Metro Briefs January 1

Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha is hosting a Havdalah Pajama Party and Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for toddlers through fourth-graders and their families, with age-appropriate activities; babies are also welcome. The congregation’s Toddler & Me teacher Randi Weiss will join the activities. The evening will include Havdalah, dinner, story time and crafts; the suggested donation is $5 per family. Contact Karen Morris at ksmorris92@gmail.com for more information or to register.

Families with children entering pre-K and kindergarten are invited to Challah Unbaked at Community Day School, the second free event in the Discover CDS: Learning Together Series, on Thursday Jan. 8 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 6424 Forward Ave. in Squirrel Hill. Parents will learn about the history and symbolism of this Jewish tradition from CDS faculty, while their kids get busy mixing, kneading, braiding and, of course, eating. Contact admission director Sarah DeWitt at sdewitt@comday.org or 412-521-1100, ext. 2114, to make reservations.

Rachel Colker, assistant director of JFilm: The Pittsburgh Jewish Film Forum, will be the speaker at First Mondays with Rabbi Alex lunch on Monday, Jan. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Snyder Family Social Hall at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills.

Get The Jewish Chronicle Weekly Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

Colker will be reporting on the The New York Times and the Holocaust. She will screen the 16-minute documentary film on the Times’ coverage of the Holocaust as it was occurring. There is a $6 charge.

For more than five years, the First Mondays with Rabbi Alex program has been a welcome monthly outing providing performers and speakers for many in the community. Each monthly program is underwritten and is coordinated by Sharon Moskowitz of the Beth El Membership Committee, who can be reached at 412-561-7936.

Contact the congregation’s office at 412-561-1168 to make a reservation.

The Power of Jewish Birthday’s Seniors Luncheon will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20 at noon at Chabad of the South Hills, Mt. Lebanon; the building is wheelchair accessible. During lunch the discussion will be about the day G-d said “You Matter.” There is a $5 suggested donation. Preregistration is suggested. Contact Barb at 412-278-2658 or barb@chabadsh.com.

Also on Tuesday, Jan. 20 the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute will begin a six-week art of parenting course. Contact Chabad of the South Hills at 412-344-2424, rabbi@chabadsh.com or visit chabadsh.com for more information.