Residents Launched Squirrel Hill Moishe Pod

In August 2026, two young adults began hosting community programs for Jewish residents in their Pittsburgh home.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Judaism

Residents Launched Squirrel Hill Moishe Pod

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Yael Karin, 23, and Riley Crow, 25, established a new Moishe Pod in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh in August 2026. The pair design and host community events specifically for Jewish individuals between the ages of 22 and 32.

Why it matters

The hosts aim to foster social connections and build community for young Jewish adults in the area. By utilizing their residence for gatherings like Shabbat dinners, they provide a welcoming space for those seeking local engagement.

Moishe Pod hosts receive rent subsidies, a dedicated program budget, and specialized training to facilitate communal events. These hosts design programming for a target demographic of young Jewish adults aged 22-32.

The players

Yael Karin

A 23-year-old facilities manager at Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh who previously served in the Israel Defense Forces.

Riley Crow

A 25-year-old University of Pittsburgh graduate who works as a marketing and communications coordinator at the JCC of Pittsburgh.

The details

Karin and Crow coordinate with local Jewish organizations to facilitate events, including Torah study sessions and communal dinners. The hosts leverage their respective professional backgrounds to manage the pod, with Karin working at the Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh and Crow at the JCC of Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting occurred on October 27, 2018.
Karin and Crow began hosting at their pod in August 2026.

Culture Shift

The Squirrel Hill site follows a model established by the broader national network of Moishe Pods to localize Jewish communal engagement. This initiative reflects a trend of decentralized, home-based community building among young professionals.

Young Jewish adults in the Pittsburgh area now have access to a new home-based venue for social events and religious study in Squirrel Hill. Residents interested in the program can participate in events designed specifically for their age cohort.

The takeaway

The establishment of the pod offers a consistent, private setting for young people to connect with their peers and faith. Participants can look to these gatherings as a primary way to cultivate personal networks and social stability in their city.