Although I have only been in Pittsburgh for two years, I have come to identify with and take pride in being a Pittsburgher. When I first arrived in Pittsburgh, I was overwhelmed by the sense of community and openness as a new resident and college student. I am a Master’s in Social Work student at […]
Reflecting on World Kindness Day and Planning for February’s Random Acts of Kindness Day Read More »
As we celebrate the 8 nights of Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, we usually like to consider the meaning of this holiday. There are a lot of different Chanukah stories out there, and many interpretations of why we celebrate for eight days. One thing we believe is that Chanukah commemorates the rededication
A Chanukah Greeting: "Be the Shamash" Read More »
With colder weather upon us and shorter periods of light outside, I’ve found myself thinking about the long winter ahead and what kinds of things I’ll do with my kids in the evening and during the weekends. That line of thinking often gets me lost in the Bermuda triangle of internet surfing and so I’m
Young children and the stresses of the long winter ahead Read More »
Last week, not only was I able to escape the cold of Pittsburgh, but I also had the opportunity to conclude my 18-month Generation Now Fellowship with a full-day Disney Institute Leadership Excellence workshop in sunny Orlando, FL. An immersive, world-class experience designed for ambitious professionals who are interested in changing the landscape of Jewish
Disney – The Happiest Place on Earth! Read More »
I Lived, We Live: What Did We Miss? was an exhibit about the community of Hazelwood organized by Hazelwood residents and presented last winter here at the JCC’s American Jewish Museum. While the origins of our relationship stem from loss and trauma, our two communities have forged bonds, shared experiences and built meaningful friendships. Center
Shining Light on that "They Lived" Read More »
I distinctly remember two phone calls my wife and I received shortly before 10 a.m. that day. “Are you in shul? The street is blocked by police cars,” the congregant inquired. We replied that we were out of town and not at synagogue. A minute later the phone rang again. It was Sam Schachner, president
An Unprecedented Year Read More »
At 5:30 am this morning, we reopened our doors with renewed commitment to live up to our mission — for you, for our neighbors and for our community. From last October 27 until this October 27, we strived to live up to our mission: We nurtured people with hugs and kisses and hugs and hugs
JCC Staff Reflection in Commemoration of October 27, 2018 – One Year Later Read More »
Pay it forward: An expression for when the recipient of an act of kindness does something kind for someone else rather than simply accepting or repaying the original good deed (https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/pay-it-forward/). So what do the JCC’s youth basketball program and Catherine Ryan Hyde’s 1999 novel, Pay it Forward, have in common? Simply put, the JCC
Basketball at the JCC: A Unique Approach to Changing the World for the Better Read More »
The 2020 Census – Every Person Counts! This is the essence of the constitutional requirement to count all people every 10 years. The results of the census directly impact the ways we are represented in Congress, the amount of federal funding our community receives and the many ways that public, private and not-for-profit organizations serve
The 2020 Census: Everyone Counts!!! Read More »
When Rabbi Ron Symons invited me back to Pittsburgh for Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement, to worship with our Pittsburgh neighbors and to participate in a community event at the JCC, I did not hesitate to say yes. The slogan “From Parkland to Pittsburgh, Stronger Together” has heartfelt meaning for me, as our two
The Concept of Forgiveness Read More »
Sleep is as important to our health as eating, drinking and breathing. Maggie Feinstein, LPC, Director of the the 10.27 Healing Partnership, Pittsburgh’s new resiliency center, recently shared some tips for getting a good sleep: Good sleep often takes practice. In times when sleep is not going well, it is important to practice a new
Practice Good Sleep! Read More »
This week I’m reflecting on something that I continue to feel passionately about. Many of you have heard my thoughts on professionalizing the profession of early childhood and how important it is that we value young children and their early learning experiences. One of the ways we do this is by ensuring our educators have
Call It Child Care! Read More »
As we the harvest season continues, here are even more reason to eat your veggies! Lower your risk of heart disease: Some studies show that vegetarian diets reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 40%. Even if you don’t follow a vegetarian diet, just eating more produce is beneficial. A Harvard study
4 More Reasons to Eat More Plants Read More »
While society has become more reliant on technology, and benefited from it, children’s use of electronics in daily life has also taken off. On average, American children and adolescents spend more than 7.5 hours each day using an electronic device. Emma Kaufmann Camp (EKC) recently participated in a national survey titled, Smartphones, Social Media and
Smartphones, Social Media & Summer Camp Read More »
As we turn the page on the calendar from Summer to Fall, from vacation to the academic year, from the old Jewish year 5779 to the new Jewish year 5780, the work of the Center for Loving Kindness are all the more relevant to the lives we lead in and around Pittsburgh. Planned throughout 2016
NEIGHBOR IS A MORAL CONCEPT! Read More »
As we conclude our second day of school in the Early Childhood Development Center, I want to thank our families for the joyful beginning we’ve had together. We are never without our challenges or opportunities, and I’m struck by how collaboratively our educators and our parents have worked in learning and navigating through the first
The Miracle of the Present Moment Read More »
For most people who have trouble sleeping, there’s a simple cure: EXERCISE. In fact, when researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine asked sedentary adults with insomnia to exercise 20-30 minutes every other day in the afternoon, participants reduced the time required to fall asleep by half, and increased total sleep time by almost 1
EXERCISE DECREASES INSOMNIA!!! (Just one more reason to GET MOVING!) Read More »
I don’t have many memories from being 4 years old. Most of us don’t. I remember moments with family, vague recollections about my preschool class, and “doing art” with my sister in our basement. One vivid memory I do have is riding on a school bus for the first time to my local JCC. I
We Prepare Kids for Life's Journeys Read More »
Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 1: Fitness Centers Open 8 am-2 pm; Family Park Open 11 am-7 pm