Honoring the lives lost and the people affected by the attack on three Pittsburgh synagogues

Over the period from October 25, 2020 through Sunday, November 8, 2020 New Light will honor, remember and reflect in spirit and in action on the lives lost and the people affected by the attack on three Pittsburgh synagogues — Congregation Dor Hadash, New Light Congregation and Tree of Life* Or L’Simcha Congregation — on October 27, 2018. And we will work together to help our community continue to heal. 

All of us are navigating a time when in-person connection is more difficult. We feel that challenge and we have adapted our plans to meet it. The healing process is ongoing, and our commitment to our community is permanent.

New Light Congregation, under the leadership of the 10.27 Healing partnership, is working closely with our partners in planning many activities and volunteer opportunities for the period. We hope you can join us.  We will Remember, Reflect in Spirit and Action, and below you can find ways to do just that.

• Sunday, October 25^th
  Community Event: A “Day of Service” with site captains provided by Repair the World. Over 12 agencies have agreed to host volunteers to assist their activities, with on-line sign-up required. Most (though not all) request that you volunteer in-person. Service opportunities and registration can be found here.
• Tuesday Afternoon, October 27^th at 12 Noon and 1 PM:
  Community Event: Torah Study: Four virtual classes will be offered. Class descriptions and pre-registration is required here.
• Tuesday Evening, October 27^th at 7 PM:
  Community Event: Commemoration Service: A pre-recorded Facebook Live video will be presented to pay our respects to the lives that were taken on 10/27/18 and be with their families, the survivors, the three congregations who worshipped at the Tree of Life synagogue, and the first responders. Online registration required. The link to the event will be posted here when it is available.
• Wednesday Evening, November 4^th at 6:30 PM:
  New Light Event: Yizkor Service: New Light Congregation members will gather on Zoom and in-person in Helfant Chapel to remember, reflect and honor the yahrzeit of Richard Gottfried, Daniel Stein and Melvin Wax. A Memorial Board dedicated to the three will be unveiled. Online registration required to attend in-person.
• Wednesday Evening, November 4^th at 7:30 and 8:30 PM:
  Community Event: Torah Study: Four virtual classes will be offered. Class descriptions and pre-registration is required here.
• Thursday Morning, November 5^th at 8 AM:
  Joint Three Congregation Event: Morning Minyan: A joint three congregation service will be held at the JCC in-person and on Zoom. The Torah portion that was to have been read on 10.27.18 will be read. Online registration required.
• Thursday Afternoon, November 5^th at 12 Noon and 1 PM:
  Community Event: Torah Study: Four virtual classes will be offered. Class descriptions and pre-registration is required here.
• Sunday Morning, November 8^th at 11 AM at the New Light Cemetery:
  New Light Event: Memorial Dedication:  New Light members will gather in-person and on Zoom to dedicate and unveil the Memorial Monument and bench dedicated to Rich Gottfried, Dan Stein and Mel Wax (donated by John Dioguardi of Rome Monuments) and plant “The Survivor Tree” (a Callery Pear tree donated by the 911 Memorial and Museum). In addition, members will be able to visit the not-quite-completed Memorial Chapel at the entrance to the Cemetery. Online registration required to attend in-person.
• Thursday Evening, November 12^th at 7 PM:
  Community Event: Book Discussion of Beth Kissileff and Eric Lidji’s new book “Bound in the Bond of Life”: The authors and contributors will read portions of their essays, followed by an open discussion of personal reminisces and reflections on the tragedy. Zoom only. Online registration required.