What You Need to Know
• Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, spiritual leader of Tree of Life Congregation, is retiring after nearly five years.
• The Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh was the site of a deadly antisemitic attack on October 27, 2018.
• Rabbi Myers plans to return to New Jersey to focus on personal healing and family time.
Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, the spiritual leader of Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, is retiring this month after nearly five years in the role. His tenure began just over a year before the tragic events of October 27, 2018, when a gunman entered the synagogue and killed 11 worshippers. In the years following the attack, the congregation has worked through grief, a lengthy trial resulting in the gunman’s death sentence, and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As he steps down, Myers expressed the need for new voices in leadership and plans to return to New Jersey to be closer to family, while also focusing on his own healing after prioritizing the needs of his congregation.
Why It Matters
Rabbi Jeffrey Myers’ retirement marks a significant transition for the Tree of Life Congregation, which has been healing from the 2018 shooting, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. The congregation has faced numerous challenges, including a protracted legal process and the impact of the pandemic, while also beginning construction on a new building. Myers’ leadership has been pivotal in guiding the community through these traumatic events, and his departure opens the door for new leadership as the congregation continues to rebuild and heal. The ongoing support and remembrance of the victims remain central to the congregation’s mission moving forward.
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