JCC’s Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement looks toward future with growth as goal
'The work remains critical — more critical than ever — and our commitment to that work remains steadfast'
A community-centered project is forging ahead with plans to grow. The Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement, a project of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, is recommitting to its mission and exploring avenues for communal betterment following the recent departure of Rabbi Hindy Finman as senior director of Jewish Life at the JCC. Before Finman’s June 2024 arrival, Rabbi Ron Symons held the position and oversaw the CFLK since its 2017 opening.
“I think it’s really important to emphasize that not only the Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement, but any program or initiative at the JCC, is bigger than any one person,” JCC CEO and President Jason Kunzman said. “We all know that the only thing that you can count on when you are in the business of supporting community is that change is inevitable, and in the face of change we the JCC have always and will continue to pivot and really press on to continue the work.”
Kunzman noted programs and partnerships, including a series of upcoming public conversations and staff trainings with the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh — seeking to spark understanding and combat hate — as testament to the CFLK’s commitment to “two basic principles.”
Driving the center is the belief that “neighbor” is not a geographical term but a “moral concept,” and people should not “stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds,” he said.
For years, the CFLK has advanced those ideals through interfaith activities, including book clubs and pre-Passover seders. Earlier this year the CFLK joined the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to welcome Rabbi Shai Held, author of “Judaism is About Love,” for a public discussion about faith and love alongside the Rev. Dr. Jerome Creach of PTS. Similarly, the CFLK has worked with the Christian Associates of Southwest PA to create “We Have to Talk,” a spiritual leaders network aimed at fostering greater relations among clergy and faith-based
communities.
As a lead-up to the High Holidays, and through the Hebrew month of Elul, the CFLK has offered yearly programming blending ritual and discourse, including this year’s Yom Kippur program, which included Jewish memorial prayers and a panel discussion regarding forgiveness and democracy.
Regardless of leadership or moment, the CFLK’s “founding principles” have dictated a need to continue serving the wider community, Kunzman said.
“Through the years, following the 2018 synagogue attack, the pandemic, Oct. 7 and the increased level of societal and political divisiveness, the Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement has continued to evolve,” he continued. “Again, at the core, no matter the what, the why has remained consistent.”
With no plans to immediately search for a senior director of Jewish life at the JCC, Kunzman said the center will rely on current staff to shepherd the project forward.
“It’s called JCC’ing it,” he said. “It means doing whatever we have to do.”
Continuing the mission of the CFLK is imperative, he continued. “The work remains critical — more critical than ever — and our commitment to that work remains steadfast.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
comments