In October 2018, the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh became the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. But the story of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community is not defined by tragedy alone.

In this episode of Common Faith, Rabbi Elliott Cosgrove and Jon Frankel explore the past, present, and future of Jewish life in Pittsburgh. First, they’re joined by historian Dr. Barbara Burstin, a leading authority on Pittsburgh Jewry, who reflects on the city’s unique Jewish community—its deep sense of unity, its history, and the profound shock that reverberated through the neighborhood of Squirrel Hill on that devastating day.

Then the conversation turns to the future with Carole Zawatsky, CEO of the Tree of Life organization, who is leading the effort to transform the site of the attack into a national memorial, museum, and education center. She shares how the new Tree of Life will honor the eleven victims, confront the history of antisemitism in America, and create a space for learning, remembrance, and Jewish life.

Together, the conversations ask urgent questions:
How should communities remember tragedy? How do we teach the next generation about hatred and resilience? And how can places marked by loss become sources of education, healing, and hope?

Dr. Barbara Burstin:

https://history.pitt.edu/people/barbara-s-burstin

Carole Zawatsky:

https://www.thetreeoflife.org/chief-executive-officer

Tree of Life:

https://www.thetreeoflife.org/

Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove:

https://www.instagram.com/elliot_cosgrove

https://x.com/RabbiCosgrove

Park Avenue Synagogue:
https://www.pasyn.org

https://www.instagram.com/parkavenuesyn/#

Jon Frankel:

https://www.instagram.com/skifrankel

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