Jan. 17 (UPI) — Demolition of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue has begun, some five years after it became the site of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.
Crews began tearing down the building Wednesday morning. Plans for the site will see 80% of the old building demolished, leaving one of its four congregants intact to act as the main sanctuary for worship services in the new multipurpose Tree of Life facility and memorial that will be constructed in its place.
“It’s a very emotional day,” Tree of Life Congregation President Alan Hausman told Pittsburg’s WTAE.
“There’s a lot of memories into this building. Lifecycle events, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, weddings, many Shabbat services, people being together. And then it’s also on the other side, a very exciting day to see a new beginning, rebirth. A chance to really make a big difference in the world as we know it today.”
On Oct. 27, 2018, the synagogue became a site of tragedy when a gunman armed with a Ar-15-style rifle opened fire on those attending religious services, killing 11 people.
The gunman, identified as Robert Bowers, was found guilty in June on 63 federal charges, including 33 related to the 11 deaths. In August, Bowers was sentenced to death.
Demolition of the site is expected to take months, with construction of the new facility planned to begin sometime in the middle of the year and take two more years to complete at a cost of some $75 million, of which Michael Bernstein, chair of the Tree of Life Interim Governance Committee, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette $30 million had so far been raise.
“It’s one of the few sites in America where you can come and visit where history was made,” Bernstein told CBS News. “Unfortunately, it’s a dark history but a history nonetheless, and I think an opportunity to learn from that is going to draw quite a few visitors.”
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made a recent move to their rotation, which has resulted in a surprising move from one player.
The Pirates announced that they placed right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski on the restricted list and recalled right-handed pitcher Cam Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of their series finale vs. the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park on May 31.
A player going on the restricted list means that they either left the team without a valid reason, or could be announcing retirement, but may consider returning in the near future to play later on.
It is a shocking decision, as there was no indication something like this was happening and makes a big change to the Pirates pitching staff moving forward.
This case with Mlodzinski is likely the former, although not confirmed, as he was in the clubhouse ahead of the game, so something may have happened closer to first pitch.
Pirates manager Don Kelly announced postgame in the 10-9 win on May 30 that Mlodzinski would follow right-handed starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft in the series finale.
Mlodzinski was a part of the Pirates starting rotation for the first two months of the season, but Jared Jones recently came off the injured list and took his role in the rotation, with the Pirates sending Mlodzinski back to the bullpen.
He said following the decision that he would talk with his agency and those close to him, so he may have decided to depart the team after this.
“Obviously just excited to have Jared back with us,” Mlodzinski said. “I can honestly say I’m just still communicating with the organization and the people in my corner, whether that’s my family or my agency, about what is next. I really don’t have any comments after that.”
Mlodzinski has been an effective relief pitcher with the Pirates, with a 2.63 ERA over 140.1 innings pitched and 94 appearances.
The Pirates had plans for Mlodzinski as a bulk reliever, but someone that can also fill any role, including in high-leverage situations and as a middle reliever, something the team has seriously needed.
His departure hurts a Pirates bullpen that has really looked for consistent arms that can get outs, preserve leads and give the team a chance to make a comeback late.
Sanders has struggled in his time in MLB with the Pirates, with a 9.26 ERA over 11 appearances, a .300 batting average allowed and a 2.20 WHIP.
The Pirates can make a few decisions on Mlodzinski, who could technically still comeback, but it looks like they will trade him at this point.
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Amidst over 70 Pride festivals in Pennsylvania, I stand alone as none of my friends want to go. Not the big Pittsburgh Pride, not the small community park festivals.
This feels upside down. I’m a lesbian blogger and have no Pride friends?
I respect personal decisions, but this is a year to show up. Show up even just for an hour. Buy something, throw some coin in a basket. Our community might crumble. Showing up for Pride is not the same ask as door knocking or phone banking. Connect with people without saying a word. Remind yourself who we are. Send a message. Insert more little sayings. You get my point.
I decided to skip tabling this year. My energy is low. If I go to Pride, I want to just be one of the folx.
I wouldn’t actually mind going solo, but I have no vehicle. Gertie is still not running. Should I Uber? How long might I have to wait for a drive home?
Tomorrow, May 31 is Ross Township. I might Uber there.
Saturday, June 6 is New Castle Pride in Lawrence County.
Sunday June 7 is Pittsburgh and Connellsville. I can walk to Pittsburgh.
Saturday June 13 is tough – Indiana, Oil City, Mt. Lebo, Scottdale
Sunday, June 14 is Vandergrift and Freeport
Saturday June 20 is Millvale
Sunday June 28 is Forest Hills, Dormont, and Hazelwood
Monday June 29 is Aspinwall/Fox Chapel
Showing up in Lawrence, Fayette, Indiana, Venango, Westmoreland, Armstrong counties feels important.
What do you think?
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