The Hidden Jewish Neighborhoods of Pittsburgh

On this fast-paced virtual tour, we will visit 12 city neighborhoods. With an eagle eye and help from archival records, we will find Pittsburgh’s Jewish history hidden in the cityscape.

Pittsburgh neighborhoods are often identified by their past and present ethnic identities, but neighborhood life has never been that simple. Even the most seemingly homogenous neighborhoods can have small communities living as minorities among their neighbors.

Today, Squirrel Hill is known as the “Jewish part” of Pittsburgh, but historically, the Hill District was considered a Jewish neighborhood. A century ago, at least a dozen other Pittsburgh neighborhoods were home to Jewish communities. Each enclave supported synagogues, religious schools, Jewish clubs and charities, and Jewish-owned businesses.

When you register on Patreon through the button below, you gain access to all of our Virtual Storytelling On-Demand recordings for $10 per month.  Cancel at any time. 

This story was recorded on February 22, 2021.

Your Storyteller

Eric Lidji is the director of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center. He is a child of Squirrel Hill and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He spent 15 years as a journalist before joining the Rauh Jewish Archives–first as a volunteer, then as a researcher and for the past three years as its director. He curates its Jewish history website–the Jewish Encyclopedia of Western Pennsylvania, oversees its Small Towns Jewish History Project, and hosts its podcast The Cornerstone.

He writes and speaks extensively about the Jewish history of Western Pennsylvania. He is the author of The Seventeenth Generation: The Lifework of Rabbi Walter Jacob and a coeditor of the anthologies Her Deeds Sing Her Praises and Bound in the Bond of Life.

Significant African-American Buildings in Pittsburgh

Explore the region’s historically-significant buildings which document the accomplishments of Pittsburgh’s African American Community. We share the architecture and more importantly the pride, perseverance, and perspective of resourceful and creative local leaders who had a national impact.

When you register on Patreon through the button below, you gain access to all of our Virtual Storytelling On-Demand recordings for $10 per month.  Cancel at any time. 

This story was recorded on February 1, 2021.

Your Storyteller

William Bates has a long history of international development experience in corporate real estate and construction. He is an adjunct faculty member in Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture and was recently elected Vice President of the American Institute of Architects’ national board.

Nellie Bly: How a Sassy Girl from Pittsburgh Became a Legend

This is the story of a girl from Pittsburgh who proved her mettle one front page headline after another. She took on prickly social issues. She went undercover when undercover was only “for the boys.” This is the story of how one woman changed the world.

When you register on Patreon through the button below, you gain access to all of our Virtual Storytelling On-Demand recordings for $10 per month.  Cancel at any time. 

This story was recorded on January 25, 2021.

Your Storyteller

Pamela Gianni, MD is a native Pittsburgher and second generation Italo-American, who loves all things Pittsburgh. She joined DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh as a volunteer tour curator, and now virtual storyteller, in 2019. In her day job, she’s a Medical Consultant to the Social Security Administration.

Clemente Museum: Telling the Humanitarian Story

We commemorated MLK Day 2021 by celebrating Roberto Clemente, a black Latino, known as The Great One. Incensed by the injustice, inequality and racism, Clemente extended his humanitarian activism to the African American community. 

His impact beyond baseball is best depicted by the inscription on his cenotaph, Son of Carolina, Exemplary Citizen, Athlete, Philanthropist, Teacher, Hero of the Americas and the World. Clemente, a black Latino, regarded his career in baseball as an opportunity to help disadvantaged Latin Americans and serve as a role model to Latin American children and baseball players.

When you register on Patreon through the button below, you gain access to all of our Virtual Storytelling On-Demand recordings for $10 per month.  Cancel at any time. 

This story was recorded January 18, 2021.

Western Penitentiary: Life and Death Inside the “Wall”

This is a story of life and death inside Western Penitentiary, also known as “Western Pen” and “The Wall.”  Thousands of convicted persons through the years have lived and worked in this sprawling 21-acre, high-walled, barb-wired city within the city of Pittsburgh, yet most Pittsburghers would be hard pressed to tell you where it’s located.  Stories of escape, madness, and brutality are part of its legacy.

When you register on Patreon through the button below, you gain access to all of our Virtual Storytelling On-Demand recordings for $10 per month.  Cancel at any time. 

This story was recorded on January 11, 2021.

Abandoned Pittsburgh: Gears & Ghosts

Join photographer Chuck Beard for a look inside some of Pittsburgh’s iconic and historic sites, including Duquesne Steel Works, Carrie Furnace, St Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church, Overholt Distillery, Hazelwood Brewery, J&L Roundhouse and Pumphouse, Western Penitentiary and more.

This will be a curated presentation by Chuck of some of the most popular and interesting photos and sites from the Abandoned Pittsburgh project.

When you register on Patreon through the button below, you gain access to our entire Virtual Storytelling On-Demand recordings for $10 per month.  Cancel at any time. 

This story was recorded on January 4, 2021.