Israel, antisemitism, elections and charitable gifts among top local stories of 2024
While Israel remained a primary focus, readers also followed events much closer. Here's a look at the Chronicle's top local stories of 2024
Navigating icy roads is one reminder that winter is really here. The calendar is another indicator that 2024 is over. As Pittsburghers prepare for a season of cold while dreaming of warm sunny days, the time has come to look back on the year that was.
During the past 12 months, war in Israel continued. Even from 6,000 miles away, Pittsburghers focused on events in and around the Jewish state. Readers turned to this publication for details and perspectives. And while Israel remained a primary focus for readers, local events also stirred attention.
The top local stories of 2024, as determined by digital views, reflect a readership committed to learning more about Israel, Pittsburgh and the Jewish world.
Here’s a look at the top local stories of 2024:
1. I watched footage taken on Oct. 7. What I saw was evil.
Chronicle Senior Staff writer David Rullo was among a group of nearly two dozen local leaders invited to Rodef Shalom Congregation for a screening of unedited footage of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. Rullo’s first-person piece described the horrors depicted on screen and his own reaction to viewing the terror. The story isn’t an easy read, but it’s a valuable one — which is why Chronicle readers made it their top local story of 2024.
2. New kosher restaurant in Squirrel Hill will serve shawarma, falafel and some memories
When word of a new kosher eatery arrived, potential customers devoured the news. Alas, the restaurant never came to be. In its place remains this piece, and dreams of a potential shawarma stand someday delighting kosher consumers in Squirrel Hill.
3. Local coffee shop takes steps to make amends for antisemitic act of barista
After a server at 61C Café in Squirrel Hill wrote “Free Palestine” on the lids of beverage cups of one adult and three teens who were speaking Hebrew, the shop’s manager said he was “disappointed” and “embarrassed” by the employee’s act.
After meeting with Julie Paris, regional director of StandWithUs Mid-Atlantic, one of the café’s owners issued a statement to the Chronicle.
Included within the statement was an admission of wrongdoing and a desire for better behavior: “We will not tolerate any forms of discrimination or hate speech, and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. The café feels remorse on what occurred and offers our deepest apologies. We’ve always strived to be apolitical, non-religious and supportive of diversity. We’re all in this together.”
4. Beyond ‘Bubbie,’ Jewish grandparent names get a reboot
Turns out grandmothers are still determining what to be called. This 2018 piece made its way into the top 10 reads of 2024. Whether 2025 brings grandparents new monikers or a quiet acceptance of becoming “Bubbie” is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, this piece is a reminder that long before grandparents experienced an existential reckoning, the Bard had readers pondering the same thing: “What’s in a name?”
5. Falk Lab School apologizes after ‘offensive’ Bread and Puppet performance
Next year is the year “Fraggle Rock” comes to Pittsburgh. Last year was the year when a different puppet performance incensed community members. After Bread and Puppet Theater performed “The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus” on Oct. 3 at the Falk Laboratory School, school Director Jill Sarada called the show “highly offensive and unacceptable” and said the performance included a “number of antisemitic phrases and tropes.”
A follow-up conversation with parents, community members and school leaders was praised by Laura Cherner, director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s Community Relations Council.
“To Falk’s credit, they were willing to listen about the harm and take positive steps towards repairing it,” Cherner said. “That’s the first step, to acknowledge where they went wrong, which they did, and then hearing from concerned parents.”
6. Anti-Israel graffiti, defaced image of Israel flag at PPS’ Science and Technology Academy
Inside Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Science and Technology Academy in Oakland the phrase “End Genocide” was painted on a wall. Along with the graffiti, an Israeli flag near numerous other flags was painted over with the Hebrew word “chai.” The Chronicle followed up with PPS and was told the graffitied phrase “encompasses atrocities committed against so many groups and is not just limited to antisemitism but many groups throughout history and all parts of the world — Armenia, Rwanda, Darfur — so that was handled immediately.”
As for defacing an Israeli flag, that matter was different, according to PPS, since it involved a school-sanctioned mural painted by students that was then altered. PPS said the mural was changed again and the flag was replaced.
7. Pittsburgh’s Xander Orenstein may be first out nonbinary person to hold judicial post in US
This 2021 piece made its way back to the Chronicle’s top reads of 2024. After Xander Orenstein was elected as a city magisterial judge, the Chronicle spoke with the Talmud-quoting official about ending the use of cash bails, promoting housing rights and identity. Orenstein may possibly be the first openly nonbinary person elected to a judicial seat in the U.S.
In October, 2024, Orenstein faced bipartisan criticism. Some conservative lawmakers called for their impeachment because, in 2023, the judge granted a no-cash bond to a defendant who never returned to court. A little more than a year later, that defendant was charged with the murder of a liquor control enforcement agent. The controversy may have renewed interest in the Chronicle’s 2021 article about Orenstein.
8. Jewish students at Pitt’s School of Medicine face anti-Israel, antisemitic rhetoric
After a group chat between University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine students featured antisemitic rhetoric, and a public “pinning ceremony” included an antisemitic screed, university administrators told the Chronicle that efforts are underway to make Jewish students feel safer.
“While individual student conduct matters are not addressed publicly, all reports of bias incidents are taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and appropriate steps are taken to foster an environment where every member of the Pitt community feels welcomed, safe and respected,” a statement from Pitt read.
9. Republican James Hayes looks to unseat Summer Lee this November
James Hayes, the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, challenged Rep. Summer Lee in the November election. Hayes, a political neophyte, spoke to the Chronicle about multiple issues, including his support of Israel, opposition to the BDS (boycott, divest, sanction) movement and belief in school choice. Hayes questioned the incumbent and said, “We don’t have really good representation right now.” Voters decided at the ballot box: Of the nearly 416,000 people who voted, 56% supported Lee, 43% supported Hayes.
After Rodef Shalom congregants Daniel and Carol Kamin gave $65 million to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Daniel Kamin offered advice to fellow landsmen on how to give tzedakah.
“First assess the areas of their interest. That’s important because there are so many possibilities and places to contribute,” he told the Chronicle.
Next, prospective givers should turn to Charity Navigator, or a similar site like Charity Watch, GuideStar or ProPublica, to evaluate an organization’s vitality and credibility.
Finally, after ensuring an entity operates responsibly there’s only one thing left to do: give.
“People should think through and contribute to the groups that they feel closest to,” he said. “There’s so many opportunities to help.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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