August 30, 2024 | 26 Av 5784
Candlelighting 7:36 p.m. | Havdalah 8:34 p.m. | Vol. 67, No. 35 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Lendafor volorei ciendi non re nus Meals soldiers, Israel-style
A chorus for Alon Ohel: Musicians dedicate concert to Israeli hostages abducted on Oct. 7
Pittsburgh native feeds the troops Et odictiumqui andae amusam Page 2 HISTORY quistium si de net voloritat
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Three institutions, three alumni, one purpose at Pittsburgh’s Jewish day schools
Page X The founding of a Jewish community
LOCAL Ovit, ommodi remos ero
Going west...to Pittsburgh LOCAL
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A meaningful trip with Chabad Fodictiumqui aut entis andae asimuss
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LOCAL Minto volupta ssimim
Jonathan Weinkle and Ilana Schwarcz performing “Adon Olam” By Abigail Hakas | Special to the Chronicle
Local teen inspired in Poland and Israel LOCAL
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“Double Yoi!”
Lenda nus dolorum re pro mi, cuptati ntibus.
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A new book about a Pittsburgh legend Page 26
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s “Adon Olam” echoed through the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill, many in the audience joined in a quiet chorus, slowly growing louder and more confident as the live performance progressed. Others sat in a reverent silence. The selection was one of many played on Aug. 25 during a concert dedicated to those taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7 — particularly Alon Ohel, a gifted pianist from Pittsburgh’s Partnership2Gether sister community of Misgav in Israel. Ohel was abducted from the Nova music festival where Hamas terrorists killed hundreds of young concertgoers, and raped and kidnapped others. Idit Ohel, Alon Ohel’s mother, spoke in a pre-recorded video about the day he was taken hostage. She recalled the moment she
Photo by Abigail Hakas
and her family were told Alon Ohel was abducted. Her entire family stared at her and waited for her to respond. She took a deep breath and said “OK, so we have to fight.” “I know from that second that I am not going to be in my bed crying,” she said. “I cannot control what is going on with Alon, obviously, but I can control to what house, to what home, he will come back to, and he will come to a strong, healthy, loved and safe home.” Idit Ohel’s strength inspired those on the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s solidarity trip to Israel in June. Karen Gal-Or and Marjorie Manne, along with the other members of the trip, met her then. Alon Ohel’s family have not heard from him since he was abducted, but Idit Ohel feels confident her son is still alive. She and her Please see Concert, page 16
Local day school leaders Casey Weiss, Rabbi Sam Weinberg and Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum gather outside Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh on Aug. 21, 2024.
Photo courtesy of Casey Weiss
By Adam Reinherz | Senior Staff Writer
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very Pittsburgh thing is happening at Pittsburgh’s Jewish day schools: With Casey Weiss taking the helm of Community Day School this year, each of the city’s three day schools is now headed by one of its alumni. The fact that the principals were once local students isn’t surprising — becoming an educator requires being educated. More so, across the U.S., the majority of young adults live in their hometowns, according to researchers and census data. But perhaps the most Pittsburghy feature among Pittsburgh’s day school leaders is less their choice of residence than how they describe their responsibilities and mutual admiration. Please see Day Schools, page 16
Senior Living begins on Page 8
Magda Ehlers via pexels