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Eight years after deadliest antisemitic attack in US history, Tree of Life rabbi bids farewell
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Peter Smith, Associated Press , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 24, 2026
· 7 min read
After surviving the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, after presiding over multiple funerals for his slain congregants, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers struggled to pray. “There was this emptiness to it,” recalls Myers, of Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh. He turned to the biblical Book of...
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Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Peter Smith, Associated Press, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 24, 2026 Indexed here Jul 24, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway " He started reading all 150 chapters, in order.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The retirement of Rabbi Jeffrey Myers from Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh serves as a poignant reminder of the long-lasting impact of traumatic events on communities. While San Antonio has its own unique experiences with hate crimes and community resilience, the story of Rabbi Myers and his congregation resonates deeply. The fact that Myers found solace in the biblical Book of Psalms, and ultimately rediscovered his faith, speaks to the power of spiritual leadership in times of crisis. As San Antonio's own faith communities continue to navigate the complexities of hate, intolerance, and healing, the legacy of Rabbi Myers' leadership offers a powerful example of the importance of perseverance and compassion. His decision to step aside and make way for new voices also underscores the need for ongoing support and resources for communities affected by trauma, a concern that is just as relevant in San Antonio as it is in Pittsburgh.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: library ·
Published: July 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 7 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After surviving the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, after presiding over multiple funerals for his slain congregants, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers struggled to pray. “There was this emptiness to it,” recalls Myers, of Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh. He turned to the biblical Book of...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 24, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Peter Smith, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more library coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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