Researching the genealogy of Jewish families is the topic of a free, daylong workshop at the Senator John Heinz History Center.
The workshop, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 17, 2013 is a project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center. Advance registration is available through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 412-454-6364. Attendees are advised to bring a brown bag lunch or order lunch in advance from the cafe at the history center.
The first session on finding and using naturalization records features professional genealogist Debbie Kapp explaining the various types of documents that were used over the centuries and how to gain access to them. Evan Wolfson, an attorney who previously assisted research inquiries at the American Jewish University, will explain how to search for family records overseas. At the third session Bernard Newman, an amateur Jewish geneaologist who has traced his family history through five generations in Pittsburgh, will show how to access the updated  Pittsburgh Jewish Newspaper Project, which has digitized all English-language Pittsburgh Jewish newspapers since 1895.
Starting at 1:45 there will be an open house with kosher refreshments, when the presenters will be available to assist attendees with their research.
The workshop is underwritten by the William M Lowenstein Genealogical Research Endowment Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

The Episcopal Church is seeking adults and teens to help plan its 2014 Episcopal Youth Event.
So far even the location hasn't been chosen. The 2011 Episcopal Youth Event in Minnesota drew more than 700 Episcopal teens from across the country, plus several hundred adult chaperons and staff members. A lengthy report to the denomination includes information about the duties and decisions of the planners.
Nominations for the planning team are due by Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013. Those chosen will be announced in March.
To be eligible for the Mission Planning Team youth applicants must currently be in grades 9-11 and must be active in an Episcopal parish. Adult applicants must be at least 25 years old, active in an Episcopal parish and have experience working with high school-aged teens. More requirements, including travel dates, are on the denomination's Web site.
Bronwyn Clark Skov, the Episcopal Youth Ministries officer, says that “EYE is a significant opportunity for building, sharing and fulfilling our call to mission in the world. In addition to the gathering, learning and enjoying, opportunities will be available for mission work.”

J-Street Pittsburgh and several other regional Jewish groups are sponsoring a talk Sunday, February 10, 2013 by Israeli historian, journalist and advocate Gershom Gorenberg, who specializes in the politics and culture of the Middle East. His talk “Israeli Democracy: What Threatens it and How to Save it” draws on research from his book “The Unmaking of Israel,” which explores the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He considers a two-state solution urgent.
The talk at 7 p.m. is free, but requires registration. The co-sponsors with J-Street are Congregation Dor Hadash, the Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee and the Tikkun Olam Center for Jewish Social Justice of Temple Sinai.