Tree of Life Synagogue
“We are strong when we stand united strong together for the good,” said Rabbi Shlomo Silverman in the invocation before this year’s commencement ceremony. “Don’t let it end here!”
“While we may not all be related,” said Federation of Greater Pittsburgh president and CEO Jeff Finkelstein, “we are all family in the Jewish world. Remembering our fallen is a global Jewish responsibility.”
‘Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’ wins Pulitzer Prize for coverage of Tree of Life shooting
The judges described the staff’s work as “immersive, compassionate coverage … that captured the anguish and resilience of a community thrust into grief.”
Pennsylvania lawmakers honor memories of 11 victims of Tree of Life shooting
State Rep. Dan Frankel said: “The assault on these three congregations was an act of unimaginable evil. But it has been met with unfathomable bravery and love. Literally hundreds of people acted heroically, starting within seconds of the first gunshot.”
Pittsburgh Federation raises $6.3 million for families and survivors affected by shooting
At the same time, a report on the Oct. 27, 2018 mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh noted that “no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one’s life” or “completely heal our hearts or our communities.”
Pittsburgh mayor visits Jerusalem memorial for Tree of Life synagogue victims
“Unlike 80 years ago, when Jews were murdered, when synagogues were destroyed and businesses were shattered, when the community called this time, the police didn’t turn their back, they ran in to help,” Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto.
Timothy Matson, a Pittsburgh police and SWAT team officer who was shot during the interchange, is also expected to be there.
“Often, when we’re looking for our miracle, we don’t have to look far,” said Rabbi Henoch Rosenfeld, director of Chabad Young Professionals in Pittsburgh.
California-based Golden West Food Group purchased the cleats, and the company is donating the funds to Combined Jewish Philanthropies in Boston and Pittsburgh’s Jewish Federation.
From triumph to tragedy, 2018 was a busy year for U.S. Jewry. Take a look at what JNS is naming the top five stories of the year.
New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft visited the Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh to pay his respects to the 11 Jewish victims of the Oct. 27 shooting there before his team played the Steelers on Sunday. (The Steelers won 17-10.)
“I find it frustrating that all Jewish issues have become so politicized on our campus,” Pomona junior and Alpha Epsilon Pi member Sam Lushtak told JNS.
