YINZ/YIDZ

Congregation Beth Shalom will continue its mini winter film festival and educational program with the final film, “Refusenik,” Sunday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.

“Refusenik” is a documentary that chronicles the 30-year effort to free Soviet Jews. There is a charge; light refreshments will be served.

The movie will be shown at Beth Shalom, 5915 Beacon St. Call (412) 421-2288 or visit bethshalompgh.org for more information.

Campus Superstar, an “American Idol”-like contest displaying some of the best music talent at Pittsburgh’s college campuses, will hold its semi-finals Sunday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. at the William Pitt Union Assembly Room.

Twenty-five students from the University Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and Point Park University will compete for 10 finalist spots.

The final competition itself is slated for Sunday, March 21, 7 p.m. at Carnegie Music Hall.

The proceeds from the annual Campus Superstar program benefit the Hillel Jewish University Center. Contact Linda Myers at lmyers@hilleljuc.org or (412) 621-8875 Ext. 101 for more information.

The Kollel Jewish Learning Center will celebrate its annual Melava Malka Dinner Saturday, Feb. 20, at 8:45 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center Levinson Hall. The Kollel provides programs and services for lifelong learning to Pittsburgh’s Jewish community.

This year the Rabbi Shaul Kagan Legacy Award will be presented to Murray and Elvira Pfeffer, who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to Torah and Jewish education. The Pfeffers are founding members of the Kollel. Over the years they have supported many Jewish communal institutions and have been active as board members and volunteers as well.

The Kollel will present its Community Service Award to Lou Weiss, a lifelong Pittsburgher and dedicated community volunteer. Weiss has worked with numerous charities and nonprofit groups, contributing to many projects that have had a vital impact on the entire Pittsburgh community. He and his wife, Amy, have immersed their own family in the modern Israeli experience and have worked hard to help increase community exposure and appreciation of Jewish history and tradition. Weiss’ involvement reaches into all sectors of our community, exemplifying his personal commitment and the spirit of volunteerism, as well as a great sense of humor.

For information and reservations call (412) 420-0220.

Pittsburgh Conference of Jewish Women’s Organizations will hold an open meeting Sunday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Jewish Community Center.

Jim Osborn, executive director of Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh Quality of Life Technology Center, will discuss “Technology’s Impact on Your Quality of Life.”

Guests are welcome, but reservations are required. Contact Alex Greenberg at (412) 441-2118 or Ruth Weiss at (412) 798-9338.

The Agency for Jewish Learning and the New Community Chevra Kadisha are co-sponsoring a community lecture by David Zinner, executive director of Kavod v’Nichum (honor and consolation), Sunday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at the AJL, 2740 Beechwood Blvd. in Squirrel Hill.

Zinner’s lecture topic is, “Jewish Traditions of Death;” the program is free of charge and open to all.

Kavod v’Nichum is the national umbrella organization for Chevrei Kadisha, which perform the mitzva of ritual preparation for burial.

In addition to the lecture, Zinner will also speak after Shabbat services at two local synagogues: Dor Hadash (at Community Day School ) Friday evening, Feb. 19, at 8 p.m. and Saturday at Congregation Beth Shalom after the Shabbat service.

The traditional date of Moses’ death is Adar 7, which this year falls on Feb. 21. Chevrei Kadisha usually have special programs and/or dinners to commemorate this time.

Call Malke Frank at (412) 422-8044 for more information.

Beth-El Sisterhood will stage its Second Annual Vashti’s Banquet Sunday, March 7, at 6 p.m. The women-only event will be held at the synagogue, 1900 Cochran Road, Scott Townbship.

The festivity is designed to “recapture the atmosphere of joyfulness and triumph that must have surrounded Queen Vashti and her companions after she refused the king at the second annual Vashti’s banquet.”

Vashti is one of the main female roles in the story of Purim.

The event will include a light Middle Eastern dinner, a belly dancing performance and workshop by Moquette Volante, henna tattoos, and a shuk-like shopping experience for all manner of beauty secrets.

There is a charge. Reservations are due by Feb. 28. Contact Sisterhood at sec@aol.com or (412) 561-1168 for more information.

Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee will present “Bridging Faiths,” a teen interfaith program, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2 to 5:30 p.m., at Rodef Shalom Congregation in Oakland.

The first Bridging Faiths program will include local clergy and/or religious educators sharing information about Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Jewish religions’ history, tenants of faith and worship service.

The goals of the program are to engage teenagers from diverse faith traditions to find common values, beliefs and practices and connect them through respectful dialogue and action to serve our community.

The program was designed by members of local youth groups for the participants.

Visit pajc.net or contact the PAJC office at (412) 605-0816 or at pajc@pajc.net for more information.

The Yeshiva Girls’ High School Production, “Staying Connected,” will be performed, for women only, Tuesday, March 9, and Wednesday March 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Yeshiva Girls School, 6401 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill.

Lieba Rudolph wrote the script, which is by girls and for women, and Amy Guterson is directing the show.

The performance is a humorous play depicting how people can use modern technology for good. It stars a modern teenager, Tiffany, showing the dramatic impact technology had on her life and the courageous way her friends saved the day using the tools they had.

Ian Hobson will perform Sunday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m., at CAPA High School, Downtown. The performance is sponsored by the Adams Foundation and Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania. Tickets will be available at the door. Visit sswpa.org for more information.

The Opus II String Orchestra with David Beswarick, conductor, will present a concert Sunday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., at the Gateway Middle School Auditorium, Route 48 and Old William Penn Highway in Monroeville. The orchestra consists mostly of students from local school districts, plus adults. There is no admission charge but an offering will be accepted.

NA’AMAT Lunch and Learn will feature Rabbi Ron Symons, Wednesday, Feb. 24, noon, at the Labor Zionist Building, 6328 Forbes Ave.

Symons, the director of the Meyer Sivitz Lifelong Learning Initiative at Temple Sinai, will speak on Purim.

The program is free and open to the community. The lunch will be cancelled in the event Pittsburgh Public Schools are cancelled on that day. Call NA’AMAT at (412) 521-5253 for more information.

Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee is presenting a conversation on “Jews in Interfaith Dialogue: Confidently Talking with Others About Ourselves,” along with the Agency for Jewish Learning in a series of classes starting Wednesday, Feb. 24, from noon until 1 p.m. and continuing March 3, March 17, and March 24.  All of the classes will be held at AJL, 2740 Beechwood Blvd. Space is limited. Visit pajc.net or contact the PAJC office at (412) 605-0816 or at pajc@pajc.net for more information.