“Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life” Virtual Screening Event

Elizabeth Siegelman, Moderator
Elizabeth Siegelman is a biblical scholar and Restorative Justice practitioner. During her PhD she served as program coordinator for Drew Theological School’s Prison Education Program. Her current work as Executive Director of the Center for Alternative in Community Justice (CACJ) is informed by her academic and practical experiences, which taught her the value of education as a tool for community building and personal transformation. The CACJ’s programming fosters personal and collective growth by providing Centre County residents with free conflict resolution services such as mediations and community conferencing. Restorative practices put the power and decision-making back into the hands of the community, allowing them to create mutually beneficial resolutions that restore relationships and renew faith in community led justice systems. As a restorative justice advocate, educator, and person of faith, Elizabeth hopes that the communication and conflict resolution skills gained from our programming will ripple out into the lives of the people we serve, ultimately making Centre County a more just place.

Wael Jabr
Wael Jabr is a faculty member at Pennsylvania State University’s Smeal College of Business and a resident of State College, PA since 2020. He is involved with social matters especially in relation to justice and peace. His volunteering work includes serving on the board of directors for the Mid-State Literacy Council. He is married and has three girls.

Alan Mallinger
Alan Mallinger is the son of Rose Mallinger, who was killed in the October 27, 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting at the Tree of Life. His sister, Andrea Mallinger Wedner, was also wounded. Alan is married to Lauren and they have 3 children Andrew, Amy and Eric.

Mayor Ezra Nanes
Ezra Nanes, Mayor of State College, is a devoted husband, father, athlete, working professional, and civic leader. Ezra, a member of Congregation Brit Shalom, is the first Jew to be elected to the office of Mayor. Ezra earned his Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from Penn State, graduating as valedictorian of his class of 2012. In addition to his civic service, Ezra has worked at locally headquartered global weather leader, AccuWeather, for 12 years. Ezra and his wife, Mieke, a pioneering women’s health business owner in Central Pennsylvania, are passionate about building a community that affirms the dignity of all people and about making a positive impact.

Andrea Wedner
I was born and raised in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and have never lived anywhere else. I have been a member of Tree of Life synagogue my whole life. I was married there 42 years ago, and all my children, nieces and nephews had their bar mitzvahs there. I am a 1977 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Hygiene and practiced up until October 2018. I have two children, and three grand-children. On October 27, 2018, a hate filled anti-Semitic gunman entered the Tree of Life Synagogue and killed eleven worshippers and injured two other congregants and four members of law enforcement. I was one of those injured and my mother, Rose Mallinger, was murdered. This stands as the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in United States history.

David Werner
David Werner has been an active member of the Jewish community in State College since 1978 when he moved here with his wife, Susan Werner.  He is a retired ophthalmologist.  David has three children and seven grandchildren all but one child live in Pittsburgh.  His son, Michael and his family were previous members of the Tree of Life synagogue.  His daughter, Sharon and her family live only a few blocks from the Tree of Life synagogue.

Katie Nurmi (she, they)
Katie Nurmi completed their undergraduate work at Kent State University and moved to State College for graduate studies in 1977. Katie is multilingual and taught for several years, both in the US and abroad. They are passionate about youth advocacy and human rights and have worked as a diversity trainer, paraprofessional counselor/ advocate and community organizer. Volunteer work has included 17 years as a county foster parent of teens and board positions with Out of the Cold and Centre LGBT+. Katie serves as a deacon at State College Presbyterian Church.