Coming up
Join other moms with their infants/ toddlers to enjoy interactive Jewish songs and movements at Chabad of the South Hills Mommy & Me, Sept. 14, 21, 28 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and Oct. 5, 12 at 10 a.m. Call Batya at (412) 344-2424 for reservations.
“100 Voices: A Journey Home,” a musical documentary about the rich history of Jewish culture in Poland, will be screened for one night only in Pittsburgh Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. at Cinemark 17, Pittsburgh Mills, Tarentum. “100 Voices” highlights the current resurgence of Polish Jewish culture, which faced the threat of extinction following World War II. The story is told through the personal reflections and musical performances of Cantors Assembly members and composer Charles Fox who made what they call an “important historic mission to the birthplace of cantorial music.”
The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh will present Gloria Steinem, women’s activist, writer and founder of Ms.Magazine at a luncheon event Friday, Sept. 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place. For more information or to register, go to ywcapgh.org or call (412) 255-1279.
Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Pennsylvania’s second largest adult education agency, is seeking volunteers to teach basic literacy (reading, writing, math, computer skills) and English as a second language to adult students throughout Allegheny County. There are currently over 100 students waiting to be matched with a tutor. GPLC will offer two workshops this fall for volunteers interested in tutoring non-native English speakers. These workshops will be held in South Pittsburgh at the Brentwood Public Library, Saturday, Sept. 25, and Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and in the North Hills at Northgate Church Oct. 12, 14, 19 and 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. No foreign language experience is necessary. GPLC is also offering a workshop for volunteers wishing to tutor basic literacy. This workshop will be held in Green Tree at Wallace Presbyterian Church Nov. 8, 10, 15 and 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact GPLC at (412) 661-7323 or gplc.org for more information.
The “World of Jewtopia,” presented by Trust Presents, will run Saturday, Sept. 25, and Sunday, Sept. 26, at the Byham Theater. The “World of Jewtopia” is Bryan Fogel’s new multimedia extravaganza starring Bryan Fogel and Jeremy Rishe (lead actor from Jewtopia’s Off-Broadway production) that combines scenes from Jewtopia, stand-up comedy, excerpts from the bestselling book, (“JEWTOPIA: The Chosen Book for the Chosen People”) and a multimedia presentation for a funny, one of a kind event. Among the many topics covered to be covered are: How to pick the perfect restaurant table (because no table is right if you’re a Jew); How to properly disinfect your hotel room to avoid catching the plague when on vacation; Major Moments in Jewish History (1993: Rabin and Arafat sign a Middle East Peace Treaty. Immediately after Bill Clinton says, “Hey let’s go celebrate! I’ve got a Jewish girl in my office I think you’ll love!”); and Actual excerpts from Moses’ recently undiscovered diaries (“Dear Diary. Um.it’s been like 5 years and I got to be honest, I AM LOST!”) Visit Pittsburgh Arts for more information.
“Is it Love? Creating Healthy Teen Relationships and Ending Dating Abuse,” a program designed for teenagers, grades 9-12, and their parents, will be presented at Temple Emanuel of South Hills Monday, Oct. 4, from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. The program, sponsored by the Jewish Family & Children’s Service, along with the Jacob’s Ladder Committee of Temple Emanuel, Beth El Congregation, and the Jewish Community Center of the South Hills, will cover topics including how to recognize what constitutes healthy teenage relationships, and ways to prevent and end abusive relationships. The program will also include a video showing of “When Push Comes to Shove, It’s No Longer Love,” followed by separate break-out sessions for teenagers and parents.
Jewish McKeesport natives and their spouses will gather for a three-day reunion weekend from Oct. 8 to 10 at Seven Springs Resort. The attendees are people who grew up socializing through the city’s three major synagogues at the time as well as Jewish youth groups AZA, BBG and National Federation of Temple Youth. The reunion will include a Friday night Sabbath service, a welcome reception, a dinner dance and free time to renew friendships. As many as 270 people have registered. A special reunion book containing biographies of 120 former Jewish McKeesporters has been created and will be distributed at the reunion. Contact Judi Wolf at (216) 702-1921 or techteach@roadrunner.com for more information.
Ben Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, and Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, will be the keynote speakers for the upcoming annual meeting of the Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee, Thursday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., at Rodef Shalom Congregation. The theme for that evening’s program is “Civil Rights in an Increasingly Uncivil Society.” Jealous is the 17th president and CEO of the NAACP, and the youngest person to hold the position in the organization’s nearly 100-year history. Newsweek Magazine named Saperstein America’s most influential rabbi in 2009. In his capacity as RAC director, he represents the Reform Movement to Congress and the Obama administration. Pittsburgh talk show host Lynn Cullen will be the moderator the program, which is free of charge.
(Angela Leibowicz can be reached at angelal@thejewishchronicle.net.)
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