mark oppenheimer

Mark Oppenheimer – Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood”

Be sure to attend the first event of our 2022 50th Anniversary speaker series when author, renowned journalist, Yale professor and podcaster Mark Oppenheimer, Ph.D. discusses his critically acclaimed new book Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood” on January 6 at 7 pm.

Oppenheimer has taught at Stanford, Wellesley, and Yale, where since 2006 he has directed the Yale Journalism Initiative.  He is a widely published journalist who wrote The New York Times Beliefs column, is the author of several books and is the founder of the world’s leading Jewish podcast, “Unorthodox.”  In his new book, Oppenheimer uncovers the human side of Pittsburgh’s October 18, 2018 Squirrel Hill tragedy in which 11 Jews were massacred while worshipping at the Tree of Life synagogue.  The attack was one of the deadliest anti-Semitic attacks in American history and Squirrel Hill is not only one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in the country, but is Oppenheimer’s home town.

Oppenheimer returned to his family home and through conversations with hundreds of neighbors and friends – both Jew and Gentile – he discovered a story of resilience, community, love and a resolve to overcome.  As reviewed in The New York Times, “Propulsive . . . A poignant, deeply researched account of the Pittsburgh Jewish neighborhood in the aftermath of tragedy… How “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” became the site of the most deadly anti-semitic attack on American soil and what happened afterward unfolds with the precision of the best suspense stories…” The Washington Post wrote, “[Oppenheimer’s] compelling exploration of [the Tree of Life synagogue shooting’s] impact on the community is by turns searing and compassionate. It is an emotionally draining terrain, flecked with occasional, unexpected pockets of consolation. But in placing this hate crime against our country’s patchwork canvas of faith, politics and violence, Oppenheimer provides a powerful meditation on the changing meaning of community and belonging in an age of disconnection and isolation.”

We hope to host Dr. Oppenheimer’s event on the Noble campus but please check back on January 6 for an update; registration for this free event is below or at 860-435-9851.

Squirrel Hill

Cancellation:
Occasionally, events may be cancelled due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control. In that case, we will make every effort to update our website and contact registrants.

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