David Knoll to lead Federation’s Community Relations Council
'I'm going to try and bring together people with clarity, humility and purpose. That's my main thing. There's no ego. I'm here for the betterment of Jewish Pittsburgh and Greater Pittsburgh'
Squirrel Hill resident David Knoll was recently named associate vice president of public affairs at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. The role, which begins Jan. 26, places Knoll at the helm of the Community Relations Council and enables the self-described “son of immigrants” to focus on his two loves: community and politics.
He succeeds Laura Cherner, who left Pittsburgh’s Federation last month to join the JCRC Bay Area.
Along with serving as a member of Federation’s leadership team, Knoll, 47, will work with local, state and federal partners to “strengthen and safeguard our community,” he said. “We need to create meaningful partnerships with the broader Jewish community that benefit not only the Jewish community, but the broader Pittsburgh community as well.”
Though his title is new, the task is familiar.
Knoll recently served as board chair of the CRC and as a board member of the Federation, Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Congregation Shaare Torah, Beth Hamedrash Hagodol and Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh. Other volunteering includes establishing a Jewish-Hindu interfaith dialogue cohort and serving on the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition’s tree committee.
A familiar face to many Pittsburghers, Knoll’s recognition grew post-Oct. 7, 2023. Following Hamas’ attack on Israel, Knoll called out politicians and activists whose actions he said could endanger Pittsburghers.
Running as a write-in candidate, he mounted a campaign to unseat Allegheny Council member Bethany Hallam after she reposted a poem on X about breaking down walls alongside a video of terrorists heading toward Israel. Those terrorists murdered and raped Israeli civilians and abducted about 251 hostages.
Announcing his candidacy shortly after Oct. 7, Knoll said, “Jews in Allegheny County and worldwide understood immediately that responses like Hallam’s would make them unsafe wherever they lived, no matter their relationship to Israel, simply because they are Jewish.”
After failing to oust Hallam, Knoll remained politically active, regularly speaking with local officeholders and others connected to city, state and federal government.
Partnering with figures who often hold alternative views offered insight, he said. “There are some politicians that don’t have good intentions for our community, but as a whole, there’s a lot of misunderstanding.”
Sitting together, speaking and listening yield “different paths of understanding.” he continued. Those practices are necessary to “create partnerships and friendships.”
Knoll, who completed a marathon last year, chuckled when asked if he’s considering another run.
“I’m asked on a weekly basis what I’m running for,” he said. “Could politics be in the future? Of course, but there are no aspirations right now. I’m happy and I’m privileged to be doing what I’m doing.”
That role, he continued, offers an opportunity to better residential life in an area he holds dear.
Growing up in West Hempstead, Long Island, to parents “who both came to the United States at an early age,” Knoll learned the importance of democracy and civic values. His father fled Germany shortly after Kristallnacht. His mother left pre-state Israel due to economic hardship.
Knoll’s route to Squirrel Hill, he said, resulted from marrying Pittsburgher Rebecca Kentor. “Before I met Becca, I had heard of Pittsburgh in AP history class, but didn’t know anything about it. When I first came here it really was love at first sight, not only for my wife but for Pittsburgh.”
Knoll said residents’ kindness and warmth made clear that this was a place to make home.
Promoting those values, while strengthening and protecting all residents, remains Knoll’s mission.
Convening people, problem-solving and bridge building “motivated me to take this opportunity to serve,” he said.
Through his leadership of the CRC and his role at the Federation he’s looking forward to bringing Pittsburghers together while offering support.
“The Jewish community is very diverse, and we are spread out all over Greater Pittsburgh. We all need to know each other and know what each other’s strengths are and where we need help,” he said.
Traveling throughout the region and listening to residents will provide insight. So will speaking with a familiar teacher, he said.
“I see Laura Cherner as a mentor,” Knoll said. “She was incredible, not only in doing her job, but also just in terms of guidance, in terms of talking through problems — how she was open to ideas — she was really just fantastic in every way.”
Knoll said that while he plans to largely follow Cherner’s approach to the position, “anytime someone takes over an organization, there’s always a little bit of change.”
He’s looking forward to continuing engagement with the CRC board — a new board chair has yet to be named — and connecting with local landsmen and those well beyond the city.
“Doesn’t matter denomination or political leanings, I will be reaching out to everyone, because, again, the CRC is here for all of Pittsburgh’s Jews,” he said. “I’m going to try and bring together people with clarity, humility and purpose. That’s my main thing. There’s no ego. I’m here for the betterment of Jewish Pittsburgh and Greater Pittsburgh. I’m here to help people and I want people to reach out to me. I will do everything I can so that Jews in Pittsburgh can have a better life here.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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