BETH TORAH SAYS GOODBYE TO LAURA INTFEN — The Congregation Beth Torah community will thank Operations Director Laura Intfen and her husband, Tim, and wish them well as they move to Denver, where Laura will be the executive director of Hebrew Educational Alliance, a large Conservative congregation. The community is invited to say thank you to the Intfens on erev Shabbat, Oct. 25, with a nosh at 6 p.m. and worship at 6:30 p.m.
The Intfens have been members of Beth Torah for 22 years. Laura has served as operations director for the past five years and in a variety of other professional and volunteer roles over the years. In all her roles, her co-workers and fellow members have said she “gave the congregation 100%.”
“Her smile, her passion, her knowledge and her writing will benefit another holy community and the Jewish people,” Senior Rabbi Javier Cattapan said. “Beth Torah is sad to see her go but feels a sense of pride because everyone in the congregation has shared Laura’s journey as a Jewish professional for two decades.”
Tim has shared his talents in a variety of roles, as well, including as a soloist for services and as a songwriter. The choir has performed many of his original songs over the years.
PAUSE WITH PITTSBURGH — Almost one year ago, on a quiet Shabbat morning, Pittsburgh’s Jewish community suffered the most brutal anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history when a gunman opened fire in the Tree of Life building, taking the lives of 11 innocent people across three Pittsburgh congregations: Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha, which all were holding services. One year later, we will take a moment to honor the memory of those we lost and other people who were affected. In solidarity, Jewish Federations across the country are asking that you join them in taking a moment to Pause with Pittsburgh by visiting pausewithpittsburgh.com.
“Rather than become desensitized to the terror of a never-ending cycle of senseless deaths, we must focus on doing what we do best: building and sustaining community that brings people together,” said Mark Wilf, chair of the board of trustees of The Jewish Federations of North America.
On Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. CDT, one year to the day since the attack, the Pittsburgh community will join in a public memorial service for a moment of remembrance. Though we cannot all be there in person, friends are invited to stop — wherever they are — and join together virtually. Those who wish to participate can sign up to receive a text message at 4 p.m. CDT that will contain a video reading of a mourning prayer and the names of the 11 lives lost. Following the prayer, you can tune in to a livestream of Pittsburgh’s public memorial service and submit messages of support and solidarity by text.
“Nothing can erase what happened one year ago — but we can choose to stand even stronger and strive even further to demonstrate our resilience and strength as a people,” said Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. “Through the darkness of this tragedy we have seen a wave of solidarity, and we are gratified that it has sparked a movement of renewed unity.