TREE OF LIFE: Kids at St. Savior Catholic Academy donated an orange tree decorated with white doves to
Congregation Beth Elohim. Congregation Beth Elohim
2019
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BY COLIN MIXSON
Students at a Park Slope Catholic
school trekked to a local
synagogue to gift their Jewish
neighbors an orange tree,
in memory of a massacre that
claimed 11 lives at a Pittsburgh
temple last year. The
act of interfaith generosity allowed
the kids to take an active
and positive role in one of
America’s darkest episodes,
according to a parent.
“These kids are seeing an
increase in hate crimes in New
York City, and in our country,”
said Sandra Rossier, who organized
the event. “This is about
giving them a tool to combat
that hate, and trying to teach
them acts of love, acceptance,
and compassion.”
For the project, kids at
Eighth Avenue’s St. Savior
Academy folded 11 white origami
doves — one for each
victim of the Tree of Life
Synagogue shooting in October
— which they attached
to the small fruit tree. The
students then loaded it into a
little red wagon on March 21,
and marched the six blocks
to nearby Congregation Beth
Elohim on Garfi eld Place.
There they were greeted by
representatives from the synagogue,
along with some tasty
snacks in honor of Purim,
amid a ceremony that moved
attendees to tears, according
to Rossier.
“We stood around the tree
and hugged each other, people
cried, it was quite moving,”
she said.
The students’ act of kindness
couldn’t have come at
a better time, according to a
synagogue staffer, who said
the tree will serve as a reminder
of their friends in the
Catholic church.
“Now, maybe more than
ever, we need our Catholic,
Muslim and friends of all
faiths to come together and
support one another,” said
Director of Membership and
Engagement Sam Sterling.
“Every time we look at this incredible
Tree of Life, we will
remember this most important
mitzvah that St. Saviour
has done for us. They are true
mensches!”
The tree will be kept indoors
until the summer, when
it will be planted to serve as
the centerpiece to a children’s
garden planned by the synagogue,
Rossier said.
Branching out
in Brooklyn
Catholic kids offer comfort to
Jewish neighbors in Park Slope
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