Pennsylvania Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick have introduced Senate Resolution 288, a bipartisan resolution condemning the rise of antisemitism across the country.
Citing the antisemitic attack that injured eight people in Boulder, Colorado, the arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence and the murder of Israeli embassy staff members Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, the senators denounced anti-Jewish hatred.
The resolution has 34 co-sponsors.
New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew introduced a companion resolution to the House of Representatives. It was co-sponsored by 69 members of the House.
McCormick said he was dumbfounded at the antisemitism he saw on college campuses while he campaigned in 2024 and that he strives to be a strong voice denouncing the intimidation and hatred he observed.
“This is something that’s been very vivid in my mind ever since my wife and I visited
term, and antisemitism and acts of violence are on the rise.”
The freshman senator said fighting antisemitism is an area where he, a Republican, and Fetterman, a Democrat, share common ground.
“He’s been an incredibly strong voice,” McCormick said of Fetterman. “He’s been unequivocal in his moral clarity on the issue.”
Fetterman said he considers McCormick a “colleague and friend” and the pair wanted to find issues they could work on together.
“We both live close to where the Tree of Life massacre occurred, and we’ve been concerned about the continued growth of antisemitism and the violence and intimidation connected to it,” he said.
Since Oct. 7, Fetterman noted, there’s been an acceleration of Jewish hatred at public events and on college campuses, as well as in the media and in organizations like the
By David Rullo | Senior Sta Writer
orking for Israel in the United Nations has always been a challenge, Jonathan Harounoff said.
Harounoff is the Jewish state’s international spokesperson to the U.N., an award-winning journalist and author of the book “Unveiled: Inside Iran’s #WomanLifeFreedom Revolt.”
“Especially since Oct. 7, when there was such an almost disgraceful minimization and lack of focus on what happened and a hyperintense focus on all ‘evils’ that Israel is doing,” he said. “It’s been quite disgraceful.”
Harounoff was in Pittsburgh this week, attending the American Jewish Press Association's annual conference.
Both the U.N. Security Council and General Assembly, he said, have offered discussions and resolutions centered on Israel’s actions and have not formally condemned Hamas or worked for the release of the hostages.
“We see a very clear lack of U.N. work there, which is what we’ve been doing for the past year, elevating those voices,” he said. “We’ve invited recently released hostages and families of hostages still held to the U.N. because the U.N. never came to them in their time of need.”
Harounoff oversees all the media that comes in and out of U.N. involving Israel. He interacts with journalists from around the globe and strives to ensure Israel’s narrative is fairly reflected in the press.
Right now, he said, that message involves Israel’s war with Hamas, its fight to keep Iran from securing a nuclear weapon and the plight of the 50 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
Harounoff spoke to the Chronicle several days after the U.S. bombed sites believed to
Headlines
OneTable is bringing easy and accessible Shabbat dinners back to Pittsburgh
By Andrew Rich | Staff Writer
OneTable’s mission is to make hosting a Shabbat dinner manageable and affordable for young adults who might not have the capability otherwise. And it’s bringing that mission to Pittsburgh.
L aunched in 2014, OneTable provides resources to hosts and guests to create an accessible Shabbat dinner experience.
A typical Shabbat dinner has various components, including traditional food and rituals that may seem daunting to some would-be young adult hosts. OneTable is geared toward people in their 20s and 30s.
“Shabbat comes every week, and it’s something that anyone can do, no matter what level of Jewishness, no matter how much you practice,” said Jordan Wright, OneTable’s Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, Ohio, field manager. “Shabbat is always there.”
Originally managing OneTable dinners solely in Cincinnati, Wright added Pittsburgh to her role in 2022. Since the end of the pandemic, Wright has been reestablishing the connection between OneTable and the Pittsburgh community, working alongside organizations such as the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and local congregations.
To that end, OneTable, in collaboration with the JCC, is hosting a communitywide Shabbat dinner on June 27. The theme of the dinner is BYOB — bring your own board game. Wright wants this event to
b e accessible to any young adult in the Pittsburgh area. The evening will be a chance to mingle, play board games and participate in Shabbat rituals led by Rabbi Hindy Finm an, the JCC’s senior director of Jewish life.
Along with board games, there will be a summer barbeque, mocktails and cocktails. Finman said the event aims to use board games to “bring people into the community and build up a network of people to come to all different sorts of Shabbat dinners.”
Young adults in Pittsburgh are the main target of Wright’s outreach efforts.
“We want to engage the young adults in a place where they already are,” she said. With a sizable Jewish population and multiple colleges and universities in the area, Pittsburgh is a market that
OneTable feels could greatly benefit from its mission.
The online platform provides information and resources that allow for an individualized Shabbat dinner experience. Whether you desire a Shabbat centered around Pride, mental health awareness, sobriety or much more, OneTable provides comprehensive guides for young hosts.
To start the process of hosting a Shabbat dinner through OneTable, potential hosts must fill out the application on its website, onetable.org. The application asks for information about Jewish background, age and the motivation for hosting a dinner. A OneTable representative may call with follow-up questions. Once accepted by OneTable, a host can post their Shabbat dinner on the organization’s website so
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given Shabbat dinner, the host receives $10 to use toward various resources. The money can come in the form of a gift card to a specific restaurant or grocery store, or it can be used for resources such as candlesticks and silverware.
“Friday night is a night to gather,” Wright said. “It’s a reason to get together with other Jewish people.”
OneTable’s Pittsburgh operations are supported by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
The June 27 dinner at the JCC will be kosher and the event is free. Registration is required and can be found at jewishpgh. org/event/pittsburgh-community-summershabbat. PJC
Andrew Rich can be reached at arich@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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Headlines
New Community Chevra Kadisha adopts gender-inclusive rituals in Jewish burial practices
By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer
During the past five years, the New Community Chevra Kadisha has quietly committed to updating its practices. The volunteer-led sacred society, which prepares the deceased for Jewish burial, has investigated the rituals and customs concerning postmortem gender inclusion. Conversations with national leaders, repeated discussions among local members and research into halacha (Jewish law) led NCCK to update its liturgical manuals.
The group’s three documents, which were formalized in the past 18 months, reflect several years of thought and practice surrounding taharot (posthumous ritual purifications).
Shared among NCCK members, the manuals include those for men and women, as well as a gender-expansive liturgy; each was inspired by the work of a Boston-based group.
In 2020, the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston published “Toward A Gender-Inclusive Hevra Kadisha,” a guide including practical steps for members, overview of relevant Jewish law and liturgy, and definitions of related terms.
“The mitzvah of performing tahara and of receiving tahara must be offered to all Jews,” authors noted. Achieving that outcome necessitated the Boston group’s “ability to include trans and gender nonconforming people appropriately in our hevra and to serve them in death.”
NCCK members heard about the guide during the Kavod v’Nichum conference, an annual gathering of sacred communities focused on Jewish end-of-life rituals and practices.
About two years ago, NCCK decided to follow the Boston model. The Pittsburgh group, according to co-founder Patricia Cluss, created several committees to explore gender inclusive practices; NCCK members were surveyed; individuals from the local LGBTQ community were asked “what their experiences have been”; and a committee was tasked with engaging regional funeral homes.
“Queer Jews feel marginalized in the Jewish community, as they do in the world, and when it comes to Jewish traditional end-of-life practices, they would rather not have a tahara when they’re dead than have the people or the persons that will be caring for them be squeamish or shocked or horrified or unwelcoming,” Cluss said.
Reports of threats and communal ostracism against LGBTQ individuals have recently increased.
In February, the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law reported LGBTQ people in the U.S. are “five times more likely to experience violent victimization.”
While mapping legislative attacks, the American Civil Liberties Union pointed to 597 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S., which “all cause harm for LGBTQ people.”
For many LGBTQ Jews, there’s an added level of discrimination post-Oct. 7, 2023, as hostility toward Zionism has grown at “dyke marches, college groups and pride celebrations, where queer Jews were traditionally safe, accepted and even leaders themselves,” according to the American Bar Association.
issue of whether LGBTQ+ Jews are seen, and how we in the cisgender Jewish community engage with them, really speaks to our Jewish values and particularly the value of respecting others.”
Furthering history
For generations, Jewish communities have resolutely buried their own.
The Babylonian Talmud records early chevra kadisha activity when describing an incident involving early fourth-century leader Rav Hamnuna: After arriving in Darumata, Rav Hamnuna heard a shofar blast signaling a local resident’s death. Despite the towering sound, townspeople continued working. Rav Hamnuna was perplexed and disappointed by the residents’ behavior. He criticized the group — only to learn that Darumata’s dead were cared for by designated entities and that the people who
continued working were not members of the
The steadfast commitment to Jewish burial by Jews continued for centuries and
In 1564, Rabbi Eliezer Ashkenazi established the Prague chevra kadisha. The group’s practices — along with Jewish burial rites described in “Ma’abar Yabbot” an early 17th-century Italian kabbalistic work by Aaron Berechiah ben Moses ben Nehemiah of Modena — remain mostly followed to this day.
Every chevra kadisha, since the start, has operated with a commitment to kavod hamet (respecting the dead); that dedication should not negate a respect for the living, Cluss said.
Former Mt. Lebanon resident Rabbi Joey Glick agreed. The spiritual leader and former Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston member helped edit “Toward A Gender-Inclusive Hevra Kadisha.”
The text’s production, he explained, was spurred by new tensions in practice and understanding.
“Over the past 10 years, there’s been an ever growing portion of the Jewish community who identify as trans or gender nonbinary,” he said. “Despite a real commitment to egalitarianism, the ritual is deeply binary.”
Traditionally, men’s teams performed taharot for men and women’s teams performed taharot for women.
“For folks who identify as trans, it’s not totally clear where the ritual can fit onto their lived experience,” he said.
Glick, who currently serves as assistant rabbi of Shir Tikvah Synagogue in Minneapolis, said kavod hamet requires not just honoring the deceased “but all parts of that dead person’s identity.”
When the Boston-based group began its project, the goal was to “form rituals that would meet that ancient need in a way that is fully living up to the needs of people in our communities today.”
There was also recognition that chevra kadishas nationwide would look to the group and its document as a guide in their own quest to navigate new ritual waters.
When deciding how to proceed, questions surrounding gender inclusion may prompt one to consider abandoning all notions of gender, authors noted. Following that path would be a mistake as it “serves to alienate many cisgender people as well as many trans people, who feel that their internal sense of self is being negated, ignored or undermined.” Additionally, restricting gender altogether negates the idea of pluralism by potentially disallowing the “ability of more traditionally-practicing folks of all genders to engage in our community.”
NCCK recognized the challenges in updating its practices and followed a similar path to the Boston group.
In creating a gender expansive liturgy, the Pittsburgh-based group revisited traditional prayers and passages recited during taharot and “ungendered the Hebrew,” according to representatives of the group. “Passages drawn from Tanakh and Mishnah that refer to biblical figures were left in their original language; passages addressing the meiteh (deceased) were made gender-neutral.”
Cluss, who also serves as past-president of Kavod v’Nichum, said NCCK’s mission is to perform taharot in Pittsburgh, provide an opportunity for “all interested members” to join in the performance of taharot, and educate the wider community about the “rituals and traditions related to dying, death and funerals.”
Creating new manuals and ungendering certain Hebrew words are mechanisms to ensure more people receive taharot upon their demise, while furthering an understanding of respect, according to Glick.
“Trans and nonbinary Jews have always been in our community, and we live in this really remarkable time where those voices are making themselves heard and are shaping ritual,” he said.
“In my humble opinion, and those of many of us in the Jewish world, the time has come for the Jewish community, locally and broadly speaking, to pay attention to part of our community that has been hidden, and that has been hiding for various reasons,” Cluss said. Jewish death and Jewish life are predicated on dignity and respect, “and that’s across the board in Jewish practice.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. — LOCAL —
p Updating inclusion practices required consulting Jewish law and liturgy.
Photo by cottonbro studio via Pexels
p New Community Chevra Kadisha is working to ensure Jewish burial reflects dignity and respect.
Photo by RDNE Stock Project via Pexels
Headlines
Stranded in Israel amid war, Pittsburghers stay positive
By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer
Shoshana Levari kind of made it to Philadelphia for her grandfather’s 70th birthday on June 15. In lieu of celebrating alongside her parents, siblings, cousins and other relatives, she joined the group via FaceTime.
Near the end of the video call, the family gathered for a photo. Levari, 19, remained on the phone. Just as the photo was taken, someone lifted their device to include Levari’s image in the shot.
“It was a bit rough, but it was nice,” Levari told the Chronicle by phone from Modi’in, Israel.
Levari, like several Pittsburghers who were stranded in Israel while the Jewish state continued Operation Rising Lion, was trying to stay positive.
After Israel attacked more than a dozen Iranian sites on June 13 in an effort to dismantle the regime’s weapons production capabilities, flights in and out of the Jewish state were canceled.
The situation presented a new wrinkle for several Pittsburghers in Israel. For much of
war: avoid certain areas, respond to sirens and retreat to shelters when necessary.
Being unable to leave, though, was unexpected.
“We are in a lockdown. It’s feeling like COVID again,” she said.
Another Squirrel Hill teen, Yoni Kanal, was scheduled to depart the Holy Land on June 18. Three days prior, he was alerted his flight was canceled.
The situation is “weird,” he said.
Kanal, 19, spoke with the Chronicle by phone from his dormitory. For the past
uate has studied at Yeshivat Yishrei Lev in Kiryat Ye’arim. The gap year program was supposed to end June 18. After Rising Lion began, the yeshiva extended operations until June 25.
“I don’t mind staying here for another week, it’s just unexpected,” he said.
Kanal’s summer plans include working at a Jewish camp in Baltimore and joining his family for a trip to Glacier National Park. He’s optimistic he’ll make both.
Shmuel Isenberg, 39, was also trying to stay positive. The Squirrel Hill resident is in Israel on a long-awaited family trip. For months, the Isenbergs crafted a detailed itinerary; and, after arriving in Israel on June 12, they completed day one.
“We went to Latrun tank museum. We went to the cemetery to visit my mother’s grave. We went on a hike, and we stayed in Ramat Beit Shemesh Thursday night,” he said.
On Friday morning, the family attempted to visit Jerusalem’s Old City. They parked their car at the Mamilla parking garage and entered the open-air shopping center.
“It was like a ghost town — all the stores were closed,” Isenberg said.
Business conditions hadn’t changed much since then, he continued. “Most shops are closed. Pharmacies, grocery stores and some restaurants are open, like pizza shops, but you have to take it to go.”
Isenberg likened the experience to “being in COVID again,” he said by phone from Ramat Beit Shemesh. “While the country is shut down, you have to stay near your house because you don’t know when the sirens will go off.”
Virtually all of the Isenbergs’ scheduled tours were canceled. Most sites they intended to visit were unreachable. Adding further unrest to the situation was not knowing when the seven-member group could return to Pittsburgh.
“We were supposed to come back June 23, but we just got notification that the flight was canceled,” he said.
Isenberg thinks the earliest departures will be closer to June 30.
“El Al would be happy to fly us out tomorrow if they could, but they can’t,” he said.
All the while, he’s clinging to a mantra: “Be patient. It’s out of our control. We need
to make the most of it and look for simpler ways to enjoy our experience.”
Susan Sofayov said she was trying to lean into the country’s calm.
“I think to myself if this was happening in Pittsburgh hell would break loose, but here it is systematic. They know how to do it, what to do. It’s scary to say, but it’s almost like an ordinary day,” Sofayov said by phone from Israel. “No one is running in the streets, screaming. Yes, there are bombs coming but there are instructions for everything and you just follow them and do the best you can to stay safe.”
Sofayov, 62, was in Kfar Yuval, a moshav in northern Israel. She arrived in Israel on June 10 and was supposed to be enjoying a multigenerational vacation.
“We were going to do Jerusalem, Safed, the Dead Sea, all the touristy things,” she said. Along with not enjoying those experiences, several members of the group were still in the U.S. When a health incident prevented some family members from making their flight, their travel was rescheduled. But then the war started and Israel-bound flights were suspended, she said.
Sofayov, a Mt. Lebanon resident, was supposed to leave Israel on June 25. She was “cautiously optimistic” her flight would take off.
In the meantime, more important matters come to mind.
“I want Pittsburghers to know that Israelis are incredibly courageous people,” she said. “The amount of care for one another is truly remarkable. They know they are going to come through this. It’s annoying. It’s dangerous. Our hearts are broken, but Israel is going to survive.”
Supporting Israelis and those affected by current events is critical, Levari said.
“This is a big event in terms of Jewish history. This is about defeating the enemy of the Jews — Iran wants to kill us. If you are living in Europe or America and not understanding the gravity of what is happening, this is about making a better future for our children. We all have a home here, even if you’re not connected,” she said. “This is not a small thing just for Israelis to feel.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
p A quiet street in Jerusalem
Photo by Becca Siegel via Pexels
p A plane lands in Tel Aviv.
Photo by Shoval Zonnis via Pexels
Headlines
Up in the air
By Eric Lidji | Special to the Chronicle
People get emotional on airplanes. Some scientists blame the low oxygen levels at higher altitudes. I think it comes from the emotional ambivalence of leaving one place and approaching another, heightened by the preposterousness of seeing Earth from above.
I got emotional on a flight a few months ago, while reading Cynthia Ozick’s review of the 1996 English transition of W. G. Sebald’s novel “The Emigrants.”
Ozick writes, “It is 1928, and only once in that terrible year, Kasimir recounts, did he get work, ‘when they were putting a new copper roof on the synagogue in Augsburg.’ In the photo Kasimir and six other metal workers are sitting at the top of the curve of a great dome. Behind them, crowning the dome, are three larger sculptures of the six-pointed Star of David. ‘The Jews of Augsburg,’ explains Kasimir, ‘had donated the old copper roof for the war effort during the First World War, and it wasn’t till ’28 that they had the money for a new roof.’ Sebald offers no comment concerning the fate of those patriotic Jews and their synagogue a decade on, in 1938, in the fiery hours of the Nazis’ so-called Kristallnacht. But Kasimir and the half-dozen tinsmiths perched against a cluster of Jewish stars leave silent mark in Sebald’s prose: what once was is no more.”
Upon returning to solid ground, I requested “The Emigrants” from the Squirrel Hill library. It arrived just a few hours before the start of Passover. In between the lastminute grocery shopping and vacuuming a year of chametz from my car, I dashed to Murray and Forbes to collect the book. By the end of the three-day chag, I had finished it.
“The Emigrants” is unlike any novel I have read. Writing in the first-person, as himself, Sebald presents four long accounts of seemingly real people who fled the European continent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through the gradual accumulation of language, images, motifs and themes, these four accounts coalesce, showing how easily a peaceful society can slip into cruelty and how long the echoes of that cruelty can haunt individual people, even many years after they have fled to safety.
And yet, this is fiction. From sentence to gorgeous, wandering sentence, it can be hard to tell what is factual and what is imagined. Heightening this uncertainty are dozens of
p
photographs incorporated throughout the text. These images seem to verify the stories being told, and yet a deeper consideration reveals ample room for interpretation and invention. A photograph may not necessarily show what Sebald claims it is showing.
The longest story is “Ambros Adelwarth.” It follows a branch of Sebald’s family that came to the United States amidst Germany’s economic troubles of the 1920s. In January 1981, Sebald visits his New Jersey relatives, hoping to understand their past.
On the second day of his trip, Sebald sits with his aunt Lina and uncle Kasimir in their kitchen at a retirement community called Cedar Glen West. Kasimir pours a little schnapps and then describes his decision to leave Germany. “In those days … people like us simply had no chance in Germany,” he says. He shows Sebald — and then Sebald shows us — the photograph of the work crew atop the roof of the Augsburg synagogue.
The image is powerful. It suggests a once-amiable ease of contact between Jewish and gentile Germans, and it inevitably foreshadows the horrors to come. In the silence between that ease and those horrors is the bottomless mystery of human capriciousness.
Sebald revisited this image in the poem “New Jersey Journey,” published posthumously in English in 2012: “Drinking
schnapps I consider/the ramifications of our calamity/and the meaning of the picture/that shows him, my uncle/as a tinsmith’s assistant in ’23/on the new copper roof/of the Augsburg synagogue/those were the days.”
Does it matter whether the roof was replaced in 1923 or 1928, given the magnitude of what was to come, the “ramifications of our calamity,” as Sebald puts it?
It always matters. For the record, it was 1928. The date is verified by a history of the synagogue published by the Judishes Kulturmuseum Augsburg-Swabia in 2010, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the rededication of the synagogue.
Ozick pins her comments to the notion that the Jewish community “donated” its roof. This is also just slightly off. In the original German, Sebald wrote “geopfert.” A more precise translation would be “sacrificed,” as for a cause — “opfert,” like “offering.”
Germany mandated these metal donations, called “Metallspende,” amid World War I. It launched the program around 1916 and expanded it through 1917 and into early 1918. An order on March 26, 1918, ultimately confiscated all aluminum, copper, brass, nickel and tin, and so the brand-new roof of the Augsburg synagogue had to be sacrificed to support the war. It was not a “donation” but a patriotic gesture by default.
Reflecting on Sebald’s semi-fictional reflections on the Augsburg synagogue, Dr. Sabine Offe of the University of Bremen wrote, “Concentrated in this brief reference to the patriotic sacrificing of the Augsburg dome are the ambivalences of GermanJewish existence in the first decades of the 20th century, and individual recollection interlocks with collective history. Associated with the donated metal were the hopes, also by the Augsburg community, of civic and social recognition as Jews and as Germans … But the idea of the integration of Jewish and German traditions projected here onto the building was already illusory.” As proof, she cites a census of Jewish soldiers conducted by the Supreme Army Command in 1916. It was an effort to shame Germany’s Jews for non-service. When the census revealed high Jewish enlistment, the results were suppressed.
Reader, you’ve patiently waited some 955 words for a sign of Pittsburgh, and now it arrives. The year after Uncle Kasimir installed a new roof on the Augsburg synagogue, the congregation welcomed Rabbi Ernest and Annette Jacob as its spiritual leaders.
The following year, in March 1930, the Jacobs had their first child, a son, Walter.
Walter Jacob survived the Nazi era, fled to England and then America, was ordained, and then devoted nearly 70 years to a rabbinate at Rodef Shalom Congregation before his death last fall.
Ozick summoned the “fiery hours” of Kristallnacht in Augsburg in theoretical terms. She knew they had happened but felt no need to know how. We know: The Jacobs lived on the synagogue grounds. Walter watched the destruction and its aftermath.
Just as Sebald couldn’t shake the image of his uncle on the synagogue roof, Jacob clung to an image from that day. As community elders handled their charred Torah scrolls, a local milkman stepped through the rubble to deliver the milk. “No one was supposed to go anywhere near our apartment house,” Jacob often recalled. “But he did.”
That small act of resistance became part of Jacob’s motivation for returning to Germany in the 1970s and 1980s, stepping through rubble of history to rebuild liberal Judaism in his homeland. An early milestone came with the rededication of the Augsburg synagogue in 1985. Ozick suggests it had been destroyed. Almost every synagogue in Germany was destroyed that night. In fact, the Augsburg synagogue survived. The Nazis had extinguished their own fire to protect other properties on the crowded main street.
The power of local history is the pressure it exerts from below. Knowing the history of your community can collapse the distance between your one small life and the great, wide world. The encounter between local and global often creates tension — not so much about the facts as about the tone and the focus and the significance of those facts.
Sebald and Ozick are aiming for big truths. They don’t need to reckon with all the little details to assert the grand meaning of those years. The little details exist for us. They carve an opening into world history just large enough for the average person to enter.
Like the German Jews of the 1910s and 1920s, we are living through tremendous “ambivalences,” to borrow Dr. Offe’s term. It can be hard to know where we stand. The story of the synagogue roof is true. The story of the milkman is true. Humanity inexorably lives both at once: forever damned, forever redeemed. This is why I got emotional at 30,000 feet: knowing we each decide which story will carry us farther. PJC
Eric Lidji is the director of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center and can be reached at rjarchives@heinzhistorycenter. org or 412-454-6406.
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The cover of the 1917 dedication program for the Augsburg synagogue features a pine cone inside a Star of David — the civic symbol of Augsburg at the center of the ancient symbol of Jewish peoplehood. Image courtesy of the Estate of Rabbi Walter Jacob
Calendar
Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Submissions also will be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon.
q SUNDAYS, JUNE 29–DEC. 28
Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for its Men’s Tefillin Club. Services and tefillin are followed by a delicious breakfast and engaging discussions on current events. 8:30 a.m. 1700 Beechwood Blvd. chabadpgh.com.
Join a lay-led online Parashah study group to discuss the weekly Torah portion. No Hebrew knowledge needed. The goal is to build community while deepening understanding of the text. 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org/ online-parashah.
q MONDAYS, JUNE 30–SEPT. 29
Join the 10.27 Healing Partnership for Roll for Insight: Community-Building Role-Playing Games. Meet every other week to connect and grow with new friends through playing tabletop role-playing games designed to inspire emotional depth. They will use RPGs to explore the intersection of identity, emotional resiliency and games to fight isolation and disconnection, and to meet new people and form friendships. Free. No experience required. 16 and up. 5:30 p.m. Jewish Community Center, 5738 Forbes Ave. 1027healingpartnership.org/rpg-club.
q MONDAYS, JUNE 30–DEC. 29
Join Congregation Beth Shalom for a weekly Talmud study. 9:15 a.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org.
Join Temple Sinai for an evening of mahjong every Monday (except holidays). Whether you are just starting out or have years of experience, you are sure to enjoy the camaraderie and good times as you make new friends or cherish moments with long-term pals. All are welcome. Winners will be awarded Giant Eagle gift cards. All players should have their own mahjong cards. Contact Susan Cohen at susan_k_cohen@yahoo.com if you have questions. $5. templesinaipgh.org.
q WEDNESDAYS, JULY 2–DEC. 31
Temple Sinai’s Rabbi Daniel Fellman presents a weekly Parshat/Torah portion class on site and online. Call 412-421-9715 for more information and the Zoom link.
Bring the parashah alive and make it personally relevant and meaningful with Rabbi Mark Goodman in this weekly Parashah Discussion: Life & Text. 12:15 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org/life-text.
q WEDNESDAYS, JULY 2–SEPT. 3
Join Rodef Shalom Congregation for Biblical Garden Open Door Tours: free, docent-led tours of the congregation’s Biblical Botanical Garden the first Wednesday of the month. 12:15 PM. Free. 4905 Fifth Avenue. rodefshalom.org/garden.
q THURSDAYS, JULY 3–JULY 31
Are you looking to incorporate mindfulness into your routine and make meaningful connections with others? Join the 10.27 Healing Partnership for Open Morning Meditation. Engage in individual, quiet meditation for approximately 20 minutes, followed by approximately 20 minutes of group reflection, thoughts and warm community-building. Free; all experience levels, no registration required. 8 a.m. Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, 5738 Forbes Ave., Room 316. 1027healingpartnership.org/openmorning-meditation.
q FRIDAYS, JULY 18, AUG. 22
Gather in Rodef Shalom’s Biblical Garden for a 20s and 30s Kabbalat Shabbat. Get to know other young Jewish professionals and close out the week with apps, wine and great company. Registration required. 7 p.m. 4905 Fifth Ave. rodefshalom.org/ lateshabbat.
Calling all chefs!
Do you have a tried-and-true dish that comes with an interesting origin story? If so, we want to hear from you!
Submit recipes along with their backstories to newsdesk@pittsburghjewishchronicle. org, and write “Recipe” in the subject line. Please include a photo of the dish. You may see your submission as part of our column “Savoring Stories”! PJC
Join Chabad of the South Hills for Baby Loves Shabbat, music and movement for ages 0 to 3. Challah making and Shabbat songs. 3:45 p.m. 1701 Bower Hill Road. chabadsh.com.
q TUESDAY, JULY 22
Young children and their grown-ups are invited to join Rodef Shalom librarian Sam Siskind for a story in the Biblical Garden, followed by a crafty activity. 1:15 p.m. rodefshalom.org.
q MONDAY, JULY 28
Join the Zionist Organization of America for the Kandy Ehrenwerth Memorial Lecture featuring Mitchell Bard presenting “American Colleges and Universities are Selling Out to Middle East Oil Money.” 7 p.m. Free, but reservations are required at pittsburgh@zoa.org. Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh. PJC
Photo courtesy of Pexels
Headlines
‘Recurring trend’: Wikipedia demoting pro-Israel content, experts say
Wikipedia editors decided to roll a page on the “destruction of Israel in Iranian policy,” which garnered more than 62,000 page views in the past 30 days, into a larger article called “Iran-Israel relations,” JNS reported.
Experts said that, while discussions were underway on whether to delete the page or combine it with another, it ought to be a standalone article.
Max Abrahms, an associate professor of political science at Northeastern University, said at the time that if the page was deleted or merged, “Israel will be less popular, the Islamic Republic will be more popular and readers will be stupider.”
The “closer,” Wikipedia’s term for someone uninvolved in the topic brought in to look for a consensus of editors and decide what to do with the page, stated that “it appears most appropriate to merge into the parent article and discuss the content there first.”
“The article provided a focused and wellsourced examination of a documented policy that is particularly relevant to understanding current events,” said Shlomit Aharoni Lir, a research fellow at the University of Haifa who studies Wikipedia.
She said the arguments to delete or merge the article are “part of a recurring trend of proposals to delete or merge entries that don’t conform to the dominant editorial stance
on the platform.”
Something similar happened with what she called a “comprehensive” article about “Antisemitism on Wikipedia,” which, she said, “was reduced and demoted to a section under ‘Criticism of Wikipedia.’”
Edan Alexander, freed from Hamas captivity after 584 days, feted on return home to New Jersey
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Tenafly, New Jersey, last week to welcome home native son Edan Alexander, who survived 584 days of captivity in Gaza before being freed in May, JTA reported.
Alexander graduated from Tenafly High School before enlisting in the Israeli army and was serving on a base on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and took him and 250 others hostage. The last remaining living American citizen in captivity, he was freed in a one-off deal negotiated by the Trump administration on May 12.
That day, schools in Tenafly excused students from classes as thousands of people gathered in the New York City’s suburb’s main square to cheer on Alexander’s release in real time.
On Thursday, locals repeated the celebration as Alexander returned to the town where his Israeli parents and siblings still live. Tenafly is home to a substantial Israeli expat community.
There remain 50 hostages in Gaza, of whom 20 are thought to remain alive. Their plight, a central cause for Jews around the world since the Oct. 7 attack, has drawn less attention
Today in Israeli History
June 30, 2012 — Yitzhak Shamir dies
over the last week since Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear program, triggering a wave of ballistic missile attacks on Israel.
Suspect arrested after ‘mass shooting’ threat at San Antonio Jewish center
A suspect is in custody after allegedly threatening to carry out a mass shooting at a San Antonio Jewish site, JNS reported.
The FBI’s field office in the city stated that it received information last week that someone “may have been planning to conduct a mass shooting at a Jewish cultural enrichment center.”
The bureau worked with the San Antonio police to investigate, and Jewish communal leaders were notified, it said. “Additional protocols were implemented to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish community here in San Antonio,” it stated.
“An individual believed to be associated with this has been located by the FBI in another state and the investigation is continuing to determine the veracity of the threat information,” it said. It added that it doesn’t believe there to be an imminent threat to San Antonio’s Jewish community.
The city’s police department stated after learning of the threat, it “immediately increased police presence around Jewish facilities throughout the city as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the community.”
KSAT-TV, an ABC affiliate in San Antonio, reported that the threatened site was the Barshop Jewish Community Center in San Antonio.
Majority of Americans back Israeli strikes on Iran, poll suggests
Some 57% of Americans back Israel’s preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, more than 80% say that Iran must be stopped from having nuclear weapons and that a nuclear-armed Iran poses a serious threat to American security, JNS reported.
That’s according to a survey of 800 U.S. adults conducted by Schoen Cooperman Research between June 13 and 16 for the Israel on Campus Coalition.
The poll, which was released last week, also found that 62% of Americans believe the United States should back Israel’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
More than half (51%) of Americans see Israel’s actions as self-defense, and just 28% see them as aggression, per the poll, which found that 70% of Americans say that they are following the news in Israel and Iran closely.
Doug Schoen, founder of Schoen Cooperman and former pollster to former President Bill Clinton and former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg, told JNS that the survey results suggest that Americans think Israeli and American security are intertwined.
“Indeed, there is a near-universal belief, held by over 80% of U.S. adults, that it is important to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and moreover, that a failure to do so would pose a serious threat to America’s national security,” he said. PJC
— Compiled by Toby Tabachnick
Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.
June 27, 1945 — Shin Bet head
Ami Ayalon is born
Ami Ayalon is born in Tiberias. A Medal of Valor winner, he commands the Israeli navy from 1992 to 1996, then leads the Shin Bet security service until 2000. He later represents Labor in the Knesset.
June 28, 1967 — Jerusalem officially is reunited Israel publishes the Jerusalem Declaration, announcing the reunification of the city under Israeli sovereignty after the Six-Day War. Prime Minister Levi Eshkol promises full access to holy sites.
June 29, 1939 — Kibbutz Givat Brenner is established
Kibbutz Givat Brenner, named for writer Yosef Haim Brenner, is founded 20 miles southeast of Tel Aviv by pioneers from Lithuania, Italy and Germany who had labored in agricultural communities.
Israel’s seventh prime minister, Yitzhak Shamir, dies at 96. Born in Poland during World War I, he made aliyah in 1935. He joined the Irgun, then the Stern Gang. He was first elected to the Knesset in 1973.
July 1, 1244 — Jews are granted rights in Austria Frederick II, the duke of Austria, issues a charter extending rights to Jews to boost the economy. The charter serves as a model for medieval Europe. It remains in effect until Austria expels its Jews in 1420.
July 2, 2011 — National Trail
founder Uri Dvir dies
Uri Dvir, a founder of Shvil Yisrael (the Israel National Trail), dies at 80 in Tel Aviv, his birthplace. He planned and initiated the 620-mile hiking path from Kibbutz Dan near Lebanon to Eilat on the Red Sea.
July 3, 1982 — Jewish theater conference opens
The First International Conference and Festival of Jewish Theater, a five-day gathering, opens in Tel Aviv even though many Israeli participants have been called up for military duty during the First Lebanon War. PJC
p Children gather for some planting at Kibbutz Givat Brenner in 1950.
Learn more and support our mission: familyhouse.org/donate For 41 years, Family House has provided a “home away from home” for patients and their families who must travel to Pittsburgh for medical care.
Jewish Fertility Foundation
Our Mission: The Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF) engages hopeful parents by providing financial assistance, emotional support, and infertility education to those struggling to build their families. Family is central to Jewish life, yet infertility is often stigmatized and isolating. Many feel unwelcome in Jewish spaces when the path to parenthood is di cult. JFF is changing that by o ering direct, community-based support.
What’s New:
• JFF-Pittsburgh’s fertility clinic partners include UPMC, AHN and Shady Grove grants are available to individuals and couples in the Pittsburgh Jewish community who are going through fertility challenges
• We o er monthly support groups and a fertility buddy program - these are free and open to all in Pittsburgh
• 10 Active Locations: Atlanta (2015), Cincinnati (2019), Birmingham (2021), Pittsburgh (2022), Greater DC (Maryland, DC, N. Virginia) (2022), Denver (2023), Detroit (2024), Cleveland (2024), South Florida (2024), Nevada (2025)
Tamar Poupko Smith Regional Manager (Cleveland + Pittsburgh)
Giving Guide
Guest Columnist
Brian Eglash
In Jewish tradition, giving is not just an act of generosity — it is a sacred responsibility. We call it tzedakah, rooted in the Hebrew word for justice. It is not charity in the casual sense but a moral and communal obligation to build a stronger, safer and more compassionate world for the Jewish people and for all. In today’s world, that obligation has never felt more urgent. The Rising Lion operation serves as a stark reminder of the stakes.
faces growing disconnection. In an increasingly digital and individualistic world, creating vibrant in-person Jewish experiences takes intention and resources. Whether it’s a Shabbat dinner that brings young adults together, a summer camp that nurtures Jewish youth, our pro-Israel students on campus or a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration that connects us to Israel and each other — these moments of joy, learning and connection don’t happen on their own. They happen because someone decided to give.
Standing with Israel is not a political act; it is a deeply Jewish one. Our brothers and sisters in Israel face not only rockets and terror but emotional trauma and societal strain. When we give to organizations providing trauma care, aid to displaced families or support for rebuilding shattered lives, we affirm a basic truth: Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh, all Jews are responsible for one another.
Across the country and here in Pittsburgh, antisemitism is surging — not just in words but in actions that threaten our safety, challenge our unity and test our resolve. Jewish institutions are investing in security infrastructure and working with law enforcement, but none of this is possible without philanthropic support. Private giving fuels the proactive training, technology and coordination required to keep our community safe, from guards and cameras to emergency planning and information sharing.
At the same time, the Jewish community
Philanthropy has always been the cornerstone of Jewish resilience. In every generation, Jews have stepped up for one another to build synagogues, support elders, help those in need, welcome immigrants, support our Jewish homeland Israel and respond to crisis. Pittsburgh’s history is no different. From the earliest days of Jewish life here, our community’s well-being has rested on the shoulders of those who gave not only because they could but because they felt they must and planted seeds for the future.
Today, our giving must match the complexity of the challenges we face. Since Oct. 7, 2023, many of us have wrestled with profound grief, fear and the alarming rise in anti-Israel sentiment, often indistinguishable from antisemitism, in public discourse, on campuses and even in our neighborhoods.
And today, that responsibility is more critical than ever. Jews are standing alone in ways many of us have never experienced — abandoned by institutions we once trusted, shouted down in spaces that once welcomed us. In this moment, we must rely on one another because there is no one else. If we don’t support and protect our community, no one will. Our giving is not just generous; it is essential to our survival and strength.
But Jewish giving cannot be reactive alone. It must also be visionary. It must strengthen identity, ensure educational excellence, foster leadership and create opportunities for people of all ages to find their place in Jewish life. It must support the vulnerable and invest in innovation that meets the needs of a changing Jewish world, here at home and in our beloved homeland Israel.
The beauty of Jewish giving is that it scales — from a child putting coins in a pushke to a family endowing a program for generations.
Send some love to Israel
Every act of generosity makes a difference. Every gift becomes part of something larger. Here in Pittsburgh, we are blessed with a generous community — one that shows up time and again when it matters most. We see it when donors support Holocaust education so our children never forget. We see it in scholarships that open doors to camp, Israel travel or Jewish learning. We see it in the work of countless organizations — large and small — that make Pittsburgh a model for Jewish life nationally.
This Giving Guide of the Chronicle is a reminder that the needs are real and they are now. If you already give, thank you. If you’re considering it, know this: Your gift matters. It is not just a transaction, it is a declaration of values, a statement of solidarity and a building block of the Jewish future.
Wherever you direct your donation, what matters is that you give with purpose and heart. Our community’s strength, our safety, our vitality, our connection to each other and to Israel, depends on it.
We give because others gave before us. And we give because the Jewish future depends on what we do now. PJC
Brian Eglash is the senior vice president and chief development officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh
Our Mission: The Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh is dedicated to preserving our precious heritage and preventing the future abandonment of Jewish cemeteries. The JCBA is the community’s response to a vital need—providing dignified burials to Jews in need and preserving Jewish cemeteries in accordance with our laws and customs. It is also dedicated to serving the Jewish community’s truly needy by providing for their burials and final resting places in our Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery.
Did You Know:
*There are 80 Jewish cemeteries in Western Pennsylvania! Forty-nine (49) of these cemeteries are currently in the care of the JCBA of Greater Pittsburgh. Many more are expected to follow.
* As Jews, we make a promise to those that pass before us that each will be remembered, respected, and never abandoned – that we will maintain the sanctity of their graves in perpetuity.
*Because it is a “true act of loving kindness” –a chesed shel emet—the type of kindness that expects nothing in return. When we bury someone with dignity, or tend to the grave, or ensure the cemetery remains protected and sacred, we do so knowing that the person can no longer thank us or repay us. It is the purest form of mitzvah, free of ego or benefit.
Help Protect the Future of Our Cemeteries…
The Only Way To Ensure Our Jewish Legacy Lives On
Our Jewish cemeteries are vulnerable and will always be at risk of vandalism, neglect, and abandonment without your continued support. Your foresight today will safeguard our cemeteries (and our promise) for decades to come. Ways to make a legacy gi :
• Bequest in a Will or Trust
Include JCBA in your will or trust by leaving a speci c amount, percentage, or asset to help ensure every Jewish soul is cared for with dignity—now and for generations to come.
• Bene ciary Designations
Name the Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association as a bene ciary of your IRA, 401(k), pension, life insurance policy, bank account, or donor-advised fund. A simple form can leave a lasting legacy.
• Gi of Retirement Assets
Reduce taxes on your estate and support sacred burial traditions by designating JCBA as a bene ciary of your retirement plan.
• Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
Continue your family’s giving tradition by recommending a grant now or naming JCBA as a future bene ciary of your DAF.
For more information on leaving a legacy gi , contact the JCBA o ce at 412-553-6469.
Tizku l’mitzvot—may you merit many mitzvot.
Kelly Schwimer Executive Director James P. Wagner V.P. Board of Directors & Development Committee Chair
Giving Guide
The transformative power of collaborative philanthropy
Guest Columnist
Judy Greenwald Cohen
In a world that often emphasizes indi vidual wealth and solo success, there’s something deeply refreshing — and powerful — about the idea of coming together to make a difference. That’s exactly what collaborative philanthropy is all about.
As the executive director of a giving circle, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing what happens when people pool not only their financial resources but their ideas, values and energy. Collaborative philanthropy is more than just a trend — it’s a movement that is reshaping how we think about generosity, impact and community.
At its core, a giving circle is a group of individuals who come together to make collective decisions about where and how to give. It’s an act of partnership, of co-creation and of shared responsibility. The concept is beautifully simple: When we give together, we can do more, learn more and feel more deeply connected — to each other and to the causes we care about.
This model of giving is gaining traction across the country, and for good reason. Collaborative philanthropy democratizes
giving by amplifying the voice of each participant, regardless of the size of their contribution. It breaks down the myth that only those with great wealth can make a meaningful impact. It fosters deeper engagement — members often become long-term supporters, volunteers and champions for
— it is transformational.
Collaborative philanthropy invites us to slow down and be thoughtful. In our giving circle, we don’t simply write a check and move on. We listen to nonprofit leaders. We ask questions. We study the issues. We reflect on our own values and biases. And we chal-
In our giving circle, I’ve seen friendships deepen, perspectives widen and a powerful sense of purpose take hold.
the organizations they fund. And it ensures more thoughtful, informed grantmaking, grounded in shared values and lived experience. Every voice matters. Decisions are made collectively. And the impact is multiplied. But beyond the practical benefits lies something even more profound: the joy of shared purpose.
It’s incredibly moving to sit in a room — or on a Zoom call — with people who are committed to doing good, together. They may come from different backgrounds, bring different life experiences and often hold different perspectives. Yet they gather around a shared table with a common intention: to listen, to learn and to give with care and purpose. This is not transactional giving
lenge ourselves — and each other — to go deeper. In doing so, we become better stewards of the resources entrusted to us and we forge a more meaningful relationship with the communities we seek to support.
I’ve seen members walk into our circle unsure of what they have to offer — thinking their donation might be too small to make a difference. Then I’ve seen those same members help craft a grantmaking strategy or advocate fiercely for an underfunded issue. The giving circle experience empowers people to step into their role as philanthropists — something many never imagined themselves to be.
And the ripple effects are real. Members of giving circles often report becoming
more engaged in civic life, more informed about social issues and more connected to their communities. Many go on to increase their personal giving, volunteer their time or even start new philanthropic initiatives of their own. Collaborative philanthropy doesn’t just change where the money goes — it changes us.
Of course, it’s not always easy. True collaboration requires trust, humility and patience. We don’t always agree. Sometimes the process is messy. But that’s part of the beauty. In working through those challenges together, we grow — not just as donors, but as human beings.
At a time when so many of our systems feel fractured and polarized, collaborative philanthropy offers a powerful antidote. It models what it looks like to come together across differences, to make decisions rooted in shared values. In our giving circle, I’ve seen friendships deepen, perspectives widen and a powerful sense of purpose take hold.
In challenging times, collaborative philanthropy offers not just a way to give — but a way to belong. It asks each of us: What kind of world do we want to build? And then it answers: Let’s build it together. PJC
Judy Greenwald Cohen is the executive director of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh.
The Jewish Association on Aging
Our Mission: The Jewish Association on Aging (JAA) honors and enhances the lives of older adults by providing a continuum of individualized quality care consistent with Jewish values and tradition. We help you confidently navigate the aging journey with a person-centered approach that provides clear, straightforward guidance on the services and support options available. As the only Jewish senior community in the City of Pittsburgh, we o er both residential and community-based services to meet a wide range of needs. To learn more about our residences and services and to find out how you can get involved, visit our website at www.jaapgh.org.
What’s New:
• We are excited to announce the opening of the JAA’s new personal care residence this fall! Thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of the community, it o ers studio, one- and two-bedroom options. Call 412-586-3292 or email twilburn@jaapgh.org for more information.
• Anathan Adult Day Memory Care is open! At Anathan Adult Day, participants enjoy engaging activities while caregivers gain valuable support and peace of mind. For details, call 412-586-3292 or email twilburn@jaapgh.org.
• Volunteers are integral to the JAA and we o er multiple rewarding and meaningful opportunities to brighten the lives of seniors. For more information, email srubin@ jaapgh.org or call 412-521-1171.
Interested in Helping?
Contact: Ashley Crosby Senior Development Associate 412-586-2690 / acrosby@jaapgh.org
200 JHF Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-420-4000 jaapgh.org
Year Established: 1906
Mary
Foley, RN, MSN President & CEO
Anne
Leadership
individual. Last year, 8,300 volunteers supported our mission by donating their time in our Volunteer Engagement Center, at The Market, our onsite food pantry, or at one of our distributions. Visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/volunteer to learn more.
Become an Advocate: When you speak out, you use your voice to urge your elected officials to do their part to help end hunger. Decisions made by our elected officials have a huge impact both on the supply of food available to give to people in need and on the demand for charitable food assistance. Visit pittsburghfoodbank. org/advocate to learn more.
Why the charitable food assistance sector is more essential than ever Giving Guide
Guest Columnist
Charla Irwin-Buncher
In a country as wealthy as the United States, it’s hard to imagine that millions of families struggle to put food on the table. But that’s the reality for more than 44 million people, including over 13 million children living in food-insecure households. Right here in southwestern Pennsylvania, more than 320,000 individuals are food insecure, including 1 in 5 children. This isn’t just a moral issue. It’s a crisis with economic, health and social consequences that ripple through every community.
are working households that simply don’t earn enough to keep up with rising housing, food and health care costs.
Others, including seniors, people with disabilities or those affected by job loss or illness, rely on charitable food systems because they don’t qualify for government assistance or face long waits for benefits.
Even before the pandemic, food banks were serving millions. But during COVID, demand skyrocketed, and the charitable food assistance network responded quickly. Organizations restructured their distribution models, mobilized volunteers and dramatically expanded their reach. That ability to scale in a crisis wasn’t a one-time achievement. It showed just how vital, flexible and trusted these groups are.
This makes food assistance organizations one of the most human-centered support systems in the country. They meet people where they are and help them take the next step forward.
Efficient, sustainable and community-driven
The charitable food system is incredibly efficient. Food banks stretch every dollar through partnerships with farmers, grocers, manufacturers and donors, turning donations into millions of meals.
They also play a key role in reducing food waste. Each year, millions of pounds of perfectly good food would go to landfills if not for food banks rescuing and redistributing it. This reduces environmental harm while feeding people in need.
SNAP and other food assistance programs are on the horizon. The result is a sector under strain. Food banks are doing more with less and that’s not sustainable.
Now more than ever, this sector needs support. Governments must invest in both short-term hunger relief and long-term solutions. Corporations can help by donating funds, food or logistics support. Everyday people can make financial contributions, volunteer, organize food drives and become advocates in their communities.
A call to action
Government programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are a critical part of the solution, but they weren’t designed to meet the full scale of need. This is where the charitable food assistance sector plays an essential role.
From food banks and pantries to meal programs and grassroots organizations, this network acts as a lifeline. It doesn’t just provide food, but also stability, dignity and hope.
A growing and uneven need
Food insecurity affects people in every county of the United States — urban neighborhoods, rural towns and suburban communities alike. Many families that experience hunger
More than just food
Charitable food assistance does far more than provide calories. Many food distribution programs now offer client-choice models, allowing people to pick items that fit their cultural traditions, dietary needs or personal preferences, just like shopping in a grocery store. This shift gives people control over their choices and restores a sense of normalcy during difficult times.
In addition, food banks often serve as connectors to other essential services including housing help, health care access, workforce programs and financial counseling. Someone who comes for food may leave with the tools to stabilize their life.
• Established in 2000 • $2 million in grants • 98 grantees funded www.jwfpgh.org
Our Mission: The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh seeks to improve the lives of self-identified women and girls through collaborative philanthropy and social change grantmaking.
Our Impact: JWF is rooted in the belief that empowering women and girls is not just a matter of justice, but a catalyst for broader social transformation. When we invest in women and girls, we are investing in healthier communities and a more equitable society. Using a collaborative philanthropy model means that every JWF Trustee is empowered as a leader, funder, and decision-maker.
Your Support: While Trustees participate in grantmaking decisions, we greatly value the generosity of all our donors and welcome your support of JWF’s efforts at any level.
Judy Greenwald Cohen Executive Director jcohen@jwfpgh.org
Stevie Sheridan Program Officer ssheridan@jwfpgh.org
Contact us to learn more about becoming a JWF Trustee or a member of the Young Women’s Giving Society (YWGS).
Food banks bring together volunteers, donors and staff from every background to serve a common purpose. In many areas, food banks are some of the most trusted places where people turn not just for help, but for connection and hope.
Urgent challenges require ongoing support
Despite their importance, food banks face mounting pressures. Inflation and rising food prices since the pandemic have made it harder to buy food in bulk. Supply chain issues have reduced access to consistent inventory. Meanwhile, even though demand is higher than ever, pending federal funding cuts to
Hunger is not just about food, it’s about opportunity, health and dignity. When a child goes to school hungry, it’s harder to learn. When a senior skips meals to afford medication, their health suffers. And when a parent can’t afford groceries, the resulting stress affects the whole family.
The charitable food assistance sector steps into those moments, not just with a box of food, but with compassion, connection and possibility. It fills the gaps that no one else does. And it reminds us that we are all responsible for ensuring our neighbors are fed and have the resources they need to thrive. You can help by getting involved today. Visit PittsburghFoodBank.org to learn more. PJC
Charla Irwin-Buncher is the chief external affairs officer of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
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Transformational care and education, right here in our neighborhood.
Renowned regionally, The Children’s Institute, located in Squirrel Hill, has helped children manage their disabilities for more than 120 years. We support children and their families not just at our Squirrel Hill campus but at five satellite locations, in local schools, and in family’s homes across Southwest Pennsylvania. The Children’s Institute is an independent, licensed nonprofit organization.
The breadth and depth of our services are unmatched.
Our programs address the needs of children and the whole family with expert, compassionate care. We offer:
•Autism services in our state-of-the-art facility
•Outpatient programs that encompass both physical, occupational, and behavioral health
•Family support, in-home services
•The Day School that serves children from K–21 with bestin-class education and therapy for children with a range of disabilities
Your support helps children thrive.
Like Kyare.
Kyare is a student who has attended The Day School since kindergarten and who’s now preparing to graduate. It’s successful journeys like his that show what’s possible at The Children’s Institute.
Make your gift today.
Read more about Kyare and help us reach more children who need us most. Scan the QR code or visit AmazingKids.org/Kyare
We’re here to help. Learn more about our services at AmazingKids.org
Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh
Our Mission: The VISION of the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, one of the largest social service, recreational and educational organizations in the region, is to activate community to build a stronger and more inclusive Jewish future, guided by our mission: Nurturing people, connecting community, every day, through every age, inspired by Jewish values.
What’s New?
• The Cove, a newly renovated, inclusive space at the JCC’s Family Park in Monroeville, serves as a dining hall and multipurpose programming facility for J&R Day Camp. This flexible, adaptive, sensory friendly, indoor and outdoor space enhances safety and ensures service continuity on tough weather days, catering to all interests and varying abilities.
• The beautiful new Great Wolf Lodge at Emma Kaufmann Camp in Morgantown, WV, allows us to welcome 36 additional 7th and 8th grade campers each session.
• Transformative renovations to our Squirrel Hill fitness center and Centerfit Platinum locker rooms are under way. Upgrades are designed to elevate members’ fitness and wellness experience.
• Our JCC is co-hosting the 2025 JCC Maccabi® Campus Games, the first set of Games based on a college campus, with 2,000 teen athletes coming to the University of Pittsburgh August 3-8.
Contact Info:
Contact: Fara Marcus Chief Development and Marketing Officer 412-697-3510 | fmarcus@jccpgh.org | JCCPGH.org
JCC Squirrel Hill: 5738 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 412-521-8010
JCC South Hills: 345 Kane Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15243 412-278-1975
Year Established: 1895
More than $2.8 million was awarded this past year in anonymous financial assistance to ensure that more people can participate in our quality programs and services.
More than 1,800 children were enrolled in programs including early childhood centers, after-school and school days off programs, and summer camps.
Fara Marcus, Chief Development and Marketing Officer
412-697-3510 | fmarcus@jccpgh.org | JCCPGH.org
30,000+ people were served. As an agency dedicated to nurturing people and creating spaces to build lasting relationships, the JCC made an impact both within and beyond its walls. Continue your impact
Jason Kunzman President and CEO
Fara Marcus Chief Development and Marketing Officer
Headlines
United Nations, which, he said, “has a really strong anti-Israel bias.”
Antisemitism, he said, is “a serious, significant issue and we want to address it.”
Fetterman, a frequent lightning rod for those on the far left, said he isn’t concerned about reaction to his support of the Jewish community, Israel or the United States’ strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites.
“When I get backlash, that to me shows it’s time to lean in even harder,” he said. “I’ve experienced a tiny percentage of what they Jewish community is facing. So, if I can work with my friend and colleague to introduce this legislation, then that’s a win-win.”
Fetterman has faced criticism from some Democrats because of several of his positions. He supports Donald Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities, tying it back to the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
“We can never forget that there are hostages living underground for 600 days,”
be connected to Iran’s development of nuclear weapons. The U.S. action, he said, prompted a swift response from the U.N. — but not the correct response.
“The U.N. secretary general and some member states of the Security Council condemned the U.S. for what they did, condemned Israel for Operation Rising Lion,” he said. “Instead, those condemnations should have been messages of thanks that the United States stepped up and took on the most existential and dangerous regime from getting their hands on the most dangerous weapon in the world.”
That response, he said, is part of a pattern and typical of past U.N. reactions: messages of condemnation and appeals for restraint while Iran negotiates with one foot out the door, all the while continuing to build nuclear weapons.
The danger, he said, was too imminent and real for the U.S not to act.
“We’re talking about an existential threat to Israel and very, very credible and dangerous threats to the United States and its military bases across the U.S.,” he said.
Israel, Harounoff said, is supportive of the actions the U.S. took and appreciates the work of President Donald Trump and his administration.
“We were shocked we haven’t seen that message of thanks coming from the U.N.,” he said.
While there has been speculation about regime change in Iran, Harounoff said that has never been the focus of Israel. Instead, he said, the sole objective of the Jewish state was to eliminate the existential threat created by Iran, its nuclear program and arsenal of ballistic missiles.
he said. “We must bring them home and we must hold Hamas accountable. Iran helped create, finance and organize that. We can’t forget what Iran has done through its proxies
“The world’s safer if Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “I’ve always believed that. What’s happened has been a remarkable set of military operations
working together where common ground exists makes sense and is something they’ll continue.
in the region and their work to destabilize the region.”
McCormick said a nuclear Iran would be an “existential” threat, not just to Israel or the region, but the entire world.
“Iran’s explicit goal is to destroy the state of Israel and to destroy the ‘Great Satan,’ the United States,” he said. “I agree with President Trump and others who have said that a nuclear Iran is completely unacceptable.”
And, McCormick said, a nuclear Iran would likely start a Middle East arms race, with Gulf and Arab states working to secure their own nuclear weapons.
by the Israelis to destroy the terrorist proxies of Iran — Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and to a lesser degree the Islamic Jihad in Iraq.”
McCormick said he agrees with Trump’s decision to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities, noting that the U.S. made every effort to first find a peaceful solution.
Given that the U.S. mission was never about regime change, McCormick said, he doesn’t expect American troops to have boots on the ground in Iran.
The two senators agree that working together where common ground exists makes sense and is something they’ll continue.
“I had a hard election, and I always said, ‘If I’m fortunate enough to win I’m going to represent every single person in the commonwealth — Republican, Democrat and Independent — to get things done in Pennsylvania,’” McCormick said.
Fetterman, he said, is a strong, independent voice with whom he can have honest conversations, even about issues on which they disagree.
“He’s a totally authentic person,” McCormick said. “Even though we disagree on 70-80% of the key issues, the things we agree on, like antisemitism and hate, we’re going to find ways to work together.”
Fetterman said he doesn’t understand the vitriol lobbed against people who work across party lines.
“These are our neighbors — we all live together,” Fetterman said. “I don’t understand that kind of thinking.”
For the Democratic senator the moral calculus is simple.
“What’s right is right. I never poll test how it’s going to land,” he said. PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
the strategy of peace through strength has already delivered more than previous attempts
“If you continue the same approach and expect different results, that’s on you,” he said. “I hope we return to a time when there is more peace and stability, but Israel cannot be blasé or not have its defense up, because it has too many enemies out
e called the rise of antisemitism since Oct. 7 “disheartening,” especially in Pittsburgh where 11 Jews were murdered in the Tree of Life
The reaction on college campuses and in liberal communities, he said, has been
As an alum of Columbia and Harvard, it was extremely distressing and really sad to see the universities deteriorate so much and not defend and protect its Jewish and Israeli
Harounoff’s book about Iran will be published Sept. 25, 2025. In it, he interviewed individuals who have fled Iran and are key opposition voices in the diaspora.
“They talk about this specific movement, its successes, its failures, its origins and, more broadly, the history of uprisings, and it imagines a future we could see in Iran,” he said.
The last part, he said, is especially relevant today.
If there is to be a change in Iran’s leadership, he said, it will come from the Iranian citizens who have suffered under its control.
“In the Islamic Republic’s 46-year history, the people have been sick and tired of their government that cares so much about investing hundreds of millions of dollars in creating dangerous foreign policy, a nuclear program, proxy forces and very little in way of improving
the social and economic lives of everyday Iranians,” he said.
The dream, Harounoff said, is that there can be a shift to a peaceful, stable Middle East where Israel doesn’t constantly face existential threats.
He’s not sure that will happen but said
“It all boils down to the people of Iran and what they decide their future will look like,” he said. “What they want from the outside world is support. They don’t want nations to keep propping up the Islamic Republic so it can continue to do harm abroad and domestically.” PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
p Book cover
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Harounoff
p Jonathan Harounoff
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Harounoff
Flooding the zone with light: A different way to fight antisemitism
Guest Columnist
Rabbi Chezky Rosenfeld
There’s a well-known joke about a Jewish man sitting in a coffee shop in Moscow, calmly reading a notoriously antisemitic newspaper. Another Jew sees him and says, “How can you read that garbage? Don’t you want to know what’s actually happening in our community?” The man replies, “When I read the Jewish papers, there is so much written about antisemitism and the threats we face. But here, I read that we run the banks, control the media and own half the world. It’s much more uplifting.”
It’s a cute story, but like many classic jokes, there’s a truth at its core. Often, the narrative about Jews, even in our own spaces, is one of fear and reaction. The focus is on the hatred directed at us, not the good we are doing or our strength. Especially in the media, from the pulpit, on social media and in our everyday conversations, we devote enormous energy to dissecting antisemitism, denouncing it and tracking its latest manifestations. But we spend far less time highlighting the vibrancy of Jewish life, the wins and the quiet power of doing good in the world.
Of course, we must be vigilant and address real threats. The individuals and organizations engaged in that effort, whether through advocacy, security, legal action or awareness campaigns, are doing essential, often lifesaving work. Our community owes them a great debt. At the same time, I believe one of the most powerful responses to antisemitism
come together not for a lecture or a program, but to put on aprons and cook side-by-side to help those less fortunate.
A few months ago, during a cooking session, I overheard a first-time volunteer say to the person standing next to them, “I’ve never been to a Jewish organization before. I didn’t know what to expect, but this is beautiful.”
The way we talk about ourselves — on social media, in speeches and in everyday conversations — shapes how others see us and how we see ourselves.
also lies in how we live, in what we build, and in how we open the doors of our community to others and allow them to experience the joy and purpose of Jewish life.
In my work at Our Giving Kitchen, I’ve seen this firsthand. We cook hundreds of homemade meals each week for neighbors in need, and the people who make it happen come from every corner of the city. We have longtime volunteers and first-time visitors, Jews and non-Jews, professionals and retirees, post-doc fellows and elementary school students. They
That moment struck me. To be clear, I have no reason to believe they came in with any negative feelings. But something powerful happened in that moment. It wasn’t a class or a campaign that shaped their perception. It was the warmth, the energy, the act of doing something meaningful with others. It was Jewish life in action.
This kind of experience doesn’t just strengthen us internally, it radiates outward. When people encounter Jews through kindness, generosity and purpose, it fills the space
that ignorance and hatred often occupy. Instead of chasing down every lie or slur, we can flood the zone with light. We can show the world what Judaism really looks like.
That approach isn’t new. The Lubavitcher Rebbe spoke often and clearly about how to respond to antisemitism. He believed that antisemitism should not become the focal point of Jewish identity or energy. Rather than dwelling on the darkness, we should overwhelm it with light. The Rebbe urged Jews to strengthen their commitment, increase their mitzvot and open the doors of Jewish life so others could see its beauty. That is how we push back, by amplifying hate less, and by proudly living and sharing who we are.
And that means the stories we choose to tell matter. The way we talk about ourselves — on social media, in speeches and in everyday conversations — shapes how others see us and how we see ourselves. We need more space for the good. More attention to what’s working. More celebration of the people and programs creating light in a difficult time.
Jewish life is rich, meaningful and beautiful. It’s also resilient. The best way to fight antisemitism is to live that truth out loud, not just for ourselves, but for everyone who walks through our doors. PJC
Rabbi Chezky Rosenfeld is co-founder and director of Our Giving Kitchen.
I didn’t vote for Netanyahu. I don’t Like Trump. But I’m grateful for the missiles that missed us
Guest Columnist
Kally Rubin Kislowicz
My dad, a Pittsburgher, mentioned that friends and family have been asking him how we’re doing here in Israel. I’m touched that people are curious and concerned, and I thought it might be helpful if I write about what we’ve experienced recently.
I am Larry Rubin’s second daughter. My husband, Barry, and I moved to Israel nine years ago with our four kids. We live in Efrat, which is about 25 minutes south of Jerusalem and next to the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. I love it here. I work as a content writer in a tech firm and Barry runs a leadership consulting business.
The most recent string of events began two weeks ago when there was talk of Israel attacking Iran. Everyone had opinions about if/when this might happen, but no one was prepared for the sirens that went off at 3 a.m. Friday morning. When sirens go off it’s not just from outside, but every smart phone in the house shrieks and flashes. It’s a jolting way to wake up. We are lucky that we have a private safe room in the basement of our house, so we all rushed there and slammed the door. Many people don’t have this luxury and they have to go outside to communal shelters.
Since Oct. 7, we’ve had to use the safe room a number of times due to rockets from Hamas or the Houthis, so we know the drill. But the messages we received from the Home Front Command app were different this time. We learned that Israel had attacked Iran and we
were expecting retaliation. When missiles are sent from Gaza or Yemen, we are allowed to leave the safe room after 10 minutes, which is enough time for the Iron Dome to intercept the explosive and for the shrapnel to fall. But ballistic missiles from Iran require a longer stay in the safe room, so we stayed for a while, processing the news. No one slept much that first night.
The next day we were told to stay near our safe rooms. All gatherings were restricted. Synagogues would not be operating, schools and offices were closed, and only essential businesses would be open. Think of COVID lockdowns, but with more doom.
I went to the grocery store to buy food for Shabbat and snacks for the safe room. We weren’t sure how long we would have to be in there. The lines in the supermarket snaked throughout the aisles, similar to when a blizzard is predicted and everyone runs to stock up. That night we had several sirens — each one requiring roughly 30 minutes in the safe room, and we spent Shabbat staying close to home. We learned that Israel had successfully attacked Iran’s weapon stores and nuclear facilities, and also the Iranians had managed to hit in the center of the country.
By Saturday night we got the memo that all schools and places of work were closed indefinitely. My younger kids were wrapping up their school year anyway, so they are not missing actual learning, but they are missing end of the year parties and trips, sports events and all the great things that generally happen in June. My son’s yeshiva had to close since the safe rooms were not entirely adequate for this situation, so he is learning remotely and living at home. My oldest son is needed at his army job, so he has been staying in his apartment in
a suburb of Tel Aviv. I am working remotely. There was no schedule or sense of how long this would last.
For the next several nights we were awakened by sirens and we had a few during the day. It became clear that Iran was targeting Tel Aviv, which meant that those of us in the greater Jerusalem area were not being attacked as frequently. Everyone here is tired and grumpy from lack of sleep and routine, but the kids have freedom to hang out with their friends as long as they are not far from a bomb shelter, and we’ve really been making the best of a crappy situation. I’m fortunate that my kids are not overly anxious — they don’t panic when there are sirens and they happen to be at their wittiest when we’re in the shelter, so they keep me entertained and it reminds me that things could be so much worse. My brother Raimy, who lives in Rehovot in the Tel Aviv area, is still getting multiple sirens a day. Missiles have hit buildings in his neighborhood. He has little kids at home who have nothing to do all day. So it’s been hard.
In case people want to know how I feel about the political players in this saga: I am not a fan of Netanyahu. I didn’t vote for him in any of the five elections we had over the past number of years. I think he was once a brilliant politician with strong ideals, but in an effort to stay in power he’s kept other leaders from being able to grow and develop under him, he’s sold out to special interest groups and he’s made a mess of things. I recognize that Oct. 7 happened on his watch and I also don’t know if another politician could have pulled off this dramatic attack on Iran. So it’s confusing and complicated.
I really do not like Trump. He does not seem to value anything that I hold dear, and
his words and actions make me ashamed that he is the president of the United States. I also don’t think that another politician would have enabled Israel to attack Iran successfully. Trump has greenlighted the sale of weapons to Israel that are directly responsible for keeping my family safe. I don’t like being grateful for President Trump, but when missiles are targeting my family, I feel gratitude toward everyone involved in intercepting them.
I’ll end by saying a bit about Gaza because I believe that mainstream American news does not report accurately about the situation. For decades, Hamas has taken aid from around the world and used it to build terror tunnels and fund terror activities for the sole purpose of killing Jews. They stole money from their own people in order to kill our people. Aid is being sent to Gaza daily and Hamas continues to steal it, starving the Palestinian people and using them as pawns in an attempt to convince the world that Israel is the bad guy.
Israel does not hate Arabs. Israel hates Arabs who want to kill Jews. Two million Arab Israeli citizens living alongside Jews in this country, and we have a ways to go in terms of learning how to live together seamlessly, but there is no animosity for Arabs who want to live peacefully in this region.
There is no genocide in Gaza. Israel needs to wipe out the Hamas entity and the tunnel infrastructure to ensure that there will never be another Oct. 7. The Israeli army is not targeting civilians or denying them aid — civilians have been killed despite Israel’s best efforts because war is awful and imprecise, and because Hamas uses women and children as human shields, insisting that they stay
Chronicle poll results: Israel’s military operation in Iran
Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an online poll the following question: “Do you support Israel’s military operation in Iran?” Of the 386 people who responded, 77% said yes, 15% said no and 8% said they weren’t sure. Comments were submitted by 105 people. A few follow.
The whole free world knew — even if they would not admit it openly — that the head of the snake needed to be firmly severed. This courage that Israel had benefits the whole free world.
I completely support Israel’s right to defend itself against the greatest sponsor of terror ever created. The action Israel is taking now means a safer region for the future. However, I am disappointed that my son’s trip to Israel this summer was canceled due to the uncertainty that this situation is causing.
I think it is intended to distract us from the situation in Gaza.
U.S. involvement will increase antisemitism here.
It seems to me that Iran is the source of a lot of trouble in the Middle East — Gaza, Hamas, Hezbollah. Why not go directly to the source?
Do you support Israel’s military operation in Iran?
Any nation that has been threatened for decades by a neighboring country has to defend itself. The IDF is doing what they must do, and doing it in an incredibly effective manner. I’m so proud of how Israel is conducting itself in this war, on many levels. Israel is about to change the world for the better, G-d willing. Am Yisrael Chai
These are scary times, but the extent to which the IAF exerted air superiority within days is incredible.
The Netanyahu regime’s actions are creating more enemies for Israel in the U.S. and the world at large. Overwhelming force will not lead to peace.
overall I stand with Israel. I’m not convinced that there’s absolute proof of nuclear weaponry determined for the destruction of Israel. The Israeli leadership is making a lot of extreme and violent choices, leading to an abundance of death and destruction on both sides, resulting in increased antisemitism all over the world.
When someone says they will kill you it’s a good idea to stop them.
To support the action, I would have to believe that Israel was responding to an immediate threat or an actual attack. Since neither of these things hold, Israel’s attack was unprovoked and therefore deserving of condemnation, not support.
in the line of fire even when the Israeli army has warned them to leave. I don’t know why a reader would believe me over CNN and NPR — but remember a few weeks ago when the U.N. announced that 14,000 babies were about to starve to death in Gaza, sparking outrage across the world? And then just days later, when those babies did not die, the report was quietly walked back — because it
This action places the United States in danger, including from domestic terrorism.
It was a preemptive strike. Israeli intelligence, the best in the world, indicated imminent danger, so the strike was justified. Eliminating Iran as a threat gives the best chance for a permanent peace.
was never true.
Or when a bomb fell in a hospital parking lot in Gaza earlier in the war and the media outlets shamed Israel for targeting a hospital? When it was determined that it was a Hamas missile that had hit the area, those same outlets failed to print retractions in any meaningful way. The narrative they want to see is that Israel is the aggressor. Just this morning Iran had a direct hit on Soroka Hospital near Be’er Sheva — but I don’t even know if this made the American news.
A response to “Why progressives must retire the slogan ‘free Palestine’ (June 20, online)
On May 27, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the slogan “Free Palestine” as exemplifying “the death-driven hatred of antisemitism.” That description is no exaggeration. This slogan calls for murder of the Jews in the same manner as does a swastika painted on the wall of a synagogue or an article in Der Stürmer, a German newspaper published from 1923 to 1945. Today, swastikas are illegal in Germany, Austria and some other countries. The newspaper’s editor, Julius Streicher, was hanged for crimes against humanity — for incitement against the Jews. Nowadays, incitement to murder Jews is viewed by many as protected speech.
The phrase “Free Palestine” may sound like a call for justice, but in substance and context, it calls for the elimination of Israel. Historically, “Palestine” has stood for the Land of Israel. This meaning stems from the Emperor Hadrian’s renaming Judea into “Syria Palaestina” to erase the memory of the Jewish state and Jews. Its true modern meaning includes any land formerly covered by the League of Nations’ British Mandate for Palestine. It is enshrined into international law by the 1920 San Remo resolution, explicitly recognizing the territory as the Jewish national home, and Article 80 of the U.N. Charter affirming the continuity of territorial treaties. The Mandate’s documents and currency, next to “Palestine” in English, bore Hebrew initials for “Eretz Yisrael,” the Land of Israel.
Today, this territory includes the Kingdom of Jordan, which was ethnically cleansed of Jews and prohibits them from residing there; Gaza; Israel; and Judea and Samaria. The latter were renamed the “West Bank” by Jordan during its occupation of the area, because Jordan itself was originally established by the UK in the Mandate territory to the east of the Jordan river.
Today’s territorial dispute, however, is not over boundaries but over existence. From 1948 to 1967, neither Jordan, nor Egypt that occupied Gaza, nor local Arabs produced any movement for a “Palestinian state.” The Palestine Liberation Organization was founded in 1964 — not to “liberate” the Jordan-occupied “West Bank,” but to destroy Israel. That remains its goal. The PLO, now recognized as the Palestinian Authority, continues to incite and reward terrorism.
“Free Palestine,” demanded by the anti-Israel mobs, means exactly what the Nazi slogans “Judenrein” and “Judenfrei” meant: free of Jews. That is by definition a call for genocide.
This is not a theoretical concern. One of us lives in Schenley Farms, where the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh displays signs on its lawn reading “Free Palestine” and “Stop Genocide.” The second
I am of two minds on this. Iran should never have nuclear weapons and destroying their capability to do so is imperative. However, I do not think it should have been a unilateral decision. I think it needs to have international support. I worry about ongoing deaths, injuries and damage to property in Israel because of this decision.
I’d like to think there were other ways of accomplishing the same goals, but
But if tomorrow the Gazan people would return our hostages and swear off terror, there would be no more war. You don’t have to like Netanyahu, or think that Israel is perfect, but I hope you’ll recognize that Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran are threats to Jews everywhere. Israel didn’t go looking for this fight — we don’t like sending our children to war. We very much want to live in peace and we will fight for that right if we must. As a Jew and as an Israeli, I am fiercely proud of what our nation has accomplished in Iran and I pray that there will be a long-term
This one, tiny nation of Israel is doing the world’s dirty work. We owe Israel a debt of thanks.
Heaven help us if Iran gets a nuclear weapon. PJC
— Compiled by Toby Tabachnick
Chronicle weekly poll question: Do you think there can be a longstanding peace between Iran and Israel? Go to pittsburgh jewishchronicle.org to respond. PJC
resolution in Gaza that allows Palestinians to live freely and prosperously as Israel’s neighbor. It’s unnerving to write this without knowing who will read it and what their politics are, but if you have any questions or if you’d like to be in touch, feel free to email me: Kallyrubin@ gmail.com. Thank you for reading, may we all witness a peaceful Middle East very soon. PJC
Kally Rubin Kislowicz grew up in Pittsburgh. She made aliyah from Cleveland to Efrat in 2016.
slogan is a blood libel, accusing Jews of committing the crimes their enemies perpetrate. Free speech does not mean speech free of consequences. Americans have the right to protest antisemitic incitement — especially when it appears in our own neighborhoods. When a community center publicly displays slogans that call for the eradication of another people, it ceases to be an innocent bystander in a political conflict.
This is not just about Israel. It is about Jewish safety in America.
Fetterman’s integrity speaks louder than his style
I wish I had written the letter to the editor that Jonathan Schmerling wrote about Sen. John Fetterman (“Fetterman serves all Pennsylvanians, not just Democrats,” June 20). It articulates everything I have always admired about him. I am so happy that I am not alone in my appreciation for Fetterman’s independent thinking.
I do, however, respectfully disagree with one point: I do not care what Fetterman wears — I care that he cares!
We invite you to submit letters for publication. Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number; addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters may not exceed 500 words and may be edited for length and clarity; they cannot be returned. Send letters to: letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org or Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, 5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
We regret that owing to the volume of correspondence, we cannot reply to every letter.
Michael Vanyukov and Stuart Pavilack Pittsburgh
Sharyn Wolfson Pittsburgh
Life & Culture
Hummingbird cake
Hummingbird cake is a light, fluffy banana-based cake with warm spices and crushed pineapple. It’s one of those seasonless cakes that tastes as good in July as it does in December — it consistently hits the spot. It also happens to be one of my favorite cakes and I’ve never seen it in a kosher bakery, but thankfully it is pretty easy to make at home.
I love this cake with a fluffy cream cheese frosting, but the cake itself is pareve so you can make this with a margarine-based vanilla buttercream frosting if you’re serving it after a meat meal.
I like making sheet cakes because they’re easier to store and to transport when I’m responsible for bringing dessert, but this recipe can be made in two round cake pans if you prefer to make a layered cake — just double the frosting recipe.
Pecans add depth and texture to this cake, but if you have a nut allergy you can omit them.
Ingredients
Hummingbird cake batter:
1 ½ cups mashed bananas, about 3-4 ripe bananas
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
— about 1 ½ cups
1 cup oil
¾ cup white sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar, gently packed
4 large eggs
2 cups cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
inserted in the center comes out clean.
If you’re making a two-layer cake, grease the pans and cut parchment paper in a round shape to line the bottom of the pans only. Check the cake after about 25 minutes in the oven — otherwise the directions are the same. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before turning it out. It can take up to 90 minutes for the cake to cool.
When cool, the top can look a little lumpy, so I put a cutting board over top of the cake and turn it onto the board so the bottom of the cake is now on top — this gives the cake a smoother appearance when frosted. The cutting board acts as a sturdy cake plate and it’s easy to cover the finished product with foil. You can make the cake a day before frosting it.
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Join us
¾ cup chopped pecans
Cream cheese icing, single layer:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
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1 bar cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Optional garnish: whole or chopped pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 F and place the wire rack in the center.
Lightly grease a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan before lining with parchment paper. This cake bakes best in a metal baking pan.
Drain the can of crushed pineapple in a mesh strainer. Most crushed pineapple comes in heavy syrup, but once it is drained just discard the syrup. Use a rubber spatula to press out extra syrup from the pineapple.
Mash and measure the bananas. Use ripe bananas; brown spots are fine, but don’t use blackened or frozen bananas.
Sift all dry ingredients together, chop the pecans and set both aside. Using cake flour as opposed to all-purpose flour improves the texture and crumb of the cake. If you don’t have cake flour, you can search online for how to use all-purpose flour with cornstarch as a substitute.
Combine the oil and sugars with a mixer at a medium-low speed.
Add the eggs one at a time until they are just mixed into the sugar and oil, then spoon the dry ingredients into the mixer.
Mix until just combined, scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl, then mix on medium for about a minute, being careful not to overmix the batter.
Remove the bowl from the mixer, then add the drained pineapple, mashed bananas and pecans by hand with a spatula.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 45 minutes or until the edges of the cake pull away from the pan and a toothpick
To make the cream cheese frosting: Set the butter and cream cheese onto the counter to soften. You should be able to easily insert your finger into the butter and dent it, but you still want both ingredients to be slightly cool to the touch. If the butter is melting, stick it back in the fridge for a bit before using it. If the ingredients are too warm, the frosting won’t cream together well and it will fall a bit flat. I use a hand mixer for frosting. Add the butter and cream cheese into a mixing bowl and mix well on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add a half-cup of powdered sugar at a time until well combined, then add fresh lemon juice. Raise the power to medium-high and mix for another 1-2 minutes or until nice and fluffy. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the icing before frosting the cake. You may need to let the frosting bowl sit on the counter for about 20 minutes for the icing to be spreadable. This may seem like an extra step, but it’s important to chill the cream cheese immediately after preparing it so it doesn’t separate. This recipe makes just enough frosting to cover the top and sides of a sheet cake. Always double any frosting recipe when making a layered cake.
To store, make a bit of a tent with foil and loosely cover the cake. If your home is warm, it is best to store this in the refrigerator.
Sheet cakes are easy to serve at a party. Cut the cake lengthwise down the middle and make 24 small slices, or 12-16 squares, depending on which size piece you’d like to serve.
When I bake with nuts, I usually garnish the top with nuts so it’s obvious to those with nut allergies.
I hope that you like this cake as much as my family does. Enjoy and bless your hands! PJC
Jessica Grann is a home chef living in Pittsburgh.
p Hummingbird cake
Photo by Jessica Grann
p Hummingbird cake
Photo by Jessica Grann
Life & Culture
Now president of USY, Pittsburgh teen uses platform to transform movement
By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer
Weeks ago, a Squirrel Hill teen was tasked with leading 15,000 peers toward a promising Jewish future. Fresh off of her election as USY international president, Daphne Macedonia said she’s excited to shape meaningful experiences for North American Jewish youth and build on the group’s 74-year-old legacy.
Founded in 1951 by the Youth Commission of the United Synagogue of America, USY is the youth movement for North American Conservative/Masorti Jews.
Daphne, a rising senior at Winchester Thurston School who regularly attends Congregation Beth Shalom, is the first Pittsburgher to serve as international president — let alone hold a position on the international board — she said. Previous leaders have “mostly been from stronger regions, more populated areas” like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles.
For the past year, Daphne, 17, has developed perspective on the wider region and its Jewish youth. After serving on her chapter board and as chapter president, Daphne co-led CRUSY, the Central Region of USY.
She enjoyed working with chapters in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and parts of Indiana, and near the end of her term thought she could make a difference for even more Jewish teens — so she explored the possibility of international leadership, networked and applied to run.
On election day, Daphne signed on to Zoom alongside hundreds of other USYers. Each of three candidates delivered stump speeches before being asked to leave the virtual meeting. One by one, each candidate was invited back and asked a question. The inquiry, Daphne said, was, “What is one problem you feel USY is facing, and what would you do to help change that?”
Long before voting day, Daphne recognized the value of Jewish youth group involvement. Being part of Shabbat services and the Squirrel Hill synagogue’s group helped Daphne realize how inclusion can shape and strengthen a community. She’d seen it through other endeavors as well: as Quiz Bowl team captain at Winchester, as a Morningside Lady Bulldogs softball player and as a participant and choreographer in Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh musicals.
Daphne said she understood what was on so many North American Jewish teenagers’ minds
and what’s needed to help them thrive; so when she was asked about the challenge USY is facing and how she’ll fix it, Daphne replied: “Our biggest problem right now is membership. I want to start a USY Ambassadors Program to help attract qualified teens, to reach out to new people and just sort of be a friendly face at new events, because it’s really difficult to just go to an event where you know no one.”
Demise reports unexaggerated
For years, Jewish media has reported USY’s demise. In 2021, JTA published, “The Conservative movement youth group was already struggling. Then came COVID.”
Written with help from Jewish teens, the story noted declining numbers of Conservative Jews coupled with pandemic hardships, staff shortages and reduced programming placed the youth group in a difficult position.
In 2024, Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the USCJ and the Rabbinical Assembly told eJewishPhilanthropy that economic needs forced USY to restructure. By eliminating regions, boards and convention chairs, the youth group could respond to post-pandemic realities, Blumenthal explained.
Synagogue-level staffing “no longer exists in many communities, and it has not generated critical masses of teen participation in some areas, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic,” eJP reported.
Marissa Tait, Beth Shalom’s director of youth programs, told the Chronicle she’s aware of these issues, which is why Daphne’s presidency marks such an auspicious moment.
“This feels like a restart,” Tait said. “It’s almost like a defibrillator. This is infusing excitement again.”
Tait has worked with Beth Shalom and USY youth for nearly a decade. She’s familiar with demographic changes — in 1971, 41% of American Jews affiliated with the Conservative movement, making it the largest Jewish movement; by 2021, that number had dropped to
The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle was recognized for its excellence in journalism by the American Jewish Press Association, winning four Rockower Awards in the weekly and biweekly newspaper division. The awards were presented on June 23 during the Rockower Awards banquet at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. The awards banquet was held in conjunction with AJPA’s annual conference. The awards were for work published in 2024.
The Chronicle received first place in the category “Excellence in Writing about Social Justice and Humanitarian Work” for “Two wheels and one mission: Jewish lawyer’s bike trips empower kids to lead,” by Deborah Weisberg. The judge commented: “Beautifully written piece on a Pittsburgh lawyer who 19 years ago turned his passion for cycling into a fantastic life-changing path for hundreds of low-income, inner city kids.”
In the category “Excellence in Writing about Seniors” the Chronicle received second place for “A daughter’s promise: 85 days of quarantining in a nursing home,” by Justin
17% — and the pandemic’s effect on congregations and teens.
As for the latter, there’s a bit of a “social delay” that was prompted by extended periods at home, Tait said.
“The way today’s teens enter things is different. Their interactions are different. And I think that overall as adults we have to give them a little more time, and more support, to let them thrive.”
The present can’t be understood independent of earlier cost-cutting measures, the Jewish professional explained.
“Organizations changed, systems changed, people were let go,” she said. “Every youth movement, every community, every synagogue and chapter dealt with this.”
The practical implication — for teens and larger groups — is that the pandemic eviscerated continuity.
“Within a lot of these youth movements, each region or chapter has its own traditions and culture. They have their own mascots or songs, and these traditions and rituals are carried down by older teens to younger teens,” Tait said. “It’s something you look forward to and it keeps the hype and excitement going.”
When the pandemic prevented people from gathering, “we lost so much,” she continued. Even after activities reopened, “it became harder to get that excitement back, to get eighth graders to buy in and do these random things that older peers once did.”
Fewer parties further skews a process largely reliant on sequential behavior, Tait explained. Among youth group staff, cultivating teen leadership requires a near four-year investment: Year one involves “a lot of teaching, explaining, showing teens and giving them the tools.”
During year two, “you pull back a little, but you’re still really assisting them and showing them the way.” In year three, “they don’t need you as much. They’re juniors and seniors in high school and they can write their own programs. Year four is basically “return to year one.”
Glimmer of light in pandemic shadow
The pandemic blighted a timeline, but Tait is optimistic. So is Beth Shalom’s Rabbi Seth Adelson.
“The Beth Shalom USY chapter is still going strong. We have a healthy youth program at Beth Shalom and we are proud of Daphne and all our teens,” Adelson said. “While some youth groups are in decline, Beth Shalom is bucking that trend.”
He credited Tait and local teens with demonstrating a “willingness to continue to be involved and to help our chapter thrive,” yet said there is “no secret sauce to making youth groups work
Vellucci. The judge commented: “Rather than tell a trite mother-daughter love story, the article made the reader feel they knew what it was like to be there with them both for the entire time.”
In the category “Excellence in Writing about the War in Israel: Personality Profiles” the Chronicle received an honorable mention for “‘I feel they’re still here’: Tomer Zak on family after Oct. 7,” by Adam Reinherz. The judge commented: “A powerful and emotional story that helps readers feel Tomer Zak’s grief, strength and mission. I especially liked the detail of the butterflies project, which added
— it’s just the magical mix of staff and teens, with support from the parent institution, that helps keep these types of programs alive.”
Though there’s an inscrutable element necessary for success, Adelson believes a local ingredient may help: “There is something quite special about Squirrel Hill. We are a very sociable neighborhood, and some of the isolation that afflicts much of our society is lessened here simply because of the integrated nature of where we live.”
Speaking with the Chronicle, Daphne was less focused on the pandemic as a lingering inhibitor to USY’s growth. The reality, she noted, “is kids are just so busy, and I think they just simply don’t have the time to make a commitment to a youth group these days … I know for a lot of kids it’s so difficult to get into colleges these days — and colleges that are perceived as good — so I think people are really trying to pack their schedule with stuff that they feel will enhance their college applications.”
Amid the extracurriculars, honors courses, internships and other commitments, youth group enrollment is suffering. USY takes an extra hit “because we’re a Conservative movement,” she continued. “It’s just a very specific niche. But, I think right now is really a time for growth. It’s time to really start rebuilding.”
For most observers, it’s fairly apparent what’s been lost in recent years; it’s also easy to see the good that’s coming, Tait said. Daphne’s presidency is a chance to push past the pandemic, tap into “the buzz and excitement” and help create something new.
“She leads with her heart. She shows up early. She stays the whole time and pushes others to come along with her,” the Jewish professional said of the teen president. Those qualities are “invigorating.”
According to Daphne, fellow teens already appreciate this moment. Helping other generations see it might be the greatest gift bestowed by the presidency. As the highest ranking teen member of USY, Daphne is invited to attend and participate in USCJ board meetings.
The Conservative organization has 600 affiliated congregations and seeks to engage 1.5 million people.
Being the voice of Jewish teens in that setting “is pretty crazy,” but there’s something that people need to hear, Daphne said. “This is important, young people are important — and not that they don’t already know that — but I think it’s just really important for me to keep reminding them of that and that young people can change things.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
hope without diminishing the weight of her family tragedy.”
In the category “Excellence in Writing about the War in Israel: Schools and Universities” the Chronicle received an honorable mention for “Jewish students at Pitt’s School of Medicine face anti-Israel, antisemitic rhetoric,” by David Rullo. Additionally, Chronicle Publisher and CEO Jim Busis and Chronicle Editor Toby Tabachnick received recognition as the AJPA Volunteers of the Year. PJC
— Adam Reinherz
p Daphne Macedonia is new international president of USY Photo courtesy of Daphne Macedonia
Life & Culture
By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer
Artist Rosabel Rosalind credits a professor at the Art Institute of Chicago with inspiring her to explore Jewish identity in her work.
“She told me about a sabbatical she took where she went to the Jewish Museum Vienna. They had a collection of antise mitic objects that she was really struck by,” Rosalind recalled. “At the time she told me about it, my art was caricatures. I was using self-portrait to discuss misogyny and other forms of othering. In that moment, I felt called to take a look at this collection of antisemitic postcards.”
Rosalind applied for and won a Fulbright grant enabling her to take the same trip as her Jewish art professor.
“That’s really where Judaism introduced itself into my art in a big way,” she said.
While the trip helped to insert Judaism into Rosalind’s art, it had been infused in her life since childhood.
Her grandfather, an Orthodox rabbi who lived with her family, believed in the importance of Jewish education.
“He encouraged me to go to a Jewish day school and supported that financially,” Rosalind said. “I went to Beth Shalom day school in the [San Fernando] Valley. It was pretty Conservative. I wore a yarmelke and learned Hebrew. Being Jewish was a huge part of my upbringing.”
She paid homage to her zayde, who led a congregation in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, when she created a graphic novel about him. She said both he and Jewish themes are a big part of her work.
A quick look at some of the work she’s created confirm that — “The Sofer,” “Original Sin,” “70% Chutzpah” and “NOT KOSHER” — are all projects featured on her website.
The artist, who identifies as a queer woman, said that it’s often difficult to navigate her Jewish identity in the art world.
“In conversation with non-Jews, it’s felt reminiscent of coming out,” Rosalind said. “There are times where I feel like I’m coming out as a Jew more than I’m coming out as a queer woman. It definitely carries a different tone and, like, I need to preface my Judaism with a lot of other stuff. I wish I didn’t have to do that.”
Rosalind’s newest work will soon be seen at the Mosaic Apartments, the first LGBTQ+friendly affordable housing community for seniors in the region, located on the corner of Forbes and Craft avenues in Oakland.
The process to get the commission, she explained, involved submitting a proposal and previous work. After the initial round, Rosalind presented a preliminary design, which was ultimately accepted.
“I am really excited to have the opportunity to design the mural, which is going to be my first truly public artwork,” she said.
Dan Rothschild, senior principal and CEO of Rothschild Doyno Collaborative — the project’s architect — said the building’s façade is going to be a piece of architectural artwork that will serve as a metaphor for
the diversity and fluidity of sexuality and gender, featuring panels that change color as a person drives by the building.
The design, he said, is typical of the meaningful work the firm strives to do.
Rothschild Doyno has worked with many different Jewish clients including the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Emma Kaufmann Camp and Hillel Jewish University Center, as well as several other organizations.
“It’s a meaningful design — that is, design that goes beyond aesthetics and talks about the cultural, spiritual, social and environmental aspects of a project,” he said.
Rosalind, he said, was selected through a process that began with an outside firm, Shiftworks, interviewing approximately 20 different artists who put together proposals, not only for the exterior mural but for three interior murals as well.
Both Rosalind and artist Pinaka Art, who will create the interior murals, were selected at the conclusion of the process.
Rothschild said that Rosalind’s ability to tell stories was important in her selection.
“She is a passionate storyteller whose work is not only beautiful, but also meaningful,” he said. “We are looking forward to her murals depicting the history and culture of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ community.”
Mosaic is part of Rothschild Doyno’s mission to leave the world a better place, he said. The firm’s portfolio includes work for the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh and Gateway Rehabilitation Youth Services Center.
“It’s tikkun olam, and all of my partners are attracted here because of that,” Rothschild said.
Rosalind said that the mural won’t have direct allusions to Judaism but was influence by her time spent in synagogue.
“My design will ultimately be inspired by the stained glass that you see outside of a temple or church,” she said. “I wanted it to feel nondenominational and inclusive, but I am referencing the stained glass windows I grew up with, spending hours and hours in temple, staring at these beautiful light-filled artworks and the walls around them.”
The allusion, she said, is to the sense of sacredness and safety those stained glass windows inspired in her.
Having the ability to create art for another aspect of her identity has been special, she said.
“Being queer is deeply, deeply entangled in my identity and the art I make,” she said, “and my relationship with my Jewish identity. The beauty of Judaism is that there are all these rules but there’s also flexibility.” PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
p Artist Rosabel Rosalind stands in front of Mosaic Apartments — the first LGBTQ+friendly affordable housing community in the region intended for older adults. The artist is painting a mural on the exterior of the building.
Photo courtesy of Dan Rothschild
Spotlight On Real Estate
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Torah Celebrations
Bat Mitzvah
Lydia Gordon , of Mt. Lebanon, became a bat mitzvah on June 7, 2025, at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills. Lydia is the daughter of Bonnie and Greg Gordon and sister to her older brother, Max. Her grandparents are Dottie Goldstein and the late Harvey Goldstein of Pittsburgh, and Howard and Sandra Gordon of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Lydia plays softball and can’t wait for her summers at EKC where she enjoys being with her friends. For her bat mitzvah project, Lydia has continued her involvement with the Miracle League/Casey’s Clubhouse of the South Hills for four seasons.
Biblical Chutzpah Hall of Fame
Parshat Korach
Samuel 11:14 – 12:22
Author Leo Rosten defines the term “chutzpah” as “gall, brazen nerve, effrontery, incredible ‘guts,’ presumption plus arrogance such as no other word and no other language can do justice to.” Chutzpah is “that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan”
(“Joys of Yiddish”).
“Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they said, ‘We will not go up. Is it not enough that you have brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert, that you should also exercise authority over us?’” (16:12-13)
The most chutzpadik phrase they used was referring to Egypt as “a land flowing with milk and honey,” when Hashem specifically used that description for the Holy Land. In fact, according to the Vilna Gaon, this was why Moshe became angry. He saw their words as an affront against G-d.
When we read the narrative of Korach
Dr. Michael and Emily Cohen are excited to announce the birth of Sophie Quinn and Brody Lucas’ sister, Chloe Parker Cohen, born on May 12, 2025. Proud grandparents are Dr. Robert and Debbie Cohen of Boca Raton, Florida, formerly of Pittsburgh, and Martin and Janis Jacobs of Yardley, Pennsylvania, and Boynton Beach, Florida. Greatgranddaughter of Jacqueline C. Weiser of Delray Beach, Florida, formerly of Squirrel Hill. PJC
In this week’s Torah portion of Korach, we read of the rebellion of Korach against the leadership of Moshe, Aaron and Hashem. Korach was a Levite and a cousin of Moshe and Aaron, who felt he should have been chosen to be the High Priest (
Israelites including Dathan and Abiram, long-term opponents of Moshe.
and to reason with them, they refused to meet with him.
and his followers, we are reminded that we live by our emunah (faith). Hashem promised He will always protect us when we abide by His will. That is what Moshe and Aharon did faithfully. Our job is to follow their example in a steadfast and
Rabbi Eli Seidman is the former director of pastoral care at the Jewish Association on Aging. This column is a service of the Greater
Rabbi Eli Seidman
Obituaries
Barbara Baer, suddenly, on June 17, 2025, passed away at the age of 79. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Townsend W. and Rowena Baer, beloved sister of Ellen Sue Caldwell and shared owner of her adored dogs, Morgan, Tyler and Casey. Barbara graduated from Duquesne University and spent her career as a well-respected court counselor for the Family Division of the Court of Allegheny County. Barbara loved to travel and saw the world, making friends everywhere she went. She loved to dance … art, theater, opera and spending time with friends. She was the kindest and most generous person ever and will be missed greatly by her sister Ellen Sue, step-nephews and nieces, step-grandnephews and nieces, and friends. As she requested, there will be no funeral. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family-owned
CAPLAN: Herbert Lee Caplan, a distinguished attorney and tireless advocate for civic integrity, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025, at the age of 93. Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1931, Herb’s life was defined by a deep commitment to justice, public service and the preservation of community rights and spaces. After earning his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Chicago, Herb was admitted to the Illinois Bar, where he built a long and respected legal career. His sharp intellect and unwavering principles earned him the admiration of colleagues and clients alike. A veteran of the Korean War, Herb returned home to Chicago with a renewed sense of purpose. He went on to serve as first assistant to the Illinois attorney general and later as corporation counsel for the City of Chicago where he played a pivotal role in shaping public policy and defending the public interest. Beyond his legal work, Herb was a passionate leader of community benefit initiatives. He founded Protect Our Parks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding Chicago’s public green spaces. Under his leadership, the group became widely known for its legal challenge to the use of Jackson Park as the location of the Obama Presidential Center. This was one of many causes Herb championed out of a steadfast belief in the public trust and the preservation of historic landscapes. Herb was a dedicated volunteer in the Chicago Public Schools, where he brought the U.S. Constitution to life for elementary school students. Herb believed deeply in the power of education to cultivate informed, active participants in civic life, and his efforts left a lasting impression on the students he mentored. In recognition of his lifelong dedication to public service and legal scholarship, Herb established the Herbert L. Caplan Prize at the University of Chicago Law School. These awards go to honor students who demonstrate creative legal thinking and purpose, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations of legal minds. Herbert was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen Caplan; his parents, Louis and Esther Caplan; sister Belle Pirchesky; and his great- niece Emily Bamberger. He is survived by his brother-in-law Nathaniel Pirchesky; his nieces Marcie Schneider, spouse Otto, Elizabeth Bamberger, spouse David; great-nieces Jamie Robinson and Elissa Bamberger; and great-grand-niece Hazel Robinson, who will remember him for his wisdom, humor, warmth and principled resolve. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, PO Box 734985, Chicago, Illinois 60673-4985, making checks payable to “Northwestern Memorial Foundation,” including Herb Caplan in the memo line, or online at Northwestern Memorial Foundation | Northwestern Medicine to support pancreatic cancer research, or donate to a park preservation charity of your choice. In accordance with Herb’s wishes, private services were held. For information, please contact Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 847-256-5700.
Also survived by nieces and nephews. Lenny was a 1969 graduate of North Penn High School in Landsdale, Pennsylvania. He became a Marine and after his discharge attended Temple University where he worked as U.S. Marine Corps. financial analyst. He then settled in Pittsburgh, where he met his wife, Marilyn, whom he married in 1991. Their son, Geoffrey, was born a few years later and Lenny, Marilyn, Geoffrey relocated to Butler, Pennsylvania. His favorite things were his son, his two dogs and everything about trains: collecting them, riding them, learning about them. He was a longtime member of AA and a leader and friend to many throughout the year. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. Contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Butler, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053. schugar.com
KAPLAN: Samuel M. Kaplan, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on Friday night, June 20, 2025. He is survived by his parents, Mara and Richard Kaplan, of Highland Park; his beloved younger sister, Shoshana; and his grandparents, Ed and Nancy Tepper of Champaign, Illinois. He will be missed by his many cousins, aunts, uncles and caregivers from Allegheny Valley School. Samuel spent his life bringing joy and smiles to his friends, educators and caregivers at Sunnyside, Pioneer Education Center, AVS, Children’s Hospital and Presby’s pulmonology floor. He was one of the inspirations for, and the heart of, the Center for Creative Play, which brought amazing play experiences to children and families throughout estern Pennsylvania. Samuel was always teaching. Our community is more inclusive and caring because Samuel was a part of it. Contributions can be made in his memory to Temple Sinai’s Disability Inclusion Fund or Allegheny Valley School-Patricia Hillman Miller campus. At this moment in time, we are incredibly grateful for the Medicaid coverage that sustained Samuel throughout his life. That coverage is under attack, threatening to hurt many children like Samuel. Donations can also be made to Little Lobbyists, a group of extraordinary young people advocating to keep their healthcare. Services were held at Temple Sinai. Interment Temple Sinai Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com
Please see Obituaries, page 28
A gift from ... In
Anonymous Ben Wanetick
Paula Weiss Callis . . . Irene Feldman Weiss
Sherry Cartiff .Sidney Posner
Barbara Shaer DeLuce .Fay Doltis Shaer
FARBER: Alan I. Farber, Esq. age 69, of Pittsburgh, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025. Alan was the loving father to Jed, David and Jack Farber. He was the son of the late Seymour and Yetta Farber. He was the twin brother of Kathy (Nigel) Mills, and was preceded in death by his sister, Jane Moravitz. Alan was the partner of Kathleen Rice-Coon and the former spouse of Susan Farber. Alan grew up in Squirrel Hill and attended Taylor Allderdice High School. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Law School in 1988 and opened his elder law practice in 1992. Alan served his clients alongside his paralegal, Kathy Cortese, throughout his career until his passing. A passionate music lover, Alan enjoyed listening as well as playing bass guitar with his esteemed band. He was also an avid skier, mountain biker, golfer, and dedicated Pittsburgh sports fan. Alan cherished his time spent with family and friends, often bringing humor and levity into their lives. Graveside services and interment were held with close friends and family at Homewood Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com
HENDRICKS: Leonard H. Hendricks, on Friday, June 13, 2025. Beloved husband of the late Marilyn Weiss; loving father of Geoffrey Hendricks; brother of Wendy (John) Adelsberger; brother-in-law of Beverly Manne and Linda Weiss; son of the late Lois and Leonard Hendricks.
Tibey Falk . . . . . .Anne P. Meyers
Sharon Galanty Knapp
Rosella Brenner
Sharon Galanty Knapp .Jacob Galanty
Jeffrey L Kwall . . . Theda Rose Greenberg
Jack & Bernice Meyers .Anne P. Meyers
The Richard Stadler Family
Fannie S Lattanzio
Edith Flom Schneider . . . . .Max Hirsch
Yetta Speiser Z"L Clara Blatt
Sunday June 29: Paul Braun, Samuel H Caplan, Ethel Cowen, Theda Rose Greenberg, Nathan Kaiserman, Anna Krantz, Irving Levine, Arnold Pearl, Fay Doltis Shaer, Charles B Spokane, Sam Weiner, Maurice Meyer Weisberger
Monday June 30: Nathan Ackerman, Rose Shulman Axelrod, Israel Mayer Blumenthal, Emanuel Kauf, Lillian Lookman, Max Markowitz, Edythe Markowitz Merksamer, Anne P Meyers, Matilda Neuman, Mary Pechersky, Mamie Ripp, Nathan Rosenberg, Dorothy Shakespeare, Pearl Tufshinsky, Ben Wanetick, Margaret Weinberger
Tuesday July 1: Louis J Abrams, Jacob H Becker, Dr Hyman Bernstein, Harry Bluestone, Sylvia Caplan, Max Hirsch, Louis Kenner, Louis J Klein, Abraham Mallinger, Sadie Lebowitz Mittleman, Sol Louis Pearlman, Jennie Roth, Leo Saul Schwartz, Seymour Segal, Ida Mae Bloom Swartz
Wednesday July 2: Oscar Bennett, Linnie R . Caplan, Lucille Cohen Katz, Barney Drosnes, Esther Gross, Julius H Harris, Brian H Ibe, Louis Katz, Charles Paris, Estelle Schwartz, Bessie Cohen Silverberg, Joseph Swartz, Florence M Teitelbaum
Thursday July 3: Clara Blatt, Jerome Cohen, Gerson Finkelstein, William R Finn, Charles Fischer, Charles Greenberg, Minnie Hyman, Estelle Kruman, Fannie S Lattanzio, Jacob M Levine, Mildred Mallinger, Tillie Rider, Harry Ruben, Rosella Herzberg Wanetick
Friday July 4: Samuel H Adler, Jesse Carl Devon, Jeanne Eisenberg, Millie Escovitz, Harry "Alter" Goisner, Marion Bergad Halfond, Curtis I Kossman, Fannie Kisilinsky Lindner, A L Mars, Sidney L Patz, Harry Santman, Ruth Marks Schenk, Belle G Schiff
Saturday July 5: Sylvia Americus, Herman Margolis Buck, Ray S Freeman, Morris Glasser, Isadore Goldblum, Madeline A Harris, Joseph Herskovitz, Helen Hoffman, Bertha Jacobs, Fred Kaminsky, Irving Kart, Harry Kurtz, Leah Labovitz, Sarah Linder, Helen Marcosky, Julia L Miller, Rabbi Morris Moskowitz, Elizabeth Sack, Frances G Stewart
Jewish Association on Aging gratefully acknowledges contributions from the following:
memory of...
Obituaries
Obituaries:
Stephen “Steve” Reich, 64, of Pittsburgh, passed away on June 15, 2025, from a heart attack while golfing with friends at the South Hills Country Club. Born on May 20, 1961, in Washington, D.C., to Arlene Goldstein Reich and Samuel J. Reich, Steve was raised in Pittsburgh’s Bird Land neighborhood alongside his sister Hillary, where he formed many lifelong friendships. He graduated from Chartiers Valley High School in 1979 and earned a degree in English literature from Bucknell University. Following in the footsteps of his father, Sam, and his uncle Tom, Steve pursued a law degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he met his future wife, Tanya. Steve began his career in sports management under the guidance of his uncle Tom, a legendary agent who represented baseball greats including Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr., and Dock Ellis. Over the course of more than 30 years, Steve built a distinguished career as a hockey agent, representing some of the sport’s most iconic names — including Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Chris Chelios, Luc Robitaille and Tom Barrasso. From 1993 to 2000, he served as president of RBRT Sports Group, one of the world’s leading hockey representation firms. Most recently, he worked with O2K Sports Management, where he negotiated major contracts such as Vincent Trocheck’s deal with the New York Rangers. In the sports management world, Steve was known for his sharp strategic mind and calm presence. To friends and family, Steve was a loyal and loving companion who cherished peace, relaxation and joy. Steve was predeceased by his mother, Arlene, and his uncle Tom. He is survived by his father, Sam, and stepmother, Diane; his sister, Hillary; his step-brother, Joe; his wife, Tanya; his children, Arlene, Jack and Estelle; and his son-in-law, Daniel. He was recently proud to become a doting grandfather, known to his granddaughter Sofia as “Baba.” Services were held at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Interment private. May his memory be a blessing. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com
ROSCOW: Judith R. Roscow. It is with deep sadness and sorrow that we announce that Judith R. Roscow passed away surrounded by her loved ones at the age of 84 on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Judy grew up with her parents, Maurice and Ethel Rudin, and her sister Debra (Both) in Highland Park. After graduating from Peabody High School where she had many close friends, she attended the University of Wisconsin and then transferred to the University of Pittsburgh where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. Growing up with a mother who was an optometrist and a father who was a lawyer and a business owner, Judy worked throughout her life. After becoming an elementary school teacher, owning the Potted
“You can’t get to a place that you don’t believe exists.”
Plant, coauthoring the cookbook “Dining in Pittsburgh” and working sales at a microfiche company, Judy found her calling in philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh where she rose to become the first female campaign director. Building on her Jewish faith and advocacy for women, she co-founded the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Pittsburgh in 2000, the first foundation in western Pennsylvania created specifically to address the needs of women and girls in both the Jewish and general communities. It continues to thrive today. Later in life, she served on many boards including the Fine Foundation and the Pittsburgh Promise, and served as a role model for many young women in philanthropy. Judy was married to Asher Roscow for 19 years ith whom she had three children: Diana Terrill (Marc), David Roscow (Rachel) and Jonathan (Katy) Roscow. Later she married the love of her life, the late Steve Oliphant, whom she shared a long and loving marriage for 35 years. She had many lifelong friends whom she kept in close touch with. Everyone who met Judy had a special and impactful relationship with her. In addition to her children, Judy is also survived by her stepchildren Melissa Oliphant and Harriet Clift (Ray); and seven wonderful grandchildren, and nieces and nephews whom she adored. A funeral service were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel. Interment at West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Contributions can be made to Jewish Women’s Foundation of Pittsburgh (jwfpgh.org) or the Jewish ) Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc.,
Keith H. Rosenstock passed away on Saturday, June 14, two days before his 75th birthday in Hawaii. Born on June 16, 1950, in Pittsburgh to Martin and Nancy Rosenstock, Keith led a life of hard work and love for his family. Keith graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School and then went on to receive his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from New York University. His early career was spent in marketing and advertising, until taking over the family business to become the fourth-generation owner at Canadian Fur Company in downtown ittsburgh. In his retired life, you could find him on the golf course, on the pickleball court or on his lanai with a cup of coffee, either reading about American history or looking out over the ocean — all of which enriched his aloha lifestyle on the Big Island of Hawaii. A true family man, Keith most enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, Linda, his two sons, Philip (PJ) and Nathan, and his daughter-in-law, Devon. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel. Interment West View Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Keith’s name to the First Tee Hawaii, empowering Hawaii’s youth through the game of golf, two things he cared for dearly. firstteehawaii.org/sponsorship-opportunities/)
SCHUGAR: Linda Rose Schugar, age 84, who had a longtime career as a speech-language pathologist and was a resident of Mt. Lebanon, died peacefully on June 17, 2025. She was a member of Tree of Life Congregation, where she was just minutes away from the horrific shooting at the Shabbat service in 2018. These were not just a list of names, but were her friendships that she treasured. She lived with no fear, was filled with wisdom and had no regrets. Linda was predeceased by her loving sister, Ruth, and her parents Dr. and Mrs. George Schugar. She is survived by her cousins and many good friends, who were just like family. Private graveside service. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com PJC
Mary Ann Wright a/k/a Mary Ann Wright, Deceased January 25, 2025, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania No. 02-25-0096
Brian J. Friday, Administrator; 1012 Amherst St., White Oak, PA 15131
or to Bruce S. Gelman, Esquire, Gelman & Reisman, P.C., Law & Finance Bldg., 429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1203, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
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Philip Chosky Private Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh
The Tepper Foundation
MVP
Anonymous
Lamar Advertising
Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County
Todd Reidbord
Visit PA
Gold Medal
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh Pirates
S&B USA
Linda S. Simon
Thank You Sponsors
Torch Bearer
Anonymous
Andrew and Nicole Ross Charitable Trust
Jewish Healthcare Foundation
Dr. Stanley and Nikol Marks
Deborah and Lloyd Myers
Novolex
NuGo Nutrition
Nancy and Woody Ostrow
Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation
PJ Dick/Trumbull Corporation/Lindy Paving
Rita and Andrew Rabin
Stacey and Scott Seewald
The Pittsburgh Steelers
Visit Pittsburgh
The Wimmer Family Foundation
Winners Podium
Anonymous
Meryl and David Ainsman
Deborah and David Baron
big Burrito Restaurant Group
Cathy Reifer and Samuel Braver
Chartwells Higher Ed
Nancy and Steven Cohen
Dr. Solomon and Sarah Goldberg Memorial
Endowment Fund
Julie and Josh Farber
Stefani Pashman and Jeremy Feinstein
Karen and Steven Feinstein
Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
Carole and Jerry Katz
Susan Kesey
Sue Berman-Kress and Doug Kress
Dana and Jason Kunzman
Robin and Jeff Lebovitz
Marcie Mitre and Ken Levin
Dory and David Levine
Ellie and Shelly Levine
Oxford Development Company
Ellen Olshansky and Richard Pattis
ProTowels
Repair the World
Aviva and Pinchas Rosenberg
Andrea and Brian Ruttenberg
Lori and Bob Shure
Pat and Alan Siger
Leonard Silk
Adele Sales and Edgar Snyder
Marcie and Matthew Weinstein
Nancy and James Wolf
Pitt Trustees Society
Anonymous In Memory Of Somer Obernauer Sr.
Sandra and Jeff Martchek
Robert P. Randall
Keith Schaefer
Rhoda and Charles Steiner
Tom VanKirk
Peter C. Varischetti
John J. Verbanac
*As of June 19, 2025
Scenes from AJPA
The American Jewish Press Association hosted its annual meeting in Pittsburgh. The June 22-24 event included panel presentations and an awards dinner. During the latter, the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle received four Simon Rockower Awards for excellence in journalism.
p Henry Shapiro and Jonathan Drucker provide the background music for the Rockower Awards banquet.
Photo by Richard Kelly Photography
p From left: Julie Paris of StandWithUs; James Pasch of the ADL; and Fawn Chapel of Be the Narrative speak during a June 23 session titled, “Preventing and Addressing Antisemitism.”
Photo by Richard Kelly Photography
p From left: Dan Leger, Amy Mallinger, Andrea Wedner and Carol Black share accounts and reactions to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
Photo by Richard Kelly Photography
Shabbat Social
Shabbat Social, a June 20 event at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, welcomed Amy Albertson, a Jewish advocate and social media
antisemitism through social media and public speaking.
Photo by Joshua Franzos
Biblical brew and brainteasers
Temple Sinai NextGEN Torah on Tap, a regular question-and-answer program hosted by Temple Sinai, enabled participants to gather with Rabbi Daniel Fellman at a local bar and pose inquiries to the spiritual leader.
p From left: Jenna Baker, Ari Hoffman, Hannah Feldman, Samantha Savage, Rabbi Daniel Fellman, Alex Dolinger and Tara Dickinson Photo courtesy of Temple Sinai
