Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle 5-12-23

‘Forever connected’: Pittsburghers visit Israel among celebrations and protests

Government psych experts can examine accused shooter in synagogue massacre trial now, judge rules

By Torsten Ove | Contributing Writer

As jury selection grinds on in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre trial, the judge overseeing the case said Monday that he will allow government psychiatric experts to examine the accused shooter as soon as possible to rebut defense claims that he has mental health problems.

By Adam Reinherz | Sta Writer

During a recent visit marking the Jewish state’s 75th anniversary, a group of Pittsburghers experienced celebrations, demonstrations and commemorations, all highlighting the complexities of modern Israel.

Martin Goldhaber, Michael Milch and Brian Eglash attended Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut ceremonies, participated in the Jewish Federation of North America’s General Assembly and visited sites supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

“My expectations were totally exceeded,” Goldhaber told the Chronicle. In just six days, “we got to see so many things.”

From April 20-26, Goldhaber and other Pittsburghers toured Jerusalem, spent time in Tel Aviv and observed the dramatic shift between Yom HaZikaron (honoring fallen soldiers and victims of terror) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (celebrating Israel’s independence).

“To see the transition was unbelievable,” Milch said.

The Squirrel Hill resident and JFNA Young Leadership Cabinet Member joined nearly 7,000 other celebrants in Latrun for Masa Israel Journey’s 15th annual Yom HaZikaron program.

Speeches, performances and vignettes memorialized fallen soldiers and victims of terror while stressing a theme of “Forever Connected.”

“If there is one key message we should remember today out of a great respect to the sacrifice of the fallen it is to continue together, remember our unity and connection, be patient, accept one another and remember we are one nation that only has one Jewish country, the state of Israel,” Doron Almog, chairman of the executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel, told attendees.

“The speeches that we heard really brought home the feeling of what the day meant,” Goldhaber said.

Milch called the ceremony “very raw” and said it was “powerful watching soldiers and former soldiers break down and cry.”

Of particular note to Pittsburghers, he said, was a story shared about Joyce Fienberg, one of 11 Jews killed during Shabbat services on Oct. 27, 2018.

During a segment dedicated to “lives cut short,” recorded interviews with Fienberg’s family depicted the Tree of Life member’s life, her dedication to helping others and

U.S. District Judge Robert Colville said both defense and prosecution are “not without fault” in their endless bickering over every aspect of the exams but ruled that the government is entitled to have its own experts conduct tests on the defendant.

Robert Bowers, 50, is on trial in the 2018 shooting deaths of 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue building. He faces the federal death penalty if convicted.

Jury selection entered its third week Monday with all-day questioning of potential jurors. Meanwhile, the judge is ruling on various outstanding motions.

A key one involves the defendant’s mental health.

The defense team, trying to spare him from the death penalty, says its experts have determined that he has schizophrenia, epilepsy and “functional and structural impairments of the brain.” They want to introduce that evidence during the penalty phase of the trial.

Prosecutors want their own experts to examine him “solely to rebut mitigation evidence.”

Colville granted the motion — but imposed his own rules on how and when it will be done.

For one thing, the defense wanted to delay the tests until after the guilt phase. Prosecutors objected, saying it will cause yet more delays.

The judge sided with the prosecution, saying

The

 Michael Milch, second from right, joins other North American Jewish leaders in Israel.

Photo courtesy of Michael Milch

Headlines

Jewish Federation former chair recalls Oct. 27, 2018

— LOCAL —

By David Rullo | Sta Writer

For Meryl Kirshner Ainsman, Oct. 27, 2018, began with the sound of sirens cutting through the air and frantic knocks on her front door.

Ainsman was in her kitchen preparing breakfast with her grandson.

“All of a sudden, there were police cars zooming past my house,” she remembered. “The first one wasn’t a big deal then, all of a sudden, there were more and more and more and more and more. I turned to my husband, who was with me in the kitchen, and said, ‘There’s something very serious going on.’”

Ainsman, a lifelong Pittsburgher and thenboard chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, told her husband, David, that she suspected that whatever was happening probably involved someone they knew.

At that moment, “there was a loud banging at the door, like a knock but it wasn’t just a knock. It was a banging,” she said. At the door was a young man in a kippah, whom Ainsman did not know. He was “beside himself and out of breath.” The man asked if he could use the Ainsmans’ phone.

“‘I need to call my wife. There’s been a shooting at the Tree of Life,’” she recalled him saying. “That’s how I found out.”

The man was shomer Shabbat — meaning he strictly observed the Sabbath — and didn’t have his phone, but was on his way to meet his wife at Congregation Beth Shalom. When he passed the Tree of Life building, he told Ainsman, a police officer looked at him and said, “Run as far as you can. Get out of here.”

“He ended up at my door,” Ainsman said, “which was just bizarre.”

Ainsman called Federation President and

CEO Jeff Finkelstein, who had just returned from a trip to Israel the night before. She also made sure that the Federation’s then-Director of Community Security Brad Orsini also knew what was happening.

Ainsman’s house was soon filled with family and friends. One of her sons-in-law had a police scanner and was monitoring the incident, the television news was playing and, while attempting to make sense of what had happened, the adults were trying to keep Ainsman’s grandchildren from knowing what was going on down the road from their house.

When her phone started ringing, the first calls were from Israel. Journalists there began reporting on the shooting immediately. Aisnman’s friends from across the Jewish state also began contacting her. Her instinct was to head to the Tree of Life building.

“That’s really what I felt like I needed to do,” she

said, “just go up there, but at that point, we knew he [the shooter] had not been apprehended. So, I acceded to my family’s wishes and did not go until we knew he had been apprehended.”

When Ainsman did get to the corner of Murray Avenue and Northumberland Street to see how she could help, Finkelstein had already arrived, as had Brian Schreiber, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Then came Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Gov. Tom Wolf and other community leaders.

Schreiber suggested the group move to the JCC, which became an unofficial gathering location for families and congregation members, Ainsman said.

“Apparently, the FBI had designated Chatham [University] as the reunification center but — and I love this — Brad Orsini, who is obviously not Jewish, said, ‘No, we go to the JCC.’”

Eventually, Ainsman, Finkelstein, Schreiber, Jewish Family and Community Service President and CEO Jordan Golin and Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers made their way to a JCC board room to plan the next moves. While meeting, Peduto and his chief of staff Dan Gilman arrived.

“[Peduto] was very reassuring,” Ainsman recalled. “He said, ‘We’re here to help, whatever we can do. We’re by your side.’ And he never left our side — I don’t mean that day, I mean for months. He and Dan were very supportive.”

Small groups were formed and started doing what needed to be done, she said, equating the reaction to a symphony without a conductor.

Ainsman’s first task was to find a location to host a vigil the next day. Gilman helped her secure Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum. Someone else secured free parking through the University of Pittsburgh and another person contacted the Port Authority, which offered free transportation to and from the vigil.

“Ron Symons [the JCC’s senior director of Jewish life] was in another room, contacting clergy,” Ainsman said. “We counted 150 clergy members that showed up at the vigil, which was one of the more remarkable things to me — the amount of clergy and the different denominations.”

Late in the afternoon, Ainsman called her family to let them know she was fine but that she wouldn’t be home anytime soon.

The community stalwart said it was then that she saw Michele Rosenthal at the JCC. Rosenthal’s brothers, Cecil and David, were regulars at Tree of Life.

“I put my arms around her and said, ‘Don’t worry, we will be there for you,’” Ainsman recalled. “She asked if I could help find out about her brothers. She had been asking everyone

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Headlines

A spectacular treehouse honors the life of ‘gentle giant’ Jonathan Bahm

—

LOCAL —

By Toby Tabachnick | Editor

When he was a counselor at Emma Kaufmann Camp, it wasn’t unusual for Jonathan Bahm to forfeit his time off if it meant being able to spend meaningful time with those in his charge.

“Jonathan was known by his friends at camp as someone who would make time for his campers, no questions asked,” said Aaron Cantor, the director of EKC, an overnight camp in Morgantown, West Virginia.

And it was the youngest campers — those in the camp’s Sabra unit, grades 2–4 — to whom Jonathan was most devoted.

Jonathan Bahm of Mt. Lebanon passed away last spring at the age of 23, a victim of an act of violence. To honor his memory, a spectacular structure was erected at a place he loved — EKC — for use by the campers and counselors who meant so much to him.

The structure — a treehouse of sorts measuring 20 feet by 32 feet, with a 30-foot bridge — was completed in April, and a private dedication ceremony will be held later this month.

Dubbed “Ha’Etz Natan” (“The Tree Gives”), the treehouse reflects the kind and generous nature of the man it honors.

“Natan is the root of Jonathan’s Hebrew name, Yonatan, and is a palindrome — spelled the same backwards and forwards,” a draft for the structure’s signage explains. “Much like the act of giving can work in both directions, when you give, you also receive.”

Everyone at EKC will be able to enjoy Ha’Etz Natan, but the Sabra campers will have first dibs.

“Jonathan always gravitated and worked at camp with the youngest kids,” said Amy Bahm, Jonathan’s mother. “He was sweet and nurturing.” Tall in stature, “kids climbed over him like a tree.”

Jonathan’s affinity for the Sabras can be traced to his own experiences as a firsttime camper at EKC.

“When he was a Sabra camper, it was hard for him to go to camp,” his mother recalled. “He wasn’t super adventurous, but his counselors helped him feel comfortable. He grew up to be the person he was because of his Sabra counselors.”

Jonathan spent the next 12 summers at EKC, eventually becoming a beloved counselor there. Several of those summers were shared with his younger brothers, Bryan and Evan.

After Jonathan passed away, his family wanted to create a tribute in his memory that would benefit the whole camp, but especially the “littlest kids, to keep them coming back — to create something impactful enough to change the camp experience,” Amy Bahm said.

The structure is built into the trees, with a roof but no sides, and is situated within earshot of a waterfall.

“Younger campers are the most vulnerable when they’re at camp,” Cantor said. “They need the most help in finding their love for camp, and so they tend to lean very hard on their counselors for that initial connection to camp. To be able to

provide them this treehouse, a place where they can have a distinctive memory of spending good quality time with their counselors in their cabin groups, seems like the perfect way to honor Jonathan’s memory and love of camp.”

he was just so, so sweet,” said Ezra Gershanok, who met him when they were both young campers at EKC. “Another word that comes to mind is ‘pure.’ There were moments where, you know, he just couldn’t even imagine

One of Jonathan’s favorite things to do was to visit Disneyland, Halbert recalled.

“I have this great picture of us at Disney, and we didn’t even go inside to the park,” he said. “We literally just drove to Disney, we parked and we just walked around some of the shops on the outside, and just kind of enjoyed the Disney atmosphere. That was so him. He loved it.”

Mason Solomon met Jonathan about 10 years ago at EKC, and the two bonded while on a trip to Israel two years later. They spoke and texted almost daily. Solomon describes Jonathan as his “best friend.”

“He was caring, deeply caring,” Solomon said.

At camp, Jonathan was a “pillar, literally in height, stature, but also in just the way he carried himself as an example that future staff members can look up to,” Solomon said. “I was thinking about it, and it is like magical what he did at camp and how he operated. I can’t explain it … I think I’m good with kids, and then I look at Bahm with kids and it’s like, that’s a different level. I’m a preschool teacher and I think I operate pretty well, but he did even better.”

The new structure is an appropriate tribute, he said.

“It’s very fitting because, hopefully like the structure [will be], he was always there for these kids,” Solomon said. “He was unwavering.”

A sign will be posted inside the treehouse, celebrating Jonathan and his values, as an inspiration for future generations of EKC campers and counselors. It reads, in part:

Ha’Etz Natan can be used for everything from camper overnights to staff training to lessons in Jewish values, Amy Bahm said. Mostly, it will be a spot where relationships are forged and cemented.

“Jonathan’s strength was that he was a connector,” said David Bahm, Jonathan’s father, adding that he was an anchor for his high school friends. “Everyone says, ‘Jonathan was my best friend.’”

Jonathan graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 2017, was a 2021 graduate of Chapman University’s School of Engineering and was an aspiring video game designer. In addition to his family, he left behind many close friends who loved and admired him.

things — like if we were taking food from the dining hall or something. It was like kind of naughty, but he just couldn’t even fathom doing something like that.”

Gershanok and other friends created a plaque that was unveiled during a memorial service at camp for Jonathan Bahm and Jonathan Levy — another EKC friend who passed away — depicting a child riding on Jonathan Bahm’s back.

“He was kind of like this gentle giant,” Gershanok said. “That’s the best way to describe him.”

“He was so sweet with the kids,” said Jacob Halbert, who also met Jonathan at EKC when they were both young campers. “The kids loved him. He was so natural with them. And he was a

“The trees that support this treehouse represent both Jonathan’s physical presence and his character… Sabra campers would climb on his long limbs, and he happily carried them around with pride and a huge smile on his face …The roots he developed at camp ran deep, giving him the foundation to be himself and to branch off to follow his dreams.”

Funding for the structure was provided by Jonathan’s loved ones, friends and the EKC community. “Their hope,” the sign reads, “is that this treehouse provides for generations of staff and campers what EKC provided for Jonathan – connection, personal growth, fun, happiness, and peace.” PJC

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

 Treehouse to honor the life of Jonathan Bahm Photo by Aaron Cantor

 Jonathan Bahm and campers at EKC in the summer of 2018 Photo courtesy of Amy Bahm

 Jonathan Bahm and friends at EKC in 2019, from left: Jacob Halbert, Ezra Gershanok, Jonathan Bahm, Leo Julian and Jonathan Levy Photo courtesy of Amy Bahm

“[Jonathan] was always there for these kids... He was unwavering.”

−MASON SOLOMON

Headlines

Squirrel Hill’s Steve Irwin named ADL chair for Cleveland region

demanded of any other democratic nation.”

By David Rullo | Sta Writer

Steve Irwin has been elected to a three-year term as the chair of the Anti-Defamation League’s Cleveland region, which serves Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

Irwin is a lawyer and community leader. He ran in the 2022 Democratic primary seeking to represent Pennsylvania’s 12th district in Congress but was defeated by Summer Lee, who then won the general election. Irwin was appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro to the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline in February.

The Squirrel Hill resident began his ADL term in April and said that he is helping select a new regional director and put a new leadership team in place.

“I just came back from the National Leadership Summit in Washington D.C., as a result of being elected the chair for what’s now called the ‘Cleveland Region’ — which I’m hoping we can change the name of, because we do represent four states,” he said.

Irwin is the first person outside of Cleveland to serve in this role. He said that in addition to finding a new regional director, he is interested in finding someone to maintain an ADL presence in Pittsburgh.

“We’re looking to put boots on the ground, but we’re not going to do it until we find the right boots,” he said. “In my mind, that requires us to first get an executive director for the region.”

The ADL, he said, is one of the premier civil rights organizations in the United States and has extraordinary capacity, capabilities, competency, history and credibility, not only in the fight against antisemitism but also against hate toward other marginalized communities.

One of Irwin’s goals over the next three years, he said, is to increase community engagement and ensure that people who want to participate in the ADL’s work have the opportunity.

That means extending the circle of people involved with the ADL and its work to all four states he represents and to the cities in each state with large Jewish populations,

such as Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Erie, Lexington, Louisville and Morgantown.

The organization is present in more than 60 western Pennsylvanian schools, he said, through its No Place for Hate program.

“I want to emphasize,” Irwin said, “that our lay leadership can help us get into schools where there are folks who are fighting this kind of training in schools — of teachers and school boards — because they believe that systematic and structural racism is a thing of fiction. You end up having books about Anne Frank and Rosa Parks banned, which is ridiculous.”

In addition, Irwin said he’s excited that a recent program called Kulanu: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism, dedicated to empowering congregations to address antisemitism and hate in their communities through education, community engagement and advocacy, will be free, allowing for larger participation.

Just as important, he said, is focusing on what’s happening at universities.

“Colleges have experienced an incredible rise in antisemitism,” he said. “In the last year alone, there has been a 41% increase in antisemitic acts and acts of violence on college campuses. We definitely need our children to have safe places to go for higher education.”

Workplace training is another opportunity for outreach, he said, noting that many companies are embracing Diversity Equity

and Inclusion as part of their culture.

One way that people in the region can affect positive change, Irwin said, is through civil rights litigation, adding that the ADL is actively involved with litigation against hate groups.

“Once you get judgments against them and can go after their financial resource,” he said, “you really take their legs out from under them.”

Opportunities exist both for lawyers and non-lawyers to assist in filing amicus, or “friend of the court,” briefs, he said.

Although there are no immediate plans to do so, Irwin said he would love to see an ADL employee in Pittsburgh with an office at the new Tree of Life building when it is completed.

“I couldn’t imagine a better place to bring home the tangible nature and consequences of this kind of thinking,” he said. “There are places you can go to and do this type of work and have these discussions that are inspirational. The Tree of Life will be one of those places. It’s holy ground.”

Looking through a larger lens, Irwin said that he and the ADL are comfortable with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, and that it has been instructive. The IHRA definition includes “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” and “applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or

“Ultimately,” Irwin said, “the ADL is a Zionist organization and embraces Zionism and Israel’s right to exist.”

That doesn’t mean Israel can’t be criticized, he said, but that criticism becomes antisemitic when it’s used as an excuse to delegitimize the country or apply a double standard that doesn’t exist for other countries.

The ADL supports a two-state solution in Israel, Irwin said, and supports the United States providing funding for Israel’s defense.

“The ADL is not lobbying on Capitol Hill for the funding of certain missiles or military funding, though,” he said. “That’s not our focus.”

ADL National Director and CEO Jonathan Greenblatt has long said that antisemitism exists on both the right and left of the political divide. Irwin said education can help combat hate no matter where it exists.

Relationships, he said, can also help fight prejudices.

The ADL’s Center for Technology and Society is working to combat bias, hate and antisemitic tropes online and in social media, Irwin said.

“When you remove somebody’s platform you remove their ability to promote that kind of hate speech,” he said. “The ADL is doing some things to get advertisers to step back from those platforms that are not doing a good job of even enforcing their own rules on keeping bad actors off their pages.”

Asked about his former opponent Rep. Summer Lee and her recent “no” vote on a resolution heralding the relationship between Israel and the United States, Irwin said his position on the Court of Judicial Discipline and his current role with the ADL prevented him from responding.

Irwin, who is a partner at Leech Tishman Fuscaldo and Lampl, chairs the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Pennsylvania Advisory Committee and co-chairs the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, said that he is looking forward to getting to work in his new role with the ADL.

“It’s going to be a great run,” he said. PJC

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

Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh announces promotions, new hire

The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh announced that Emily Loeb will serve as its director of programs and education.

Loeb will oversee the center’s strategic direction and mission as part of Tree of Life, Inc. She will be responsible for staff management, programs, events and educational offerings, including field trips and teacher training.

A granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Loeb served as the center’s donor relations

manager and volunteered with the organization’s Generations Speakers Bureau. She served as the Gendler Grapevine Project’s executive director before coming to the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh.

Following the center’s Feb. 16 announcement that Executive Director Lauren Bairnsfather was stepping down, the organization announced that, as part of its restructuring, Christina Sahovey was promoted to manager of operations.

Sahovey, who has been with the center since 2016, led the Generations Speakers Bureau and organized its legacy Yom HaShoah and

Kristallnacht programs. She will manage the center’s financial, planning and administrative needs.

The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh also hired Julia Gaetano as its marketing and education associate.

Gaetano will manage the organization’s social media and digital presence and support education and outreach programs including the Butterfly Project and the b’nai mitzvah program.

Tree of Life CEO Carole Zawatsky said she looks forward to beginning the new chapter of history for both the Holocaust Center and

Tree of Life, and that she is excited to collaborate with Loeb and Sahovey “to educate future generations about our history and its relevance to our work to counter hate.”

“As the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Emily brings a nuanced and important perspective about the urgency of uprooting antisemitism and identity-based hate,” Zawatsky said. “Christina is an outstanding manager of operations at the center and is deeply connected to the survivor, generations and education community.” PJC

David Rullo

 Steve Irwin

Photo courtesy of Steve Irwin

Getting to know: Zack Block

By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

Zack Block was looking for something with meaning.

The community-minded professional, who grew up in Pittsburgh’s South Hills, was working in western Pennsylvania as a tax attorney for powerhouse companies like Deloitte and PwC. But, looking back, he realizes he felt crushed by the student debt from his law school years at the University of Pittsburgh and simply seized the opportunities in front of him.

He yearned to do something in the nonprofit sector but didn’t quite know what.

Enter Jeff Finkelstein and Brian Schreiber. The two men — heads of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, respectively — counseled Block, who they knew to be a young Jewish man with promise, and a volunteer.

As it turned out, Repair the World, a Jewish organization driven by tikkun olam, was looking for someone to open its Pittsburgh office and spearhead local efforts.

“You can tell — Zack loves community and he loves being Jewish,” Finkelstein told the Chronicle. “He just seemed like a really good potential match for the Repair the World job.”

“I have had the opportunity to have many conversations with Zack throughout the years

and learn about his talents and abilities within himself,” Schreiber said. “Zack brings out those skills with compassion and intelligence to strategically advance whatever project he leads.”

Block scored the Repair the World job, working locally and nationally for the organization over eight or nine years. Now, he’s onto his next big venture: working as a nonprofit strategist for Block & Associates, the Squirrel Hill law firm started by his wife, attorney Beverly Block.

The new job comes after a period with The Palm Collective, a now-national organization that promotes individual donors in the Jewish world. Block was its first employee, working alongside the company founder.

“I learned a lot in the last year — I operationalized an organization from scratch,” said Block, 45, who lives in Squirrel Hill with his wife and their three children, who attend Community

Day School. “I’m happy to work with organizations outside of Pittsburgh but this is where my passion is — to work with community organizations from here.”

Block is also thrilled to be at Block & Associates.

“I’m not saying this because we’re married, but Bev’s probably the best attorney I’ve ever come across,” Block said. “It’s really phenomenal to watch her grow ... It was her vision to do something different [with Block & Associates]. And that’s a real benefit for our clients.”

“She’s very driven and focused, and she’s really grown [the firm’s] size,” he added. “She’s doubled the staff size in five years. And she’s very focused on clients — this just sort of synchs and meshes well with us.”

Jules Mallis, who succeeded Block as executive director of Repair the World: Pittsburgh, doesn’t remember the moment they met; Block was always just there, part of the Jewish community and the nonprofit world Mallis also inhabits.

Mallis started at Repair the World, officially, in 2019 but was a volunteer and worker on projects with the group before that. Mallis recalled an early meeting where Block spoke with Repair the World staff.

“I just thought he was such a good listener and had respect for everyone at the table,” Mallis said. “I thought that was really admirable and important.”

About five or 10 years ago, Mallis was working to hone skills in the nonprofit sector, as well as the art and entertainment world, having previously

served as an education program manager for BikePGH and a creative director at Pittsburghbased BOOM Concepts. Repair the World gave Mallis a palette on which to work — and Block helped make Mallis feel comfortable there.

“Zack is a really smart person,” Mallis said. “It’s like playing chess. He thinks in advance, [but] he also knows how to get things done.”

Marcie Solomon has worked at Block & Associates for about three years, mostly with nonprofits and in commercial litigation. Active in the Jewish community through Temple Sinai and others, Solomon has known Zack Block for years.

“He was definitely ready to step up,” she said. “First impressions? Community leader, very responsive, very kind.”

Solomon feels Block’s work as a strategist complements her work at the firm with nonprofits as an attorney.

“I’m really excited to work with Zack,” Solomon said. “I think Block & Associates is a special place. Block & Associates does really great work for really great clients. Sometimes it’s business-driven and sometimes it’s mission-driven.”

Block feels like the firm’s office on Wilkins Avenue, near Five Points Artisan Bakeshop, is a fine place to hang his hat.

“This now, to me, feels bashert,” he said. “It feels like what I’m meant to be doing.” PJC

Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

 Zack Block Photo courtesy of Block & Associates

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Join a lay-led online Parshah study group to discuss the week’s Torah portion. No Hebrew knowledge needed. The goal is to build community while deepening understanding of the text. 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org.

MONDAY, MAY 15

Understanding the Torah and what it asks of us is one of the most important things a Jew can learn. But most Torah classes begin in Genesis and never finish the first book. If you want a comprehensive overview of the whole Torah, Torah 1 is the course for you. In the first year of this two-year Zoom course, Rabbi Danny Schi will teach Genesis, Exodus and the first half of Leviticus. In the second year, he will complete Leviticus and cover Numbers and Deuteronomy. $225. 9:30 a.m. foundation.jewishpgh.org/torah-1.

MONDAYS, MAY 15, 22

We Jews have an array of texts and making sense of them is not easy. In the six-part series “The Jewish Text Puzzle,” Rabbi Danny Schi will put the pieces of the “text puzzle” into one coherent picture so that the place of Torah, Tanakh, Talmud, Midrash, Responsa and Kabbalah, as well as many other sources, can be easily understood. Schi will provide a historical context that will explain the significance of our various texts to Judaism. 7 p.m. $85. Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Ave. jewishpgh.org/event/the-jewish-text-puzzle.

MONDAYS, MAY 15, JUNE 12

Join the Women of Temple Sinai for Make ‘n’ Eat Monday Nights — A Year of Spices. The instructor will lead students in making a meal so everyone can eat together and taste the featured spice. 6 p.m. $15. templesinaipgh.org/event/spicecooking.html.

MONDAYS, MAY 15 – DEC. 18

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

TUESDAY, MAY 16

Chabad of Squirrel Hill presents an Evening of Celebration honoring Robert Mallet. 6:30 p.m. $75/per person. Schenley Plaza (outdoor tent). chabadpgh.com.

The Robinson International Short Film Competition celebrates the greatest Jewish-themed short filmmaking from around the globe. Each year the competition awards $18,000 in cash prizes for documentary, narrative and animated shorts, and the winning filmmakers are honored at an awards ceremony. This event is sponsored by the Sanford N. Robinson, Sr. Memorial Lecture Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. The 2023 Robinson Competition will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Museum of Art. $18. filmpittsburgh.org.

TUESDAYS, MAY 16 – DEC. 19

Join Temple Sinai for a weekly Talmud class with Rabbi Daniel Fellman. Noon. On site and online. For more information and for the Zoom link, contact Temple Sinai at 412-421-9715.

Join Women of Temple Sinai for Yoga at Temple Sinai, a relaxing class taught by certified yoga teacher Bre Kernick. All levels welcome. No experience required. Ages 16 and older. 7 p.m. $15 a session. templesinaipgh.org/programs-events.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

The Squirrel Hill AARP welcomes Sen. Jay Costa to

its May meeting. Chapter nominations and voting for o cers. Installation will take place at the June annual luncheon in celebration of the end of another successful year. Falk Library, Rodef Shalom Congregation. For further information contact President Marcia Kramer at 412-656-5803.

WEDNESDAYS, MAY 17, 24

In the 10-part Zoom course, “Sacks: To Heal a Fractured World,” Rabbi Danny Schi will explore “To Heal a Fractured World,” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ book on the nature of Jewish responsibility for the broader world. Students will be invited to read this pivotal book and to discuss its contents in order to arrive at a better understanding of the views of Rabbi Sacks on the goals and vision of Judaism. 9:30 a.m. $145 for all 10 sessions. jewishpgh.org/event/sacks-to-heal-afractured-world/2023-02-2.

Registration is open for “Melton Core 1: Rhythms and Purposes of Jewish Living.” This 25-lesson course will take you through the year’s cycle — the life cycle traditions and practices that bind us together. Explore not just the what is and how is of Jewish living, but the why is that go with them. 7 p.m. $300 per person, per year (25 sessions), includes all books and materials. Virtual. foundation.jewishpgh.org/melton-core-1.

Chabad of the South Hills presents the new JLI course “Jewpernatural: Signs, spirits and superstition in Jewish belief.” The course probes the Talmud, Jewish philosophy and Kabbalah to provide Jewish perspectives and guidance to help understand mysterious topics like the meaning of dreams; the existence of angels, demons, and extraterrestrials; and the power of the evil eye. 7:30 p.m. Chabad of the South Hills. chabadsh.com.

WEDNESDAYS, MAY 17 – DEC. 20

Join AgeWell for an intergenerational family dynamics discussion group. Whether you have family harmony or strife, these discussions are going to be thoughtprovoking and helpful. Led by intergenerational specialist/presenter and educator Audree Schall. Third Wednesday of each month. Free. 12:30 p.m. South Hills JCC.

WEDNESDAYS, MAY 17 – DEC. 27

Bring the parashah alive and make it personally relevant and meaningful with Rabbi Mark Goodman in this weekly Parashah Discussion: Life & Text 12:15 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh. org/life-text.

Temple Sinai’s Rabbi Daniel Fellman presents a weekly Parshat/Torah portion class on site and online. Call 412-421-9715 for more information and the Zoom link.

THURSDAY, MAY 18

Classrooms Without Borders presents a post-film discussion of “Air Born” with Liat Eini-Netzer and Avi Ben-Hur. 3 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/post-film-discussionair-born-tickets-566782861797.

Join Classrooms Without Borders and its partners as they explore the multifaceted discipline of Holocaust studies through unique and previously unexplored lenses. This session will look at “Holocaust Cinema: How ‘A Film Unfinished’ Questions Archival Footage.” 2 p.m. cwbpgh.org/event/the-holocaust-asan-interdisciplinary-tapestry-6.

Join the JCC Bu alo for monthly virtual readings as part of the Jewish Poetry Series. Hosted by Philip Terman and Baruch November. Each month will feature di erent Jewish poets reading selections of poems that include but are not limited to Jewish themes, values and ideas. 7 p.m. Free and open to the community. jccbu alo.org/events/2023/02/09/arts-and-culture/ virtual-jewish-poetry-reading-series.

SUNDAY, MAY 21

Join Classrooms Without Borders for a Talking Memory program marking the 80th anniversary of the

Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. 2 p.m. cwbpgh.org/event/talking-memory-program-markingthe-80th-anniversary-of-the-warsaw-ghetto-uprising.

SUNDAYS, MAY 21, JUNE 11 AND SEPT. 10

Join Congregation Beth Shalom for “Toward Friendship and Discovery: Conversations Between Christians and Jews” as they read portions of “The Bible with and Without Jesus” together in small interfaith groups. The program is limited to 50 Jewish and 50 Christian participants. Child care will be provided. All food o erings will be kosher or otherwise labeled for mutual comfort. Registration is required. $100/per person. BethShalomPgh.org/InterfaithProgram-2023.

MONDAY, MAY 22

Chabad of the South Hills presents its Women’s Spring Event with guest speaker Gwyn Riddle. Riddle will present “A Letter from 1926,” one woman’s incredible journey. There will also be a tablescaping demo. Fresh salad bar and desserts. 7 p.m. $25 before May 18; $30 after May 18. The event address will be given upon registration. chabadsh.com/spring.

TUESDAY, MAY 23

Chabad of the South Hills presents a pre-Shavuot seniors luncheon and presentation focused on finding gratitude in everyday life by Pathways Wellness Program. 1 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Chabad of the South Hills, 1701 McFarland Road. chabadsh.com.

Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for “A Taste of Shabbat,” a women’s evening of food, fun and learning, featuring a cheesecake demo. 7 p.m. $15 1700 Beechwood Blvd. chabadpgh.com/cheesecake.

THURSDAY, MAY 25

Join the Pittsburgh Jewish community for Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a night of in-person learning with well-known local rabbis and thinkers. No registration necessary. Free and open to the community. Cheesecake and co ee. Dietary laws observed. 10 p.m. JCC Squirrel Hill, Darlington Entrance. 5723 Darlington Road, 15217. jewishpgh.org/occasion/tikkun.

FRIDAY, MAY 26

Hear the Ten Commandments and enjoy a dairy dinner and ice cream party with Chabad of Squirrel Hill at its Shavuot Party. 5 p.m. Free. 1700 Beechwood Blvd. chabadpgh.com.

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

Join local clergy from Jewish and Christian backgrounds for the Christian Jewish Dialogue, a monthly discussion exploring topics of similarities and di erences. Noon. Rodef Shalom Congregation. rodefshalom.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh for an exciting Partnership2Gether online film club that brings together people from di erent Jewish communities for thought-provoking discussion based on di erent films. 1 p.m. jewishpgh.org/events/ category/partnership2gether.

Join Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh at the Heinz History Center for “Beautiful Days in the Neighborhood; Yeshiva Schools at 80,” a celebration of eight decades of education. As the oldest Jewish day school in the city, we’re proud to have had such a presence in educating and nurturing the next generations of Jewish leaders. 6:30 p.m. $180 per individual, $360 per couple. Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, 1212 Smallman St. yeshivaschools.com/dinner. PJC

Join the Chronicle Book Club for a chat with Rabbi Danny Schiff

The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle invites you to join the Chronicle Book Club for its June 11 discussion of “Judaism in a Digital Age” by Rabbi Danny Schiff. From Amazon.com: “What is the next chapter in Judaism’s story, the next step in its journey? The dramatic changes of recent decades invite us to explore what role Judaism is to play in this new era. As the digital future becomes the present, Danny Schiff makes the case that the period known as ‘modernity’ has come to an end. Noting the declining strength of Conservative and Reform Judaism, the largest U.S. Jewish movements of modernity, he argues for new iterations of Judaism to arise in response to the myriad of weighty questions that now confront us about what it means to be human.”

Your Hosts:

Toby Tabachnick, editor of the Chronicle

David Rullo, Chronicle staff writer

How and When:

We will meet on Zoom on Sunday, June 11, at noon.

What To Do Buy: “Judaism in a Digital Age.” It is available from online retailers including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Email: Contact us at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org, and write “Chronicle Book Club” in the subject line. We will send you a Zoom link for the discussion meeting.

Happy reading! PJC

— Toby Tabachnick

Rabbi Stanley Savage retires from ‘Downtown Shul’

Beth Hamedrash Hagodol-Beth Jacob Congregation, “The Downtown Shul,” announced the retirement of longtime Rabbi Stanley Savage.

Savage, hired by the shul in 1986, retired at the end of October, according to congregation officer Stephen Neustein.

“During his long tenure, Rabbi Savage has led our congregation for Shabbat and High Holiday services, weekday minyanim, life cycle events and more,” he said.

Savage, Neustein said, welcomed every visitor warmly and made everyone feel like the Downtown Shul was their home.

Located on Fifth Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh, the shul is operating without a rabbi. Minyan is being led by different people, Neustein said, adding that those observing a hiyyuv, or religious obligation — someone saying kaddish, for example — often lead the prayers.

Congregation President Ira Frank said that the shul is only holding weekday minyan on Sundays, as downtown Pittsburgh continues its recovery from COVID-19. Before the pandemic, the synagogue provided a convenient place for Jews working downtown to attend a daily minyan.

“We’re waiting until town opens back up and reinvigorates,” Frank said. “Right now, we have a

minyan on Sunday. The rest of the time, we don’t have a core group that’s downtown.”

Savage, now rabbi emeritus, has been a central part of the congregation since Frank became involved, he said.

“He was there for generations of people to pass through,” Frank added, noting that the rabbi assisted people observing various life cycle events.

Beth Hamedrash Hagodol-Beth Jacob Congregation is the oldest Orthodox congregation in western Pennsylvania. “It was founded around 1870 by members of Tree of Life Congregation who split following disputes over what they saw as liberalizing religious practices,” according to the Rauh Jewish Archives.

Neustein offered no comment about the congregation’s plans to hire a new rabbi. PJC

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

JCC’s Masters swim team program will honor legacy of Jimmy Goldman

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh will name its Masters swim team program in memory of James “Jimmy” Goldman.

The program will be called the Jimmy Goldman Masters Swim Team Program.

Goldman was the lead architect of the JCC’s flagship Irene Kaufmann Building in Squirrel Hill and the aquatics center designer at both the JCC South Hills and Emma Kaufmann Camp.

He also co-founded the Masters swim team program that began at the JCC’s Henry Kaufmann Family Park in Monroeville.

Through contributions from Goldman’s family and friends, the JCC will support needed renovations to the pool at the Monroeville Family Park, where JCC Masters swimmers train during the summer months, according to JCC officials.

The Jimmy Goldman Masters Swim Team Program will begin meeting at the Family Park pool beginning May 28, with the renovation project scheduled for this fall.

“The Goldman family is thrilled that Jimmy’s legacy will be forever linked to his love for the JCC and his desire that individuals of all ages will share Jimmy’s passion for swimming,” said Richard Goldman, Jimmy’s Goldman’s brother.

“Born under the astrological sign Pisces, it is no wonder that Jimmy took to the water

at an early age,” Jimmy Goldman’s wife, Susie Goldman, said. “He competed in high school and college and then took an active role in Masters swimming. If he saw you in the JCC pool and if you could swim two lengths, he assured you that you would love swimming for the JCC Masters swimming program. Our family is so pleased that the program will now bear his name.”

The aquatics renovations are aligned with a $2.046 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project state grant awarded to the JCC, according to a press release. “The dollar-fordollar matching grant will support physical improvements at the Monroeville Family Park, which also is the site of the JCC’s largest summer program day camp program. The day camp is committed to increasing its impact to serve a more neurodivergent school age child population throughout Allegheny County. The impact of the site redevelopment will be transformative in terms of the JCC’s ability to create a more inclusive day camp environment and for larger community development opportunities.”

The JCC is “approaching 50% of the way toward the match that supports the redevelopment of the Monroeville Family Park facility that Jimmy truly loved,” said Brian Schreiber, JCC president and CEO. PJC

3-month 5.00

6-month 5.05

1-year 5.10

Leah Laurent Financial Advisor

Toby Tabachnick

 Rabbi Stanley Savage

Photo by Toby Tabachnick

Educators and mental health experts on protecting children from trauma during the synagogue shooting trial

By Adam Reinherz | Sta Writer

Lisa Naveh’s second grade students clutched their drawings. Tightly gripped between tiny fingers, each picture contained a written plea. The first illustration wished its recipient more flowers than weeds. The second sketch wished its recipient more candy than broccoli. The third, more wins than losses.

Naveh collected the crayon drawings and showed them to Community Day School colleagues. The educators strategized. One teacher encouraged her students to create similar works and bind the images before presenting them collectively. Another teacher, who also joined the project, proposed rolling each item and gifting it individually.

The 250 drawings were headed to a “healing room” at the federal courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh. Floors away from where the trial against the accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter is occurring, the room, Naveh said, is “where family members can go to take a break, have quiet and calm, and recharge.”

Naveh’s project is a response to the massacre that occurred 4½ years ago.

After a gunman entered the Tree of Life building on Oct. 27, 2018 and killed 11 worshippers, a deluge of food, books, artwork and notes

— all things intended to “brighten our lives” — arrived at Community Day School’s doorstep. Pittsburghers and others worldwide “supported our school, students, teachers and faculty then,” Naveh said. “It made me think, ‘What could we do in the same nature?’”

The answer involved Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld’s “I Wish You More,” a New York Times bestselling children’s book with depictions of children running and pulling kites alongside numerous good wishes, including, “I wish you more ups than downs” and “I wish you more we than me.”

Naveh read the text with her students and conveyed the importance of “being a mensch and spreading light and love.” She distributed blank papers with prompts asking students to wish others “more” of anything. Her students scrawled hopes beside colorful renderings of flowers, ice cream, bandages and pandas. Naveh, an educator with 20 years of experience, praised the children for creating such meaningful gifts but never once mentioned the healing room, federal death penalty case or Oct. 27, 2018.

Her desire to create an intentional project without revealing its recipients or origins reflects a predicament many local educators face: As the trial concerning the largest antisemitic attack in U.S. history heads into week three of what could be a four-month process, how can children be protected from trauma when trauma — and its effects — are foremost in the

minds of parents, community members and the teachers themselves?

“One of the things that we do at Environmental Charter School is make sure that our students, families and whole community feel really supported,” Superintendent Amanda Cribbs said. “We make sure that we’re not just educating minds but taking care of the whole child.”

In recent years, educators, school leaders and mental health experts have realized that taking care of the “whole child” requires more than quantitative academic instruction.

Environmental Charter School CEO Jon McCann said there is a “generalized set of skills that all young people are going to need going forward.”

Those qualities include being aware of one’s feelings, knowing who to talk to and “finding someone to process this with,” he said.

Without those traits, children can face devastating prospects.

In an advisory released last week, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said social isolation and loneliness in childhood “increase the risk of depression and anxiety both immediately and well into the future.”

Loneliness is “an epidemic health crisis,” declared Murthy before encouraging the country to take greater steps to address mental health.

Within the U.S., nearly one in five people ages 3 to 17 have a “mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder,” according to the 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report.

The congressionally mandated annual report found that “suicidal behaviors among high school students increased more than 40% in the decade before 2019,” and that even prior to the pandemic, mental health challenges were already the “leading cause of death and disability in this age group.”

A February panel at the Friendship Circle in Pittsburgh personalized the data. Four local teens described the challenges of adolescence and why it’s vital to listen, be supportive and promote mental health offerings within the community.

Recent years have proved challenging for area children and families. There was the Pittsburgh

synagogue shooting, COVID-19 and the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge.

Especially now, with the start of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial, adults can play a vital role, Cribbs explained.

“We all take part in making sure that our students feel supported and can deal with their big feelings,” she said. It’s important that students “feel in the end that someone cares about them deeply and that they can grow into someone who cares about other people.”

One challenge, however, is that parents and educators are also experiencing strain.

With news of the trial reported daily, it’s important to remember “teachers are in some way coping with the trauma children have,” said Bradley Davis, a nationally certified and licensed school psychologist and Community Day School staffer.

Apart from the pressure many adults are facing, there’s another wrinkle, Davis continued.

After 4½ years, jury selection just began. School lets out in five weeks. The bulk of the trial is expected to occur this summer — a period when students and teachers have “less of an immediate connection,” he said.

Davis said CDS will “stay in contact with families” and share resources available in the community.

Environmental Charter School — located 2 miles from the site of the 2018 shooting and home to students and families intimately tied to the trial — is adopting a similar approach while remaining cognizant of the months ahead.

“It’s an absolute concern, but fortunately we have a pretty good 12-month crew that stays in touch,” McCann said.

The summer will be challenging, Davis noted, but Pittsburghers can benefit from vast community mental health resources.

UpStreet Pittsburgh, the 10.27 Healing Partnership and JFCS Pittsburgh each provide programs, services and counseling.

A recent outdoor activity modeled a future summer offering.

On April 25 — one day after the trial began — children, parents and other adults met at the Sheridan Avenue Orchard in East Liberty.

Please see Mental Health, page 10

Photo courtesy of Community Day School

Israel braces for rocket fire after PIJ terrorist leaders in Gaza killed

doesn’t have access to a bomb shelter, and closing beaches to the public.

Summer Lee cosponsors bill that would restrict aid to Israel

By JNS

Israel on Tuesday was making preparations for rocket attacks and the threat of a wider conflict following the air force’s targeted killing of three top Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders in strikes across the Gaza Strip in the morning.

The IDF identified the targets of the operation as Khalil Bahitini, PIJ’s commander in northern Gaza; Jahed Ahnam, a senior member of the terror group’s military council; and Tarek Azaldin, who directs its activities in Judea and Samaria.

Israel also struck 10 sites in Gaza belonging to PIJ, including weapons manufacturing facilities and depots.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a situational assessment with senior security and military leaders and the Security Cabinet was set to convene on Tuesday evening.

The IDF Home Front Command issued guidance for southern Israel that is in effect until at least Thursday. Residents within 40 km (25 miles) of the Gaza Strip were asked to stay near areas protected from rocket fire. The guidance also includes limiting public gatherings to up to 10 people outdoors and up to 100 people indoors, for educational institutions to hold remote classes, for people to work remotely if their workplace

Municipalities in the South and Center of the country announced that they were opening bomb shelters. Cities opening shelters include Herzliya, Ra’anana, Kfar Saba, Rishon Letzion, Yavneh, Bat Yam, Ashkelon and Beersheva. Hospitals were moving patients to protected areas. Israel Railways announced the partial suspension of service in the South.

Gallant approved the call-up of a limited number of reserve troops for “Operation Shield and Arrow.”

“The State of Israel seeks stability in the region, while the Iranian-funded [PIJ] terror group launches attacks. At the same time, it harms its own people — the Palestinian residents of Gaza,” said Gallant on Tuesday afternoon.

“The State of Israel will not tolerate rocket fire, terrorism or any threats to the sovereignty of our state and security of our citizens. We must be prepared for every scenario—the IDF and security forces are prepared to defend every front,” he added.

In a phone conversation with the mayors of southern Israeli communities, Gallant warned of a possible prolonged conflagration.

The Otzma Yehudit Party led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that it was ending its boycott of Knesset votes in light of the security situation. PJC

Today in Israeli History

May 15, 1967 — ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ premieres

Congresswoman Summer Lee, who represents Pittsburgh, is one of 17 cosponsors of proposed legislation that would restrict aid to Israel, according to Jewish Insider.

The bill was reintroduced by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN). In addition to Lee, its other cosponsors are: Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Cori Bush (D-MO), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Alexandria OcasioCortez (D-NY), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Dwight Evans (D-PA).

The bill is dubbed the “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.” It would prohibit Israel’s government “from using U.S. taxpayer dollars in the Occupied West Bank for the military detention, abuse, or ill treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention; the seizure and destruction of Palestinian property and homes in violation of international humanitarian law; or any assistance or support

for unilateral annexation of Palestinian lands in violation of international humanitarian law,” according to a press release.

The bill is supported by more than 75 organizations and groups, including J Street, Jewish Voice for Peace, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Two groups supporting the legislation, Addameer and Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCI-P), were banned by Israel last year due to “their demonstrated extensive ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which the US also designates as a terrorist group. McCollum cites data collected by DCI-P in her proposal,” according to the Jerusalem Post.

“Most Palestinian minors are arrested for throwing rocks at Israeli vehicles, which often cause injury and sometimes fatalities,” the Jerusalem Post reported. “In addition, minors have perpetrated many terrorist attacks, such as a 13-year-old who killed Border Police officer St.-Sgt. Asil Suaed, 22, during a routine bus inspection in Jerusalem. Last month, a 15-year-old from Nablus shot and injured two Israelis at point-blank range in Jerusalem before continuing on to school.”

The legislation does not make exceptions for such cases. PJC

Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.

May 12, 1943 — Mitzpe Gevulot marks move into Negev

Naomi Shemer’s “Jerusalem of Gold” is one of five Jerusalem-themed songs unveiled at the Voice of Israel Song Festival. The song is an instant hit. Shemer adds a stanza after Israel unites Jerusalem the next month.

May 16, 1916 — Sykes-Picot pact splits Ottoman lands

By Zoltan Kluger, National Photo Collection of Israel

Ten Jews in tents establish Mitzpe Gevulot, the first of three agricultural outposts in the opening phase of Zionist settlement of the Negev, where the Jewish National Fund has been buying land since the 1930s.

May 13, 1984 — Morocco holds Jewish Conference

Moroccan King Hasan II convenes the two-day Conference on the Jewish Communities of Morocco, where about 20,000 Jews remain. The conference in Rabat draws 38 Israelis, including eight Knesset members.

May 14, 1948 — Israel declares independence

David Ben-Gurion, the chairman of the Provisional State Council, reads Israel’s Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv, tracing Jewish history and making the case for a Jewish state under international law.

 The original map included in the SykesPicot Agreement assigns Area A to France and Area B to Britain, with the yellow area to be an international zone.

Britain’s Mark Sykes and France’s Charles Georges Picot complete a secret agreement to divide the former Ottoman territories in the Middle East after World War I. Palestine falls under British control.

May 17, 1939 — British restrict Jewish immigration to Palestine

A British government White Paper enacts extreme restrictions on Jewish immigration and land purchases in Palestine and signals the British willingness to make Jews a minority in a future Arab-controlled state.

May 18, 1965 — Spy Eli Cohen is executed Syria hangs Israeli spy Eli Cohen in a public square in Damascus. Cohen, who had infiltrated the highest levels of Syrian society and government as businessman Kamel Amin Thaabet, was arrested in January. PJC

— Toby Tabachnick

Headlines

Israel:

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her death during the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

The memorial ceremony concluded with the singing of Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah.”

Immediately afterward, the country moved into celebrating its independence.

“To go from sorrow and grief and memories to jubilation wasn’t something I had ever experienced in my lifetime,” Milch said.

Goldhaber described the experience as “overwhelming,” and said revelers marked Israel’s anniversary not only throughout the 24 hours of Yom Ha’Atzmaut but well into the early hours the following day.

The “elephant in the room,” however, was “what’s going on with the Supreme Court,” Goldhaber said.

Throughout the six-day trip, discussions about the Israeli government and its efforts to reform the judiciary revealed numerous views, according to the Pittsburghers.

“We not only heard all different perspectives on what’s going on but also saw an incredible

Trial:

Continued from page 1

the testing should be done “forthwith.” The exams will take about four days, and preparing the reports will take several weeks. So get on with it now, he said.

He ruled that the government’s exams “will take place, at the latest, directly following the completion of voir dire [jury selection] or five days after the Government’s experts’ provision of notice, whichever date is later. The parties should begin making preparations consistent with this timeline immediately.”

While that was a win for the government, Colville said the defense is correct to object to the

Ainsman:

Continued from page 2

because, at this point, they had still not identified who was deceased. So, I asked Brad, but the FBI was not permitted to release names.”

Cecil and David Rosenthal were among the 11 killed that day.

Both Ainsman and Finkelstein were managing calls from the Federation while JFCS was calling in therapists and Schreiber was summoning all of the JCC staff to come in for support. When they arrived, Ainsman said, they put on badges that read, “Ask me, I’m here to help,” à la Mister Rogers.

Mental Health:

Continued from page 8

Representatives of Repair the World Pittsburgh and the 10.27 Healing Partnership led a service-learning project focused on sustaining individuals, communities and the Earth through challenging periods.

For younger students especially, it’s been helpful having spaces where people “feel like you’re in community,” the Healing Partnership’s outreach coordinator Emery Malachowski said. Whether it’s community gardening, or another activity where children and adults can work together, there are opportune environments to

display of democracy,” said Eglash, senior vice president and chief development officer at Pittsburgh’s Federation, who observed demonstrators in favor of judiciary reform and also those supporting the government.

Since January, hundreds of thousands of people have taken to Israel’s streets.

“It was eye-opening for me,” Milch said. “We read the news and get different perspectives based on what publication you’re reading, but to be there in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, to speak to people on both sides — people who are fired up — it was definitely a difficult moment and you could feel that.”

A session with Knesset member Simcha Rothman during the General Assembly was particularly “tense,” Milch said.

Rothman is a member of the far-right Religious Zionist Party and chair of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. His comments were interrupted by shouts and “multiple forcible removals of hecklers by security,” The Times of Israel reported.

The panel Rothman was participating in “took an unplanned five-minute break to cool tempers,” according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

proposed location of the testing: The U.S. attorney’s office. He said the exams will be done in the jail where the defendant is being held.

He also rejected the government’s request for “firewall counsel” to act as an intermediary. Colville said he’s already ruled that a go-between lawyer isn’t necessary and said the experts can communicate with him or his staff directly if any issues come up regarding the testing.

Colville also ruled that the experts’ reports can only be used as rebuttal and ordered the government to turn over the qualifications of its experts and the tests they plan to do within two days of his order.

But he rejected a defense request that government experts not be allowed to perform the same

“It was remarkable,” she said. “I still tear up when I think about that day. Obviously, I tear up because of the sadness, but I also tear up because of the amazing feeling of unity and how everyone coalesced around what needed to be done. There were no egos, no ‘I need to be in charge of this,’ just, ‘How are we all going to get through this together?’”

The usual Federation business, she said, was put on hiatus for the next several weeks as the organization worked to support the families affected and the community at large. Part of that support included helping manage the funds raised through the Federation, which eventually totaled $6.2 million.

talk, “feel safe and emotionally held.”

Maggie Feinstein, the Healing Partnership’s director, said that when it comes to discussing the trial, parents should follow their children’s lead but also keep a critical consideration in mind: “The extra added layer in all of this is remembering that a lot of our young kids are not re-experiencing trauma, they are experiencing it for the first time.”

A high school student, though, “was in middle school when it happened and that student has developed a new persona, identity, and way to process the world around her,” Feinstein added.

“They understood it in a different lens then, and they are different people now.”

“We were disappointed by the fact that we were unable to learn and be educated in that session in the way that we had planned,” JFNA board chair Julie Platt told The Times of Israel.

Milch praised JFNA, Israeli officials and program organizers for “handling the General Assembly with grace,” and said the gathering was a “space to share views.”

Eglash agreed.

“What’s going on in Israel is a great display of democracy,” he said. “There are hundreds of thousands of people who are going out in the streets and freely demonstrating.”

Those demonstrations differ from what occurs outside Israel’s borders, continued the Federation staffer: “In the Middle East we know what happens when people go out into the streets and demonstrate against the government.”

Goldhaber, who splits his time between Pittsburgh and Florida, said he returned to the States with both “a very strong feeling of apprehension” and much to consider.

“Unlike the trip I had made [to Israel] 20 years ago, where I felt that everyone was on the same page and we were coordinated in our efforts to ward off enemies from Syria and Gaza, now everything was very tense,” he said.

tests as the defense experts. They can do whatever testing they want to, he said. If the defense doesn’t like it, they can object later to admissibility or cross-examine during the trial.

Finally, Colville rejected a defense request that Bowers’ lawyers be allowed to watch the exams and ruled against a government request that the exams be recorded.

The government also wanted the judge to force the defense to turn over its experts’ opinions on the defendant’s mental health in addition to the raw data of various tests, such as CT and PET scans. Citing other cases, Colville said the government is only entitled to the defendant’s medical records but not the defense experts’ opinions or reports. The defense must, however, turn

Ainsman said that she forged some strong relationships since the massacre and plans to attend the trial to support the families. In the meantime, she keeps herself busy with her grandchildren and other family members and continues to be involved in the Jewish community. She chairs the Governance Committee for Federation, is a member of the executive committee of the Eradicate Hate Global Summit and works on some other national projects.

Ainsman said she is proud of the way the community and city came together in the hours and days following the synagogue shooting. The support of the Muslim community was reciprocated when Muslims were targeted in a

Naveh said she has no intention of telling her second graders where their drawings are headed. She knows that middle schoolers were “made aware of what we are doing, why and where it is going,” but when it comes to younger students “you have to be respectful,” she said. “At these younger ages, we don’t know what has been shared at home and how it is talked about or processed.”

With just over a month of the school year remaining, Naveh said she will continue leaning on colleagues, family and friends as the trial continues.

She hopes others follow a similar path.

“Whether you are a parent, student or

Despite his disappointment with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s failure to address thousands of North American Jews at the General Assembly, Goldhaber said Diaspora Jews should not give up on the Jewish state.

“We have to help as best we can,” Goldhaber said.

Eglash agreed that Pittsburghers have a responsibility abroad.

“We have one homeland, and we have to have ahavat Yisrael (love of our homeland),” he said. “We have to find a way to deal with this effectively, to protect democracy but at the same time keep our nation together because if you ask people they say it’s coming apart at the seams.”

Eglash said he was inspired by seeing so many sites and causes, both in Pittsburgh’s partnership region of Karmiel and Misgav and throughout the country, that are supported by western Pennsylvanians.

Greater connection between Pittsburghers and Israel is essential moving forward, he said: “There’s a lot we can learn from them, and they can learn from us.” PJC

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

over the raw data from the various brain scans. Jury selection was expected to continue this week and next as the parties try to seat 12 jurors and six alternates. The key issue has been trying to select jurors who are willing to listen to both sides before deciding on the death penalty. PJC

Torsten Ove writes for the Pittsburgh Union Progress, where this first appeared. He can be reached at jtorsteno@gmail. com. This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial by the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and the Pittsburgh Union Progress in a collaboration supported by funding from the Pittsburgh Media Partnership.

mosque several months later in New Zealand; Pittsburgh, she said became the U.S. center for raising money from the Jewish community following that attack.

“I remember in the early days thinking, ‘Is this sustainable — the love and support?” she said. “The answer is yes.” PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial by the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and the Pittsburgh Union Progress in a collaboration supported by funding from the Pittsburgh Media Partnership.

someone who is learning about what it means to work together with people in our community or other communities, it’s important to focus on that each and every day,” she said.

“All of us who are affected by this are resilient. We are working together and bringing love and light into the community.” PJC

Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial by the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and the Pittsburgh Union Progress in a collaboration supported by funding from the Pittsburgh Media Partnership.

THE JCC CELEBRATES

Older Americans Month!

JCC SQUIRREL HILL Senior Center Open House

Wednesday, May 17, 10 am-2 pm

JCC Squirrel Hill, 5738 Forbes Avenue

Open to the community!

10 am-2 pm Tables sta ed by AgeWell Pittsburgh partners providing services including blood pressure screenings, medication reviews, SilverSneakers information, gym tours, tech tutoring, transportation and more • Palm Court

10:30 am Circuit Exercise class • Levinson Hall B

11 am Work & Identity As We Age discussion • Room 202

11:15 am Arthritis/Balance exercise class • Levinson Hall B

11:30 am Beginner's Tai Chi demo class • Kaufmann Dance Studio

12:30 pm Beginner Pickleball Lesson and Open Play • Kaufmann Gym

12:30 pm Line Dancing with Roland Ford • Levinson Hall B

1 pm Food Samples with our JCafe Chefs • Palm Court

1 pm Movie Showing • Room 202

Questions about activities?

Maddie Barnes • mbarnes@jccpgh.org · 412-697-1186

Questions about transportation to the JCC?

Darlene Cridlin • dcridlin@jccpgh.org · 412-697-3517

JCC SOUTH HILLS

NEW pilot SENIOR CENTER

More than 360 clients have joined AgeWell at the JCC South Hills since opening this February! Join us:

· Low cost kosher style Grab-and-Go lunch

· Information and referral services

· Wellness programming

· Evidence-based and evidence-informed programs such as HomeMeds and Aging Mastery series

· Education opportunities in person and with Virtual Senior Academy

· Clubs, social programs and get togethers

For more information, please contact Hayley Maher · hmaher@jccpgh.org · 412-697-3552

at the JCC

Judaism does not reject the death penalty

Guest Columnist

Rabbi Danny Schi

According to a recent headline in The New York Times, “Jewish Tradition Rejects the Death Penalty.” For those who might be in any doubt, there is an important lesson here: Little can be learned about Judaism from newspaper headlines.

Judaism, in fact, does not reject the death penalty. It makes carrying out the death penalty difficult, exceptional and rare, but the death penalty remains a possibility.

When the state of Israel executed Adolf Eichmann in May 1962, the rabbis did not object. Those versed in the sources did not claim that the execution was inconsistent with Jewish law. When Eichmann’s executioner, Shalom Nagar, stated that he “was involved in the great mitzvah of wiping out Amalek,” nobody declared his act to be a transgression of Judaism.

Every single book of the Torah, moreover, calls for the death penalty. The greatest constitutional work of Judaism repeatedly endorses the death penalty, at least rhetorically. It is,

therefore, simply untenable to claim that Judaism is theoretically opposed to capital punishment.

And yet.

And yet in a world in which ancient civilizations applied the death penalty with extraordinary frequency, Judaism consciously forged a different path. The oral Torah details a host of provisions and safeguards that would have made carrying out the death sentence a very unusual occurrence even if the rabbis had retained the power to implement the death penalty in practice.

The Talmudic system of justice, advanced beyond its time, requires two eyewitnesses to a crime for capital punishment to be feasible; it requires that the potential perpetrator be forewarned that the contemplated act could result in a death sentence; it requires one standard of justice for all and evidence that the death penalty deters; it requires that cases be adjudicated before a Sanhedrin of 23 competent judges, that the judges painstakingly probe the testimony of each eyewitness separately, and that more than a simple majority of judges vote for the death penalty; some were even of the view that it requires a functioning Temple in Jerusalem.

Small wonder that the Mishnah (Makkot 1:10) describes the result of these various provisions in the following way: “A Sanhedrin that executes a

Building community resiliency

Guest Columnist

Maggie Feinstein

How do we take steps toward becoming a more resilient community?

We know being a neighbor means something special in Pittsburgh. As a resiliency center, the 10.27 Healing Partnership was tasked with supporting communal healing and resiliency-building after the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting on Oct. 27, 2018. We have been supporting this community with mental health and community resources since 2019 and, since our inception, we’ve been touched by the outpouring of support and care between community members.

We anticipate that some emotions and old

wounds will reawaken during the trial over the next few months. We believe every person has the power to navigate this time in a way that is healthy for themselves while standing in solidarity with their community.

Standing in solidarity and being a good neighbor can be more complicated than it first seems. How do we receive and give support? How do we take care of ourselves while staying in close relationship with others who are also uniquely affected by the synagogue shooting and the ongoing trial? How do we stand up against antisemitism while avoiding becoming overwhelmed and burnt out?

One way to think about a community that has gone through a mass violence event is through concentric circles. These circles show grief and trauma relative to the event. In the center are the victims — in this case, those who were killed in the synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018. Around that center are those who were most immediately

transgressor once in seven years is characterized as a destructive tribunal. Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya says: This categorization applies to a Sanhedrin that executes a transgressor once in seventy years. Rabbi Tarfon and Rabbi Akiva say: If we had been members of the Sanhedrin, we would have conducted trials in a manner whereby no person would have ever been executed.”

Those who are opposed to all capital punishment regularly quote this passage as evidence that the rabbis of old support their view. But the text can only be understood this way when it is quoted without its last line. After Rabbis Tarfon and Akiva speak, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel responds: “Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: In adopting that approach, they too would increase the number of murderers among the Jewish people.”

When viewed in its totality, the Makkot passage succinctly encapsulates what would come to be the historic Jewish ethos concerning capital punishment: On the one hand, the tradition conveys that capital punishment is a momentous and weighty act with irreversible consequences for all; on the other hand, it proposes that ultimate evil — in rare instances — needs to be met with the threat of the ultimate response.

Obviously, Eichmann never appeared before a Sanhedrin, he was never forewarned and the

deterrent power of his execution is debatable. But even though the specific conditions of Jewish law were not in place, the consensus view regarded Eichmann’s execution as being in keeping with the Jewish ethos expressed in Makkot. Importantly, in the 61 years that have passed since Eichmann was put to death, nobody since then has received the death penalty from a court under Jewish authority. And that, too, seems to comport well with the long-standing Jewish ethos.

What, then would be the approach of Judaism to the death penalty in contemporary America? The classic ethos of Judaism would not contend that there should be zero executions in America. But it would also posit that the number of executions should not be far distant from zero. Eschewing absolutist positions, Judaism advocates a path that is capable of confronting the worst evil imaginable but does not hold that every heinous crime fits that description.

More than anything else, of course, Judaism yearns and works for the day when the “reign of evil” shall have passed away from the earth such that capital punishment will never again need to be considered. PJC

Rabbi Danny Schiff is the Federation Scholar at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

affected, like the families and survivors. Around them are first responders and immediate helpers who often experience secondary trauma.

Beyond those concentric circles are those who experienced levels of vicarious trauma — those who are Jewish or shared other identities with the victims and those who share proximity with those who were killed or directly impacted. We all have shared humanity that makes the loss and horror of this attack painful, but we do not all have the same relative proximity to the center of the circle.

To strengthen our community, we can all use these kinds of tools to find insight into how some may be very close to the loss and require support. This does not explain or determine how anyone feels; it is just a way for us to begin to see how we can balance giving and taking support.

To identify where you sit without judgment — to recognize that some may be more directly

impacted, but that you can also look inward and feel the loss and your own trauma without comparison to others — takes deep insight. Feeling your own emotions and recognizing that the pain you experience is real is the first step toward building a more resilient community.

We all have both the ability to “lean in” to a closer circle and “lean out” to a more removed circle. We can all be supported and supporters. A good rule of thumb when using these concentric circles is to lean into those who were more directly impacted by offering support, solidarity and empathy.

We can also lean out to those who are in similar concentric circles or are less directly impacted than us and seek support and care for ourselves. No matter where you are in these concentric circles you can lean in and lean out.

Recognizing that the trauma from all of

Please see Feinstein, page 13

The time is now to invest in the mental health system

Guest Columnist

Sarah Pesi

The pandemic compounded the deepening youth mental health crisis.

Almost half of parents said their teen experienced a new or worsening mental health condition during the pandemic, and ERs have seen an increase of 31% in teen mental health visits. These statistics indicate an overburdened system in need of rethinking. Many

young people are desperate and struggling to find support.

Through my work with the PA Youth Advocacy Network, I interact with young people across the commonwealth and hear their ideas about how to address this crisis.

They express the need for more resources to build resilience, develop skills for coping with stress and trauma, and know how to seek help before a crisis. The creation of more accessible, preventative services will help to normalize seeking support and to address mental health stigma.

But despite the pandemic worsening mental health, we have seen great innovations and a bipartisan cross-system focus on beginning

to tackle some of the most pressing mental health challenges youth face.

The Pennsylvania governor’s budget has proposed an investment of $100 million for school-based mental health services. It will be important to make these funds flexible to allow schools to innovate, address students’ needs, and connect with community-based organizations to offer social emotional skillbuilding and health education.

The priorities youth have shared include peer support and student-led initiatives, increased access to mental health professionals, safe and supportive schools and the education about mental health in schools. Other states have invested significantly toward these

goals, including New York’s investments to realize mental health education and Ohio’s $675 million investment over two years to double school-based mental health services.

With the launch of the national 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis lifeline to handle mental health calls, it’s important to build out the crisis continuum in the community. This includes preventive services, crisis stabilization centers, and mobile response teams. The governor’s budget calls for one-time funding for initial build-out of 988, developing a sustainable funding mechanism, and increases for countyrun mental health services.

Chronicle poll results: News sources

Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an electronic poll the following question: “Where do you primarily get your national news?” Of the 262 people who responded, 32% said, “Newspapers and/or their websites”; 28% said, “Cable television and/or their websites”; 27% said, “Network television and or their websites”; 5% said “Radio and/or their websites”; 3% said “Social media”; and 5% said “Other.” Comments were submitted by 51 people. A few follow.

Not from the mainstream networks, Google or Facebook. Very one-sided and protective of one viewpoint. Not true journalism.

Reading news from multiple sources is important to understanding complex issues. It’s unfortunate that more people who have strong opinions don’t utilize platforms that challenge their beliefs.

Definitely not CNN or MSNBC or NPR! So unbelievably biased.

Feinstein:

Continued from page 12

these circles is real and deeply painful is very important and healthy. Everyone should be able to feel their own pain and seek help, both from counselors and from one another. It also helps those most directly affected by forging a more healing and resilient broader community that is tuned in and willing to be empathetic and trauma-informed.

Leaning on one another creates greater community resiliency, connection and healing than suffering alone. A community full of people who are isolated from one another and who won’t let themselves feel their own emotions is fragile and is not well suited for

Haaretz and The Wall Street Journal.

I am center, slightly left. I used to watch Fox News to try to be more balanced until they became so radical, I just couldn’t take it anymore.

healing, either for those most directly impacted or for those affected vicariously. We believe that healing people can heal people — in any healing journey, we each learn more about ourselves and the tools to support others.

The everyday acts of kindness, compassion and love that we have seen neighbors bring to each other have been invaluable, and they have been most impactful when people offer them from a place of understanding and insight into when they should “lean in” to support or “lean out” to seek support for themselves.

This neighborliness and solidarity, even when it seems small, is what brings us into meaningful community with one another. PJC

Maggie Feinstein is the executive director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership.

— LETTERS —

Unfair coverage of Congresswoman Summer Lee

For a publication that keeps trying to claim it’s fair and balanced, you sure are doing a fine job of proving otherwise. First was the decision to run three letters to editor — only one of which was from someone in Pittsburgh — critical of both Rep. Lee and a recent op-ed supporting Lee’s decision not to talk with the Chronicle (“Summer Lee has good reason not to speak to the Chronicle,” by Sara Stock Mayo, April 21). Then you made the mindful decision to run a news syndicate story about someone who wishes to run against Lee ... in 2024 (“Republican vying for Rep. Lee’s seat blasts her ‘no’ vote on Israel resolution,” JNS, online, April 28). Many times, coverage of events has been denied if seen as overtly political, such as a Jewish organization’s endorsement of a candidate or event on their behalf, yet you’ll choose to run this “story” about some far-off opponent who offensively ties a vote on a resolution to the shootings here? If you’re fair and balanced, where was your coverage of Rep. Lee’s statement at the start of the trial decrying antisemitism and her work to secure funding for the Tree of Life building?

Jonathan Mayo Pittsburgh

Editor’s note: The Chronicle reported on Lee’s statement condemning antisemitism and her work to secure funding for Tree of Life, Inc. (“Summer Lee working to secure funding to address trauma from 10/27 shooting,” online, May 3).

I find that The Wall Street Journal is the only publication that is mostly not skewed to either side. It’s the news and not a politically-leaning venue.

I watch CNN and MSNBC. I know people say their views are very onesided and liberal, but I don’t see it that way.

The two major newspapers in my area are expensive and largely irrelevant.

Journalism and news are becoming more distant from each other. Media plays to their market base, which compromises objectivity.

I trust the news I hear on NPR. While I realize that it is impossible to report completely without bias, I think NPR does the best job in trying to present a balanced account. I also like to tune in to the BBC, to hear what a country outside the U.S. thinks is important news.

Pesi:

Continued from page 12

Teens have also shared that clinical spaces can feel overwhelming. That is why models like Headspace in Australia and The Living Room have proven effective to address mental health in the community outside the traditional hospital setting.

Initiatives like Friendship Circle’s The Beacon and UpStreet have been designed from these successful models and built to meet the unique needs in our community. The Beacon will offer a wellness space for teens to address mental health through programming and skill-building strategies to help well before a crisis. UpStreet provides free mental health support for teens in an accessible format.

One major challenge of building out the crisis continuum is the behavioral health workforce shortage. There are initiatives underway in the region to support the workforce, including the new BH Fellows program, which seeks to support frontline staff employed by Medicaid eligible providers. To build up the workforce, we will also need to develop career pathways and look at reimbursement and parity in insurance.

The need for mental health services is greater than our current behavioral health system can support. This leads us to evaluate different models to encourage workforce development and expansion. One model is community-initiated care, which seeks to train the public in low-level mental health interventions and develop connections to higher levels of care when needed. Other countries have successfully implemented this model.

With funding from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, the Teen Mental Health

The mainstream media is controlled by one party and not reliable. Foreign sources are more accurate and have no perceivable agenda.

I prefer Reuters. It has consistently been the least biased source I can find. I’ll occasionally deliberately seek out the biased news sites (in both directions) to get a feel for what the “other side” is hearing.

Twitter is the best source now for news, by far.

There are multiple good sources for national news. I mix it up and, as with most transactions, it pays to be an “informed consumer.” PJC

Compiled by Toby Tabachnick

Chronicle weekly poll question: Are you concerned about community security during the synagogue shooting trial? Go to pittsburghjewishchronicle.org to respond. PJC

Collaborative formed during the pandemic to facilitate opportunities for youth-serving organizations to share their approaches to providing emotional supports for teens. Since the initial grant phase, the Collaborative’s training and convenings are aligned to promote approaches for community-initiated care.

The work of the collaborative organizations leads to better health outcomes for youth. We are advocating for these organizations to be considered as part of the health system. Their services are saving insurers money by addressing the social determinants of health and should be eligible to be reimbursed. Although there has been some progress in this arena, larger system change efforts are required.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general, released an advisory on youth mental health, calling for a multisystem effort to address teen mental health. He shared in a recent post, “This is our time to recommit building a world, where everyone can get the care they need, where no one feels ashamed to talk about mental health and where we address the root causes of this crisis.”

What can be more Pittsburgh than having people showing up for each other with kindness? This gives me great hope that investments in community support for mental health can flourish here. We have already begun crosssystem collaborations and innovations. With an increased focus on teen mental health and with teens by our side as partners, we have the potential to reimagine and transform behavioral health supports. PJC

Sarah Pesi is a policy associate at the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. Learn more at payouthadvocacy.org.

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, fax or email letters to:

Letters to the editor via email: letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Address & Fax: Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle,5915 Beacon St., 5th Flr., Pgh, PA 15217. Fax 412-521-0154 Website address: pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

‘Weaving psyche, soul and medicine’: Meet the singing psychiatrist

By Justin Vellucci | Special to the Chronicle

Originally from Boston, Tova Feinman spent three years with the Peace Corps in Kenya before moving to Pittsburgh to attend graduate school at Pitt. Around 1995, the now-retired research scientist and author started going to sessions with a doctor later dubbed “The Singing Psychiatrist” — John Yaakov Guterson.

Guterson has launched a website packed with videos espousing his beliefs about life’s purpose, mental health and the human condition. And, yes, he sings. But Feinman has seen him for 28 years and counting for other reasons.

“Sometimes his answer to a dilemma is a soul answer and not a psyche answer,” said Feinman, who lives in Squirrel Hill and listens to Guterson analyze the Torah portion and sing popular music at Chabad services on Shabbat. “[His website] is not just for people who are mentally ill. It’s for all people who have struggled with the ups and downs of life.”

“I stayed with him,” she added, “because he sees treating mental illness as more than just medication and psychotherapy.”

Guterson grew up in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington before

“I’m not trying to be an evangelist here,” Guterson said. “But the Torah lends itself to incredible psychological and psychiatric insights.”

The website, which includes a trove of videos cataloged by topic, also has a blog, “Rambling on the Psych Ward,” and a weekly Q&A session, Guterson said.

Guterson goes back to his training at WPIC

teaching high school history and coaching basketball in Boston, he said. Later, he attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, met his wife, Amy, and migrated to Squirrel Hill. They raised four children together.

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh was “foolish enough to let me in” for his psychiatric residency, Guterson joked. He later worked at the now-closed Braddock Hospital.

Today, Guterson runs a behavioral health hospital in Wilkinsburg as well as a private psychiatry practice on Murray Avenue.

It all started with a minyan.

As Guterson was trying to gather a minyan in his Squirrel Hill home years ago, he heard that Chabad Rabbi Yisroel Altein was trying to gather a minyan as well. They joined forces and, before long, Guterson would preview content between aliyot at Chabad services, as well as sing popular music — such as Billy Joel and The Beatles. Nowadays, he even sings Taylor Swift.

“People said, ‘You know, Yaakov, you should let other people know about this,’” he laughed.

Guterson started filming videos for each aliyot in the Torah — he made about 300 of them — and shared them on Facebook and YouTube. A website, thesingingpsychiatrist. com, soon followed.

to talk about “the big, huge gap” in psychiatric thinking — there is no talk of nurturing the human soul.

“What’s lacking in the training and what’s lacking in what psychiatrists do … is helping people feel alive and helping people be aware of their soul,” Guterson said. “We all have a soul. We all have a yearning for transcendence, the chance to connect with something higher than ourselves.”

Altein said Guterson continues to be an indispensable part of Chabad services: Between aliyot, he provides insights on upcoming Torah readings.

“He is coming with the layman’s approach — it’s not the rabbi talking,” Altein said. “He’s singing to the congregation. They do know the songs and they love it. Sometimes, they break out in song. It adds a meaningful and wonderful element to the service.”

Feinman knows all about it.

“I’ve watched him evolve over 28 years — and he is remarkable,” said Feinman, who has written a book about Guterson’s teachings. “I love the way he weaves psyche, soul and medicine. It’s seamless.” PJC

Justin Vellucci is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

 Dr. John Yaacov Guterson

Photo courtesy of Dr. John Yaacov Guterson

“We all have a yearning for transcendence, the chance to connect with something higher than ourselves.”

−DR. JOHN YAACOV GUTERSON

Life & Culture

Transformative comedy about depression coming to Pittsburgh

that 26% of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a “diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.”

By Adam Reinherz | Sta Writer

“Every Brilliant Thing,” an award-winning interactive play about a child who responds to his mother’s mental illness by creating a list of things “worth living for,” is making its Pittsburgh premiere.

Written by British playwright Duncan Macmillan with comedian Jonny Donahoe, “Every Brilliant Thing” runs from May 25-June 11 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre.

The show is a comedy about depression, Kinetic Theatre Company’s Producing Artistic Director Andrew Paul said. Relying on just one actor and audience involvement, “‘Every Brilliant Thing’ uses humor and creates an environment of openness that allows the audience to feel like they are full participants in the story.”

Marcus Jacob Weiss, a Las Vegas-based Jewish actor, stars in the production.

“The value of this show, in particular, is that it changes lives in a very concrete way,” Weiss said. “It moves people to think, feel and do, and perhaps be something different.”

Weiss said it’s difficult to explain both the show’s value and how it is “such a beautiful piece of work.”

The audience arrives “having no expectations and leaves completely joyful,” Weiss said. “You

almost might be sad that the show is over, but you’re thrilled that your life is beginning after.”

Part of the play’s power is that it “addresses the issue of mental health from the inside out,” Weiss said. “It goes really deep into the experience of it

but is extremely hopeful — and beyond hope, I truly believe that it gives people something they can do to change not just their mental health but the mental health of others around them.”

The National Institutes of Health estimates

Globally, 5% of adults experience depression, according to the World Health Organization.

While society has become increasingly aware of mental health disorders in recent years, more recognition and action is necessary, Paul said.

“Every Brilliant Thing” does an excellent job of empowering an audience, Weiss said: “This show shows us and gently guides us as to what life can be like and arguably should be like.”

Paul noted the play does address several “heavy and mature themes” but does so in a way that is accessible to people of all ages.

“I’ve sat through it several times and taken my kids to it,” he said. “I feel it has a theatrical magic. It’s not a depressing play — it’s actually quite uplifting.”

“Every Brilliant Thing” is a reminder that “not only is life worth living but there’s things you can do to make it joyful.”

For Paul, there’s a similar takeaway.

“Our hope is that the audience emerges from it with not only a better understanding of mental health issues but also feels more positively about the world we’re living in,” he said. “With art that’s always a goal, but I think this piece really does achieve it.” PJC

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

SEVEN LEGAL STRATEGIES TO PROTECT FAMILY, FINANCES & YOUR FUTURE

is is one in a series of articles about Elder Law by Michael H. Marks., Esq.

Michael H. Marks is an elder law attorney with o ces in Squirrel Hill and Monroeville. Send questions to michael@marks-law.com or visit www.marks-law.com.

Life is a balance between living in the moment and planning ahead. We strive to be here now and be present and “mindful” (there’s a cool modern catchword), but also look into the future to organize and arrange our lives e ectively.

ere’s a saying about planning: there are people who make it happen, people who let it happen, and people who wonder, “What happened?” Planning is an imperfect exercise in trying to shape the future.

ere’s another saying “Man plans, God laughs!” Don’t be one of the people who wonder “What happened?” when you can try your best to make it happen.

Here are seven legal strategies that anybody can use. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list, but some suggestions and ideas to ponder and use.

1. ESTATE PLANNING: A Must Do! I help my clients do this every day. Make plans and arrangements for the future using Powers of Attorney, Wills, Trusts, deeds, etc. e goal is to try to ensure that the people you want to be in charge to help you, are in charge at the right times, to do what you want them to do, and for the right people to inherit from you, in the way that you want. e idea is to write it down and sign it, to make it stick later.

Powers of attorney say who will help you during your lifetime. Wills say who will inherit from you, how and when, and who is in charge of the paperwork and decisions. Trusts serve lots of purposes, but at their most basic, provide for a responsible adult to help

someone else who needs help to receive or handle an inheritance, gi , etc. (for example, children, someone with a disability, etc.). O en my clients have individuals who they don’t want to inherit, or don’t want to be in charge, and we disqualify or exclude them. Don’t get caught dead without it.

2. USE WRITTEN AGREEMENTS: Here are the best three pieces of free legal advice I can give anyone: “Put it in writing, put it in writing, put it in writing” – even with family. Whether it’s an IOU, an informal lease, any real estate dealings like buying property together, or a job or employment agreement, putting it in writing requires you to think it through enough to be able to write it down, including the “what if’s” that might occur. Make agreements in advance, to prevent disagreements later.

3. CLOSE OLD ESTATES: Frequently a new client says, “ e house is still in grandma’s name, she’s been gone for years, but we never got around to nishing the estate…” or “I knew we had to pay inheritance tax, but we never did.” Take care of old un nished estate business. e more time that goes by, the harder and more costly it may become. Trying to get the signatures of a whole bunch of heirs later on is a real pain.

4. CHECK AND UPDATE BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS: Even if you don’t have a will or trust, you probably do already have an estate plan in place, consisting of the bene ciary designations that you’ve made on life insurance policies, IRAs, investment accounts, or with joint bank accounts, etc. Con rm that they are the way you want.

5. GATHER, ORGANIZE AND SECURE YOUR RECORDS: Make it easier instead of harder for your family later to help you handle your a airs, or wind up your a airs. Get your information together and tell somebody where it will be (or at least, don’t make it hard to nd). Lots of online services and written

binders are available. Include: Wills, Powers of Attorney, deeds and leases, loan papers, health care info, military and insurance records, birth, marriage and death certi cates, cemetery plots, car titles, funeral plans, tax returns, asset records, people to contact, family photos and mementos etc.

6. NAME YOUR GUARDIANS: If you have young children, what can be more important than naming the Guardian(s) who will raise your children for you if you are gone? A Guardian will have both the right to make decisions, and the obligation to care for them properly - if they accept. is designation happens in the parents’ Last Will and Testament. But as an adult, if you become disabled, you can also name the person to serve as your own Guardian in your Power of Attorney. ere are actually two jobs: Guardian of the Person for care, education and placement decisions, and Guardian of the Estate, for money and nancial matters.

7. MARRIAGE OR NOT? If you’re thinking about whether or not to marry, especially in a second or later marriage, get informed about the legal and nancial pros and cons before deciding. Legal and nancial implications can include income tax breaks for married couples, healthcare insurance options, inheritance and estate tax savings, liability for or protection from a spouse’s long-term care costs, e ect on Social Security bene ts, protecting assets from creditor liability, and more. When there’s imbalance in the wealth that partners bring to the marriage, consider a prenuptial agreement to force you to think through, clarify, agree on and lock in your expectations about money and property.

At Marks Elder Law, we help people every day with issues like these. I invite your questions and feedback. Please let me know how I can help you and your family.

helping you plan for what matters the most

With the increasing costs of long-term care, having the help of a legal professional when planning for your family’s future can help you make better decisions that can result in keeping more of your money. We help families understand the strategies, the bene ts, and risks involved with elder law, disability and estate planning.

 Marcus Weiss in "Every Brilliant Thing" at Vegas Theatre Company

Photos by Richard Brusky courtesy of Andrew Paul

Torah Celebrations

Bar Mitzvah

, son of Joshua Centor and Jaye-Lacey Centor, will become a bar mitzvah at Adat Shalom during Shabbat morning services on Saturday, May 13, 2023. His proud grandparents are Joan and Larry Centor and Joel and PJC

Never alone

On a recent community trip to Israel, I was fortunate to hear and be inspired by Yuli Edelstein, a member of the Knesset and formerly its speaker. Edelstein’s story is remarkable. He was a prisoner of Zion (the term used for Soviet Jews denied exit visas due to their desire to immigrate to Israel).

Edelstein was born in the Ukrainian city of Chernovitz. He recalled how, as a child, he went with his grandfather through secret doors and tunnels to buy matzot for Passover. His family encountered many challenges while trying to live a Jewish lifestyle, but he stayed committed with Jewish pride, even teaching himself Hebrew.

In 1979 he moved to Moscow, got involved in aliyah activities and started working as a Hebrew teacher. In Soviet Russia, Simchas Torah was the holiday on which thousands of Jews visited the synagogue. On Simchas Torah of 1982, Edelstein organized a choir singing Hebrew songs before a mighty crowd of Jews — and the KGB did not like it. In 1983, KGB agents burst in on Edelstein’s Hebrew classes and took him and his friends to the local police station. They confiscated the study books and sentenced Edelstein to three years in a labor camp in Siberia.

camp. Edelstein replied that he did not feel alone for one moment: “Hashem was with me and I felt the love and support of the whole world.”

We are now in the period of counting the Omer, during which we put extra focus on unity and love of others. Our Sages tell us that the disciples of Rabbi Akiva were stricken by a plague because they were not respectful toward one another. But on the 33rd day of counting the Omer — Lag b’Omer — the plague stopped.

On Lag B’Omer of the year 5744 (1984), the Lubavitcher Rebbe spoke about Soviet Jewry, who in those days endured terrible difficulties trying to live Jewish lives. The Rebbe asked where those precious Jews got the strength to withstand all the challenges they faced in the Soviet Union. And the answer to that, the Rebbe said, came from Rabbi Shimon Bar-Yochai, whose day of passing fell on Lag B’Omer. Rabbi Shimon had said, “Come and see how precious the Jewish Nation is, for wherever they were exiled, the Shechinah (Divine Presence) went with them: When they were exiled to Egypt, the Shechinah was with them … when they were exiled to Bavel, the Shechinah was with them.” (Talmud, Megilah 29a)

And the Rebbe continued: “The state of exile for the Jews is not such that they are in exile while G-d is in His Heavenly

Mazel Tov!

Mazel Tov!

His job there was to chop down trees in a thick forest in the Siberian cold. He was finally freed in 1987 — but not before having suffered serious injuries as a result of the forced labor.

While he was imprisoned, he had no connection whatsoever with the world outside the walls of his cell. He had no idea that he had become a worldwide icon, with his image displayed around the globe and thousands demanding his release.

abode, from which He looks down to see how they are doing … rather, the Shechinah is with them; even G-d is in exile together with the Jews.” And so, “when the Jewish Nation finds itself in exile, they have all of G-d’s help and support in everything they need.”

SPECIAL OCCASIONS DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION

SPECIAL OCCASIONS DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION

What is a special occasion…a birth, a b’nai mitzvah, an engagement, a wedding, an anniversary? Absolutely!

What is a special occasion…a birth, a b’nai mitzvah, an engagement, a wedding, an anniversary? Absolutely!

What is a special occasion…a birth, a b’nai mitzvah, an engagement, a wedding, an anniversary? Absolutely!

Mazel Tov!

What is a special occasion…a birth, a b’nai mitzvah, an engagement, a wedding, an anniversary? Absolutely!

But so is a birthday, a graduation, an athletic victory, an academic achievement…anything that deserves special recognition. And there is no better place to share your joy than in...

But so is a birthday, a graduation, an athletic victory, an academic achievement…anything that deserves special recognition. And there is no better place to share your joy than in...

SPECIAL OCCASIONS DESERVE SPECIAL ATTENTION

But so is a birthday, a graduation, an athletic victory, an academic achievement…anything that deserves special recognition. And there is no better place to share your joy than in...

But so is a birthday, a graduation, an athletic victory, an academic achievement…anything that deserves special recognition. And there is no better place to share your joy than in...

What is a special occasion…a birth, a b’nai mitzvah, an engagement, a wedding, an anniversary? Absolutely!

But so is a birthday, a graduation, an athletic victory, an academic achievement…anything that deserves special recognition. And there is no better place to share your joy than in...

SEND YOUR CELEBRATIONS, MAZEL

SEND YOUR CELEBRATIONS, MAZEL TOVS, AND PHOTOS TO: announcements@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

SEND YOUR CELEBRATIONS, MAZEL TOVS, AND PHOTOS TO: announcements@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

SEND YOUR CELEBRATIONS, MAZEL TOVS, AND PHOTOS TO: announcements@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

One day, when he was coming back from a day of labor in the woods, freezing from the cold, the warden overseeing his detail called out, “Edelstein! Come here!” The warden said to him, “My safe is filled with letters that they’re sending you from all over the world.” But the warden added with a sadistic smile, “Since the law says that prisoners are not allowed to get letters from outside the country, you’re not going to get even one.” The warden obviously was trying to torture him psychologically.

Edelstein related that in those moments, there was no one happier than him. He suddenly learned that everyone was thinking about him and worrying for him. He never saw the letters, but when he finally made aliyah to Israel, a reporter asked him how he had survived isolation in the Siberian labor

There are quite a few Sages of the Talmudic era whose dates of passing we don’t know — so why is it that of all the Sages, it is Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai whose yahrzeit is celebrated by the entire Jewish nation, 2,000 years later? Perhaps it is because Rabbi Shimon is the one who revealed to us just how much G-d loves the Jewish nation — that “wherever the Jewish Nation is exiled, the Shechinah is with them.”

The best way to earn G-d’s love is when we show each other love. And that’s why we mark Lag B’Omer not with prayers or Torah study but with communal gatherings of friends where we bond with one another as one. And when we engage in unity, it stimulates G-d’s love for us. PJC

Rabbi Mendy Schapiro is the director of Chabad of Monroeville. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabanim of Greater Pittsburgh.

Rabbi Mendy Schapiro Parshat Behar-Bechukotia Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34

The best way to earn G-d’s love is when we show each other love.

Obituaries

BERMAN: Bertha (Dottie) Berman, age 99, of Regent Square in Pittsburgh, and more recently of Shelburne, Vermont, passed on the morning of May 2, 2023, surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. She was the daughter of the late Eva and William Tolchinsky, and the devoted and loving wife of the late Matt (Mathias) Berman, the love of her life for 60 years. Dottie was the treasured mother of Ellen (Robert) Dobrusin of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Wendy (Michael) Pelletier of Essex, Vermont. She was the loving grandmother of Robert Pelletier (Samantha) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Avi Dobrusin of St. Louis, Missouri, Katherine Pelletier (Kenneth Davenport) of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and Mickie Dobrusin of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She took joy in being a great-grandmother to Cole Parker Pelletier. Dottie was the sister of the late Harry Tolchinsky and Betty Aptaker and aunt to many nieces and nephews. She had a special loving relationship with her dedicated caregivers, Dhyanna Lucia, Emily Germain and Peggy Trombley. She loved her Shelburne Bay aides, especially Marie-Claire, Mary Margo, Sam and John. Dottie was a proud native Pittsburgher who truly loved the city and was an enthusiastic fan of the Pirates and Steelers. Dottie was an excellent student and athlete and a proud graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School. She defied barriers to women and built a strong career starting as a legal secretary with the National Labor Relations Board. She later worked for many years at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. Dottie was respected and appreciated by her coworkers and supervisors for her exceptional work and dedication. She was known for her kindness and her dry sense of humor. She loved to cook all her favorite recipes and eat chocolate whenever possible. She loved movies, music, dancing, gardening and travel. Dottie enjoyed going with Matt and the girls to their weekend retreat in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. She will be forever loved and remembered. Graveside services and interment were held on May 8, 2023, in Homewood Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens or Animal Friends of Allegheny County. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com

Lawrence Morton Grotstein passed away on May 3, surrounded by friends and family, just two days after his 90th birthday. The Squirrel Hill native first made his name in sports at Taylor Allderdice as a standout athlete as captain of the basketball team, quarterback/captain of the football team, first baseman in baseball and a star of track-and-field. He was awarded full-ride basketball scholarships at both Pitt and Duquesne and traveled the country playing basketball for the Army. In 2004, he was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Western Pennsylvania. Well into his 80s, it was still common for people to stop him on the street and remark on his tremendous athletic past. Larry married Janet Sedaka in 1974 and he became a second father to her children, Stephanie, Ricki and Victor. Larry and Janet remained together until her passing in 2019. His first marriage was to Lynn Harbison, with whom he had two children, Todd and Lauri. With longtime friend and business partner, Alan Maglin, Larry founded and ran Computer Tech and the International Culinary Academy and expanded the businesses to multiple locations throughout the tri-state area. As their businesses grew, Larry continued a new chapter of his athletic prowess garnering win after win on the racquetball courts. Known for his sense of humor, which stayed with him until his very last days, Larry lived most of his life in Squirrel Hill, but also spent years in Brooklyn, New Jersey and Florida. More recently, his days were spent swapping stories with his friends at Squirrel Hill’s The New Riverview Apartments. Larry is survived by his five children: Todd Grotstein (Lisa), Lauri Gravina (David), Stephanie Davis (Ted), Ricki Harbaugh (Blake), and Victor Sedaka; his grandchildren, Macie and Riley Grotstein, Maia and Lucas Gravina, Leora (Geffen)Waks, Ariel Kell, Debra Fishman, Alison Harbaugh, Dara and Alexa Sedaka; and his great grandchildren, Chaim, Eli and Kayla Kell, and Chaim, Yitzchak and Rivkah Fishman. The family sends love and gratitude to his caregiver, Lezlee Hunter. A graveside service was held on May 4 at Shaare Torah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Memory of Larry Grotstein, VA Medical Center, c/o Voluntary Service (135), Canandaigua, N.Y. 14424. Larry will be dearly missed.

Please see Obituaries, page 20

NOTICE OF HEARING

IN RE: PETITION OF TEMPLE HADAR ISRAEL, A PENNSYLVANIA NON-PROFIT CORPORATION

TO APPROVE A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE; Case No. 48-2023 in the Orphan’s Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Notice is hereby given that the Court has set a hearing on the Petition of Temple Hadar Israel to approve a Fundamental Change in the form of the transfer of ownership and management of its cemeteries and the transfer of certain assets to the Jewish Cemetery and Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh. e hearing will be held in the Orphans’ Court Division, Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, 430 Court Street, New Castle, Pennsylvania on June 9, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom No. 4 before the Honorable David H. Acker. Any interested person is invited to attend. Information may be obtained from Leo M. Stepanian II, Esq., Stepanian & Menchyk, LLP, 222 South Main Street, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001, phone (724)285-1717; Attorney for Petitioner.

Anonymous

Sheila R Golding

Robert & Kathleen Grant

Harris

Ruth Haber Bertha Miller

Denise E Kaiser

Denise E Kaiser

Aaron Krouse

Aaron Krouse Abraham Krouse

Mr & Mrs Je rey L Kwall

Sigal Kwall

Janice Mankin Saul Fineberg

Shiela Margolis Charlotte Ha ner

Susan Melnick Dorothy Natterson Maas

Howie & Shelley Miller Mitzi Greenwald Miller

Rosalyn Shapiro

Rosalyn Shapiro

Shapiro

Wheeler

Anchel D Siegman Harry Siegman

Eileen E Snider Ed Snider

Sharon Snider ....................................................................... .Ed Snider

Dr Susan Snider & Family Edwin Snider

Jewish Association on Aging gratefully acknowledges contributions from the following: A gift from ... In memory of... Contact

Sunday May 14: Herman Barnett, Myer D Berman, Ida Burns, Harry Davidson, Robert K Finkelhor, Henry Fried, Ernest Gartner, Elise K Goldman, Martin S Kaiserman, Arthur Seymour Markowitz, Sylvia Shaer, Meyer Weinberg

Monday May 15: Herman Barnett, Rae Rubin Farber, Jennie Gross, Adolph Hersh, Edward A Lenchner, Lizzie Lieberman, Helen G Match, Arnold Ivan Meyers, Rose Pinsker Rudick, Mary Rotter, David Rubenstein, Morris L Sands, Lillian Goodman Smith, Ed Snider, Edwin Snider, Fannie Rosenthal Weinberg

Tuesday May 16: Edna Ruth Goldberg Abelson, Gitel Busis, Morris Fivars, Herbert L Friedlander, Sol S Goldstein, Wolf Morris Kaiser, Clara Sigal Kwall, Jack H Lembersky, Louis Marcus, Mildred Greenwald Miller, Zalman Miller, Aaron Pattak, Hildegard Perlstein, Isadore Rosen, Nathan Sadowsky, Leo E Sattler, Anna Stein

Wednesday May 17: Ida Stern Cohen, Charles Friedberg, Emil Geminder, Samuel Goldberg, Irving Levenson, Sarah Holstein Lindenberg, Joseph Orlansky, Hyman Rogal, Ida Sacks, Helen Werner

Thursday May 18: Dr Henry H Black, Abe Bortz, Ida Eisen, Mollie Klater, Macy L Leuin, Sophia Meyer, Irwin Pariser, Betsy Sachs, Milton Sadowsky, Henry L Schutzman, Herman S Schwartz, Mary Sinaikin, Meyer J Slotsky, Benjamin Solomon, Harry Tyson, Bessie Chait Weinberg

Friday May 19: Henry M Abrams, Maurice D. Azen, Joseph H. Breman, Isadore Brody, Irving Caplan, Ralph Covel, Theodore T. Davidson, Harry Feldman, Lawrence R . Katz, Jennie Kramer, Donald W. Levenson, Anna Levy, Eva Cohen Roth Levy, Martin Lewinter, Bertha Esther Miller, Raymond Rosenson, Samuel Schwartzman, Lillian Staman, Jeanette Stern, Clara Stevenson, Rebecca Zwibel

Saturday May 20: Gustave J Bloch, I Aleck Brand, Lillian Braun, Henry Cramer, Meyer M. Dizno , Pesach Aaron Katz, Shirley Kress, Dorothy Natterson Maas, Edward Pearlstein, Abe J. Perlman, Mollie Reich, Emil Rosenthal, Rose Steinberg, Rose Stern, Esther Miller Swartz, Esther Weinberg, Milton Saul Weinberg, Rachel Dugan Weisberg, Elinor Young

D’Alessandro Funeral Home and Crematory Ltd.

“Always

Dustin

Supervisor • Daniel T. D’Alessandro, Funeral Director 4522 Butler St. • Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (412) 682-6500 • www.dalessandroltd.com

Bernadette L. Rose-Tihey Funeral Director, Supervisor, Vice President

MELNICK: Milton (Milt) Melnick passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 97 years old. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Elaine Waldman Melnick (daughter of Joseph Waldman, Rose Waldman Rosenberg and Isaac Rosenberg), and daughters Robyn Abrams and Gwen Melnick. Zaydie to his two granddaughters, Rebecca and Erin. Born in Pittsburgh in 1925, he was the youngest son of Fannie and Arry Melnick. Predeceased by brothers Ben, Pershing and Henry. Additionally survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Milt was a devoted husband, proud father and successful businessman. During WWII, he was a radio operator in the Navy (Pacific Theater). An avid follower of the stock market, Milt was also a history buff who always kept up with and enjoyed discussing national/local politics and world events. Milt was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Graveside services were held on May 5 at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or a Charity of your choice.  schugar.com

STOLLER: Janet Stoller passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, May 5, 2023. Beloved wife of Steven Stoller. Loving mother of Erin (Ben) Roth and Stacy Stoller, all of Pittsburgh. Sister of Paul (Karen) Shapiro. Sisterin-law of Richard (the late Audrey) Stoller and the late David (Nancy) Stoller. Devoted Mimi of Caleb Roth and Lucas Roth. Aunt of Dr. Alan (Melissa) Shapiro and Melissa Shapiro. Also survived by extended family members. Daughter of the late Albert and Florence Shapiro. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Joop and Joyce Offerman for their lifelong friendship, dedication and support through Jan’s medical journey. A special thank you to Dr. Stanley Marks, his team and Renèe Farrell for her care. Janet spent the last 20 years as a buyer for Pool City. She will be remembered for her unwavering love and loyalty to her family and friends. We will miss her dearly. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel. Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery. Contributions may be made to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. schugar.com PJC

Real Estate

Smith-Rosenthal Team

Jason A. Smith & Caryn Rosenthal

Jason: 412-969-2930 | Caryn: 412-389-1695

Jasonasmith@howardhanna.com

Carynrosenthal@howardhanna.com

5501 Baum Blvd. Pittsburgh PA 15232

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LAWRENCEVILLE - $620,000

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A stunning Lawrenceville home o ers 4 levels of luxurious finishes and unparalleled city views. The dazzling hardwood floors and an open-concept layout make living and entertaining easy. The kitchen is a chef’s paradise with stainless steel appliances, Glacier White Quartz countertops, a large island with seating, and crisp white kitchen cabinets elevated with a pop of color from the handmade backsplash tiles and mosaic inlays. Three spacious bedrooms, 3.5 contemporary-styled baths, and thoughtful storage throughout. The top-floor bonus room features French doors to a private balcony with exceptional vistas of downtown and beyond. Enjoy the convenience of dedicated 2-car garage parking equipped with an EV charging outlet. Convenient to public transportation, the Universities, Hospitals, High-Tech corridors, restaurants and shopping. LERTA Tax Abatement.

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Life & Culture

Chicken with preserved lemon and olives

By Jessica Grann | Special to the Chronicle

Ipublished my recipe for preserved lemons recently in preparation for this divine chicken dish, which I’ve made for nearly 20 years with rave reviews. It has a wonderful mix of ingredients that, when combined, are special to North African cuisine: slow-braised meat, olives, preserved lemons, saffron, ginger, cumin and a little spice.

I really enjoy this in the warmer months. It gets better the longer that it rests, so it’s a wonderful meal to make ahead for a Shabbat or a holiday. I use a light hand with the spices so that the chicken is fragrant but not reeking of anything in particular. One of the biggest mistakes that home cooks make is covering their meat in heavy spices.

Essentially, this is a tagine. While you don’t need a tagine to make this recipe, you will need a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven. Steam and air flow are important when braising any meat, so there must be room between the food and the lid — as opposed to using a baking dish and covering it with foil which doesn’t leave enough space for steam. A few inches of space in the pot will create a more tender meat.

This recipe has several steps and is a bit more time-consuming than what I typically publish, but it will come out beautifully if you follow my instructions. The prep takes about an hour, which is why I usually save this meal for Shabbat and special occasions. The chicken must be marinated overnight and then browned before baking, but once you set it into the oven to cook, you’re basically done.

Ingredients

For the chicken and marinade:

3-4 pounds dark meat chicken on the bone, skin on. Use legs, thighs or a combination.

3 cups sweet onion, diced

4 large cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

¼ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

In a small bowl, combine all of the above ingredients and mix well. Place the raw chicken in a large bowl, and pour the marinade on top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. I usually give it a good stir and re-cover the bowl before bed or first thing in the morning, just to ensure that the chicken is evenly coated.

For the main dish:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon cumin

A nice pinch of sa ron, about ¼ teaspoon

1 preserved lemon, pith and fruit removed; use the rind only. Slice it into thin pieces.

½ bunch of parsley and ½ bunch of cilantro

(equal amounts), washed and tied with string

1.5 cups assorted Mediterranean olives (not canned black or American-style green olives)

⅓ cup water

Immersing the herbs in water with a splash of white vinegar helps to clean off the sand and bugs. Soak and rinse the herbs and set them aside to dry on a paper towel for later use.

Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a Dutch oven and heat the burner to medium-low. Lightly brown each piece of chicken on both sides, working in batches, cooking each side for 8-10 minutes. Browning the chicken does not fully cook it; it simply helps to seal in the juices. There will be small pieces of diced onion on the raw chicken that you don’t need to wipe away before browning. Brown all the chicken pieces and set them aside on another plate. The leftover marinade will settle to the bottom of the bowl, and there should also be a nice amount of chicken juice and oil from the cooked chicken in the pot.

Add the marinade to the pot and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly over

medium-low heat. The onions should be translucent but still be firm.

Add the cumin and ginger to the onions and stir constantly for 1 minute before removing the pan from the heat.

Stir in the saffron. There may be blackened residue at the bottom of the pot. This is common when sautéing with olive oil. While I typically scrape blackened bits into the sauce, with this dish I don’t disturb it because I’m not deglazing the pan.

Scoop out ¾ of the onion mixture and place it into another small bowl. If you have a large tagine, scoop ¼ of this onion and a few slices of the preserved lemon across the bottom of the clay pot; otherwise do this step with the same Dutch oven that you used to brown the chicken. Add the chicken in layers and spoon the rest of the cooked marinade over the top. Add the olives and the rest of the preserved lemon rind. Pour the water into the side of the pot so that it covers the bottom and doesn’t wash away the marinade.

Cut just the ends off the parsley and cilantro stems and tie them in a bunch with kitchen string. Set the bunch on top of the chicken, but to the side of the pot, and cover.

Tagine-style cooking is all about slow cooking. Put the covered tagine or Dutch oven into a cold oven, then set the heat to 275 F. Bake without uncovering for 3 hours. A Dutch oven may take a little less time than a tagine; the chicken should be tender when you insert a fork.

If you’re using a tagine, place it on a wood cutting board when you take it out of the oven to avoid cracking. Placing a hot clay pot onto a cold surface will cause shock to the pot and destroy it.

If you’re not serving this immediately, turn the oven off, crack the oven door and allow it to cool down in the oven for an hour.

Serve warm over rice or couscous, which will sop up the sumptuous sauce. Kosher chicken, olives and preserved lemon are all salty, so I salt this to taste at the table.

This is not a spicy dish. It has slight warmth from the cayenne pepper, and saffron comes to life in food that is not overly peppered. I hope that you get as much enjoyment out of this meal as my family does. Enjoy and bless your hands! PJC

Jessica Grann is a home chef living in Pittsburgh.

 Chicken with preserved lemon and olives Photo by Jessica Grann

I really enjoy this in the warmer months. It gets better the longer that it rests, so it’s a wonderful meal to make ahead for a Shabbat or a holiday.

Community

The Aleph Institute - North East Region hosted its Regional Jewish Prison Chaplains Conference. The annual event provides hands-on training for volunteers and chaplains who provide services to

Hall of famer

 Rabbi Tzvi Seliger, center, receives Chaplain of the Year Award with Rev. Ulli Klemm (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, director of religious services), left, and Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel (executive director, Aleph Institute - N.E.). Photo by Elian Shkeidi

 Haylee Elgarten (left) receives the Volunteer of the Year Award from Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel.

Photo by Elian Shkeidi

 David Fink, right, and his sister Julie Paris

Photo courtesy of Julie Paris

 From left: Performers included Gerald Robbins, piano; Roy Sonne, violin; Adam Liu, cello; and Tatjana Mead Chamis, viola.

Photo courtesy of Rodef Shalom Congregation

Photo courtesy of Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

 Here’s to many more years of good health and great reading.

Photo courtesy of Alexis Schwartz

KOSHER MEATS

•All-natural poultry — whole chickens, breasts, wings and more

•All-natural, corn-fed beef — steaks, roasts, ground beef and more

•Variety of deli meats and franks

Empire Kosher Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts

Available at select Giant Eagle stores. Visit gianteagle.com for location information.

89 9 lb.

Price effective Thursday, May11 through Wednesday, May17, 2023