Metro Briefs May 12
Recognizing that the arts contribute to social transformation and bridge building, the American Jewish Museum (AJM) and Jewish Family & Children’s Service co-present “Sanctuary & Sustenance: The Story of Many Journeys,” a multimedia presentation with images, music and a photography exhibition offering a glimpse into the lives of refugees from around the world, on view at the American Jewish Museum of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.
The free presentation is at the AJM now through Thursday, June 30. A reception on Wednesday, May 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. will include music and dance featuring traditions of Pittsburgh’s African and Bhutanese communities and an 8:40 p.m. screening of “Sanctuary & Sustenance: The Story of Many Journeys.”
Visit artworksprojects.org for information about the project’s background. For information about the American Jewish Museum visit jccpgh.org.
The community is invited to celebrate Israel Week at Temple Sinai with guest scholar-in-residence Rabbi Marc Rosenstein on Saturday, May 14 beginning with an informal minyan at 9:15 a.m. Rosenstein, a spokesperson in Israel on matters of intergroup relations, pluralism and the peace process, will present on “A Vision of a Jewish State” during an extended oneg beginning at 11:15 a.m.
Rosenstein is the author of “Galilee Diary: Reflections on Daily Life in Israel,” former executive director of the Galilee Foundation for Value Education and director emeritus of the Israel Rabbinic Program at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem.
Attendees are asked to bring a dairy dish if attending the extended oneg. Call 412-421-9715 for more information.
In observance of Yom Haatzmaut, Congregation B’nai Abraham in Butler will host Israeli Rabbi Shalom Hammer on Sunday, May 15 at 11 a.m. Hammer’s topic is “Israel’s Struggle for Survival: What Are We Fighting For?”
Hammer presents internationally, writes for the Jerusalem Post, is a motivational speaker for the IDF, and authors a blog.
The event is free, but an RSVP is required. Contact the synagogue at 724-287-5806 or congbnaiabraham@zoominternet.net. A light nosh will be provided.
Every month the Jewish Federation Volunteer Center provides a volunteer opportunity of the month (VOOM) that focus on different service areas. On Tuesday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to noon, volunteers will be going to Family Promise of Southwestern PA to assist in its South Hills residential facility. Family Promise works with families struggling with homelessness, and the volunteers will be helping to paint and clean the Crafton home.
Register to volunteer at jfedvolunteer.org. Contact Haley Chizever, Volunteer Center program associate, at 412-992-5228 or hchizever@jfedpgh.org for more information.
Squirrel Hill AARP Chapter 3354 will hold its next free meeting on Wednesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. at New Light Congregation at 1700 Beechwood Blvd. at Forbes Avenue. Following the business meeting, Allegheny County Deputy Sheriff Jason Tarap will speak on crime prevention and identify theft.
The community is invited. Refreshments will be served.
Chabad of the South Hills presents Caffeine for the Soul, a new series for women. Explore “Ethics of our Fathers” on Wednesdays, May 18, May 25, June 1 and June 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. RSVP requested to batya@chabadsh.com. There is no charge.
Additionally, a Lag B’Omer barbecue will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 6 p.m. There is no charge.
Contact Chabad at 412-344-2424 or mussie@chabadsh.com to register and for location.
The Inaugural Dragon Spirit Party for the Allderdice “Fix the Field”project will be held on Saturday, May 21 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Golf Club, 5280 Northumberland St.
Spend an evening with the greater Allderdice community of current families, alumni and school supporters to celebrate the Squirrel Hill landmark and kick-off the “Fix the Field” project.
All are welcome to come out, mingle and learn how to help with the planned renovation of the Allderdice athetlic field on Tilbury Street. This project will not only benefit the current and future students, but will be on asset to the community at large.
The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, student performances and a silent auction. Dressy casual attire is suggested. Valet parking will be available.
Purchase tickets at dragonspirit2016.eventbrite.com.
The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Western Pennsylvania will hold its 34th lnduction Ceremony and Banquet on Sunday, May 22 at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres begin at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the ceremony.
This year’s inductees are Sam Betlin, soccer; Brett Horowitz, baseball; and Dr. Allan Tissenbaum, track.
The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame will present the Manny Gold Humanitarian Award to Lynne Carvell, whose volunteer work and community service represent the values that Gold cherished. Carvell has been involved with at-risk youth as well as children with special needs. She worked for 25 years for Family Courts as a domestic relations officer, facilitating child support and visitation cases.
Ben Forman is the Ziggy Kahn Memorial Award recipient. The Ziggy Kahn Award was created to honor those in our community who have devoted their time and energy, as volunteers, to serve local youth. Forman met Kahn at the Irene Kaufmann Settlement on Centre Avenue in 1949 and was so impressed by his leadership in working with youth that he wanted to follow in his footsteps. Of his years as a volunteer with local youth, Forman has said that it became a way of life for him, and he enjoyed every moment.
The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame also will present the 2016 Nathan H. Kaufmann Scholastic Awards to local Jewish high school seniors who have achieved a high level of success in athletics and academics.
Frank Coonelly, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kevin Stallings, the new head basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh, will be guest speakers.
Contact Alan Mallinger at 412-697-3545 or amallinger@jccpgh.org to order tickets.
Torah scholar Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg will speak at Congregation Beth Shalom on Friday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. Her topic is entitled, “And I Am A Stranger: Becoming Ruth.” Zornberg’s lecture will be preceded by an Israeli-style Shawarma social hour (bring your copy of her book to be signed) followed by Kabbalat Shabbat and an oneg. (Dietary laws observed.) Early bird pricing for the event is available until May 24.
Call Congregation Beth Shalom at 412-421-2288, ext. 114 for details and registration or register at bethshalompgh.org/events.
Rodef Shalom Congregation will bestow its Pursuer of Peace Award on Rabbi Walter Jacob, DHL on Sunday, June 5. Since 1856, Rodef Shalom — Hebrew for Pursuer of Peace — has been dedicated to social justice. The congregation acknowledges Jacob’s seven decades-long commitment to scholarship and generosity of spirit in regard to local, national and international concerns.
The event’s proceeds will continue to support the ideals of Rodef Shalom Congregation, as well as support the work of Mainstay Life Services by establishing the Irene and Dr. Walter Jacob giving fund.
Following Jacob’s ordination in 1955, he temporarily took a position at Rodef Shalom Congregation under Rabbi Solom B. Freehof. After two years as a U.S. Air Force chaplain stationed in the Philippines, Jacob joined the congregation permanently in 1957. He started as assistant rabbi, during which time he earned his Doctor of Hebrew Letters from Hebrew College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. He succeeded Freehof as senior rabbi in 1966 and became rabbi emeritus upon his retirement in 1996, maintaining the longest tenure in the congregation’s history.
The sponsors’ reception in the Aaron Court, which is by invitation only, will be held from 5 to 6 p.m.; dinner in Freehof Hall is from 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Former Pursuer of Peace honoree William E. Strickland Jr. will present the award and give an address from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., which will be followed by a dessert reception.
Contact Rodef Shalom at 412-621-6566 for more information.
The Consul General of Israel announced that services at its Philadelphia office are gradually being phased out in preparation for its closure on Aug. 15.
Reception hours at the consular section will end on June 1, although documents and materials arriving by mail will continue to be processed until July 10.
As of July 11, no consular services will be provided, and all applications should be sent to the consular sections at the Consul General of Israel, 800 Second Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. Contact 212-499-5000/5321 or operator@newyork.mfa.gov.il for more information.
Any comments or questions about the processing of consular documents in the Philadelphia office may be directed to consular@philadelphia.mfa.gov.il or consular1@philadelphia.mfa.gov.il.
The trial of Allen Darrel Wade, who is charged with the February 2014 robbery and murder of a Hillel Academy assistant teacher and her sister, began on May 2 and is expected to continue for three weeks.
Authorities allege that Wade, who lived next door to Sarah Wolfe and Susan Wolfe, killed Sarah after she returned home to find her sister slain. The women were the sisters of Democratic Iowa state Rep. Mary Wolfe.
If convicted of murder, prosecutors have said that they intend to seek the death penalty against Wade, 45.
Susan Wolfe, though not Jewish, was an assistant teacher to the nursery school class at Hillel Academy.
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