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Local physician to hold concert benefiting JF&CS refugee program

As Jonathan Weinkle approaches the “age of understanding,” he’s using an upcoming 40th birthday concert as a way of realizing his life-long dream of becoming a stage musician,

while raising funds for the refugee program of Jewish Family & Children’s Service at the same time.

 

His concert, Age of Understanding: An Acoustic Birthday Celebration, will be held at Club Café in Pittsburgh’s South Side on Sunday, July 21st. He describes his concert as a “mostly solo/acoustic act” of songs he’s written over the past 20 years.

Through his work as a primary care doctor at the Squirrel Hill Health Center on Browns Hill Road, Jonathan cares for hundreds of refugee patients, primarily those from Bhutan and Nepal, the Congo and some from Iraq. The majority of refugee patients he sees have been resettled by the refugee department staff at JF&CS.

“I can’t think of anybody I do more work with and feel closer to than JF&CS. It was a natural choice for me to donate a portion of the proceeds from this concert,” Jonathan said. “I’m looking at the bigger picture, and this is my way of giving back. I wanted to do something good, and I know how much refugees in our communities need.”

At JF&CS, the refugee department staff works to resettle refugees granted access to America and Pittsburgh, providing for their basic needs and acculturation into the Pittsburgh community and the region’s workforce. JF&CS also provides support to the growing numbers of refugees coming to Pittsburgh who had been resettled originally in other U.S. cities. Services include cultural orientation, employment and vocational services, legal immigration services, healthcare referrals and more.

“Jonathan’s commitment to supporting the diverse refugee populations in Pittsburgh is tremendous. He provides much-needed healthcare and health education for our refugee clients at the Squirrel Hill Health Center,” said Leslie Aizenman, director of refugee services at JF&CS. “We are deeply touched by his offer to donate proceeds from his 40th birthday party celebration. It’s a beautiful gesture.”

We are so grateful for Jonathan’s heartfelt contribution to JF&CS in honor of his birthday, and we hope you will join us on Sunday, July 21 to support his unique way of supporting JF&CS and the refugee community in Pittsburgh.

To learn more about JF&CS refugee services, to volunteer or to find more ways you can help support JF&CS’s programs and services for refugees in our community, visit our website at www.jfcspgh.org , or contact Leslie Aizenman at laizenman@jfcspgh.org or call 412-422-7200.

 

Want to attend?

What: Age of Understanding: An Acoustic Birthday Celebration featuring Jonathan Weinkle and Guests. Proceeds benefit JF&C’s refugee resettlement program.

When: Sunday, July 21, 2013 Doors open at 8pm, 8:30pm show

Where: Club Café 56-58 South 12th St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203 412-431-4950

Tickets are $18. Event is 21 and over, ID is required. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.clubcafelive.com/events