Hadassah Greater Pittsburgh Chapter teams up with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh for Hadassah’s annual meeting and to hear Doreen Welsh, former flight attendant on US Airways flight 1549, describe how teamwork allowed the passengers of this flight to survive and how her life was forever altered. The program will take place Tuesday, May 11, at 6 p.m., and will include dinner; there is a charge. Reservations are required; visit pittsburgh.hadassah.org for more information and to make reservations.
UJF Women’s Philanthropy invites you to join with old and new friends to relax, gab and knit – and to do something great for the community. Help us meet our goal of making 100 winter items – scarves, to be donated to refugees served by Jewish Family & Children’s Service, a beneficiary agency of the United Jewish Federation. Tuesday, May 11, 10 a.m. to noon at Knit One, 2721 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. RSVP to Jessica Blose at (412) 992-5210 or jblose@UJFpittsburgh.org. Instruction is available for beginners or if you’re a seasoned knitter who wants to learn something new.
Join the Young Adult Division for the final Lunch & Learn of the year Wednesday, May 12, noon to 1:30 p.m. at Thorp Reed & Armstrong, One Oxford Center, 301 Grant St #14. Bring a 60 second piece of current, interesting information from your field of work to share with the group. Make it unique and interesting for everyone. Examples include: “The winter weather in Pittsburgh resulted in insurance claims that were…” “There is a new, natural remedy for sinus infections where a person…” “A new law was just passed across the country that allows people to…” “Apple’s latest technological invention that will change everything is…” Learn about current happenings in other career fields while you put yourself out there as well. There will be time for casual networking before and after the structured program. Contact Becca Tobe at (412) 992-5231 or btobe@UJFpittsburgh.org for more information.
An experiential meditation workshop incorporating mystical poetry, stories, chants and meditation will be held Wednesday, May 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Boyd Community Center with Rabbi Adalah Caplowe of Ohr Nistar Center for Spiritual Friendship, an egalitarian havura. Register at boydcommunitycenter.org. Visit rabbiwithoutborders.org or e-mail rabbiadalah@verizon.net for more information.
Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival will be held May 12 through 16 at the University of Pittsburgh and Schenley Plaza in Oakland.
Shirley and Morris Shratter, hosts of the “More Than Just Learning” cable talk show, will interview Dr. Stephen Fisher about his recent experiences in Haiti. Fisher, 70, a Squirrel Hill physician, returned from Port-au Prince, the capital of Haiti, on a Salvation Army-sponsored humanitarian relief trip. For two weeks, he lived without water, electricity or phones while treating some 200 patients a day. “More Than Just Learning” airs every Friday in May, 9 p.m., on PCTV channel 21, Pittsburgh only.
National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh Section will hold its annual meeting Wednesday, May 12, with 5:30 p.m. registration, wine and hors d’oeuvres and the program at 6:30 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center, Katz Hall. Charlie Batch and David Johnson will be the special guests. Contact Cheryl Devecka at (412) 421-6118 for more information.
Ori Nir, the Israeli spokesman for Americans for Peace Now, will visit Pittsburgh next week to provide a different perspective on the recent disagreement between the Obama administration and the Israeli government. An Israeli journalist who covered the First Intifada and the Oslo Accords, and expert on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Nir will give a talk titled “East Jerusalem and the Settlements: Myths and Facts,” Wednesday, May 12, 7 to 9 p.m., at Temple Sinai, Squirrel Hill. He also will meet with Reform rabbis that same day, and with professors and community on Thursday, May 13. J Street Pittsburgh is sponsoring the program.
Visit Fallingwater … the famous home designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright for one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved and celebrated philanthropic families, the Kaufmanns, Thursday, May 13, meet at Rodef Shalom to depart 9 a.m. with return by 4:30 p.m. Fee includes transportation and touring. Bring your own lunch or buy lunch at the Café at Fallingwater. Contact Jessica Blose at (412) 992-5210 or jblose@UJFpittsburgh.org for more information and to register.
The Agency for Jewish Learning and the United Jewish Federation will present Building Abraham and Sarah’s tent: Creating an inclusive Jewish community where people across the lifespan, with and without disabilities, participate together in social, recreational, worship and educational opportunities Thursday, May 13, 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom. A dessert reception follows. Contact Bess Milch at (412) 521-1101 Ext. 3102 or bmilch@ajlpittsburgh,org for reservations. Contact Terry Feinberg Steinberg, AJL (412) 521-1101 Ext. 3206 or tsteinberg@ajlpittsburgh.org individuals needing special accommodations or for more information.
“Between Heaven and Earth,” an art exhibit by Ilene Winn Lederer, will run through Tuesday July 20, at the Berger Gallery of the American Jewish Museum. An opening reception will be held Sunday, May 16; from 1 to 3 p.m. Daniel Berkowitz will provide live music. The events are free and open to the public “Between Heaven and Earth” showcases examples of illustrations from Lederer’s newly released publication, “Between Heaven and Earth: An Illuminated Torah Commentary.” She depicts each of the Torah’s 54 portions. The exhibit includes a selection of illustrations as well as excerpts, in Hebrew and English, from their respective Torah portions.
Community Day School will have a used book sale Sunday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the CDS gym at 6424 Forward Ave. All kinds of books will be available, and proceeds will benefit the Karen Rachel Hurwitz Library at CDS. CDS is accepting gently used books, videos and puzzles for the sale. Donations can be dropped off at the school Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Help for unloading the books is available. Call (412) 521-1100 for more information.
The Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee’s monthly discussion group continues Sunday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at Coffee Tree Roasters, 5524 Walnut St., Shadyside. This month’s discussion will be “The Role of the U.S. as Peacemaker in Israel.” The PAJC has chosen themes and arguments that have impacted and shaped both Israel’s vision of its past and future and American thinking about Israel. Contact PAJC at (412) 605-0816 or pajc@pajc.net to register. The discussion group is free.
Friendship Circle will mark its fourth anniversary with a celebration Sunday, May 16, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Drinks and dinner will be served and music will be provided. During the program, the 2010 graduating class, which includes 24 participants, will be recognized. Established in 2006, Friendship Circle helps children and young adults with special needs become fully integrated into the broader community. Participants join volunteers of the same age range in social activities. The ultimate goal is to create lasting friendships, which, in turn, will strengthen the Jewish community. Contact program directors Rabbi Mordy and Rivkee Rudolph at (412) 224-4440 for more information.
(Angela Leibowicz can be reached at angelal@thejewishchronicle.net.)
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