A fact checker would have helped.
Articles
Original research about aspects of the history of Homestead’s Jewish community (more entertaining than it sounds, promise!).
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 Homestead Rodef Shalom Congregation Bomber?!
The Sisterhood raised so much money in War Bonds that a plane was named after the synagogue! But can we locate it now?
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.
When Rev. Widom’s Term Expired
Samuel Widom was the longest-serving rabbi in Homestead history. Whatever his shortcomings, he deserved better than he got.
List of Rabbis
The definitive list of rabbis who served Homestead Hebrew Congregation from 1894-1977.
The Synagogue Building, 2010-2014
The synagogue building has housed a church since 1993. Here’s what it looks like today.
The Synagogue Building, 1992
Photographs from just before the sale of the synagogue show how it looked.