Shabbat Shalom

Life today seems to have our Jewish community constantly moving from one issue, crisis or challenge to another.

You can volunteer to be part of our security strategy at Federation which includes the Virtual Block Watch, an initiative that allows residents and businesses with doorbell or security cameras to support our community safety efforts.

It’s been a difficult few years in Pittsburgh given the shooting in 2018, the pandemic, the trial for the shooter, the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel. It’s moments like the ones I had over the last week that remind me what our Federation is all about: creating a Jewish community where everyone feels included, supported and inspired.

In the last few weeks, a lot of tremendous achievements occurred for our Pittsburgh Jewish community.

I couldn’t be prouder about how our Federation has demonstrated strong, focused leadership these last few weeks.

At our recent staff picnic, I asked my colleagues to help remind me of what we (our donors, volunteers, partner agencies and staff) accomplished in the face of unbelievable challenges during the fiscal year that ended on June 30th.

Truthfully, you cannot fully comprehend what has happened since the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023 without being in Israel, so I’m not going to attempt to share everything. Instead, here is just one story. The single person’s story formed a thread that traveled with us from the north to the south to central Israel.

Instead of a longer, cohesive message, I have a few thoughts to share ahead of the next week.

This week Kim Salzman, Director, Israel & Overseas Planning & Impact, writes about a newly formed partnership with Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak to help rebuild the area.

This week Rachel Soloff, Community Relations Council Associate, writes about her trip to Israel with Campus Ambassadors.

I am so proud of what we as a Federation have done since October 7 to stand with Israel.

The fight for political autonomy continues today, extending beyond the heroic efforts of those defending Israel.

Now, perhaps more than ever in our lifetimes, we must be one nation, one people, with one heart.