P I T TS B U R G H
September 22, 2017 | 2 Tishrei 5778
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Candlelighting 6:59 p.m. | Havdalah 7:55 p.m. | Vol. 60, No. 38 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
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Bagels and lox look inviting, but JCC policy don’t overeat after Yom Kippur, tackles issues say medical professionals of gender identity and inclusion
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tendency we all have,” explained Sari Cohen, a naturopathic doctor at the UPMC Center for Integrative Medicine. “If you eat too much, you’re going to end up Sari Cohen feeling crummy, and you Courtesy photo don’t want that,” echoed Elan Noorparvar, an internist at Century III Medical Associates in West Mifflin. When the Day of Atonement comes to a close, as opposed to feverishly filling one’s empty gut, “you want to ease back into eating slowly,” said Cohen. Elan Noorparvar “It’s not like you need Courtesy photo to eat the three meals that you missed. You can have a normal dinner, and your body will catch up,” agreed Noorparvar. Ideally, post-Yom Kippur nourishment would be easily digestible foods, which are “not too fatty or greasy,” said Cohen. Rice
he JCC is for everybody.” That the catchphrase, which has adorned signage, websites and key cards for years, required greater explication was a decision recently rendered by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s board of directors when it decided to specifically address “gender identity” and “gender inclusion” within the organization’s membership policy. “The JCC is open and accessible to everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or special need by welcoming individuals of all backgrounds, embracing their uniqueness and diversity under our communal tent,” reads the updated policy. “As an organization, while our mission implied that we are open to all, we felt that it was very important to be more explicit with ‘gender expression’ and ‘gender identity,’” said Marc Brown, immediate past chair of the JCC’s board. “Now more than ever we felt it was important to let the community know we are open for everybody, and everybody should feel welcome in our agencies and at our programs and in the services we offer,” added Jim Ruttenberg, JCC chair of the board. Such inclusive affirmation, which mirrors policies at several other JCCs across the country, is essential, given the startling statistics facing transgender and gender nonconforming individuals, said Brian Schreiber, JCC president and CEO. Compared with 4.6 percent of the general population, nearly 40 percent of transgender individuals have attempted suicide at some point in their lives, noted a 2014 study from the American Foundation for Suicide
Please see Fast, page 15
Please see Gender, page 15
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abbi Barbara Symons of Temple David in Monroeville is expecting 100 guests at her Yom Kippur break fast on the night of Sept. 30. Both Hillel Jewish University Center and Chabad House on Campus are anticipating more than 200 attendees at their co-hosted Saturday evening meal, said Danielle Kranjec, senior Jewish educator at Hillel JUC. For those gathering in Monroeville, Oakland or at a host of other sites, the post-Yom Kippur plate may appear pretty similar. Symons plans on serving bagels and lox. The Pitt party is offering a “dairy bagel schmear,” noted Kranjec. The potluck dinner that Rabbi Paul Tuchman of Temple B’nai Israel in White Oak anticipates joining should also be familiar, he said. Despite the bountiful bagels and luxurious lox sure to supply many menus, eager eaters should exercise discretion and common sense in the moments following Yom Kippur, said several local physicians. “The most important thing is to not overeat when breaking a fast, which is a
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