Metro Briefs August 6

A Public School Conversation with the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh will be held on Monday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. “What Will School be Like This Year for Your Pittsburgh Public Schools Student?” will be a back-to-school conversation with Linda S. Lane, superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Saleem Ghubril, executive director, The Pittsburgh Promise.

Riverview Towers invites the community to join the celebration of its 50th anniversary at its Summer Block Party, with carnival games and live entertainment featuring Jimmy Beaumont & the Skyliners on Sunday, Aug. 16 at 4 p.m., with dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Parking will be available at the top of the hill near Weinberg Terrace. There will be an $18 per person charge in advance and $20 per person charge at the door. Children under 12 are free. RSVP by Aug. 10 to Phyllis Cohen at pcohen@riverviewtowers.com or 412-521-7876. Visit rivervewtowers.com for more information

The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation will hold an exhibition on Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Green Oaks Country Club, 5741 Third St. in Verona. Guests are invited to bring their racquets to play with the Israeli team at 5 p.m.

A diverse team of Israeli players and coaches will be flying to the United States to meet members of the Pittsburgh and surrounding Western Pennsylvania communities who are interested in learning more about the work of the Israel Tennis Centers. The ITC uses tennis as a tool to improve the lives of disadvantaged Israeli children of all backgrounds, providing them with essential life skills and values that will allow them to achieve to the best of their abilities. Funds raised during this exhibition will continue to support the Pittsburgh-Karmiel-Misgav Dream Bus initiative as it enters its fourth year. With the partnership of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and the ITC Pittsburgh donors, this program provides transportation to allow more Jewish and Arab children to participate in the Doubles Coexistence program at the ITC-Galilee-Sajur.

The program brings together children from different religions in coexistence programs, promoting understanding, cooperation and friendship on and off the court.

The Israeli players include Loui, a 10-year-old Arab child who lives in Beit Safafa outside of Jerusalem. When Loui was just 6 years old he was invited to participate in the ITC’s Coexistence Program at the Ben B. and Joyce E. Eisenberg Tennis Center in Jerusalem. Since then, young Loui has become part of the ITC’s high-performance group.

He has also joined the ITC’s National Team, traveling to Ramat Hasharon to practice and meet new friends from all over Israel.

Guests will meet the Israeli team and hear their stories. The evening will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dessert.

The ITC is a nonprofit that works the medium of sport to enhance the development of Israeli youth. Since opening its first center in Ramat Hasharon in 1976, the ITC has helped more than a half-million children, many coming from outlying development towns throughout Israel. The ITC’s 14 centers stretch from Kiryat Shmona on the Lebanese border in the North to Beer Sheva bordering the Negev Desert in the South.

There is a $50, tax-deductible charge. RSVPs are requested by Aug. 12. The event will be held rain or shine, and attire is casual.

Contact ITC Development Director Yoni Yair at 954-480-6333 or yyair@israeltenniscenters.org for more information or to attend the exhibition.

Rob Menes is the new executive director at Congregation Beth Shalom. His background combines Jewish theological studies and management skills.

Menes is a cantor, senior executive and an engineer. He has been a full-time cantor for the last nine years following graduation from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2006 and has been a senior level director in government and an executive in the private sector. He has been a member of the board of directors of synagogues as both congregant and clergy and has worked for synagogues as clergy, teacher and volunteer. Menes’ first day at Beth Shalom was Monday, Aug. 3.