Healing Through Service: A Pittsburgh Partnership Story
In the heart of Pittsburgh, a city still recovering from the trauma of an antisemitic hate-based attack, Maggie (she/her), the Executive Director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, shared her inspiring journey of community healing and service. Her story unfolded through her work in partnership with Repair the World Pittsburgh, as she and Repair were committed to making a positive impact by engaging their shared Pittsburgh community of Jews and their neighbors in meaningful service.
As a leader responding to the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, Maggie founded the 10.27 Healing Partnership, focusing on collective healing, impactful service, and meaningful community engagement. She exemplified the value of solidarity, achdoot through her response by spearheading efforts to unify and support the Jewish community to mark 10/27 with service bringing in local partners who share the same commitment to heal together.
Because of her experience with past Repair the World service programs, Maggie knew that collaborating with Pittsburgh Repair staff to leverage Repair’s skills in facilitating service and Jewish learning opportunities would amplify the mission of 10.27 Healing Partnership.
Officially partnering with Repair in October 2020, over the next three years, the partnership flourished, fostering a lasting relationship centered on igniting a commitment to service. Maggie reflected on a particularly impactful service project initiated during the challenging times of the pandemic. “Collaborating with Repair, we transformed an outdoor patio space at the JCC, creating a welcoming environment for various community activities. The project, honoring a victim’s love for food, friends, and children, symbolizes the resilience and strength fostered through community service,” said Maggie.
Another personalized project involved honoring a victim who was an avid voter registrar. Collaborating with Repair and the League of Women Voters, volunteers carried out voter registration initiatives during Steelers games, connecting with attendees and embodying the values of civic engagement and remembrance.
Maggie’s perspective on service underwent a profound transformation through her collaboration with Repair. “My experience with Repair challenged me to reconsider the meaning of community engagement, emphasizing the importance of building lasting relationships rather than merely executing projects. Repair’s commitment to authentic engagement left a lasting impact on me, both personally and professionally.”
For Maggie, service goes beyond specific projects; it’s about carrying on the legacy of those lost in the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue. Inspired by the exceptional individuals who were the first to show up at the synagogue, Maggie strives to embody their commitment to community and resilience. Repair has played a pivotal role in shaping Maggie’s understanding of service, emphasizing the significance of lasting connections.
Maggie’s story serves as a testament to the transformative power, and the profound impact service can have on communities. As we continue to navigate the complexities of a changing world, Maggie’s commitment to building bridges and fostering genuine connections stands as an inspiring example of how service can heal, unite, and create lasting change.
Since 2018, the Commemorative Days of Service of the 10.27 Healing Partnership have mobilized 3,000 Jewish Pittsburghers to contribute 4,000 hours of service to the broader community. Repair the World Pittsburgh has been humbled to power these days of service in partnership with Maggie and the 10.27 Healing Partnership since 2018.
Maggie Feinstein is the director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership. She is a master’s level professional counselor who has distinguished herself in the field of integrated mental health. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in International Relations and received her master’s degree from the University of San Francisco in Counseling Psychology. She worked in San Francisco and Anchorage before returning to Pittsburgh. Maggie has presented at professional conferences on topics of juvenile justice reform, collaborative health care, and now the impacts of violent extremism. She currently resides in Squirrel Hill with her husband and two children.
