History of the Jews in Pittsburgh

[3] The city's Jewish federation is one of the oldest in the country, marking the deep historical roots of Jews in Pittsburgh.

[4] At the turn of the century, two or three synagogues were established in or on the fringe of the area which is now called the Lower Hill District.

At least one old building has survived on nearby Miller Street in the area once known colloquially as "Jews Hill"[citation needed], although it has since been converted into a church.

Conferences, Rabbinical) held there in 1885, and is also well-known as a generous supporter of national Jewish movements, notably the Hebrew Union College and the Denver Hospital.

Among the more prominent local philanthropic and charitable institutions may be mentioned the following: There were two weekly newspapers for the Jewish community.

Isaac W. Frank was president of the National Founders' Association, and A. Leo Weil was a member of the executive committee of the Voters' Civic League.

Russian, Romanian, and Hungarian Jews came in large numbers and began to display an appreciable interest in public affairs.

Some notable Jews from Pittsburgh include rapper and record producer Mac Miller, entrepreneur and television personality Mark Cuban, and actor and musician Jeff Goldblum.

On October 27, 2018, a right-wing extremist attacked Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha Congregation[a] synagogue in Squirrel Hill.

[19][20] The perpetrator, identified as 46-year-old Robert Gregory Bowers,[21] was shot multiple times by police and arrested at the scene.

[22] Bowers had earlier posted antisemitic comments against HIAS (formerly, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) on the online alt-tech social network Gab.

Referring to Central American migrant caravans and immigrants, Bowers posted a message on Gab in which he wrote that "HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people.

[22] On June 16, 2023, he was found guilty on all federal counts, and on August 3, 2023, he was sentenced to death by lethal injection.