Jeff Finkelstein
One thing we hope everyone noticed this week is that Federation announced the distribution of $7.4 million in campaign and foundation allocations, approved by our Board of Directors.
Sydney, Australia is a long way from Pittsburgh. And yet, during the seven days I spent there, I felt completely at home.
Federation distributes over $3 million to Jewish day schools.
Our Federation Board recently awarded more than $1 million in grants across three critical priorities: addressing antisemitism, engaging young adults and supporting teen mental health. These investments reflect both urgency and optimism—meeting today’s challenges while building a more connected, confident community for tomorrow.
One of the most powerful and meaningful programs the Federation hosts each year is Yom HaZikaron, the day we remember Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. This year, Yom HaZikaron coincides with NFL Draft Week, and we have been asked not to hold large-scale programs during that time due to the significant demands already placed on local law enforcement.
Donors to our Jewish Federation’s Israel Emergency Relief Fund and Community Campaign helped make these possible in the days following Hamas’s brutal October 7, 2023 attack. They are not fancy—but when the warning sounds and a missile is incoming from Iran or Hezbollah, luxury doesn’t matter. Protection does.
Yesterday’s attack on a synagogue in metro Detroit was deeply alarming to all of us. The period between when an attack first makes the news and when details begin to emerge is especially stressful. Thankfully, we ultimately received reassuring news: the security procedures, physical hardening measures and security professionals all did their jobs.
This is precisely why our Federation is so deeply invested in a strong security apparatus to guide and support our Jewish communal synagogues and organizations.
I was on a national call this week hearing updates about the impact of the war on Israelis. While it’s difficult to say that anything positive emerged from the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, one thing is clear: the more than $900 million in emergency funding invested by our collective Jewish Federation system has helped prepare Israel for this moment.
This week, I’m handing the keyboard off to Kim Salzman, Director, Israel and Overseas. Kim writes:
Some of you may know that Pittsburgh’s relationship with Karmiel and Misgav, located in northern Israel, has been flourishing for more than 30 years through Partnership2Gether (formerly Partnership2000 or P2K). Others may know that in 2018, Warsaw joined this partnership, making it one of the first three-way Partnership2Gether relationships in the world. But many may still ask: What is Partnership2Gether, really?
For my final message of 2025, I want to share two reflections that sit at opposite emotional poles.
This week, I’m handing the keyboard off to Brian Eglash, Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer. Brian writes:
I returned last week from an extraordinarily moving Israel Solidarity Mission with a small group of committed Federation leadership. At a time when very few American Jews are traveling to Israel, our purpose was clear: to show unwavering solidarity by physically showing up and to return home with stories of resilience, courage and hope. Based on the profound feedback from participants, I am confident we achieved exactly that.
This week, I’m handing the keyboard off to David Heyman, Associate Vice President, Marketing, who has some wonderful news to share:
As we head into Shabbat, I’ve been thinking about how our community understands the work we do together. For generations, we have helped people learn, grow and feel supported. Yet many people still ask the same question: What exactly does the Federation do?
This week, I’m handing the keyboard off to Lily Wein, Manager, Planning & Impact. Lily writes:
Earlier this week, I traveled to Washington, D.C. with a group of 23 Pittsburghers to attend the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly (GA). The General Assembly brings together Jewish communal leaders, philanthropists, professionals and community partners from across North America to learn about, engage in and take action on the defining issues of our time as a united Jewish community.
I recently spent just under a week in Israel, primarily to participate in the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) Board of Governors meetings alongside my fellow JAFI and Federation Board member, Michael Milch. Upon arriving at Ben Gurion Airport and walking down the ramp toward the exit—where just two years ago the walls were plastered with posters of the missing hostages—I was struck to see only a handful remaining; those who we now know are no longer alive.
I can’t wait to finally meet the person who has given me hope and something to hold on to—face to face.
After hearing the news last night—at the close of Yom Kippur—about the deadly attack in Manchester, I felt compelled to put some thoughts into writing.
Last week, I stopped at Staples in Natick, MA, to recycle several old cell phones my parents had stored away in their basement. As I walked into the store, I noticed the number of children with their parents, arms full of supplies, shopping for the new school year. For the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, back-to-school season is also one of the busiest times of the year.
The Hebrew phrase that most closely expresses “showing appreciation” is Hakarat HaTov.
As we reach the peak of summer—and with the close of our 2025 fiscal year and the start of 2026—it feels especially fitting to pause and offer Hakarat HaTov, which literally means “recognizing the good.” At its heart, it’s about showing gratitude.
Here’s what I experienced over just the past week—an unforgettable reminder of the depth, reach and urgency of our work together.
So much of what emanates from the Federation focuses on combating antisemitism and enhancing security for our Jewish community. I’m incredibly proud of our work in both areas. But it’s worth asking: why do we focus so heavily on this space? The answer is simple: so, we can live rich, meaningful Jewish lives. That’s where Tikkun Leil Shavuot—our annual night of study—comes into play.