YINZ/YIDZ

As reported in this week's Chronicle, Jewish residents of the former B'nai Brith-sponsored Covenant at South Hills are generally pleased with new owner Concordia Lutheran Ministries. By all accounts, Concordia has made great efforts to accomodate the special needs of the Jewish residents.

Concordia has tweaked its menus so that there are always options to "forbidden foods," such as pork or shellfish, on the menu, although the facility no longer has a kosher kitchen. It has continued its regular Jewish programming. And it has provided transportation for residents to Temple Emanuel of the South Hills when requested.

But there is still the issue of the cross.

Within days after finalizing its purchase of the facility, Concordia erected a new sign near the entrance to the continuing care retirement community on Bower Hill Road, adjacent to Temple Emanuel. The sign displays the logo of Concordia Lutheran Ministries: a large cross intersecting a heart.

"We got a few phone calls complaining about the sign," said Keith Frndak, CEO and president of Concordia. "We didn't see that coming. It's been our logo for decades. We didn't anticipate the complaints."

Frndak said that Temple Emanuel had requested the sign be moved to the other side of the driveway, so that the temple would not be confused for the Lutheran continuing care facility.

"I don't know where we are with that," Frndak said.

"I had a conversation with Concordia, asking if they could move the sign to the other side," said Rabbi Mark Mahler of Temple Emanuel. "They had no objection to moving the sign in terms of cost, but it was a problem in terms of visibility.

"It's their logo," Mahler continued. "I'm not going to protest their logo."