Jeff Finkelstein | Page 2 | Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

While we are still practicing social distancing and dreaming of a time when we are able to travel, to sign up to receive more information as details continue to be hammered out.

Let’s celebrate hard and quickly because we still have so much to do.

We look forward to continuing to collaborate with, listen to and learn from our partners in the African American community and law enforcement to make Pittsburgh a more equitable, safe and inclusive place for all who live here.

While numbers are critical to measure and inform, in the end, it’s all about people.

What makes our Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Pittsburgh so extraordinary is that it breaks down all our communal boundaries.

I want to use this opportunity to express deep gratitude to all my colleagues. Thank you! Toda Raba!

Holiness is not an elevated private experience; it exists only in the context of the day to day challenges of living with others.

Jeffrey Finkelstein Yom Haatzmaut Torch Lighing 5-8-2019

While I know that this quarantine life is not easy for any of us, our ancestors realized it was one of the strongest tools in our tool belt.

Our Federation has secured over $1.6 Million in direct COVID-19 support, coming from a reallocation of existing Federation dollars and additional donations from some very generous donors.

President & CEO, Jeff Finkelstein wishes everyone a Shabbat Shalom of peace and good health.

Our Federation hosted a very well-attended “virtual” seminar about the recent employment changes made in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

So much in Jewish life requires community. Judaism ain’t a solo concert, it’s a symphony.

Since this was published, the Federation has decided to close it’s offices at 2000 Technology Drive for the next two weeks. Remember, the Federation is open for business, just remotely!

Our work with the Jewish Federation PJ Library Ambassadors program all started with a book. That book opens doors for so many to deepen their Jewish identities and Jewish connections.

Our Security Committee made the decision to provide life saving Go Bags to EVERY classroom in Jewish Pittsburgh. And four Mezuzot that hung in the old Federation building are now hanging in the 10.27 Healing Partnership.

YAD Clubs are trying to help our Pittsburgh area young adults get to know each other and build “micro Jewish communities”.

With the help of my Management Team, I compiled a list of some of the highlights of what we as a Federation staff, in partnership with our volunteers, accomplished in 2019. I want to share that list, in no order of importance, with you. As we enter the holiday of Chanukah, we thank you for making modern day miracles happen.

Our Jewish community’s light burns brightest when we work together—to engage with each other, to help the most vulnerable and to teach about Jewish values.