May 24, 2024 | 16 Iyar 5784
Candlelighting 8:20 p.m. | Havdalah 9:27 p.m. | Vol. 67, No. 21 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
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LOCAL LendaJames volorei ciendi non re nus Meet Hayes
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Antisemitic, anti-Israel incidents Celebrated continue to plague Pittsburgh forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht dies at 93
Republican candidate for Congress, District 12 Et odictiumqui andae amusam quistium si de net voloritat Page 2 LOCAL
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Ready to make a difference LOCAL Ovit, ommodi remos ero
Dr. Cyril Wecht
Photo provided by Ben Wecht
By David Rullo | Senior Staff Writer
Rabbi Hindy Finman begins tenure at JCC Page 3
LOCAL Fodictiumqui aut entis andae asimuss Everyone deserves a “Second Chance”
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Aleph Institute celebrates compassion Page 4
LOCAL Highlighting the humanity through photos Lenda nus dolorum re pro mi, cuptati ntibus.
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The Branch seeks to destigmatize mental illness
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Once the thief left the scene, Braver posted the incident to the Facebook group Jewish Pittsburgh to alert others. Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, said that the individual was identified and charged, thanks to Braver’s work. “We believe he was strategically targeting yards that had these signs,” Brokos said. “It seemed like he knew exactly where to go. He pulled right up to these homes, got out and pulled out the sign. I do believe he had done some prior reconnaissance.” Another sign in the neighborhood was defaced, with the word “Israel” scribbled over and replaced by the word “Slaughter.” A skull was drawn on top of the sign’s Star of David. It is not known if there is a connection between that incident and the signs that were stolen. Brokos said the incidents illustrate why Federation has created a Virtual Block Watch Program. Those participating in the voluntary Please see Antisemitism, page 6
Please see Wecht, page 8
A small group gathered to protest the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Yom Ha’atzmaut event. Photo by Jim Busis By David Rullo | Staff Writer
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variety of antisemitic and antiIsrael incidents continued last week in Pittsburgh. On May 13, an individual was caught stealing “I Stand With Israel” signs from yards in Squirrel Hill. Molly Braver was outside doing chores when she noticed a white truck parking near her home. The driver got out and walked into her neighbor’s yard, took their sign and started to walk away. “I said to the guy, ‘What are you doing? You’re not allowed to take that,’” Braver said. “‘You do not have permission.’ He was like, ‘You support genocide.’” Braver and her boyfriend engaged the would-be sign thief in a loud and heated argument that drew the attention of their neighbor, who came outside and told the man he didn’t have permission to take their sign. The criminal eventually left but not before Braver took his picture and noted his license plate number. Her boyfriend noticed other lawn signs in the back of his truck.
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yril Wecht, a famed pathologist, political powerhouse, author, Zionist, husband, father and devoted Pittsburgher, died on May 13. He was 93. Born March 20, 1931, to Jewish immigrants Nathan Wecht and Fannie Rubenstein, Wecht was raised in Bobtown, McKees Rocks and then the Lower Hill District, where his father opened a grocery store. He attended Fifth Avenue High School, graduating as class valedictorian, before attending the University of Pittsburgh. At college, he was president of Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity, concertmaster of Pitt’s orchestra, business manager of the Pitt News and president of the YMCA. Wecht graduated from Pitt with a Bachelor of Science degree and then from its School of Medicine. After graduation, he joined the Air Force. It was while serving as a captain that he met his wife, Sigrid. The pair had four children: David, Daniel, Benjamin and Ingrid. The future medical examiner next spent time in Baltimore, attending the University of Maryland School of Law and earning a juris doctor degree while working in the medical examiner’s office. The family eventually returned to Pittsburgh, where
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