It’s easy to imagine courage as something distant or monumental — something preserved in books, monuments or on TV. But real courage can be found close to home, even in Pittsburgh.
Righteous Among the Neighbors, a program of the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, recognizes non-Jewish community members who actively support the Jewish community and stand up against antisemitism. The program began in 2023 and has honored more than 40 people across the region.
Each honoree receives a profile published in the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Those stories are written by student journalists from Mt. Lebanon High School.
As student reporters, my peers and I are responsible for telling the stories of these local allies.
For Greta Stern, a 16-year-old junior participating in the program for the second year, that responsibility is both professional and personal.
“I wanted to join Righteous to take my interest in journalism to the next level,” Stern said. “It was something I considered as a possible career, so I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and try a more formal interview and story process. As a young Jewish teen, the goal of Righteous Among the Neighbors really spoke to me.”
The process differs from typical high school journalism assignments. Students receive a list of nominees from the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, volunteer to write a profile and are assigned an honoree.
They then conduct interviews over several weeks, speaking with both honorees and the people who nominated them to piece together stories that extend beyond the high school and Mt. Lebanon community.
“Writing a Righteous story was surprisingly easier than a normal piece for the school paper,” Stern said. “Having a long conversation with the nominees and hearing their experiences made it easy to find an angle.”
Each profile highlights efforts to build bridges across communities. Honorees come from different professional backgrounds — including law, leadership and mediation — but share a commitment to strengthening interfaith relationships and encouraging dialogue.
“This year, I loved my first interview with my nominee,” Stern said. “I was amazed at her work and story. The way she talked about her journey and appreciation for Judaism really stood out to me.”
The assignment also brings added responsibility. Writing about antisemitism requires careful attention to accurately represent each person’s experiences.
“One part that was harder was the extra responsibility when writing about antisemitism,” Stern said. “I didn’t want to misrepresent anything said. But that pressure made it more gratifying to know my words could tell someone’s story.”
The program culminates each February with a recognition ceremony at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill. The event honors recipients, recognizes the student journalists and brings the community together in a shared moment of reflection and hope.
“As always, these articles give me so much happiness,” Stern said. “All the nominees are great role models for the person I’d love to be — caring, open and willing to stand up.”
As Pittsburgh continues to confront prejudice and division, Righteous Among the Neighbors offers a counter-narrative — one rooted in compassion and courage.
“These nominees show the positivity and love they bring to others,” Stern said. “It encourages me to always try to do the same.”
