May 10, 2024 | 2 Iyar 5784
Candlelighting 8:07 p.m. | Havdalah 9:12 p.m. | Vol. 67, No. 19 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
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LOCAL Lenda Forget volorei ciendi non re nus Never
Yom HaShoah commemorated Et odictiumqui andae amusam Page 2 quistium LOCAL si de net voloritat Athletes Honored
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For some, Despite Israel’s war with Schenley Plaza Hamas, the Pittsburgh Jewish community prepares encampments to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut represented a double standard
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LOCAL Ovit, ommodi remos ero
Attendees at last year’s community Yom Ha’Atzmaut story danced the Horah at Temple Sinai. Photo provided by David Dvir
Jewish sports HOF inducts three Page 3
LOCAL Fodictiumqui Teens return aut entis andae asimuss
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LOCAL Minto volupta ssimim
Diller Teens recount Israel trip Page 4
LOCAL Meet Zoe Stage Lenda nus dolorum re pro mi, cuptati ntibus.
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Author details writing process Page 5
By David Rullo | Staff Writer
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or many, Yom Ha’atzmaut may feel different this year. The holiday commemorates the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948, and is marked by a variety of observances, both here in the United States and in Israel. This year, Yom Ha’atzmaut occurs in the shadow of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Oct. 7 that killed nearly,1,200. Another 240 people were taken hostage. More than 130 people are believed to still be in Gaza. Across the country, anti-Israel protests and rallies have taken place on college campuses, some of which have included antisemitic chants and even pro-Hamas slogans. In Pittsburgh, an anti-Israel encampment comprised of University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University students, as well as outsiders not affiliated with the schools, took over Schenley Park for nearly a week. As a result, while many will celebrate the creation of the only Jewish state in the world that is the lone democratic country in the Middle East, for others it feels more like May 15 when Israel was forced to accept that independence meant a war with its
neighbors and an uncertain future. For Kim Salzman, Israel and overseas director at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, now is the perfect time to commemorate Israel. “There’s no better time to come out and support Israel than,” she said. “It’s really important for the community to unite together behind Israel and send a clear message that we’re united and we’re not going anywhere.” She said that what happened on Oct. 7 was a look into what would happen around the world if there wasn’t a state of Israel. “Jews around the world need Israel, and Israel needs all the Jews around the world,” she said. “We have a shared destiny, and neither can have a future without the other.” To that end, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is planning a commemoration of Israel’s Independence Day on May 19. The celebration begins at Beth Shalom’s parking lot on the corner of Beacon Street and Shady Avenue. Community members will meet at 12:45 p.m. A Stand with Israel march will begin at 1 p.m. walking down Please see Yom Ha’atzmaut, page 11
Protesters were granted the use of Schenley Plaza at no cost, something that has some people crying foul. Photo by Jim Busis By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer
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s the Pittsburgh Jewish community being held to a different standard than other groups that use public space in the city? Some think so and are frustrated by what they perceive as a lack of equity demonstrated by city officials and politicians. Case in point: the Schenley Plaza encampment created by anti-Israel protesters on April 23, shortly after the group was forced to vacate the University of Pittsburgh’s property outside of the Cathedral of Learning on Forbes Avenue. According to Maria Montaño, communications director and spokesperson for Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, the group “Pitt Divest from Apartheid” was granted use of the space as a protected First Amendment activity for which there is no charge. Please see Protest, page 11
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