Chronicle poll results: Local Jewish programs and services

Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an online poll the following question: “How satisfied are you with the Jewish programs and services available in Pittsburgh?” Of the 141 people who responded, 43% said “very satisfied”; 27% said “somewhat satisfied”; 16% said “neither satisfied nor dissatisfied”; 10% said “somewhat dissatisfied”; and 4% said “very dissatisfied.” Comments were submitted by 42 people. A few follow.

There’s a wide variety of activities for all denominations of Judaism. I could be busy 24/7/365!

There are few activities or places for secular Jews who still have a strong Jewish identity. Almost all of the resources are related to religious institutions.

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The services are most likely adequate. I don’t use any of them.

I’d love to see programs distributed around to some of the less targeted areas rather than just Squirrel Hill/Shadyside and South Hills. I’d also like to see programs that feel more welcoming to the non-Orthodox. I sometimes feel “not Jewish enough” at some events.

Pittsburgh has always been known as a somewhat intimate big city, or a larger-feeling mid-sized town. As such, there is a niche for every type of Jewish program experience, from Reform to Orthodox, and a wide swath of services, from liberal Reconstructionist to strict Lubavitch.

The eastern suburbs are often neglected.

Given the age of the Jewish population in Pittsburgh, I am astounded that more attention hasn’t been given to facilities for independent living for seniors. Other religious denominations have done this, and other Jewish communities in the United States are fulfilling this need.

There are few, if any, programs for older singles, especially in the South Hills. I’m not talking bingo games or mahjong.

Wishing for more opportunities in the northern suburbs — North Hills, Ross Township and Shaler, for example.

More outreach is needed for unaffiliated Jews and children of mixed marriages. The high ideals of purity and exclusiveness in Judaism cannot and will not be able to continue given how quickly the blending of race, religion and culture is occurring.

I would like to see a combined mailing list for all Jewish community services, programs and events. As someone who isn’t a synagogue member, it would be helpful to know where I might become part of the community.

What more could we want? PJC