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The Ground Beneath Us Is Very Hard

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on July 8, 2020

“The ground beneath us is very hard.” That was our big learning as we began our gardening work today at East End Cooperative Ministries (EECM) in East Liberty. The ground beneath us is very hard because of the dry heat we have been experiencing for too many days to count. The ground beneath us is very hard because of the harsh realities of racism and privilege that …

“You are a part of me I do not yet know.”

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on July 6, 2020

I recently learned this moral and spiritual truth by reading it in See No Stranger, by Valarie Kaur, a civil rights activist and spiritual leader at the forefront of progressive change. I continue to learn this truth along my journey of meeting others who are a part of me I do not yet know. PART 1 – A Pastor, Imam and Rabbi: For the past 6 months, I …

Shabbat Shalom

Posted by Brian Schreiber on June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020 As I walked into the office just after 7:30, I was greeted by music coming from the patio outside of Levinson Hall. What did I see? Creativity and a new way to do spinning in a socially distanced way. Two creative spinning classes got another 20 people back to the JCC this morning – several with tears of gratitude in their eyes. Why? …

Congratulations to Our Dance Graduates!

Posted by Kathy Wayne on June 9, 2020

To the Dance Seniors of The JCC School of Dance The lights go out….and your heart is about to beat out of your chest. You have been dancing since you could walk but still you get those butterflies before going on stage. The suspense builds and you wait for the music. The lights come up, the music begins. This was supposed to be your last performance before going …

Neighbor is a moral concept.

Posted by Brian Schreiber on June 2, 2020

The death of George Floyd and the protests across America that followed have been a sobering reminder of how deep our society’s wounds really are. As I reflect on this tragedy, I am reminded just why we created the Center for Loving Kindness three years ago and the enduring Jewish values universally applicable to love your neighbor as yourself. We do this in a non-partisan …

I am on an Anxiety Roller Coaster

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on June 2, 2020

June 2, 2020 Once again, far too quickly, frequently and painfully, the curtains covering systemic racism have been pulled back and we see that which is too painful to look at and acknowledge. The inequitable impact of COVID19 on low income communities and communities of Color is painful enough. And yet there is more. The series of injustices perpetrated against members of the Black community in …

A Message from the Center for Loving Kindness

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on May 31, 2020

The JCC Pittsburgh Center For Loving Kindness was founded in August 2017 in response to the violent, racist and anti-Semitic march in Charlottesville Virginia. We gathered our interfaith and interracial community on the anniversary of the August 1963 March of Washington to make a declaration. More than 200 spiritual leaders signed it. We believe the events of this past week serve as a reminder of the importance of that …

It Could Be You! You have an UPstander inside of you

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on May 28, 2020

June 2020 It could be you! That’s right. Don’t look to the right or the left, in front of you or behind you for someone else to stand UP and make a difference. You have the ability to be an UPstander in your own right. It really is quite simple. Take the East End Cooperative Ministries (EECM) located in East Liberty. Just read Carole Bailey’s words: "Since becoming …

Mindful Monday

Posted by The JCC Team on May 4, 2020

Mindful Monday Coloring Projects to Help You Enjoy the Moment August 31: Houses Houses to color pdf August 24: Guitar Guitar to Color pdf August 17: Flamingos Flamingos to color pdf August 10: Sunflower Sunflower to color pdf August 3: Feather Feather to color pdf July 27: Abstract Design Abstract Design to color pdf July 20: Birds Birds to Color - pdf July 13: Books Books to color - pdf July 6: Houses Houses pdf to Color June 29: Rows Rows to Color June 22: Circles Circles …

Virtually Fit

Posted by Jen Goldston on May 1, 2020

You may remember the blog, Jen's Fitness Journey: #GymMotivation. We're delighted that Jen is starting this new blog, "Virtually Fit." Enjoy! June 5, 2020 “Exercise should be regarded as a tribute to the heart” -Gene Tunney Somehow, it’s June. The impossibly fickle months of March and April have wrapped up, May has started and finished. The mornings where I would look out of my bedroom window to assess whether or …

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5738 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
P 412-521-8010

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345 Kane Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
P 412-278-1975

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