Tree of Life families share lessons of strength and compassion with Seneca Valley students
JACKSON TWP — Seven years removed from an unimaginable tragedy, Carol Black still finds herself reflecting on her own humanity, but even more so on the loss of her brother, Richard Gottfried.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my brother and miss him and wish he were still here,” Black, of Cranberry Township, said.
While Black survived what was the deadliest attack on Jewish people in U.S. history, her brother was one of 11 people killed while worshipping at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, in Squirrel Hill.
In the years since the attack, Black, along with other survivors and family members of the victims, has worked to confront antisemitism through REACH (Remember, Educate and Combat Hate) — a program of the 10.27 Healing Partnership that sends them to schools, conferences and community educational events to share their stories and promote understanding.
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, dozens of Seneca Valley Intermediate High School freshmen and sophomores heard from a panel that included Black; her sister-in-law, Peg Durachko, widow of Dr. Richard Gottfried; and Alan and Stanley Mallinger, whose 97-year-old mother, Rose, was the oldest person killed that day.
“They’re the ones I’m counting on to make a difference and make change in the world,” Black said of the students she meets. “When I see what they’re doing, I’m inspired by their actions. They’re forming anti-hate and anti-bullying clubs. Hopefully, these are the people that will go into the world and make it a better place. That’s what I’m counting on.”
Black found herself trapped in a dark storage closet on the day of the shooting, hiding from the shooter as gunshots rang out around her. A short time after witnessing another victim, Melvin Wax, die at her feet, members of the local SWAT team made their way inside and safely escorted her and another man outside.
The last time she saw her brother was outside the synagogue that morning. She now honors his memory by continuing to attend weekly worship services and University of Pittsburgh football games — a tradition the two shared for 35 years.
“I’ve continued to go every week and honor his memory by being there (at church),” she said. “I lead part of the services now, which I never did before. I feel like he’s smiling every time he sees me lead a service.”
Meanwhile, Alan Mallinger, a regular speaker on the panels, said he and his family honor the memory of Rose by spending time at what was one of her most beloved places.
“We go over to the synagogue every year just to remember the 11,” he said. “My mom spent a lot of time there, so we go over there, hang out a little bit and say a few prayers. Sometimes, people will walk by and we’ll talk to them about the events of the day, and that’s kind of our tradition we do.”
While most of the original structure was demolished, there’s an ongoing plan to build a new complex that will include a museum, classrooms, social space and a sanctuary/theater that can be used for religious and cultural programming, according to a report from 90.5 WESA.
More than $46 million has already been raised for the complex, which is slated for a grand opening sometime in 2028.
“I think it will show the entire world that hate’s not going to win, and it’s not going to chase us out of our place of worship,” Alan Mallinger said of what it will mean when the complex eventually opens. “The damage that the shooter caused in that short time is not going to prevent beautiful things from happening on that site after the building is built.”
As students learned about the tragedy, they created a butterfly mural as a tribute to the victims — a gesture of remembrance and hope. After the discussion, many stayed to ask thoughtful questions and speak with the family members.
“It made it a lot more personal hearing from the people and not just videos of reports on it,” said sophomore Olivia Straw. “It was important to hear from the people who were actually affected by it.”
