This Sunday marks six years since the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Eleven worshippers from three congregations died and seven other people were injured during what is believed to be the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. A commemoration will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill.
Volunteers will be sorting donations and creating needle-felted hearts ahead of the commemoration ceremony. There will be a candle-lighting by the families in memory of those who died: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax and Irving Younger. Musical performances are planned and prayers will also be offered by first responders and Jewish community leaders.
The commemoration is coordinated by the 10.27 Healing Partnership — a community organization created in response to the 2018 shooting that targeted Congregation Dor Hadash, New Light Congregation and Tree of Life Congregation.