The Chronicle presents 18 Difference Makers

A spotlight on 18 individuals who embody tikkun olam — repair of the world — and encourage it among others.

We asked the community to nominate individuals who embody the value of tikkun olam — repairing the world — for our inaugural class of 18 Difference Makers. The nominations came in by the dozens, and we were not surprised. Caring for others is a foundation of Jewish Pittsburgh.

With so many deserving candidates recommended for the honor, it wasn’t easy for our panel of judges to select just 18 individuals. We hope that those who were not selected this year will be nominated again in the future.

The Chronicle created 18 Difference Makers to shine a spotlight on 18 community members who are making a difference in southwestern Pennsylvania.

“We were thrilled to receive such an overwhelming response for nominations, and we’re even more thrilled to honor these 18 deserving and talented individuals,” said Jim Busis, the Chronicle’s publisher and CEO.
“Our community is enriched by countless talented and compassionate people who give so much of themselves in service to others,” he said. “We’re proud to celebrate 18 individuals nominated by their peers and to recognize the lasting difference they are making throughout Jewish Pittsburgh.”

The criteria for Difference Makers were as follows: They had to be at least 18 years old by April 26, 2026, and have been successful in making a difference in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Jewish community; have taken an active role in the community, whether through a nonprofit organization, volunteer group or professional endeavor; and demonstrate “mensch-like” characteristics, those of honor and integrity.

Nominees need not be Jewish, but the nominee’s efforts must help better southwestern Pennsylvania’s Jewish community.

Additionally, in recognition of a lifetime of community service, the Chronicle created the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is proudly bestowed this year on Karen Wolk Feinstein, outgoing president and CEO of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.

The Difference Makers and Feinstein will be featured in a special section in the Friday, Sept. 4 issue of the Chronicle as well as on jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com.

For sponsorship and ad opportunities, and other information, contact Amy Weiss at aweiss@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.

Here is the inaugural class of Difference Makers:

Rabbi Yisroel and Chani Altein, co-directors of Chabad of Squirrel Hill

Dean Aseef, shaliach at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Michael Bernstein, The Tree of Life board chair

Nina Butler, director of Bikur Cholim Pittsburgh

Debra L. Caplan, board of trustees and volunteer for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, and WHAMglobal
(Women’s Health Activist Movement Global), founding chair

Avi Cohen, community volunteer

Rebecca Elhassid, community volunteer

Meyer “Skip” Grinberg, community volunteer

Tsipy Gur, Classrooms Without Borders, founder and executive director

Rachael Heisler, Pittsburgh City Controller

Jeff Herzog, community volunteer

The Rev. Jonathon Jensen, Calvary Episcopal Church

Rona Kaufman, associate professor at Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Eric Lidji, director of the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at the Heinz History Center

Fraidy and Dovie Nadoff, community volunteers

Julie Paris, Mid-Atlantic regional director of StandWithUs

Rabbi Chezky and Bassie Rosenfeld, co-directors of Our Giving Kitchen