Metro Briefs April 23

Living & Learning, a service of Squirrel Hill Psychological Services, will hold a program on “Finding Your Way as an Interfaith Family” on Sunday, April 26 from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Temple David in Monroeville, 4415 Northern Pike.

Wendy Levin-Shaw, a psychotherapist at Squirrel Hill Psychological Services, will facilitate the program, which is intended to help interfaith families navigate the challenges that can arise when combining faiths. This Living & Learning session will provide an informal conversation about the various issues that can emerge in fostering a Jewish identity in families from differing religious traditions. Attendees will learn how to prioritize aspects of religious practice, decide on celebrating holidays and handle complaints from extended family members who may disagree with approaches. Attendees are also encouraged to bring specific concerns to discuss with the group.

Living & Learning programs at Temple David are funded by the Jewish Fed-

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eration of Greater Pittsburgh. The program is free and open to the public.

Contact 412-372-1200 or kayl@templedavid.org for more information.

You and Your Genes: The Explosive New World of Genetics will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills with guest speaker Dodie Roskies, director, JGenes Pittsburgh.

Genetics has immediate importance for Jewish people with European ancestry because they have a higher frequency of carrying a common set of recessive genes causing distinct disorders. Learn the language and understand the risks to family members.

The program is sponsored by Beth El Sisterhood and Men’s Club and is free. Brunch will be served. RSVP to the Beth El office at 412-561-1168 by April 23.

Congregation Emanu-El Israel’s next Festival of the Jewish Arts program will be an evening of klezmer music presented by Cantor Henry Shapiro of Parkway Jewish Center and the Steel City Klezmorim on Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at 222 North Main St., Greensburg.

The term klezmer comes from the Hebrew words klei meaning vessel and zemer meaning song. Jewish folk music developed originally in Eastern Europe. Because klezmer bands frequently entertained at weddings, the music is often lively, upbeat and conducive to dancing.  

Refreshments from Zabar’s in New York City will be served during intermission. The program is free and open to the public and is funded in part by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Call 724-834-0560 for more information.

Chabad of the South Hills will hold its eighth annual Women’s Spring Dinner on Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. “Finding G-d in Hawaii” is one woman’s search for meaning and the life-changing answers she found in a tropical rain forest.

Guest speaker is Allison Josephs, founder and director of Jewinthecity.com. The evening will include a silent auction and raffle prizes. There is a charge.

Contact 412-344-2424 or batya@chabadsh.com for more information and to RSVP.

Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition is a six-week course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. The course will

shed light on the mysteries surrounding biblical interpretation. Classes are on either Sundays starting May 3 at 10:15 a.m. or Tuesdays starting May 5 at 7:30 p.m. Contact 412-344-2424 or rabbi@chabadsh.com or visit chabadsh.com for more information and to register.