I attended the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration that was coordinated by our Federation initiative, South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh, at the South Hills JCC. It was fantastic seeing so many young families having fun and celebrating Israel. Every South Hills congregational Rabbi was in attendance. This sense of collaboration in the South Hills is helping the community reach out and engage more people in Jewish life.

Our Jewish Federation PJ Library Ambassador who works in the South Hills was there yesterday conducting programming and signing up more of our youth for the PJ Library program. PJ Library allows some of the youngest members of our community (from 6 months old) to receive free Jewish books on a monthly basis. In addition, there are four Federation PJ Library Ambassadors that the Federation funds through the JCC: one in the South Hills, one in Fox Chapel, one in the North Hills (Allison Park/Cranberry) and one in the city. They conduct programming for families with young children to help connect them with each other. It has been held up as a national model by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, our fantastic and creative partners, who developed and generously support PJ Library internationally.

With over 1,300 PJ Library subscribers in the Pittsburgh region, we have a broad reach through this program. If you or someone you know might be interested in subscribing or finding out more, visit PJ Library online. To see upcoming PJ Library programs here in Pittsburgh, you can visit their Facebook page.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom. Good luck to everyone running the marathon and Go Pens!