In the News

Oct. 24, 2022

Volunteers gather to help beautify Jewish cemeteries ahead of Tree of Life shooting anniversary

CBS News Pittsburgh

Volunteers cleaning up a cemetery and gardens in the Pittsburgh area.

This article originally appeared in CBS News Pittsburgh on October 23, 2022.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Thursday will mark four years since 11 lives were lost in the Tree of Life synagogue mass shooting.

Today, people volunteered their time to clean up a cemetery and gardens in our area to remember the victims.

Volunteers cleaned up Beth Abraham Cemetery in memory of 84-year-old Bernice and 86-year-old Sylvan Simon, who were killed when a gunman opened fire in the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018. Their son, Marc, helped plan the clean-up effort.

Repair the World Pittsburgh and the 10.27 Healing Partnership organized several volunteer events throughout October, leading up to the fourth commemoration of the Tree of Life synagogue mass shooting. 11 people were killed and several others were injured.

Today, volunteers joined the Jewish Cemetery Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh to clean monuments, trim ivy, and rake leaves at Beth Abraham Cemetery in Brentwood.

Read the full article here