Metro Briefs November 19

Metro Briefs November 19

Chabad of the South Hills will host its annual Chanukah toy drive for hospitalized and underprivileged children. New unwrapped toys including puzzles, board games, art supplies, Legos, Duplos, dolls, play food, kitchen items and baby toys can be dropped off at 1701 McFarland Road, Mt. Lebanon now until Dec. 1. Contact 412-344-2424 or mussie@chabadsh.com for more information.

The White House is looking for a special and unique menorah that tells a story to be part of its candle-lighting ceremony.  The story can be about family, community or the long Jewish cultural tradition in the United States, Israel or the world. Selected stories will be featured online. Some menorahs could be on display at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  

Stories and photos must be submitted to Josh Boxerman at JewishOutreach@who.eop.gov no later than Nov. 20 at noon. Include contact information, including first name, last name, email address and ZIP code.

JLine will host a social justice program with 412 Food Rescue for teens ( from eighth to 12th grade) on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill. Teens can bring in donations of nonperishable food and will pack 120 backpacks for students facing hunger at home over the weekend.  Students will also learn about the Jewish value of kavod habriyot, human dignity,

Contact Carolyn Gerecht at cgerecht@jccpgh.org for more details.

The Parkway Jewish Center will partner with Hadassah Rishon for a vendor sale on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Parkway Jewish Center, 300 Princeton Drive.  Sisterhood Chanukah bazaar merchandise, jewelry, all-occasion handmade cards, personalized embroidered gifts, candles, pet treats and more will be available.  Following the vendor sale, PJC’s Sisterhood will hold its annual Chanukah dinner at 6 p.m. There is a $10 charge for adults and $5 for children under 13.

Contact PJC at 412-823-4338 for reservations.

Poale Zedeck Sisterhood is sponsoring a Chanukah bazaar on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors will sell children’s clothing, jewelry, women’s clothing, women’s hats, girls’ hair accessories and other items. The Sisterhood will sponsor a table of new and gently used “treasures.” Creative Kosher Catering food will be available for purchase. Contact Anita Kornblit at anitarose2@yahoo.com for more information.

The Jewish Women’s League of Pittsburgh will host a Community Celebration for men and women in honor of the grand opening of the new mikvah on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center in Levinson Hall. Rabbi YY Jacobson will be the guest speaker. The evening will include a dessert reception. There is a $72 charge per couple payable in advance or at the door. The 22nd edition of the Pittsburgh Community Directory is included in admission. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact pghmikvahdinner@gmail.com or 412-421-5449 for more details.  

The Pittsburgh Community Foundation, in partnership with the Jewish Community Center, Temple Sinai and Congregation Beth Shalom, will present a Chanukah program for the community with Federation scholar Rabbi Danny Schiff in a three-session seminar series.

Session 1: “Surrounding Culture: Is Resistance Futile?” will be held on Monday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Beth Shalom.

Session 2: “Powerful or Weak? Considering Jewish Military Strength” will be on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC.

Session 3: “Do We Still Need Miracles? Divine Interventions Today” will be held on Monday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai.

There is no cost to attend. Contact Patti Flister at 412-992-5216 or pflister@jfed.org to RSVP.

Shaare Torah will host Women’s Dance Party 2015: At the Movies, featuring movie songs that will make you want to get up and dance.  Feel free to dress up as your favorite movie character, wear a T-shirt from your favorite flick or just come and hang out and enjoy traditional movie snacks on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8:30 p.m.  The cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. RSVP to shaaretora@aol.com or 412-421-8855. Interested event sponsors can email susanjablow@gmail.com.

Chabad of the South Hills Mt. Lebanon hosts learning for women on Thursdays at 1 p.m. Discussions led by Rabbi Mendel Rosenblum concern the weekly Torah portion, Jewish mysticism, tradition and life.  There is no charge for classes.  

Contact 412-344-2424 for details.

The Sunday Urban Hike Group, which seeks to tour Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods on foot (and do it on a day that works for Shabbat observant participants), is forming.

Visit mlewyn.wix.com/sundayhike or contact mlewyn@hotmail.com for details.

The World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh sponsored the 45th annual World Affairs Institute for Student Leaders with Rotary International on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the Senator John Heinz History Center on Smallman Street.  

The annual daylong conference on global issues is held for approximately 300 high school student leaders from nearly 100 schools throughout Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. The conference brings together experts and analysts who provide students with an in-depth study of current international issues that are important to U.S. foreign policy. Student delegates are sponsored by their local Rotary Clubs.  

This year’s topic was “Cuba and the United States: The Start of a New Era.”

Contact Emily Markham at emily@worldpittsburgh.org or 412-281-7027 for information on the council.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh earned Charity Navigator’s highest honor, a four-star rating, for a third year in a row.  Only 14 percent of the charities that Charity Navigator rates have received three or more consecutive four-star evaluations.  Charity Navigator based the four-star rating on the Federation’s fiscal management practices, including the percentage of dollars spent on programming versus fundraising.  Since 2002, Charity Navigator has used objective, data-driven analysis to award only the most fiscally responsible organizations a four-star rating.  Jewish Federation scored 96 out of 100 possible points in the evaluation.  

Correction

In “Rabbi Diamond hits the big time on the silver screen” (Nov. 12), it was incorrectly stated that both of Rabbi Chuck Diamond’s parents are deceased.  In fact, as Diamond explained, “while my dad is deceased, my mom is still alive and kicking.”

The Chronicle regrets the error.

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