What Is the Origin of the Name “Katz”? Originally Published December 23-25, 2021.
Katz or Catz is from an abbreviation for Kohen tzedek (כהן צדק), or “priest of righteousness.” The acronym of those two words - כʺצ - spells “Katz.” (Remember that the gershayim ʺ indicate an abbreviation - see https://bethshalompgh.org/what-are-those-thingy-dos-in-that-abbreviation-originally-published-march-6-7-2020/ for a reminder.) And that is nearly always the derivation of the name among Jews of Ashkenazi […]
Who Was the “Father of Israeli Art”? Originally Published December 17-18, 2021.
Born on December 23, 1866, in Lithuania, Boris Schatz came to be known as the “father of Israeli art.” His family sent him to Vilna to study in a yeshivah, but young Boris dreamed of being an artist, and began creating. He moved to Warsaw to pursue an art career, creating his first sculpture, “Hendel,” […]
Ethics, Activism and Judaism: Text Study with Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, January 11
Judaism can help us generate change in ourselves and empower us to repair the world. Join author and community leader Shmuly Yanklowitz for a conversation and text study exploring connections to our own bodies and souls, possibilities to affirm our lives, and ways to establish new meaning in the relationships we have with each other. […]
Who Were the Hasmoneans? Originally Published December 10-11, 2021.
Some refer only to the Hasmonean Dynasty, but others recall the Hasmoneans as a populist movement over a broader period of time. Either way, they were Jews who were more or less against Greece and in favor of Persia, and would be conquered by Rome. The Hasmoneans in their Dynasty ruled Judea and the regions […]
Modern, Biblical, and Prayerbook Hebrew Online - With Derekh and Maven
Have you ever wanted to learn to speak Hebrew? Or become more comfortable with the siddur - the Jewish prayerbook? Through a partnership between Beth Shalom's Derekh Program and the American Jewish University, we are offering online classes at multiple levels -beginner through advanced -in Modern, Biblical, and Prayerbook Hebrew. Simply click on this link […]
Introducing - Maven - Beginning January 10
Maven is a brand-new digital portal for Jewish learning. Through American Jewish University, the Whizin Center for Adult Learning, and Congregation Beth Shalom's Derekh Adult Learning department, we are partnering together to offer online classes to help our members grow in their Jewish knowledge and understanding. Maven's Prayerbook Hebrew and Modern Hebrew (i.e. Hebrew as […]
What Famous Jewish Person Was Born on December 6, 1896? Originally Published December 3-4, 2021.
Ira Gershwin was born in New York on December 6, 1896, to Rose & Morris Gershwin (previously Gershowitz, of St. Petersburg, Russia). On September 26, 1898, his brother George and future songwriting partner would be born. They would collaborate until George’s death in 1937. Ira was a book-reading young man, and was involved with school […]
Shabbat Congregational Dinner
Come for Hod veHadar Instrumental Shabbat Services and then please stay for a Shabbat Congregational Dinner on Friday, December 17. Dinner is sponsored by the Men's Club and Sisterhood. Must register to attend. Complete and submit form below to register. Questions? Contact us at info@bethshalompgh.org.
Harriet Kruman Testimonial
The "Beth Shalom Fire" will always remain a traumatic event in my memory. My husband, Jules, and I had been members since 1961 and active in all facets of the congregation, both lay and spiritual. At the time of the fire, I was a Past President of the congregation and my husband Honorary President, My […]