December 9, 2022 | 15 Kislev 5783
NOTEWORTHY LOCAL Ten years and ciendi counting! Lenda volorei non re nus
Candlelighting 4:35 p.m. | Havdalah 5:38 p.m. | Vol. 65, No. 49 | pittsburghjewishchronicle.org
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Family Forum seeks to prevent adults with disabilities from ‘graduating to the couch’
Pittsburgher named international president of Conservative movement’s umbrella group
Residents of Goldberg House, a Community Living Arrangement established by The Branch in partnership with Verland, at a sukkah-decorating event. A new program, the Family Forum, helps parents network and coordinate long-term needs for their loved ones.
Andy Schaer will be installed as the USCJ international president this month.
Pittsburgh Secular Jewish Community Et odictiumqui andae amusam celebrates connection and culture quistium si de net voloritat
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LOCAL LOCAL A West Jefferson Hills classroom Ovit, remos ero fi ghtsommodi hate
Teacher William Paull’s focus on Fodictiumqui aut entis andae asimuss the Holocaust
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LOCAL LOCAL Kaufmann’s legacy explored Minto volupta ssimim
By David Rullo | Staff Writer
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New book on a Jewish family’s Lenda nus dolorum re pro mi, cuptati regional impact ntibus.
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Photo courtesy of Andy Schaer
Photo courtesy of The Branch
udy Cohen and Cindy Vayonis want to make it easier for parents of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to network with, and learn from, one another. They co-chair a new program, the Family Forum, created in partnership with The Branch (formerly Jewish Residential Services) and Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh. Cohen, a past JRS president, and Vayonis, who served on Friendship Circle’s board, are both parents of adult children served by the organizations. The genesis of the Family Forum, Cohen said, began with the fear of children “graduating to the couch.” “Kids who have disabilities, after they graduate from high school programs or special schools like the Children’s Institute, where our children went, or high school with an IEP, often their opportunities are limited,” she said. “A lot of parents say they ‘graduate to the couch’ because they stay home, and there’s not a lot for
them in the community.” JRS first sought to combat that outcome with Families in Transition, a committee formed to help parents concerned with housing needs, meaningful day activities, respite and transportation, among other issues. Eventually, JRS, through the advocacy of Families in Tradition, set up group homes in Squirrel Hill. “But it’s really broader than just housing,” Cohen said. “It’s really not Families in Transition, anymore. Our kids have gotten older. We looked at three broad areas that families are concerned about: housing, meaningful day activities, and then — the one that resonates most with me and a lot of families — what would happen to our kids if we’re not here to take care of them.” “Long-term planning,” Vayonis said. Family Forum, Cohen said, will provide opportunities to network and learn about
By David Rullo | Staff Writer
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isitors to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism offices might find a few black and gold menorahs or dreidels adorning the space this year. On Dec. 11, Pittsburgh native Andy Schaer begins his tenure as international president of the USCJ, the umbrella organization of Conservative Judaism in North America and the largest Conservative Jewish communal body in the world. He assumes the role after serving as the organization’s vice president and, before that, its treasurer. Schaer grew up in Churchill and attended Tree of Life Congregation with what he called his “moderately observant family,” who were not steeped in the Conservative movement. It was after college, when he returned to Pittsburgh, that Schaer became more involved with congregational life. He served as both the vice president of education and fundraising at
Please see Forum, page 15
Please see Schaer, page 15
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