Rabbi Jeffrey Myers is retiring from his position as the spiritual leader of the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh. He is best known for steering the community through the trauma following the 2018 synagogue shooting that killed eleven people.

Advertisement

The 11 lives lost on October 27, 2018

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers arrived at the Tree of Life Congregation just over a year before the tragedy that would define his tenure. On October 27, 2018, a gunman attacked three congregations—Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light—resulting in the deaths of eleven worshippers. As reported, this event remains one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in the history of the United States.

The burden of leadership in the wake of such violence is immense . Rabbi Jeffrey Myers was tasked not only with the spiritual guidance of the survivors but with the visceral act of mourning. His high tenor voice, developed from his early days as a boy soprano in a New Jersey choir, became a symbol of grief and hope as he sang traditional Jewish mourner's prayers for the victims.

Using Psalm 121 and pop culture to navigate grief

To combat the despair following the massacre, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers leaned heavily on the Book of Psalms. According to the report, he found particular strength in Psalm 121,which emphasizes that help comes from the maker of the heavens and the Earth. This scriptural foundation provided a bedrock for the Tree of Life Congregation as they navigated the complex process of communal healing.

Beyond traditional liturgy, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers utilized a unique blend of pop culture to connect with his congregants. By drawing references from the Beatles, the musical Rent, and the songs of Carole King, he made the spiritual journey accessible. At his retirement dinner on July 17, 2026, held at the Rodef Shalom Congregation, he concluded his address with a rendition of "You've Got a Friend," signaling a transition from a period of mourning to one of enduring companionship.

The legacy of the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history

The tenure of Rabbi Jeffrey Myers at the Tree of Life Congregation mirrors a broader, more troubling trend of rising antisemitism across the globe. The 2018 Pittsburgh shooting was not an isolated incident but a flashpoint that highlighted the vulnerability of Jewish spaces. For the wider community, the resilience shown by the Tree of Life Congregation serves as a blueprint for how religious institutions can survive targeted hate.

The emotional toll of such leadership is often invisible until the moment of departure. By citing Mr. Spock from Star Trek II and the principle that "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few," Rabbi Jeffrey Myers acknowledged that his own need for rest and healing must now be balanced against the congregation's need for fresh leadership.

A return to New Jersey and the needs of a 70-year-old leader

Now 70 years old, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers is preparing to move back to New Jersey to be closer to his daughter and granddaughter. His plans for retirement incclude a focus on personal writing, reading, and completing "bucket-list" activities with his wife. This move marks a return to his roots near Newark and Asbury Park, where his lifelong love for music first began.

The transition is supported by the survivors he led. Audrey Glickman, a survivor of the 2018 attack, noted that Rabbi Jeffrey Myers has "earned himself a rest," reflecting the deep mutual respect developed through years of shared trauma.

Who will succeed Rabbi Myers at Tree of Life?

Despite the celebration of his career, several questions remain regarding the future of the Tree of Life Congregation.. The source metnions that Rabbi Jeffrey Myers is stepping aside for "new leadership," but it does not name a successor or outline the search process for a new spiritual head.

Furthermore, while the report mentions that Rabbi Jeffrey Myers intends to continue healing from the emotional toll of the past years, it does not specify what form this healing will take or if he will maintain a formal advisory role. the congregation's specific plans for the next phase of its healing journey remain undetailed.