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The Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has approved $1,043,500 in 2026–27 Community Priority Grants, supporting 34 grants to 20 distinct organizations focused on strengthening teen mental health, engaging young adults and addressing antisemitism. The grants reflect the Federation’s commitment to strategic investments that build a strong, connected Jewish community and […]
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council (CRC) is committed to fostering inclusivity, respect and unity. As participants in the Pittsburgh Pride Parade, we aim to embody these values while celebrating diversity and advocating equality. This year’s unique focus on MISPACHA (FAMILY) celebrates that transgender, intersex and nonbinary people are important and valued […]
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has named Rabbi Jamie Gibson, M.A.H.L., D.D., Emeritus Rabbi of Temple Sinai, as Chair of its Community Relations Council (CRC). Rabbi Gibson brings more than 30 years of rabbinic leadership in Pittsburgh and more than 45 years of interfaith work. During his tenure at Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill, […]
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.
There is an uptick in fraudulent email incidents impacting Jewish organizations across the country, and they are more elaborate than the typical phishing and spoofing scams. These include producing fake invoices from email addresses that appear to match someone with a known relationship with the victim.
Six individuals were arrested on Monday, March 30, for Federal Hate Crimes and Obstruction of Justice charges pursuant to a physical assault on a Jewish PITT student in Oakland. The student was wearing a Star of David necklace and that is what allegedly prompted the assault. We will continue to update you on the status of this case.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh today announced that Debbie Resnick has been nominated as the next Board Chair, succeeding Jan Levinson, who will be completing three years of leadership in the role. “Debbie brings the experience, insight and dedication that this role demands,” said Jeff Finkelstein, President & CEO. “She understands the Federation’s unique […]
Jewish students across our region have faced a deeply challenging climate. The federal charges filed today against six individuals in the hate-fueled assault on a University of Pittsburgh student — targeted in Oakland last September because he was wearing a Star of David necklace — bring a measure of relief and reaffirm that Jewish identity is worth […]
Local police have been notified about Passover services as well as communal Seders; you may see an increased police presence at some of our locations in an abundance of caution. We are actively monitoring the threat environment for the Passover holiday. Please continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to 911 and then to us via the Incident Report Form.
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.
We are continuing to closely monitor the current threat landscape in collaboration with our law enforcement and intelligence partners. While there are no known direct or indirect threats targeting our community, we want to remind everyone to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious, unusual or concerning via 911 and through our Incident Report Form.
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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.
On March 11, an individual named Ayman Mohamad Ghazali (41), armed with a rifle intentionally drove his vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The attacker was able to make it through the doors, and down the hall at which point the vehicle caught fire. Ghazali was fatally shot by armed guards. Fortunately, none of the synagogue’s staff, teachers or children were injured and many are crediting the preparedness training that they have done. That preparation saved countless lives. While there are no known threats involving our local Jewish community, you may see an increased police presence at many of our locations in an abundance of caution.
Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh announced that 30 Jewish organizations across the Pittsburgh region have been awarded a combined $1,728,440 in security grants through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. “Security remains one of the most important ways we protect Jewish life and […]
Our hearts are with the Detroit Jewish community following today’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. We stand with our colleagues at the Jewish Federation of Detroit and offer our support in any way we can. Even before the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has worked to strengthen security […]
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Board of Directors has approved $225,000 in emergency funding to assist Israelis impacted by the recent attacks connected to Operation Roaring Lion. The funds will support the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion Fund. Since the beginning of the war on Saturday, February 28, the Jewish Agency has […]
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.
The Security Team at the Jewish Federation is continually monitoring all security related situations and online chatter involving our community. We remain in close communication with law enforcement and relevant security partners. In light of the ongoing conflict in Iran, the recent hacker driven antisemitic chatter on a police radio channel and the Tucker Carlson conspiracy circulating online targeting Chabad, our law enforcement partners have been fully briefed. You may see increased patrols around our Jewish institutions out of an abundance of caution.
Community Security team is coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement to help ensure our community’s safety as we prepare to gather for Purim.