Tree of Life commemoration goes virtual to honor 11 victims
Andrea Wedner says she thinks about her mother, Rose Mallinger, every day. The 97-year-old was one of the 11 victims killed inside the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018.
"When I see her picture and her name I get really sad," Wedner said.
Wedner survived the attack by playing dead. She was shot in the arm, which she says has healed for the most part. She says the emotional toll of that day will never quite heal either.
"It's a constant reminder of what happened, but I try not to let it control my life."
She says the two year mark feels harder than it did last year, especially with the pandemic forcing the commemoration to go virtual.
"We're not with the families like we were last year, and there was a lot of activity going on last year."
The Jewish Community Center and the 10.27 Healing Project had to move the ceremony online this year. It featured families of victims and a performance by cellist Yo Yo Ma.
Brian Schreiber, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Center says this year is a little less raw. "There's a great opportunity to reflect. There's a greater opportunity to reflect the lives that were lost," Schreiber said.
"This year everyone can be together. We've transcended boundaries so you don't need to walk into a physical space to show up in solidarity," Maggie Feinstein, Director, 10.27 Healing Partnership, told Pittsburgh's Action News 4. She helped organize the commemoration.
Wedner says she walks by the synagogue almost every day but doesn't think she'll ever go back inside. However, she did join families there today to pay tribute.
"I'm still enjoying every day because I survived and I have to make the most of every day," Wender said.