Aleph Institute NE Regional Headquarters

03/25/2026

The Aleph Institute - Shifra Program distributes for Passover fish, chicken and beef roasts to families who will enjoy it and allow them to celebrate better. To learn more please visit www.alelphne.org/shifra .

03/17/2026

https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/abby-mendelson-named-aleph-institutes-chaplain-of-the-year/

“They give us far more than we give them.”

03/12/2026

03/04/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aleph Institute to Honor Rabbi Abby Mendelson as “Chaplain of the Year”
Pittsburgh, PA – The Aleph Institute (www.alephne.org) is proud to announce that Rabbi Abby Mendelson will be honored as Chaplain of the Year in recognition of his outstanding dedication and compassionate service to incarcerated individuals throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Rabbi Mendelson has demonstrated extraordinary commitment through his weekly visits to both State Correctional Institution – Fayette and the Allegheny County Jail, where he provides spiritual guidance, religious services, counseling, and unwavering support to inmates. His work ensures that Jewish individuals who are incarcerated have access to religious resources, pastoral care, and a meaningful connection to their faith and community.
Through his consistent presence, Rabbi Mendelson has become a trusted source of strength and encouragement for many men and women navigating some of the most difficult chapters of their lives. His efforts reflect the core mission of the Aleph Institute – Pittsburgh: to provide religious, educational, and humanitarian services to Jewish inmates and their families, while advocating for dignity, rehabilitation, and hope.
“Rabbi Mendelson’s devotion goes far beyond routine chaplaincy,” said Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel of the Aleph Institute. “His weekly visits, personal care, and deep compassion embody the very essence of what it means to serve. He brings light into environments that are often dark and forgotten.”
The Chaplain of the Year award will be formally presented at the Aleph Institute – Pittsburgh Symposium this May, where community leaders, supporters, and partners will gather to highlight the organization’s vital work and celebrate those making a profound impact. For more information about the symposium, please visit www.alephne.org/symposium.
The Chaplain of the Year award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, commitment, and impact in correctional chaplaincy. Rabbi Mendelson’s tireless efforts at SCI Fayette and the Allegheny County Jail have made a lasting difference in the lives of countless individuals.
The Aleph Institute invites community members and supporters to join in celebrating Rabbi Mendelson’s remarkable service and dedication.
For more information about the Aleph Institute – Pittsburgh and its programs, please visit www.alephne.org.
Media Contact:
Aleph Institute
Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel
[email protected]
Website: www.alephne.org
About Aleph Institute – Pittsburgh
The Aleph Institute – Pittsburgh is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing religious, educational, and humanitarian services to Jewish inmates, their families, and Jewish members of the military. Through chaplaincy, advocacy, and community outreach, the organization works to ensure that no Jewish individual is forgotten, regardless of circumstance.

02/25/2026

02/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Over Two Tons of Food Donated to Support Local Families Ahead of Purim and Passover
Aleph Institute – Shifra Shed Program Provides Relief to Nearly 200 Families in the Pittsburgh Jewish Community
Over two tons of food have been donated to the Aleph Institute – Shifra Shed, a vital community program that provides food assistance to nearly two hundred families in the Pittsburgh Jewish community.
At a time when cuts to food stamps and other public assistance programs are placing increased strain on struggling families, many are facing impossible choices — between putting food on the table and keeping a secure roof overhead. The Shifra Shed works tirelessly to ensure that families do not have to make that choice alone.
Long-time contributor David Nadoff partnered with ofishel.com, a caterer in Baltimore, MD, to coordinate this extraordinary donation. The food shipment, delivered in advance of the upcoming Purim holiday, will allow families to celebrate with dignity, abundance, and peace of mind.
“As families prepare for Purim and look ahead to Passover, the need grows exponentially,” said community representatives. “Holiday food costs, including specialty items such as Shemura Matzoh and other Passover essentials, can be overwhelming — especially for larger families and those bringing children home from Yeshiva or abroad.”
The Passover Haggadah begins with the timeless invitation, “Hei Lachma Anya” — a declaration that all who are hungry should come and eat. This spirit of shared responsibility remains at the heart of the Shifra Shed’s mission: to ensure that every family can sit at a table of plenty and celebrate the holiday with dignity.
With Purim only one month before Passover, community members are encouraged to remember their neighbors as they prepare their own holiday celebrations.
“Passover marks the birth of the Jewish nation,” organizers note. “And in a nation, we care for one another. Just as a father cares for his children, we must ensure that every household in our community can celebrate with joy and security.”
Plans are already underway to significantly expand resources ahead of Passover to meet growing needs.
Community members who wish to contribute or assist are encouraged to support the Aleph Institute – Shifra Program and help ensure that every family’s holiday table is filled.
In doing so, we not only elevate our neighbors’ celebrations — we elevate our own.

Media Contact:
Rabbi Moishe Mayir Vogel [email protected]
Aleph Institute – Shifra Shed Program

12/18/2025

We mourn the passing of Rabbi Brian Cynamon who died after significant health issues on
December 14, 2025. Rabbi Cynamon stepped down from his role as a Chaplain earlier this year, due to ongoing health challenges. As per Rabbi Moishe Vogel “Even as late as a week before Rosh Hashanah he was reluctant to give up his work in the prisons; he loved it so much.”
Rabbi Cynamon first began as a volunteer at SCI Somerset (starting in 2012) and at SCI Laurel Highland (beginning in 2017). He became a Chaplain at SCI Greene (2018) and SCI Mercer (2019).
He always enjoyed interacting with those incarcerated and encouraging them in their faith.
Rabbi Cynamon graduated from the Hillel
Academy (1966) and then studied Liberal
Arts/Torah at Yeshiva University for two years
before completing his college education, with
dual majors of Psychology and Political Science,
from the University of Pittsburgh (1972). He
began to work for the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, as a caseworker for the
Department of Public Welfare. He remained
employed in this role for over 35 years.
Since he retired, he remained active in a host of activities, including real estate, notary public,
supervising SATs and ACT exams, being a district elections‘ judge, volunteering for boy
scouts, Shaare Torah Congregation and Beth Hamedrash HaGadol.
“He was a really nice guy,” noted Rev. Troy Sligh (CPD, SCI Mercer). “He kept trying to
push through with his health challenges.”
May his soul be bound up in the bundle of life.

08/12/2025

Rehabilitation should be high up on the list of goals of the penal system, of course security is key. As a human being, especially as a Jew, our goal is to serve G-d, for those the courts determine need incarceration, they can and should serve G-d in prison. We as a society, should help them.

If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to us, we have an opportunity for you.

“It’s imperative that a person who needs kosher food should be able to request it,” he said.

08/04/2025

Attended parole hearings today, no need to travel, families attend at hearing (online) at Aleph Institute. Both cases approved for release, parole boards impressed with Aleph Institute re-entry programs.

To learn more visit

• Anonymous Meetings• Aleph House • Employment Help • Computer Training Program • Religious Counseling • Community Transition Program • Dry Seder • Rabbi/Mentor • Chesed Mentoring Program