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Father’s Day Pledge

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on June 14, 2022

While the punch line has changed over the years, the joke (and the underlying societal impression) is unfortunately still the same. While we were growing up, when we were asked what we would be getting Dad for Father’s Day, we always answered, “A tie.” Inevitably, that tie was either store bought with intentions of either meeting, stretching, or countering Dad’s fashion sense; or homemade out …

Ready, Set, Vote!

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on April 29, 2022

Even though our democracy is only 246 years old, we can look back in Jewish values from 2,000 years ago to guide our understanding of what so many of us understand as the ‘sacred right’ (or is it ‘sacred rite’; or both) to vote. Hillel, an early architect of rabbinic thinking who lived in the first century before the turn of the era commented "Al tifros …

We are still dreaming. Let’s ensure every person is counted

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on January 17, 2020

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” As we celebrate the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his dream that every person be judged for their character and not the color of their skin …

A Chanukah Greeting: “Be the Shamash”

Posted by Liza Baron on December 23, 2019

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 of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Syrian Greeks were …

Disney – The Happiest Place on Earth!

Posted by Chris Herman, Director, Jewish Teen Engagement on November 13, 2019

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 teen education and engagement, the Generation Now Fellowship seeks to …

An Unprecedented Year

Posted by Brian Schreiber on November 1, 2019

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 of Tree of Life, who informed us of an active …

JCC Staff Reflection in Commemoration of October 27, 2018 – One Year Later

Posted by JCC Pittsburgh on October 28, 2019

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 and hugs… with puppy love and handshakes and listening ears and …

The Concept of Forgiveness

Posted by Ivy Schamis on October 22, 2019

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 communities forged an unbreakable bond when we first came together …

A Purim Message For Today

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on March 20, 2019

Bigotry, hatred and racism of all forms is wrong no matter what continent it occurs on and no matter the victims it claims. The Jewish community has known this for thousands of years. After all, this week we are celebrating the victory of the Jewish community of Persia over the hatred state-sanctioned supremacy of its day. When Queen Esther hesitated to stand up and call it …

Today, all I have are tears. Tomorrow, maybe we can work to find a solution.

Posted by Marnie Fienberg on March 15, 2019

The universe cracks. That’s how you feel when your beloved and peaceful family member is violently torn from this world while they are at prayer. That’s how more that 40 families feel right now half a world away. I know because only 6 months ago I was in their shoes. It’s like I am in a cruel time machine and it’s stuck on a repeating …

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