The collection offers an intimate look at the tragedy that unfolded during the synagogue shooting at the Tree of Life building on Oct. 27, 2018, the Pittsburgh community’s response and the hope for the future, according to a news release.
“This is an essential story to share with our community, especially as antisemitism and intolerance are on the rise in America,” Aaron Petersal, executive director of the Maltz Museum, said in the release. “This installation shares the 10/27 attack’s impact, yet focuses on the incredible outpouring of support to the community. It’s an important reminder of the power of compassion and unity in promoting healing and rebuilding in the face of unimaginable tragedy. The Lessons from The Tree of Life is truly a story of resilience, and what humanity can do to support each other and rise above hate.”
The installation, which places the 2018 attack in the context of American antisemitism, will feature a selection of artifacts that highlight historic roots of antisemitism and a curated selection of objects from the more than 10,000 items that were left outside the Tree of Life building or mailed to Pittsburgh in the months after the attack.
Items on view as a part of the installation include gifts from the Cleveland area such as a collage made by students of after-school programs at Trinity United Church of Christ in Wooster, a commemorative quilt and a watercolor painting created by a member of Kol HaLev, a reconstructionist Jewish community in Cleveland. Among the objects on display from the Pittsburgh community are a prayer book with bullet holes from the attack, and the now-viral drawing depicting the late Fred Rogers grieving the shooting.
The shooter, Robert Bowers, was tried and convicted of 63 criminal counts on June 16, 2023, including hate crimes resulting in the death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death. He was formally sentenced to death on Aug. 4, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Robert Colville, according to previous Cleveland Jewish News reports.
General admission tickets are $10 and tickets for museum members are $5.
