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Mementos hang from the fence surrounding the Tree of Life synagogue, which housed three congregations, New Light, Dor Hadash and Tree of Life, Monday, May 3, 2021, in Squirrel Hill.
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Days of events lead up to third Tree of Life shooting commemoration

Alexandra Wimley/Post-Gazette

Days of events lead up to third Tree of Life shooting commemoration

Community organizations will hold a variety of in-person and virtual programs this week as the city  honors the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting three years ago.

The events will culminate Wednesday with a commemoration ceremony at Schenley Park.

Eleven people from three congregations — Tree of Life/Or L’Simcha, New Light and Dor Hadash — were killed Oct. 27, 2018, after a man opened fire in the synagogue at the corner of Shady and Wilkins avenues in Squirrel Hill during Saturday morning services. Six other people, including four Pittsburgh police officers, were injured in the shooting, believed to be the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. 

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This week’s events are free, but most of them require registration. More information, as well as COVID-19 protocols for in-person events, can be found at 1027healingpartnership.org

Anna Schwartz, 17, of Mt. Lebanon, holds a Havdalah candle during a youth-organized Remembrance Havdalah on Saturday, October 24, 2020, in the parking lot behind Beth Shalom in Squirrel Hill.
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The 10.27 Healing Partnership will set up a canopy across the street from the Tree of Life synagogue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday where trained clinicians from the partnership and Jewish Family & Community Services as well as canine advocates from the Center for Victims will be available to the community.

Blood drives will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Squirrel Hill and South Hills Jewish community centers in memory of synagogue shooting victim Dan Stein, who frequently donated blood and encouraged others to do the same.

The National Council of Jewish Women will host a book-labeling event from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Sunday at its office at 1620 Murray Ave. in honor of synagogue shooting victim Joyce Fienberg, who volunteered with NCJW for over 20 years. Participants can label donated books that will be distributed to families who use the children's rooms at local courts.

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Jewish Family & Community Services will distribute material for Star of David craft projects from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday at its office at 5743 Bartlett St. Participants are invited to pick up a kit, take it home and make a Star of David, and hang it around town. 

Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence and CeaseFirePA will host a virtual workshop from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday to educate citizens how to become advocates for common sense gun policies. The training covers existing firearm policy in Pennsylvania; firearm-related legislative and policy issues; how to engage legislators and others in the gun violence prevention movement; and more. 

The Virtual Senior Academy will host a screening of the documentary “It Couldn’t Happen Here,” by Squirrel Hill playwright and Congregation Dor Hadash member Carrie Mannino from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday in person at the Squirrel Hill JCC and online. The play delves into what it means to live in and be a part of the Squirrel Hill and Pittsburgh communities.

The official commemoration ceremony will start at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday on Prospect Drive in Schenley Park near the grove of trees that was planted in April in memory of the shooting victims.

Rabbi Jeffery Myers of the Tree of Life Synagogue listens to Major Elliot Garrett — chief Washington correspondent for CBS News — during the Eradicate Hate Global Summit at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021.
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The ceremony will include candle-lighting by the families of those who were killed; prayers by Jewish community leaders; an interfaith statement of solidarity; a prayer for healing; and more. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Mayor Bill Peduto and other dignitaries are expected to attend. 

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First Published: October 24, 2021, 4:00 a.m.

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Mementos hang from the fence surrounding the Tree of Life synagogue, which housed three congregations, New Light, Dor Hadash and Tree of Life, Monday, May 3, 2021, in Squirrel Hill.  (Alexandra Wimley/Post-Gazette)
Alexandra Wimley/Post-Gazette
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