration for volunteering activities are available at 1027healingpartnership.org.
While the volunteer activities are designed to preserve memories and contribute to the betterment of the community, a public commemoration will enable participants to join together inside the Squirrel Hill JCC from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27.
Registration for the public program, according to organizers, is not required.
The following evening, at the Squirrel Hill JCC, in-person commemorative Torah study will help mark the yahrzeit of those murdered during the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
The program, according to organizers, will be led by “local leaders, friends and neighbors.”
Registration is available at 1027healingpartnership.org.
Although volunteering, commemoration and Torah study have become familiar practices to mark the period, Feinstein said she isn’t worried about the routine becoming rote.
Having just experienced yizkor, and the High Holidays, there’s an understanding that “people are not necessarily looking for fresh and new — they are looking for something that is authentic and something that actually has some level of familiarity,” she said.
“Just like with yizkor, grieving rituals allow space for people to experience something that is familiar,” she continued. “We dont have to necessarily write new content to find new meaning.”
What’s important to keep in mind, she said, is the “incident in 2018 left lasting marks on such a large cross-section of the community, and there’s not a right way to remember, so we try to make enough channels so that more people can engage with it.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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