Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 1-21-22 by Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

January 21, 2022 | 19 Shevat 5782

Candlelighting 5:07 p.m. | Havdalah 6:10 p.m. | Vol. 65, No. 3 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Pittsburgh Jewish community reacts to Texas synagogue hostage incident

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL The new economically vulnerable Jew

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Winter woes: Day schools struggle through staff shortages and sickness By David Rullo | Staff Writer

COVID changes the paradigm. Page 2  Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas

LOCAL Schiffman’s Jewelers closes

By David Rullo | Staff Writer

T The end of an era Page 5

LOCAL Changes at the JAA

Mary Anne Foley and Debbie Winn-Horvitz take new roles. Page 7

he sanctity of Shabbat was again shattered on Jan. 15, when Malik Faisal Akram took four people hostage, including Rabbi Charlie CytronWalker, at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, a suburb north of Fort Worth. Akram entered the synagogue with at least one firearm, interrupting Shabbat services, which were being streamed on Facebook Live. The harrowing ordeal was livestreamed for more than three hours, attracting thousands of viewers, before the video recording was taken down. The FBI identified Akram as a 44-year-old British national. On Sunday, two teenagers were arrested in England as part the FBI’s investigation, and on Monday, the FBI issued a statement calling the incident “a terror-related matter, in which the Jewish community was targeted, and is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force.” The FBI confirmed that Akram had demanded the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani sometimes referred to as “Lady al Qaeda,” who is serving an 86-year sentence for multiple felonies, including attempting to murder a United States soldier. Siddiqui, a graduate of Brandeis University, has a long history of antisemitic statements and has blamed Israel for her imprisonment. Colleyville Police Chief Michael Miller said one of the four hostages was released early Saturday evening, leaving three in the

Photo via The Times of Israel

synagogue. The nearly 11-hour standoff ended at approximately 9 p.m., when, according to the Cytron-Walker, the hostages were able to escape unharmed and the FBI’s Hostage Release Team breached the building. Miller reported that the hostage-taker was dead. It wasn’t clear if law enforcement killed him or if he died by suicide. Rabbi Daniel Fellman, senior rabbi at Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill, said CytronWalker is a family friend. “I knew Charlie as a classmate at Hebrew Union College,” Fellman told the Chronicle. “My wife knew him in high school. They were in the same high school youth group. Thank God he got out.” Fellman called the hostage crisis “painful and sad.” “The notion of the scars that are carried from this whole thing is a heavy burden,” he said. Fellman said he and his wife are aware of the inherent risks he faces as a rabbi. “She sees me walk out the door every day, and she’s aware of the possibilities, some of which are hard,” he said. “We had a long chat yesterday. It’s the nature of the beast. We both believe in what we’re doing, and we hope and pray for the best, and we take security seriously.” Since the Oct. 27, 2018, attack at the Tree of Life building, Pittsburgh has operated with a heightened sense of preparation and increased security, according to Shawn Brokos, director of community security for

ven attempting to schedule a time to speak with Jewish day school representatives is indicative of the widespread staff shortages they now face. When asked if she would be available to discuss the shortages at Community Day School, Jennifer Bails, the school’s director of marketing and communications, confirmed the time before joking, “If I’m not cleaning bathrooms.” Rabbi Sam Weinberg, the principal of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, rescheduled his interview with the Chronicle because he was assisting in the kindergarten room. Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum, head of school and CEO of Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, said his staff is splitting time between the school’s various buildings and dorms. “We’re all hands on deck,” he said. “We’re all in classes, we’re all supervising. We move people around as necessary.” All three day school spokespeople were quick to note it’s the teachers, support staff and parents who have endured the brunt of the pivots needed during this second year of COVID-19. Teachers and staff are “managing their stress, their families,” Bails said. “They’re managing the stress of knowing that kids who they care about and love and nurture every day are catching the virus. And they are doing their job under circumstances that are less than ideal with grace and professionalism.” Weinberg noted that teachers at Hillel Academy have done the work of two or three people and filled in wherever necessary. “But you know, it’s been a nice atmosphere,” he said. “There’s been a lot of teamwork.”

Please see Hostage, page 14

Please see Day School, page 14

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RAC works for fair voting maps.

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Headlines COVID changed, and expanded, the profile of economically vulnerable Jews — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

ven before COVID hit, close to one quarter of Jewish households in Pittsburgh considered themselves poor, nearly poor or just getting by, according to the 2017 Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Community Study, conducted by researchers at Brandeis University and commissioned by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. New data presents a starker picture, as economic vulnerability has spread to an even broader swath of Jewish Pittsburgh. Last summer, Brandeis researchers took another look at Pittsburgh’s Jewish community to see how the landscape had changed since the pandemic started. The quantitative study conducted during four weeks in June 2021 revealed there are many people “who are newly economically insecure,” said Raimy Rubin, manager of impact management for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Those with new needs include people who were economically stable prior to the pandemic but had to dig into their savings or accrue credit card debt to pay their bills, Rubin said. “They are kicking the can down the road,” he said. “That is a new profile that organizations in our community need to reflect on and decide how to deal with.” Two months after the start of the pandemic, in May 2020, Brandeis researchers from the Marilyn and Maurice Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies studied the effects of the pandemic on Jewish Pittsburgh. At that time — due to strong government benefits, including stimulus checks — they did not find a lot of new financial need in

the community, although those who already were economically vulnerable “got knocked down a rung on the ladder,” Rubin said. But the newest study shows that since those early months of COVID, things have changed. Fern Chertok, part of the team that conducted the June 2021 study, presented the most recent findings on Jan. 13 during a webinar for Pittsburgh’s Jewish communal professionals.

New to financial vulnerability

“The Jewish community, like the rest of Pittsburgh, and the rest of the nation, was negatively impacted in financial ways by COVID, and those ramifications are still playing out,” Chertok said. “The Jewish community is no different in this regard. The important point is, it is also happening in the Jewish community — and we need to address it through a Jewish perspective.” The researchers tapped several sources for information, conducting interviews with Jewish professionals and lay leaders “who were knowledgeable about economic vulnerability,” Chertok said. They also interviewed 12 households that were experiencing economic insecurity. The researchers discovered “the profile of financially insecure families changed and expanded,” Chertok said. While those families who were already economically vulnerable continued to be economically vulnerable, “there were also many households that were suddenly thrust into economic instability. These were households who owned cars and homes and had seen themselves as economically stable previously.” Among those hardest hit were those in “entertainment, the business-to-business service world and food service.” Young adults, “many of whom were

p Fern Chertok shares the results of the new study on economic vulnerability during a webinar on Jan. 13. Screenshot by Toby Tabachnick

already struggling and in the gig economy were already vulnerable, but they didn’t necessarily know it — they didn’t think about it that way,” Chertok said. When “the gig economy dried up, many of their sources of income dried up.” Chertok said it was notable that households new to financial insecurity didn’t describe themselves as poor, and “they didn’t think they were the people for whom help was being devised. But they also didn’t know what to call their situation.” Some had lost a job or had their hours reduced during COVID, but there were also indirect ways that finances were affected,

Chertok said. Households expanded during the pandemic, with many young adults returning home. Parents who already paid for a college student’s room and board usually didn’t get that money back, and were now paying for the increase in utilities and food associated with their child being back in the household. Other households lost supplemental sources of income due to COVID — side jobs like pet care, housesitting, or selling goods and services online, Chertok said. At the same time that sources of income Please see Vulnerable, page 15

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Headlines RAC-PA works to influence new redistricted legislative maps — LOCAL — By David Rullo | Staff Writer

AC-PA wants to ensure every voice is heard in state and federal elections, regardless of one’s political point of view. The organization, one of eight state projects of the Reform movement’s Religious Action Center, has partnered with Pennsylvania Voice and Fair Districts PA to advocate for fair and racially equitable legislative maps. Pennsylvania is creating new congressional and state legislative district boundaries, a procedure that occurs once a decade. The maps are based on the Census of Population and Housing, taken every 10 years. Due to the commonwealth’s population trends, Pennsylvania will lose one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, which means it must eliminate one congressional district in its new map. That imminent loss has turned a process already rife with political drama into a tug of war, as both Democrats and Republicans work to secure and, if possible, expand their influence. The redistricting process is overseen by Pennsylvania’s Legislative Reapportionment Commission (LRC), which approves maps created by both the state’s House and Senate,

state to hold their own listening sessions.” In total, Danziger said, RAC-PA spoke to about 400 people. The organization discovered that a critical mass was concerned with redistricting and elections. Those issues, she said, are Jewish in nature. “In the Talmud, there’s a quote that a ruler is not to be appointed unless the p The Pennsylvania House’s proposed redistricting map community is first Image by Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission consulted,” she said. and holds public hearings on the maps, “We looked at the way the legislative districts allowing for public comments. The maps are were drawn and not everyone’s vote was ultimately approved by the state’s legislature being counted in the same way. Not everyone and signed into effect by the governor. was being consulted in the same way.” Rabbi Lindsey Danziger oversees RAC’s RAC-PA saw a lack of racial equality in the work in Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and redistricting process, which meant the voices Texas. She said the decision for her group to of marginalized communities were not being focus solely on elections was decided by the heard in elections, Danziger said. state’s Reform Jewish community at large. Rabbi Sonya Starr, a RAC interim orga“We embarked on a listening campaign, nizer working in Pennsylvania and Illinois, and invited congregations across the state said redistricting is a nonpartisan issue. to take part in various ways,” Danziger said. “It is an issue of how to get fair, racially “We had a session just for clergy to weigh just maps for all constituents within the in and talk about what issues they thought state,” she said. “It’s complicated, it’s difficult, their congregants would want to work on. it needs to be in the public eye and it needs We also trained congregations across the to be done with the investment of the people

who are living in their own communities and know what those maps should look like — not just by those who are elected by them.” RAC-PA’s coalition partners — Pennsylvania Voice Unity and Fair District Pennsylvania — have created maps they believe are more racially equitable, Starr explained. She said RAC’s partners are asking people to send testimonies to LRC, urging it to examine districts where there are significant differences between the coalition’s proposed maps and the LRC-approved House and Senate maps. “It’s clear that the LRC has been listening to us based on the comments that were made when the maps were released,” Starr said. “We have to be vigilant on making sure they know we are watching and we care how our state makes these crucial decisions.” Locally, Rabbi Ron Symons, director of the Center for Loving Kindness at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, works on RAC-PA’s statewide leadership team. “I don’t work with a Reform congregation, but because of the depth and breadth of the relationships that the Center for Loving Kindness has in the community, I’m able to help guide some of the processes of the local players,” Symons said. The Center for Loving Kindness had a series of “quiet conversations” explaining Please see Maps, page 15

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Headlines JRS plans month of activities to promote inclusion — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

hroughout Februar y, Jewish Residential Services will mark Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month with an array of activities. Established in 2009 by the Jewish Special Education International Consortium, and celebrated worldwide, JDAIM is a unified effort among Jewish organizations and communities to bolster awareness and inclusion for people with disabilities and their loved ones. Nancy Gale, JRS’ executive director, described the month as an opportunity to learn more about issues facing people with disabilities, what barriers exist and best practices for disability inclusion in faith communities and daily life. On Feb. 16, Jillian Zacks, a local attorney and estate planning expert, will receive the Shore-Whitehill Award, an annual award created in 1996 and presented by JRS and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to volunteers who promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the fabric of the Jewish community. After the ceremony, Zacks — who was nominated by Achieva and Jewish Family and Community Services for her dedication to working for and with people with

disabilities — will join other workers with a disability only panelists, including those from earn 66 cents on the dollar against Achieva and JFCS, for a discussion those with no disability, according about helping children transition to the bureau. into adulthood. Event organizers Gale said the implications of encouraged parents of children those findings and similar statiswith disabilities to attend. tics — of the 61 million Americans On Feb. 24, Jewish Federations of living with disabilities, nearly 26% p Nancy Gale North America and the Religious Photo courtesy of live in poverty — will be addressed Nancy Gale throughout the daylong program. Action Center of Reform Judaism are holding Jewish Disability Advocacy Day. As a lead-up to Jewish Disability Advocacy Day, there will be an opening ceremony on Feb. The annual event, which will occur virtually, brings together members of Congress 23 where participants can learn from fellow and disability advocates to discuss policy, advocates and members of Congress about inclusion efforts and legislative goals. various obstacles and financial barriers facing This year, the focus of Jewish Disability people with disabilities and their families. Attendees of both events will receive tools Advocacy Day is economics, Gale said. According to the World Bank, 1 billion and coaching to help implement future people, or 15% of the global population, change, Gale said. On Feb. 28, JRS, RespectAbility and the experience some form of disability. Those with disabilities are more likely to experience Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh will poorer health, lower levels of employment host a webinar highlighting how inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and greater rates of poverty. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate is good for the community and business. that full-time, year-round workers with a Panelists will include Jeremy Shapira, chief disability earn 87 cents on the dollar against inclusion, equity and diversity officer at those with no disability. The problem with Giant Eagle, Inc., and Lee Chernotsky, that number, though, the agency noted, is that chief encouragement officer at ROSIES those with a disability are less likely to earn Foundation. Becky Johnson, director of the a full-time wage; therefore, the overall earn- Career Development Center at JFCS, will ings gap is higher if one includes all workers moderate the event. “regardless of work schedules or occupation.” Throughout the month, JRS will use its Ultimately, what the data suggests is that social media accounts to profile individuals

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with disabilities and their experience in the workforce. Each of the programs is a chance for Pittsburghers to learn more about the importance of disability inclusion, Gale said. “As a local leader in services for people with disabilities, JRS is excited to partner with others about the importance of disability inclusion,” she added. “Our goal is to ensure that disability inclusion is the norm in Pittsburgh’s Jewish Pittsburgh community, not only in February, but throughout the year.” JRS staffer Allison Karabin agreed, saying, “I’m pleased to see that interest in JDAIM has been steadily increasing, both locally and nationally, but there is still work to do. The folks that are committed to disability inclusion locally are doing a great job, but I wish that there were more people and organizations doing this.” Karabin hopes that with continued interest in disability awareness and inclusion Pittsburgh can truly become a city for all. “I really believe that the future of our community depends on how well we create a culture of inclusion and belonging,” she said. “We cannot have a strong and growing community without looking at disability when we talk about diversity.” PJC

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Headlines Downtown staple Schiffman’s Jewelers closes after eight decades — LOCAL — By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer

owntown Pittsburgh lost some of its radiance last weekend when, after nearly 80 years in business, Schiffman’s Jewelers closed on Jan. 8. Store owner Judah Samet said Schiffman’s closure was due to a national paradigm shift, including young people eschewing high-end pieces for cheaper alternatives. “Things have changed in America,” Samet, 83, said. “Even wealthy people don’t buy the way they used to.” Samet also attributed the decline in jewelry sales to fewer people getting married, a trend he noticed following the Sept. 11 attacks. Statistics confirm a decrease in the number of marriages during the past two decades. In 2001, the national rate was 8.2 marriages per 1,000 people. By 2019, the rate had fallen to 6.1, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. John Mercer, a Schiffman’s employee for 40 years, said the value of good jewelry is lost on younger generations. “When people are used to buying a new phone every six months, there’s no sense of permanence,” Mercer, 66, said. Parents used to pass down pieces to children, and children to their children, but “that whole sense is gone. Kids get jewelry and ask what to do with it.”

 Judah Samet

Photo by Megan Walker/JFCS

Each of the items Schiffman’s carried had “substance and meaning,” Mercer continued, but people don’t shop with the same mindset they had years ago. Ron Rossiak, a Schiffman’s employee for 40 years, agreed, noting that people used to spend hours frequenting nearby department stores and other businesses. Downtown Pittsburgh once had anchor stores, like Kaufmann’s, Gimbels, Saks Fifth Avenue and Horne’s. “What’s here now?” Rossiak said. Rossiak, 70, remembers how in years past he’d look out Schiffman’s windows onto

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

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Liberty Avenue and see scores of people milling about mid-afternoon. The streets are now vacant and have been for a while, he said. With the pandemic and a transition to remote work, the ambiance and economics of downtown life have further diminished, Rossiak said. People don’t need to pay for parking or buy a cup of coffee or a doughnut on their way to work if everyone is working from home. Samet, who hasn’t been in the store in two years, fondly recalled bygone days and selling to top executives throughout the region. While he appreciated doing business with

employees of U.S. Steel, Westinghouse and PPG, Samet just loved selling in general, he said. When someone walked into the store, whether they were looking for a diamond or a piece of jewelry, “if you can’t turn them into a friend, then you don’t have a customer,” he said. Samet, a Holocaust survivor and self-described “yeshiva bocher,” said that working with both Mercer and Rossiak for 40 years led to a deep friendship. Mercer and Rossiak agreed, with Mercer praising Samet’s ability to communicate and foster a strong connection to the community. “He’s one of the best,” Mercer said. “It’s been my pleasure to be associated with him.” Rossiak called Samet “one of the most generous human beings on the planet,” and cited Samet’s unwavering religious bonds. Samet said that with his business now closed he plans on continuing his regular study of the weekly parshat and the writings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. He added that he will also continue reading about politics, something he does on his computer for four or five hours a day. Before returning to his monitor, the octogenarian added that he’s turning 85 next month and has other plans for what he’ll do with his time, but everything can wait, Samet said: “Right now I might have some lunch.” PJC

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Calendar Submit calendar items on the Chronicle’s website, pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Submissions also will be included in print. Events will run in the print edition beginning one month prior to the date as space allows. The deadline for submissions is Friday, noon. q SUNDAYS, JAN. 23-FEB. 20

Join a lay-led Online Parashah Study Group to discuss the week’s Torah portion. No Hebrew knowledge is needed. The goal is to build community while deepening understanding of the text. 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org. q MONDAY, JAN. 24

Join Classrooms Without Borders and notable Israeli historian Gideon Greif for a series of lectures that will explore his research into the Holocaust. The first session, The Unknown Holocaust: The Holocaust of Yugoslav Jews, will discuss one of the Jewish communities that was wiped off the face of the earth by the Germans and whose story is less well known. 4 p.m. classroomswithoutborders.org/ discourse-holocaust-studies-lecture-seriesprof.-gideon-greif. q MONDAYS, JAN. 24-FEB. 14

Join Congregation Beth Shalom for a weekly Talmud study. 9:15 a.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org. q TUESDAY, JAN. 25

The Arab-Israeli conflict plays a large (some would claim outsized) role in current events. This course aims to unpack the causes and core issues that relate to the conflict. The goal is to make the subject accessible to educators and to give them the tools with which to grapple in the classroom with the subject at large and with breaking news. 2 p.m. classroomswithoutborders.org/arab_ israeli_conflict.

Classrooms Without Borders is honored to bring Rebecca Donner author of the book “All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days” to their community of educators and learners. 4 p.m. classroomswithoutborders.org/ author-talk-rebecca-donner-all-frequenttroubles-our-days. q TUESDAYS, JAN. 25-MAY 24

Sign up now for Melton Core 2, Ethics and Crossroads of Jewish Living. Discover the central ideas and texts that inform our daily, weekly and annual rituals, as well as life cycle observances and essential Jewish theological concepts and ideas as they unfold in the Bible, the Talmud and other sacred texts. $300. 9:30 a.m. foundation.jewishpgh. org/melton-2. q WEDNESDAY, JAN. 26

In The Jewish Moral Virtues, Foundation Scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff will explore Jewish teaching on critical moral virtues. B6ased on the qualities listed in the 13th century “Sefer Maalot Hamiddot” (“The Book of the Choicest Virtues”), Rabbi Schiff will explore the contemporary application of these moral virtues to our 21st-century lives. $65 for all 13 Zoom sessions. 9:30 a.m. foundation. jewishpgh.org/jewish-moral-virtues. Join the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh as it commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The interfaith commemoration, co-sponsored by Duquesne University’s Gumberg Library will feature speaker David Rosenberg who will present The Making of ‘Who is a Jew?’: A Tale of Two Cities and the Challenges of Bringing a Troubling Holocaust History Home.” 6:30 p.m. duq.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_Aw1d17E5RbugyIO9ur8_zw. Join Moishe House Pittsburgh on Netflix Party to watch a movie together. Details and

Join the Chronicle Book Club: ‘The Lost Shtetl’

he Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle invites you to join the Chronicle Book Club’s Jan. 30 meeting, when we will discuss “The Lost Shtetl” by Max Gross, winner of the National Jewish Book Award for 2020 and the Jewish Fiction Award. The author will join us for part of the meeting. From Amazon.com: “What if there was a town that history missed? For decades, the tiny Jewish shtetl of Kreskol existed in happy isolation, virtually untouched and unchanged. Spared by the Holocaust and the Cold War, its residents enjoyed remarkable peace. It missed out on cars, and electricity, and the internet, and indoor plumbing. But when a marriage dispute spins out of control, the whole town comes crashing into the twenty-first century.”

Your Hosts

How It Works

We will meet on Zoom on Sunday, Jan. 30, at noon to discuss the book. As you read it, we invite you to share comments and join discussions in our Facebook group, Chronicle Connects: Jewish PGH. We invite you to join now if you are not already a member of the group.

What To Do

Buy: “The Lost Shtetl.” It is available from online retailers. Email: Contact us at drullo@pittsburghjewish chronicle.org, and write “Chronicle Book Club” in the subject line. We will send you a Zoom link for the meeting. See you later this month! PJC

a link to connect will be sent out via email the day before. Goody bags of snacks will be available on our porch the day before and day of. 7 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/moho-012622. q WEDNESDAYS, JAN. 26-FEB. 16

Bring the parshah alive and make it personally relevant and meaningful. Study the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman. 12:15 p.m. bethshalompgh. org/life-text. Join Temple Sinai to study the weekly Torah portion in its hybrid class available on Zoom. Open to everyone. Noon. templesinaipgh.org/ event/parashah/weekly-torah-portion-classvia-zoom11.html. q WEDNESDAYS, JAN. 26-FEB. 23

Chabad of the South Hills presents “Meditation from Sinai,” a new Jewish Learning Institute course that will discuss mindful awareness and divine spirituality to help you think, feel and live more deeply. $95. 7:30 p.m. 1701 McFarland Road or on Zoom. Call 412-512-3046 or email rabbi@chabadsh. com for more information or to register. q THURSDAY, JAN. 27

Classrooms Without Borders invites all Holocaust educators to participate in a teach-in to celebrate Jewish spiritual resistance during Nazi occupation. RSVP to receive lesson plans, resources and a link to screen the film, “Who Will Write Our History” by Roberta Grossman. classroomswithoutborders.org/ringelblumarchives-teach-international-holocaust-day. Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the Karmiel and Warsaw communities for “Zikaron BaSalon,” (Remembrance in the Living Room), a special virtual event to commemorate victims of the Holocaust. Noon. jewishpgh.org/ event/zikaron-basalon-remembrance-inthe-living-room q THURSDAYS, JAN. 27-JUNE 30

The Alan Papernick Educational Institute Endowment Fund presents Continuing Legal Education, a six-part CLE series taught by Foundation Scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff. Earn up to 12 CLE credits. Each session is a standalone unit; you can take one class or all six. 8:30 a.m. With CLE credit: $30/session or $150 all sessions; without CLE credit: $25/ session or $125 all sessions. For a complete list of dates and topics, visit foundation. jewishpgh.org/continuing-legal-education. q FRIDAY, JAN. 28

Join the National Council of Jewish Women for “The Changing Landscape of Abortion Rights,” an open discussion with Greer Donley, JD, from University of Pittsburgh School of Law, who will discuss the changing landscape on abortion rights. Donley is a reproductive justice scholar, whose work has covered abortion access in the pandemic, the FDA’s overregulation of medication abortion, and new constitutional theories to support later abortion on the basis of severe fetal

Toby Tabachnick, editor of the Chronicle David Rullo, Chronicle staff writer

— Toby Tabachnick

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JANUARY 21, 2022

anomaly. 4 p.m. To register for this virtual event, visit ncjwpghevents.org. Join Moishe House for a take-out Shabbat dinner. Candles will be lit. We will be socially distanced and masked up and then take home a Shabbat meal to remember. 6 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/moho-012822. q SUNDAY, JAN. 30

The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle invites you to join the next Chronicle Book Club meeting. We will be discussing “The Lost Shtetl” by Max Gross, winner of the National Jewish Book Award for 2020 and the Jewish Fiction Award. The author will join us for part of the discussion. Noon. To register, email David Rullo at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. Join the National Council of Jewish Women, Congregation Dor Hadash and Congregation Beth Shalom Derekh virtually for “Jews, the First Amendment and Abortion Rights,” a talk by Rachel Kranson. Kranson is the director of the Jewish studies program at the University of Pittsburgh and a scholar of modern Jewish history, American Judaism and gender and sexuality studies. 2 p.m. To register for this virtual event, visit ncjwpghevents.org. q SUNDAY, FEB. 6

The Ghetto Fighters’ House presents “Rethinking the ‘Final Solution’ and the Wannsee Conference 80 Years Later: Belzec Death Camp – Genesis of Genocide.” The program is in partnership with Liberation 75, Remember the Women Institute, the Rabin Chair Forum, Classrooms Without Borders, the House of the Wannsee Conference Memorial and Educational Site, and the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Center. 2 p.m. classroomswithoutborders.org/ rethinking-final-solution-wannsee-conference80-years-later.-belzec-death-camp-ndashgenesis-genocide q TUESDAY, FEB. 22

Join Jewish National Fund-USA for a series of interviews, panel discussions and more — all meant to facilitate a dialogue and expose the beautiful and diverse facets of modern Zionism, and its positive impact on many aspects of our lives, no matter where we are on the globe. 7:30 p.m. jnf.org/events-landingpages/conversations-on-zionism. q MONDAY, FEB. 28

Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh for Success in the Workplace: Engaging People of All Abilities, an event in celebration of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month and Jewish Disability Advocacy Day. Inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace is not only good for the community — it’s also good for business. Join the conversation exploring the benefits of a diverse workforce. 5:30 p.m. jewishpgh.org/event/successin-the-workplace-engaging-people-of-allabilities. PJC

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines JAA announces reorganization of leadership — LOCAL — By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

eadership changes are underway at the Jewish Association on Aging. After 10 years as the organization’s CEO, Debbie Winn-Horvitz will transition to the newly created position of chief strategy officer. Mary Anne Foley will become the organization’s new CEO. Foley has worked for the JAA for a decade and serves as the organization’s chief operating officer. The changes are effective May 1. Louis Plung, chair of the JAA’s board of directors, praised Winn-Horvitz’s contributions. “Debbie has had a dramatic, lasting impact on the care we provide for seniors and has brought innovation and stability to our continuum of care,” Plung said in a prepared statement. “Her new role allows her to take the time that she is currently seeking to care for her aging parents, while we continue to tap her expertise on strategies that will impact our future.” Winn-Horvitz said she is looking forward to focusing her efforts exclusively on strategy. “It’s both exciting and gratifying, because things in health care have been changing at such a rapid pace, and I have been spending more and more of my time focusing on the strategy for the organization,” WinnHorvitz told the Chronicle. “At the same time, I have aging parents who are in their late 90s who are both Holocaust survivors. I am so appreciative that I was able to reach this arrangement with Lou and the board that allows me to continue to focus on the strategy — but solely — while having the flexibility to care for my own aging parents, knowing that Mary Anne is running the operation day to day. And there is no better person to be doing that than Mary Anne. It’s the best of all worlds, so to speak.” While Winn-Horvitz’s parents live in Florida, she said she would continue to make her home in Pittsburgh. Her new position, she said, will allow her the flexibility to travel to help with their care. During Winn-Horvitz’s tenure as CEO, the JAA opened AHAVA, a state-of-the-art memory care facility, and added other new programs, including the New Riverview

p Debbie Winn-Horvitz Photo courtesy of the Jewish Association on Aging

p Mary Anne Foley Photo courtesy of the Jewish Association on Aging

“Mary Anne was a natural choice. We’re real excited about this, and it’s a great opportunity for us to push the organization

”

forward to our next few years.

— LOUIS PLUNG, CHAIR OF THE JAA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS affiliation, PT at the JCC, Care Navigator and HUD Service Coordination. In addition to serving as JAA’s COO, Foley previously worked for the organization as its vice-president of Home and Community Services, and executive director for Home Health and Hospice. She has been responsible for day-to-day operations of the JAA, including nursing and resident care, facility management, infection control, dietary services and pastoral care, Plung told the Chronicle. The JAA voted “unanimously” and “enthusiastically” to promote Foley, Plung said, noting that in addition to her management skills, she is a certified nurse. “She has been a real powerhouse,” Plung said. “Mary Anne was a natural choice. We’re real excited about this, and it’s a great opportunity for us to push the organization forward to our next few years.” Foley is also a certified Pittsburgh Police

Academy instructor in mental health and substance abuse, and is an advanced psychiatric nurse surveyor for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “I’ve been with the JAA for 10 years, and it seems like this is the next step in my progression with the organization,” Foley said. “I could not have asked for a stronger leader and mentor in this organization than Debbie Winn-Horvitz. This is just the natural evolution, and it makes the most sense because our partnership will be able to continue with me being in the role of CEO and her being in the strategic operating officer role. It’s the best of both worlds.” Plung described Foley as a “doer,” often stepping in and working a nurse’s shift following a full workday handling her COO responsibilities. “As COO, she was putting on PPE and giving vaccinations and doing things that were necessary,” Plung said. “We know with

Mary Anne we have the type of person that knows the organization from the ground up and has the vision to take it to the next level.” Plung said the board also is “enthusiastic” about Winn-Horvitz’s transition to chief strategy officer. “Debbie had been spending a great deal of time on the strategy side for us,” he said, adding that in her new role she will be “looking at different models of care across the country — and actually across the world — looking at various ways of bringing the next iteration of delivering services to our seniors and our residents throughout the community here in Pittsburgh through the JAA.” Winn-Horvitz said she will focus on new trends in senior services. “One of the things we are hearing a lot about now is the housing-plus-services model, and we are going to be rolling out very shortly a program at the Riverview apartments that’s called the R3 program — Right Care, Right Time, Right Place,” she said. The program is in collaboration with Hebrew Senior Life in Boston, which co-developed the initiative along with Harvard University. “For me to be able to focus not only on the trends that are out there that we can bring, but also the longer-term strategy for the organization — I’m thrilled to be able to do that,” Winn-Horvitz said. Foley said her ultimate career goal has been “to develop and implement programs that provide quality services,” and intends for the JAA to continue to be a facility she would recommend to family members. Acknowledging various challenges prevalent in the health care industry nationwide, she said the JAA will “continue to focus on the needs and the gaps and how we can continue to provide the services both within our buildings as well as out in the community.” “I am up for the challenge,” Foley said. “I am confident it will be a very smooth transition.” Foley and Winn-Horvitz together “are really very effective,” Plung said. “And what really excites the board and what excites both of them is the ability to continue this relationship.” PJC Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Healing plants to be featured at Rodef Shalom’s Biblical Botanical Garden

o coincide with Tu B’Shvat, which fell on Jan. 16-17, the Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden announced plans for this summer’s special exhibit, “The Healing Garden.” The exhibit, which opens June 1, will focus on the multiple meanings of healing, “from the spiritual comfort the garden brings to visitors to the medicinal qualities of plants mentioned in the Torah (the Hebrew Bible

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

or Old Testament), the Quran (Koran), and the New Testament,” according to a press release. “These passages remind us that we, as adherents of the Abrahamic religions, are more alike than we are different.” The 2022 summer season will feature a variety of special events to highlight the healing power of plants. PJC —

Toby Tabachnick

 Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Photo by Nick Koehler

JANUARY 21, 2022 7

Headlines The JCC and Honeycomb partner for youth philanthropy program — LOCAL — By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

ittsburgh teenager Eli Wynn remembers the Samuel M. Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project well. Though he participated virtually in 2021 due to the pandemic, the program’s goal was the same as in years past: teaching Jewish teens about the importance of social justice philanthropy. “At the end, we did give out money to people in need,” said Wynn, 16, of Regent Square, a junior at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School. “So, I feel like I did a good thing.” This year, starting at a first session on Jan. 19, a new group of teenagers answered the call to become more philanthropic. The Samuel M. Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project runs for six months at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. It is funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and through a grant from Edward and Linda Goldston, in memory of their son Samuel. The program is designed “to develop teens’ leadership skills, explore their Jewish identity and undertake meaningful giving to make changes they care about in the world,” according to organizers. This year’s program will offer teens an opportunity to make an impact in the world by giving them $10,000 to allocate to local nonprofits of their choice. The deadline

p The Goldston Teen Philanthropists, under the leadership of Rabbi Ron Symons, visit Hebrew Free Loan Association in 2018

Photo courtesy of the Hebrew Free Loan Association

to submit proposals to the teens comes in February, said Maria Carson, director of teen leadership for the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh.

“We are open to any eighth- through 11th- graders who are interested in learning about team philanthropy,” Carson told the

“At the end, we did give out money to people in need. So, I feel like I did

”

a good thing.

— ELI WYNN, 16, A JUNIOR AT PITTSBURGH ALLDERDICE HIGH SCHOOL

Chronicle. “The program is focused on philanthropy, [but] it also is really trying to encourage these teens to think about how they can be better community members … We’re using philanthropy as a lens to talk about being part of a community.” The JCC is partnering with Honeycomb — formerly known as the Jewish Teen Funders Network — to deliver the programming to the students. The New York City-based Honeycomb bills itself as “the leading resource for educational content, resources and experiences to allow educators, professionals, parents and organizations to engage youth in strategic grantmaking.” At the Jan. 19 session — the Goldston project’s first session for this cycle — teens and community leaders participated in Honeycomb’s “Changemakers90” program, which is a philanthropy-giving circle experience with the goal of supporting local organizations. A Honeycomb administrator came to town to participate. “These teens will get real experience of what it means to do philanthropy,” said Wayne K. Green, Honeycomb’s executive director. “This is a great opportunity for teens to understand the needs in the Pittsburgh community … and how they can contribute to make change.” “We’d love more people in Pittsburgh to think about what it means to give,” he added. PJC Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

Duquesne law professor pens new book on restoring faith in public life — LOCAL — By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

ruce Ledewitz, a professor at Duquesne University School of Law, has found himself grappling with the implications of a fractured American society. In his new book, “The Universe is On Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life,” published by Oxford University Press, Ledewitz examines how U.S. society started wearing around the edges in 2016 — and the best ways to rebuild a secular society torn by divisiveness. He was scheduled to speak on Jan. 20 at Carnegie Library Lecture Hall in Oakland, but the event has been rescheduled for the first week of March. It is sponsored by Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. Ledewitz asks many questions. While he grew up immersed in Orthodox Jewish teachings — attending the New Haven Hebrew Day School, one of the seven Yeshivot established in America after World War II by Menachem Mendel Schneerson, or the Rebbe — around 2000, he started questioning the underpinnings of Judaism, God and organized religion. 8

JANUARY 21, 2022

In some ways, he said, the questions he is asking society in his new book are the same questions he posited to himself 10 and 20 years ago when he debated his own faith. “What I hope to do is reopen that question — maybe open it p Bruce for some people for the first time,” Ledewitz Ledewitz told the Chronicle. Guided by the naturalism of Alfred North Whitehead’s process philosophy and the historical faith of Martin Luther King Jr., Ledewitz argues in “The Universe is On Our

Side” that we can work toward a trust that the universe bends toward justice and our welfare, which can complete our healing and restore faith in American public life. Though he stressed the book is not critical of Judaism or religion in general, its focus is on secularism. He also stressed that much of the File photo dialogue on the subject is dangerously hyperpartisan, which only further divides people. “I don’t think [my book] is partisan — I don’t think a Republican or a Democrat will

“I don’t think [my book] is partisan — I don’t think a Republican or a Democrat will react

”

differently to this.

— BRUCE LEDEWITZ

react differently to this,” he said. “Suddenly, my political opponent and I are in the same boat — it’s ridiculous to think we’d be this broken and it would only be one side’s fault.” Ledewitz, whose academic focus is on constitutional law, religion and law and jurisprudence, has contributed op-eds to the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and also is a columnist for the Pennsylvania Capital Star. From his media perch, he has observed the political and social events of the last fiveplus years unfold. “This book is a product of the crisis of 2016,” he said. “The pandemic is just another example we have of not being able to deal with a problem.” But the reckoning of current events might drive his new book less than stirring a spirit of conversation. “What I’m hoping is someone, some people will read it and think about it, write about it,” Ledewitz said. “It is a new way to think about the breakdown of American life and, if it is broken, how do we build? How do we build a flourishing secular civilization?” PJC Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

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Headlines Muslim lobbying group, CAIR, accuses Jewish charities of funding Islamophobia — NATIONAL — By Asaf Shalev | JTA

haritable foundations with ties to Jewish federations and Jewish families feature prominently in a new report about the flow of tax-deductible donations to organizations that a leading Muslim civil rights lobby has identified as “antiMuslim groups.” Titled “Islamophobia in the Mainstream,” the report was published last week by CAIR, the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations, a civil rights group and political lobby that is harshly critical of Israel. It follows a different report from 2019 that identified some 1,100 groups CAIR identified as funding anti-Muslim activity. In the new report, CAIR used publicly available IRS data to analyze the top 50 charitable foundations in the 2019 report. Among the foundations examined in the new report, 35 were found responsible for roughly $106 million in payments from 2017 to 2019 to 26 groups that CAIR deemed harmful to Muslims. At least five funders on CAIR’s list are explicitly Jewish and direct their funds according to the wishes of their donors. Several others are private family foundations

p The Internal Revenue Service building in Washington, D.C.

also known for supporting Jewish and Israel causes. The five are donor-advised funds affiliated with Jewish federations in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area — the biggest Jewish communities in the United States. Donor-advised funds collect donations

This week in Israeli history — WORLD — Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.

Jan. 21, 1882 — BILU founding launches first Aliyah

BILU, whose name comes from an Isaiah verse meaning “House of Jacob, let us go,” is founded by 30 students in Kharkov, Ukraine. BILU sets the groundwork for the First Aliyah of Jews to the Land of Israel.

Jan. 22, 1979 — Munich mastermind is killed

Ali Hassan Salameh, the chief of operations for Black September, the Palestinian group responsible for 11 Israeli deaths in the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, is killed by a Mossad car bomb in Beirut.

Jan. 23, 1922 — Nazi-Hunter Tuviah Friedman is born

Tuviah Samuel Friedman, a Holocaust survivor involved in the search for Adolf Eichmann, is born in Radom, Poland. After World War II, he devotes his life to hunting for Nazis, often by himself.

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Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images

from individuals and disperse money according to the recommendations of donors, who get an immediate tax write-off and remain anonymous. Because of the way they are structured, donor-advised funds often distribute money to groups with wideranging values and ideologies, a dynamic that can be challenging for the organization

managing the fund. Meanwhile, the Adelson Family Foundation, established by the late casino magnate and Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam, made the list along with the Irving I Moskowitz Foundation, the Helen Diller Family Foundation and other entities with a focus on the U.S. Jewish community and Israel. The Jewish groups appear alongside Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism, which topped the list, and donor-advised funds run by major Wall Street firms such as Fidelity and Schwab. The prevalence of Jewish-linked funders appears connected to CAIR’s view that certain groups with a pro-Israel agenda promote Islamophobia. One group cited in the report is the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America. CAMERA ran afoul of CAIR by reportedly accusing several Muslim American organizations of being front groups for terrorists. JTA reached out to the Jewish federations, CAMERA and the Adelson Family Foundation for comment. CAMERA drew attention to CAIR’s history, which included ties with groups Please see CAIR, page 15

helping you plan for what matters the most

Jan. 24, 1965 — Syria arrests Eli Cohen

Syrian police arrest businessman Kamel Amin Tha’abet at his Damascus home and charge him with espionage. Tha’abet is actually successful Mossad agent Eli Cohen, who is publicly hanged May 18, 1965.

Jan. 25, 1956 — Eban, Dulles discuss arms deal

Abba Eban, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, and John Foster Dulles, the U.S. secretary of state, discuss a $50 million arms sale, but President Dwight Eisenhower decides that Israel receives enough weaponry from France and Britain.

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Jan. 26, 1919 — Weizmann warns of Jewish catastrophe

Chaim Weizmann writes to Gen. Arthur Money, who heads Palestine’s British military administration, to make the Zionist case. The letter warns of “a terrible catastrophe” for Jews without a homeland.

Jan. 27, 2006 — First UN Holocaust Remembrance Day

The first U.N.-recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day is held on the 61st anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, in part to “reaffirm our unfaltering resolve to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.” PJC

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JANUARY 21, 2022 9

Opinion The Colleyville context Guest Columnist Rabbi Danny Schiff

nother shattering Shabbat. Another sanctuary violated. Another assault on Jews and everything we represent. For us, an attack on a synagogue is not just a visceral event; it’s personal. We don’t need to reach for the history books to understand how it feels. Colleyville was an antisemitic act of terror that should remind anybody who needed reminding that there is reason for real concern about antisemitism in America, and for what it portends. And yet. When the day was all over, when the hostages were safe and the hours of dread had passed, I listened carefully to the words of Chief Miller of the Colleyville police. Miller said that during the ordeal they had called in the nation’s elite hostage rescue team from Quantico, Virginia, to come and take the lead. According to Miller, Quantico decided to fly in “60 to 70 people to help with the situation.” Think about that. Without hesitation, the

United States activated one of the most highly trained hostage rescue teams on Earth, and more than 60 team members, together with all their equipment, hurried to a plane and traveled for hours across the country to reach Colleyville as fast as they possibly could. All to rescue four Jews. I know, I know. They were just doing their job. That’s what they’re supposed to do. But still. As a Jew, it brings a lump to the throat. Like the Pittsburgh police who, under fire, rushed in to save Jewish lives without regard for their own, we should take none of it for granted. Eighty years ago this week, on Jan. 20, 1942, the Nazi leadership convened the famous Wannsee Conference. There, they confirmed the implementation plans for what they called “the final solution.” It was a decisive and revealing moment. Wannsee underscored this bitter truth: The prevailing norm of Jewish history is for Jews to be treated as expendable, not precious. For dozens of non-Jews to rush across the country with the intent to save Jewish lives, all paid for by the U.S. government, without a hint of complaint from any quarter is, from a Jewish perspective, remarkable. Yes, it is undeniable that the number of antisemitic incidents and their brazenness is rising across America. It is undeniable that

we live at a time of exacerbated societal fracturing, and that this phenomenon is often threatening to Jews. It is undeniable that Israel is being targeted as never before with reprehensible calumnies, and that there are those who see Jews as answerable by association. All of that is true. But it is also true that tens of millions of Americans of all backgrounds prayed fervently for the lives of four Jews last Shabbat. It is also true that churches and mosques across the country have supportive and friendly relationships with local synagogues that are unknown almost anywhere else. It is also true that in Texas, as in all states, the government — elected to express the will of the people — provided its full resources to aiding Jews, declaring unequivocally that antisemitism would not be tolerated. In 2014, the Pew Research Center asked Americans about how they rated a wide range of religious groups. Those surveyed could rate how they felt about a particular group from warmest (100 degrees) down to coldest (0 degrees). Of all the religious groups in America, which group received the warmest rating by Americans? Jews. Jews received an overall rating of 63 degrees of warmth. Pew repeated the same survey in 2017. Which group was rated highest this time? Jews. 67 degrees. Pew administered the survey again in 2019. The

result was the same. Jews again came out on top. How should we explain all this? Context is everything. It may well be that antisemitism is rising in certain cohorts, but that the broad regard and esteem for Jews held by the majority is not diminishing. And what does that mean for the future? We cannot know. Perhaps the winds of change are indeed blowing, and America will one day become inhospitable for Jews. Or perhaps, just as antisemitism has moved up a few notches, the majority will hold, and antisemitism will ultimately be pushed back to lower levels again. Neither outcome is predetermined. America will need to decide. The decision will be fateful for American society. It is always tempting for Jews to make antisemitism the No. 1 issue on our communal agenda. But this is unwise and it ignores context. It puts the focus on fear rather than hope. It is disempowering. As we have always done, first and foremost Jews should live as Jews with determination and pride, demonstrating through our lives the “dignity of difference,” and — as has so often been the case — that the few can still inspire the many. PJC Rabbi Danny Schiff is the Jewish Community Foundation Scholar at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

Confirming Deborah Lipstadt is a foreign policy priority Guest Columnist Barbara Goldberg Goldman

or the past five months, the nomination of Deborah Lipstadt to be United States special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism has languished as Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have refused to agree to give her a hearing. This delay is particularly concerning because fighting antisemitism is an American national priority. Yet Senate Republicans have put partisanship ahead of the safety of Jews around the world. This is a grave mistake, and

our country is less safe because of the delayed confirmations of Lipstadt and so many other foreign policy nominees. Lipstadt’s experience combating global antisemitism is unrivaled. She is best known for tackling the British author David Irving, who in 1996 sued her for libel for characterizing some of his writings and statements as Holocaust denial in her book “Denying the Holocaust.” In a testament to the integrity of Lipstadt’s scholarship, Irving lost his suit and by losing, validated “Denying the Holocaust” as a valuable resource for confronting Holocaust denial. Lipstadt’s 2019 book, “Antisemitism: Here and Now,” is required reading for understanding antisemitism and has been an education tool and reference point for

everyone concerned about identifying and fighting the scourge of antisemitism. In hyper-polarized times, Lipstadt stands out for her uncompromising insistence that antisemitism is wrong and inexcusable no matter its source or alleged justification. Moreover, she has a keen awareness that while antisemitism’s toxic rot may begin by targeting Jews, it rarely ends there. She brings to U.S. foreign policy a rigorous understanding of antisemitism’s role in global political movements and campaigns and is well poised to help make fighting it a key part of American foreign policy. During the days of the movement to free Soviet Jews, Republicans and Democrats understood that the fight for Jewish rights was

an essential component of America’s fight for freedom. Republicans and Democrats traveled to the then-Soviet Union together to combat antisemitism by visiting Jewish refuseniks and Jewish political prisoners in the Soviet gulag. Rallying together to fight antisemitism is no less critical today. It is an integral part of advancing American foreign policy interests and its values. It is an imperative for Senate Republicans to recognize this. They are dragging their feet in delaying Lipstadt’s confirmation hearings. In so doing, they are weakening the advancement of American interests. Scholars of antisemitism have long known Please see Goldman, page 11

Jewish business should always be personal in a post-COVID world Guest Columnist Lewis Braham

very year since 1976, Michigan’s Lake Superior State University has issued its popular “Banished Words List,” a collection of overused or inappropriate words and expressions its judges think should be struck from the language. The top three offenders of the 2022 list just released are: “No worries,” “At the end of the day” and “Wait, what?” One expression that I think should be added is “It’s just business,” or, to be more specific, 10

JANUARY 21, 2022

“It’s not personal; it’s just business.” If one considers where we are in 2022, it’s evident that the sell-by date of this antiquated corporate cliché — often uttered lazily and indifferently during layoffs — has long since passed. This is especially so from a Jewish perspective. Our jobs or careers have always been personal to a certain degree if you consider that historically we’ve spent at least eight hours a day or a third of our adult lives working. Other than our families, what could be more essential to our identities or sense of self-worth than our work? But with the advent of the cellphone and the internet, and now the pandemic, work has become even more personal. The technology gradually eroded the barrier between our work

and private lives so that as soon as cellphones became ubiquitous your boss could reach you anywhere at any time and expect you to answer. One would hope employees observing the Sabbath receive a weekend reprieve. For others, the pandemic completely exploded what remained of that work/ personal life barrier as many people now work from home and have no office to go to. These “distance workers” are forced to juggle their responsibilities as employees and caretakers for their family simultaneously. This fact was brought home to me recently by the story of a friend who lost her job while caring for her family during the pandemic. Her boss was petty and vindictive but still told her, “It’s not personal; it’s just business” during the

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

disciplinary process leading to her termination. The ugliness of this expression of institutional indifference was compounded by the fact that both my friend and her former boss were Jewish. That’s because “It’s not personal; it’s just business” tonally echoes the old Nuremberg Defense — “We were just following orders”—in its disavowal of any individual responsibility or guilt for bosses’ cruelty toward their employees. Saying this is to wear an institutional mask, a way of pretending, “It’s not me who’s hurting you unnecessarily but the rules, over which I ostensibly have no control.” Ironically, there is a more direct, although deeply unsavory, connection between the Please see Braham, page 11

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Opinion Chronicle poll results: Frustration with COVID restrictions

ast week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an electronic poll the following question: “Have you grown frustrated with the continued closures, restrictions and diminished programming at Jewish institutions?” Of the 153 people who responded, 47% answered, “No, because I think Jewish institutions are doing the best they can do,” while 26% said they were frustrated, but they believe “Jewish institutions are acting appropriately under the circumstances.” Ten percent of respondents said they were not frustrated, and “have come to prefer it.” Forty-three people submitted comments. A few follow. I think they should be doing more. Why should I be exposed to people without masks when I go to services daily? Shuls were good with pekuach nefesh earlier in the pandemic, and I am not sure why they have not taken delta and omicron more seriously. I really appreciate the services provided on Zoom and online. I live in Belle Vernon and this makes participation so much more inclusive.

Goldman: Continued from page 10

that anti-Jewish discrimination is the canary in the coal mine, warning of dangerous decays in these core values. Populist extremist movements often use Jews as their showcase for why the rule of law must be abandoned. Jews are scapegoated as justification for why borders must be closed, books must be burned, or discrimination must be tolerated. Jews are demonized for the so-called greater good and to offset supposed nefarious Jewish

Braham: Continued from page 10

expression and Jewish business. Historians believe Otto “Abbadabba” Berman, the accountant to the infamous mobster Dutch Schultz first uttered it — not exactly a mensch role model for an upstanding Jewish businessman or woman. The expression was later made famous

Have you grown frustrated with the continued closures, restrictions, and diminished programming at Jewish institutions due to COVID?

10%

No, I have come to prefer it!

15%

Yes, and I think that Jewish institutions are being too cautious.

Not sure.

47%

No, because I think that Jewish institutions are doing the best that they 26% can do. Yes, but I think that Jewish institutions are acting appropriately under the circumstances.

Patience is a virtue and we need to stock up on it. I’m frustrated with COVID. Any closures or restrictions are the right thing to do right now. We need to move on from COVID. It’s

Especially with an older population, it is best to be safe. I do not think that all Jewish institutions in Pittsburgh are doing the best that they can to mitigate COVID. The language of this question does not allow for a critical response. I wish you had included an option such as “No because I think that many Jewish institutions are not providing a safe environment and their COVID case numbers are too high.” That is the response I would have clicked. We should let the vaxxed and masked attend Shabbat services in person instead of requiring Zoom for everyone. Let those who feel unsafe stay on Zoom (hybrid), but open the building for the rest of us. Zoom is a poor imitation of a community. I should get to decide what personal risk I’ll accept to get Shabbat. Two or three years for adults and seniors is much less than two or three years for a

4- or 5-year-old. This has destroyed our kids’ lives. They are learning to fear closeness and connection. Anxiety and depression is skyrocketing amongst our adolescents leading to destructive behavior and learning disabilities. Enough is enough! I understand the need to protect the vulnerable, but what about the need to protect our kids? We are destroying lives and hurting the next generation. I am a registered nurse and professor of nursing. These institutions are following principles of disease control. I support them 100%. And I so appreciate their alternate offerings. PJC — Toby Tabachnick

This week’s Chronicle poll question:

Are you more concerned with your security as a Jew since the Colleyville hostage crisis? Go to our website, pittsburghjewish chronicle.org, to respond. PJC

— “globalist” or “Zionist” — power. Once that door is cracked ajar, anti-democratic forces rarely can be contained. The politics resulting from such movements are inevitably hostile to Jews and other minorities. They are rarely amenable to American interests as leaders of the free world. One of the most important objectives for the Jewish community today is to maintain bipartisanship around a rising existential threat against Jews and against all human rights and human dignity. Over 20 Jewish organizations across a spectrum have endorsed Lipstadt’s nomination, including the organization whose

board I serve on, the Jewish Democratic Council of America. As Yair Rosenberg quipped in The Atlantic, “These diverse Jewish groups can barely agree on where to set the thermostat, yet they agree on Lipstadt.” The Senate Foreign Relations Committee leadership is committed to the principle of “comity,” which requires that both parties agree to convene confirmation hearings. That same principle should compel Republican members of the committee to prioritize the fight against antisemitism over partisan agita. Lipstadt should have been confirmed last year. In the words of Rabbi Avi Shafran, public

affairs director of the Orthodox association, Agudath Israel of America, “Ms. Lipstadt’s confirmation is being held up because of her sharp tweets … by legislators for whom hundreds of decidedly demeaning ones by a former president they lionize seem of no consequence at all.” The time to confirm Lipstadt is now. We cannot wait. PJC

in the first “Godfather” film when Michael Corleone says, “It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business” while plotting a mob hit. His brother has just pointed out how intensely personal the assassination would actually be, that unlike in the military where Michael killed people from a distance, he will have to place the gun directly to his victims’ temples. That Michael utters this flat unemotional response reveals both his rationalization of a personal act of revenge

— the men he kills tried to murder his father — and what a cold-blooded killer he truly is. There is a fundamental problem with treating any human being in such an impersonal disposable manner, but especially a fellow Jew. Judaism begins with the premise that all human beings are created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and, therefore, we should treat one another with respect and dignity. Disavowing one’s responsibility toward humane treatment of one’s employees because

of a soulless institution’s rules is not an acceptable excuse. A person who has power over another always has some control, especially one’s boss, and if you’re browbeating an employee in her home while she’s tending to her loved ones during the worst pandemic in 100 years, you should refrain from uttering that old lie: “It’s not personal; it’s just business.” Nothing could be more personal. PJC

— LETTERS — Disraeli quote not tied to his Jewish faith

Benjamin Disraeli converted to Anglicanism at age 12. So while guest columnist Dan Schnur’s attribution of Disraeli’s and Mel Brooks’s quotations on optimism and pessimism to “their shared Jewish faith” may sound nice (“New Year’s resolutions that go beyond ourselves,” Jan. 14), it just isn’t so. Shared Jewish ancestry or shared Jewish heredity, maybe. But unless Disraeli said those words at age 11 or under, not Jewish faith. Bruce Goldman Pittsburgh

Hateful comments against other Jews have no place in the Chronicle

We’re writing in regard to the comment in your recent Chronicle poll results about COVID testing: “I am deeply ashamed …” (Jan. 14). PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

time to realize we will have to live with it going forward and let people take responsibility for their own health and safety.

Barbara Goldberg Goldman is vice chair of the Jewish Democratic Council of America. This piece first appeared in the Washington Jewish Week, an affiliated publication.

Lewis Braham is a writer in Pittsburgh.

Since 2018, Jewish communities in the Greater Pittsburgh area have adopted the phrase “Hate has no place here.” We’re not sure why that doesn’t apply to what the Chronicle chooses to publish. Isn’t there enough hate toward the Jewish people without having to read hateful comments against each other? Bruce and Melissa Ungar Pittsburgh We invite you to submit letters for publication. Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number; addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters may not exceed 500 words and may be edited for length and clarity; they cannot be returned. Mail or email letters to: Letters to the editor via email: Address:

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Website address:

letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 5915 Beacon St., 5th Flr., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 pittsburghjewishchronicle.org/letters-to-the-editor

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ŶŽŶǇŵŽƵƐ ;ϯͿ ůůĞŐŚĞŶǇ ZŽŽĮŶŐ Θ ^ŚĞĞƚ DĞƚĂů ŽŵƉĂŶǇ͕ /ŶĐ͘ ƌ͘ ůŝĞ ŽƵŶ ĂŶĚ :ƵƐƟŶ DĂƚĂƐĞ ^ŚĂƌŽŶ ŝůǁŽƌƚŚ ĂŶĚ ƌ͘ ĂǀŝĚ ĂŬĞƌ Baker Tilly >ĂƵƌŝĞ DŽƐĞƌ ĂŶĚ ^ƚĞǁĂƌƚ ĂƌŵĞŶ :ŽĂŶŶĂ ĂŶĚ DĂƌĐ ůĞĐŬŵĂŶ ƌůĞŶĞ ĂŶĚ tŝůůŝĂŵ ƌĂŶĚĞŝƐ 'Ăŝů ĂŶĚ EŽƌŵĂŶ ŚŝůĚƐ DĂƌŝŽŶ ĂŵŝĐŬ ĂŶĚ ĞĂŶ ĂŵŝĐŬ ^ĂƌĂŚ ĂŶĚ DŝĐŚĂĞů ĞůůĂ sĞĐĐŚŝĂ ƐŚ>ĞŝŐŚ ^ĞďŝĂ ĂŶĚ ĚĂŵ ŝĂǌ ŝƉĐƌĂŌ &ŝďĞƌŐůĂƐƐ WĂŶĞůƐ ŝƩŽ Dodi Walker Gross and Daniel Edelstone :ƵůŝĞ ĂŶĚ :ŽƐŚ &ĂƌďĞƌ &ĞĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ &ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ͕ /ŶĐ͘ &Žƌƚ WŝƩ ĂƉŝƚĂů 'ƌŽƵƉ ZƵƚŚ ĂŶĚ ůĂŶ 'ĂƌĮŶŬĞů :ƵůŝĞ ĂŶĚ Ě 'ĞůŵĂŶ dŚĞ 'ůŝŵĐŚĞƌ 'ƌŽƵƉ ŵǇ ĂŶĚ Žď 'ŽůĚ 'ŽůĚďůƵŵ ^ĂďůŽǁƐŬǇ͕ >> ĞďŽƌĂŚ ĂŶĚ DĂƩŚĞǁ 'ƌĂǀĞƌ 'ƌĞĞŶ >ĞĂĨ >ĂŶĚƐĐĂƉĞ Θ >ĂǁŶ ĂƌĞ͕ /ŶĐ͘ DĂƌǇ ĂŶĚ ^ŬŝƉ 'ƌŝŶďĞƌŐ ǇŶƚŚŝĂ ĂŶĚ :ŽŚŶ ,ĂůŝĐŬǇ >ŝŶĚĂ ĂŶĚ ^ƚĞǀĞ ,ĂůƉĞƌŶ dŚĞ ,ĂŶŽǀĞƌ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ 'ƌŽƵƉ :ĞŶŶ ĂŶĚ DĂƩ ,ĂƌŝŶƐƚĞŝŶ ,ĂƌƌǇ ^͘ ŽŚĞŶ ĂŶĚ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞƐ͕ W͘ ͘ ZŽďŝŶ ĂŶĚ ^ƚĞǀĞ ,ĂƵƐŵĂŶ Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. ZĞďĞĐĐĂ WŽŵĞƌĂŶƚǌ ĂŶĚ >ƵĐĂƐ ,ĞůůĞƌ dĞĚĚŝ ĂŶĚ ĂǀŝĚ ,Žƌǀŝƚǌ ZĞďĞĐĐĂ ĂŶĚ ĂƌŽŶ ,ƵƌŽǁŝƚǌ Mardi and Bill Isler ĂŶĂ ĂŶĚ DĂƌƚǇ /ǌĞŶƐŽŶ EĂŶĐǇ ĂŶĚ ĂǀŝĚ :ŽŚŶƐŽŶ DĂƌŝĂ ĂŶĚ EŽĂŚ :ŽƌĚĂŶ ^ƵƐĂŶ ĂŶĚ ^ƚĞƉŚĞŶ :ŽƌĚĂŶ Loreta Matheo-Kass and Robert Kass ^ƚĞƉŚĂŶŝĞ ĂŶĚ ZŝĐŬ <ĂƵĨŵĂŶ

<ůŝŶĞ͕ <ĞƉƉĞů Θ <ŽƌǇĂŬ͕ W Ɛ Ăƌů <ƌĂƐŝŬ ŝŶ ŵĞŵŽƌǇ ŽĨ ůĂŝŶĞ ͘ <ƌĂƐŝŬ ^ƵƐĂŶ ĂŶĚ DŝĐŚĂĞů <Ƶƌƚǌ Erik Laidhold >ǇŶŶ ĂŶĚ >ĂǁƌĞŶĐĞ >ĞďŽǁŝƚǌ :ƵůŝĞ ĂŶĚ :ĂƐŽŶ >ŝĐŚƚĞŶƐƚĞŝŶ >ŝĞďĞƌ ,ĂŵŵĞƌ ,ƵďĞƌ Θ WĂƵů W ŵďĞƌ EŝĐŚŽůƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĐŬĂƌǇ >ŽĞƚŚĞƌ Catherine and Mark H. Loevner DŝĐŚĞůůĞ ĂŶĚ DĂƌƟŶ >ƵďĞƚƐŬǇ D Θ : ůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ŽŶƚƌĂĐƟŶŐ͕ /ŶĐ͘ DĂƌďƵƌǇ 'ƌŽƵƉ &ĂƌĂ ĂŶĚ ŶĚǇ DĂƌĐƵƐ ZĂĐŚĞů ,͘ DĂƌĐƵƐ ^ŚĂƌŽŶ tĞƌŶĞƌ ĂŶĚ ƌŝĐ KůƐŚĂŶ DĂƌŶŝ ĂŶĚ :ŽŶ WĂƐƚŽƌ WŝƩƐďƵƌŐŚ KƌĂů ^ƵƌŐĞƌǇ͕ W͘ ͘ WůĂŶĞƚ ĞƉŽƐ WƌŽǀŝĚĞŶĐĞ ƚ ,ŽŵĞ DĞůŝƐƐĂ ĂŶĚ WĞƚĞƌ ZĂĐŬŽī tŝůůŝĂŵ ĂŶĚ :ĂŵĞƐ ZƵĚŽůƉŚ ^Θd ĂŶŬ ĂƚŚǇ 'ƌĞĞŶ ^ĂŵƵĞůƐ ĂŶĚ DŝĐŚĂĞů ^ĂŵƵĞůƐ ^ŚĂĚǇ ^ŝĚĞ ĐĂĚĞŵǇ ^ŝŐŶĂƚƵƌĞ &ŝŶĂŶĐŝĂů WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ :ŽĂŶŶĞ ĂŶĚ ĞŶ ^ŝŵŽŶ :ŽǇĐĞ ĂŶĚ ,ŽǁĂƌĚ ^ŝŵŽŶƐ DĂƌĐŝĂ ĂŶĚ DĞůǀŝŶ ^ŽůŽŵŽŶ ZĂĐŚĂĞů ĂŶĚ ůĞǆ ^ƉĞĐŬ ZĂĐŚĞů ĂŶĚ DŝĐŚĂĞů ^ƚƌŽŶŐ Carol Tabas /ƐĂďĞůůĞ ŚĞƌŶŽī ĂŶĚ DĂƌĐ dŽďŝĂƐ ƌůĞŶĞ ĂŶĚ ZŝĐŚĂƌĚ tĞŝƐŵĂŶ ĂǀŝĚ ĂŶĚ ^ƵĞ tĞƌŶĞƌ tŝŶĐŚĞƐƚĞƌ dŚƵƌƐƚŽŶ ^ĐŚŽŽů DĂƌƚŚĂ ĂŶĚ :ŽŚŶ tŽůĨ :ƌ Lynn and Marc Zelenski

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JANUARY 21, 2022 13

Headlines Continued from page 1

the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. She said the hostage situation in Texas had no connection or ties to Pittsburgh. Brokos explained that her role during and following a security threat, like the Colleyville attack, is to “get the most up-to-date information on what is unfolding, assess it and share that information with our Jewish organizations so that they can make informed decisions on how to secure their organizations.” On Jan. 16, Federation convened a meeting led by Brokos for Pittsburgh Jewish organizational leaders to discuss the Texas incident and to reiterate the importance of remaining vigilant and to continue employing increased security measures. While the enhanced security measures at Pittsburgh Jewish institutions might make some feel safer, 10.27 Healing Partnership Director Maggie Feinstein said some community members might be shaken by events like those in Colleyville. “It’s brought back a lot of memories for a lot of people,” Feinstein said. “It’s not just the victims and those directly impacted who may be triggered by an event like this, but all the community who cared and was present on 10.27.” Feinstein said people should pay attention to how they are feeling, stressing there is no right or wrong emotion. “Some people feel angry, some are feeling

sad or despondent,” she said. Those feelings, she continued, can be heightened by other stressors — waiting for the trial of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter to p Rabbi Charlie begin, for example, Cytron-Walker or the recent pandemic surge. “There shouldn’t be any sense that people are feeling guilt or shame about those reactions,” Feinstein added. She urged those who might feel triggered or unsafe because of the Jan. 15 event not to globalize the situation. “Currently, we are safe,” she said. “How do you believe that and tell yourself that and find a way to believe it when we feel triggered is important because we want to operate from what is the most true — and the most true is that we are not at an increased risk right now.” Laura Cherner, director of the Federation’s Community Relations Council, said the Colleyville incident is an unfortunate reminder that antisemitism remains pervasive throughout society, but noted there has been a strong interfaith community response both in Texas and locally. “In terms of the CRC, the Muslim community reached out and publicly condemned this act of antisemitism,” she said. She warned incidents like this can spark a rise in both antisemitism and Islamophobia.

“Community partnerships during this time are a crucial element to healing as well as strength through coalition building,” she said. Bruce Herschlag, president of Congregation Dor Hadash — one of the three congregations attacked in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27 — said his congregation feels deep sympathy and empathy for the Colleyville Jewish community. “We especially relate to the unfortunate fact that a Jewish synagogue was targeted during our holy, reflective time, and that there was an interminable wait for an outcome,” he said. “We’re relieved that the hostages were freed and safe and are very appreciative of law enforcement that worked so hard to help achieve that resolution.” Stephen Cohen is co-president of New Light Congregation, which also was attacked on Oct. 27. He said the ordeal in Texas feels different than what happened in Pittsburgh, which was clearly motivated by antisemitism. The Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left a trail of online antisemitic rants and reportedly shouted antisemitic slurs inside the Tree of Life building. “From my understanding, it’s a British national that took hostages in a synagogue to protest a … person who is in jail for what she did in Afghanistan,” Cohen said. “Why did he target a synagogue? Why during Shabbat services?” He said that while he doesn’t know the answers to those questions, Pittsburghers have learned how best to react to traumatic events since Oct. 27.

Day School: Continued from page 1

Weinberg said he sent an email to parents seeking volunteers with updated clearances to help as substitute teachers. “Parents are coming in — we’ve had a few parents that took me up on it,” he said. CDS had several teachers out over the last week, Bails said. “It’s been a rolling basis, so some are in, others cycle out,” she said. “It’s a little bit of a conveyor belt.” Yeshiva Schools has been averaging 10-12 staff members out each day, according to Rosenblum. Some days, the number climbed to 15 staff absences. In a typical year, he said, the school might have two staff members out on any given day due to illness. Yeshiva has kept school open and in-person, with the exception of its boys and girls high schools, which are now online, Rosenblum said. “The reason for that is because we have a lot of out-of-town students, and we have midwinter vacation,” he said. “We tried to get them home before it started.” Hillel Academy is on winter break. Weinberg said he hopes when vacation ends, the omicron peak will have passed, and staff levels will go back to the new normal. At CDS, however, classes are back in session, and teachers and staff are working to manage a resurgent virus. “When we came back from winter break, we were hit with a high number of cases reported,” Bails said. “At that point those people hadn’t been in the building yet, so we had room to figure out how to adapt, how to understand the new CDC guidelines and 14

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what those mean for our community and how we were going to navigate in this new reality that we’re suddenly all in.” A school requires more than students, parents, teachers and administrative staff to operate. Nurses, maintenance workers, cafeteria staff, security personnel and others are also necessary to keep a school open. “We were a little shaky early in December,” Weinberg said of Hillel Academy’s support

staff. “Since then, staff has been there.” Rosenblum devotes time every day to ensure that all of the needs at Yeshiva are covered, he said. “The administration meets every single night and for hours on Sunday, moving people around,” he said. “And now we have a couple of admins out.” Officials at all three schools said they were grateful that parents are understanding of the

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“We have learned to work together, to communicate, to deal with issues immediately,” he said. “The community stands together to ensure that we are prepared, monitoring social media to see whether there are copycats — stupid people doing stupid things, hurtful things.” Both Cohen and Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers expressed gratitude to law enforcement. In a prepared statement, Myers said he was relieved that those held hostage were alive and safe. “While everyone is physically safe, they are also forever changed,” Myers said. “My community knows too well the pain, trauma and lost sense of security that comes when violence forces its way in, especially into our sacred spaces.” Myers offered his support and prayers of healing for the hostages and those at Congregation Beth Israel, and highlighted the interfaith work of Cytron-Walker. “We can think of no better response to yesterday’s events than to reject all forms of hate, Islamophobia among them — to do otherwise would serve only to perpetuate the fear and hate that led to yesterday’s events,” he said. The 10.27 Healing Partnership is open to offer support to anyone traumatized by the Beth Israel hostage situation. 1027healingpartnership.org/ PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. shifts in staff and programming. What is happening in Pittsburgh day schools isn’t unique, Rosenblum said, but is taking place across the country. “It’s no longer a question of a school’s medical policies,” he said. “It’s a question of staff. Teachers are sick, kids are sick, parents have to watch their kids. It’s not even a matter of quarantining. It’s just a matter of staff — you can’t have a school without them.” And while he has no solid evidence, anecdotally Rosenblum thinks things might start getting better over the next few weeks. Bails, too, predicts an imminent end to staff shortages. CDS is nearing 100% vaccination for both age-eligible students and staff, Bails said, which “provides a level of safety for our community and another level of protection that provides a lot of reassurance for family members.” The staff shortages have been hard on everyone, Weinberg said, but he praised the teachers and staff. “They’re the real heroes in this situation,” he said. PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

dragana991 / via iStock Photo

Hostage:

Headlines spokesperson for JFunds. JFunds has contracted with Shay Port, a financial coach, who helps people identify where they can access public support, “how to manage their new normal,” and how to address debt, Lubowsky said. Anyone can meet with Port for free. Funding for Port was provided by The Fine Foundation, the Jewish Women’s Foundation of Greater Pittsburgh and the Federation’s COVID relief fund. Lubowsky emphasized that a person doesn’t have to be “needy” to use Port’s services. Other accommodations by JFunds agencies to help ease the financial burden created by COVID include an increase in the amount of funds offered to those seeking help from the Jewish Assistance Fund, which provides funding for pressing and immediate needs without repayment; expanding the parameters of what HFLA loans can be used for to include bill payment and credit card consolidation; and offering Food Pantry critical needs case managers to help people identify the public support they qualify for, Lubowsky said. “We stand ready to embrace the community with all this support,” she said. PJC

The Brandeis researchers made a number of recommendations for Pittsburgh’s Jewish

community as it emerges from the financial morass caused by COVID, including: raising awareness of economic insecurity and normalizing it so that “it is not an unusual or embarrassing or shameful situation”; having a single portal to help find all resources available in the Jewish community and the secular community; offering the services of financial coaches; and helping families strategize on how to become economically secure. Other issues that existed prior to COVID that Pittsburgh communal leaders should address, Chertok said, include providing affordable child care; helping those in the gig economy determine how to secure their financial future; and advocating for workplace gender equality. Pittsburgh’s JFunds organizations are already taking the study findings and working to address them, Rubin said. . JFunds is a network of financial support services that includes the Hebrew Free Loan Association, Jewish Assistance Fund, JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry, Jewish Scholarship Service of Greater Pittsburgh, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Israel Travel Grants. One of the most important JFunds initiatives to assist those dealing with financial insecurity is free financial coaching, said Aviva Lubowsky, director of marketing and development for the HFLA and a

possibility of representing your community.” Symons said that gerrymandering occurs in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation to advantage one party or the other. “Our goal,” he said, “is to make sure that the people that represent us in government actually represent the population without those crazy district lines.” Symons said that while he finds the redistricting process complicated and bureaucratic, it’s important that people understand the process allows for comments and recommendations. The Pennsylvania Department of State has said congressional maps should be completed by Jan. 24 to allow enough time

prior to the state’s primaries. Once the redistricting process is complete for the next decade, RAC-PA will begin focusing on voter engagement, working to ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote does vote. Symons said that members of the Pittsburgh Jewish community interested in getting involved in the state’s redistricting and voter engagement issues can visit rac.org/takeaction/rac-your-state/rac-pa to learn more. “We are now building our strategy for how it is that we are going to get as many people as possible to the polls, understanding what they’re voting for and understanding how they can vote in the November 2022 and

November 2024 election,” he said. Redistricting, Danziger said, is an issue “that dies in the dark. It’s wonky and complicated and not always the most inspiring. What makes this process unfair is when people give in to not paying attention.” “When we talk to members of our congregations, they say, ‘What keeps us up at night is that we think every person has a right to vote and deserves to have their vote counted in a free and fair election,’” she said. “Redistricting is one way to address that.” PJC

charges,” Durns said, referring to events in the 1990s and in the 2000s. “In an effort to intimidate, CAIR seems to want to smear any group that simply relays well-known facts about them.” The Jewish Federations of North America, the umbrella body for federations, said the system as a whole was dedicated to battling prejudice. “The Jewish community knows better than anybody the importance of fighting hate wherever it may be, and Federations work tirelessly to stamp out hatred and build strong friendship with other communities,” JFNA said in response to a JTA query. Eric Fingerhut, the JFNA CEO, in a separate email said the report distorts the role of Jewish federations. “This report is completely illegitimate and casts absurd and false accusations at Jewish Federations, whose sole purpose is to build up and secure the Jewish community,” he

said. “The Jewish community knows better than anybody the importance of fighting hate wherever it may be. Federations work tirelessly to stamp out hatred and build strong friendship with other communities.” Other groups cited in the report include the David Horowitz Freedom Center, which engages in “anti-Muslim media lobbying and misinformation,” and the American Freedom Defense Initiative, led by activist Pamela Geller and known for “racist public ad campaigns,” according to CAIR. Those groups have long been widely criticized for peddling Islamophobia, including by the Anti-Defamation League. CAIR itself has been accused of allowing its advocacy to veer into the realm of bigotry, with Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt accusing a CAIR leader of “textbook antisemitic conspiracy-laden garbage” in December. Zahra Billoo, director of CAIR’s San Francisco office had said in a speech

that pro-Palestinian activists should oppose “polite Zionists” just as they would rightwing extremists, and she named synagogues and other mainstream Jewish organizations as examples. The speech earned widespread rebuke from Jewish leaders like Greenblatt. The flow of funding in the nonprofit world has come under intense scrutiny in recent years with accusations like CAIR’s that tax-deductible donations are boosting hate groups and extremists. In a press release announcing the report, CAIR echoed calls to beef up controls on where donations can go. “Today, more than ever, the philanthropic community must establish clear policies to prevent funds from going to hate groups and implement educational initiatives for staff and board members to help them understand the extent of anti-Muslim bigotry,” CAIR’s national research and advocacy coordinator Huzaifa Shahbaz said in a statement. PJC

‘Shame and guilt’

Vulnerable: Continued from page 2

were diminishing, child care costs increased substantially and fewer options were available, she continued. Many families lost access to their child care, but were still paying tuition for fear of losing their spot. Because of COVID risks, older family members were not available to help with child care and, as a result, a substantial number of Jewish women left the workplace or took less demanding and less financially lucrative jobs, Chertok said. “That is going to play out as a factor throughout the rest of their work career,” she said. Because most experts predicted the pandemic would end within three to six months, many families made financial decisions that might have worked out well in the short-term — for example, accruing credit cards debt, depleting savings accounts, or borrowing from their retirement or children’s schooling accounts. “If this had been a three-month event, that would have been something they could recover from over a short period of time, but it wasn’t,” Chertok said, noting the devasting affect that compounding credit card debt, and loss of retirement fund interest, has on financial health.

Maps: Continued from page 3

how redistricting decisions were made and what RAC-PA could do to help influence those decisions, Symons said, adding that RAC-PA held an information session with 80-90 people in attendance the night before the House and Senate maps were revealed. “People had more information and understood what was going on,” he said. “Our motivation in all of this is a nonpartisan attempt to make sure that if you have the right to vote, it is easy for you to vote as well — that you are voting in a district that has the

CAIR: Continued from page 9

connected to Hamas before the United States designated Hamas a terrorist group. Additionally, federal prosecutors divulged in 2007 that the group was on a list of hundreds of “co-conspirators” in a Texas terrorism case. “CAIR’s assertions are gross falsehoods seeking to deflect from CAMERA’s factual commentary about CAIR’s extremist activity, including its history as an unindicted co-conspirator in one of the largest terrorism-financing cases in U.S. history,” Sean Durns, CAMERA’s senior analyst, said in an email. “The FBI itself has suspended ties with CAIR which had no fewer than five former lay leaders or staffers arrested, convicted and/or deported on terrorism related PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

When the researchers asked people how comfortable they were seeking help, “clearly shame and guilt were barriers,” Chertok said. “The Jewish households we spoke to, especially those who were new to economic insecurity, didn’t feel like the services were for them. They felt like these were services intended for somebody else who was impoverished because they didn’t identify as poor. And when they did identify themselves for services, they were embarrassed about it and not comfortable in that situation.” Jewish Pittsburghers found that applying for secular services, like SNAP and unemployment benefits, was daunting, Chertok said. The paperwork was cumbersome, and many families were concerned that applying for government assistance might affect their credit score. Recovery from the financial fallout of COVID is expected to be slow, Chertok said, and for most families it is projected to take years, “because they are servicing significant debt, and that debt is going to cast a shadow on their economic situation for a fairly long time unless they can eliminate or pay down the balance.”

Moving forward

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Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

JANUARY 21, 2022 15

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community Foundation presents

Life & Culture ‘Designated Hebrew’ Ron Blomberg reflects on years with the Yankees injuries, and who are weak fielders.” Writer Matt Savopoulos in the same publication denigrated the advent of the By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer designated hitter, asking, “Why do we continue to employ a rule that taints the etired baseball player Ron pastime of the nation with an unethical cheat Blomberg has a theory as to why of the principles of the game? Out with the he gets invited to speak at so many designated hitter — let the pitchers hit!” different organizations. Blomberg has taken the criticism in stride. “April 6, 1973, I screwed up the game pretty “If I wasn’t the DH, I couldn’t write a book good,” Blomberg told an [called] the ‘Designated online audience on Jan. 12 Hebrew,’” he said. during an event organized Published in 2012, by about a dozen congrega“Designated Hebrew: The tions nationwide, including Ron Blomberg Story” recalls Temple Sinai. “And that’s the historic at-bat and why I get invited to a lot of Blomberg’s time in baseball. organizations — because I It’s the first of two reflective screwed up the game.” works he’s penned; last year The hour-long converhe and Dan Epstein co-ausation, moderated by thored “The Captain & Me: Pittsburgh’s Jonathan Mayo, On and Off the Field with had Blomberg opening up Thurman Munson.” about his time with the New Blomberg said “The York Yankees, what it was Captain & Me” is intended like representing the Jewish to help the late Munson,  Ron Blomberg people and his continued who died while piloting a Photo via Wikimedia Commons efforts to get fellow Yankee plane in 1979, be inducted Thurman Munson inducted into the National in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Munson played for the Yankees between Blomberg’s professional baseball career 1969 and 1979. During those 11 seasons, began when he was selected first overall by he was a seven-time All-Star and hit .292 the Yankees in the 1967 draft. During eight with 113 home runs and 701 RBIs. He won seasons — seven with the Yankees, one with three Gold Gloves, was named the American the Chicago White Sox — he compiled a .293 League Rookie of the Year, American League batting average, with 52 home runs and 224 Most Valuable Player and served as the RBIs. His on-base percentage was .360 and Yankees’ first team captain since Lou Gehrig. slugging average was .473. Yet despite amassing Munson helped the Yankees reach three a long professional career, Blomberg is often consecutive World Series between 1976 and recognized for one particular at-bat in 1973. 1978, with the Yankees winning in ’77 and ’78. Prior to Blomberg’s April 6 first-inning During the Jan. 12 event, Mayo, an appearance against the Boston Red Sox, MLB.com writer, asked Blomberg about pitchers — like other players — played the the players’ unique friendship, noting that field and also hit. Blomberg, however, came to while Blomberg is “pretty gregarious … the plate as a designated hitter, someone substi- Thurman was kind of a little more curmudtuting a pitcher’s plate appearance and giving geonly, wasn’t he?” the team a better chance of offensive success. Blomberg said it was less an “odd couple” pairing than people would think. The strategic move was later adopted by “He loved to fish. I love to fish. He loved to nearly all amateur, college and professional eat. I love to eat,” Blomberg said. leagues. Despite its widespread use, however, After recounting dozens of meals shared, the role of the designated hitter continues to be both celebrated and chastised. Blomberg said he introduced Munson, a “Fifty percent of the people love it. Fifty tough Midwesterner, to bagels, pastrami, percent of the people hate it,” Blomberg said. corned beef and stuffed cabbage. Several years after broadening his teamWriter Francis Isberto in Bleacher Report commended the role of designated hitter, mate’s diet, Munson returned the favor. “He said, ‘I’m gonna take you to a writing, “The beauty of the DH is it creates long productive careers for players who Please see Blomberg, page 22 are getting up in age, who have a history of

— SPORTS —

R 2022 Online WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022 5:00 PM | ONLINE (Zoom Link Provided at Registration) RSVP: February 1, 2022 | Couvert: $10/person

Log on with your fellow snowbirds for an evening with Rabbi Danny Schiff, discussing

“LIVING THE DREAM: BEING A JEW IN '22” Learn more at

FOUNDATION.JEWISHPGH.ORG/SNOWBIRD Questions? Contact Patti Dziekan at pdziekan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5221. Minimum $500 commitment to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s 2022 Community Campaign.

 Jonathan Mayo and Ron Blomberg

JANUARY 21, 2022

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Screenshots by Adam Reinherz

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Celebrations

Torah

B’nei mitzvah

The double-braided rope Max P. Choset, son of Beth and Howie Choset will become a bar mitzvah at Adat Shalom during Shabbat morning services on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Grandparents are Tobe Choset and the late Malcolm Choset, and the late Gene Gallenz and the late Pat Gallenz.

Julius Poller-Prince celebrates becoming a bar mitzvah during services on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at Temple Sinai. He is the son of Jennifer Poller and Jon Prince, and is the younger, but equally loved brother of Jordan. Proud grandparents are Bill and Lydi Poller and Myrna and Jerry (z”l) Prince. A seventhgrader at Winchester Thurston and avid sports fan, Julius enjoys playing/watching baseball, squash, tennis, soccer, football or anything that involves a ball or competition. He loves anything Nutella and his favorite companion is his sister Ginger.

Rabbi Aaron Meyer Parshat Yitro | Exodus 18:1 - 20:23

wisted. Plaited. Braided. Hollow. There are many different types of rope, each suited to a different purpose. Twisted ropes are perfect for climbing in middle school gym class; plaited ropes are helpful when setting up a tent; braided ropes are essential to sailing; hollow ropes mark the lane divisions in the JCC pool, and so forth. The (mostly) undisputed strength and durability champion, though, is the double-braided rope. Strands of material woven together create strength and resilience greater than any single strand could muster and, when wrapped around a durable

experiences help us create that top layer of things we do and take joy in as Jews. And the inner core? It can be found in this week’s Torah portion. Not only in the Aseret HaDibrot, God’s Top 10 Commandments in this week’s Torah portion — part of the 613 commandments totaled in Talmud and enumerated by Maimonides — but in the very first words of that first commandment. “I am Adonai your God,” we read in Exodus 20:2. Jewish tradition understands this as the first commandment in the series, a perspective distinct from our Christian neighbors who lump this together with the prohibition against idolatry. “The first mitzvah God commanded us,” Maimonides writes in Sefer HaMitzvot, “is to believe in God; that is, to believe there is a cause and motive force behind all existing

There have always been differentiated strands of connection within Judaism. Peoplehood. Culture. Food. Language, be it Hebrew or Yiddish or Ladino. Ritual. Prayer. Study.

Engagement Judy and Eric Rogalsky of Pittsburgh are thrilled to announce the engagement of their son, Justin Scott to Samantha Marie Norris. Samantha is the daughter of Jamie and Steve Norris of Enon, Ohio. Justin is the grandson of Sally Rogalsky and the late M. Alan Rogalsky and the late Lois and David Shapiro, all of Pittsburgh. Samantha is the granddaughter of Ralph Norris of Decatur, Alabama, and the late Peg Norris and the late Kathy and William O’Connor of Springfield, Ohio. Justin is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in hospitality management and is employed by Hotel Equities Group, LLC as a hotel general manager in Columbus, Ohio. Samantha is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in long-term care administration and is employed as the executive director of Flint Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation in Newark, Ohio. Samantha and Justin will be married Dec. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. PJC

Congregation Emanu-El Israel of Greensburg will be leading a Talmud Class starting in February. The free class will run on Thursday evenings, 7:30 p.m., online, for one hour each week.

existing core, you have a rope strong enough to trust with your life the next time you go rock climbing or enter into a conversation about Jewish identity. Hear me out. There have always been differentiated strands of connection within Judaism. Peoplehood. Culture. Food. Language, be it Hebrew or Yiddish or Ladino. Ritual. Prayer. Study. We could go on, and I hope you do — the more strands of connection we can weave together, the stronger the rope connecting us to our tradition. While one could, theoretically, try to maintain Jewish identity through just a few strands or even one singular point of connection (eating a bagel and reading The New York Times on a Sunday morning, for instance, or being machmir about personal observance halakha to the exclusion of middot), it feels like a risky proposition. A strong pull or minor accumulation of stressors could sever that fragile, tenuous connection in a way one need not worry about if they have a manystranded, double-braided rope. The outer braid of that rope is ours to assemble as we find our way in Jewish life. The foci imparted to us by our parent/s or that we accept through study as adults, our personalities and passions, and our own life

The approach will look at a specific tractate and how their discussions are applied today. For more information please contact Rabbi Lenny Sarko at 724-9630789 or email rabbi@cei-greensburg.org This program is supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. It is open to anyone in Westmoreland or Allegheny counties and is free.

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things. This idea is expressed in the statement: ‘I am Adonai your God.’” Whether you believe, as Maimonides does, that God’s creative power underlies all things or you take the approach that the moral imperative or force to act beyond self-interest could be labeled as God, wrestling with — holding tight and pulling close while struggling to fully articulate — and thus affirming the first Commandment forms the inner core of the strongest possible connection to Judaism. There are, of course, many different types of rope, each suited to different purposes. How you plan to use it largely determines whether what you have will be strong enough to succeed. For your own edification, maybe you really can get away with one singular or with fewer strands of connection. But to anchor you during inevitable hardships in life? To grasp tangibly enough to pass on to future generations? To ensure the continuity of the rope stretching back to Sinai? I’d recommend you go with the double-braid. PJC Rabbi Aaron Meyer is the senior rabbi at Temple Emanuel of South Hills. This column is a service of the Greater Pittsburgh Rabbinic Association.

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Obituaries BASKIN: Seymour Baskin, 96, passed away peacefully on Jan, 8, 2022, in Prescott Arizona. Beloved husband of Sandy (Lee); father of Roberta Baskin (Washington D.C.), Barbara Baskin (Tampa, Florida), Deborah Hall (Franklin, Massachusetts), Tracy Carter (Prescott, Arizona); and grandfather to five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 7, 1925, to Samuel and Sadie Baskin. Along with his parents, Seymour was predeceased by his brothers Phil and Jerome. In 1950 he earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh and from there he went into general law practice as a partner in the firm Baskin, Sachs, Gondelman and Craig. In 1969 he formed National Development Corporation providing affordable and conventional housing throughout the east coast. He served as chairman of the board of National Development Corporation until he retired. Seymour was a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Navy. For many years, Seymour served as special counsel to the Department of Urban Affairs and Federal Housing Administration. Seymour also served on the board of the United Jewish Federation and was a longtime member of Temple Emanuel of South Hills. Seymour enjoyed traveling, golfing, playing cards as well as having cocktails with friends. He remained loyal to all the Pittsburgh sports teams. A service of remembrance will be scheduled at a later date. CHELEMER: Joan Sue Chelemer, 89, of Oakland and Highland Park, on Monday January 10. Beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Predeceased by her late husband, Harold Chelemer, and her brother Charles G. Hirsh. She is survived by her three sons: Marc, Scott, and Bruce Chelemer; seven grandchildren: Joshua and Elizabeth Nakagawa, Micaela Brody, and Samuel, Ben, Daniel, Philip and David Chelemer; her sister-in-law Elissa Hirsh; nieces Erin and Amanda Hirsh; and seven great-grandchildren. Graveside services and interment were held on Thursday, Jan. 13, at Homewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to the American Civil Liberties Union, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra or the National Audubon Society. The Atrium. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com CHIODO: Keith Chiodo was born in He r m i t a g e , Pennsylvania, on Nov. 29, 1961, and succumbed to liver failure on Jan. 9, 2022. He is survived by his loving husband of 32 years, Steve Zupcic, his brother Robert Chiodo, and his beloved aunt Marie Karabincik to which Keith was particularly devoted. He was preceded in death by his parents Sara (Ball) and Frank Chiodo. Keith graduated from Hickory High School in 1980, and continued his education 18

JANUARY 21, 2022

at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh, focusing on the history of the philosophy of science and Judaic studies. He pursued those studies in parallel with establishing a career in Information technology, achieving particular success at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Keith also taught computer classes at the Community College of Allegheny County, and was active in Global Service Learning with Amazade, teaching in the Navajo Nation. He also enjoyed a stint as a Segway tour guide of historical Pittsburgh. At the National Organization for Men Against Sexism’s Men and Masculinity Conference (Menergy, 1989), Keith met his husbandto-be Steve. Both were active members in the Pittsburgh Men’s Collective, and both found community and service in congregation Bet Tikvah. Steve and Keith visited Israel twice, where Keith was particularly moved by the depth of meaning of the Jewish homeland. Steve and Keith joined the queer Jewish community while they lived in Tucson, and during that time they made a second trip to Israel as a part of a Federation-sponsored community interfaith leadership mission, and Keith came to embrace a Zionist identity. Keith loved cats, and volunteered to care for them in Tucson at the Hermitage Cat Shelter; but his own cat Zachary held a special place in his heart. Here in Pittsburgh, he and Steve co-chaired the local host committee for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change Conference. His one brush with fame was as Trent Reznor’s roommate while touring with the Exotic Birds, before Trent achieved stardom with that other band. Keith loved to travel, and in addition to Israel and Judaism, he developed a love for Japanese culture after a Semester at Sea trip. Travel provided opportunities to expand his pen collection and to sample local culture through another activity he enjoyed: experiencing and appreciating cultural influences on massage techniques. Keith’s creature comforts were many and varied, including science fiction and urban fantasy, photography, making colored-pencil drawings, Italian food, hot springs, waterfalls and intimate gatherings with friends. Keith had a deep kindness and compassion at his core, a thirst for learning and appreciation, and a demeanor that supported a quiet and empathetic understanding of the people around him. May his memory be as a blessing. Services were held on Sunday, Jan. 16, at Homewood Cemetery, at 1 p.m. Professional services trusted to D’Alessandro Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Lawrenceville. dalessandroltd.com. FIREMAN: Philip Fireman, M D, 89, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, professor, teacher, researcher and mentor died peacefully in bed in his Pittsburgh home on Jan. 13, 2022. He was a renowned expert in the characteristics of immunoglobulin that formed the foundation of modern allergy and immunology practice. Fireman was born at home on Caldwell Street in the Hill District in 1932 to Anna (Caplan) and Nathan Fireman. Anna and

Nathan both came to Pittsburgh as teens in the early 1900s and ran a family grocery and butcher shop in the Hill. His family moved to Baywood Street in the East End. He came from a family that valued education — his sister Thelma was a teacher, his brother Eddie was an astrophysicist, a Smithsonian scholar on the faculty of Harvard and MIT, and his brother Jack was a pharmacist and later a doctor. As the youngest brother, Phil had big shoes to fill. He became bar mitzvah at Torah Chaim on Negley Avenue. A graduate of Pittsburgh Public Schools Rogers Elementary and Peabody High School, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Chicago School of Medicine class of 1957, Fireman excelled in the classroom and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Following graduation, he married Marcia Levick of Squirrel Hill on Nov. 27, 1957, at B’nai Israel Congregation. They just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. He did his internship at Philadelphia General, his pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and a fellowship in allergy and immunology at Harvard University. He worked as a Naval officer and was a researcher and clinical fellow at the National Institutes of Health - Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland, before becoming a tenured professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Early in his career, he discovered a rare immune deficiency syndrome that carries his name and freed bubble babies. He served as a visiting scientist at the Swiss Institute of Experimental Cancer Research in Lausanne, Switzerland. A distinguished research collaborator at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York. Of his many honors and distinctions, he is an NIH research career development awardee, an NIH Special Research Fellowship Awardee, and was given the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Chicago. His bibliography includes over 200 publications. He served as the editor-in-chief at the American Journal of Rhinology. His book “Atlas of Allergy” is in its third edition and has been translated into Spanish. He had the honor of over 150 guest lectureships and research collaborations around the globe. A past president of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, past chairman of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, past member of the American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Medical Specialties. He trained over 50 postdoctoral fellows. When he retired after 45 years, he was the longest-serving employee at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is survived by his adoring wife, Marcia; his five children, Mark, Randi, Paul, David, and Lee, and their spouses; he was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter Sarah; and survived by 12 grandchildren, Josh, Armin, Michael, Matthew, Karen, Ellie, Anna, Leah, Daniel, Eric, Ben and Henry, and his first great-grandson Hayes. He was an active skier, traveler and birder who enjoyed classical music but cherished time with family and friends. In honor of his memory, donations can be made in his name to the JCC Center for Loving Kindness (donate. jccpgh.org/donate) and American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAIfoundation.org). Graveside services

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and interment were held at Tree of Life Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com GERSHON: Jean Gershon, on Jan. 13, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Isaac Gershon and loving companion of the late Irving Wender; cherished mother of Ray (Bronwyn) Gershon and the late David Gershon; sister of the late Hilda Meilman; grandmother of Amy (Chris) Barnes; great-grandmother of James Barnes. Jean helped develop the Nurse Practitioner Program within the Pittsburgh Public School system, was in the military in the Army Nurse Corps, and worked as a school nurse for many years. Graveside service and interment were held at Workman’s Circle #45. Contributions may be made to Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com GUMBERG: Marcia Morgan Gumberg of Pittsburgh passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, 2022, at the age of 91. She and her beloved husband, Stanley R. Gumberg, raised three sons: Ira (Anita), Lawrence (Ina), and Andrew (Christy), and she was a loving grandmother to nine grandchildren, and great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren. Her joy and compassion showed itself in the many ways she contributed to the Pittsburgh community and the world throughout her long life. Born April 13, 1930, to Ida and Max Morgan, Marcia had a lifelong passion for education. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, she began her career as a second grade teacher. She would ultimately serve as a trustee for Seton Hill University. Among her many interests, Marcia was an avid patron and collector of the fine arts. She served a term as the chair of the Carnegie Museum of Art and collected post-war contemporary art, selections of which have been displayed at museums around the world. She had a passion for literature. Marcia owned and operated a chain of local bookstores, was an enthusiastic supporter of the Carnegie Libraries, and collected extraordinary old and rare books. Her love for literature extended outward into the community as well, where early in her career she endeavored to teach sighted people to convert books to Braille, helping to make the joy of reading accessible to all. Animals and animal husbandry were among her other interests. She successfully bred many thoroughbred graded-stakes race horses, and was extremely fond of dogs, in particular her cherished Irish wolfhounds. Marcia is survived by her children, her grandchildren Jill (Jay), Amanda (Craig), Tessa, Stanley, Jordan, Carly, Brian (Jacqueline), Zachary (Dina), and Ali; her great-grandchildren Max, Theo, Lilah, Cecilia, and Naomi; and her dearly loved sister, Barbara Morgan Spiegelman. Marcia’s funeral and interment took place in a private family ceremony. A memorial service will be scheduled for a time in the future. Those who wish to give gifts in her memory are invited to make contributions to the charity or cause of their own choice. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com Please see Obituaries, page 19

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Obituaries Obituaries: Continued from page 18

MEHR: Lillian Mea Weingarten Mehr passed peacefully in bed on Tuesday, Jan. 11 (9 Shevat). Beloved wife, mother, teacher, and aunt, she is survived and remembered by her two sons, Michael and Jeffrey, nephew Marc and nieces Fern and Hope, sister-in-law Arlene Weingarten, and many loving friends. She played the violin since she was a child living on Russell Street, Sharon, Pennsylvania. Music was always a close part of her life, and she made sure her sons started piano at an early age and were encouraged to continue on other instruments of their choice (Michael on tuba, Jeffrey on everything else). Always a team with husband Harold (Hal), of Greenville, Pennsylvania, they raised goats together, ran a creamery in Conneaut Lake, and went on to found Mehr Metals in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, later moving to Greenville to raise their sons. She was a dietitian for National Harvester, a substitute teacher in Reynolds and Greenville public schools, a band parent at Greenville High School, an administrative aide for the University of Pittsburgh, and worked in youth education and support staff for Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She was also a violinist for the Butler Symphony, Youngstown Symphony, and assistant concertmaster for the Greenville Symphony. At her recent 90th birthday celebration, she donated her own violin to the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony to encourage new talent who might not be able to afford a decent instrument. She was a member of Congregation Beth Israel, Sharon, Pennsylvania, and a kindergarten teacher in religious school, having brought her sons there from kindergarten through confirmation grade 10. At her last birthday she was delighted to receive a deed from Michael for a small patch of land on Mars. She often joked that she would swing by to inspect it “on her way to the hereafter.” Graveside service and interment were held on Friday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel Cemetery, Hermitage, PA. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com ROCK: Fred M. Rock, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Beloved husband of Sally Rock; cherished father of Steven (Amy Schulman) Rock and Wendy (Adam) Greco; devoted brother of Lorry (Bob) Leavitt and Joan (Bob) Clar; devoted Zayde of Joshua and Zachary Greco, Melanie and Caroline Rock; favorite uncle to many nieces and nephews. Fred passed away peacefully with his family around him after a courageous battle against ALS. He handled the disease with dignity and courage. He never complained and maintained his endearing smile and sense of humor till the end. He continued to conduct his investment banking business until his last day. He was an astute businessman and was admired for his financial acumen. Fred cared deeply about his community and at an early age helped to form Freedom House Ambulance Service in the Hill District. He served on the UJA Young PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Leadership Cabinet and on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the JAA. He was deeply devoted to Friendship Circle and helped them establish themselves as an organization. Fred’s greatest love was his family. He adored his four children and four grandchildren, always trying to give them advice on their schooling and their careers. Fred was a devoted husband and had a loving, caring relationship with his wife, Sally. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Due to COVID-19 concerns, Fred’s service and interment will be private. Please contact the funeral home for a zoom link to both the funeral service and shiva. Contributions may be made to Friendship Circle, 1922 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com WEDEEN: Marvin M. Wedeen, longtime Sewickley resident and crusader for the Sewickley community, passed away on Jan 1, 2022. He was 95. Marvin left us with the secret to leading a happy life. He maintained: “The secret to a happy life is that your giving outweighs your taking.” His life reflected his belief in that philosophy. Marvin led a life of service. He was a master of finding areas of need and creating actionable solutions to build and to improve community. He has been described as a “community champion,” “catalytic agent” and “negotiator extraordinaire.” Marvin enrolled in the Cornell University School of Agriculture in 1943 at age 17, but was drafted in March of 1944. After his basic training, he was assigned to the 100th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg and served in the European Theatre from October 1944 until he mustered out in April of 1946. Although wounded in battle, he went back to the front and served until his discharge. For his service, he was awarded a Purple Heart. Upon his discharge from the military, Marvin returned to Cornell University to complete his studies. His program included an academic requirement that he have firsthand experience in running a farm. He applied for work on a farm owned by the family of Hannah Haas, a Cornell classmate and his future bride. His diary from that time reads: “Got Job — Got Gal”. He and Hannah married in August of 1947, and remained in New York State for over 20 years. There, Marvin began his management career with Sealtest. He then served as vice president of Dellwood Foods where his responsibilities included marketing, product development and labor relations. He also served as an employment trustee for union pensions and welfare funds. When the dairy industry began downsizing, Marvin looked for a new career direction. With the support of Hannah and friends in the health care field, he decided that his knowledge of personnel management and labor relations would be a good fit for a career in hospital administration. In his early 40s and now the father of two daughters, Marvin enrolled in a two-year graduate program in hospital administration at the Columbia School of Public Health. After completing a residency in Cooperstown, New York, he applied for a position at Sewickley Valley Hospital in 1971. Please see Obituaries, page 20

Jewish Association on Aging gratefully acknowledges contributions from the following: A gift from ...

In memory of...

A gift from ...

In memory of...

Dava Berkman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Esther Berkman

Jean Metzger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erna Metzger

Roberta Feldman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Josephine Feldman

Jean Metzger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ernest Metzger

Rhoda & Jay Gefsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mollie Barnett Gerald Gold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacob J. Gordon Fred & Gail Greene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bessie Berman Fred & Gail Greene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .William Greene

Mr. & Mrs. Joel Platt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madylene Platt Leslie Ripp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Milton Ripp Rhoda Rofey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Celia Rofey

Fred & Gail Greene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Silverstein

Paula Rofey Singer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marvin L. Kaufman

Meyer Grinberg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rachel Grinberg

Ethel Sisselsky and Family . . . . . . . . . . . .Enoch Sisselsky

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS — Sunday January 23: Rose Avner, Jacob E. Canter, Gerald Lee Goldman, Lena Gutkind, Aaron Hirschman, Samuel Pasekoff, Edward Schultz, Bella M. Sherman, Isaac Wolovitz, Oscar Zeidenstein Monday January 24: Mary Americus, Phillip Caplan, David Cohen, A. L. Davidson, Sara R. Kitay, Miriam F. Kopelson, William M. Lowenstein, Melvin Morgan, Esther Phillips, Abraham Ripp, Sylvia Rosen, Pauline Salkovitz, Milton Sapir, Benjamin Silberman, Abraham Silverberg, Frances Simon, Jacob I. Slotsky, Norman Stern, Wilma J. Tumpson, Herman Weisberger, Harry A. Wilkofsky, Rose Zwick Tuesday January 25: Irwin Alper, Dorothy (Nee Rebecca) Buckdrucker Lewinter, Harry N. Cohen, Jacob Gerber, Harry Glick, Belle Green, Joseph Hirsh, Benjamin Horvitz, Vivian S. Hyman, Hyman Koss, Sarah Liebman, Eli London, Abe Markowitz, Esther Rice, Sophie Rosen, Cele Rosman, Jack Weber, Anna Witt Wednesday January 26: Ida Sylvia Shaffer Barron Hochberg, Morris Marvin Berger, Max Coffee, Frieda Feinberg, Reuben Goldstein, Rose Goldstein, George Kalb, Rae G. Labovitz, Bertha Lieber, Meyer Maglin, Anna Myers, Lillian W. Rothman, Benjamin Sachs, Sara Stuart, Jacob D. Titlebaum, Tillie T. Udman, Eli G. Weinthal, Fannie Williams Thursday January 27: Leonard Chasick, Israel Fineman, Harry Frank, Rachel Goodman, Lena Gordon, Louis Kantor, Esther Lehman, Freda Levine, Sarah Lurie, Herman Ryave, Rose Schwartz, Anna E. Shapiro, Tillie Shillit, Samuel Toker, Jack Wagner, Jeffrey S. Weiss, Sylvia Wittlin Friday January 28: Isaac Apple, Fannie Binstock, Morton Blumenfeld, Alfred Devon, Josephine Feldman, Reva Hankin, Albert F. Klein, Joseph G. Lazear, Moishe Ofshinski, Serrae Roberts, Ben Simon, Louise S. Sobel, Ida J. Wilner, John Wirtzman, Annette Wolk Saturday January 29: Anna Friedman, Louis Friedman, O. Hicks Friedman, Fanny Gitelman, Jack Morris Glantz, Ann R. Hendel, Milton B. Krupp, Joseph Lewinter, Celia Lipsitz, William Mintz, Ruth Brill Moldovan, Celia Rofey, David M. Rosenberg, Samuel Earl Schugar, Rose Sherry, Bennie Silverman, Henry Singer, Tillie Tex

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Obituaries Obituaries: Continued from page 19

A several-hour interview with Don Spalding, president of Sewickley Valley Hospital, launched Marvin’s highly successful 30-year career devoted to hospital management and health care. As vice president of Sewickley Valley Hospital, Marvin oversaw the areas of human resources, physician recruitment, and strategic planning. As part of his role at the hospital, Marvin was strongly encouraged to find ways to improve conditions in the larger community. One way he became a “catalytic agent” was by organizing a committee to save the Sewickley Bridge. When a new bridge was constructed as part of construction of Route 79, it became known that PennDot was not planning to replace the Sewickley Bridge, which had been closed because of structural problems.

Marvin and others recognized the threat this posed to the community. He was a charter organizer and prime mover of the Committee to Save Sewickley Bridge which was dedicated to finding a way to save the bridge. The results of his efforts are clear. In 1978, a new organization was created to serve the needs of senior citizens in the Sewickley area. The goal of the Valley Care Association was to plan and ensure the development of a nursing home in the area that would offer three levels of care — skilled nursing, intermediate and custodial — while accepting patients who were receiving medical assistance. Marvin served as a key leader and worked tirelessly toward the Association’s goals. He was president of the board from 1993 until 1996, and served as a trustee from the Association’s inception until 2008. As membership in the VCA grew, financial support solidified. Property in Aleppo was purchased and construction of a nursing home began in

April of 1983. While the development of a nursing home was always a priority for the VCA, their long-term objective was to offer a full range of care to senior citizens. An assisted living facility would focus on a different level of care than a nursing home and a retirement community would allow seniors to live independently. While the board worked arduously to find ways to provide a continuum of care with a variety of partners, it wasn’t until September of 1998 that an ideal “fit” was found in the Masonic organization. The highly regarded Masons were interested in buying the nursing home and also the land needed to build a retirement community — fulfilling the longrange plan and hopes of the VCA — and of Marvin Wedeen. When he became a Masonic villa resident in 2003, Marvin became an active participant in one of his own legacies. Marvin retired from his position at Sewickley Valley Hospital in 1992. By then, he had achieved

Fellowship in the American College of Healthcare Executives for his contributions to community and healthcare development. He had also been named “1979 Man of the Year” by the Sewickley Herald. During his retirement years he served as a volunteer consultant to the Executive Service Corps of Western Pennsylvania, an organization devoted to providing management consulting services to nonprofit organizations. There, he was lead consultant specializing in strategic planning and outcome measurement for numerous local nonprofit agencies and two school districts. In the late ‘90s, he was named “Community Champion” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for his work with The Executive Service Corps. His board service included the Sewickley Valley Hospital Foundation, Hospital Council of Western PA, The G. Whitney Snyder Memorial Please see Obituaries, page 22

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Headlines Blomberg: Continued from page 16

restaurant, and you will love it,’” Blomberg said. “I said, ‘Oh, this is great.’ He took me to the White Castle.” Blomberg thanked the nearly 200 attendees and the participating congregations for partnering on the event. “I love y’all to death,” Blomberg said. “If there’s anything I can do for you to make you smile and make you happy, I’m here for you.” That sentiment is among several reasons why Blomberg is a beloved figure in the world of Jewish sports, Temple Sinai member Todd Miller said. “Blomberg is very active in Jewish charities today, but as a player he was a mensch and persevered with dignity

Obituaries: Continued from page 20

Community Fund, B’nai Brith, Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, Beth Samuel Jewish Center, Sewickley Community Center, and Southwestern PA Health Planning Association. In addition, he was a long-time member of the Cornell Club of Pittsburgh and he and Hannah enthusiastically co-chaired their Cornell 50th class reunion in 1997. Finding time to immerse themselves in the community, Marvin and Hannah were regular bridge players, tennis and paddle tennis players, avid gardeners and devotees of the Betty Morrow book club. They also enjoyed a myriad of Pittsburgh’s cultural activities — chamber music, symphony, opera, art museums, theater and a variety of lecture series. In addition, their bags were always packed and they traveled extensively through many parts of the world. When Hannah passed in 2002, Marvin mourned her deeply, while spending time with his three Pittsburgh grandchildren and family in California and Florida offered some welcome solace. In 2003, Marvin reconnected with a favorite neighbor from his original upstate New York days. Dot George and Marvin were a wonderful match and, after marrying in the Fall of 2003, they moved into Masonic Village together. They spent their time there in bridge games, a jazz club, a Life Long Learners’ group and a religious discussion group. After Dot’s death in 2014 Marvin continued to be an active member of the Masonic Village Community, leading the weekly Life Long Learning Group, attending lectures and music programs and a regular “happy hour” with other residents. Marvin was a natural coach and a quiet, highly effective

through an injury-plagued career.” Miller said Blomberg served as an “excellent representative of the Jewish community to a player like Thurman Munson.” Blomberg realized he wasn’t only representing Judaism to his teammates, but to New York at large, when he arrived as a teenager at Yankee Stadium. A message on the scoreboard read, “Welcome Ron Blomberg: the first Jewish New York Yankee.” There was something special about going to games and “walking past all these ladies and grandfathers reading the Jewish papers,” Blomberg recalled. He lived in Riverdale among a large Jewish community and spent the winter months attending weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs throughout the area. “I felt like I was on the shrine,” he said. “I felt like the people gravitated to me. It was

so much fun to be able to give back to the people, and thank God I did it. Thank God that I got to do what I wanted to do.” Blomberg credited his “nice Jewish mom and dad” with raising him well but lamented that social media and economics have changed baseball and its players. “The guys nowadays, they come in their Rolls Royces and their Lamborghinis and Aston Martins, they got their security guards, and they got all the people around them,” he said. “They can’t move. What we had on our team was we went out to dinner with one another, we did things with one another. We’re so close-knit. It was so much fun.” Blomberg said he’s heard from today’s athletes that they worry every fan interaction could somehow be misconstrued online. Because of large social media followings

and financial implications, things are different now, he said. Blomberg and his teammates “did not make a lot of money, but what we did do was we had the greatest team, we had the greatest friendship,” he said. “We were brothers on this team.” It’s among the reasons why Blomberg feels so strongly about getting Munson enshrined among baseball’s greats in Cooperstown, New York. “Thurman was a wonderful, wonderful person,” Blomberg said. “His family’s wonderful. Thurman was my brother, and I’m gonna do everything I possibly can to get him into the Hall of Fame.” PJC

leader. He relished meeting new people and spending quality time with old friends. He strove to build connections and to encourage everyone to find ways to enrich their community and to challenge themselves to find and realize their own potential. His foremost wish was that his family members become productive and respected members of their communities and continue his tradition of giving back. Marvin is survived by his two daughters, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Rachel Wedeen of Aptos, California; Miriam Johnson of Pittsburgh; Eric Dixon of Pittsburgh; Courtney Nipaver of Apopka, Florida; Nathaniel Dixon of San Diego, California; Dylan, Dean and Declan Dixon of Pittsburgh; and Madison, Maci and Finley Nipaver of Apopka, Florida. A private religious ceremony was held on Jan. 6. A memorial celebration will be held at the Masonic Village in mid-February and another life celebration, for the greater community, later this year. Memorial donations to Temple Beth Samuel in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and to Masonic Village in Sewickley are preferred. Arrangements by The Cole Funeral Home, Sewickley.

on Dec. 24, 1920, to Minnie Klein and Aaron Weiss and spent his early years in Pittsburgh. As a young man studying art at Carnegie Tech and working as an interior designer, he learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor and immediately volunteered for the war effort. Lee trained as a radio operator and was first deployed to England as a member of the 3103d Service Battalion where he worked on the top-secret Operation Fortitude South intended to deceive the Germans about the location of the Allied invasion ahead of D-Day. It was over 30 years later, when the details of this operation were made public, that Lee learned he had been a part of this famous “Calais Hoax,” and that the encrypted transmissions he had sent redirected the German forces to Pas de Calais, allowing for the successful Allied landing at Normandy. Lee and his unit were then sent to France, arriving on Omaha Beach two days after D-Day. As a signal service operator, Lee “went where he was needed,” helping to liberate Paris, the port at Brest, and then on to Belgium, where he later fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Lee joined the Duro-Test Corporation, where he spent his career as a top salesman for over 50 years. Lee married his sweetheart, Renee Grosser Weiss, in 1945 while home from the war on furlough. Lee and Renee settled in the Philadelphia area, raised two children together and enjoyed 54 years of marriage until her death in 1999. Lee knew how lucky he was to find love again with his second wife, Cele Heyman Lieberman, who was by his side for the last 22 years. Lee was an avid sportsman who was active in both mind and body nearly to the end. He took pride in pitching weekly doubleheaders for

his Sunday softball team at Wall Park until the age of 87 and continued to golf and bowl twice a week well into his 90s. Always the life of the party, Lee was known for his irrepressible charm, his colorful wit, his artistic talents, and his unwavering loyalty to the Pirates and Steelers. In addition to his wife, Cele Heyman Lieberman, Lee is survived by his children, Barbara Strogatz Pankhurst (Mark Pankhurst) and Steven Weiss (Linda Marcus Weiss); his grandchildren Melissa Strogatz Burnett, Benjamin Strogatz, Laura Weiss Farrell, David Weiss, and Craig Weiss; his wife’s son David Lieberman; and grandsons Jesse and Jordan Lieberman, as well as his three great-grandsons. Lee was also a cherished uncle to his brother Elek Weiss’s children, Bert Weiss (Suzie Laskin), Ronna Weiss Nichamin (Bill Nichamin), and granddaughter Mindy Nichamin. Lee and his family are grateful for the care and friendship of Anne Losiaste during the final years of his life. In a recent interview to commemorate his 100th birthday, Lee was honored by his modern-day Signal Service Battalion now out of Fort Hood, Texas, and presented with a hand-written letter and director’s coin from four-star General Paul M. Nakasone of the U.S. Army. Toward the end of the interview, Lee remarked that life was a miracle and that he had no regrets, and with his usual humility and cheer added, “All in all, I’ve had a good run.”

WEISS: Lee Jay Weiss (1920-2022), beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and one of the oldest surviving veterans of the Second World War, passed away on Jan. 4 in Boynton Beach, Florida, after a remarkable life. He was 101. Lee was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania,

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Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

In loving memory

MELLINGER: It has been one year since the passing of Selma Mellinger. She was the beloved wife of Rudy, the dear mother of Sharon (Neil) and Wendy (Robert), and the adored bubbie of Micah and Stephen. PJC

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Community Friends read together The Friendship Circle’s young adult Friends on the Town members gathered for Book Club. The group read “A Place to Land: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Speech that Inspired a Nation” together on The Friendship Circle’s tented rooftop, while also collaborating on a colorful mural of Dr. King. u The created mural will be displayed in the building through the end of January.

p Cece Robinson adds creative touches to her piece of the mural.

p Uri Butler (front) and Mark Sulkin (back) are all smiles.

p Brendan Clancy promotes the Pens while working on puzzle art. Photos courtesy of The Friendship Circle

Now we rise

Believe the HYPE

Members of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh followed through on January resolutions during a group exercise class.

Parents and children spent Sunday morning Jan. 9 at Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh learning Torah together.

p Nowhere to go but up p The Becks join Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh for HYPE (Hillel Youth & Parent Education Program). Photo courtesy of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh

“Countering Antisemitism” In response to a Nazi flag flying at a private home in Etna, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh joined the Etna Community Organization for “Countering Antisemitism,” a virtual program on Jan. 10. Speakers included Jewish Community Security Director Shawn Brokos (pictured), Laura Cherner from the Federation’s Community Relations Council, Maggie Feinstein from the 10-27 Healing Partnership, and Nick Haberman from the Holocaust Center. The program was organized by the Etna community. Screenshot by Jim Busis p Getting stronger

Photos courtesy of Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

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