We all know about yahrzeit plaques, but have you even seen a yahrzeit book? Homestead had four!
Author Archive for Tammy Hepps
The Pinkas of the Chevra Kadisha
Explore the contents of my most favorite book from all sixteen boxes of books preserved from the congregation.
The First Homestead Hebrew
He arrived just before the steel mill opened and blazed a trail that many followed after him. And wait ’til you see who his son is!
D’var Torah: Parshat Chukkat
A d’var Torah delivered at Young People’s Synagogue in Pittsburgh connecting the Torah portion to the founders of Homestead’s synagogue.
The Jews of Homestead and the 1892 Strike
Everyone wants to know — were members of the Jewish community involved in the famous strike? Here’s what the evidence suggests.
The Sisterhood Tablecloth
Measuring sixteen feet by five-and-a-half feet, this unique artifact honors some of the community’s leading families.
The Yahrzeit Plaques
Pictures of the yahrzeit tablets with transcribed names, as well as a history of the tablets themselves.
The Secret of the Faded Newsprint
Is it possible this cornerstone is concealing what I hope it is concealing… or am I reading too much into the missing words?
What It Meant to Live in America’s Leading Steel Town
Reading a well-regarded history of Homestead reshaped my understanding of the town — and forced me to consider who gets included in history and why.
The War Honor Roll Plaques
Photographs of the plaques honoring those who fought in WWI and WWII, as well as a brief history about them.
The Last Wedding in the Homestead Shul
Long after the last generation of children grew up, a daughter of Homestead was determined to have her wedding in the synagogue.