A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha, Behar, contains various laws including that of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years. What I would like to focus on, however, is the name of the Parsha. These laws were communicated to Moses on Mt. Sinai, the spot famous for being where the Torah was given. The Parsha’s name is “Behar,”… Read More
Friends All Around 2024 Our annual fundraiser gala was a great success! This year’s Friends All Around celebrated 18 years since The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh was established in 2006. Taking place at The Westin Pittsburgh, we honored our graduating seniors during a VIP reception; heard from parents, members, and executive staff; and watched the Friends All Around video, which… Read More
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY The world is an ever more confusing place. It seems that chaos and craziness abound; war, famine and strife are literally everywhere. And yet, we must search for the good. There has to be something out there to zero in on and from which we can take inspiration, right? This week’s Parsha (Emor)… Read More
Unlike a typical weekly roundup, we have decided to bring you some big moments from the programming year in the spirit of Friends All Around on Sunday. The Friendship Circle’s 18th year of inclusive community building was like no other. FC Talks with Pamela Schuller On April 15th, 2024 the FC Alumni Council in collaboration with The Beacon, Repair the… Read More
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha gives us a host of ethical and practical laws. It tells of laws relating to Shabbat, to acting in fairness in business, to honoring one’s parents, to, famously, the cardinal law to “love one’s fellow as oneself,” which is referred to by our sages as the great principle of the… Read More
December 20, 2024
This week’s Parsha (Vayeishev) continues the drama between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was his father’s favorite which instilled jealousy among his brothers (shocker), culminating in their desire to kill, then ultimately scheme to fake his death and sell him to slavery in Egypt. We learn how they plotted to kill him until Reuben, the oldest of the brothers, convinces… Read More
December 19, 2024
Teen Challah Bake Teens from The Friendship Circle, The Beacon, The Second Floor at the JCC, BBYO, and NCSY gathered last Thursday night for our annual Teen Challah Bake event! Teens enjoyed playing get-to-know-you bingo and getting their hands dirty making the dough. Don’t worry – we wore aprons! Everyone made two challot with their favorite toppings and enjoyed spending time with… Read More
December 13, 2024
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Vayishlach) concludes Jacob’s time with his “dear” brother-in-law Laban, having amassed a large family, cattle, wealth and an overall sense of maturity. The portion begins with Jacob meeting his brother Esau for the first time since fleeing him two Parshas ago; he’s heard that Esau is bringing 400 soldiers to… Read More
