Squirrel Hill

The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood

By: Mark Oppenheimer

Narrated by: Mark Oppenheimer

A piercing portrait of the struggles and triumphs of one of America's renowned Jewish neighborhoods in the wake of unspeakable tragedy that highlights the hopes, fears, and tensions all Americans must confront on the road to healing.

Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, is one of the oldest Jewish neighborhoods in the country, known for its tight-knit community and the profusion of multigenerational families. On October 27, 2018, a gunman killed 11Jews who were worshipping at the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill - the most deadly anti-Semitic attack in American history.

Many neighborhoods would be understandably subsumed by despair and recrimination after such an event, but not this one. Mark Oppenheimer poignantly shifts the focus away from the criminal and his crime, and instead presents the historic, spirited community at the center of this heartbreak. He speaks with residents and nonresidents, Jews and gentiles, survivors and witnesses, teenagers and seniors, activists and historians.

Together, these stories provide a kaleidoscopic and nuanced account of collective grief, love, support, and revival. But Oppenheimer also details the difficult dialogue and messy confrontations that Squirrel Hill had to face in the process of healing, and that are a necessary part of true growth and understanding in any community. He has reverently captured the vibrancy and caring that still characterize Squirrel Hill, and it is this phenomenal resilience that can provide inspiration to any place burdened with discrimination and hate.

©2021 Mark Oppenheimer (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Propulsive . . . A poignant, deeply researched account of the Pittsburgh Jewish neighborhood in the aftermath of tragedy. Oppenheimer sets the scene with details even those familiar with the story might forget. . . . He does a lovely job of bringing the essence of this charming, walkable place to life. . . . How “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” became the site of the most deadly antisemitic attack on American soil and what happened afterward unfold with the precision of the best suspense stories. . . . Oppenheimer is sympathetic to the ways Jewish culture stands at the crossroads of proud resistance and self-protective withdrawal, bold activism and self-effacement. The people he highlights are treated with a knowing, affectionate wink, a landsman’s recognition.”—Irina Reyn, The New York Times

“[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.”—Diane Cole, The Washington Post

“Compelling . . . A well-researched book . . . Mr. Oppenheimer brings more expertise and knowledge to this project than most journalists or authors could, without being too close to his subject or blinded by his own pain or grief. He chose to focus on the community and its response to the shootings, and he chose well. . . . There are important lessons to be learned from Squirrel Hill, and we have Mark Oppenheimer to thank for capturing them in this readable and important book.”—Jared Cohon, The Wall Street Journal

Thoughtful & thought provoking

Excellent story telling. I liked his language, the 360 views of people, community, relevant Jewish history and explanation about the different sects and the unifying prayers. Impressive. Hope he does write a novel - about anything - it will be exceptional, I am sure!

Excellent!

This was a moving, inspiring and well written book about a tragic and horrific incident. Please do yourself a favor and read this book. It's a lesson in the healing process of a community, and the way forward. We'll researched and edited.

Well done

Very insightful look at a strong Jewish. Community. I found it informative about both Judaism and about the horror of mass murder in America. The residence of the comity is amazing.