One year in

Strengthening community, confronting challenges and building a Jewish future

This September marks one year since I began serving as associate vice president of marketing at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. It has been a year of pride, purpose and connection, a year in which I’ve seen up close the strength and resilience of this remarkable Jewish community.

I’m not a native Pittsburgher, but I married one. Over the years, I’ve heard my wife’s stories of growing up in Squirrel Hill: Linden Elementary, Allderdice High School, confirmation at Tree of Life, heading “up street” and dressing up to go “dahntahn.” We were married here (at what was the Hyatt near the old Civic Arena site). We moved to Shadyside in 2021, and now we proudly call Pittsburgh home.

Over the past year, I’ve seen how this community shows up for one another in times of both joy and challenge. We came together in solemn reflection for the Oct. 7 commemoration and Yom HaZikaron. We celebrated the joy and resilience of Israel on Yom Ha’atzmaut. We stood shoulder to shoulder with our LGBTQ+ friends and family at the Pittsburgh Pride parade, affirming that inclusion and Jewish values go hand in hand.

Some of the most powerful moments for me have been being “in the room where it happens.” I was in the courtroom when Not On Our Dime admitted it had failed to gather enough valid signatures, the culmination of months of work by multiple organizations to stop a misguided referendum rooted in division and misinformation about Israel. I watched as Talya Lubit pleaded guilty to defacing religious property, a sobering reminder of the challenges we face. And I saw a traffic court judge fine the disseminator of antisemitic flyers almost $50,000 — for littering. These moments underscored for me the seriousness and importance of Jewish communal work.

Time and again, I’ve seen how people here respond quickly and publicly to challenges. Equally powerful is what happens behind the scenes: neighbors supporting neighbors, security professionals working together with synagogues and schools, and volunteers stepping up to make Jewish life in Pittsburgh safe, welcoming and vibrant.

I’ve also seen how Pittsburgh’s Jewish community invests in the future. Our day schools, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, JFCS, Hillel JUC, The Branch and the Jewish Association on Aging are not just organizations, they are lifelines. They educate, support and connect. They nurture Jewish identity, care for the vulnerable and inspire the next generation of leaders. Together, they form the backbone of a community that is deeply rooted and forward-looking.

This is a pivotal moment for the Jewish people, locally, nationally and globally. The challenges are real, but so is our resolve. What has struck me most over the past year is not just how Pittsburgh Jews react to crisis, but how we build every day toward a stronger future through learning, celebrating, serving and showing up for each other.

As I look back on my first year, I feel deep gratitude for the chance to serve and to learn from this community’s resilience. The Pittsburgh Jewish community has welcomed and inspired me. I’m honored to give back to a city and a people that mean so much to my family. And as I look ahead to Year 2, I’m excited to keep listening, keep learning and keep working alongside all of you to build the Jewish future we want to see. PJC

David Heyman is associate vice president of marketing at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.