Butler Library hosts Tree of Life shooting survivors, family members for panel discussion
Nearly eight years later, the pain is still fresh for survivors of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. Audrey Glickman still has to hold back tears when discussing the horrific events of Oct. 27, 2018.
“Right after the shooting happened, my first inclination was, ‘Yell about this. Shout that nobody should be having hate like this,” Glickman said. “Truly, I think I can speak for all of us. We wish it would stop.”
Glickman, who was leading a service of the Tree of Life congregation when the shooting took place, was one of four survivors or relatives of victims who spoke about the aftermath of the shooting, as well as the state of antisemitism and hate in America, at the Butler Area Public Library on Wednesday night, May 20.
The list of speakers also included Lauren Mallinger, a Butler High School graduate from the class of 1971 and daughter-in-law of Rose Mallinger, who died in the shooting; Peg Durachko, widow of shooting victim Richard Gottfried; and Debi Salvin, Gottfried’s twin sister, as well as younger sister of shooting survivor Carol Black.
The four spoke on behalf of REACH (Remember, Educate, and Combat Hate), a group of survivors and family members of victims of the Tree of Life shooting who speak to schools and community organizations about their experience. The group was formed in 2022.
“We basically just share our stories about antisemitism and hate and how it has affected our lives,” said Amy Mallinger, Rose’s granddaughter and REACH coordinator. “We also talk about our loved ones and who we are as people.”
“I decided to join REACH because I thought it was important to tell the story of what happened, to keep my brother’s memory alive, and to try to combat hate in any way that I can,” Salvin said. “And so that our future maybe won’t have to deal with all of this.”
Whenever REACH speaks to Pittsburgh-area schools, Glickman says she has experienced a wide variety of reactions.
“When we go to suburban high schools where there are no Jewish people, oftentimes they relate religion to their own religions, and we talk about religion with them, and it’s very sweet,” Glickman said. “When we talk to a school from the north side of Pittsburgh, they’re coming from a place where they have gun violence all the time, and we have to make clear that we’re not talking about gun violence. We’re talking about the hate that inspired it.”
According to Amy Mallinger, REACH’s events have only become more and more important as recent American and world events have shone a spotlight on antisemitism.
“It actually means a lot for people to show up for us,” Amy Mallinger said. “Being in the Jewish population, we’re a minority in this country, so when people from other populations come and support us in anything we do, it shows how united this country can be. More personally, it shows that people still care.”
Despite the horrific events they endured, the survivors say they still try to salvage hope from the response they received in the days and years following the shooting -- not just from the Pittsburgh community, but from around the world.
Eric Lidji, who moderated Wednesday night’s panel, is director of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Included in the archives are thousands of memorial objects created in response to the tragedy.
“After October 27th happened, there was all sorts of material that was starting to emerge, because people all over the region and all over the world were creating objects and gifts and tributes and memorials,” Lidji said. “There were hundreds and thousands of them, and they needed a place to live. And today we call it the October 27th Tribute Collection, and it has about 10,000 objects in it.”
Among the objects is a large memorial quilt donated by the Seneca Valley School District in 2019, created by the high school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America club.
“It is our wish to show out support and love for the Jewish community, letting you know that we are all with you,” read a note attached to the quilt. “Without love and kindness, we are lost.”
“It’s a good reminder that love is stronger than hate,” Salvin said. “And that’s the one thing that I have to keep in the back of my mind as I look at the news, that there’s still way more good people than not good people.”
The Tree of Life synagogue was almost entirely demolished in 2024, and is in the process of being reconstructed into an expanded complex.
“We’re not just going to be a synagogue,” Lauren said. “We are going to be an antisemitic educational center. The Holocaust Center will be in there, in addition to our congregation, and a memorial.”
