It stood as a beacon of faith for many years. Congregation Tree of Life is more than just a building. It represents community, resilience and remembrance.
Today we stand before where Congregation Tree of Life once stood. We are here to reflect on its history and impact. This place was once a thriving hub for Jewish worship and community life.
Congregation Tree of Life first began as an Orthodox congregation in 1864. It was a breakaway group from Rodef Shalom. Rodef Shalom was an Orthodox synagogue that started adopting Reform practices. Sixteen initial members met in Gustavus Grafner’s home. They called it Etz Chayyim which means Tree of Life in Hebrew. The congregation got its charter in 1865. It bought land in Sharpsburg for use as a cemetery. The congregation met in temporary places downtown for years. In 1883, it bought a former Lutheran church downtown and became known as Tree of Life.
In its early years, Congregation Tree of Life was the city’s center for Orthodox Judaism. It attracted Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. The congregation shortened the traditional Orthodox prayer service in 1883. In 1886, it became affiliated with the Jewish Theological Seminary Association. About 1916, Congregation Tree of Life joined the United Synagogue of America.
In 1906, the congregation began building a permanent home on Craft Avenue. The synagogue opened in 1907. It had sanctuary seating for 750. English-language prayers were introduced the same year. Beginning in the 1920s, Congregation Tree of Life shifted further toward left-wing Conservative Judaism. Rabbi Herman Hailperin led the congregation for 45 years. Hailperin introduced organ music, eliminated the second day of festival observance, and allowed women to be elected to the board. He also allowed women to participate in Torah readings.
In 1953, Congregation Tree of Life moved into its building in Squirrel Hill. Charles J. Rosenbloom gifted the land. A cornerstone from limestone quarried in Jerusalem symbolically tied it to Israel. The structure opened with a library, kitchen, arts and crafts store, a stage, and vestry rooms. In 1959, the congregation added a 1400-seat sanctuary. The sanctuary had stained-glass windows that showed the story of creation. In 1995, membership numbered 850 families.
In the 2000s, Congregation Tree of Life began renting space to other congregations. In 2008, Congregation Or L’Simcha began holding services there. In 2010, the two congregations merged and became Tree of Life Or L’Simcha Congregation. The merger added 120 congregants, bringing the total to 530 families.
In April 2010, Dor Hadash began renting space in the Tree of Life building. New Light also began renting space there in 2017.
Tragedy struck on October 27, 2018. A mass shooting occurred during Shabbat morning services. A gunman killed eleven people and injured six, including police officers. The synagogue has been closed since the shooting. In May 2021, officials announced Daniel Libeskind as the lead architect for reconstruction. The main sanctuary and stained-glass windows will be preserved.
Congregation Tree of Life stands as a symbol of remembrance. It is a testament to the strength and unity of the Jewish community. Its legacy of faith lives on.