Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

Meet Azam: I’m 52 years old but I tell everyone I’m 44. The 8 missing years I left on the floor of the notorious Tora prison in Cairo. I was charged with espionage for Israel, but the charges were bogus.

Meet Zehava; I’ve managed to flourish for 100 years of constant shifts. Shifts from the analog world, where everything functions in a sluggish manner- to the digital age, where everything moves at the speed of light. From a time where it would take more than two months for a letter to get to New York- I now live in a time where you can get a message to the other side of the world at the push of a button. I’m surrounded by Facebook, Twitter, and this new thing called Snapchat- that I’ll never understand the point of.

Meet ADAM: My mother got herself a Danish husband in the Kibbutz, so I found myself spending almost ten years of my life in Denmark. I came to the conclusion that I prefer the chaotic life in Israel than the calm and systematic life in Denmark. The only thing I miss is the port and the beer.

Meet Yoav: “I am a pianist and musician. Tel Aviv inspires me because of her colors and sounds. I just love her soundtrack.”

Meet Ovadia: “My Mom Is Jewish and my Dad is Muslim, so according to both sides I belong to the two religions simultaneously. It’s not an easy ride, but that’s life and I am proud of my heritage. On my shirt, you can read my answer to those who criticize my origin.”

Meet Dina: I was born in Addis Ababa and came to Israel when I was a baby. Personally, I’ve never encountered racism, but I know a lot of Ethiopians who have. Bottom line, it all comes down to education. It’s about time people will understand that there is no difference white & black, they’re only different shades, all on the same color spectrum.

Meet Wupo: The great thing about street art is that it meets people in their surroundings, and if it’s good, it will actually make them stop and think about its meaning. You don’t have to go to a museum in order to appreciate art. You can do that while you grab your espresso or even on your way to grocery shop.

Meet Avi: I came to value the mentality of ‘Suck it up’ but I know that I will educate my kids differently. I will not force them to overcome every challenge they might experience in their lives. I want them to have the ability to distinguish between overcoming hardship and the knowledge of letting go of something that is just not right for you.

Meet Avraham: I was born as a Shia Muslim in South Lebanon by the name of Ibrahim Yassin. During my previous life, Lebanon was the “playground” of the Middle East, much like Syria is today. The Shia Muslim from Southern Lebanon became Avraham Sinai, an ultra-Orthodox Jew from the holy city of Safed.

Meet Tahila: “Are you Mocha?” or “I find you very interesting; you’re not too white and not too black” are just a few of the remarks I’ve gotten here since I came from Mozambique.

Meet Avi: In Israel you need to be more “Malcolm” than “Luther” In order to change things. You have to shake the system and not sing Kumbaya my Lord.

Meet Rasta Hay Nevo: My dad is from Seychelles and my mother is from Israel, so I have this interesting vibe going on in my life. My father is a Rastafarian who came to Zion on a spiritual quest and I’m happy to say that I’m walking in his footsteps. I still cherish the beautiful things I learned in Judaism so you could say that I’m you’re modern Rastafarian Jew.

Big people choose to deal with big things and not let small things become obstacles.

Meet Ronia: I was born in Manipur (a state in northeastern India), and my family made Aliyah (immigration of Jews from the Diaspora to the Land of Israel) when I was one year old.