Volunteering preserves memories and betters community ahead of Oct. 27
Oct. 27Remembering, Honoring, Bettering

Volunteering preserves memories and betters community ahead of Oct. 27

Six years after Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, community members encouraged to use upcoming weeks to foster 'healing, resiliency and togetherness'

Volunteers honor those killed on Oct. 27, 2018 by cleaning a garden. (Photo courtesy of 10.27 Healing Partnership)
Volunteers honor those killed on Oct. 27, 2018 by cleaning a garden. (Photo courtesy of 10.27 Healing Partnership)

Six years after the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the community will remember and honor those who were murdered in an antisemitic attack by performing acts of kindness. Hours before the commemoration, several spaces are welcoming volunteers on Oct. 27.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at both its Squirrel Hill and South Hills branches. Facilitated by Vitalant, the drive is in memory of Dan Stein and Irving Younger.

Also at the JCC in Squirrel Hill, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Jewish Family and Community Services is encouraging volunteers to welcome immigrant families to Pittsburgh by sorting donations and creating cards and posters for distribution.

There is no need to bring supplies, as all materials will be provided.

Pittsburghers seeking to help outdoors can head to Beth Abraham Cemetery between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Volunteers can sweep concrete lanes and walkways, rake leaves, remove dirt from headstones and beautify the site with Jewish Cemetery and Burial Association. The project, which may involve bending, kneeling, sitting, standing and pulling, is in memory of Bernice and Sylvan Simon.

A few years ago it was nearly impossible to walk through Squirrel Hill without seeing a needle-felted heart affixed to a tree, shrub or lamppost. Those days are returning. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Oct. 27, volunteers can join Barbara Grossman, creator of Pgh Handmade Hearts, at the 10.27 Healing Partnership suite inside the JCC in Squirrel Hill, for a crafting activity.

A volunteer cleans a cemetery. (Photo courtesy of 10.27 Healing Partnership)

Upon completion, the needle-felted hearts will be delivered to friends, family and strangers throughout the community, as a reminder to “open our hearts to others,” Maggie Feinstein, executive director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, said.

All materials will be provided. Some fine motor abilities are recommended.

Though most commemorative activities are occurring Oct. 27, Feinstein hopes community members keep Cheshvan 18 in mind. The Hebrew date, which spans the evening of Nov. 18 into Nov. 19, is not only the yahrzeit of those killed, but allows an opportunity for people to gather and enmesh themselves in substantive Jewish teachings, she said.

Between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 18, participants can study together in person. From noon to 1 p.m. on Nov. 19, virtual study is available.

The learning, which is in memory of Richard Gottfried, will explore the importance of making a minyan and “what type of community service it is to show up,” Feinstein said.

Whether volunteering, studying or attending the commemoration, which will be at the JCC in Squirrel Hill on Oct. 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., organizers hope that community members use the period to foster “healing, resiliency and togetherness.”

By coming together and finding meaningful ways to better each other, Feinstein said the community can grow and perpetuate the memories of Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Dan Stein, Irving Younger and Melvin Wax.

A complete list of volunteering activities is available at 1027healingpartnership.org. Participants are encouraged to register online. PJC

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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