Metro Briefs June 16

Rodef Shalom Congregation will commemorate the Biblical Botanical Garden’s 30th anniversary on Sunday, June 18 with the theme “Pleasing to God & Man” Taste & Smell: Spices & Incense Wild. Guests in small groups can enjoy a docent tour of the garden in 15-minute intervals from 6 p.m. until the program starts at 7 p.m. in Levy Hall.

Foodie and master gardener Doug Oster will be the keynote speaker. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a kosher menu including hors d’oeuvres and whiskey from local distiller, Wiggle Whiskey. There is no charge to attend the event.

Rabbi Emeritus Walter Jacob will speak about the history and future of the Biblical Botanical Garden along with a quartet from the Edgewood Symphony and a Chinese raffle.

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

Contact Helena Nichols, Biblical Botanical Garden associate director at Rodef Shalom at 412-621-6566, ext. 132 or Rochelle Sufrin, event chair at 412-780-2330 or visit biblicalgardenpittsburgh.org for more information.

Chabad of Western Pennsylvania and its centers will hold An Evening of Inspiration on Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, Katz Auditorium on Darlington Road. Author and lecturer Rabbi Nissen Mangel will speak on “Rebuilding a Shattered World.” Individuals from each Chabad center will be recognized with the Lamplighter Award.

The program is free and open to the community.

Native Pittsburgher Lori Kline, daughter of Art and Judy Sales, will discuss her new children’s storybook, “Almost A Minyan,” on Saturday, June 24 at 1 p.m. at Congregation Beth Shalom.

Kline will engage in a public reading with the youth, followed by a brief adult presentation regarding the dearness and joy in children coming of age, as well as the critical nature of imparting both traditional Judaism and egalitarian roles to future generations.  The book, with illustrations by Susan Simons, also reveals how even small Jewish communities bond together in times of joy and loss.  Chosen as the 2017 Children’s Book pick by the Jewish Women’s Archive, Lori dedicated this book to her brother, Rabbi Jay David Sales (z”l).

The Butler family will hold the 26th annual NCSY Garden Sizzler, for adults only, on Monday, June 26 at 5710 Bartlett St. Rabbi Ari and Rachel Goldberg will be honored for their 11 years of service to Pittsburgh NCSY and will welcome the new chapter directors, Rabbi Chaim and Lindsey Strassman. NCSY is the youth movement of the Orthodox Union.

Reservations can be made at centraleast.ncsy.org.