J'Burgh

JBurgh serves a vital role in the Pittsburgh region by bringing together young Jewish professionals through community events, social networking, and cultural programming.

I was reluctant to join J'burgh because of a bad overall experience at my collegiate Hillel. From the first time I met David Katz I was convinced, and have felt accepted and wanted at every event. The variety of activites and people involved is part of what makes the group great. David genuinely cares about the program as well as the members, and is an excellent leader for the group. Pretty much, J'Burgh flat-out rocks.

They have been a great organization that brings young people together with common interests. The activities are fun and unique to the interests of the participants.

I have been to a few events with J'Burgh, and have enjoyed them all. I like how relaxed the environment can be at programs. Everyone is very friendly, and often hang out on their own or after events, such as after art shows or sports events. It is a great crowd of people.

I've been to many J'Burgh events (seders, cookouts, athletic events, etc). Moving to a new city can be hard if you don't know people and J-Burgh is a welcoming community that hosts actually fun events for Jewish young adults, like poker games and international film festivals, and also important Jewish holiday dinners and Shabbat dinners. All in all, it's a great way to feel at home in Pittsburgh for Jewish young adults who recently moved there for work or grad school, and a good place to meet friends or even significant others.

i take part in activitis of j'burgh, they are allways fun to take part in and help me maintain my jewish heriteg, for me and my kids as well

Being from Pittsburgh, J'Burgh's programs have helped me reconnect with those I knew from my childhood but also meet new people in my age group as well. I have always been accustomed to a Friday night Shabbat experience (service, dinner, oneg, etc.) with those in my age group, whether it was through Hillel in college, USY or Camp Ramah. I have been able to continue that Friday night experience while participating in J'Burgh's East End Minyan.

I have enjoyed all of the events that I attended. I had a good time being part of the kickball team.

I am not involved in the daily activities as I am too old!!! I am involved in the Jewish University Center - Hillel.

J'Burgh has revolutionized the role of young adults in the ages of 21-29. Its work with UJF's Shalom Pittsburgh and Young Adult is remarkable. Thank you J'Burgh and keep up the good work!

I have attended movie nights and play on J'Burgh sports teams. Poker nights are fun, too. J'Burgh is a really cool organization. I'm glad my mom forced me to check it out. Good job, mom. J'Burgh is great!

Being new to Pittsburgh last year, J'Burgh allowed me to get involved and meet people right away. The people are great and the various religious backgrounds allow you find something that fits for you. I like the Shabbat dinners best.

J’Burgh has provided my daughter with wonderful opportunities in the Jewish community. I have seen her leadership abilities and overall confidence increase due to the benefits of this organization.

Great org. Really like the activities it organizes for the Jewish community in Pittsburgh. As a leader of an Israeli organization operating in Pittsburgh (Israel On Campus) - I appreciate the help we received from J'Burgh on different initiatives we had. Ziv

Going to friday night dinner and services and various other events. It was very fun and I met a lot of people.

J'Burgh provides the missing link between Hillel on college campuses and Jewish organizations geared towards adult family life. The events ranging from holiday parties and Shabbat dinners to movie nights are a great way to meet other young Jewish professionals and grad students.

I have been a member of J'Burgh for quite a while now, and I love being a part of such a wonderful group of people! David Katz is to be commended on organizing this ever-increasing group of Jewish professionals into trips, events, and holiday celebrations. I consider myself lucky to have gotten involved with J'Burgh when I first moved to Pittsburgh, because I was able to make friends much faster. In fact, some of my closest friends today are people I met through J'Burgh. The programs offered are always interesting and diverse; the events range from movies and plays to museums and lectures. J'Burgh truly is a great organization.

Excellent organization! Friday night dinners are great! It was easy to work with David Katz when I had a dinner at my house.

Dave Katz is a friendly and likable guy who does a fantastic job at developing and executing programs for Jewish young professionals and grad students, regardless of the flavor of their Judaism. He knows the community very well, and he's a pleasure to work with. J'Burgh should continue to flourish under his leadership.

The J'Burgh model is so unique. It targets an audience between college and married w/ children that is often overlooked. It has also made a strong connection between grad students in Pittsburgh and other young otherwise unaffiliated Jews. Its success should be duplicated in other cities!

J'Burgh provides high quality programming to an audience who doesn't like their time wasted. J'Burgh's success comes from careful planning and investment in strong volunteer leadership. J'Burgh is having a clear impact on strengthening and securing Pittsburgh's Jewish community by helping young adults plant firm Jewish roots.

Was a great experience working with JBurgh....its a great organization that does great things for the community and their memebers

Though I haven't personally been involved (and am not Jewish), I've watched as J'Burgh became a major part of my friend's life. This is a great organization, and all the more impressive for how recently it was created.

J'Burgh has lots of great programs for little/no money, awesome people and good networking opportunities for young professionals in the Jewish community of Pittsburgh. Great for yinzers and out of towners alike!

J'Burgh has done a great job programming fun and exciting activities for grad students and young adults. The programs are fresh and innovative. J'Burgh has really helped to improve the Jewish young professional scene in Pittsburgh.

Stop spamming me. If I didn't want to review the organization the first ten times I got an email then I wouldn't be leaving a bad review now. Give it a rest. This survey doesn't mean a darned thing.

J'Burgh organizes fantastic social gatherings and shabbat and holiday programs. Their events are a great place to meet and socialize with graduate students and young professionals in the Pittsburgh ares. The environment is always warm and welcoming.

I work in the Young Adult Division of the United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and we partner with J'Burgh fairly frequently on programs since the age ranges we serve often overlap. It's always a pleasure working with J'Burgh. They do a fantastic job coming up with hip, interesting programming, which is key when you're working with college students and young adults. Kudos to J'Burgh, and keep up the good work!

Although I have moved out of the Pittsburgh area, I have many friends who are still living there and very active in J'Burgh. Each of them speak very highly of the program and it appears to really add to their experience in the city. I am glad that it is there to support this age group and wish there was a similar program in the area I now live in.

J'Burgh is a great organization. It has provided me with many opportunities to get involved with other Jewish young adults in a variety of programs and activities. There is no pressure to be more religious, with events ranging from sports teams, cultural shows, and cooking lessons. For those interested, holidays are celebrated in such way that interests my age group, such as a Megillah reading at a bar. As a graduate student, when I can't get home for the holidays, I know with J'Burgh, I can attend services and have a festive meal. With the wide variety of opportunities, there is truly something for everyone. It has created a close community in Pittsburgh for Jewish young adults!

An outstanding innovative program that is reaching a historically neglected population. The programming is varied so that there is something there for everyone. Well done.

As a new member of the Hillel JUC Board I have been inspired by the impact of J'Burgh on the young-adult population so critical to the future of the Jewish community. J'Burgh is a creative program tailored to the unique needs and expectations of young adults as they make critical decisions regarding community and affiliation. It is a protoptype that should be used in many other demographic populations.

J'Burgh is a great asset to the Pittsburgh community. The leadership of David Katz is outstanding. They participate in other community programs as a team.

Although I moved from Pittsburgh shortly after I became aware of J'Burgh, the organization has had a profound impact on my feeling part of the greater American Jewish community. There is no better opportunity for Jewish adults to celebrate their unique and evolving culture, and I hope that a similar organization forms in the Denver area soon! I think that J'Burgh is a terrific outlet for the great potential that Pittsburgh's Jewish young adults exhibit to make a positive impact, and I am honored to have been involved with them, even if for a short time.

David Katz does a great job of getting as many people as possible involved and at the same time organizing a huge range of events.

Was Awesome. Met a lot of nice people. Had a great time. Was a great experience and I will continue to participate in their programs.

I've had an amazing experience being involved in J'Burgh for the past year+. I am mostly involved in the sports activities J'Burgh participates in. Win or lose its great to get together with young jewish adults like myself. I think David Kats is doing a fabulous job with J'Burgh. From shabbat dinners to kickball on mondays there are so many activities for a variety of people.

J'Burgh is meaningful but fun, well-run and seems to be very much "on the grow" -- the organizations offers a wide range of spiritual, cultural, political and intellectual activities, and is becoming more and more important to the young Jewish social scene of Pittsburgh! Please consider rewarding this up-and-coming organization with the recognition it deserves -- positive public relations can only serve to enhance the parts of its mission that are already going strong.

J'Burgh does a great job reaching out to the Jewish graduate and young professionals in the Pittsburgh area. They provide great community oreinted events for people new to the area and those who are here for a predetermined amount of time for study and fellowships. The organization is very inclusive and welcoming and open to new ideas that make all feel wanted and comfortable. There are many opportunities provided by J'Burgh to participate in cultural events and lecture series in the Pittsburgh area. Also there are a number of events for professional and social networking that provide particapants with a way to create important bonds and connections in Pittsburgh.

J'Burgh is a geat organization that provides young adults and graduate students with so many wonderful opportunities-community service, social programs, cultural opportunities, etc. I recently moved and am looking for something similar to J'Burgh in DC to provide the same thing.

J'Burgh is a great organization getting Jewish grads and recent grads together for tons of events from shabbat dinner to kickball. It empowers its members to plans events that want.

Wonderful programming provided by very passionate professionals. There was a group of participants who came to our synagogue for High Holiday services.

As a recent graduate in the pittsburgh area J'Burgh has proven a great way to stay connected with the young Jewish community while moving away from the university setting.

I had a blast meeting young Jewish people in the Pittsburgh area! These are programs that are meaningful AND fun! J'Burgh is an outstanding program that I'm happy to have been a part of.

Great organization to meet friendly people with my age and interests. A variety of events- sports, movies, holiday gatherings with something for everyone. Very inviting.

Let's be honest...there were not many organizations in Pittsburgh which catered to young Jewish people. This is exactly what Pittsburgh needed. I have enjoyed myself more at J'Burgh events than all other local Jewish events in Pittsburgh combined. I am grateful for J'Burgh and excited for the next event.

This organization has great programming that is available to a wide array of interests. THe program has grown so much since under the leadership of David Katz

Great organization. Works hard to include everyone in the graduate/ young professional Jewish community in Pittsburgh and create a friendly environment.

J'burgh has been incredibly supportive of Maimonides, the Jewish medical student organization at the University of Pittsburgh, throughout my time there. David Katz (who runs J'burgh) has reached out to us consistently and has helped us achieve more with the limited resources available to us. He has connected us to Jewish community leaders who have gone on to speak to the med student community, included the Maimonides students in J'burgh's annual High Holidays functions (including a delicious Break Fast meal), and helped us procure much-needed funding through various organizations in Pittsburgh. Maimonides would not be anywhere close to the organization it now is without J'burgh's proactive and enthusiastic approach! Ben Israel President, Maimonides MS-II University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

This is a great way to meet people in the area, especially if you are new. Lots of great activities and events.

Every J'Burgh program I have attended has been engaging, with a good mix of interesting people and a lot of fun. Keep it up!

While I was born in Pittsburgh, I have not lived here for a number of years, and recently returned for a job. I'm amazed at how open and friendly everyone is in J'Burgh. The organization continues to grow, which benefits all of the participants by extending their network of friends. I don't know of any other cities that place such value on their future leaders? J'Burgh is empowering their participants to take an active role in creating their Jewish environment and I commend this organization for doing that.

As a college Senior who is looking to stay in Pittsburgh, I'm very excited about what J'Burgh has to offer. I know that immediately after leaving my Hillel Community, there will be an exciting group for me to participate in. We are lucky to have an organization in this city that allows young adults to celebrate their Judaism with their friends!

I moved to Pittsburgh from Cincinnati 1 year ago, and have been able to watch J'Burgh grow over the course of the past year. From BBQ's to hosting a Jew Eat? in my apartment, J'Burgh has helped me to build my personal Jewish community here in Pittsburgh!

Excellent program, a variety of activities, and very pleasant people to work with. My stay in this country (coming from Israel) is much bettered by the

I joined J'Burgh a few weeks after I moved here from a different city. It was a wonderful way to be introduced to the Pittsburgh Jewish community, and everyone made me feel right at home. There are always fun things to do with the group from holiday celebrations and Shabbat dinners to parties and group outings to the theater and sporting events. Two of the highlights for me were seeing Topol in "Fiddler on the Roof" and Yitzchak Perlman in concert, but I enjoy every event I go to.

I represent a local foundation that helps JUC with funds for its various programs. We were involved in the capital campaign and have continued our support and interest in the ongoing effort. A few of us have been on the board and are very well informed and knowledgeable about the program achievement. We also have two students in the program who have had good experiences.It truly has been reaching the older student while not missing a beat with the undergraduate.

It's been great to experience a renewed focus on programming for Jewish post-undergraduates and professionals in Pittsburgh! The social and sporting events are a great way to interact with local Jews in what is otherwise a rather small community, where meeting Jews in our age bracket is not always so easy. In the past, the Pitt/CMU Hillel had not given much attention to anyone except undergraduate students; it promised a lot but never diverted enough resources. What is the point of trying to form a Jewish community if after you graduate the community ends? Finally now there is a full-time director for J'Burgh, and David Katz has shown that he is committed to doing an awesome job! Some things still lacking are better connections with the local Jewish community, more empowerment of others to volunteer to organize more events, and of course more funding for social events.

This has been a great group for me to make professional and social networking contacts. David does a great job.

This is an essential program for many Jews throughout Pittsburgh. It has been a draw for many people who choose to attend graduate school here. I have always enjoyed interacting with the staff and students.

J'Burgh is an incredibly unique program in Pittsburgh. I have been involved in J'Burgh for over a year, serving as an active member and cultural chair on the planning board. It is an amazing organization, providing young Jewish professionals and grad students with an opportunity to meet other Jewish people, while at the same time learning more about Pittsburgh and all that the city has to offer. Varied programming allows people to explore different aspects of Judiasm, and serves as a support system for those searching for their own Jewish identity as a young professional. I have made many good friends through East End Minyan, which is a monthly potluck Shabbat dinner, or through my softball and kickball teams with the Pittsburgh Sports League. I have helped plan many cultural events, including events at the Benedum theater to see Yitzhak Perlman, or exploring new bands in areas being revitalized throughout Pittsburgh. We plan on having many more in the coming months, too! I think that J'Burgh is doing a great job of achieving its goal of bringing Jewish young professionals together. This was the first year I have spent the High Holidays with friends; we attended services together for Rosh Hashanah, even met a few new people, and then for Yom Kippur I hosted a potluck pre-fast at my house. This was very special for me, because it was the first time in Pittsburgh that I have felt really connected to other Jewish peers, and I really enjoyed spending the holidays with good friends. I would like to see members of J'Burgh connect with other organizations in the Pittsburgh region. Our members possess a range of talents, come from different backgrounds, and most, if not all, are involved in other organizations or social networks. It would be great to see J'Burgh's presence expand not only within the Jewish community (Hillel, synagogues, etc.), but also within a larger interdisciplinary network, supporting social action, fundraisers, arts programs, etc. Imagine the impact and success rate we could have if we paired up with another non-profit to help communities in need; not only would it increase the credibility and expansion of both orgs. within the community, but it would also help expose its members to other networking opportunities. J'Burgh has come a long way since I have joined, and I have no doubt that it will continue to grow and succeed, fostering relationships and proving wonderful experiences for young Jewish professionals in Pittsburgh.

I was the programming intern/assistant for J'Burgh during the fall 2008 semester. J'Burgh has really innovative programming and has so much to offer Jewish graduates and young professionals in the Pittsburgh area. I loved working for David and for J'Burgh and I am always excited to see it grow within each year.

J'burgh is really great. When I moved here from Cincinnati for grad school I didn't know that there was a place for me to hang out and interact with other Jewish young adults my age. I've met dozens of new friends through J'burgh and David Katz, the director, really made me feel comfortable in the community. I attend as many events as I can...the Jewish Law Students group has had a bunch of great events and the sports events and high holidays were very fun and intimate.

As a grad student in Pittsburgh 2007-2009, I saw J'Burgh grow. In my experience, J'Burgh does a good job of trying to meet the challenge needs of the post-college, pre-kids, Jewish demographic.

Fun, friendly and original. J'Burgh is a must-have in Pittsburgh! They had a nice Soukkot party and the organization is good.

It is a nice way to meet other Jewish young professionals and graduate students. This organization meets a need for young professionals to have opportunities to pray, hang out, eat, and volunteer with peers. I enjoy the events with kosher food.

I enjoy all the activities, networking, and social interactions at J'Burgh. I found the staff to be very welcoming and i would recommend it to my friends. This organization helps form relationships between young Jewish professionals

J'Burgh allows for the creation and maintainance of a vibrant and healthy Jewish community. It has given me an opportunity to meet interesting people in a fun Jewish environment.

J'Burgh has offered my husband and I an opportunity to meet and mentor younger 20- and 30-something Jewish adults in Pittsburgh. We have formed friendships, discussed lifestyles and made connections that inform choices. This arm of our Hillel does as fantastic a job as that geared towards undergrads at "Living Jewish."

J'Burgh has made many students in the law school feel more comfortable as Jews in our community. Just last week, through the help of J-Burgh, we hosted an event with local attorneys who shared their experience about law school and about living as Jewish lawyers in Pittsburgh. Students also use J'Burgh as an outlet to get away from law school life. It's great!

I moved to Pittsburgh last year and did not know a single soul. After I joined J'Burgh, my social circle expanded instantly. The organizer, David Katz, is extremely friendly, mindful and innovative, constantly integrating new ideas and new people into all sorts of events: movies, shows, sports, recreational activities, dinners, etc. The connections and friendships that I have made are sustaining and so wonderful. It has also really made me feel welcome and comfortable in finding a place in the Jewish communities of Pittsburgh. Truly a life-saving program and awesome time!

J'Burgh is an amazing organization. They always have the most amazing events, and are really helping young Jewish adults in the Pittsburgh area meet and hang out together.

J'Burgh is awesome. The organized events range from Shabbat dinners to concerts to sports events. The events are lots of fun, and people are very friendly. David, the organizer, has been doing a great job, since the very beginning. Thanks J'Burgh!

This is a wonderful program and I am very proud to be a part of such a great team of young proud professional jews!

As a new Israeli in Pittsburgh, J'burgh was my first connection to the Jewish community and to the social life in Pittsburgh. The people were great, and the director, David Katz, helped my Israeli friend and me make it through the initial difficulties of being new in the Burgh. Thanks David, Aaron and all the donors who helped J'burgh keep its important duty as a social anchor for the 20+ Jewish around Pittsburgh. I will always remember you! Lotem Alon

J'Burgh is a GREAT non-profit in Pittsburgh. It has connected my family with the larger Pittsburgh Jewish community in unique ways that are important to us since we live in Westmoreland County.

My J'Burgh experience has so far been relatively limited but I have been struck at how mature the organization is considering its youth. The group is essentially run by a single capable person and is funded by Hillel and the Pittsburgh Jewish Community. David, the group's leader, does a great job at including graduate students from all of the universities' various programs. This is no small feat as Pittsburgh is fortunate to have two major research universities with extensive programs. The events are fun and welcoming as well as casual and professionally valuable.

JBurgh is always holding enjoyable events. David Katz is a great guy and knows how to organize a great event. The JBurgh sports teams are a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people. I have nothing bad to say about JBurgh.

I came from France and I contacted Jburgh from there. As soon as I arrived, I met with the director of Jburgh who described me all possible activities. I went to some of the events, they were all very well organized, as if everything was very simple. Therefore everybody feels relaxed, which helps meeting people and having fun. The leisure program is furnished, people are easily reachable.

Allegheny County (home of Pittsburgh) is generally a horrific setting to meet people: everything is podular so people drink in their local bars verses meeting up at a central point, the population is predominantly middle-age or older, and most of the young people are transients who come for school and then bail. JBerg is one of the few organizations that manages to break this and attract young Jewish people form all parts of the county. The events, both secular and Jewish, have become are a great way to meet other post-college-yet-still-young Jewish people who live in the county..

When I moved to Pittsburgh this fall, I got invited to a couple J'Burgh events. Through these events, I met several people who I now hang out with on a regular basis. It was really nice to have several large social functions right when I moved to the city because it gave me an opportunity to make connections with people my age outside of my school and work community. I have heard excellent things about J'Burgh sports and I would really like to join a team because it sounds like a fun, relaxing way to get involved in the J'Burgh community.

I'm a Pittsburgh Jewish community member and avid supporter of J'Burgh. We've long needed a program like this in Pittsburgh, and J'Burgh has met and surpassed our expectations. We expect this program to help us keep young Jewish men and women in Pittsburgh to start their careers and raise their families. This is a winner!

So far my experience with JBurgh has been a good one. I joined the kickball league and would really be interested in getting involved in other activities

J'Burgh is such an amazing organization that I find myself talking about it to people younger than me, people my age, and people my friends' parents' age. I want everyone who ought to know about it to know about it. J'Burgh is simply a must-do in Pittsburgh for anyone in the 20-30s range. Their events have ranged from an art-house Israeli film screening complete with post-movie wine and hors d'oeuvres down the street, to a social mixer at a swank bar for which they flew in an internationally-recognized DJ, to free or reduced tickets to high profile events in the city, to, finally: connecting me with people who can help me find a job again. The staff are utterly accessible, the events are a blast, and best of all, the people are NICE! Friends, food, Judaism, and a livelihood? It just can't get any better.

J'Burgh offers awesome social, cultural, and educational opportunities to people like me, a graduate / professional student without a lot of time and money to spare. I find myself doing things I haven't done much before, like celebrating Shavuot, going to Friday night services, and signing up for Jewish learning classes, because J'Burgh makes it fun and easy. Plus, as someone who lives pretty far away from family, I really value J'Burgh giving me somewhere to go and a group to celebrate with on the bigger holidays.

I've been involved with the board since J'Burgh began. It's been amazing to see the explosion of interest in J'Burgh in the short time it has been around. What that means to me is that J'Burgh has tapped into a real and important need, and 21 - 29 year old's are really excited to have programs that fit their lives and interests! David is the perfect staff member for this group, and he's been able to make the most out of the incredible potential J'Burgh has. This group will help young Jewish adults to know that Pittsburgh's Jewish community wants them to feel welcome, have great experiences and network with a wide variety of people. We hope it will show them that Pittsburgh is a great place to make a life!

J'burgh helps me to find new contacs and friends among jewish students. I am a new immigrant and had no family or friends when I came to Pittsburgh about a year ago. J'burgh offers different activites about every two weeks (sometimes more often e.g. during holidays). I try to attend most of them but sometimes cannot because I work late shifts...

JBurgh has been an awesome way to remain involved in the Jewish Community amidst an extremely challenging graduate program. I get to interact with many different kinds of people at fun events, and never have to feel bad about how frequently or infrequently I show up to things.

As a young adult, moving to a city where I had no friends or family was a daunting experience. Luckily, soon after arriving in Pittsburgh I found J'Burgh—and with J'Burgh, I found community. I love watching how activities such as Shabbat dinners, cultural events, and sports teams bring naches to everyone involved.

J'Burgh is a phenomenal initiative that not only provides quality programming for young Jewish adults, but it's also an effective means to create a vibrant young Jewish community in Pittsburgh. J'Burgh is a great way to learn what the Pittsburgh Jewish community has to offer.

I have worked with J'Burgh through my job at the UJF. My role was originally to review their requests for funding. We originally funded J'Burgh because it was filling a much needed gap in services to young adults in Pittsburgh. We continued to fund them, through campaign and throough outreach grants because of the innovative programming that they offer and programs that people are eager to attend. I receive weekly updates from J'Burgh and I am continually impressed by their activities and participation. I have heard great word of mouth in the community. David Katz is a phenomenal leader and an outstanding asset to this group and the community.

I've attended a few J'Burgh events and found them to be not only fun but educational. In January, the group organized a Q&A session with a local Holocaust survivor who escaped a concentration camp and joined a group of resistance fighters in what is now Belarus. Afterward, the group went to a theater to watch the motion picture "Defiance." This was followed by dinner and drinks at a local establishment where people discussed the film and other topics. As a non-Jew, the friends I've made through J'Burgh have helped me better understand the Jewish faith and issues which impact Jewish people locally and around the world.

What a great organization. I have enjoyed all experiences over the last year. GREAT, GREAT,GREAT. I'm not jewish but my girlfriend is an they make me feel so welcomed. She love it. And I love hanging out with everyone. Go Pens.

I just moved to town and have attended two events in the last week! I have met alot of new people from all over the city and have really enjoyed myself in the process. I intend to continue coming to J'Burgh hosted events.

I had a pleasure to work with David the J'Burgh director several times in the past year and I think that he and the organization are doing a great job keeping the Jewish student community tight and active. The cooperation with the CMU Israel on Campus student organization is very good and I hope it continues!

J'Burgh has filled an important gap in Pittsburgh's Jewish community. The time between college and married life is so important in the lives of Jewish young adults, and before J'Burgh existed, this category of people had nowhere to turn for a Jewish identity in Pittsburgh. Whether these people are graduate students studying at one of the many excellent universities in town or young professionals - single or newly married - they WANT to continue their Jewish identity but need a place to do it on their terms. They are looking for innovative programming, both Jewish-related and non Jewish-related. They are looking for friendships and relationships and networking opportunities. They do not fit into the college category anymore, but also may not fit into the community Federation category either. At J'Burgh, they find a perfect home - monthly potluck Shabbat dinners (East End Minyan), movie nights, sport leagues, Jewish holidays celebrations and meals, study opportunities, travel and service opportunities, and the list goes on and on. If these young adults do not have an organization like J'Burgh to turn to, they have the high probability of dropping off the Jewish identity radar screen, and may never come back. Therefore, their continued involvement is crucial to the future of our culture. All of the above sounds great in theory, but cannot be the least bit successful without the perfect leader. J'Burgh does, indeed, have this perfect leader in David Katz. He is one of the most dedicated leaders I know, and would do anything for the people he serves and the programs he plans. He is so kind and personable and makes anyone feel comfortably joining the group. He is always looking forward and planning innovative strategies to keep young Jewish adults engaged. The organization is extremely lucky to have such an outstanding leader. In summary, J'Burgh is an important organization in our Jewish community for so many people in the present moment and for the future of young Jewish population.

J'burgh is a great organization. I became active with this program when I was a grad student at the University of Pittsburgh. After I graduated, I cont to participate because I feel that it is a great group to be involved in. I enjoy being around other Jews who are my age.

J'Burgh is amazing organization, bringing together a wide cross section of Pittsburgh's young Jewish adults. Before moving to Pittsburgh I participated in other Jewish youth groups and organizations, but never found one that kept me coming back. J'Burgh not only kept me coming back but got me excited to the point that I began taking an active role in implementing social programming to connect with more people in town. The quality of programming, from Friday night dinners to Israeli movie nights and sports leagues, makes it easy to for first-timers to come and feel welcome. I've made friends for a lifetime and learned more about my heritage than I ever did in Hebrew school. Most importantly, J'Burgh has helped me see how Judaism will play a role in my life far beyond graduate school. It has helped me connect to a community outside of the classroom and provided a space for me to grow as a Jew and a young adult.

This organization has significantly and substantially enhanced the quality of life for many Jewish graduate students and young professionals in Pittsburgh. It has offered a forum for friendship, for getting together for sports activities and other forms of entertainment and for establishing professional relationships that might have long term impact. And even if none of this were true, this organization has welcomed people to Pittsburgh and provided a meeting ground for like-minded individuals to express their Jewish identity. J'Burgh, although in its infancy, has already established a strong positive reputation and has filled a critical niche in the Jewish community in Pittsburgh.

Played on the sports teams. Met some super cool people and made some new connections. Overall experience has been very positive. Director is cool as a cold beverage on a hot day.

I have just moved to Pittsburgh and Jburgh has provided me a great new home. They offer a plethora of activities from Friday night minyans and dinners to Softball and Kickball teams. It has been a great way to meet people in a new city. Even more so, as a young married couple, my wife and I often feel excluded from traditional, organized Jewish social, cultural, and religious life. However, Jburgh provides meaningful programs and a wonderful outlet for young-Jewish adults.

J'Burgh is an awesome organization that brings creative, fun and diverse programming to Pittsburgh young adults. Prior to the founding of J'Burgh there were few outlets for 21-30 years olds in Pittsburgh. This organization has created a much-needed central address for getting young adults involved in the community. The Director does an awesome job of outreach and engagement and always makes an effort to include everyone, and offer a wide spectrum of programs so there is something for everyone!

J burgh has been a wonderful organization. As a new person to pittsburgh and Jburgh i have felt very welcomed. Have met some amazing people and had the chance to do some amazing things. This is a group of young adults who like to get together and experience life!!! Sooo thank you jburgh it has been a blast so far and i look forward to the future!!

I am an older professional that has had dealings with JBurgh and can see that it is well run & provides many opportunities for young Jews to discover & implement their Jewish roots. Mazel Tov & Yasher Koach!

J'Burgh is an amazing organization that has done wonders for me as young Jewish professional in Pittsburgh. The organization has tons of events and truly cares about the Jewish community and Jewish learnings. I could not be happier.

I have time after time been disappointed by Jewish organizations that do not know what to do with 20-somethings. There is a large gap in the Jewish world between college students and adults looking to involve their small children in Judaism, and J'Burgh serves to fill that gap. This organization has introduced me to other people who are at similar places in their lives and allowed me to have a Jewish outlet to socialize and worship.

J'Burgh has become an essential tool in the Pittsburgh Jewish Community's quest to create a welcoming, supportive environment for Jewish young adults. It bridges a gap between Hillel's efforts and those of our United Jewish Federation, and offers an inviting "home" for 20-somethings who need social and professional networking opportunities.

This is a really well-run group with a lot of fun activities and very diverse programming with something for a lot of different people.

J'Burgh has provided me with some great experiences in a variety of ways. My family is all from Philadelphia, so making it home for the High Holidays is difficult. J'Burgh was able to help me find a place to go and they held an excelent break fast as well. On top of that, J'Burgh provides a wide variety of social and service activities that are always a lot of fun

J'Burgh provides a unique social and Jewish experience for young professionals and graduate students in Pittsburgh. J'Burgh fills a need for the Jewish community as well as the city of Pittsburgh. I have enjoyed playing on the sports teams and a lot of the other programming. I have met a lot of great people through this organization that I would not have otherwise met.

Joined J'Burgh after I moved back to Pittsburgh following college. Great organization with great people involved. I am glad I joined and excited for future events.

I didn't know anyone in the J'Burgh group the first time I attended. Everyone was very welcoming and I've been back many times since. I look forward to the J'Burgh events!

I have just been to one J'Burgh event so far, but it was a really great experience and I'm definitely planning on attending more events. Being a new graduate student, it's nice to meet other young Jewish grad students/young professionals, and everyone's so friendly and inviting. Admittedly, I was nervous before attending my first event, but everyone was so kind and I felt like part of the group immediately. This is a wonderful nonprofit organization, and I think its success (and group size!) will continue to grow.

I have found this organization to be wonderful! The staff is attentive to member needs, especially when partnering with other Jewish organizations in the community. Moreover, the programming has proven to be fun, interesting, and a pleasure to be a part of. From religious events on Friday nights and the High Holidays to Pittsburgh Pirates games, movie nights, and museum outings J'Burgh is a great asset to the Pittsburgh Jewish Community and a model for Non-Profit and Charities in general.

J'Burgh was wonderful - it helped me feel at home in Pittsburgh right away, and was one of my favorite parts of living there. David Katz is an incredibly dedicated leader, and because he always seems to be having a good time doing his job, it's easy for people to fit in and find a Jewish outlet in a new city.

J'Burgh provides a great range of programming for a demographic that is often forgotten about. Young adults get the opportunity to play sports, experience Jewish Learning opportunities, eat Shabbat dinners away from home, and build a network of contacts/friends in the Pittsburgh area. Grad Students and young professionals are looking for interesting things to do in a city. If those things are made available, retention of those individuals after they graduate and as they get older is more likely than if they are not connected to the community. I know a lot of people who look for programming like J'Burgh provides, and once they find it, they enjoy living in Pittsburgh a lot more than when they first arrived.

I was sent to work in Da 'Burgh for 6 month. When I moved there I knew absolutely no one in the city. David Katz (director of J'Burgh) was my first friend in town. Through J'Burgh I made friends and business contacts. I learned my way around the city and basically always had something to do that was both fun and stimulating. The program, while still fairly young, is growing every month and it continues to improve. At the end of my time in Pittsburgh, I returned home and soon found myself wishing that my city had a program like J'Burgh.

Being a graduate student is a very different experience from undergraduate. It is much harder to locate the Jewish community in your area, and to find a way to fit in. J'Burgh fills that for Pittsburgh Jewish Graduate students. It allows them to find their niche inbetween undergraduate and working young adults. Many people meet their spouses or really develop who they are during their graduate experience, so having that Jewish connection during this time is really important.

J'Burgh has provided an opportunity for me to meet and interact with young Jewish adults in the Pittsburgh area that I may otherwise not meet. It has also provided me with an opportunity to be involved in the Jewish community at a transitional time in my life when i'm not living on a college campus and I don't have children in religious school. I appreciate the resources that are provided to give people in my position an opportunity to meet and interact with one another in fun and meaningful ways.

I know that J'Burgh makes a difference in the lives of our young community members. It is the bridge between the student life and adult life.

I have been BEGGING my Southern California Jewish community to come up with something like this! I am so impressed with everything I have seen, heard and read about J'Burgh and the work they're doing. From concept to programming to fundraising, it's important work and an example that, hopefully, other Jewish communities all over will begin following soon!

J'Burgh provides Jewish young adults the opportunity to get involved in both the Jewish community and the greater Pittsburgh community. J'Burgh provides a comfortable atmosphere for religious study, cultural activities, athletic competition, and social events. This service makes Pittsburgh a city where young people want to live, raise a family, build a career.

I have been on J'Burgh's planning board since its inception. I am currently on the J'Burgh committee of the Hillel JUC board.

When I learned about the Hillel JUC and the J'Burgh project, I was so inspired that I wanted to become a Board member. Pittsburgh's Jewish community is vital to the continued growth and development of Pittsburgh as a wonderful place to live and raise a family and as a World leader. Through J'Burgh, we can keep bright, talented, young Jewish adults as part of our community. Investing in our youth is critical and J'Burgh is a model that works.

amazing organization! provides a variety of social, educational, and spiritual activities to the Jewish community of Pittsburgh. softball, kickball, jewish learning, weekend activities and much much more!

The Hillel JUC was a vital, influential lifeline both during my college career and after. J'Burgh was a fantastically run program; an essential player in my life as a transitioned from college to post-grad. The director was key in creating a cultural and social atmosphere, filling the program with engaging activities. From the bowling team to outings in Pittsburgh, J'Burgh truly created an adult social group, fulfilling my intellectual, spiritual and social needs

I participated with J'Burgh on various sports teams. In addition, I have used J'Burgh to connect with the Jewish community and engage my Judaism. Last week, I joined together with about 40 other grad students and young professionals to go to Yom Kippur services and then a breakfast. It's nice to have a family here.

J'Burgh does great things for the Pittsburgh Young Adult Jewish community by allowing us the flexibility to plan the type of events that our particular demographic needs and wants. The group draws in great people and makes the city more dynamic-- it also allows people to feel connected to other post-college Jewish 20-somethings and 30-somethings in town.

J'Burgh fills a tremendous need in Pittsburgh to provide programming for Jewish 20somethings. I have had nothing but positive experiences with J'Burgh and through my involvement I now feel that I have very strong connections within the entire Jewish community of Pittsburgh. From cultural event, Shabbat dinner, social events, like movie and poker nights, there is something for everyone. Encompassing both graduate students and young professionals, J'Burgh has allowed me to meet a great mix of people.

J'Burgh is an innovative program that provides Jewish young professionals, like myself, and grad students an instant opportunity to get involved in the Jewish community and to connect with peers. J'Burgh really does help to create and foster natural friendships through fantastic and diverse programming. Additionally, J'Burgh contributes to the strength of the Pittsburgh region because it makes it that much more attractive for Jewish twenty-somethings to come to and stay in the Pittsburgh area.

J'Burgh is a much needed and innovative program. It provides a Jewish social scene to young professionals and grad students in their 20's. Having participated in similar programs in other cities, I've come to realize that J'Burgh is special because it really has created a community, while most other programs for Jewish young professionals serve more exclusively as "meet markets" for singles and eventually become dominated by the 35-45 age group.

J'Burgh has been a great way for me to get in touch with young professionals in Pittsburgh. I'm very glad I've found the organization - I've used it to attend dance performances, holiday events, movies, etc. I'm always impressed by how many people turn out and the quality events. Thank you very much!

It is a very nice way to meet people. There are nice activities and nice events. It is a nice Jewish group.