May 12, 2023 | 21 Iyar 5783
Candlelighting 8:09 p.m. | Havdalah 9:14 p.m. | Vol. 66, No. 19 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
NOTEWORTHY LOCAL A day of trauma, butnon alsore ofnus Lenda volorei ciendi “love and support”
Federation’s Meryl Ainsman reflects on Et odictiumqui andae amusam Oct. 27, 2018 quistium si de net voloritat
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‘Forever connected’: Government Pittsburghers visit Israel among psych experts celebrations and protests can examine accused shooter in synagogue massacre trial now, judge rules By Torsten Ove | Contributing Writer
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Speeches, performances and vignettes memorialized fallen soldiers and victims of terror while stressing a theme of “Forever Connected.” “If there is one key message we should remember today out of a great respect to the sacrifice of the fallen it is to continue together, remember our unity and connection, be patient, accept one another and remember we are one nation that only has one Jewish country, the state of Israel,” Doron Almog, chairman of the executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel, told attendees. “The speeches that we heard really brought home the feeling of what the day meant,” Goldhaber said. Milch called the ceremony “very raw” and said it was “powerful watching soldiers and former soldiers break down and cry.” Of particular note to Pittsburghers, he said, was a story shared about Joyce Fienberg, one of 11 Jews killed during Shabbat services on Oct. 27, 2018. During a segment dedicated to “lives cut short,” recorded interviews with Fienberg’s family depicted the Tree of Life member’s life, her dedication to helping others and
s jury selection grinds on in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre trial, the judge overseeing the case said Monday that he will allow government psychiatric experts to examine the accused shooter as soon as possible to rebut defense claims that he has mental health problems. U.S. District Judge Robert Colville said both defense and prosecution are “not without fault” in their endless bickering over every aspect of the exams but ruled that the government is entitled to have its own experts conduct tests on the defendant. Robert Bowers, 50, is on trial in the 2018 shooting deaths of 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue building. He faces the federal death penalty if convicted. Jury selection entered its third week Monday with all-day questioning of potential jurors. Meanwhile, the judge is ruling on various outstanding motions. A key one involves the defendant’s mental health. The defense team, trying to spare him from the death penalty, says its experts have determined that he has schizophrenia, epilepsy and “functional and structural impairments of the brain.” They want to introduce that evidence during the penalty phase of the trial. Prosecutors want their own experts to examine him “solely to rebut mitigation evidence.” Colville granted the motion — but imposed his own rules on how and when it will be done. For one thing, the defense wanted to delay the tests until after the guilt phase. Prosecutors objected, saying it will cause yet more delays. The judge sided with the prosecution, saying
Please see Israel, page 10
Please see Trial, page 10
Focus on Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Michael Milch, second from right, joins other North American Jewish leaders in Israel.
Photo courtesy of Michael Milch
The legacy of Jonathan Bahm Fodictiumqui aut entis andae asimuss LOCAL
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Steve LOCALIrwin on fighting antisemitism Minto volupta ssimim
Pittsburgh community leader chairs ADL region Lenda nus dolorum re pro mi, cuptati Page 4 ntibus. Page X
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By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer
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uring a recent visit marking the Jewish state’s 75th anniversary, a group of Pittsburghers experienced celebrations, demonstrations and commemorations, all highlighting the complexities of modern Israel. Martin Goldhaber, Michael Milch and Brian Eglash attended Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut ceremonies, participated in the Jewish Federation of North America’s General Assembly and visited sites supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “My expectations were totally exceeded,” Goldhaber told the Chronicle. In just six days, “we got to see so many things.” From April 20-26, Goldhaber and other Pittsburghers toured Jerusalem, spent time in Tel Aviv and observed the dramatic shift between Yom HaZikaron (honoring fallen soldiers and victims of terror) and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (celebrating Israel’s independence). “To see the transition was unbelievable,” Milch said. The Squirrel Hill resident and JFNA Young Leadership Cabinet Member joined nearly 7,000 other celebrants in Latrun for Masa Israel Journey’s 15th annual Yom HaZikaron program.
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