Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is the second largest city in the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. As of 5781 (2021), the city has a Chabad community of approximately 200 Anash (Chabad Chassidic) families.
Chabad Community in Pittsburgh
The roots of Chabad Chassidus in Pittsburgh began in 5703 (1943) when the Frierdiker Rebbe (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) sent Rabbi Shalom Posner to serve as a shliach (emissary) to Pittsburgh and establish a branch of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim. Later, Rabbi Shalom Posner established Yeshivas Achei Tmimim Pittsburgh in the city.
After establishing the yeshiva, Rabbi Posner established an afternoon Jewish studies school. Over the years, the school became formalized and turned into a cheder serving the Chabad community in the city. A girls' school and high school were also established alongside it. The Chabad community in the city was built around the new yeshiva, composed of both yeshiva graduates and Chassidim who came to live in proximity to it. Over the years, the community grew until, as of 5781 (2021), the Chabad community in Pittsburgh numbers approximately 200 Anash families.
On Lag BaOmer 5770 (2010), two buses departed from Pittsburgh to participate in the parade by the Rebbe. After the buses reached the Morristown area, a vehicle struck one of them and smashed the left side of the bus where about 40 people were sitting. Miraculously, only one person was seriously injured while the rest of the passengers emerged healthy and whole with only minor injuries, whereas in similar cases there would have been dozens of fatalities! After a few hours, a replacement bus arrived and they continued on their way to celebrate the parade by the Rebbe.
In 5771 (2011), Rabbi Elchanan Friedman established the "Bnei Emunah" Chabad community in the Greenfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh and established a large synagogue and Chabad House there. After 3 years, about 20 Anash families moved to the neighborhood, and since then the community began to grow and establish itself. In 5781 (2021), the "Bnei Emunah" community began construction of a complex that will include a mikvah for men and women.
In 5778 (2018), Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, the rabbi of the Chabad community in Pittsburgh, purchased the Conservative synagogue in the city and converted it into a Chabad House.
In 5781 (2021), the community experienced significant development when Rabbi Chaim Itkin was brought to the city by the community rabbi, Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, to advance new projects. Among other things, he established the "Beis Midrash Division," which includes, among other things, a new kollel called "Tiferes Levi Yitzchak" for young people and "Tiferes Zekenim - Levi Yitzchak" for adults and the elderly, as well as a new framework for fathers and sons (which attracts between 50 and 70 participants each week). He also began organizing a series of gatherings for community members and Tzivos Hashem rallies for children on special days.
In preparation for the 5782 (2021-2022) school year, due to growth in the school, the administration of the Chabad Talmud Torah in Pittsburgh purchased a Catholic monastery and a large complex with an area of more than 14,000 square meters to serve as the new building.
In the month of Sivan 5783 (2023), Chabad Pittsburgh's educational institutions celebrated 80 years since their establishment (5703-5783). As part of the event, the city council announced that it had declared "the 4th of June" (Sunday, 15 Sivan - the day the yeshiva was established) to be "Yeshiva Schools Day" in the city of Pittsburgh.
Today (as of 5781/2021), the Chabad community in Pittsburgh numbers approximately 200 Anash families. The community rabbi is Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld, the mashpia (spiritual mentor) is Rabbi Yisroel Meir Altein, and the "Projects Manager" is Rabbi Chaim Itkin.
Chabad Institutions in Pittsburgh
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- Lubavitch Center, the main Chabad House in Pittsburgh.
- Chabad School, led by Rabbi Yosef Rosenblum.
- Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Pittsburgh.
- Tiferes Levi Yitzchak, a kollel led by Rabbi Chaim Itkin.
- Bnei Emunah Community - A Chabad synagogue established in 5773 (2013). The synagogue rabbi is Rabbi Elchanan Friedman.
- Rechem Fund (named after Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka) - Officially opened in 5748 (1988) by Mrs. Miriam Rosenblum OBM and is currently under the management of Mrs. Nechama Itkin.
External Links
- Bnei Emunah Chabad Pittsburgh community website
- Community website
- Pittsburgh: Annual Dinner for Chabad Institutions. 5 Adar II, 5768 (2008).
- Watch: The Tmimim strengthened the Jews of Pittsburgh. 21 Cheshvan, 5779 (2018).
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A house between hills. Coverage about the Chabad community in the location on the website 27 Adar, 5781 (2021).