ABOUT US
The Friendship Circle Mission Statement
The Friendship Circle, established in Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community in 2006, is dedicated to helping children and young adults with special needs to become more fully integrated into the broader community. Since 1994, Friendship Circles have been created in more than 60 cities around the world.
The program allows children and young adults with special needs to enjoy the company of teenage and young adult volunteers in a full range of social activities. The Friendship Circle aims to enrich the lives of all participants through mutually advantageous interactions, creating lasting friendships which consequently strengthen both the Jewish and greater community.
Bios
PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR
Dr. Laura Marshak is a professor in the counseling department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is also a psychologist in private practice at North Hills Psychological Services. Her career has focused on promoting equal opportunities for people with diverse abilities. She is completing her sixth book.
DIRECTOR
Rabbi Mordy Rudolph graduated high school at Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, and studied in London, England, and Tzfat, Israel, before receiving his Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical College of America at Morristown. He initiated The Friendship Circle together with his wife Rivkee, in September 2006. He is also a member of the Propel Pittsburgh Commission focusing on making Pittsburgh an ideal place to live for young adults.
DIRECTOR
Rivkee Rudolph graduated high school at Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, and continued studies at Seminary Chaya Mushka in Tzfat, Israel. She taught several years of pre-school both here in Pittsburgh, and in Brooklyn, New York, before initiating The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh together with her husband, Rabbi Mordy Rudolph, in September 2006.
The Friendship Circle Board of Directors:
- Judy Wein, Chair
- Fred Rock, Treasurer
- Laura Dinkin
- Steve Halpern
- Stuart Horne
- William Lieberman
- Deb Myers
- Julie Paris
- Alex Paul
- Charles Perlow
- Lori Plung
- Dr. Daniel Rosen
- William Rudolph
- Dr. Marty Supowitz
THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE IS AN AFFILIATE OF CHABAD
Download more information in our Friendship_Circle_brochure.
