Pittsburgh mourns 11 victims eight years after Tree of Life attack

Eight years have passed since the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, which claimed 11 lives and remains the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. On Tuesday, members of the local Jewish community gathered for a memorial service to mark the anniversary.

The ceremony took place at the Jewish Community Center in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. The 10.27 Healing Partnership, joined by community members, organized the event to provide a space for survivors and residents to remember those who died on October 27, 2018.

During the service, the names of the 11 victims were read aloud one by one. Attendees lit 11 candles, one for each worshipper killed in the attack. The ritual served as a tangible link to the individuals lost in the violence that shook the city.

The gunman targeted three congregations in Squirrel Hill: Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light. In addition to the 11 killed, six others were wounded. The injured included two congregants and four Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers who responded to the scene.

Leigh Stein, daughter of victim Daniel Stein, attended the ceremony to honor her father. She described the emotional weight of the day, noting that while every day is difficult, the anniversary holds a specific gravity. "I miss my dad's presence, I miss his support, I just miss him, and I can't believe he's not here," Stein said.

Stein expressed a strong personal connection to the act of lighting the candle in her father's memory. She also observed the full attendance at the venue, noting that the room was packed with standing room only. "This commemoration is all about remembering community, being kind to one another, showing up, helping a stranger, just feeling the love," Stein said.

Maggie Feinstein, executive director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, spoke to the mix of emotions present at the service. She cited the visible affection and community support among attendees as sources of hope, while acknowledging the sadness inherent in the gathering. "I feel hopeful when I see the way in which people give hugs, the way people see each other, the way we have community around us," Feinstein said.