October 24, 2025 | 2 Cheshvan 5786
NOTEWORTHY LOCAL L'chaim to Yiddish!
Festival launches Nov. 13 LOCAL
Page 2
Candlelighting 6:09 p.m. | Havdalah 7:07 p.m. | Vol. 68, No. 43 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
$2
Community Pittsburghers react to ceasefire, return of hostages encouraged to keep creating meaning and memory as Oct. 27 approaches
A renovated fitness center
Pittsburghers stand in solidarity with the hostages at a vigil in Squirrel Hill in January 2025. Photo by Sandy Zell By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer
More options at JCC Page 4
LOCAL Celebrating celebrities
Pittsburgh's Walk of Fame Page 5
LOCAL Antisemitism in America
Bret Stephens chats with Pamela Nadell Page 7
T
he start of a ceasefire between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, and the release of all living hostages held in Gaza, was met with elation and optimism by Pittsburgh’s Jewish community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said it was “grateful to all parties whose tireless efforts made this day possible.” In a prepared statement, Federation officials noted that the 20 living hostages returned were among the original 251 kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The hostages, Federation said, were held “through 18 major Jewish holidays and 105 Shabbat dinners. Jewish families in Israel, in Pittsburgh and around the world had empty chairs at our tables, yellow ribbons on our lapels, and fractures in our hearts.” Federation also said it mourned the 28 deceased hostages still in Gaza at the time of the ceasefire. Hamas was required to deliver their remains to Israel within 72 hours, but as of press time, Hamas had returned only 13 bodies. “We pray for their families and loved ones to be able to give them the proper burial they deserve,” Federation officials said. “May they be comforted among all the mourners of Zion.” Laura Cherner, Federation’s Community Relations Council director, said Federation was “especially grateful and relived that Alon Ohel, from our partnership region of Misgav, has been reunited with his family. “We sincerely hope this moment marks the beginning of lasting peace in the region,” she
continued. “In order for that to be a reality, it will require the continued cooperation of all nations and parties involved in the ceasefire plan.” Julie Paris, StandWithUs Mid-Atlantic regional director, said she was “overwhelmed with joy and relief” at the return of the 20 living hostages after “738 agonizing days.” “This is a sentiment, I know, that is flooding Israel and the entire global Jewish community,” Paris said. “The safe return of our beloved hostages to their families today is the moment we’ve all been fighting for.” Since Hamas’ Oct 7 attack, StandWithUs has campaigned for the release of all those kidnapped by the terrorist group. “The fight to keep their names alive has been a global imperative, and here in Pittsburgh, the sustained efforts of our community prove that tireless advocacy can make an impact,” Paris said. “From vigils, rallies and concerts, to the silent witness of the Yellow Piano at the JCC in honor of Misgav native Alon Ohel, every banner and every gathering over these last two years mattered.” Since the Oct. 7 attack, Rona Kaufman, a Duquesne University associate law professor, has been addressing anti-Zionism and the fissures created by the war on college campuses and in progressive spaces. She said she was thankful that the living hostages were returned but that her heart “really still goes out to those whose dead children are still in Gaza.” Kaufman said that on a trip to Israel as a Please see Ceasefire, page 10
A decorative rock left outside the Tree of Life building on Oct. 27, 2022.
Photo by Adam Reinherz
By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer
S
even years after the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, the city is being called to unite again. With both Oct. 27 and the yahrzeit of those killed approaching, the community is encouraged to remember, volunteer and learn. Listed online at 1027healingpartnership. org, various in-person and virtual activities are intended to inspire reflection, communal betterment and personal meaning, according to 10.27 Healing Partnership Director Maggie Feinstein. On Oct. 27, 2018, 11 congregants from three congregations — Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life — were murdered during Shabbat services in the Tree of Life building: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Dan Stein, Irving Younger and Melvin Wax. Since that heinous crime, community members have routinely undertaken meaningful pursuits to remember and honor lives lost. Please see Oct. 27, page 10
Senior Living Special section coming Oct. 31
Mediteraneo/Adobe Stock