As October approaches, we extend love out to you and to this entire community. The time around commemoration can be intense and emotional, and we are here to support you. This is also the time when we remember the incredible support and solidarity that was felt when Pittsburgh joined together across geographical and ideological divides. We are here to provide the space to openly and authentically feel your own response as we remember our 11 neighbors.
There are many ways to honor the 11 lives lost and the people and families affected by the attack on the Dor Hadash, New Light, and Tree of Life congregations on October 27th, 2018 (the 18th of Cheshvan). We look forward to welcoming you as we come together during this month. This newsletter contains an overview of some of the commemorative activities that will take place, but the details for the ceremony, volunteering, Torah study, and other community events will be continuously updated on our website, 1027healingpartnership.org, when it is available.
We will be holding a public commemorative ceremony on October 27th at Schenley Park on Prospect Drive at 4:00pm. All are welcome to gather with us in memory of Joyce Feinberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil and David Rosenthal, Bernice and Sylvan Simon, Dan Stein, Irving Younger, and Melvin Wax.
Volunteer and service opportunities in memory of those lost will be facilitated by Repair the World Pittsburgh. They will occur across the city on October 16th, October 23rd, October 30th, and November 6th. Service sites have been chosen with care to reflect the places, causes, and ideals that those lost on October 27th loved and cared about.
Torah study sessions will take place virtually on the afternoon of October 27 and both virtually and in-person on the afternoon of the yahrzeit, the 18th of Cheshvan (Nov. 12). More information will be found on our website in the upcoming weeks.
We also recognize that the announcement of the date of the trial will inevitably bring up a lot of emotions for this community. For some, having the trial date set may be distressing and bring up feelings of grief and anger. For others, it may bring up a sense of hope for justice or closure. While the announcement provides a potential timeframe, we urge everyone to remain flexible and remember that we cannot rely on the date of the trial to remain fully stable. In partnership with local and national organizations as well as legal experts, the 10.27 Healing Partnership has been learning and preparing to support this community through the trial process for a long time. We will have additional programming, counseling, and aid ready long before the trial begins. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or suggestions.
In Solidarity,
Maggie Feinstein Director 10.27 Healing Partnership
