This is an exceptional night for our community and is one of those events which highlights why our Pittsburgh Jewish community is so very special.  The fact that all of us from the full spectrum of religious denominations and from a wide swath of our Pittsburgh geography are participating is very unique.  On Saturday night there will be Reform Jews learning from a Conservative Rabbi, Orthodox Jews learning from a Reform Rabbi and all the permutations that you can conjure.  This is something we must try to constantly emulate and accentuate.  The evening gives us a chance to celebrate both our commonalities and our differences.  It is absolutely wonderful!
 
The holiday of Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage holidays when Jews, during the time of the Temple, would travel to Jerusalem.  This past week, we held two briefings for the 290 participants on the Centennial Mega Mission to Israel.  In just a few weeks, we will all be making our very own "pilgrimage" to Jerusalem.  Like the Tikkun Leil Shavuot, the participants on our mission also represent the diversity of our Pittsburgh Jewish community. 
 
Let us continue to engage all parts of our Jewish community together, to inspire all to continue learn Jewishly and for all to grow their personal connections to our beloved Israel.
 
Shabbat Shalom, Chag Sameach and a very happy Memorial Day.

Jeff Finkelstein
President & CEO