April 25, 2025 | 27 Nissan 5785
Candlelighting 7:52 p.m. | Havdalah 8:55 p.m. | Vol. 68, No. 17 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
$2
Yeshiva Schools Pittsburghers asked to celebrate Israel’s independence of Pittsburgh, Chabad of ‘now more than ever’ Western Pa. split
NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Changes at Hillel Academy
By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer
Longtime principal resigns HISTORY
Y the 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot, Salzman added. Speaking to the Chronicle by phone from Israel, the Federation staffer said she hopes to see as many people as possible on May 1. “I think every year it’s important to come out and celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut because the establishment of the state of Israel is — as far as I’m concerned and as far as the Federation is concerned — both a miracle and something to celebrate,” she said. “That the Jews finally have their own homeland in our ancestral homeland is a cause for celebration every year. But now, it’s a reason for people to come out more than ever. The situation that Israel has found itself in since Oct. 7, and the situation of Jews in America and all around the world have found themselves in with the rise in antisemitism, it’s important for the community to come together to make their voices loud and clear that they stand with Israel.” A desire for harmony comes amid strains in Diaspora-Israel relations. Last month, Gallup reported that Americans’ support for Israel had reached a 25-year low. “Americans’ sympathies with the Israelis continue to decline, largely because of Democrats’ dwindling support for the Israelis in the long-standing conflict with the
eshiva Schools of Pittsburgh is no longer affiliated with Chabad of Western Pennsylvania. Parents and staff learned of the change in a March 13 letter that announced the school was no longer affiliated with Merkos L’Inyonie Chinuch — and by extension Chabad of Western Pennsylvania — although it would remain an official Chabad school of Tomchei Tmimim, according to the letter. According to the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters, Merkos L’Inyonie Chinuch is the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch and provides professional guidance and services to existing Chabad schools. It also assists in the establishment of new schools and provides professional training for educators. Additionally, it maintains a directory of all Chabad educational institutions in the English-speaking world. Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh was founded under the auspices of Tomchei Tmimim, Board President Chaim Oster said in a written statement to the Chronicle. The school became affiliated with Merkos well after its founding, meaning “Yeshiva’s affiliation with Merkos was in addition to” its affiliation with Tomchei Tmimim, “not in place of it.” Oster said the school, “is returning to its roots to once again operate as a standalone independent Chabad school under the auspices of Tomchei Tmimim.” But, according to a Lubavitch Center representative, Tomchei Tmimim is not a central Lubavitch governing body and does not certify schools as belonging to the Chabad Lubavitch movement. The announcement came one day after Yeshiva Schools received a letter from Merkos saying that the school had been delisted from its database. The decision to delist the school has roots going back six years, when the
Please see Israel, page 10
Please see Yeshiva, page 10
Page 2
What's in a name?
Jerusalem By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer
Synagogues in western Pennsylvania
Page 3
LOCAL Comedian Eitan Levine hosts local event
Jewish Sports Hall of Fame annual dinner
Page 4
WORLD Pope Francis dies at 88
Promoted reconciliation with Jews
Page 5
P
ittsburghers are invited to celebrate Israel’s independence by marching, eating and listening to music. A public program, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh on May 1, will feature an indoor gathering at Congregation Beth Shalom complete with free pita and hummus, followed by a march to the Squirrel Hill Jewish Community Center and live music from the Israeli band Hashayara. The group, which hails from Misgav (Pittsburgh’s sister region in Israel) and performed at last year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration, has spent months playing for IDF reserve soldiers and evacuees in Israeli hotels, according to Kim Saltzman, Federation’s director of Israel and overseas operations. Hashayara’s concerts consist of “storytelling of their own experiences since Oct. 7, and English and Hebrew songs,” she said. “It’s a really engaging and great way to connect with Israel and Israeli culture.” Although there will be live and recorded music inside Beth Shalom, as well as live music inside the JCC, no music will be played during the march out of respect for Jewish community members who refrain from listening to music during the Omer,
Photo by Haley Black via Pexels
CHINA BEFORE COMMUNISM
Just W hat You’ve Been Waiting For
APR 26–27 • BENEDUM CENTER
ShenYun.com 844-888-7469