Beth David Synagogue’s December Luncheon will be held on Saturday, November 8, with featured speaker Bill Simons, who will talk about “The Tree of Life Massacre and the New Antisemitism.” The community is invited to attend. Morning services will begin at 9:30 am, with the luncheon and program following the conclusion of services. The luncheon is free and open to the public.
Known to many as a featured and award-wining columnist for The Reporter since 2020, Simons will speak about the October 27, 2018, massacre that took place during Shabbat services in Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue. Eleven Jews from three congregations were slaughtered. “The murders constitute the bloodiest single episode in Jewish American history;” Simons said. “The attack also marked an intensification of American antisemitism, a phenomenon that preceded the Hamas-Israel War.” 
With his press credentials and past residency in Pittsburgh, Simons was able to return to the city to sit in on some of the trial sessions of Robert Bowers, who was found guilty of the crime. Simons’ talk will examine the causes, conduct, consequences and legacy of the Tree of Life tragedy. He will also speak about the healing and rebuilding process that has followed since then.
A native of Lynn, MA, Simons earned his doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University. He is the former chairman and professor emeritus of SUNY Oneonta’s History Department. He is the recipient of two SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence Teaching and Service. 
“Bill gave a wonderful talk in 2023 at Beth David about the Brooklyn Dodgers and their Jewish fanbase in the ‘50s,” said organizers of the event. “In addition to his renown for all things baseball, his Jewish activism developed through participation in the Lynn chapter of Aleph Zadik Aleph, a Jewish fraternal group for youth, in which he, like his father before him, served as aleph gadol (president). For many years, he was the co-advisor to the Jewish student group at SUNY Oneonta. His numerous articles, reviews and essays have appeared in many journals and books. For his writings in The Reporter, he has received American Jewish Press Association and Syracuse Press Club awards. 
“Bill’s talk comes right on the heals of the seventh anniversary of the Tree of Life Synagogue tragedy,” organizers said. “His talk is sure to offer fresh insights into a chapter of Jewish history that continues to have repercussions today.” 
Beth David’s luncheon speaker series takes place the second Saturday of the month after Shabbat morning services, and is open to the community. There is no charge for the luncheon. Since the monthly series’ continuation depends on the generosity of contributors, Beth David welcomes and appreciates donations to the Luncheon Fund in order to keep the program going. Donations can be made in honor of or in memory of someone, or to mark a special occasion. Those wishing an acknowledgment to be sent to the person being honored, or to the family of someone being remembered, can indicate that, along with the necessary information. Donations can be sent to Beth David Synagogue, 39 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY 13905, Attention: Luncheon Fund.