Healing and Remembrance After the Tree of Life Shooting Trial

By Maria Cohen, SHUC Executive Director

THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TREE OF LIFE SHOOTING OCCURRED RECENTLY, NOT LONG AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE CRIMINAL TRIAL. Maggie Feinstein, Director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, generously agreed to sit down with me to share her experiences with the trial, planning the five-year commemoration of the Tree of Life tragedy, and ways to bring people together to heal.

Maggie was very candid, thoughtfully sharing some surprising and incredible revelations about what was comforting to the survivors, families of the victims, and our Squirrel Hill Community during the trial.

Foremost, she noted how impactful the trial process itself was: the care that the jurors took, and the justice

served by our judicial system in acknowledging this as a hate crime against our Jewish community. It was the community members, drivers, volunteers, therapists, organizations, congregations, and restaurants who gave their time and resources behind the scenes to ensure a seamless process in the court room and in any way needed during the trial.

Among the verdicts in the case, the accused was found guilty of a hate crime and attack on Jews. Our Federal Government pursued charges of Antisemitism and laid out the case very carefully, making it an important historical case and verdict. There was a lot of time spent sharing with the jurors the special spiritual ways each of the 11 victims, survivors, and their families honor the Sabbath. The jury really listened, taking it to heart and understanding that the crime was a hate crime carried out on Shabbat.

Yet, as important as this and the other verdicts were, the jury’s efforts leading to it are one reason that the trial process was, for some members of the community, more impactful than the actual verdict. The jurors met bravely and generously gave of themselves throughout the process, taking two months out of their lives to fairly and justly listen and reach a verdict. Not one called in sick during the entire trial. They sat through really difficult things and clearly took their responsibility with dignity. Citizens whom the survivors and families of the victims never met took responsibility for decision making.

The judge was so inspired by this incredible jury that he teared up and complimented them on the last day of the trial. This is what democracy is made of. Few people ever want to be on a jury, but many want to be responsible for ensuring our democracy and a right to a fair, just trial. It meant so much to the families, and it always makes a difference.

Our community sat together to watch the trial and comfort the survivors and families of the victims. Four community members stood out for their efforts. Mark Davidson, Jan Glick, Shirley Moritz, and Ken Simon earned the JCC’s Ida and Samuel Latterman Volunteer Mitzvah Award for their dedication in delivering meals for 45 days to 50 people. It was very important that everything went seamlessly to avoid disruptions to the proceedings, and it was a significant effort to accomplish something that might seem simple. Restaurants donated all of the food, and Giant Eagle pitched in gift cards for drinks. Lunch was always on time. A local candy company, Candy Favorites owned by Jon Prince, donated hard candies because no emotions could be shown during the trial, and the candy helped. Jon let the group choose the first time and then thoughtfully curated and delivered more candy when needed.

There were many more who offered their support. Always there to comfort the families and survivors from the beginning, Alan Hausman and Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life were on hand during the full trial. Therapists from JFCS (Jewish Family and Community Services), JAA (Jewish Association on Aging), and private practice took an entire day off once a week to help. Several local schools jumped in to be supportive. Community Day School made books for the court room with each student creating a page based upon the book “I Wish You More” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Here’s one example: “I wish you more sunny days than dark days.” Local congregations brought prayer shawls and books. There were drivers who made sure that everyone got to where they needed to be on time. There was a blue-ribbon campaign that reached as far as Sewickley. It was unbelievable how people came out to do whatever they could to help.

This year marked the five-year anniversary of the shooting. The same group of loving, cooperative people who have worked together before came together again to host. They continue to give multiple channels to mourn and heal, including Torah learning (from home or on site), a two-day service site by Repair the World, and a gathering at Schenley Park to hug and see each other. The Violins of Hope Exhibit (another demonstration of resilience) is in Pittsburgh right now, and community members, including young people, are playing violins that survived the Holocaust to extend their legacy to new generations.

The anniversary is really about being together to honor the memory of the 11 victims and their stories. The Hebrew dates November 1 and 2 are more significant than the 10.27 date to the survivors and families. This is the day to light a candle for loved ones, say a prayer, and bring community together.

The 10.27 Healing Partnership provides support and resources to promote healing and resiliency to all members of the greater Pittsburgh community regardless of whether or not they were impacted directly or indirectly by the October 27, 2018, synagogue shooting.

They offer a variety of healing resources and activities focusing mainly on non-verbal modalities including trauma-informed yoga, sound bathing, forest bathing, drum circles, and more. No door is wrong when healing from trauma. They also offer volunteer opportunities to get involved with the Commemoration. You can find more information about the 10.27 Healing Partnership at https://1027healingpartnership.org/