Coming up

Jewish Domestic Abuse Task Force of Pittsburgh starts its 2010-2011 programming season in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with “Finding the Glass Slipper — Fairytales and Flags of Intimate Partner Relationships,” Monday, October 11, 7 p.m., at Rodef Shalom Congregation. The program features presenter Janice Goldsborough, medical advocacy supervisor at Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. Goldsborough teaches medical personnel at area hospitals and other health related institutions, provides on-site interventions and is an expert in domestic violence including work with the elderly, children, disabled, substance abuse and victims in the workplace. Interactive components will add to the discussion followed by Q&A and time to share resources and networking. Reservations are requested but not required. Call (412) 363-1013 or e-mail jdatfpgh@aol.com for more information or visit Finding the Glass Slipper.

The Squirrel Hill Historical Society will hold its next meeting Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at their new location, the Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave. Author Anita Kulina-Smith will speak on “Getting to Know our Neighbors: History of Greenfield.” Visit squirrelhillhistory.org or call (412) 417-3707 for more information.

Join other moms with their infants/ toddlers to enjoy interactive Jewish songs and movements at Chabad of the South Hills Mommy & Me, Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. Call Batya at (412) 344-2424 for reservations.

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Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, Pennsylvania’s second largest adult education agency, is seeking volunteers to teach basic literacy (reading, writing, math, computer skills) and English as a second language to adult students throughout Allegheny County. There are currently over 100 students waiting to be matched with a tutor. GPLC will offer two workshops this fall for volunteers interested in tutoring non-native English speakers. These workshops will be held in the North Hills at Northgate Church Oct. 12, 14, 19 and 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition, a workshop will be held in the South Hills, October 16 & 23 from 9am – 4pm. No foreign language experience is necessary. GPLC is also offering a workshop for volunteers wishing to tutor basic literacy. This workshop will be held in Green Tree at Wallace Presbyterian Church Nov. 8, 10, 15 and 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Contact GPLC at (412) 661-7323 or gplc.org for more information.

Rodef Shalom Congregation Sisterhood will hold the Solomon B. Freehof Wednesday book review series Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 10:30 a.m. in Freehof Hall. Rabbi Aaron Bisno will review “The Frozen Rabbi” by Steve Stern.

Squirrel Hill AARP Chapter 3354 will hold their Wednesday, Oct. 13, meeting at 1 p.m. at New Light Synagogue at 1700 Beechwood Blvd. at Forbes Ave. Following the business meeting, Cindy Speck, a master ventriloquist, will entertain. Refreshments will be served. The community is invited. Contact Frieda D. Safyan at (412) 521-2804 for more information.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Squirrel Hill Namm Business Center announces two upcoming programs. Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 10:15 a.m., Karen Litzinger, Litzinger Career Counseling, will speak on “Dining etiquette: Command new confidence at your next business lunch with your boss or potential boss.” Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 10:15 a.m., Joyce Pearl, SCORE counselor, will speak on “Thinking about starting your own business? Realities and advice for the new entrepreneur.” Contact the Namm Business Center at (412) 422-9650 or squirrelhill@carnegielibrary.org for more information.

OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring training sessions will take place Wednesdays, Oct. 13 and 20, from 10:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at OASIS, 10th Floor Macy’s Downtown. OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring volunteers work with children in kindergarten to grade four in the Pittsburgh Public Schools and the Woodland Hills School District. Free training, books and supplies are provided by OASIS. No teaching experience is necessary. Call Marlene Rebb, tutoring coordinator, at (412) 232-2022 for more information.

The new music and poetry series, Harmony4Humanity, begins Thursday, Oct. 14, when local poets and musicians take the stage at the Istanbul Grille in Lawrenceville to represent their faiths, traditions and cultures through original spoken word and music. The goal of the program which is started by the Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee and Crossing Limits, is to bring more unity to the city’s religious, racial and ethnic groups by using the universal language of poetry and music to spread a message of hope in a united stand for peace. The evening features musical performances by Joel Lindsey and the Boulevard of the Allies (soulful acoustic rock); Dream Job (funky roots rock); The Vokols (University of Pittsburgh’s premier Jewish a capella ensemble); and original poetry readings by Luqmon Abdus-Salaam, Mimi Botkin, Bonita Lee Penn, Hamza Perez (featured in the movie, “New Muslim Cool”) and Judy Robinson. The show will run from 7 to 10 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. There is a charge. Istanbul Grille is located at 4130 Butler St. Contact Amy Lindsey, PAJC communications and development director, at pajc@pajc.net, (412) 605-0816 or visit pajc.net.

Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania, a nonprofit group that promotes the piano by nurturing young musicians and hosting recitals featuring regional and nationally known performers, will hold a concert with Internationally recognized pianist Peter Takacs Sunday, Oct. 17, 3 p.m. at Pittsburgh CAPA, 111 9th St., Downtown. There is a charge for nonmembers of the Steinway Society. More information about membership can be found at Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania, a nonprofit group that promotes the piano by nurturing young musicians and hosting recitals featuring regional and nationally known performers, will hold a concert with Internationally recognized pianist Peter Takacs Sunday, Oct. 17, 3 p.m. at Pittsburgh CAPA, 111 9th St., Downtown. There is a charge for nonmembers of the Steinway Society. More information about membership can be found at sswpa.org. The program will include two Beethoven Sonatas and Chopin Preludes. Contact Benjamin Milleville at (412) 251-7807 or benmilleville@gmail.com.

The Squirrel Hill-Shadyside-Greenfield Meals on Wheels will be the recipient of a benefit dinner hosted by Casbah. A five-course dinner with wine pairings will be served for 50 guests Monday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Casbah will donate the fixed charge for the meal directly to support SHSG Meals on Wheels, providing two meals per day for one month for an individual. Call (412) 521-6340 or visit sites.google.com/site/sqhillmow for reservations and more information.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will host Health Insurance 101, presented by Beth Socoski, Care Management Specialist from Gateway Health Plan, Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Gilda’s Club, 2816 Smallman St. The presentation will be preceded by registration and a light dinner at 6 p.m. Cancer patients, family members, friends and caregivers are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is required and seating is limited. For more information and to register for this free program, contact the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at (412) 395-2882.

Lu Donnelly, Pittsburgh architectural historian, will talk about her new book, “Buildings of Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania,” Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m., at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Squirrel Hill. Co-authored with Franklin Toker and H. David Brumble IV, the book offers historical details and hundreds of photos that celebrate the architecture and landscape in western Pennsylvania. Learn about the history of buildings in the area, from the 1790s to 2010, from regal manors, bridges, amusement parks, taverns, barns, synagogues, churches and monasteries to noted landmarks and buildings with exotic histories. The author will have a book signing following her talk. The program is free. Call (412) 422-9650 for more information.

Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, Marion Taube and Harold F. Marcus will be the honorees at the Zionist Organization of America-Pittsburgh District’s 2010 Awards Dinner, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m., at Congregation Beth Shalom, Squirrel Hill. At that time, Wecht, a nationally known forensic pathologist and former Allegheny County coroner and commissioner, will be presented with the ZOA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Taube, a longtime Jewish community volunteer and professional, and a current board member and treasurer for ZOA-Pittsburgh, will receive the Natalie E. Novick Community Leadership Award. Marcus, a registered representative of the State of Israel Bonds for 29 years and a Temple Sinai religious school instructor for 42 years, will accept the Israel Service Award. Contact the ZOA at (412) 665-4630 or Pittsburgh@zoa.org for more information.

Beth Israel Center will hold the first adult education lecture of the year Sunday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Art Donsky of Temple Ohav Shalom will speak on the Israel action group J Street. There is no fee for this lecture. The community is invited to attend.

Ben Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, and Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, will be the keynote speakers for the upcoming annual meeting of the Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee, Thursday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., at Rodef Shalom Congregation. The theme for that evening’s program is “Civil Rights in an Increasingly Uncivil Society.” Jealous is the 17th president and CEO of the NAACP, and the youngest person to hold the position in the organization’s nearly 100-year history. Newsweek Magazine named Saperstein America’s most influential rabbi in 2009. In his capacity as RAC director, he represents the Reform Movement to Congress and the Obama administration. Pittsburgh talk show host Lynn Cullen will be the moderator the program, which is free of charge. Visit pajc.org for more information.

Rabbi Donni Aaron, Jewish educator at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, will hold a Family Shabbat program with the JCC’s My Baby and Me Friday, Oct. 29, during which she’ll play guitar and sing.

(Angela Leibowicz can be reached at angelal@thejewishchronicle.net.)