ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of the Jews in Pittsburgh

Okay kiddo, so a long, long time ago, many Jewish people came to Pittsburgh from different parts of Europe. Some of them came to escape from bad situations like war and poverty, while others came to join their family and friends who were already living here.

When they first arrived, a lot of these Jewish immigrants were really poor and struggled to find work and housing. But they didn't give up, and they worked hard to build a community for themselves. They started setting up synagogues where they could worship and celebrate their culture and traditions.

Over time, other Jewish people came to Pittsburgh too, and they all continued to work hard and support each other. They started businesses, went to school, and even fought for their rights as citizens.

Sadly, there were also some very hard times for the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. During World War II, many Jewish people were persecuted and killed by the Nazis in Europe. The Jewish community in Pittsburgh was very worried and scared for their relatives and friends who were still living in Europe.

But even during the difficult times, the Jewish community in Pittsburgh stayed strong and continued to support each other. They worked together to create organizations that would help other Jewish people in need, and they continued to celebrate their faith and culture.

Today, the Jewish community in Pittsburgh has grown and thrived. You can find many synagogues, Jewish schools, and organizations that help support and celebrate the Jewish culture and history in Pittsburgh. It's thanks to the hard work and determination of the Jewish immigrants who first came to Pittsburgh, and the generations that followed, that the Jewish community in Pittsburgh is still thriving today.