September 16, 2022 | 20 Elul 5782
Candlelighting 7:09 p.m. | Havdalah 8:06 p.m. | Vol. 65, No. 37 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
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Our Giving Kitchen feeds the community Et odictiumqui andae amusam Page 3 quistium LOCAL si de net voloritat Documentary shines a light
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Photo provided by USCJ
USCJ CEO views movement as ‘passionate Ambulance dedication delivers centrists’ lesson about giving and givers Community Day School students stand beside an ambulance "presented to the people of Israel" by representatives of the Jewish and Christian communities of Pittsburgh and the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Photo by Adam Reinherz
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WQED film considers the difficulties Jews pre-WWII had in immigrating.
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LOCAL Fodictiumqui aut entis andae asimuss John Spear dies at 83
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
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By David Rullo | Staff Writer
By Adam Reinherz | Staff Writer
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fter seven years of work, Jeff and Arlene Berg may finally get a chance to rest. The Wilkins Township Evangelicals raised nearly $100,000 toward buying an ambulance for Israel. Having secured commitments from approximately 40 donors, and with the medical vehicle ready for shipment east, the Bergs joined representatives of American Friends of Magen David Adom and Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry at Community Day School to celebrate. The Sept. 12 gathering, the Bergs noted, was preceded by a similar ceremony a day earlier at their church, Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville, Pennsylvania. Wendy Strip, a development executive for the Midwest Region of AFMDA, attended both events and praised the Bergs for their ability to bridge different faith communities. “It’s not often that an ambulance is dedicated by the Jewish and Christian communities combined,” Strip said. “It’s wonderful to see these communities come together and beautifully represent the ideals of Magen David Adom.”
Originating in 1930, Magen David Adom enables individuals of “all backgrounds to work together and care for people all over the country regardless of their backgrounds,” Strip added. Richard Zelin, director of strategic philanthropy for the Midwest Region of AFMDA, credited the Bergs with aiding an organization that predates the state of Israel, and said the newly dedicated vehicle will help numerous citizens: “This ambulance will be there to respond to terrorist attacks, typical medical emergencies and also to bring new lives into the world.” Before the Sept. 12 function, Joe Talmonte of Auto Driveaway brought the vehicle from Carnegie to Finleyville. On Monday morning, Talmonte delivered the ambulance to Squirrel Hill, where he told the Chronicle he was “ecstatic” to see the ambulance continue its travels to Israel. “It’s going to be helping people,” he said. Standing beside the shiny white new vehicle, Strip told scores of curious Community Day School students that after the ambulance leaves Squirrel Hill it will be sent to Baltimore, then placed on a crate with Please see Ambulance, page 14
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abbi Jacob Blumenthal has a simple motto: “More Torah and Jewish life for more people in more places and more ways.” The motto serves the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism chief executive well as he works to fulfill his long-term goal of “creating a robust, Conservative Masorti movement in North American and throughout the world where we bring our unique tradition and modernity to as many people as possible.” With more than 600 synagogues in North America and a home in Israel, USCJ is the largest network of Conservative Jews in the world. Blumenthal became the organization’s chief executive in 2020, after serving for a year as the chief executive of the Rabbinic Assembly, representing Conservative rabbis in 2019. The two organizations have a strategic partnership that allows Blumenthal to serve as the CEO of both. The rabbi has taken the helm of the Jewish organization at an interesting time for the movement. Like those in the Orthodox, Reconstructionist and Reform movements, the USCJ has had to find ways to make Jewish life meaningful when members Please see Centrists, page 14
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