Coming up

C.J. Liss, assisant city solictor, will will discuss using the law to keep Pittsburgh neighborhoods viable at the next NA’AMAT lunch and learn Wednesday, Nov. 24, noon in the Labor Zionist Building, 6328 Forbes Ave. This meeting is open to the public. Call NA’AMAT at (412) 521-5253 for more information.

Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee is sponsoring the next Christian–Jewish Dialogue Thursday, Dec. 2, noon, at the Church of the Redeemer (next to St. Edmunds Academy), 5700 Forbes Ave, Squirrel Hill. The topic will be abortion — a continuation of September’s discussion on the same issue. The monthly conveners are Rabbi Jamie Gibson, Reverend Cynthia Bronson-Sweigert, Father Dan Valentine and Rabbi Michael Werbow. The program is free to the Public. Contact the PAJC office at (412) 605-0816 or at pajc@pajc.net for more information.

Cantor Moshe Taubé, will hold a recital on the eighth night of Chanuka, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m. at Congregation Shaare Torah, 2319 Murray Ave. Admission is free for Holocaust survivors; tickets can be purchased at the door. A sponsorship includes a private reception with Taubé after the concert. The Olender Foundation founders, Lovell and Jack Olender are presenting the recital.

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Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, a celebrated Pittsburgh psychiatrist and author, will mark his 80th birthday with a celebration at Gateway Rehab’s Hope Has a Home Gala, Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Westin Convention Center Hotel, 1000 Penn Ave. The evening coincides with the release of his latest book, “Gevurah: My Life, Our World and the Adventure of Turning 80.” The program will include photo displays of Twerski over the years, guest speakers recognizing his achievements in the treatment field and a keynote message from Twerski himself. Twerski is the founder and medical director emeritus of Gateway Rehab. He is recognized internationally as an expert on addiction treatment and has traveled the world as a spokesperson for recovery on behalf of the millions who have achieved it. In addition, Twerski has composed music and is the author of more than 60 books, including collaborations with the late Charles Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip. WTAE-TV news anchors Sally Wiggin and Mike Clark will serve as the emcees. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with musical entertainment from the Rick Gallagher Trio followed by the dinner and program at 7 p.m. Call (412) 604-8900 Ext. 1234, or e-mail cindy.vongray@gatewayrehab.org for more infomration. Proceeds from the program will support Gateway Rehab programs.

The inaugural Children’s Tumor Foundation Arts and Crafts Fair/Marketplace will take place Sunday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Summerset at Frick Park Clubhouse in Squirrel Hill. The fair is in honor of 6-month-old Jonah Snyder who was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis when he was just 6 weeks old. The event will include 10 vendors, a silent auction and bake sale. Vendors will donate a portion of proceeds – some as much 50 percent – to the Children’s Tumor Foundation. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the silent auction will go to the Foundation. Neurofibromatosis is a progressive disorder that causes tumor to grow on nerves throughout the body. NF can lead to deafness, blindness, learning disabilities, bone deformities, disfigurement and cancer. NF affects one in every 3,000 children born, more than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington’s disease combined. Research at the Children’s Tumor Foundation is funding is shedding new light on cancer, brain tumors, learning disabilities and bone abnormalities that will benefit the broader community, in addition to those with NF. Contact Jaime Snyder at Jaimelauren817@hotmail.com or visit ctf.org for more information.

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