August Newsletter: Dignity and Humanity

Hello Friend,

During trial we witnessed both pain and acts of deep humanity. We were honored to experience so many moments of care: from the bus driver who drove families and survivors to and from the courthouse every day who had a hug ready for every person, to the sharing within our center of cherished memories of those who were taken. Court security officers learned our names, and in both the public and private courtrooms meals were shared every day. As we spent time together we all learned more and more about each other, and community learned to support community. Local restaurants generously donated food every single day, Jewish and non-Jewish agencies, organizations, and institutions alike strived to find dignity within the trial, and the trial process itself was a testament to humanity and courage. Above all, we were honored to witness the community of families and survivors claiming their own agency, voices, and power.

There is no “forgetting” Oct. 27th or the trial. We don’t work towards “moving on”; we look towards continuing to live to the fullest extent we can. As we enter the month of Elul this week, a time of transition and change, we reflect upon what this may look like for us as a community.

My personal Elul tradition is to blow the shofar in the morning—a symbol of awakening. I invite all of us this month to begin to awaken to our own agency and responsibility. The responsibility to hold Oct. 27th and the future at once may at times be heavy, and at times it may be a loving celebration of this community and its people. Community care involves both struggle and beauty. The 10.27 Healing Partnership is designed to help distribute the responsibility of holding Oct. 27th amongst the entire community; what role will you hold in this communal care?

In the spirit of holding both the past and future at once, we invite you to join us on August 29th from 6pm-8pm for “Memories of Tree of Life,” a storytelling and sharing event at the Wightman School Community Building. We will hold this space for memories, both big and small. We will share music, food, and stories together. Storytellers will share their own memories, and we will welcome you to share yours as well. Photographs and videos from the Tree of Life’s history will help us recall all of those moments that made up this congregation’s history. All are welcome! This event is organized by the 10.27 Healing Partnership in collaboration with the Rauh Jewish Archives of the Heinz History Center and the Holocaust Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Learn more and register here!

It is not unusual for emotions to arise after the completion of a process like this trial. You are welcome in our center, and we invite you to come and visit. You are not alone.

In Solidarity,
Maggie Feinstein
Director
10.27 Healing Partnership