When I awoke last Sunday morning I knew it was the day – the one year anniversary
of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in my hometown of Pittsburgh
PA.
Eleven people lost their lives and several others were seriously injured in the
worst anti-Semitic attack on US soil. I longed for a simple ritual to join the larger
community in marking the day and hour because remembrance is our duty, our way
of honoring those impacted by this tragedy.
I thought of the moments of silence many US citizens have taken, each morning of
each 9/11 since 2001. Beginning at 8:26 am EST we remember together those that
lost their lives when two planes hit the towers and another plane crashed in a
Pennsylvania field near Shanksville.
I knew the synagogue shooting occurred as people were preparing for the morning
service, but news of the massacre rippled through our communities throughout the
day. My husband and I learned of the event several hours after it happened from our
Jewish relatives who live in NY, AZ, and Florida who heard it on the national news.
Though I could not locate the time using my phone, my morning newspapers
provided images of the people who had been involved as victims, first responders,
cleaners, and caregivers. This provided inspiration for the solitary moments of
meditation I decided to enter into on behalf of all those affected by this heinous
crime, including myself.
Since there has been no moratorium on mass shootings since our own, communities
across the western world are asking the question we began asking here in
Pittsburgh last October – How do we heal individually and collectively from such
monumental loss? Mass shooting in cities like Dayton and El Pasco, San Diego and
Christchurch, New Zealand, have triggered our still tender unresolved traumas and
enlarged the number of people searching for answers to that question.
Some wisdom I believe we have demonstrated as a community –
1. Community rituals matter. Vigils and memorials in the streets and public
gathering places have offered the opportunity to stand together publically, in
solidarity, making it clear, an attack on one of our communities is an attack
on us all.
2. Art helps by inspiring. The three star design and slogan – “Stronger Than
Hate,” put together as an immediate response by one graphic designer, Tim Hindes, now
shines back at us from store windows, billboards, and people’s wearing
apparel. This constant reminder that we are stronger than hate inspires us to
take actions to ensure mutual respect support and love, are what triumphs in
the end.
3. Stories heal. The Pittsburgh community has listened respectfully to the
stories of people involved and impacted by the massacre offering trauma-
informed news reports and public programs. They have connected community members to support groups and therapists, offered programs like JCCPGH Center for Loving Kindness on Forgiveness and Repentance, and Playback Theatre’s story telling offerings in open to the public venues.
4. Remembering we are not alone – There have been 253 cities that have
experienced mass shootings this year. When an individual is grieving a
significant loss, connecting to a person who has experienced a similar loss
often provides comfort. The visits from community members who have
survived mass shootings like Parkland high school, and the Christian church
in Charleston, SC have been grace making for our survivors and our
community.
5. Our work going forward – Part of healing loss is making meaning from it.
Jewish communities consider repairing the world a significant part of their
mission as Jews. Since 10/27 here in Pittsburgh, our larger political
community has taken on this task in areas such as changing laws to make it
harder for people who shouldn’t have guns to obtain them. And most
inspiring of all? Some survivors continue their work to welcome the stranger
and serve those who are newcomers to our country – a powerful way to
ensure the “bad guys” don’t win.
Sheila
P.S. I will speaking at the upcoming Giving Care and Taking Care: A Dementia Caregiver Conference Hosted by Alzheimer’s Association- Greater PA Chapter on Nov. 19th if you know anyone who it would benefit.
