Shabbat Shalom
Finding Our Way
As we were driving along a curvy, single lane road, we passed a sign that we were entering Newtown, CT and Sandy Hook. My heart sank.
Read MoreHappy Campers Make Happy Memories
As I watched this Friday night magic and even more magic on Saturday, I couldn’t help but think about the One Happy Camper program funded locally by the Papernick Family with additional support from the Jewish Federation’s Centennial Fund for a Jewish Future.
Read MoreAn Extraordinarily “Normal” Year
This is an incredibly resilient community that is working on our healing while keeping up with our normal “stuff”. That normal “stuff” is made possible, in large part, by your support of our Community Campaign. Thank you!
Read MoreCommunity-wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Late night of study – taking place tomorrow (Saturday) night. Be there! No reservations required! Free cheesecake! Amazing learning with high quality and diverse classes!
Read MoreCome Together for Tikkun Leil Shavuot
One of my most favorite and special evenings for our Pittsburgh Jewish community takes place next Saturday night with our annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot.
Read MoreUnity, Not Uniformity
We strive for a diverse community that can come together to work on the big issues facing our people and be supportive and understanding of one another, even with those with whom we differ.
Read MoreMaking the World a Better Place–Community Campaign Back on Track
Lighting a torch at the Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebration in Jerusalem opened me up to new experiences and introduced me to new individuals making a difference in Israeli society.
Read MorePittsburgh’s Secret Sauce
Pittsburgh’s Jewish community is being recognized for both our tragic losses and our incredible resilience.
Read MoreFederation Supports the Fabric of Israeli Society
This week’s message has been written by our Director of Israel and Overseas Operations, Kim Salzman In the first week of April, I flew to Israel with our committed volunteers from the Israel and Overseas Funding Committee to conduct our annual “Israel site visits.” These site visits always leave me deeply inspired by the life-changing…
Read MoreBeing Present in a Moment of History
The Jewish Federation’s Community Relations Council (CRC) invited all the family members of those who were killed and those who were injured along with the leadership of the three congregations to join us on a Federation arranged bus to and from Harrisburg to participate in an historic joint session of the House and Senate.
Read MoreBreaking All the Right Records
Because we did little work on the Campaign from October 27th through the end of 2018, we are behind in pace, but are beginning to catch up.
Read MoreMay War and Bloodshed Cease
Last night I drafted my Shabbat message and this morning I decided I couldn’t send it. When I woke up this morning to the horrible news from New Zealand with 49 people slaughtered for just practicing their religion, I knew it couldn’t be business as usual. Federation is opening a mailbox to collect donations to…
Read MoreThank You, First Responders
Jewish Federation put on a program to honor and thank all the first responders, including health care, Fire, EMS and others who did all they could on October 27th to protect and care for the worshipers in and around the Tree of Life Building.
Read MoreTrue Partners
That evolution of our relationship with the people of Israel has shown itself in the response to October 27th.
Read MoreMayim Bialik in Pittsburgh & Pittsburghers in Florida
An Evening with Mayim Bialik Beginning on Saturday, February 9th, Federation will hold a week of incredible programs. That night, our Young Adult Division is hosting a campaign event featuring Mayim Bialik, the actress from The Big Bang Theory and Blossom. Bialik is a proud Jew with a strong commitment to the State of Israel.…
Read MoreFinding the Right Question
Wherever I go, people keep asking me, “how are you”? I know they are inquiring because of the intensity of the Federation’s work post October 27th and they are deeply sincere and caring by asking about my personal state. I appreciate the thoughts, yet I am completely uncomfortable with the question. Yes, all of us…
Read MoreExciting New Possibilities
Our Federation offices officially opened in our new location at 2000 Technology Drive on January 2nd. They are bright, open and are structured in a way to promote increased collaboration between and among our different departments. I know many of you will have the chance to see the facility when you next attend a meeting…
Read MoreOur Community Campaign Keeps Us Stronger Together
Our Chief Development Officer, Brian Eglash, spoke to women at the JFNA National Lion of Judah Conference about our response to the October 27th murderous attack at the Tree of Life building.
Read MoreThis Is Really Us
Just last night, another person from outside of Pittsburgh, this one on my Facebook page, commented on how amazing our Pittsburgh Jewish community has been in our response to the murderous attack of October 27th. He actually wrote, “your community inspires us”. People around the world have learned how special this Pittsburgh Jewish community really…
Read MoreThe Power of the Collective Federation Approach
Right now, throughout Ukraine, the Jewish Agency for Israel and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee are monitoring the political situation with heightened tensions between that country and Russia. There is a sizable Jewish community in Ukraine and our financial support of these two organizations provides food and medicine for Jewish seniors, security for communal…
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