Issuu

October 16, 2026 | 5 Cheshvan 5787

Pittsburgh Oct. 7 commemoration community encourages community to reflect and ‘live meaningfully’ prepares to mark eight years since synagogue shooting

NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Connecting young adults

Pittsburgh’s new Moishe Pod

Candlelighting 6:20 p.m. | Havdalah 7:18 p.m. | Vol. 69, No. 42 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

Page 2

LOCAL Leadership and commitment

Karen Oosterhous takes helm of The Branch Page 4

LOCAL A message to the future

p Participants of an Oct. 7 commemoration at the Squirrel Hill JCC reflect on lives lost. Photo by Adam Reinherz By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer

A Tree of Life time capsule revealed

Page 4

LOCAL Meet Richard Swartz

Working for community betterment

Page 5

communitywide commemoration promoted more than memory. Three years after the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, Pittsburghers were asked to “gather and remember together.” Dean Aseef, community shaliach at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, issued the request to nearly 200 Pittsburghers on Wednesday evening at the Squirrel Hill JCC. While memorialization is important, it’s also critical to understand a significance beyond figures, he explained. On Oct. 7, 2023, more than 1,200 people were killed, thousands were injured and 251 were taken hostage, Aseef said. During the past three years, “more than 2,000 Israeli victims, civilians or soldiers have been killed in the war,” he continued. “Behind every number is a person, a life that was cut short.” And although years taken can never be returned, “what we can do is to choose what we do with ours.” Aseef implored Pittsburghers to maximize

their time: Register for various programs and perform kind acts, learn more about Israel and Israelis, “turn memory into hope and action.” Rabbi Jamie Gibson, chair of the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, echoed Aseef ’s call. It’s no coincidence the Hebrew word tikvah, meaning “hope,” stems from the Hebrew word kav, meaning “line,” Gibson said. He urged everyone in attendance to do something not just “for our Israeli brothers, and sisters and cousins, but hold the line here for our community, and the connection our community has with all those in Israel who suffered.” Too often, a relationship with Israel can be clouded by focus on governments, politics and elections, Beit Kulanu’s Rabbi Daniel Fellman explained. “Israel is not political for us. Israel is theological. Israel is about who we are as Jews. Politicians come and go. Israel and our connection to it is permanent.” Please see October 7, page 13

Special section begins on Andy Dean/Adobe Stock

page 9

p As a lead-up to Oct. 27, study opportunities are available. Photo by cottonbro By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer

olunteering, Torah study and a public commemoration will help community members mark eight years since the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. The antisemitic attack on Oct. 27, 2018, targeted three congregations in the Tree of Life building: Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life. Maggie Feinstein, director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, credited organizers and partnering organizations with helping to “carve out space where we, as a community, remember and honor the 11.” Both as a lead-up to Oct. 27, and on the yahrzeit of those killed, various activities are scheduled to support the community and preserve the memory of Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Dan Stein, Irving Younger and Melvin Wax — the 11 worshippers who were murdered during Shabbat morning services nearly eight years ago. Please see Synagogue, page 13

Headlines Moishe Pod hosts create a welcoming home for Pittsburgh’s young Jews — LOCAL— By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer

wo young professionals who have benefitted from Jewish communal warmth are seeking to pay it forward by opening their home, planning events and building connections as Moishe Pod resident hosts. Since August, Yael Karin, 23, and Riley Crow, 25, have invited guests to their Squirrel Hill-based pod and partnered with local organizations while attempting to grow a demographic. “As much as I love being a participant, I also felt like I wanted to be a doer in that scene,” Crow said. “I moved here recently, and I wanted to participate in more events, and to meet new people,” so becoming a Moishe Pod resident host made perfect sense, Karin said. Pittsburgh isn’t new to Moishe Pod. Previous residents and hosts have worked with overseeing organizations Mem Global and the Moishe House network to connect young Jewish adults. Typically aged between 22-32, Moishe Pod residents and hosts design several Jewish communal programs each month and use the events as opportunities to connect similarly-aged Jewish individuals. In exchange for their service, Moishe Pod residents and hosts are provided rent subsidies, a program budget and training. Both helping young Jews connect and bridging a demographic is essential, Crow explained. Several local organizations, including Chabad Young Professionals, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Division and the Jewish Community

p Riley Crow and Yael Karin are Moishe Pod resident hosts.

Center of Greater Pittsburgh, offer meaningful opportunities for engagement; bringing these organizations even closer by introducing individuals from each of these groups fosters new relationships and deepens bonds within the community, Crow said. Whether by hosting Shabbat dinners, combined Torah study, Israel football watch parties, or simply having an open home, this is a way to help people “meet in the middle.” Crow, a University of Pittsburgh graduate who serves as marketing and communications coordinator at Pittsburgh’s JCC, said he recognizes the importance of providing ways for community members to coalesce and make new meaning. Karin, the facilities manager at Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh, agreed and said that after completing her service in the Israel Defense Forces, she visited multiple American

Photo courtesy of Riley Crow

communities and observed the critical need to connect young Jewish adults. During nearly 18 months of travel, the Israeli-born Jewish professional was almost always a community’s newest member. People often invited her in, introduced her to their families and enabled a sense of belonging, she said. “I want to be that person for other people.” Whether it’s for individuals who’ve been here for years, or just arrived in Pittsburgh, if they “don’t know anyone, they can come to us, and we’ll be the bridge that connects them to other people.” Crow’s lengthy journey to the Squirrel Hill-based pod also prompted a similar desire to give back. “Growing up, I had very little connection to my family’s Jewish roots,” he said. Much changed after Oct. 27, 2018, and the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting — at the time,

Crow was 18 years old. That event “kind of made me think about this vague Jewishness we had,” he said. Questions — including “I’m Jewish, right, what do I do with this now?” — prompted introspection and awareness. Crow said he noticed the community’s reaction to Oct. 27 and felt “as though I’m on the outside looking in.” In response, he reached out to the synagogue closest to his childhood home — Temple Ohav Shalom — and connected with its then-rabbi, Jeremy Weisblatt. “I learned with him for a while, and then I went off to college and got connected with Hillel and Chabad, and over the years I studied,” Crow said. “I went on a couple trips to Israel. I went on Birthright, where I met Yael for the first time. And then, I knew in my adulthood I was going to live an involved Jewish life, which I didn’t really do as a kid.” Being a Moishe Pod resident host, like being a Jewish communal professional, not only allows Crow to continue meeting members of this community, he said, but also enables him to organize “some of the programming that was so meaningful to me.” Both Crow and Karin hope members of Pittsburgh’s young Jewish community feel welcome in the Squirrel Hill-based pod. “I understand how some environments can be intimidating. Big crowds, where you don’t know who to walk up to and talk to, can be a little scary,” Crow said. Moishe Pod is a quieter space, and “there’s no barrier to entry. We want to meet you.” “We want our house to be warm and welcoming, like an open door,” Karin said. “People can come to us with anything, and, as who they are.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Main phone number: 412-687-1000

Subscriptions: 412-687-1000, ext. 2 SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 412-687-1000, ext. 2

Jim Busis, CEO and Publisher 412-228-4690 jbusis@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

TO ADVERTISE advertising@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 412-687-1000, ext. 1

EDITORIAL Toby Tabachnick, Editor 412-228-4577 ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Email: newsdesk@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES Evan H. Stein, Chair Evan Indianer, Vice Chair Derek Smith, Treasurer Gayle R. Kraut, Secretary Gail Childs, Dan Droz, Malke Steinfeld Frank, Karen Gal-Or, Seth Glick, Cátia Kossovsky, Charles Saul, Lynn Zelenski

Adam Reinherz, Senior Staff Writer 412-687-1000 areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org David Rullo, Senior Staff Writer 412-687-1000 drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org ADVERTISING Amy Weiss, Account Executive (412) 613-0697 aweiss@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

PRODUCTION Jeni Mann Tough Production Manager Carl Weigel Art/Production Coordinator Subscriptions subscriptions@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org 412-687-1000, ext. 2 Published every Friday by the Pittsburgh Jewish Publication and Education Foundation 5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: 412-687-1000 POSTMASTER: Send address change to PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE, 5915 BEACON ST., 5TH FLOOR PITTSBURGH, PA 15217 (PERIODICAL RATE POSTAGE PAID AT PITTSBURGH, PA AND AT ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES) USPS 582-740

Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle become the property of this publication, which is not responsible for the return or loss of such items. The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle does not endorse the goods or services advertised or covered in its pages and makes no representation to the kashrut of food products and services in said advertising or articles. The publisher is not liable for damages if, for any reason whatsoever, he fails to publish an advertisement or for any error in an advertisement. Acceptance of advertisers and of ad copy is subject to the publisher’s approval. The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle is not responsible if ads violate applicable laws and the advertiser will indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle from all claims made by governmental agencies and consumers for any reason based on ads appearing in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle.

GENERAL COUNSEL Stuart R. Kaplan, Esq.

OCTOBER 16, 2026

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Anti-Zionist groups commemorate ‘martyrs’ of Oct. 7, ignore Hamas’ attack — LOCAL — By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer

hile Jewish communities around the world paused to commemorate the horrors of Oct. 7, 2023, some far-left and anti-Zionist groups used the occasion as an attempt to reframe the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israeli citizens and non-Israelis living in the Jewish state. Students for Justice in Palestine at Pitt, Jewish Voice for Peace, the Muslim Student Association at Pitt, the Muslim Student Association at Carnegie Mellon University, the Middle Eastern North African Student Association at Pitt and the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh co-sponsored “Honouring our Martyrs,” which they labeled as an “interfaith commemoration following three years of genocide and resistance rooted in faith.” An Instagram post created by Students for Justice in Palestine at Pitt said the event commemorated “3 years of brutal genocide against the Palestinian people.” Neither the Instagram post, nor the Instagram stories promoting the event, mentioned the Oct. 7, 2023, invasion of Israel, in which terrorists murdered over 1,200 men, women and children, and abducted more than 250 people to Gazan tunnels. It was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. The assault triggered the current defensive war by Israel and its reengagement

with Gaza, from which it withdrew in 2005. Held at Schenley Plaza an hour before other community members gathered at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh to remember the victims of the Oct. 7 attack, the event was part of a “Week of Rage,” copromoted on Instagram by SJP, the Pittsburgh Palestine Coalition and the Pittsburgh Palestine Solidarity Committee. Other events sponsored by the groups during the week included a film screening, a “teach in” at the Cathedral of Learning and a protest. Julie Paris, Mid-Atlantic regional director of StandWithUs, said that three years after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, “some campus groups continue to glorify the massacre as an act of resistance while condemning Israel for the military response that followed.” Paris was on site at Schenley Plaza before the “Honouring Our Martyrs” event began. She spoke with students, who, she said, “openly expressed support for Hamas.” “The timing, language and explicit support for Hamas raise serious concerns that the events held that day were not simply mourning innocent Palestinians who were killed during the Oct. 7 war but also honoring the perpetrators of the massacre itself,” Paris said. “Extremist organizations have long exploited narratives of martyrdom to glorify terrorists, romanticize violence and encourage others to follow in their

BARNATAN PLAYS BEETHOVEN OCT 23 & 25

Karina Canellakis, conductor Inon Barnatan, pianist Celebrate the artistry of Israeli pianist Inon Barnatan as he joins the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2, alongside Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.

TICKETS START AT $35

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

Please see Anti-Zionist, page 6

JOIN US! SUNDAY • NOVEMBER 1 • 2026

NEW!

20 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP IN MOTION

One Morning. Two Ways to Move.

Join hundreds of community members for the first-ever Friendship 5K, alongside the sixth annual Walk4Friendship! Every mile helps build a more inclusive and accessible community.

Award ceremony and free carnival celebration at the finish line! PRESENTING THE FRED ROCK FOUNDERS AWARD TO

Alan Gordon

whose years of dedication to The Friendship

Circle have helped build a community where everyone belongs.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Learn More | Register for the Walk or 5K Run! runsignup.com/FCMilesThatMatter

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 16, 2026

Headlines Discovered time capsule connects Tree of Life Congregation’s past, present and future — LOCAL — By Deborah Weisberg | Special to the Chronicle

n Oct. 19, 1952, members of Tree of Life Congregation gathered to dedicate their new synagogue at Wilkins and Shady avenues in Squirrel Hill. It was the Sunday of a three-day celebration that would culminate with the placement of a time capsule in a cornerstone of their spiritual home — a monumental structure with striking stained glass windows. They couldn’t have imagined that on another October day 66 years later, the new house of worship that filled them with such joy would become a scene of horror and heartbreak with the murder of 11 congregants from three congregations: Tree of Life, Dor Hadash and New Light. Not on this day, when artifacts of their growing religious community — a photo of congregation officers, a prayer book, a yarmulke and tallit, a calendar of events and a wire recording of a recent Rosh Hashanah service — were tucked into a metal container about the size of a shoebox and buried in the cornerstone with no idea when they would be seen again. An obscure clue to the capsule’s existence was discovered in 2023 as the congregation was preparing for demolition of the synagogue to make way for construction of a new building, said Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Heinz History Center. His colleague Catelyn Cocuzzi stumbled across the reference while poring through old sisterhood documents, in what Lidji calls “a moment of cosmic grace.” “If it had been six months later, it may never have been discovered,” he said. “I felt like God was giving us a gesture.” Further research led Lidji to later locate the box in a post of Jerusalem limestone still standing amid the demolition debris. “The top of the post was knocked off, so we could sort of slide the box out,” Lidji said. “It was exciting.” In the presence of a few longstanding Tree of Life members, Lidji and Cocuzzi spent more than an hour opening the capsule with a Dremel

p Elie Rosenthal in 1952

Photo courtesy of Elie Rosenthal

p Rabbi Herman Hailperin (left) watches as members of the Tree of Life building committee prepare the cornerstone for the original section of the congregation’s synagogue at Wilkins and Shady. A time capsule was placed inside the cornerstone at the time and was removed during demolition work in early 2024. Photo courtesy of the Rauh Jewish Archives

saw, exposing a glimpse into the congregation’s past and releasing the odor of decades-old air. “It’s an interesting window into what people were thinking and how they saw themselves in 1952,” said Lidji. “It allows us to communicate with people who died before we were born, and let’s them extend their reach beyond their lifetime.” It is also a humbling reminder, Lidji said, that “none of us knows what’s going to happen in the future.” Between 10,000 and 15,000 time capsules are believed to exist worldwide, according to the International Time Capsule Society, and about 95% of them are lost track of by the fifth decade after their burial. While many organizations are explicit in directing when their time capsule should be opened, others, like the one at Tree of Life, have no apparent instructions. Time capsules containing religious artifacts — sometimes called votive deposits — traditionally were buried in the hope they would never be disturbed, according to an article in Jewish Times of South Africa, which cites research published by the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. The Tree of Life capsule may have been a formal way congregants chose to express love for their institution, Lidji said. “It may have been to

provide some sort of spiritual energy that would make its way through the building.” In this regard, the metaphorical meaning of a capsule can be far more powerful than its physical contents, which are often unexceptional, said Lidji. “And there’s something profound about that.” One of the more interesting objects in the Tree of Life capsule is the Rosh Hashanah service captured on a relatively rare wire recording, which is sound etched onto a thin strand of steel. Although wire is inherently fragile because it can easily kink, Lidji said, “magnetic tape would not have survived.” That a recording of any kind was made is remarkable in itself, since all forms of recording are traditionally prohibited on Shabbat and Yom Tov, said Alan Hausman, immediate past president of Tree of Life. “It shows how important the time capsule was that the congregation would have allowed it.” Hausman was not surprised by the discovery of the capsule since an earlier Tree of Life congregation had buried one at its former synagogue on Craft Avenue in Oakland in 1906. Discovered in 2019 when the building was razed, it included more personal items, such as a white seashell, business cards and a Heinz pickle pin. Hausman is confident that the capsule tradition will continue when the new building

is dedicated as the Tree of Life Center for Humanity in 2028 — its fifth structural iteration in the congregation’s 162-year history. “We’ll have to look carefully at what we are putting in because the technology to access, say, a thumb drive, may not exist in 50 years,” he said. “We had to find someone who could deal with the wire recording.” Elie Rosenthal, 94, is eager for construction of the new Tree of Life and feels a time capsule would be more important than ever. He lost sons Cecil, 59, and David, 54, in the 2018 attack. “Those were my boys,” said Rosenthal, who keeps a poster of the pair in his Squirrel Hill apartment. “I miss them very badly.” In 1952, Rosenthal was a 20-year-old U.S. Army recruit stationed at a base in Kentucky. His father, he recalls, was “the backbone” of the congregation for many years in that he taught Hebrew, led Torah readings and performed other functions. Today, Rosenthal’s daughter Diane Rosenthal serves on the Tree of Life Center for Humanity board and his daughter Michele Rosenthal is a board member of Eradicate Hate Global Summit. The next time capsule should reflect the congregation’s history, as well as the significance of its rebuild in the context of heightened, worldwide antisemitism — for whatever future generation finds it, Elie Rosenthal said. “It would be a tool for education. Understanding history is so important to how we live our lives in the present.” PJC Deborah Weisberg is a freelance writer living in Pittsburgh.

Karen Oosterhous named executive director of The Branch

— LOCAL —

he Branch (formerly Jewish Residential Services), a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit providing community-based support to adults with “persistent mental illness,

developmental, and/or intellectual disabilities,” named Karen Oosterhous its new executive director, according to a news release. Oosterhous has served as The Branch’s interim executive director since July 2026, following her role as the organization’s director of development and communications.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT OCT. 15 – DEC. 7 DON’T MISS YOUR WINDOW!

STEPHANIE DAVIS LICENSED LIFE & HEALTH INSURANCE SPECIALIST

412.260.4149 (phone or text) sdvoice18@gmail.com Serving PA, MD, VA, and FL

Not affiliated with or endorsed by the government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation for insurance.

RECORDED LINE: 412-790-2881

OCTOBER 16, 2026

p Karen Oosterhous Photo courtesy of The Branch

While serving as interim executive director, she “focused on building a sustainable foundation for the organization’s programs, reinforcing The Branch’s financial stability, and furthering community partnerships,” the news release stated. Before joining The Branch, Oosterhouse led statewide initiatives at Achieva/the Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, expanding “inclusive higher education opportunities” for students with intellectual disabilities. She was appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro to serve on the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council and is also a board PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

member of Friendship Circle, the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, Westchester Clubhouse for the Arts, CDG CARE and a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh. “I’m deeply honored by the confidence the Board has placed in me,” Oosterhous said. “The Branch plays a critical role in the lives of our members and participants, and in the wider community. I’m grateful for its strong foundation, and for the many people whose generosity, trust, and belief in our mission make this work possible. I look forward to building on that foundation, honoring that support, and continuing to meet the needs of the people we serve.” “Karen has already demonstrated the leadership, judgment, and genuine commitment to our mission that the organization needs,” said Mike Samuels, president of The Branch’s Board of Trustees. “Her work over the past several months speaks for itself, and the Board is confident that her vision and experience will guide The Branch into a strong and exciting future.” Oosterhous succeeds Nancy E. Gale, the executive director of the organization from October 2018 through June 2026. PJC — Toby Tabachnick PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines Richard Swartz has spent more than four decades helping fill ‘the hole in the doughnut’ — LOCAL — By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer

hen Richard Swartz was hired as the commercial district revitalization specialist for the Bloomfield Garfield Corporation in 1981, the East End neighborhood was often referred to as “the hole in the doughnut,” he recalled. “Morningside, Stanton Heights, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield were all surviving fairly well,” Swartz said, “but Garfield was taking a major hit from abandonment in both the residential and commercial areas, and then the surging crime rate was accompanied by economic decline.” In fact, he said, when he began his work with the nonprofit, it wasn’t clear that it would be successful in helping the East End neighborhood recover from the collapse of the area’s steel mills and related industries. Pittsburgh, Swartz noted, had a history of demolition in distressed neighborhoods, citing the Lower Hill District, which was razed to make way for the Civic Arena. “I think they were prepared to do that in other neighborhoods,” he said. “You can go to Larimer and see the effects of widespread demolition.” Swartz knew that for Garfield to appear as a viable neighborhood it had to reinvent its business district along Penn Avenue. First, though, the city had to be convinced to take a chance on the Bloomfield Garfield Corporation as a

p For more than four decades, Richard Swartz has helped transform the Garfield neighborhood in his role as the Bloomfield Garfield Corporation’s executive director. Photo by David Rullo

partner with a vision for eliminating blight and addressing public safety. “We convinced the city to give us funding so we could start new housing development,” said Swartz, who in 1986 became the executive director of the organization, a position he still holds. “The attempt was to take vacant lots that had been created from years of demolition and build single-family standalone houses, to replicate the success of the suburbs.” The plan worked. The Bloomfield Garfield Corporation secured enough funding from the city to rehab four lots, found a home builder who had built single-family homes in Manchester and built Ryan Homes-style houses, which sold for a little more than $59,000.

Homebuyers, Swartz said, got additional financing from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, meaning a mortgage might be as little as $30,000 in 1983. “They had a house that was modern and energy efficient,” he said. Eventually, the BGC began rehabbing homes in the neighborhood, which had more than its share of vacant properties. Dubbed “Rehab for Resale,” the program was aggressive, Swartz said, and included secondary mortgage funding to make the homes affordable for families. By the early 1990s, BGC began setting its sights on the Penn Avenue business district. “We knew that with any neighborhood, your commercial district is your front door to the community, so we started acquiring commercial buildings from private owners who were leaving the neighborhood thinking that it might not have any future,” he explained. There were times BGC paid as little as $10,000 to acquire a building. The organization started a rehabilitation program, creating commercial storefronts on the first floor and residential units on the buildings’ second and third floors. By the early 2000s, Swartz said BGC was collaborating with another organization, the Friendship Development Corporation, to buy buildings from Negley Avenue to Matilda Street. The idea was to rehabilitate the buildings and attract artists and related businesses to the storefronts.

ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 3

Combatting Extremism. Defending Democracy.

Know who’s on your ballot.

As Swartz explained it, the idea of attracting traditional businesses to the neighborhood probably wouldn’t work. “That ship had sailed,” he said. “If we could get a coffee shop or small restaurant, fine. We decided to turn to the artist community and the community of architects and see if we can bring them to Penn Ave.” The plan, he said, was a “stroke of genius” from BGC’s partners in Friendship, who had more ties with the artist community. “They came out of their garages, they came out of their basements, and they relocated to Penn Avenue,” he said. “Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn Avenue” was created to highlight the new community; it’s the city’s oldest art crawl. Swartz said the community began attracting people outpriced in neighborhoods like Lawrenceville and Shadyside. Mr. Roboto — a volunteer-run show space and art gallery — is an example of the type of business that moved into the neighborhood. “We bought the building where Roboto is now located,” he said. “It was a bar. We sold the liquor license because we weren’t interested in running a bar. We renovated the building and eventually Mr. Roboto approached us. That’s the market we want to attract to the street — the Gen Xer. Let the millennials go to Shadyside; we want the Gen Xers.” Other examples include the Pittsburgh Glass Center and Commonplace Coffee. Please see Swartz, page 13

See how the candidates measure up.

Scan to read Beacon’s 2026 Candidate Evaluations

Beacon’s 2026 Candidate Evaluations are live. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Explore our evaluations of candidates in key Pennsylvania races – based on their records, statements, affilations and actions.

beaconcoalition.org/2026

OUR CANDIDATE ASSESSMENTS FOCUS ON

01 Combatting Antisemitism 02 Defending Democracy 03 Championing pluralism

Support our work at beaconcoalition.org/donate

Share this page with family and friends before they vote.

Paid for by Beacon Coalition. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions to Beacon Coalition are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 16, 2026

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

everything, from familiar Torah stories and Jewish traditions to angels, demons and some of life’s biggest questions. 7:45 p.m. $36. CYP Loft. To register and to learn more about the topics, visit cyppittsburgh.com/facts.

q SUNDAY, OCT. 18 Congregation Beth Shalom is proud to host the 2026 Pittsburgh Jewish Book Festival. The festival includes authors from around the corner and around the globe. Join us and be inspired. 11 a.m. Free. 5915 Beacon Street. bethshalompgh.org/2026jewish-book-festival

q MONDAYS, OCT. 19–FEB. 15 Chabad of the Souths Hills presents Kitchen of Kindness Junior Chefs Club, where kids cook, learn and give back. Grades K-8; teen volunteers welcome. Three five-week sessions. 5 p.m. For more information and to register, visit chabadsh.com/jrchef.

q SUNDAYS, OCT. 18–DEC. 20 Join Chabad of Squirrel Hill for its Men’s Tefillin Club. Services and tefillin are followed by a delicious breakfast and engaging discussions on current events. 8:30 a.m. 1700 Beechwood Blvd. chabadpgh.com Join a lay-led online Parashah study group to discuss the weekly Torah portion. No Hebrew knowledge needed. The goal is to build community while deepening understanding of he text. 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit bethshalompgh.org/ online-parashah. q MONDAYS, OCT. 19–NOV. 9 Join Chabad Young Professionals for CYP Academy – Fascinating Facts, a four-part series exploring the myths and mysteries of Judaism taught by Rabbi Henoch Rosenfeld. Go beyond the basics to discover what Judaism actually says about

Anti-Zionist: Continued from page 3

footsteps. Mourning innocent Palestinians is entirely legitimate. Elevating perpetrators of mass murder as martyrs is disgusting and tangibly harmful.”

q TUESDAYS, OCT. 20–DEC. 22 Join Beth El’s Rabbi Alex Greenbaum and his Bible/ Talmud Adult Education class for a thoughtprovoking weekly session of Bible and Talmudic study. This program is available both in person and virtually. Call the office at 412-561-1168 to receive the Zoom link or to make an in-person reservation. 10:30 a.m. 1900 Cochran Road. bethelcong.org q WEDNESDAYS, OCT. 21–NOV. 11 Join Hazzan Barbara Barnett as she leads a multiweek Shabbat davening class. Whether you want to follow along with confidence, sing every niggun with the kahal, or step up to lead Kabbalat Shabbat, Shacharit, Torah service or Musaf yourself — this class builds the skills for it. Work through Friday night and Shabbat morning davening, piece by piece. 7:30 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom, 5915 Beacon Street. bethshalompgh.org/shabbatdavening-class

Paris acknowledged with appreciation that some Pitt administrators attended events honoring the victims of Oct. 7. But she added that “protecting free speech on campus does not require university leaders to remain silent when terrorism is glorified. All universities have a responsibility to provide moral clarity when their students decide

q WEDNESDAYS, OCT. 21–DEC. 23 Explore the weekly Torah portion with the mystical and interpersonal lens of the Hassidic rabbis with Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman. Hassidut for the People is a fun and engaging class taught online and in person meant to help learners find deeper meaning in Torah and in themselves. All levels welcome. 10 a.m. $5. Shoresh PGH, 4300 Murray Ave. Contact rabbimark@shoreshpgh.org for more information. shoreshpgh.org/class-schedule-andevents q WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21; TUESDAY, DEC. 1 The Beacon and The Friendship Circle present “Let’s Talk About It: The Conversations Every Family Is Having … or Avoiding,” a parent and teen conversation series. Join other parents and teens for honest conversations about today’s biggest challenges. Teens hold an active role in planning and co-facilitating the conversations. Free. 7 p.m. 1922 Murray Ave. For more information, including topics, visit eventbrite.com/e/lets-talkabout-it-the-conversations-every-family-is-havingoravoiding-tickets-1998932272236?aff=oddtdtcreator. q SUNDAY, OCT. 25 Join the 10.27 Healing Partnership for the Synagogue Shooting Day of Service. Volunteer at events throughout Allegheny County in honor of those who were killed in the Oct. 27, 2018, synagogue shooting. Remember and reflect, make a meaningful difference and connect with others. Volunteering

to celebrate genocidal terrorism.” For its part, the University of Pittsburgh said that it is aware of the pain events like those sponsored by SJP and others can cause the Jewish community. “That is why we actively participated in remembrance events and continue to strengthen both our academic work and our broader campus efforts in support of Jewish students, faculty, staff, families and community members,” the university said through its spokesperson Jaren Stonesifer. Pitt recently released the findings of its Working Group on Antisemitism, which

opportunities this year include donating to a blood drive, creating blankets and hygiene kits, serving lunch, caretaking at local Jewish cemeteries and building community with friends of all abilities. 9 a.m. To register and learn more about volunteer sites, visit 1027healingpartnership.org/volunteering. q TUESDAY, OCT. 27 Join the 10.27 Healing Partnership in community to reflect, remember and honor those who were killed on Oct. 27, 2018, at the annual Commemoration Ceremony of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Join in song, prayer and lighting candles together. All are welcome. 6:30 p.m. 5738 Forbes Ave. 1027healingpartnership.org/event/commemoration ceremony2026 q WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28 Join the 10.27 Healing Partnership for a commemorative yahrzeit Torah study led by local leaders, friends and neighbors. 7 p.m. 5738 Forbes Ave. To learn about the different study opportunities available and to register, visit 1027healingpartnership.org/ commemorative-torahstudy. q TUESDAY, NOV. 3 Chabad of the South Hills presents an inspirational evening of stories and song with Leibel Lazaroff, survivor of the Bondi Beach attack. 7 p.m. 1700 Bower Hill Road. chabadsh.com/ bondi PJC

included recommendations for the university. Stonesifer said Pitt continues to stand behind the report. “Both the Working Group’s report and the University’s response also acknowledge that events like this can and will occur,” Stonesifer said. “In this case, the event took place on off-campus property over which the University does not have jurisdiction.” Carnegie Mellon University did not respond to the Chronicle’s request for comment before press time. PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Author Nicholas Lemann to join the Chronicle Book Club

he Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle invites you to join the Chronicle Book Club for its Nov. 1 discussion of “Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries,” by Nicholas Lemann. The author will join us for the meeting, and also will appear in person at the Jewish Book Festival, at Congregation Beth Shalom, on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m. From Amazon.com: “Nicholas Lemann, a veteran New Yorker correspondent, grew up in New Orleans, the son of German Jews in a world of gilded privilege. Yet in contrast to his parents’ generation, which always sought to downplay their religious background, Lemann was intrigued by his roots, thinking he wanted to be like Jack Burden, the ever-curious reporter in Robert Penn Warren’s 'All the King’s Men.' “And like his fictional hero, who gets drawn into a web of Southern political intrigue, Lemann in ‘Returning’ delves deeply into the family story from their arrival in the 1830s as peddlers from Germany, to their becoming plantation owners and department store owners after the Civil War, to their emergence as aspirants in the aristocratic world of New Orleans, where they could never quite belong.”

What to do

Buy: “Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries.” It is available from online retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and in some local Barnes & Noble stores. It is also available through the Carnegie Library system. Email: Contact us at drullo@pittsburgh jewishchronicle.org, and write “Chronicle Book Club” in the subject line. We will send you a Zoom link for the discussion meeting. Happy reading! PJC

Your hosts

Toby Tabachnick, Chronicle editor David Rullo, Chronicle senior staff writer

How it works

We will meet on Zoom on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. 6

OCTOBER 16, 2026

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines — WORLD— Israel is the one thing both Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidates agree on

Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and GOP opponent Stacy Garrity faced off last week in a heated gubernatorial debate, clashing over most policy issues — with the notable exception of Israel, JTA reported. “I want to recognize the anniversary of the Hamas attacks, where 1,200 innocent people were killed, including 49 Americans,” said Garrity, referring to the third anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. “I want to remember the lives that were stolen, the families that were changed forever, and the Americans that didn’t make it home.” Shapiro has a 25 percentage point lead in a poll released last week. Both candidates won their primaries uncontested in May, and both have been outspoken against antisemitism. Shapiro, who is Jewish, likewise recognized “the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre” at the debate. He recalled how “Hamas, a terrorist organization, broke into Israel and murdered 1,200 innocents, took over 250 hostage, including many Americans.” “This is a moment where my heart stands with the people of Israel,” he said. “My heart stands with the Jewish community, who I know are grieving as a result of this.” Although the candidates shared similar perspectives on Israel during the debate, they clashed on numerous other topics, including the death penalty, voter identification, taxes and tariffs. In April 2025, an arsonist set fire to Shapiro’s house just hours after his family had

conducted a Passover seder. Garrity, meanwhile, has more than tripled Pennsylvania’s investment in Israel bonds in her current role. She invested $20 million after the Oct. 7 attack and another $35 million in July 2025.

Minnesota man charged with ISISinspired plot on Jewish-owned Mall of America

The FBI accused an 18-year-old man of buying an AK-47 assault rifle with plans to commit a mass shooting in support of ISIS at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, the largest indoor shopping mall in North America, JTA reported. Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, of Richfield, Minnesota, was charged with one count of knowingly receiving a firearm and ammunition in order to commit a federal crime of terrorism, according to a federal complaint. Mohamud wanted to attack the Mall of America because he believed its owners to be Jewish, the FBI said. He planned to kill between 30 and 60 people, according to messages he exchanged with a confidential source, the complaint alleges. Mall of America is owned and operated by Triple Five Group, controlled by the Ghermezian family, a Canadian family of Iranian Jewish origin. Messages sent in September included a video in which Mohamud pledged allegiance to ISIS, according to the complaint. The complaint said Mohamud wanted to commit an attack similar to the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in which 49 victims were killed; the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney last December, during which 15

Today in Israeli History — ISRAEL — Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.

Oct. 16, 1986 — Terrorists capture flyer Ron Arad

Ron Arad, 28, an F-4 Phantom II navigator, is captured by Amal terrorists after bailing out over Lebanon. He is never seen in Israel again. He is believed to have been killed in 1988 or 1992.

Oct. 17, 1880 — Ze’ev Jabotinsky Is born

Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the father of Revisionist Zionism, is born in Odesa in the Russian Empire. Pogroms in 1903 inspire his activism for Jewish self-defense and Zionism. He develops the intellectual foundation for Likud.

The warships Haganah, Wedgewood and Noga attack an Egyptian troop carrier near Ashkelon in the first major battle for the Israeli navy. The Egyptian ship suffers enough damage to require towing home.

Haredi men hurl rocks at and slash the tires of buses bearing ads promoting female worship at the Western Wall. The ads, depicting women with prayer shawls and Torahs, come from Women of the Wall.

p Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir (left) welcomes Soviet Foreign Minister Boris Pankin to Jerusalem on Oct. 18, 1991.

By Tsvika Israeli, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Haverford professor accused of threatening, stalking Jewish person online

A Haverford College professor was arrested last week and charged with cyberstalking a Jewish person over several months, allegedly sending messages that included “Jew, get the f–k out of my country,” JTA reported. Guangtian Ha, a religion professor at the Pennsylvania liberal arts college, was accused of sending the victim approximately 50 messages between October 2025 and May 2026, according to a federal indictment. He also posted information about the victim’s home address and family. Haverford President Wendy Raymond said in a message to the college community that Ha was placed on administrative leave and barred from campus during the criminal case. Ha, who taught courses on Islam and religion in Asia, was on sabbatical and not teaching this semester. Ha contacted a victim through at least four different X accounts, according to the indictment. In various messages, he called the person a “Jew pig,” urged them to leave the country and the township and said, “If jews are so special then they should also be placed in special camps and receive special treatments.” Ha is also accused of posting an image of the victim’s home mailbox, which identified their address. After the victim took security measures, Ha allegedly wrote, “The goyim have woken up, jew. Run. Flee. Leave. Blurring your home on google map and installing

Egyptian Komar-class missile boats within the Port Said harbor fire Soviet-made missiles at the Israeli destroyer INS Eilat on patrol in international waters. The ship is almost cut in half and sinks within minutes.

Oct. 22, 1952 — First ambassador to Britain takes office

Eliahu Elath, who was Israel’s first ambassador to the United States, presents his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II as he is elevated after two years from minister to become Israel’s first ambassador to the United Kingdom. PJC

Palestinian Authority postpones first legislative elections in 20 years

The Palestinian Authority postponed legislative elections scheduled for Nov. 28 by several months, according to JNS, citing a Reuters report that pointed to a letter from P.A. Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. “The anticipated political, security and economic conditions” necessary for holding the elections “have not materialized,” al-Sheikh wrote in the Oct. 8 letter. He said holding the vote under current circumstances faced fundamental obstacles affecting participation and the integrity of the electoral process. The elections would have been the first for the Palestinian Legislative Council since 2006, when Hamas defeated the ruling Fatah faction. Hamas subsequently seized control of Gaza in 2007, while the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority continued governing parts of Judea and Samaria. PJC — Compiled by Toby Tabachnick

412-421-1015 412-421-4450 FAX 412-421-4451

PRICES EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 Candle Lighting Time Friday, October 16, 2026 • 6:20 p.m. MEAT

WINE SPECIALS

LONDON BROIL $ .29

TEAL LAKE WINES

BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST $ .99 p The Women of the Wall began monthly Rosh Chodesh Torah services at the Western Wall in December 1988.

a security camera next to your mailbox won’t help.” He also threatened the victim’s family and their son by name, according to the indictment. Ha was previously named in a 2024 antisemitism lawsuit against the school, which Haverford settled in August. That lawsuit accused Ha of writing posts that attacked Jews “committed to Israel.” In one post, Ha said he “will never forgive” Haverford community members who were “silent on this genocide or even tacitly support it,” referring to Gaza, adding, “I know their names and I know their faces.”

1916 MURRAY AVE. PITTSBURGH, PA 15217

Oct. 20, 2013 — Buses promoting Women of the Wall are attacked

Oct. 21, 1967 — Egypt sinks warship Eilat

Oct. 18, 1991 — Israel, Soviets resume relations

The Soviet Union and Israel reinstate full diplomatic relations for the first time since June 1967. They established consular ties in 1987. Israel’s agreement to participate in the Madrid peace conference is a key factor.

Oct. 19, 1948 — Navy fights first major battle

victims were killed during a Chanukah celebration; and a New Orleans truck-ramming attack that killed 14 victims in New Orleans on Jan. 1, 2025.

11.99

750 ML

HERZOG LINEAGE WINES

MEAL MART CHICKEN NUGGETS $ .49

Support Israel!

20.99 750 ML

4 LB

Buy Israeli Products STORE HOURS

Sunday • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday • 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday • 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday • 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

GROCERY

COOKED FOODS

DELI

EDEN REFRIED BEANS $ .29

STUFFED PEPPER SOUP $ .99

ASSORTED OLIVES $ .99

CHICKEN LO MEIN $ .99

GRAB N GO SANDWICHES WITH DR. BROWN CAN & CHIPS

TUSCANINI SPARKLING GRAPE JUICE $ .99

25.4 OZ

KEDEM COOKING WINES $ .99

12.7 OZ

HIPPES PUFFS $ .39

4 OZ

HOMEMADE SALADS & SOUPS DELI PARTY TRAYS

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

SWEET POTATO PIE $ .99

BOLOGNA BBQ $ .59

(FROM THE GRAB'N GO CASE)

11.99 LB

FLAUM PICKLES

$ .29

32 OZ

A&H SALAMI .99

We Prepare Trays

CATERING SPECIALISTS DELICIOUS FRIED CHICKEN

UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF VAAD OF PITTSBURGH

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES.

— for All Occasions —

OCTOBER 16, 2026

Behind Every Story is Federation. This Year, Let’s Reach $15 Million. By Sue Berman Kress | Community Campaign Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

On March 24, two children in Karmiel ran into a mobile bomb shelter as rockets landed nearby. This High Holiday season, families walked into synagogues protected by coordinated police patrols, paid for by grants funded by the Federation. And on September 9, athletic directors learned how to make sure every Jewish student belongs on the team.

ou read those stories in these pages over the past few weeks. They have something in common. Every one of them traces back to Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Campaign. Last year, our donors made it the largest Community Campaign in Federation’s history: $14.4 million. That support reached far beyond the stories you’ve read. When the federal SNAP shut-

down hit, Federation sent JFCS an emergency grant within days and kept kosher food on the table for 2,750 people. Our Community Campaign funded programs that nurture Jewish life, from education and senior care to security and crisis response. Young adults came together at more than 60 events. New Jewish babies at UPMC Magee went home with a welcome box from their community. This year, our goal is $15 million. That’s $600,000 beyond last year’s record. It’s am-

bitious, and it should be. The needs haven’t slowed down, and neither will we. On October 21, we launch the 2027 Community Campaign. Whether it’s your first gift or your 40th, I’m asking you to be part of it. That’s our Community Campaign, reaching every corner of Jewish life. That’s Federation.

“A shelter in Karmiel. A patrol outside a synagogue. A Jewish student who belongs on the team. Every one traces back to the Community Campaign and our collective impact.” —Brian Eglash, Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

THAT’S FEDERATION THAT’S FEDERATION

Strengthening Jewish life, supporting those in need and building a safer, more inclusive world!

Learn more

jewishpgh.org/thats-federation

OCTOBER 16, 2026

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Home Improvement

Andy Dean / Adobe Stock

Design your home workout space around the way you actually exercise walls or a floor-to-ceiling mirror so you can check your form. A large rubber floormat with a cheerful design, a sound system to play your favorite hype songs or a daily calendar of motivational quotes could be the magic ingredient to get you into the

— INTERIORS — By Feature Impact

t’s a tale as old as treadmills: You buy a new exercise machine with the best of intentions, only for it to become an expensive laundry rack that makes you feel guilty every time you glance over at it. When it comes to making lifestyle changes, the key is not to overhaul your whole routine at once, but to figure out what habits match your lifestyle, personality and passions. Use these tips to create a home workout space you’ll keep using after the novelty wears off.

Figure out what exercises you enjoy

Before you commit to a big equipment purchase, think about what kinds of exercise feel natural and enjoyable (and which ones make you groan). If you love running, a treadmill may be worth the space it takes up. However, a rack of dumbbells might just wind up collecting dust if you hate lifting weights. Yoga or dance enthusiasts may prefer to design a more studio-like home gym, while bodyweight strength trainers could be happy with a pull-up bar in the doorway and a mat to do planks on. Consider joining a workout class or gym for a month or two to try different kinds of exercises and machines so you’ll have a better idea of what’s worth investing in permanently.

Evaluate the space you have

A good home workout area needs to work around the physical realities of your house or apartment. If you have a whole room or finished basement to dedicate to the cause, this won’t constrain you too much. If you’re working with a corner of your home office, bedroom or garage, saving space becomes a more critical factor. In these cases, it all comes down to priorities. If you only have room for one PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

right mindset so you can crush your workout. As long as it works for you, anything goes. For more tips on home design that fits your life, visit eLivingtoday.com. PJC

LEGACYWINDOWS.COM

412-341-1933

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS YOU’LL LOVE OUR WINDOWS AND DOORS!

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

piece of bigger equipment, get the one you know you’ll actually use, whether that’s an elliptical, strength machine, standing bicycle or rowing machine. Then build out your collection with other items that can be easily moved and stored, like resistance bands and small weights or dumbbells.

Start small and expand as needed

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to have everything before you can get started. It’s often better to build out your workout space slowly — get a few things at a time, see what you use regularly and figure out what you might be missing along the way. Maybe you realize you enjoy lifting weights and keep wishing you had heavier ones, signaling a need to upgrade.

Add some atmosphere

Dark, dismal home gyms are more likely to make your workout feel like a punishment instead of a part of your day worth looking forward to. Creating a space you enjoy being in is just as important as choosing a workout you enjoy doing. For you, that might look like choosing an area of the home with plenty of natural lighting to make you feel more awake — or adding string lights and colorchanging wall sconces for a relaxing yoga session. Maybe it means adding art on the

@LEGACYREMODELINGPGH

CALL AND MENTION THIS AD FOR OUR OCTOBER

FREE TRIPLE PANE UPGRADE PROMOTION!

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 16, 2026

Home Improvement 5 high-ROI projects to instantly boost curb appeal — EXTERIORS — By Feature Impact

irst impressions can make a big difference — especially when it comes to potential home buyers deciding whether they can envision themselves signing a deed. If you’re actively selling your home or just contemplating how to increase your property’s curb appeal for the future, these simple tips can capture that wow factor without breaking the bank.

Grab the power washer

Local by design.

Take a weekend to blast away the grime on exterior surfaces and see what a dramatic difference it can make when things are sparkling clean. With a power washer, you can make quick work of dirty siding, muddy walkways and stained driveways. If you feel like your home looks tired, a good cleaning might be just the thing to wake it up — with no expensive paint job required.

Independently owned, locally loved, and voted best in the city.

Refresh your landscaping

South Side | Strip District perlora.com

Trees, shrubs and plants add so much life and color to outdoor spaces. Your yard doesn’t need to look like it fell out of a magazine, but don’t underestimate the power of fresh mulch, trimmed greenery, weeded flower beds and a mowed lawn. When landscaping looks healthy and cared for, it automatically makes a property feel more polished and welcoming.

Paint the front door

Your front door is the natural focal point of your home’s exterior, so if it’s seen better days, that can make the rest of the house seem worn and dated too. However, there’s an easy solution: Pick a paint color that matches the aesthetic of your property, grab a paint brush and transform your door with a look that makes your porch feel more current.

Add window boxes or shutters

Windows are another great place to add some extra color, charm and visual interest to the outside of your home. Flowers in window boxes automatically appear cheerful and homey, and shutters can add more personality to the architecture. As a bonus, painting shutters to match your new front door makes the house feel thoughtfully designed.

Update your porch

The porch is a transition space between the inside and outside of your home, so it should be inviting to visitors. Start by clearing away clutter, banishing spiderwebs and touching up any peeling paint. Then consider a few new pieces of tasteful furniture or decor, like a new doormat, outdoor wall art or comfortable rocking chair. Whether you’re trying to impress potential buyers or design a space you don’t ever want to sell, discover more home upgrade ideas at eLivingtoday.com. PJC

Pittsburgh Area’s Largest And Oldest Wallcovering Store

Brands such as Schumacher, Thibaut, Scalamandre, Ralph Lauren, Brunschwig and Fils, Sanderson, Zoffany, Osborne and Little, Cole and Sons, York, Brewster, Wallquest, Romo, Arte, Pierre Frey, Kravet. We were the area’s first Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Gallery

PEERLESS

WALLPAPER & BLINDS 10

OCTOBER 16, 2026

2675 Monroeville Blvd, Monroeville, PA Monday thru Saturday 10 - 4 (412) 823-7660 www.peerlessblinds.com

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Home Improvement

A&S_CarpetFL24.qxp_Layout 1 8/16/24 1:38 PM Page 1

Beyond the leaf pile: 4 tips for autumn lawn care

S Carpet Collection A &AS&Carpet Collection CARPET | HARDWOOD | VINYL | CERAMIC/PORCELAIN | AREA RUGS

CARPET | HARDWOOD | VINYL | CERAMIC/PORCELAIN | AREA RUGS

— LAWN CARE — By Feature Impact

any people associate fall yardwork with raking up the crispy, colorful leaves that have drifted down from surrounding trees. Don’t let that be the only task on your outdoor agenda, however, because this season is also an opportunity to improve the overall health of your lawn so it’s ready to thrive once spring arrives. Start with these autumn lawn care tips:

1. Continue mowing

As long as the grass keeps growing, homeowners should keep mowing — with a couple of smart seasonal adjustments. First, lower the mower height for your final two cuts so the grass isn’t too tall going into winter. Second, instead of raking all the leaves up beforehand, think about leaving a layer on the lawn so the mower can shred them and effectively turn them into mulch, returning their nutrients to the soil.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

beginning of the season then again six to eight weeks later or according to the recommended schedule for your region.

3. Battle stubborn weeds

If you’ve been dealing with perennial weeds throughout the summer, fall could mean your chance to get rid of them once and for all. Weeds absorb herbicides readily on days with moderate temperatures and moist soil, so this task might be well-timed after some autumn rain has fallen.

4. Add grass seed to thin spots

Whether you have bare patches on your lawn or areas of thinning grass, fall is the best time to seed cool-season lawns. (Skip this tip if you 4848 William Flynn Highway • Allison Park, PA 15101 2. Fertilize the lawn live in the South and have a warm-season lawn.) 4848 William Flynn Highway Park, PA 15101Highway • Allison Owned Park, and Operated 4848 4848 William Flynn PA 15101 • www.ascarpetcollection.com • Locally • Allison Especially if you grow cool-weather grass At least six weeks before the first hard frost in724-443-2200 William Flynn Highway Allison Park, PA 15101 • varieties like rye or fescue, feeding your lawn 724-443-2200 your area, spread grass•seed over the areas you www.ascarpetcollection.com Locally Owned and Operated • Locally Owned 724-443-2200 www.ascarpetcollection.com • • • www.ascarpetcollection.com • Locally Ow 4848 724-443-2200 William Flynn Highway can actually be most effective in the fall. 4848 want to replenish orFlynn thicken Highway then keep the Allison • Allison Park, PA 15101 William Park, PA 15101 • Fertilizer helps nourish the roots of your lawn consistently watered until it germinates. 724-443-2200 • www.ascarpetcollection.com • Locally Owned and Operate 4848 William Flynn Park, PA 15101 Owned and Operated • Allison 724-443-2200 grass, strengthening it through the winter Aerating the soil first can helpHighway the seed take root. • www.ascarpetcollection.com • Locally and preparing it to grow lush and green in 724-443-2200 the Find more seasonal home and garden tips • www.ascarpetcollection.com • Locally Owned and Operated spring and summer. Aim to feed it once in the by visiting eLivingtoday.com. PJC

EVERY SEASON. EVERY JOB. Welcome to R. Davis Mechanical, where we've been serving Pittsburgh, South Fayette, McMurray, Peters Township, and surrounding Pennsylvania communities with superior heating, cooling, and plumbing solutions since 2016. As a BBB A+ rated local HVAC contractor, we bring the same careful workmanship to every residential and commercial project throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. Our team specializes in comprehensive HVAC and plumbing services, from state-of-the-art air conditioning installations to expert boiler repairs and everything in between.

•Plumbing & Water Heater Services •Indoor Air Quality Solutions •Commercial HVAC & Plumbing •Wholehome Generators FLEXIBLE FINANCING OPTIONS FOR PITTSBURGH HOMEOWNERS SEE OUR SPECIAL OFFERS & REBATES AT WWW.RDAVISMECHANICAL.COM

Rob Davis, Owner 412-318-9526 Local & Veteran Owned PA License # 170058

PGH License # HV01979 Open Daily from 7:30am to 7:30pm Connect with Us PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 16, 2026

Home Improvement 3 energy-saving home improvement ideas — ENERGY EFFICENCY — By Family Features

aking improvements around the house to curb energy usage is not only good for the environment, it can make a big impact on your utility bills, too. Energy-efficient appliances are a good starting point as you work to reduce your

home’s overall energy usage. Depending on local tax laws, you may also qualify for tax incentives for these purchases. There are also relatively simple DIY projects you can do around the house to improve energy conservation. Seal air leaks. Gaps around windows, doors and other openings are major contributors to wasted energy. In the winter, they let cold air in, making your furnace work harder. Conversely, in the summer, cool air Photo courtesy of Unsplash

ti Es

a te

escapes and forces your air conditioner to run extra. In most cases, weather stripping or caulking can provide the necessary seal. Larger gaps may require low-expansion foam or minor drywall work. Remember to pay careful attention to the attic and basement, which can be unexpected sources of energy loss. If replacing your door’s threshold is impractical or your threshold is not adjustable, a door bottom or sweep may effectively keep out unwanted drafts. These options install directly on the door, eliminating the need to tinker with the threshold itself or remove the door for more significant alterations.

ALAN CONSTRUCTION SPRING SPECIAL! Average leak stop $150 Roofing Windows Siding

• Quality You Can Trust • www.alanconstructionpgh.com

(412) 954-8337

Update insulation. Deteriorating or minimal insulation, which is found more

often in older homes, can make it difficult to effectively manage your home’s temperature. While spray foam is a tempting solution that has less of an impact on your walls, it can be tricky for a novice to install correctly. A simple and effective alternative is fiberglass batts or rolls, which can be easily cut to size and fit between studs and beams. While this approach requires sheetrock removal and re-installation, it’s also one of the lowest cost options for insulation replacement. Regulate temperatures. Over time, thermostats can become less sensitive, leading to inaccuracies and wasted energy. Installing a programmable thermostat is a cost-effective, easy fix. Choose a model that allows you to adjust temperature settings relative to your usage, saving energy and eliminating paying for cooled or heated air when you’re not home. For example, on summer days when you’re not home, program your system to maintain a temperature 5-10 F higher than is comfortable when you’re present. Then set it to cool to your preferred temperature approximately 30 minutes or 1 hour prior to arriving home. Find more tips to net big savings in both energy efficiency and money at eLivingtoday.com. PJC

Unlimited 5G Internet Faster Than a Pittsburgh Left

As Pittsburgh’s only privately owned Internet provider, Green Light Wireless is your connection to Unlimited 5G Internet and local support.

Go with Green Light

Scan here and use the code Chronicle to get your first month free GreenWiFi.com

OCTOBER 16, 2026

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

| (412)228-3000

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Headlines October 7: Continued from page 1

The pain experienced on Oct. 7 remains undeniable; still, there’s “something we should hold on to: the feeling of coming together and the knowledge that beneath all of our differences we are one people with one heart,” Chabad of Squirrel Hill’s Chani Altein said after reciting Chapter 133 of Psalms. Following Altein’s comments, Gibson, Fellman and Congregation Beth Shalom’s Rabbi Seth Adelson joined attendees in reciting the Mourners’ Kaddish. Adelson, guitar in hand, then led the crowd in “The Star-Spangled Banner and “Hatikvah.” Aseef — who joined David Knoll, the Federation’s associate vice president of public affairs, and others in arranging the event — closed the formal program by thanking organizers and encouraging attendees to make their way through Levinson Hall. Stationed inside the room were placards describing Israeli culture, boards bearing stickers noting the names of fallen Israelis and memorial candles waiting to be lit. Squirrel Hill resident Yael Arbelly worked her way to the front of the room and lit a candle. Casting a flame is a way to “think about what happened and the many lives that went

p Rabbis Daniel Fellman, Jamie Gibson and Seth Adelson lead p An attendee of the Oct. 7 commemoration learns more about participants in the Mourners’ Kaddish. Photo by Adam Reinherz Israel. Photo by Adam Reinherz

“Israel is not political for us. Israel is theological. Israel is about who we are as Jews.” –RABBI DANIEL FELLMAN away so brutally,” she said. Arbelly’s daughter, Yara, 16, stood nearby. The Pittsburgh Allderdice student told the Chronicle she attended the Oct. 7 event with her mother because “it’s important to come out of our homes and recognize what’s actually going on outside of our bubble.” Standing “with other people that you love shows that although we’ve experienced

something so hard, we all come together in hard times, and we can help each other persevere.” Carole Stone, of Duck Hollow, said the Oct. 7 program offered a reminder of “one of the many things we as Jews should never forget.” McMurray resident Beth Wallach agreed and told the Chronicle she enjoyed each speaker’s comments so much that

Synagogue: Continued from page 1

On Oct. 25, a blood drive, organized in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh and Vitalant, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at both the Squirrel Hill and South Hills Jewish Community Centers. That same day, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at JFCS’ main office in Squirrel Hill, volunteers can create no-sew blankets and hygiene kits for JFCS’ pantry and immigrant, youth, and older adult services. Participants are encouraged to bring hygiene products, scissors and fleece fabric. Also on Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., individuals can join Catholic Charities Diocese of Pittsburgh at St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality for socializing and service. Along with conversing with St. Joseph’s residents, volunteers will serve lunch, run activities and help organize materials. Participants are asked to wear closed-toed shoes. Between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. that day, volunteers can join the Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh for a beautification project. Individuals will sweep concrete lanes and walkways, rake leaves, remove dirt

Swartz: Continued from page 5

The plan worked. Some homes can now sell for as much as $400,000 — a far cry from the prices they were going for when Swartz first started with the BGC, but still under the $600,000-plus price tag of many homes in Lawrenceville and East Liberty. BGC, he said, is working to ensure the community stays “mixed income.” BGC, Swartz said, is invested in the community. The organization helps individuals who may be having a hard time paying bills or have unexpected expenses. It also holds those in the

p In preparation of Oct. 27, a volunteer helps clean a cemetery.

Photo courtesy of Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association

from headstones and assist JCBA in its efforts to clean and preserve sacred grounds. Details and registration for volunteering activities are available at 1027healing partnership.org. While the volunteer activities are designed to preserve memories and contribute to the betterment of the community, a public

commemoration will enable participants to join together inside the Squirrel Hill JCC from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27. Registration for the public program, according to organizers, is not required. The following evening, at the Squirrel Hill JCC, in-person commemorative Torah study will help mark the yahrzeit of those murdered

neighborhood accountable. “If you’re a landlord in Garfield and your house is rotting from the inside, and we find out about it, we’re going to call you on it. If you’re a business owner selling alcohol to minors, we’re going to call you on it. If you’re dumping debris down the hillside, we’ll call you on it.” In short, he said, the whole of the neighborhood is the sum of its parts. It’s something Swartz has believed in since he first came to BGC in 1981 from the McKeesport nonprofit housing agency, Housing Opportunities, which he joined after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. The Youngstown native has lived in the Pittsburgh region all but one year of his

professional life, when he spent time in Washington, D.C. He’s lived with his wife, Laura Swiss, and two, now-adult, children in various Pittsburgh neighborhoods, including Squirrel Hill, East Liberty and Garfield. The couple now live in Friendship and are members of Beit Kulanu, where Laura serves on the congregation’s board. Swartz called himself a “firm believer” in the idea that faith must translate into action. “Where I get a little frustrated sometimes is when I see people espouse a set of beliefs when they’re in that building on Fifth Avenue, but when they leave, they quietly forget what it was that was imparted at a service. Faith without action is just kind of empty,” he said.

she took notes. Wallach reflected on the remarks and noted how much she appreciated the sentiments shared. The words expressed at the event, she said, are a reminder to “live more meaningfully.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. during the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. The program, according to organizers, will be led by “local leaders, friends and neighbors.” Registration is available at 1027healingpartnership.org. Although volunteering, commemoration and Torah study have become familiar practices to mark the period, Feinstein said she isn’t worried about the routine becoming rote. Having just experienced yizkor, and the High Holidays, there’s an understanding that “people are not necessarily looking for fresh and new — they are looking for something that is authentic and something that actually has some level of familiarity,” she said. “Just like with yizkor, grieving rituals allow space for people to experience something that is familiar,” she continued. “We don’t have to necessarily write new content to find new meaning.” What’s important to keep in mind, she said, is the “incident in 2018 left lasting marks on such a large cross-section of the community, and there’s not a right way to remember, so we try to make enough channels so that more people can engage with it.” PJC Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org. It’s a belief that carries over into his professional life, as well. “If we’re to have a community here in the Garfield-Friendship-Bloomfield neighborhood, it has to be one of acceptance, tolerance and that allows for different political expressions,” he said. “Not everybody has to be liberal or progressive or conservative. We can entertain everyone under the same tent. We can all have different beliefs as long as we agree on one thing: that we have to be responsible as adults and be accountable to one another.” PJC David Rullo can be reached at drullo@ pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 16, 2026

Opinion A journey interrupted, a commitment to learning Guest Columnist Katie Riggs

n Oct. 9, I was supposed to be on a red-eye flight to Italy, headed to Reggio Emilia, a small city whose approach to early childhood education has influenced classrooms around the world. For me, this was a trip more than a decade in the making. But because of anti-Israel politics, the trip was canceled. The Reggio Emilia approach began after World War II, when parents and educators came together to build a new kind of school rooted in democracy, collaboration and hope for the future. Educator Loris Malaguzzi helped shape the approach, which views children as capable, curious learners with a hundred languages through which to express their ideas and understanding of the world. Today, it is recognized worldwide for its emphasis on relationships, exploration and learning that grows from children’s interests and questions. For more than 13 years, I have dedicated my professional life to young children in Pittsburgh. Beginning as a toddler classroom educator and now director of Early Childhood at Community Day School, I have spent my career learning about how children think, make meaning and understand the world around them. I have attended many workshops, seminars and professional learning experiences throughout my career, but this trip was different. I was finally going to see firsthand the place that inspired so much of what I believe about children and education. For some people, a dream trip is Disney World or a beautiful resort. For me, it was traveling halfway around the world to watch children wonder. I wanted to see what happens when educators slow down, listen with intention and follow a child’s curiosity. What happens when a pine cone becomes an investigation, a shadow becomes a question, or a puddle becomes

an opportunity to discover something new? This is the work we strive to do every day at CDS. Our Reggio-inspired approach asks us to see children as capable, curious learners whose ideas deserve to be taken seriously. It asks us to listen, observe and create the conditions for children to explore their thinking. This approach connects deeply to the Jewish values that guide our work. Tzelem Elokim reminds us to recognize the dignity, uniqueness and potential of every person. Hit’orerut speaks to the amazement and wonder that fuels children’s learning. D’rash reminds us that learning happens through inquiry, dialogue and the willingness to keep asking questions.

a public campaign in Reggio Emilia, where participants were required to sign a statement condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza as part of their participation. There was a protest outside the Loris Malaguzzi Centre, and other public controversy surrounding the participation of Jewish and Israeli educators. I was not traveling to Italy as a diplomat or a representative of any governing body. I was not going to debate foreign policy. I was going because, after more than a decade of working with young children, I still want to become better at the work I am so passionate about. I wanted to sit in classrooms, observe children, ask questions, and learn from other

I wanted to see what happens when educators slow down, listen with intention and follow a child’s curiosity. This alignment with Jewish values is one reason so many Jewish early childhood programs throughout North America have embraced the Reggio Emilia approach as a guidepost for nurturing children’s curiosity, honoring each child’s unique potential, and building meaningful relationships within their school communities. These values aren’t just words we talk about. They show up in the way we prepare our classrooms, respond to children, and make space for different perspectives. We have also curated an atelier, Italian for workshop, in our Early Childhood wing, a space where children can explore materials, express themselves and engage in the work of constructing meaning. This is what I was so eager to see in Reggio Emilia: how educators create environments that invite curiosity, how they listen to children and how they turn everyday discoveries into meaningful learning. Last week, I learned that the trip, organized for about 100 Jewish early childhood educators from the United States and Israel, had been canceled. The study tour had become the focus of

educators. I wanted to bring that learning home to Pittsburgh. As a lifelong learner, I simply wanted the opportunity to learn. What makes this especially difficult is that the very philosophy I was traveling to study asks us to approach the world with openness, curiosity and respect. Reggio Emilia is known for the idea of the hundred languages of children, the many ways children express their thinking, explore ideas and make sense of the world. It asks us to listen before we assume, to remain curious and to recognize that there is always more to understand. As educators, we remind ourselves every day to consider the perspectives of others: our co-educators, the families we partner with, and, of course, the children in our care. We know that listening, asking questions and trying to understand another person’s point of view are essential to building meaningful relationships. Over the past few days, I have tried to approach this situation in that same way, considering the different perspectives,

experiences and concerns involved. I believe in making room for dialogue, even when conversations are difficult. I remain hopeful that, by continuing to listen to one another and making space for meaningful dialogue, we can build learning communities where everyone feels welcomed, respected and able to learn together. I am deeply disappointed that I will not be going to Reggio Emilia. I had imagined this experience for years, and I know how much it would have meant to me, both personally and professionally. But I am not going to let this disappointment diminish my commitment to learning. Next week, I will travel to Los Angeles to visit three Reggio-inspired Jewish early childhood centers at Wilshire Boulevard Temple. I will observe classrooms, explore learning environments, connect with educators and bring new ideas back to CDS. I am grateful that another opportunity to learn is possible, even if it isn’t the one I had imagined. In Jewish life, we understand that a masa, a journey, is about more than reaching a destination. It is also about what we learn along the way, how we respond when the path changes, and what we carry forward. My journey to Reggio Emilia has not unfolded as I imagined, but the learning that inspired it continues. When I return to Pittsburgh, a child in our Early Childhood wing will notice something the rest of us might have missed. Maybe it will be a pine cone, a shadow, a leaf, or the way sunlight moves across the floor. One of our educators will notice that child noticing, and the learning will begin. That is why I wanted to go to Italy, and why I will remain committed to this work. Reggio Emilia taught the world that children deserve a hundred languages. I believe all educators deserve the same opportunity to keep learning, to be welcomed and to bring their voices to the conversation. These opportunities should be extended to all, regardless of the languages they speak, the places they call home and the personal beliefs they hold. PJC Katie Riggs is the director of Early Childhood Education at Community Day School.

What I found at the NYC protest on Oct. 7: No room for Jewish grief Guest Columnist Aaron Greenberg

ver the last three years, Jews have wrestled with many questions about the Palestine solidarity movement that emerged with great force after Oct. 7, 2023. Is it simply a movement deeply critical of the state of Israel? Is its anti-Zionism intrinsically antisemitic? Can meaningful coalitions be built between the movement and peaceseeking Jews who remain connected to Israel? Last Wednesday night, the third anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel and the war that followed, I came face to face with what I believe are the movement’s most extreme elements. What I saw was a form of political expression that had become indistinguishable from hatred. Progressives 14

OCTOBER 16, 2026

ignore this extremism at our peril. I wasn’t planning to go to a protest. In fact, I chose to go to the Israelis for Peace vigil specifically because the poster said that no flags or signs would be allowed. I wanted a space to grieve the day without having to argue about it. My first thought when I arrived at Union Square in Manhattan was: I’m in the wrong place. I saw a massive crowd rallying with Palestinian flags, bullhorns and drums. I passed a minyan of anti-Zionist Neturei Karta members in kaffiyehs davening Ma’ariv, the evening prayer. The protesters had shown up to protest the vigil. It’s worth pausing on that: They were there to protest the vigil. Masked people carrying signs decrying Israel, with Hamas and Hezbollah paraphernalia, were sitting in the neatly lined chairs prepared for mourners. The vigil still went forward. But to get in, I needed an NYPD escort. It was almost impossible to hear the speakers over the chanting crowd. The few words I heard from the mourners were desperate cries of grief and pleas for coexistence.

The speakers recited testimonies of victims murdered and brutalized at the Nova music festival and at kibbutzim in Israel’s Gaza envelope. Organizers read letters from survivors and their families: “If we want any path forward, how dare we not talk about the pain of both peoples at this moment?” Yonatan Zeigen, son of the legendary Israeli peace activist Vivian Silver, who was murdered by Hamas at Kibbutz Be’eri, spoke about upholding his mother’s peace-building legacy — a legacy Hamas itself sought to desecrate. Others shared testimony from Gazans about the devastation of the war on their family and community. Many speakers at the vigil used the word “genocide” to describe the war and registered their total opposition to it. None of it mattered. The protesters weren’t there to listen. They were there to rage. While the slogans have been reported elsewhere, they bear repeating. “Brad Lander, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!” they shouted at the Democratic congressional candidate. To Mayor Zohran Mamdani, they yelled, “Zohran,

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!” The protesters called the mayor a “bootlicker,” asking, “Zohran, how many kids have you killed today?” and “How dare you call yourself a Muslim?” When an imam spoke at the vigil — I couldn’t hear what he said — the crowd erupted in chants of “Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!” The mayor said nothing, holding his candle and looking at the protesters. I wondered what was going through his head. How did he feel hearing the chant he had once defended — “Globalize the intifada” — directed at him, and at the kinds of progressive American Jews and Israeli Jews he had made kosher with his presence at their vigil? What did the phrase even mean in this context? Of course people shout at politicians. Social movements have used ugly rhetoric before, and they’ve always had their fringes. In the late 1980s, members of the AIDS activist group ACT UP interrupted Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to protest the Catholic Church’s Please see Greenberg, page 15

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Opinion Chronicle poll results: Politicians accepting large donations from out-of-state funders

ast week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an online poll the following question: Are you concerned about local politicians accepting large donations from out-of-state funders? Of the 179 people who responded, 85% said yes and 15% said no. Comments were submitted by 57 people. A few follow. If they’re just supporting democracy over authoritarianism, no. If they’re looking for quid pro quos, yes. Local politicians should make sure they put their own constituents first, no matter where their campaign donations come from.

Are you concerned about local politicians accepting large donations from out-of-state funders?

85% Yes

I think all moneys donated to an elected individual should come from the state they live in, period.

The Citizens United decision turning corporations into people and cash into speech has corrupted our politics and government.

One of the oldest games known to humankind: the buying of political favors! A few words come to mind: sleazy, smarmy, downright disgusting.

Greenberg:

whose words and actions we believe violate our moral commitments. The implicit argument seems to be that acts undertaken in the name of Palestinian resistance are both necessary and beyond reproach when they come from the powerless, or those claiming to represent them. This is profoundly twisted moral logic. A group pursuing what it believes to be a righteous cause is not thereby exempt from the moral standards that apply to everyone else. Powerlessness does not absolve anyone of the obligation to recognize the intrinsic dignity of other human beings. If it did, one would assume that anything stateless Jews did in the years after the Holocaust would be justified — a conclusion that the Palestine solidarity movement quite clearly rejects. Anti-Zionists and Jews who maintain a connection to Israel often hold fundamentally different views about the conflict. Yet Mamdani, one of the world’s most prominent anti-Zionists, chose to attend a vigil mourning all those who have lost their lives

opposition to contraceptives and LGBT rights. During the Iraq War, people accused politicians of personal complicity in war crimes. But on Wednesday night, hundreds of people physically surrounded a group of speakers representing some of the most progressive voices in the Jewish community: leading rabbis and activists, American and Israeli. They were there to provide a space for all the suffering of the last three years — Jewish and Palestinian alike. The mob was there to quite literally scream at them. At that gathering, they seemed to be saying, only one kind of death was worthy of grief — and it wasn’t Jewish. The ensuing silence about these protesters from many in this movement — including, prominently, Mamdani — contrasts with the willingness of many in the Jewish community who regularly and openly issue tokhachah (rebuke) to Jews in the Diaspora and in Israel

It pressures politicians toward loyalties other than those they were elected to represent. I’m not concerned so long as there is transparency and open justification/explanation about reasons why local politicians are receiving that kind of funding from donors and entities.

15% No

There used to be a saying: “All politics is local.” Now it’s all about political influence and corporate interests.

Continued from page 14

I am concerned, especially when one candidate in particular accepts more money from outside, and was very vocal about outside AIPAC money. Hypocrite.

I am especially concerned if the politician is a Jew-hater. The very real possibility that foreigners can affect our local Pennsylvania elections is quite disturbing. Why should “carpetbagging” on and since Oct. 7. The protests that greeted the mayor revealed something more troubling than a failure to bridge political divides: an unwillingness to make room for Jewish grief. Leaders in the Palestine solidarity movement should reckon with that failure. Those who seek a just and peaceful future for all the people living in the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea must be willing to challenge dehumanization within their own political movements. Much of the media coverage from that night focused on what happened at the protest. There’s been less attention paid to how the vigil ended. I’m not sure if it was originally on the program, but Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie led the group in a recitation of Kaddish Yatom, the mourner’s prayer. The Kaddish is commonly understood as a prayer for the dead. But the liturgy doesn’t explicitly mention mortality or comfort in grief. Instead, as Rabbi Elie Kaunfer argues, it gives voice to the experience of God’s absence.

outsiders unfamiliar with (or even intentionally contrary to) the interests of me and my proDemocracy neighbors be allowed to foist any fascist, socialist, communist, sharia law, or other anti-America beliefs upon my representative/district/voting area? I’m more concerned about foreign donors and all large donors, especially super PACs. I have given small ($50 or less) to candidates in other states, wanting to help Democrats win the House and Senate. That’s OK. But the large contributions are worrisome. Why should I care what state the donation comes from? PJC — Compiled by Toby Tabachnick

Chronicle weekly poll question: Do you think either the U.S. Senate or House will flip to a Democratic majority as a result of the midterms? Go to pittsburghjewish chronicle.org to respond. PJC

When we grieve, God can feel distant and God’s presence in the world diminished. The liturgy responds with a collective prayer for the return of a God of compassion and justice. Mourners typically recite the Kaddish in hushed tones. At the vigil, we chanted what was, by necessity, the loudest Kaddish Yatom I have ever heard. For a moment, holding those ancient Aramaic and Hebrew words, it felt possible to filter out the shrill screams and bullhorn sirens coming from behind us. Protected by police barricades, we huddled together and prayed. It was a powerful Jewish counterprotest: No amount of suffering gives anyone permission to abandon humanity because we are, all of us, made in the image of the divine. In that moment, the God of compassion felt both very close and incredibly far away. PJC Aaron Greenberg is a rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary. This article was first published on the New York Jewish Week.

— LETTERS — Let’s emphasize thriving Jewish life

Each week, when I pull the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle out of my mailbox, I look forward to reading about our Jewish community. I am grateful to the Chronicle’s dedicated team for the tremendous effort that goes into producing a quality Jewish newspaper for our community each week. Yet far too often, the first thing that greets me is another headline about antisemitism or the latest threat facing Jews here or around the world. Of course, these stories matter. Antisemitism is real, and we cannot afford to ignore it. The Chronicle plays an important role in keeping our community informed, and I appreciate that responsibility. I’d like to offer a suggestion for a shift in emphasis, particularly when it comes to the main front-page feature. Of course, antisemitism is real, and reporting on it is essential. But alongside that important coverage, I believe there is an opportunity to place even greater emphasis on the positive stories of Jewish life, particularly in the main front-page feature. Even when the headline celebrates the commendable efforts of community leaders and organizations to combat antisemitism, the loudest message on our front page is still about the hatred

we face, rather than the Jewish life we celebrate. There is so much to report about thriving Jewish life in Pittsburgh. These stories deserve not only a sidebar or secondary headline, but regularly the main front-page feature, with the largest headline and most prominent placement. Imagine opening the Chronicle each week and being greeted by a celebration of Jewish life in Pittsburgh. And the same applies to national and international coverage. Incredible things are happening throughout the Jewish world, from inspiring initiatives and thriving communities to remarkable achievements and stories of Jewish pride. There is no shortage of uplifting, meaningful Jewish news with which to fill our pages. I am not suggesting we stop reporting on antisemitism. I am suggesting that we not allow antisemitism to dominate the narrative of what it means to be Jewish today. Let’s make our Jewish newspaper more pro-Semitism than anti-antisemitism. Let’s make sure the story we tell, especially on the front page, is overwhelmingly one of thriving Jewish life. Sarah Rosenfeld Pittsburgh

We invite you to submit letters for publication. Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number; addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters may not exceed 500 words and may be edited for length and clarity; they cannot be returned. Send letters to: letters@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org or Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, 5915 Beacon St., 5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 We regret that owing to the volume of correspondence, we cannot reply to every letter. PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 16, 2026

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

1-800-GET-PHIL

3473 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 412.586.4347 sentirestaurant.com

Pittsburgh, PA

AUTO ACCIDENTS PRELIMINARY HEARINGS CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DUI

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Free off street parking after 6:00PM

OCTOBER 16, 2026

Celebrations

Torah

B’nai Mitzvah

The soulful significance of smell

Rachel Dinah Goldblatt, daughter of Marcie Solomon and Nathan Goldblatt, and sister of Matthew, became a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Beit Kulanu. Rachel is the granddaughter of Fay and Tom Goldblatt of Wilmette, Illinois, and the late Ellen and Martin Solomon of Commack, New York. Rachel is a seventh grader at Colfax and enjoys dancing, reading and spending time with friends and most especially her cats.

Wes Micah Weisberg, son of Dan Weisberg and Sara Braun, will become a bar mitzvah at Temple Emanuel of South Hills on Oct. 17. The service will be officiated by Cantor Rena Shapiro of Beth Samuel Jewish Center in Ambridge. Wes’ proud grandparents are Cheryl and Richard Weisberg, and Doris and the late Seymour Braun. His loving older brother is Owen Weisberg. Wes attends seventh grade at Quaker Valley Middle School. He is an avid Lego builder and pickleball player, an aspiring chef, and a diehard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Mets. For his bar mitzvah, Wes is volunteering as a middle school mentor at The Friendship Circle in Squirrel Hill.

bagel factory Voted #1 in the city! THE BEST Housemade corn beef, Pastrami and Roasted Turkey breast

and delicatessen

PITTSBURGH’S FAVORITE DELI!

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice! Indulge in our seasonal favorites: NEW! Pumpkin Spice Bagels & Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese • Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake • Pumpkin Pecan Muffins Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls • And so much more...Stop in and taste the magic of fall! 5885 Forbes Avenue • Squirrel Hill, PA 15217 412-521-8100 • Open Tuesday to Sunday, 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Buy 2 quarts of homemade matzoh ball soup, get a FREE bag of bagel chips!

PLAN AHEAD:

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones – Your Way We provide expert help with long term care planning, powers of attorney, wills, trusts and special needs. We help you implement legal and tax strategies to protect your wealth during your life and afterwards. 3960 William Flinn Highway (Route 8) Allison Park, PA 15101 (412)364-5000 • mhm@a-h.law We make house calls

Rabbi Shimon Silver Parshat Noach Genesis 6:9 – 11:32

“H

ashem smelled the pleasing, or appeasing smell … .” (Parshas Noach 8, 21) This is the first time the word for “smell” is used in the Torah. Traditionally, the first usage of a word in the Torah is considered definitive. Ibn Ezra points out that Hashem is nonphysical and does not really smell at all. The word is used metaphorically to show that Hashem accepted the burnt offering; just as a pleasant scent brings a person pleasure, the offering was pleasing to Hashem. The next mention of smell is when Yitzchak smells the garments worn by Yaakov as he presents his father with the delicacies in preparation for receiving blessings. Once again, the smell inspires Yitzchak. The Rabbis say that these were the clothes that Adam wore in Gan Eden. Yitzchak smelled Gan Eden. If so, why is there no mention of smell in relation to Gan Eden in last week’s parsha? Indeed, the commentaries note that while Adam and Chava sinned with four of their senses with regard to the Tree of Knowledge (they listened to the snake, touched and felt the tree, and were attracted to its sight and its taste), they did not sin with their sense of smell. Smell does not seem to feature in the physical world. It is almost non-physical. Thus, it is mentioned here in the context of an offering. Based on the commentary of Malbim, the reference here is to the spiritual element within the physical. When the offering is burned and ceases to exist physically, its spirituality is sacrificed to Hashem. This is represented by the smell, the elusive abstract fragrance that comes from the physical and wafts away into the spiritual. In a sense, smell does indeed belong with the divine attributes. The ability of the physical creature to smell is abstract. In the animal world, it is associated with being able to detect something physical. Do we know whether animals appreciate pleasant smells? We know they are attracted or deterred by a scent. In general, their power of smell is stronger than that of humans. But it seems that humans have the added dimension of possible pleasure from a smell. The Talmud, Brochos 43b, says, “From where do we derive the concept of reciting a brocha on sweet smells?” The verse, Tehilim 150, says, “All the souls shall praise Hashem.” What is there that gives pleasure to the neshama but no physical pleasure? It is (a good) smell! Thus,

we recite a brocha praising, “He Who created the fragrance of … .” The clear implication is that Hashem created these fragrances specifically to benefit the neshama of man. At havdalah, when we take leave of Shabbos, we recite this brocha. The reason is that we are granted a neshama yesaira, additional soul, for the duration of Shabbos. At havdalah, this neshama yesaira departs. To compensate, we elevate our neshama with besamim, fragrant smells. There is a cryptic Talmud passage: “He who is persuaded [to agree to a proposition] by his wine has within him some of the attribute of Hashem’s knowledge, as it is written ‘Hashem smelled the appeasing smell.’” (Eruvin 52b) Just as Hashem was appeased by the smell of the offerings of Noach, a man can be appeased by wine! This is a strange comparison. Perhaps the idea is to compare the benefits of wine as opposed to the intoxicating properties. Hashem was appeased by the fragrance. He would not have made the covenant without being appeased. This is the way Hashem “thinks” and “knows.” He puts up a barrier between Himself and humankind, which is penetrated by raiach nichoach, the offering of a pleasing smell. So too, do humans create artificial barriers. One who is appeased by some wine to allow his barriers to be penetrated has a sampling of Hashem’s understanding of the other. However, wine can be abused to break through natural boundaries. Knowledge of the other can become too intimate. This was the power of the Tree of Knowledge. In the same way, fragrances can be intoxicating. There is no brocha on drug-induced intoxication, regardless of the sweetness of its smell. Thus, the Tree of Knowledge was not endowed with a fragrance. That would have been intoxicating from a distance, without even using the other senses. How does one reach through an artificial boundary inside his soul? How does one reach the neshama of his friend? Perhaps, smell can be used to communicate with the neshama, both one’s own and that of his fellow man. Take some besamim and say a brocha. Then share it with your fellow soul. Therefore, the first and paradigmatic mention of this sense is here, when Hashem uses it to penetrate His artificial boundary. The lesson is to appreciate the quasi-divine abstract power of smell and to utilize it in the correct proportions. PJC Rabbi Shimon Silver is the spiritual leader of Young Israel of Greater Pittsburgh. This column is a service of the Vaad Harabonim of Greater Pittsburgh.

Business & Professional Directory CHILD CARE

BUYING – AUTOS

C h i l d ca re Help Wanted

VEHICLES WANTED WE PAY CA$H

Squirrel Hill family seeking part-time help caring for their 20-month-old toddler in their home. Competitive pay • Flexible hours Seeking a very experienced caregiver. Transportation is available. No diaper changing is expected.

Call 412-478-5473 18

OCTOBER 16, 2026

BUYING DOMESTIC & FOREIGN VEHICLES: CARS • TRUCKS • SUVS • VANS GOOD/WRECKED/ MECHANICAL PROBLEMS LEGAL TITLE TRANSFER PURCHASED AT YOUR LOCATION

Call Denny Offstein

724-287-7771 Auto Sales 7 Days a Week

ASPHALT PAVING

T&H PAVING, LLC

–ASPHALT PAVING & SEALCOATING– Driveways & Parking Lots

800-641-9055 PA HIC # 007266 50 years in Business tandhpavingllc.com

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Obituaries BARAD: Sondra “Sandy” Sheila Barad, age 73, of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully Sept. 6, 2026, following a long battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 24, 1952, in Pittsburgh, to Harry and Pauline (Siegal) Barad. Sandy graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh in 1970. She proudly worked over 30 years as a pharmacy technician at Montefiore and Presbyterian Hospitals in Pittsburgh. Sandy is survived by her foster sisters, Donna, Shelley and Lisa Tamres, and by many cherished and loving friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Maxon Towers Apartments, 6315 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, in the Community Room. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to either Hillman Cancer Center or Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. Hillman Cancer Center: hillman.upmc.com/difference/supporting/make-a-gift; Humane Animal Rescue: humaneanimalrescue.org/donate/ FOREMAN: Maj. Martin Paul Foreman, USAF (Ret.) May 24, 1935 – Oct. 5, 2026. Major Martin Paul Foreman passed away on Oct. 5, 2026, after an extended illness. Born on May 24, 1935, to Joseph and Esther Foreman, Martin lived a distinguished life marked by service, learning, travel and family. Martin earned degrees from Duquesne University and the University of Southern California. He served as a career officer in the United States Air Force, including service in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, and dedicated his professional life to his country. Following his retirement, Martin embraced his love of travel and explored the world aboard cruise ships, gathering experiences and memories across the globe, and acing trivia contests at an astounding rate. Martin was predeceased by his parents, and his sisters, Marlene Cohen and her husband, Arthur, and Sandra Zeff and her husband, Gerald. He is survived by his brother, Stuart Foreman and his wife, Paula, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Services were held at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Friendship Circle, 1922 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com GOLOMB: On Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, Lee S. Golomb passed away peacefully with his wife, Sandy, by his side. Born Dec. 7, 1944, to Pearl M. and Bernard L. Golomb, Lee grew up in Squirrel Hill and graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1963. He earned his liberal arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his master’s degree from Duquesne University. Lee and Sandy met as teenagers and married in 1968, sharing nearly six decades of love, family and life together. His greatest pride was his family. He cherished his son Adam, his right-hand man and best friend, and his daughter-in-law, Dr. Dana Rofey, whose devotion and advocacy meant so much to him, particularly during his final months. He was immensely proud of his three granddaughters, Ella, Ava and Nora, and took great joy in their accomplishments, interests and growing independence. He is also survived by David Golomb and family. Lee’s legacy extended beyond his family. After 13 years teaching at Westinghouse High School, he built a successful career in business while continuing to serve others. He served as treasurer of Temple Emanuel of South Hills, advocated for older adults as an ombudsman, and volunteered with Mission of Mercy. A lifelong Pittsburgher, Lee loved the Steelers, Pitt football, music, travel and his rescued animals. His Chinese Crested, Ike, was his devoted companion for 17 years. Though Lee is no longer by their side, he will forever be part of their lives — in family stories, familiar songs, cherished traditions and the countless moments that bring a smile through the tears. His absence will be deeply felt, but the love he gave will never be lost. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Andrew Carnegie Free Library, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106, or Temple Emanuel of South Hills, 1250 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com

Jewish Association on Aging gratefully acknowledges contributions from the following:

A gift from ...

In memory of...

Anonymous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benjamin Brown Faye Bleiberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morris Krantz Susan Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Cohen Diane Colton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minnie Hoffman Christine Dobrushin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edward Dobrushin Susan Neuwirth Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr . Seymour A . Herron Carole Kaufman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Albert Hendel Aaron Krouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isadore Krouse Cindy & Harold Lebenson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marlene Harris Cindy & Harold Lebenson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael J . Niderberg Linda Levine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arthur Levine Randolph Malt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max Malt Randolph Malt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rabbi Henry Friedman Toby Perilman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerrilyn Perilman Toby Perilman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bernard Bennett Shirley E . Preny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morris Krantz Shirley E . Preny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beloved Departed Mitchell & Elly Toig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minnie Toig Pearlman Ruth Yahr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miriam Yahr Contact the Development department at 412-586-2690 or development@jaapgh.org for more information.

THIS WEEK’S YAHRZEITS —

Sunday October 18: Milton Cohen, Rose Elinow, Fannie Titlebaum Frank, Elizabeth S . Kalovsky, Frank Mayer Marcosky, Dr . Geneva Markus, Mary Opter, Elaine R . Rubin, Morris Spector, Fae Velardi, Dorothy Weinberg, Harry Wishnev Monday October 19: Sol Feinberg, Isadore Feldman, Milton Gottlieb, Isadore Krouse, Sylvia R . Melnick, Minnie Toig Pearlman, Louis Rosner, Arthur Sonnenklar, Harry Sparks, Regina Brown Wand, Sarah Weinbaum Tuesday October 20: Pauline Berzosky, Anna Birnkrant, Leonard Farber, Hanna Ficks, Jeanette Kohen Kuperstock, Hannah Rae Levine, Barnett Marcus, Lillian Pretter, Henry Rosenfeld, Rae Sablowsky, Sam Schllessinger, Peter Shaffer, Meyer Shepman, Alberta Myers Walken, Adolph Weitzen, Miriam Yahr, Max Zweig Wednesday October 21: Vivian Cuff Boyd, Sarah Braverman Ives, Mildred Caplan, Frances Citron, Marcia Green Farbstein, Eva Frank, Reva Cohen Goldberg, Sarah B . Gordon, Lawrence L . Green, Rose K . Judd, Jacob Levinson, Samuel Nathan, Jerrilyn Ruth Perilman, Sara Recht, Sam Sambol, Herman Solow, David Srulson, Tobe L . Unger Thursday October 22: Arthur Levine, Solomon Linder, Jennie Rosen, Mayer Eli Ruben, Rose Shapiro, Freda Siegel, Dora Sriglitz Wechsler, Charles Weiss Friday October 23: Benjamin C . Brown, Evelyn Wolk Caplan, Ruben Cohen, Sarah N . Cohen, Dr . Bernard Cramer, Samuel T . Greenberg, Frank Grossman, Dr . Seymour A . Herron, Ida Kaplan, Dena Katzenberg, Morris Krantz, Minnie M . Lavine, Raymond Paul Lazier, Rebecca Paris, Adolph Roth, Nina Ruben, Anna Sadowsky, Leonard Schulhof, Helen R . Seiavitch, George Sherman, Doris Wechsler Saturday October 24: Goodman George Altman, Jacob L . Berkovitz, Leo Berkovitz, Sylvia Breman Braun, William Cohen, Sidney Leo Friedman, Jennie Gernstat, William Glasser, Helen B . L . Hersh, Norman Katz, Rachel Klahr, Arnold Klein, Nathan A . Kopelman, Phillip Levy, Edwin E . Lichtenstul, Michael J . Niderberg, Paul Numerosky, David Rosen, Meyer David Rosenthal, Harry H . Samuels

ROSEN: Jack Edwin Rosen, age 91, of Squirrel Hill, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2026, surrounded by his entire family, including his five beloved grandchildren, who were by his side during his final days. Jack was the son of the late Morris and Bessie (Schwartz) Rosen. He graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School and went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned both his undergraduate degree and MBA. During his time at Pitt, Jack proudly played trumpet in the Pitt marching band. Jack joined the Air National Guard and served honorably for many years before being discharged. In 1961, Jack married the love of his life, Myrna Edelson, at B’nai Israel. They shared 65 wonderful years of marriage. Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Myrna (Edelson); his daughters, Elicia Cinque and Allison Ackerman; his son, Brad Rosen (Kristee); his grandchildren, Matthew, Benjamin, Emily, Dylan and Sarah; and his three great-grandchildren, Skylar, Bexlee and Reya. Jack was a self-employed manufacturers’ sales representative who worked with numerous houseware and hardware companies throughout the country. He also owned several retail establishments in the Pittsburgh area. Jack had a lifelong love of staying active and especially enjoyed working out and the camaraderie at the JCC, where he was cherished and beloved by so many in the Jewish community. He proudly attended his grandchildren’s games and activities cheering them on and always taking an active interest in their lives. He also found great pleasure in tending to his garden, especially his beloved tomato plants, and took pride in sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. Above all else, Jack’s greatest joy was spending time with his wife and family. He was a devoted partner to Myrna and supported her career as a calligraphy instructor at Carnegie Mellon University in every way he could. He faithfully drove her to and from her weekly classes and gladly carried her supplies, always ensuring she had everything she needed. Jack will be remembered for Please see Obituaries, page 20

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 16, 2026

Obituaries

“Why worry about things you cannot control when you can keep yourself busy controlling the things that depend on you?”

Obituaries: Continued from page 19

his devotion to those he loved, his strong work ethic, his generosity, and his remarkable ability to form deep and meaningful connections with everyone whose path he crossed. He had a genuine interest in people and a special ability to make those around him feel seen, valued and cared for. His warmth, humor, kindness and presence left a lasting impression on countless people throughout his life. Jack will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family, his many friends and all the people whose lives he touched. Burial at Beth Shalom Cemetery, 1501 Anderson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15209. Professional services trusted to D’Alessandro Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Lawrenceville. dalessandroltd.com SOFFER: James Lee Soffer. It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of James Lee Soffer, 77, of Pittsburgh. James was a prominent commercial real estate executive and director based in Pittsburgh, currently serving as the president of the Soffer Organization. He is the son of the late Jospeh and Violet (Gusky) Soffer, who were pioneering figures in Pittsburgh real estate and the founders of the Soffer Organization. Jimmy was passionate about his photography and loved his antiques and collectables. He will be remembered for his soft-spoken gentle nature, kindness, as well as his sense of humor and adventurous spirit. He is survived by his longtime partner, Judy (Janie) Bentz, many cousins, nieces, nephews and a wide circle of friends, and employees. There will be no visitation or service at this time. Jimmy’s legacy of kindness and humor will continue in the lives of all who loved him. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice in his memory. Arrangements by Devlin Funeral Home, Inc. 806 Perry Hwy., Pittsburgh, PA 15229. PJC

The Original Our Only Location At

2145 BRIGHTON ROAD • PITTSBURGH, PA 15212 • 412-321-2235 Serving the Jewish Community Since 1924

Lee & Lisa Oleinick

Celebrations WITH A VIEW

Real Estate FOR RENT

REALTOR SERVICES

For Rent

2524 Beechwood Blvd. 2nd Floor

LeMont Restaurant is the perfect venue to host your celebrations - a private party, banquet, wedding, anniversary, retirement, bar or bat mitzvah, graduation or fundraiser.

Spacious 3-bedroom, 1-bath duplex featuring: • Central air conditioning Refrigerator, range & dishwasher • Indoor garage • Water included • No pets • $1,850/month

For more information, call 412-421-7774

5125 Fifth Ave.

2 & 3 Bedrooms Corner of Fifth and Wilkins Spacious 1500-2250 square feet

”Finest in Shadyside”

Contact Bill Laughlin, Banquet Manager, 412-431-3100 to plan your special events. LeMontPittsburgh.com/event-space 20

OCTOBER 16, 2026

www.pittsburghjewishchronicle.org

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

412-661-4456

www.kaminrealty.kamin.com

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

CED

DU E RE C I PR

Imperial House

$274,500

CED

DU E RE C I PR

$419,999

5600 Munhall Rd. #201

2840 Shady Avenue Squirrel Hill

Beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath in the heart of Squirrel Hill. Unit 201 offers spacious, light-filled living areas, updated finishes, and the convenience of single-level living. Located in the desirable Imperial House ‒ a secure, well-appointed building in a premier location.

Charming brick townhouse on Shady Ave. Welcoming front porch, light-filled living room with decorative fireplace and hardwood floors throughout. Chef's kitchen dazzles with granite counters & stainless steel appliances. Primary suite with versatile bonus room.

ING

IST WL

$848,000

5000 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, PA

This highly desired end unit features an open floor plan, living area, 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, indoor parking, rare private deck and garden area. Prime Location in the Shadyside area. Move-in ready. For showings call Etta Golomb at 412-725-6524.

JILL AND MARK PORTLAND RE/MAX REALTY BROKERS 412.521.1000 EXT. 200 412.496.5600 JILL | 412.480.3110 MARK PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

OCTOBER 16, 2026

JUMP IN. THE WATER’S GREAT! New

A fresh swim lesson experience is making waves at the JCC.

Scan here to register

First time? Come on in. Already swimming? Take it to the next level. We’re diving into our next session with an enhanced curriculum and newly updated swim levels, creating an easier path for swimmers to build confidence and skills, all while having fun in the pool. Classes in our heated, indoor pools range from Parents and Me and Pre-K Swim to Levels 1–4. There’s a place in the pool for every age and skill level.

Ready to Make a Splash? Registration opens October 15 Squirrel Hill Elie Golin • egolin@jccpgh.org South Hills: Will Sherman • wsherman@jccpgh.org

OCTOBER 16, 2026

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

Community Back to the beginning

With Simchat Torah complete, Community Day School students prepared to read Parashat Bereishit. Students explored the weekly portion, which describes creation and the days that followed, by creating representative drawings.

p Kobi Frisbee holds an illustrated Bereishit.

Photo courtesy of Community Day School

From Pittsburgh to Israel and back

An Oct. 7 commemoration at Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh had students gathering together, lighting memorial candles and studying Torah in memory of those murdered during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

p Texts and togetherness

Photo courtesy of Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh

Machers and Shakers

Nothing sweeter than swag

Bunny Bakes and Specialty Coffee celebrated National Coffee Day by giving customers a free Bunny Bakes tumbler with every Bunny Blend purchase while supplies lasted. The Squirrel Hill-based inclusive bakery and cafe, operated by The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh, provides comprehensive training and career pathways for adults with disabilities.

p Cups, companions and coffee

Photo courtesy of The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh

Signs of strength

Chabad House on Campus enabled local college students to enjoy the Sukkot holiday by making a blessing on the lulav and etrog.

p By the power of Sukkot, we have the power.

Photo courtesy of Chabad House on Campus

Dr. Holly Swartz received the International Society of Interpersonal Psychotherapy Klerman and Weissman Award for Excellence in Outreach, Teaching and Dissemination. The award is presented biennially to a senior investigator in recognition of their cumulative body of research and training activities. Swartz is an internationally recognized expert in optimizing psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments for mood disorders. She is known for her work in evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) as treatments for depression and bipolar disorder.

Dr. José-Alain Sahel, distinguished professor and chairman of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology, was named a co-recipient of the 2026 António Champalimaud Vision Award. Sahel shares this honor with Dr. Botond Roska for their collaboration of more than two decades to develop optogenetic therapies, treatments that make retinal cells responsive to light again even after the photoreceptors that normally do that job have been destroyed by disease.

p Dr. Holly Swartz

Photo courtesy of UPMC

p Dr. José-Alain Sahel

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

Photo courtesy of Dr. José-Alain Sahel

OCTOBER 16, 2026

2026 PITTSBURGH JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Thursday 10/15/26 Bonus Zoom Session: Jewishbookcouncil.org/events 1:00p - 2:00p: Zoom conversation with Bruce Feiler and Rabbi Angela Buchdahl Sponsored by the Jewish Book Council

Sunday 10/18/26 Used Book Sale: Palkovitz Lobby 11:00a - 6:00p: Used Judaica Book Sale with Amazing Books Local Author Bookshelf: Helfant Chapel 11:00a - 11;45a: Dr. Jonathan Weinkle 12:00p - 12:45p: Barbara Barnett Lifetime Achievement Awards and Keynote Speaker: Sanctuary 7:30p - 9:00p: Lifetime Achievement Awards honoring Barbara Burstin, Ph.D and Joan Nathan followed by Joan Nathan, My Life in Recipes: Food, Family and Memories Co-sponsored by the Heinz History Center, Rauh Jewish Program and Achives, and Beth Shalom Sisterhood

Monday 10/19/26 Headliner: Samuel & Minnie Hyman Ballroom 7:30p - 8:45p: Anita Wyzanski Robboy, A Force for Good Co-sponsored by Hadassah, The Jewish Book Council and Beth Shalom

Tuesday 10/20/26 Headliner: Faye Rubenstein Weiss Sanctuary 7:30p - 8:45p: Dr. James Loeffler, Exceptional Hatred Co-sponsored by Classrooms Without Borders, The Jewish Book Council and Beth Shalom

Wednesday 10/21/26 6:30p - 7:30p: Klezmer music in the Samuel & Minnie Hyman Ballroom Headliner: Samuel & Minnie Hyman Ballroom 7:30p - 8:45p: Dr. Miriam Udel, Modern Jewish Worldmaking Through Yiddish Literature Co-sponsored by Community Day School, Pitt Jewish Studies Program, Yiddish Book Center and Beth Shalom

Sunday 10/25/26 Headliner: Sanctuary 7:30p - 8:45p: Dr. Nicholas Lemann, Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries Co-sponsored by The JCC of Pittsburgh, The Jewish Book Council and Beth Shalom

PITTSBURGH JEWISH book festival

5915 Beacon St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 | www.bethshalompgh.org 24

OCTOBER 16, 2026

PITTSBURGH JEWISH CHRONICLE

PITTSBURGHJEWISHCHRONICLE.ORG