Community resilience amidst tragedy

Mark Oppenheimer discusses the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting and the Squirrel Hill community

Community resilience amidst tragedy

On October 27, 2018, a gunman killed eleven Jews who were worshiping at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa. In the year following the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history, journalist Mark Oppenheimer researched the impact on the close-knit, historically Jewish community, and explored its vibrancy and caring in his book, Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting & the Soul of a Neighborhood.  

Mason’s Department of Religious Studies invites the George Mason University community to spend an evening with Oppenheimer as he describes the resilience of the residents of Squirrel Hill, and how they countered the antisemitism and hatred behind the attack. Following the discussion, Oppenheimer will be available for questions and to sign copies of his books. 

"Antisemitism is a blight within many American communities,” said John Turner, chair of the Department of Religious Studies. “but Mark Oppenheimer shows us how Jews and others can find hope in the wake of hatred. We are very pleased to welcome him to our campus.” 

This event, sponsored by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Judaic Studies Program, the Department of Religious Studies, Mason Hillel, the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, and the Haberman Institute for Judaic Studies, takes place on October 27, at 7:00 pm, in Merten Hall 1201.