The October 2018 attack on Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh struck at several communities meeting there. Among them was Congregation Dor Hadash, Pittsburgh’s Reconstructionist Community. We’ve gathered a selection of resources on the attack and its aftermath, and our continuing support and solidarity for the Dor Hadash community.
The Attack
11 killed, 6 injured in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting; FBI investigating as hate crime (WHYY, Oct 27, 2018)
Attacked Jewish congregation responds to neo-Nazi gunman: ‘Many of us, frankly, feel great pity for this man’ (Los Angeles Times, Oct. 28, 2018)
What to Know About the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting (New York Magazine, Oct. 28, 2018)
Jerry Rabinowitz, z”l
Remembering Jerry Rabinowitz: ‘Kind, gentle’ doctor among the victims in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (Trib Live, Oct. 28, 2018)
Synagogue shooting victim Jerry Rabinowitz remembered as ‘one of the finest people’ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 28, 2018)
Synagogue attack victim Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz rushed at gunfire to help the wounded (NBC News, Oct. 28, 2018)
Slain Pittsburgh Doctor Treated My HIV When No One Else Would (Forward, Oct. 29, 2018)
Dan Leger
UPMC chaplain, in critical condition, identified among Squirrel Hill shooting survivors (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 27, 2018)
Active member of Dor Hadash congregation ID’d by brother as victim of Squirrel Hill shooting (Trib Live, Oct. 28, 2018)
Responses from Reconstructing Judaism
Since the attack, Reconstructing Judaism has stood together with Dor Hadash. Our support and solidarity, in person and from afar, continues.
Responding to Today’s Tragedy (Reconstructing Judaism, Oct. 27, 2018)
Initial Statement on the Pittsburgh Shootings (Reconstructing Judaism, Oct. 27, 2018)
Religious Leaders on Pittsburgh Attack (video) (MSNBC, Oct. 27, 2018)
The Reconstructionist Response to Antisemitism (audio, WNYC, Oct. 29, 2018)
Statement on the Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre (Reconstructing Judaism Oct. 30, 2018)
Jewish Groups Escalate Call For Assault Rifle Ban After Shooting ‘Proved Our Worst Fears’ (Huffington Post, Oct. 31, 2018)
Jewish life in Philadelphia has changed (Deutschlandradio, article and radio interview with Rabbi Deborah Waxman in German, Nov. 3, 2018)
The Importance of Holy Conversation (Reconstructing Judaism, Nov. 6, 2018)
‘We Are All Dor Hadash’ (Reconstructing Judaism, Nov. 7, 2018)
In Tragedy’s Wake, Dor Hadash Finds Strength in Jewish Community (Reconstructing Judaism, Jan. 2, 2019)
From Despair to Action (Reconstructing Judaism, June 4, 2019)
Statement by Congregation Dor Hadash on Justice Department Decision to Seek Death Penalty (Reconstructing Judaism, Aug. 27, 2019)
Dor Hadash exemplifies virtues of Reconstructionist Judaism (Reconstructing Judaism, Sep. 23, 2019)
Community Responses
‘It’s just frightening’: Area Jewish congregations react to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 27, 2018)
Pittsburgh tries to see the future through the darkness (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Oct 28, 2018)
‘Respond to Hate With Love’: Muslim Organizations Raise Thousands to Benefit Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims (Time, Oct. 28, 2018)
Pittsburgh suspect’s hatred of Jews, HIAS part of larger anti-immigrant surge (Religion News Service, Oct. 29, 2018)
Pittsburgh Synagogue Rabbi Tells What Happened (video, Forward, Oct 29, 2018)
The Fight to Make Meaning Out of a Massacre (The Atlantic, Sept. 29, 2019)
Commitment to Social Justice and Immigration Reform
HIAS Statement on Pittsburgh Tragedy (HIAS, Oct. 27, 2018)
HIAS, the Jewish Agency Criticized by the Shooting Suspect, Has a History of Aiding Refugees (New York Times, Oct. 28, 2018)
One Year Later
Reliving the massacre every minute: How Pittsburgh survivors are struggling a year later (JTA, Oct. 2, 2019)
Poem for Jerry Rabinowitz by Ellen Leger (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 20, 2019)
Recovering from the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history (60 Minutes, Oct. 20, 2019)
Stories of survival, hope one year after Tree of Life massacre (WTAE Pittsburgh, Oct. 22, 2019)
One Year After Pittsburgh, Jews and Allies Pledge Solidarity (Oct. 24, 2019)
Congregation Dor Hadash was a target for its immigrant advocacy — and the shooting did not stop that work (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 27, 2019)
Tree of Life survivor Daniel Leger: Paths to healing in the City of Bridges (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 27, 2019)
Anne-Marie Mizel of Dor Hadash speaks at Tree of Life memorial service (WTAE Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, 2018)
‘A very Jewish thing to do’: Torah study focuses on passage meant to be read at Tree of Life last year (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 27, 2019)
‘Remember. Repair. Together’: Memorial service held to honor victims of Tree of Life shooting (WPXI Pittsburgh, Oct. 28, 2019)