Laurels & lances: Building, billing, volunteering
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Laurel: To a fitting choice. The Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha board of trustees announced Tuesday that an architect had been chosen to rebuild the Squirrel Hill synagogue that was the scene of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history.
Daniel Libeskind has been entrusted with the project. His body of work, including the design of the Jewish Museum in Berlin and key participation in the World Trade Center after 9/11 site, more than merited the award.
But as the Polish-born son of Holocaust survivors, he may also bring a special perspective to the project, which will preserve but renovate the sanctuary and tear down and reconstruct the remainder of the building.
“It was so moving, the things that he wrote about his background and why he wanted to help deal with issues of anti-Semitism and to help educate people to move forward after such a terrible tragedy as we suffered here,” said congregation President Carol Sikov Gross.
It makes sense that the person to lead the rebuilding would have insight on the losses suffered there.
Lance: To a bad bill. More than 20,000 people have received the covid-19 vaccine through Excela Health. Several hundred have received something else: a bill.
The bill isn’t supposed to happen. Getting vaccines out to as many people as possible isn’t a sales push or a marketing ploy. It’s a necessary public health move.
The bills are a mistake, and Excela’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Albanesi has said anyone who has received one can disregard it.
It’s understandable that such a massive effort would have hiccups along the way. A few bills might seem like it’s not a big deal. The danger is in anything that might make people not trust the process.
Laurel: To clean water. The Kiski River was damaged by pollution for years, but it seems like the only thing stronger than acid mine drainage is the commitment of people who want to clean it up.
The Kiski Watershed Association monitors two passive abandoned mine drainage systems along the lower Kiski River: The Booker site in Kiskimere, Parks Township, and Wolford Run in Bell Township. Genay Hess, watershed association president, said the Booker system is a “real success, taking 90% of iron from the water.”
The association is seeking more volunteers to help with the projects, which have helped return wildlife like fish, mussels, hellbenders and even bald eagles to the area.