Constance Playce
The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is one of the best in the country, where each enclosure is spacious enough to allow the animal to roam freely while also allowing good views for visitors. The best part is that one can get up close with polar bears, primates and other exotic animals. Experienced handlers and stringent maintenance of every space add to the experience. The zoo is deeply involved with the conservation of nearly extinct flora, fauna and animal life. Moreover, you can use facilities such as scooter rides, adult strollers, wheelchairs, safari jeeps, carouse rides, tram rides and more.
Beth El Congregation serves the spiritual and religious needs of the Jewish community in South Hills. The synagogue aims to go beyond just being a place of worship, to instead being a social, educational as well as a religious space where the community can congregate. In this regard, the synagogue has numerous programs and organizes numerous events for the benefit of the community. Check website for more information.
Designed to replicate ancient gardens from the Bible, the Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden is the creation of Mrs. Jacob and her husband, Rabbi Walter Jacob. The couple began in 1987 and since then it has become an idiosyncratic piece of Pittsburgh real estate to visit. The garden creeps around a landscape less than acre, where the grounds present more than 100 different species of plants. Each one is labeled with its Biblical name as well as a verse from the book. The garden also has a waterfall, a desert, and a model illustration of the Jordan River - from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Admission is free.
