Our Communities: Located in the aptly named Squirrel Hill neighborhood, the Pittsburgh Anash Congregation combines healthy Yiddish values with a fun-loving, family atmosphere.
From Anash.org writer
You may know it as Shpittsburg, but the Anash community in Pittsburgh, PA has a rich history that goes back long before Shimmy Epstein first donned his iconic mustache.
[1945senttheFreezerRebbeRabbi[1945schicktederFrierdikerRebbeRabbi Sholom and Chaya Posner to open a yeshiva school in this community. Over thirty years later, his granddaughter became a wife Blumi Rosenfeldwho grew up in Pittsburgh herself, and her husband Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld moved to western Pennsylvania as Head Shluchim. Today around 200 Anash families live here, from newly married couples to retirees.
When the Rosenfelder moved down in 1978, the school experienced a phase of rapid growth. Over the past few decades the school has continued to expand and grow. Alumni moved back to Pittsburgh and enrolled their own children
The community has seen many new faces over the years, but the atmosphere and culture haven’t changed much, locals say.
“Chabad, Pittsburgh has grown and there are new institutions and families that weren’t here 21 years ago,” said Dr. Michael Moritz said Anash.org. “But the truth is, even though we’ve grown, we’ve stayed close and family-oriented. We also held on to our great values; This is not a gashmiusdik community. We place less value on “things” than on leading a meaningful life. “
Mrs. Chavi Goldshmidwho grew up 2 hours away in Cleveland, OH says the same thing. “The community here is definitely not static. People don’t put themselves in a box and decide this is who they are and who they will be for the rest of their lives.
“We really want to learn and grow. There is a strong foundation and atmosphere of education here, and while everyone is truly accepted for who they are, we urge ourselves and each other to get better at the same time. ”
The community is made up of people who really care about each other and want to make each other shine and succeed.
“There’s a real cohesion here, real Achdus,” said Dr. Moritz. “We support each other in large and small ways. We go to each other’s simchas and help out when someone gives birth to a child. People go out of their way to make sure everyone who needs something has a minyan for kaddish, and when a kid has a birthday party the whole class shows up. “
That unity and mutual respect extends to the wider squirrel hill community, says Ms. Goldshmid. “Everyone here respects the rabbanim and the rabbanim respect one another. Twice a year the entire Frum community of Pittsburgh meets at Shabbos Hagadol and Shabbos Shuva to hear from them and to be inspired. The non-Orthodox rabbis here also respect the Frum leaders, and many of the non-religious families have friendships with their Frum neighbors.
“Even the non-Jews here go out of their way to make us feel welcome. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh became infamous two years ago for the tragic Tree of Life shootout. For weeks after that, when I went to the park with my kids, neighborhood gentiles would come to apologize, express their grief, and let us know that they are there for us. ”
There is a bond within the various Mosdos in Pittsburgh that makes life, davening, schooling, and learning in this community a seamless experience. Everything is within walking distance, and the success of a mosed is everyone’s success.
“Recently the school started a strategic planning initiative involving all parents,” said Ms. Goldshmid. “We all want the school to be successful and we are ready to go the extra mile to make it happen. A lot of money, time and effort has been invested and it is already paying off: there is a clear vision for the future of our school and we are achieving our goals. ”
The Shluchim have also invested in adult learning opportunities. rabbi Chaim Itkin was brought to the church to start a collel for Anash. People study all day and there are also shiurim for men and women. Rabbi Itkin’s mission is to bring each member of Anash to learn in the ways that best suit them.
“We have great role models,” said Dr. Moritz, “and although we have lost some of the older Hasidim who were a source of inspiration, we still have incredible leaders among us.” It is easy for a person to grow in his Yiddishness here. “
Community size: 150 families
Mosdos and equipment:
- Main Chabad Shul: Lubavitch Center
- Chabad school: Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh
- Mikvaos: Chabad Mikvaos in the area
- Kosher facilities: Murray Avenue Kosher sells everything you need to lead a kosher lifestyle. There is also a vendor who sells kosher items in bulk. There are several kosher restaurants, and the meaty ones serve Lubavitch Shechita meat.
- Moreh Hora’ah: Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld
Cost of living:
- Housing market (postcode 15217):
- Starter house costs start at around $ 300,000 in Squirrel Hill. The newer Greenfield area has small homes in the $ 180,000 to $ 200,000 price range.
- A bigger house in Squirrel Hill starts at $ 450,000. In Greenfield you can find it for around $ 300,000.
- There are plenty of rental apartments available; 3 bedrooms cost about $ 1,800 a month.
- Parnassah:
- Pittsburgh has a strong professional market – CPA is a popular career choice. There is also a thriving real estate market.
- There are many hospitals here that offer many options for doctors, nurses and local residents.
- As the community grows, the school continues to seek out new talent in the Chinuch field.
- Squirrel Hill is an easy 10 minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh.
- Cheder tuition:
- The spectrum ranges from $ 10,000 for early childhood enrollment to $ 14,000 for high school students.
Another great thing about living in Pittsburgh: There are lots of big, beautiful parks! Squirrel Hill is nestled between two huge parks with lots of playgrounds, botanical gardens and even an outdoor ice rink in winter.
Nearby Anash communities: Cleveland – a 2 hour drive; Detroit – 4 hours
Would you like to explore this community further? Reach out Rabbi Chezky Rosenfeld at (412) 657-8164 or Chavi Goldshmid at (216) 870-8575.
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