On the 27th of this past October, 11 innocent men and women were gunned down in an act of evil inside the Jewish synagogue where they worshiped. The world watched as Pittsburgh mourned for those lost in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of this great city. Now, months later, as wounds slowly begin to heal, the Pittsburgh community stands together stronger than ever before against hate and embraces this holiday season with remembrance. This Hanukkah celebration is sure to be one filled not only with mourning but also love.

Here at NASH, the Jewish Cultural Club is actively searching for ways to make this Hanukkah season memorable.

Co-presidents Natalie Daninhirsch and Abby Adelman have worked side by side with the club’s members to discuss Judaism with people of all religions, create a place for Jewish high schoolers to feel comfortable, and move to positively impact the North Allegheny community in its entirety.

“We hold activities like mock dinners and dreidel tournaments in order to shine a positive light on our culture. The intention of the club is to change views and debunk stereotypes in fun, engaging ways”, explained co-president Daninhirsch.

The shooting in Squirrel Hill has garnered international attention as it represents the growing epidemic of hate and gun violence that has rocked American society in recent years. In fact, every day, 96 Americans are shot and killed by a gun, not including those that survive. One more act of hateful violence added to a long list of national tragedies America has faced, the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, alongside the shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, shortly afterward, has helped the further exemplify the hate-filled obsession with violence that is continuously overlooked by the masses.

Furthermore, the events of October 27th bring to the forefront a horrifying trend of discrimination and anti-Semitism in this country, as the shooting occurred at a place of congregation and community for the Jewish people of Pittsburgh. However, many are insistent that change is on the horizon, within local groups across the city and also the national push to make a profound difference.

Following the Tree of Life shooting, the NASH Jewish Cultural Club decided it was time to step up and make a change. Many of these student participants were familiar with the synagogue, personally knew a congregant, or had once attended an event there. The club, therefore, took on the task of leading fundraising efforts here at NASH and elsewhere in an effort to remember the victims, educate others, and show how hate can divide. They donated 100% of the proceeds to those affected.

“We have raised over a thousand dollars through bracelet sales and the help of the senior class,” Adelman said. “Our hope was not just to raise money for the families but to allow students to be able to of the hold a piece of the synagogue while they wear the bracelets in order to never forget”.

And with Hanukkah season now in full swing, the Jewish community prepares to attend services, remembering those who lost their lives and celebrating the traditions of their heritage.

“This weekend I will be attending a joint service with my synagogue and the Tree of Life congregants who no longer have a place to worship,” Adelman said. “We can continue to join together as one because I think that is the first step to spreading love in our community to stand against hate.”

Daninhirsch added, “I think everyone is dealing with the events in their own way. My family will be lighting a candle for each victim in addition to the candles of the Menorah. I am looking forward to celebrating such light emerging from suck darkness”.