For four and a half years, this community has walked together, learning what we can do to heal and build resiliency in whatever ways we can in the face of tragedy.
For the last few months much of our work to support the families, survivors, and witnesses of the synagogue shooting has surrounded the trial that will begin at the end of April. We provide support around the legal process, transportation, and coordinating lunches and a team of therapists in court throughout the trial.
We have intensified our programming over the last few months for the broader community as well. We have held legal education, processing circles, Jewish life celebrations, reactivation trauma workshops, and a variety of programs such as trauma-informed yoga, community-building games, healing circles, Wellness Wednesdays, drum circles, art programs, and forest bathing.
We have heard from many people that they are anxious to support the families and survivors throughout the trial process. For many community members, attending trial may not be the best option. While for some attending trial is vital for their own process, there is limited capacity in the courthouse, both in terms of space and supportive staff. For those who can support others who are looking to show solidarity, we encourage you to do so by participating in ways that support your neighbors and build community.
For those who have the bandwidth and ability to be highly committed on a weekly basis, we are putting out a call for those who can be delivery drivers to the courthouse. Lunches for families, survivors, and witnesses who will be attending the upcoming trial have been generously donated by local businesses and restaurants. We will need volunteers to sign up to be once-a-week, ongoing drivers to pick food up from various downtown locations and deliver them to a representative outside of the downtown courthouse.
We have partnered with Repair the World Pittsburgh on Chai, Chai V’Kayam, a gardening volunteering series. We will be volunteering at the Branch, at Sheridan Ave Orchard, and on the Homewood Historical Farm with the Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh Co-Op. This series of community garden service-learning projects focuses on sustaining ourselves, our communities, and the earth through difficult times. We hope that these programs serve as an opportunity to come together for healing and collective action.
To show solidarity, unity, and community both during the trial and into the future, we encourage displaying blue ribbons. Throughout the next few months we will be dispersing blue ribbons to community organizations and individuals (and there will be many available in our office to pick up for free). During the trial, tie these ribbons to your front door, to a tree, wear them around your wrist, or create art from the ribbons to show your support of the survivors and the families of those who were killed on Oct. 27th and your dedication to standing up against identity-based hate and violence. We are passionate about reflecting how our community across Pittsburgh and even the world is more interconnected than we might have realized. These ribbons will serve as a beautiful reminder that you are not alone. Both during this trial and into the future, we are a network of people with many different life experiences who can all stand together in solidarity, stronger than hate.
Support Ongoing Campaigns
To ensure that their memories are forever a blessing to all who know them, learn about the 11 wonderful people who were taken on 10/27/18, and carry forward some of their incredible efforts to be humble and compassionate community members.
Find ways to better #LoveLikeTheBoys like Cecil and David Rosenthal and spread random acts of kindness.
Look into the tireless efforts of Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence to advocate for legislation that reduces gun violence so that other communities will never face the devastation this community has experienced.
Show up for a minyan at a synagogue that cannot always make one and celebrate Jewish identity. Volunteer to coach a youth sports league as Irv did or support families at court like Joyce. Invent an excuse to bring together families or neighbors for something joyous like Rose did or use your talent and craft to serve those who are homeless or marginalized as Rich did. Offer to give someone a ride to a doctor’s appointment as Dan did, commit yourself to showing up on time and reliably as Sylvan and Bernice did. Find a joke to tell a stranger to bring a smile to their face the way Mel did every day. There are so many ways to build kindness and light this summer in memory and through cherishing the memories of these eleven people.
These will be very difficult times for many. If you are experiencing distress or unexpected emotions, know that you are not alone. During the trial therapists will be available for select hours every weekday at the 10.27 Healing Partnership for drop-in counseling and referral services (please see our website for hours). We are in this together, and we encourage you to reach out. Whether it is through connection and community, Jewish life, therapeutic programming or counseling, this community can help support you in your process.
In Solidarity,
MaggieFeinstein Director 10.27 Healing Partnership
