Latkepalooza

After a weekend of being sick I found myself at the Beth Shalom Preschool & Synagogue’s Hanukkah day one celebration, despite only having a periphery involvement with the organization. I, for one, didn’t even know what latkes were. (they’re delicious potato pancakes) But what I found was much more than a hilarious food-based pun: it was a community celebration steeped in tradition.

Fried bramboráky, potato pancakes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Beth Shalom Preschool & Synagogue is a local institution in Squirrel Hill. They run one of the best preschools in the city and have a lovely facility. Teachers and staff were out in full force on Sunday. Arts and crafts, an olive oil menorah, dancing, even Steelers jerseys written in Hebrew. As on outsider to the community, I found it all very welcoming. This was a close-knit community coming together to celebrate the season, and it was a huge success.

About Eric

I've lived in Pittsburgh only since 2004, during which I have spent time in many a neighborhood. For the past year, I've lived in Bloomfield. Yes, Bloomfield -- where the Italian food is fresh and the karaoke nights are long. I do not have formal training in writing, but it's always been a serious aspiration of mine. I'm interested in the different aspects of life in Pittsburgh. We have an extremely unique ecosystem full of young professionals, hipsters, college kids, older folks, coffee shops, dive bars, old churches turned music venues, and yes even starving artists. It's the perfect city to dip your toes into the waters of whatever art or trade you could possibly imagine.

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