“Raising the Roof on the Rotunda”

A Celebration of Community and Culture

hosted by the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation

The Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation’s bold vision for revitalizing the historic Rotunda took a major step forward on May 15 as more than 330 community members gathered for Raising the Roof on the Rotunda, a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and community. The event raised $94,000 to help transform the former B’nai Israel Synagogue into a new hub for creativity, youth programming, and neighborhood gathering in Pittsburgh’s East End.

Held inside the awe-inspiring Rotunda, the evening was emceed by artist and advocate DS Kinsel, who welcomed guests with energy and gratitude. “You’re standing inside a building with deep roots in this neighborhood and huge potential for what’s next,” he said, following a high-energy performance by the WACONGO Drummers and Dancers. Guests enjoyed a rich mix of live music, dance, and visual art previewing the creative programming envisioned for the space. T.J. Harris of Harris Event Group brought the event and space to life by seamlessly handling DJing, lighting, audio, and announcements, creating an atmosphere that kept the energy high and the evening flowing. Students from Urban Academy Charter School, which formerly occupied the site, performed a stirring string ensemble in a tribute to youth empowerment. BOOM Concepts artists Cue Perry and Takara Canty created live paintings flanking the stage, as the evening unfolded with performances by jazz guitarist Ken Karsh, mezzo-soprano Sara Stock Mayo, and the dynamic Steve Vance Pop Trio Violins. Food and drinks from Common Plea Catering, Leona’s Ice Cream, Third Space Bakery, Market District, Two Frays Brewery, and Trace Brewing added to the celebration. Los Sabrosos Dance Co. closed the night with a joyful participatory performance under the Rotunda’s soaring dome. The event also honored two civic leaders. Robert M. Jones Jr., President and CEO of Brothers and Sisters Emerging (B.A.S.E.), was recognized for decades of grassroots mentorship. State Senator Jay Costa was honored for his advocacy and investments in neighborhood development. Awards were presented by BGC Executive Director Rick Swartz, who reminded attendees that “this space is more than bricks and mortar. It is a promise to the future of this community.” Closing remarks by BGC board member Jarmele Fairclough thanked attendees and sponsors, including Beacon Communities LLC, Duolingo, Dollar Bank, BOOM Concepts, First National Bank, and Jendoco Construction.The Rotunda project, led by BGC, aims to create The Arts and Events Center at the Negley Rotunda, a destination for local artists, youth programs, exhibitions, and events. Thursday’s fundraiser was more than a celebration. It marked the start of a movement. Donations are still being accepted at RotundaPGH.com. Together, the community is raising the roof and building a future where art, culture, and opportunity belong to everyone.

Check out the Articles about the Event from The Jewish Chronicle and  WESA

Event Chairs:
  • Robert Fragasso, CFP Board Emeritus®, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fragasso Advisors
  • DS Kinsel, Co-Founder BOOM Concepts & Cultural Agitator/Creative Entrepreneur
  • Carla Frost, Vice President & Corporate Responsibility Officer,  KeyBank
Honorees:
  • Robert M. Jones Jr. – President & CEO of Brothers and Sisters Emerging, Coach of Garfield Gators Football
  • Senator Jay Costa, State Senator

Host Committee:

  • Adele Sufrin
  • Alyson Bonavoglia
  • Anqwenique Kinsel
  • Autumn Young
  • Brian Kubat
  • Carla Frost
  • Cathy Green Samuels
  • Craig Kornick
  • D.S Kinsel
  • Elena Alves
  • Ellen Kessler
  • Gabriel Skamla
  • Gregory Heisler
  • James Wagner
  • Jarmele Fairclaugh
  • Jennifer Tyler
  • John Axtell
  • John Wright
  • Julia Clemm
  • Lillian Bahati Sogga
  • Linda S. Simon
  • Mark Peterson
  • Melissa McSwigan
  • Michael Polite
  • Morton Stanfield
  • Nina Gibbs
  • Rick Swartz
  • Robert Fragasso
  • Sam Braver
  • Sandy Simon
  • Sara Stock Mayo
  • Sherree Goldstein
  • Thomas Agnew
  • William Cornell
  • Zach Restelli

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Sponsors as of May 30, 2025

The Globe Sponsors

 Beacon Communities LLC
BOOM Concepts
Dollar Bank
DuoLingo
First National Bank
I.B.E.W. Local Union No. 5
JENDOCO Construction
Peter C Dozzi Family Foundation

Robert Levin & Kerry Bron

Melissa McSwigan & Robert Raczka

The Cupola Sponsors

 Fragasso Financial Advisors
Linda Simon
Mistick Construction
Paula Garrick Klein
Rothschild Doyno Collaborative
The Urban Reach Foundation
William & Debra Demchak
Michael Polite

The Dome Sponsors

American General Services Corporation: Nat Cohen ESQ.
Baum Blvd Automotive
Bridgeway Capital
Caroline E. Boyce
Cathy and Mike Samuels
Cathy Reifer & Sam Braver
Children’s Home Of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center
Cierra & Brian Maloney
David and Charlotte Toal
Deborah and Alexandra Hart
Diana Ames & John Axtell
Ellen & Jack Kessler
Friendship Community Group
Keybank
Pittsburgh Glass Center
PNC Bank
Susan Berman & Doug Kress
Tasty Taquitos
Wagner Agency, Inc. Insurance

Friends of the Rotunda

Adi Rapport

Alix Paul

Alyson Bonavoglia

Andrea Solomon-Eller

Ann Roth

Atiya Jones

Betty Rich

Beverly Brinn

Brian Alderman

Brigette Bethea

Brittini Wright

Cheryl Capezzuti

Christine Solie & Karen Oosterhous

Common Plea Catering

Dana Gold

David & Jill Weiss

David Lagnese

Debbey Altman-Diamant

Debbie Berkovitz

Deborah Polk

Eileen Kaplan

Elizabeth Chodos

Esther Nathanson

Event Source- Pittsburgh

George Wittenberg

Geraldine Tessler

Giant Eagle Bakery

Grace Auden

Greg Calvimontes

Hannah Mormer

Harris Event Group

Harry Chizeck

Harry Hochheiser

Heather Spitzer

Ina Gumberg

Irene Biler

Jarmele Fairclaugh

Jennifer Tyler

Jewish Chronicle

Jody and Steve Choder

John Katz

John Wright

Joseph Hall

Joseph Reynolds

Karl Thomas

Kelsey Myers

Kim Flurry

Laura Swiss, Rick Swartz, LIza Swartz, & Reuben Swartz

Leona’s Ice Cream

Linda Simon

Louise Mayo

M Jean Clickner & Jon Pushinsky

Maggie Feinstein

Maggie Richardson

Mary Anne Mason & Mark Peterson

Michele Clarke

Miracle Jones

Nancy Bernstein

Nancy Gohring

Peggy Fiedler

Rachael Heisler

Rachel Rosenfeld

Rema Hord

Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group

Ronnie Zuhlke

Sallyann Kluz

Sandy Simon

Sara Hackett

Sara Segel

Sara Stock Mayo

Square Cafe

Susan Blackman

Taylor Dozier

Teddi & David Horvitz

Third Space Bakery

Trace Brewing

Two Frays Brewery

Urban Academy Charter School

Verity Auden-Stevens

William Cornell

 

 Past Programs

Two days of Sephardic 

(Jews from the Balkans, Spain, Turkey, and Greece) 

Music, Food & Culture with

Musician Sarah Aroeste & Chef Susan Barocas

February 7 & 8, 2025

A wonderful weekend filled with a community Kabbalat Shabbat, Sephardic dessert cooking class, and Sephardic culture program with music, food and storytelling.

About Savor: The connection between music and food is at the heart of Sephardic culture and tradition. The two sensory experiences have survived in their unique forms, despite the Spanish Inquisition, Balkan Wars, the Holocaust and more. Song and food have united Sephardic Jews in their diaspora and have connected them through shifting centuries and borders. Savor works to do the same today, through creating cultural experiences for communities across the country.

 

 

Art Fence

In partnership with BOOM Concepts, The Rotunda Collaborative is currently displaying original artwork by local artists along the construction fencing at 327 N Negley Ave. Artists chosen from the community, along with students at Dilworth Elementary school, a local K-5 Arts magnet, created works about the dynamic nature of the neighborhood and visions for its future. The project aims to enhance the streetscape, demonstrate community connection, and be used to cultivate conversations with and within the community. Using the fencing as a public art space initiates community enhancement and engagement in a space typically dedicated to self-promotion.

Drive by our beautiful art fence to see these and the other artists’ work in person!