"Three Congregations" Exhibit Closes
We would like to thank the hundreds of people who visited our exhibit Three Congregations: A History of Tree of Life*Or L'Simcha, New Light and Dor Hadash. The exhibit completed its two-month run on Dec. 29.

Using more than 100 photographs, documents, and objects from the archive, the exhibit attempted to reveal the essential, individualized qualities of each of the three congregations housed in the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018.
It was rewarding to watch members of the Jewish community find comfort in these pieces of their history, and it was gratifying to see people from the broader Pittsburgh community be introduced to these three Jewish congregations.
 
Items stored in an archive are often one-of-a-kind. For that reason, they are a good tool for reviving the individual identities of people or groups who are being treated generically in public conversation. As time passes since the attack on Oct. 27, 2018, the Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives will remain committed to preserving individual stories from across our cherished community.
Featured Cookbook: Why Is This Cookbook Different?
Our community cookbook collecting initiative is off to an enthusiastic start. We have already received numerous leads about Jewish cookbooks published in our region. Throughout the year, we'll feature some of the cookbooks we receive.
 
We'll start with "Why Is This Cookbook Different?" donated to the archives by Dr. Mark and Ellen Diamond. The Yael Chapter of Hadassah published this Passover cookbook in October 1985. The cookbook emerged from an annual Passover "covered dish" gathering hosted by the organization each spring.
The cookbook includes a section on the traditions and dietary laws of Passover and more than 125 recipes arranged in four sections, presented as "The Cook's Four Passover Questions": Where Do We Begin?, What's for Dinner?, Is There Anything Else?, and When's Dessert? The recipes are mostly traditional, with schmaltz, chopped liver, brisket, kugel, farfel, tzimmis, and almond macaroons.
 
The RJHPA is placing a special focus on cookbooks in 2020. If you have a cookbook published by a Jewish person or organization in Western Pennsylvania, please contact Eric Lidji at eslidji@heinzhistorycenter.org or 412-454-6406.
"The Nooks and Crannies of Local Jewish Genealogical Research"
Beth Jacob Congregation (West Aliquippa, Pa.) memorial plaque. Shoshana Kaminsky Collection, 2002.0122.
On Jan. 20, the North Hills Genealogists is hosting Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives Director Eric Lidji for a free talk on "The Nooks and Crannies of Local Jewish Genealogical Research." The talk will review records that emerge from three broad categories of Jewish communal activities: simchas (joyous occasions), parnasa (earning a living), and zichron (memorialization).
 
Understanding the patterns of Jewish communal life in our region can help you find information about your ancestors hidden in some really unexpected places.
The talk will be from 6:45 - 9 p.m. at the Kearns Spirituality Center at LaRoche University.

For more information, visit https://northhillsgenealogists.org.
Plan a Visit

Senator John Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA,15222
412-454-6000

A proud affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the  Senator John Heinz History Center  is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania and presents American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection.