The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, located on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill, provides community members of all ages and beliefs a spacious facility to relax, enhance their spirituality, exercise their bodies, and feel a part of something greater. Not only does the center provide a home-away-from-home for members, but events are held frequently throughout the year for the whole community. This weekend, the JCC will be celebrating Purim, with a carnival event complete with a DJ, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, a magic show, and so much more. Visit here for more information and to purchase tickets. The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh President and CEO Jason Kunzman described the impact of the JCC and why it's important to the Squirrel Hill community and beyond. "The JCC serves as a vital hub for our community, fostering connection, identity, and a sense of belonging. It's not just a facility; it's a place where people come together to celebrate traditions, engage in cultural and educational activities, and support one another. Inspired by Jewish values, we want all our neighbors to feel like they can come to the JCC and find a place where they belong. Whether it's a weekly workout class, or just catching up with a friend after a swim, we take great pride in the connects made in our buildings." You don't have to identify with Judaism to become a member of the JCC and take advantage of all the community center has to offer. Membership packages and rates are decided upon in conjuction with the JCC staff so that the potential member finds a monthly package that suits them, while their age, goals, and more are considered. With two locations, one in Squirrel Hill and the other in the South Hills, the JCC provides to the entire Pittsburgh community. Annie Shroeder, the marketing and communications coordinator with the JCC, described the community center, with all of its various facets included. "For more than 128 years, the JCC has enriched our community by creating an environment rooted in Jewish values that strengthens the physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being of individuals and families. Comprehensive programming includes child care and preschool, after-school and school's-out programs, day and overnight camping, senior adult activities, fitness and wellness programs, special needs services, arts and cultural activities including a nationally-accredited Jewish museum and scores of programs for all ages and interests. The JCC houses state-of-the-art fitness and wellness facilities, heated indoor swimming pools and an Olympic-size outdoor pool for summer use, gymnasiums, outdoor playgrounds, auditoriums, dance studios, classrooms and meeting areas. Last year we were able to provide $2.3 Million dollars in financial assistance toward scholarships, serve more than 30,000 meals to seniors across two locations, and had 10,000 participants in classes across both JCC locations." If you're interested in becoming a member of the JCC and taking advantage of all the organization has to offer, please visit its website and schedule a tour to find a membership package that works for you.

A month after winning a PIAA title, Blackhawk teammates Alena Fusetti and Aubree Hupp were among 19 WPIAL girls basketball players to earn all-state honors Friday.

High schools

The North Allegheny boys and girls will try to repeat as WPIAL champions when the track and field team playoffs start Tuesday.

Visiting a museum can be a captivating and educational experience for homeschoolers, offering a unique opportunity to enhance their learning outside the traditional classroom setting. With the righ...

The union representing 3,400 University of Pittsburgh faculty has tentatively agreed with the school administration on their first labor contract " a pact running through June 30, 2026. The United Steelworkers union announced the deal late Thursday and said it included what it calls "historic language on wages and job

North Allegheny and Sewickley Academy drew No. 1 seeds for the WPIAL boys team tennis tournament when brackets were released Thursday.

Martial arts training goes beyond physical fitness; it is a pathway to building character and instilling life-long values in children. Students learn not just karate, but also gain skills that serv...

High schools

Shady Side Academy Middle School Blue robotics team members helped Fox Chapel Area youths learn more about robots through a new program at Cooper-Siegel Community Library. The Lego League competitors taught the young builders and coders the benefits of teamwork and problem solving via three classes this year with the

Martial arts training is more than just a form of physical exercise; it’s a comprehensive discipline that provides invaluable life skills. Among them, respect, confidence, and focus stand out as fo...

Film Pittsburgh's JFilm Festival, the largest Jewish cultural event in the region, will screen May 2-12 at three theaters around Pittsburgh. This is the 31st year for this highly anticipated event, which brings engaging independent Jewish-themed films to Pittsburgh. This year, JFilm will present 16 films, six of which will be available to screen virtually. "Independent films are so impactful in people's lives." said Kathryn Spitz Cohan, Film Pittsburgh's executive director. "Sometimes they feed your mind by showing you some incredible little-known history like in 999: The Forgotten Girls and other times they feed your heart by transporting you to another time like the visit to the great resorts of The Catskills. But one thing is for sure: independent films always add a richness to the human experience." JFilm will screen at the Carnegie Music Hall, the Oaks Theater, and CMU's McConomy Auditorium. The festival will include Q&As with visiting filmmakers, a Mother's Day screening with sweet bakery treats, scholar-led Film Schmooze discussions, and more. One highlight will be opening night's Pittsburgh premiere of Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless at the newly restored Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. The film, sponsored by The Arthur J. and Betty F. Diskin Cultural Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, tells the inspiring story of Bayless, a Leonard Bernstein protégé and successful concert pianist and composer who suffered a debilitating stroke, and his heroic efforts to continue playing with his left hand alone. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Bayless and director Stewart Schulman. John Bayless will also play several songs before a dessert reception in the Music Hall's Foyer. In other films to watch for, Spitz Cohan says, "We're excited for our audience to look back at some beloved pop culture icons in Remembering Gene Wilder and Shari & Lamb Chop. These lovely documentaries will have you revisiting happy memories with film and TV legends who were a big part of so many people's lives." For more information about JFilm and to purchase tickets, visit FilmPittsburgh.org.

Pittsburgh-based health care giant UPMC said Wednesday it is cutting 1,000 jobs because of post-pandemic challenges. The reductions will impact just over 1% of UPMC's more than 100,000-member workforce systemwide, according to Paul Wood, vice president and chief communications officer. "The entire health care industry continues to face the realities

When it comes to designing or remodeling your kitchen, choosing the right countertop is crucial for blending aesthetics with functionality. The countertop serves as a central piece, both visually a...