Tree of Life congregation marks start of Hanukkah on menorah that holds special meaning

PITTSBURGH — The community came together on the first night of Hanukkah for a special ceremony in Squirrel Hill on Wednesday.

The candle lighting of the larger-than-life menorah in front of the Tree of Life synagogue has a deeper meaning.

“Remember it takes just a little light to dispel the darkness,” said Tree of Life synagogue Rabbi Jeffrey Myers.

Standing strong outside the Pittsburgh synagogue, the menorah was a gift to the congregation in 2018, just weeks after the deadly antisemitic shooting where 11 Jewish worshipers were killed.

“It was an act that was unspeakable, that was unthinkable, and yet it still happened, and where anybody and everybody would say not in my community. It was,” said Rebbetzin and Tree of Life member Janice Myers.

October 27, 2018, was one of the darkest days for the Jewish community.

Audrey Glickman survived the hate-fueled attack six years ago by hiding in a storage area. Though the tragedy is always on her mind, she tries to remember all the good associated with the building, especially at the start of the Jewish festival.

“It’s good to get together and have something cheerful happen here, because in this location for so many decades, all kinds of happy things also happened, and we need a reason to recall those,” Glickman said.

Though plans are underway for a new synagogue on the site, the congregation, including Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who also survived the horrific mass shooting, said this will always be their home.

“We’re temporarily not housed in this space but we’re still here,” Myers said. “Our spirit didn’t leave and the light that’s Tree of Life congregation didn’t go out. We are still here.”

The Rabbi said Judaism and Christianity are intertwined through that light, especially on a rare double holiday. This December 25, Hanukkah and Christmas fall on the same day for the first time in 19 years.

“This is the Jewish way of saying, we’re not letting the darkness take over,” Myers said. “We’re here with the light that’s been lit for years, to remind everyone darkness will never win.”

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