Hakol - January 2023

The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community www.jewishlehighvalley.org | Issue No. 461 | January 2023 | Tevet/Sh’vat 5783

AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977 FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p3 WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY p4 LVJF TRIBUTES p8 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p13 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p17 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p18-19 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p27

Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton light menorahs, officially condemn

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

Rabbi Yaacov Halperin made his annual Chanukah tour of the three cities of the Lehigh Valley on December 19 to 21 to light giant menorahs while highlighting the cities’ recent official proclamations against antisemitism.

He began in Bethlehem on the chilly evening of December 19, ascending in a fire truck bucket with Mayor William J. Reynolds to light a menorah in Payrow Plaza. Some 75 people gathered for this first of the lightings organized by Rabbi Halperin of Chabad of the Lehigh Valley.

At a time when antisemitism is rising in America, and just days after four people at Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt

were spreading antisemitic beliefs, Mayor Reynolds read Bethlehem’s proclamation against antisemitism. “When I look around today,” he offered the crowd as a preamble to the official document, “I see a lot of people who are out here because they want to stand up and they want to be a part of this as we make no mistake about what type of community we want to live in. No matter what your faith is, no matter how long you’ve been here, no matter who you’ve decided to pray to or not, we will value you and we will not allow people to make anybody feel like they have less worth than others.”

circle in the center of Easton. Halperin himself was being helped by another fire truck to light another giant menorah.

Mayor Salvatore J. Panto Jr. thanked the crowd for turning out for what was the 18th or 19th year for the menorah lighting in Easton. “It’s really great to celebrate our ethnic diversity and also our religious diversity,” he said.

victory,” See our “Shine a Light to dispel the darkness of antisemitism” photos p14-15

The next night, Rabbi Halperin’s car, with its lightup menorah attached to the roof, was parked along the

Lions gather in Phoenix

Dr. Carol Bub Fromer represented the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley at the Jewish Federations of North America’s International Lion of Judah Conference in Phoenix December 11-13.

The gathering of 1,200 women philanthropists from 80 communities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and Israel raised $24.2 million to support the Jewish Federations’ mission to build flourishing Jewish communi-

antisemitism

Joining to celebrate Chanukah and shine a light on antisemitism are (from left): Aaron Gorodzinsky, Jewish Federation director of campaign and security; Eric Lightman, JCC executive director; Rabbi Seth Phillips (retired); Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom; Rabbi Moshe Re’em of Temple Beth El; U.S. Representative Susan Wild; Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds; State Representative Mike Schlossberg; and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk.

he explained, “but about what took place afterwards, Get the latest news and tips on health and wellness in our special section p20-25

Cities shine a light Continues on page 9

Bub Fromer attends international conference, Ufberg receives philanthropy award

Bub Fromer, a family medicine physician with St. Luke’s University Health Network, attended the conference as a board member of the Lions’ parent organization, the National Women’s Philanthropy. “The highlight of the conference for me was meeting in person with my amazing colleagues from the national women’s board,” she said. “To be at a conference of 1,200 Lions of Judah was both

humbling and inspiring, and a reminder of the powerful role that women play in Jewish philanthropy and creating positive change around the world.”

The conference celebrated 50 years of Lion of Judah, the signature women’s philanthropic movement of the Jewish community that was founded in 1972 by Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland. Focal areas of the conference included women’s empowerment, the Federations’ role in global crises, mental health, and security and antisemitism.

Eileen Ufberg of Allentown was one of 58 women from 58 Federation communities to receive the 2022 Kipnis-Wilson/ Friedland Award during the conference. The award recognizes leaders who embody the spirit and vision of Lions of Judah through their commitment to “tzedakah” (righteous behavior), “tikkun olam” (re-

pairing the world) and community service.

of Chanukah, a holiday that celebrates the Jewish military victory during the Second Temple era, he said. “The way 702 North 22nd Street Allentown, PA 18104

“I was so honored to win this award from our community,” said Ufberg, who was unable to attend the conference. “What an amazing place to have been for the last 50-plus years!”

Pictured: Carol Bub Fromer (second from left) and other Lion women at the International Lion of Judah Conference in Phoenix

Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, said, “We are so proud to recognize Eileen Ufberg as our Kipnis-Wilson/ Friedland Award recipient. She is so deserving of this award for all she does for

women’s philanthropy and for our community.”

During the conference, participants discussed urgent issues the

Jewish community

is facing and heard from thought

Lions gather in Phoenix Continues on page 5

Cities shine a light

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Community check-up and check-in

The New Year is filled with such optimism — the promise of fresh starts, new beginnings. It’s also a time when many people take the opportunity to reflect inward and recommit to improving their own health and well-being.

In Judaism, health and wellness are held in high regard, and the Torah commands us to respect our bodies and prioritize our wellness, viewing these acts as holy. The connection between physical health and spirituality is embedded within Judaism, ranging from the kashrut (dietary rules) to viewing the body as a sacred vessel of the soul. There is a story in which Rabbi Hillel noted how important it was to care for one’s body since we are “created in the divine image and likeness.”

Judaism teaches us that we are responsible for caring

for the gift of our bodies, so maintaining our health becomes a positive act.

Health and wellness extend far beyond individual decisions and efforts. Judaism emphasizes a holistic perspective on wellness, viewing the mind, body and soul as intertwined with one another. I would add that the health and well-being of the community also contribute to the wellness of the mind, body and soul of the individual.

What is a healthy community? Healthy communities are built on the relationships that we nurture and the efforts that we make to work through the problems we encounter along the way. They rise to challenges and celebrate successes. A community must provide for the spiritual and physical needs of its members.

One area that is significantly tied to health

and well-being is the social support that we derive from our communities. Social support, or close relationships with family and friends, has been linked to improving the health of the mind, body and soul in many ways. Social support is not something that one person can do alone, and it is not something that can be developed with New Year’s resolutions to go to the gym more or to begin a new diet. It is something that can be achieved only when multiple people work to bring a community together. As you take a moment to consider the idea of a community check-up, this is also a great time to check in and be part of the social support of one another and of our community.

Community engagement and individual health have a reciprocal relationship: playing squash or pick-

leball, attending yoga or workout classes at the JCC, or swimming in the pool every morning are ways to focus on mind and body health, whereas involvement in Jewish organizations like our Federation, Jewish Day School, Jewish Family Service, and JCC, attending community events, and participating in Jewish life focus on spiritual health. Likewise, investing oneself in the community, by donating financially or giving your time and energy, addresses the health of the community, building and creating a vibrant Jewish community that, in turn, contributes to the health and well-being of our family, friends and neighbors. This month and in the months to come, there will be multiple events and opportunities to focus on the

health and well-being of our Jewish community and to enjoy the benefits of the social support that comes from a strengthened community. Our Maimonides Society Phone-a-Thon on January 29 is one such opportunity to donate financially. At the same time that’s happening, there will be a Women’s Philanthropy cooking event to benefit older adults in our community.

In 2023, as you consider your own personal resolutions, I encourage you to check in and engage as you contribute to the health and well-being of our community in ways that matter to you!

HAKOL STAFF

CARL

Jewish

Jewish

Jewish

The Lehigh Valley-Yoav Partnership Park in Blessed Memory of Mark L. Goldstein

We

IN HONOR

MADISON BILLIG

Happy Hanukkah!

Suzanne Lapiduss

MASON BILLIG

Happy Hanukkah!

Suzanne Lapiduss

MATHIAS BILLIG

Happy Hanukkah!

Suzanne Lapiduss

MICAH BILLIG

Happy Hanukkah!

Suzanne Lapiduss

EILEEN AND ROBERTO FISCHMANN

In honor of the engagement of your daughter Veronica to Yakov Pechersky

Cooky and Mike Notis

LISA AND BARNET FRAENKEL

In honor of the birth of your grandson, Bash Kearney Pam and Greg Silverberg

ALICE AND MARK NOTIS

In honor of the birth of your grandson Cooky and Mike Notis

ROBBY WAX

In honor of your Special Birthday

Suzanne Lapiduss JERI AND LEN ZIMMERMAN

In honor of the marriage of your son, Zach and Ashley Beth and Wes Kozinn

IN MEMORY

LILY GOLUB

Carole & Michael Langsam

JOSIAH MONTGOMERY (Son of Steve)

Jean Lehmann and Family

ALAN MORRISON (Husband of Judy Morrison)

Carole & Michael Langsam

MAURICE OJALVO (Husband of Sandy Ojalvo)

Carole & Michael Langsam

STUART PARIS (Husband of Enid Paris)

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

TO ORDER TREES, call the JFLV at 610-821-5500 or visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org

presented as typed copy; “Community Calendar” listings must be submitted by e-mail to hakol@jflv.org or online at www.jewishlehighvalley.org. Please include your name and a daytime telephone number where you can be contacted in the event questions arise. We cannot guarantee publication or placement of submissions.

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All advertising is subject to review and approval by The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley (JFLV). JFLV reserves the right to decline, withdraw and/or edit any ad. The appearance of any advertising in HAKOL does not represent an endorsement or kashrut certification. Paid political advertisements that appear in HAKOL do not represent an endorsement of any candidate by the JFLV.

JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY MISSION STATEMENT

In order to unite, sustain, and enhance the Lehigh Valley Jewish community, and support Jewish communities in Israel and around the world, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is dedicated to the following core values:

• Supporting Jews in need wherever they may be.

• Supporting Israel as a Jewish homeland.

• Supporting and encouraging Jewish education in the Lehigh Valley as a means of strengthening Jewish life for individuals and families.

• Supporting programs and services of organizations whose values and mission meet local Jewish needs.

To accomplish this mission the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is committed to the following operating guidelines:

• Raising and distributing funds to support the core values.

• Developing Jewish leaders.

• Building endowments to support implementation of core values.

• Committing to ongoing Jewish community strategic planning.

Fostering cooperation among organizations and community building.

• Evaluating all decisions with respect to fiscal responsibility.

Identifying unmet needs and investing in community initiatives to help get them started.

• Coordinating and convening a community response as an issue or need arises.

• Setting priorities for allocation and distribution of funds.

Acting as a central address for communication about events, programs and services of the Jewish community as a whole.

Approved by the JFLV Board of Directors on November 15, 2000

gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship by requesting that trees be planted in the Mark L. Goldstein Friendship Park, a Yoav-Lehigh Valley Partnership Forest.

Women live, laugh, light it up at Chanukah party

By Charlene Riegger Director of Marketing

The Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley threw its Chanukah party at the JCC on Tuesday, December 20, postponed a week from its original date due to snow and sleet.

About 35 women attended. To encourage mingling, they were assigned tables by the colors of their name tags. They enjoyed hot chocolate, various snacks and, of course,

sufganiyot (donuts).

To start the evening, event chair Rachel Levin lit the menorah while the blessings were sung. The women got to know their table mates with icebreaker games. Questions included: What is your favorite Jewish holiday and why? What kind of Jewish food are you? And what is your favorite family Chanukah tradition?

Anastasiia Zavodnyk, a Jewish Ukrainian refugee brought to the United States with her husband and young children, was the guest speaker for the event.

She started by explaining she wasn’t going to talk about the war in Ukraine itself but, rather, how the chaos affected her family.

She and her husband were woken up 5 a.m. one day by what they thought were fireworks.

They were confused because it wasn’t a holiday,

not understanding why someone would shoot off fireworks at that hour.

Then they saw the news that Ukraine was under attack. They didn’t know what to do. They knew nothing of war. Zavodnyk said no one teaches you what to do in case of military attack. She and her husband wondered whether they should act like it was just another day, getting the children ready for daycare and going to work, or stay home and hunker down.

They decided to keep everything as normal as possible for the children’s sake. Zavodnyk said that the hardest part was acting like everything was OK. She didn’t want the kids to be scared. She and her husband hid their fear.

After living this way for a while, the family were brought to the United States. They had nothing. The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, and its partner agencies Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Day School, stepped in to provide necessities like food, clothing, shelter, schooling and friends in the Jewish community.

Zavodnyk was over-

whelmed by all the support from the community. She said that politicians didn’t seem to know what to do with her family, though they had approved the immigration. The Zavodnyks had to wait a while for the documentation to allow them to work in the United States.

So, they were brought here but did not have the means to support themselves at the start. The Jewish community stepped in to assist them in cutting through the bureaucratic red tape. The family are now blossoming in the community.

Next, Eynav Dahan, the community shlicha, hosted Israeli/Jewish Jeopardy. Each table was a team, and the competition was stiff! The women had a wonderful time trying to determine the questions for some of the difficult answers Dahan put in the game. Answers included: the most religiously diverse city in Israel (Haifa), three Israeli cities that have “light” or “miracle” in their name (Or Yehuda, Or Akiva, Nes Amim, and Nes Ziona are all four), and the Hebrew month in which Chanukah is celebrated (Kislev).

Finally, the women gathered for a white elephant gift exchange. Each woman was to bring a wrapped gift, and the gifts were placed on a table. Each woman picked a number, and the number she drew was her place in line either to choose a gift from the table or to steal a gift from someone who already had taken one and opened it.

Wendy Edwards, office manager for the Federation, was the entertaining and

Another challenge for the night was to guess how many gelt were in a plastic dreidel.

lively emcee and referee. There was cheering, good-fun jeering and pretend pouting as the action began and ladies chose or stole gifts. Chanukah décor, beauty products, gift cards and kitchen items were among the gifts stolen —to the delight of the party!

The gift exchange was a fun ending to a festive night.

Handmade Afghans

BY EVA LEVITT

All proceeds benefit projects in Israel:

SPONSORED

Food Banks in Israel

Neve Michael Youth Village

Carol Wilson won with the correct guess of 81.

Women’s Philanthropy donates 49 blankets to people in need Lions gather in Phoenix

The Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley donated 49 blankets on December 6 to be given out to people in need. Twenty went to Jewish Family Service and 29 to the Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown, both of which will distribute them to their clients. Back in late October, 30 women gathered at the JCC to make two dozen of the blankets. Others who were unable to attend made donations.

leaders on opportunities to effect change through philanthropic giving. Speakers included Congresswoman Kathy Manning of North Carolina, Academy Awardwinner Marlee Matlin and award-winning journalist Katie Couric. Couric became a Lion of Judah during her keynote address and was pinned with the brooch symbolizing her entry into the organization of philanthropists.

Carolyn Gitlin, chair of National Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federations

of North America, said, “As the influence of women in charitable giving continues to grow,” “I have no doubt that our Lions will continue to make a transformational impact on our Jewish world.”

To date, Lions of Judah have raised more than $1 billion supporting Jewish communities and aiding vulnerable Jews at home, in Israel and around the globe. Today, over 18,000 Lions are making high-impact gifts.

Eileen Ufberg shown on screen at the Lions conference as the 2022 KipnisWilson/Friedland Award winner.

JDS honors Zighelboims, raises $222,416

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

“You have shown us the importance of building community and putting Judaism first,” said Ari Zighelboim during the Jewish Day School’s 69th Evening of Tribute on December 3. “My classmates and I are forever thankful.”

professionals in the medical field, they heal those in need and support their patients. As role models they show us how to live by doing.”

The Zighelboims arrived in the valley a decade ago with their two young sons and immediately got involved in the Jewish community. Valeska began volunteering at JDS, a natural fit considering that she and Israel had attended Jewish day schools growing up in their native Venezuela. She soon became vice president of development.

Gynecology.

The fund-raising results of the Evening of Tribute showed that JDS supporters followed the Zighelboims’ example of generosity. More than 200 donors pledged $222,416 to the school.

Golding said the funding was critical at a time when expenses are rising. It will help the school keep doing what it does best: providing children a top-notch, well-rounded education and strengthening their connection with Judaism and Israel.

Those were the words of gratitude from son and JDS student to his parents, Dr. Israel and Valeska Zighelboim, early into the live-streamed fund-raising event held in their honor. The couple received the school’s Pillars of the Community award for their continued support of JDS over their years in the Lehigh Valley.

“As lay leaders,” said Amy Golding, JDS head of school, “Israel and Valeska give generously of their time and their financial resources to our beloved community. As

Besides working with JDS, the Zighelboims have combined to serve on the JCC board, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley board and the Community Planning Board. Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Federation, said, “From the time that I arrived in community, they’ve been just tremendous leaders in all aspects of our agencies, our synagogues and in setting the pace for the future.”

Hebrew class is “hallmark” of the curriculum, Golding said, one of the things that obviously sets JDS apart from other schools. The classes “help us to form a deep connection to our homeland,” she explained. They also improve overall education by honing criticalthinking and problem-solving skills.

The particular project that

will benefit most from funds pledged for the night is renovation of the school library. Multifunction space will be created, with pieces that can be moved around to accommodate various uses. One of the JDS students elaborated on the plan: “We will have quiet space for research projects, a little amphitheater with elevated rows where our librarian can read aloud or our students can bring out the page of a book by acting it out.” The project will also include the purchase of new furniture and books.

“Several months later, a family was welcomed and their oldest child, Anna, enrolled in JDS kindergarten,” said Golding. The mother, Anastasiia, said she was very impressed.

“Teachers are trying to show that the Jewish traditions are cool and how to be a proud Jew,” she said. “The words ‘proud’ and ‘Jew’ were very unusual to me.

“This is a place where my children can learn about their nationality, about traditions. I didn’t have that, and now I will learn that from my children.”

In their professional lives, Valeska is a registered nurse with the St. Luke’s University Health Network, and Israel is chairman of the St. Luke’s Department of Obstetrics and

One of the highlights of the evening was an interview with a Ukrainian family with three kids who relocated to the Lehigh Valley. As news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spread, JDS students began asking how they could help, said Golding. Ukraine had about 200,000 Jews.

HELP US BE

In a world filled with unprecedented need, Federation not only rose to the occasion, but thrived.

We were able to do so because of the generous support we have received in the past.

Because of your generosity GOOD continues to grow throughout our community.

For almost 70 years, Federation has been HERE FOR GOOD.

And with your help, we’re not going anywhere.

It sounds similar to the Zighelboims’ early experience with JDS. “Valeska and I never imagined that we would ever be relocating our family to Allentown, Pennsylvania,” Israel said. “Once the opportunity came, we only considered it because this place already had this wonderful Jewish day school.” FEDERATION

Neurosurgeon spells out how to choose tech

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

How to decide what new medical equipment to acquire as technology rapidly improves was Dr. Doron Rabin’s subject at the Maimonides Society Brunch and Learn on December 18.

“There have been incredible advances since my training,” the neurosurgeon with St. Luke’s Neurosurgical Associates told the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s society of medical professionals. When he moved to the Lehigh Valley, he said, there was one trauma center in the whole region. Now there are about a dozen.

The constant improvements in technology put doctors and administrators in the difficult and unceasing situation of trying figure out where it’s best to upgrade. The wrong decision is a big deal: spending seven digits on a piece of equipment that doesn’t work out is a very costly mistake.

Dr. Rabin, who diagnoses and treats cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disease, and performs over 100 surgeries a year, broke down the decision-making process in a Power Point presentation that put medical advancements

and business realities in the balance.

When a medical practice decides where to invest, there are some specific steps it should take. First is developing a general understanding of the reasons for getting new technology.

The potential benefits fall into three broad categories: for the patient, for the physician and for the practice.

Helping the patient is fairly obvious, from improving results and reducing “adverse affects” like infections, blood loss, kidney problems and opioid dependence.

Then there are the benefits to the doctors. There’s an increase in safety, ability to perform and work satisfaction. For example, radiation exposure has decreased, Rabin said, “and I don’t have to wear lead” – which makes him safer, freer to move and generally more comfortable.

So how does a practice figure this out in advance of acquiring whatever technology is in question? Equipment salespeople are a start, letting doctors know what their products do, how they work and plenty more. “Don’t worry,” Rabin said, “the vendors will give you tons of information!”

After that, there’s find-

ing evidence and weighting it. Published studies and accumulated data are solid foundations for decisions.

Then there’s the opinion of experts. Since there’s nothing like using a piece of equipment hands-on, talking with someone with that experience can boil the matter down to its essence fast. “Honestly,” Rabin said a colleague may admit, “it sits in a corner and we don’t use it. That’s a problem if you spent a million dollars on something.”

Once the preliminary decision whether to continue investigating a purchase is figured out, there are many practical issues that may not have been first to come to mind. Can the medical facility accommodate the item: what are the electrical capabilities and how much physical space is available? Will the new purchase be compatible with existing equipment? Would the vendor be able to walk a doctor through a problem in the middle of an operation? How long before the item will need to be replaced?

New equipment of course requires new training, taking personnel out of the operating room. And even then, once people know the basics of how to use the item, there’s still a learning curve. “Ini-

tially when we brought in a robot,” Rabin said, “it didn’t speed things up.”

What does all this mean for the future? As doctors have already seen in their practices, technological improvements have made big changes, often for the better.

The digitization of records is one area. Now patients can access their medical records easily and follow-up can often be virtual. “I’m not pulling them out of work anymore,” Rabin said.

Augmented and virtual reality will only continue to be enhanced. “‘I rehearse in my mind what I’m going to be able to do the next day,” Rabin said about how he prepares for procedures. Soon he’ll be able to practice on models.

Stereo imagery will become the norm. Right now, it’s available to prepare for doing procedures, but it doesn’t process fast enough

for real-time applications in the operating room.

On the decision-making side, artificial intelligence will take an increasingly greater role in processing data to aid evaluations. “I think that’s another really big thing that’s going to come along,” Rabin said.

As Rabin closed his program, he emphasized the importance of making decisions related to technology so it effectively solves the problems it’s intended to solve. He quoted the 20th century management guru W. Edwards Demming: “Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.”

Registration is Open!

Book now for the April 20 - 27, 2023 Israel at 75 “Get Engaged” Mission. It’s a special year for Israel…its 75th anniversary…and we’ll be there to celebrate the diamond anniversary. We hope you get engaged! Highlights Include:

• Have a taste of Israel like never before!

• Explore the newly opened Independence Trail.

• Commemorate Yom Hazikaron at a special ceremony.

• Celebrate Israel at 75! Jewish Federation missions are the best way to experience Israel! Contact Aaron Gorodzinsky at 610.821.5500 Ext. 337 or Aaron@jflv.org.

In honor of your daughter Veronica’s engagement to Yakov Pechersky

Eileen Ufberg

Vicki Wax

LISA AND BARNET FRAENKEL

In honor of the birth of your grandson, Michael Sebastian Aaron Gorodzinsky & Jennie Schechner

Suzanne Lapiduss

Judy and Larrie Sheftel

Vicki Wax

LINDA AND HAROLD KREITHEN

In honor of the marriage of your son Jeff to Minjeoung

Marlene & Arnan Finkelstein

AMY AND RICH MORSE

In honor of the birth of your granddaughter

Vicki Wax

ALICE AND MARK NOTIS

In honor of the birth of your grandson Eileen Ufberg Vicki Wax

NANCY AND STEVE OBERLENDER

In honor of Isabelle’s engagement to Marc Beth and Howard Kushnick

LAUREN AND DORON RABIN

In honor of your daughter Golda’s Bat Mitzvah

Laurie and Robby Wax

ARLENE AND RICHARD STEIN

In honor of your granddaughter Erica’s engagement

Marlene & Arnan Finkelstein

STEPHANIE AND STEVE SZILAGYI

In honor of Meredith’s engagement to Kyle Elaine and Leon Papir STEVE SZILAGYI

Wishing you a speedy recovery Elaine and Leon Papir EILEEN UFBERG

In honor of your Special Birthday Roberta and Richard London

JERI AND LEN ZIMMERMAN

In honor of your son Zach’s marriage to Ashley

Wendy and Ross Born Carol and Gary Fromer

Aaron Gorodzinsky & Jennie Schechner

Eileen Ufberg and Family

Laurie, Robby, Ben and Danny Wax Vicki Wax

IN MEMORY

CAROLE

(Sister of Judy Toubin)

Jeanette & Eduardo

Eichenwald

Beth and Wes Kozinn

Carole and Michael Langsam

MOTHER (Mother of Barbara Katz)

Carole and Michael Langsam

BARON JASPER (Father of Sherri, Suzanne and Tobi)

Randi & Donald Senderowitz

ALAN MORRISON

(Husband of Judy Morrison, father of Rob Morrison)

Wendy and Ross Born Marilyn Claire Jeanette & Eduardo

Eichenwald

Marlene & Arnan Finkelstein

Aaron Gorodzinsky & Jennie Schechner

Eileen Ufberg and Family Laurie and Robby Wax Vicki Wax

MARISA VAIDA (Mother of David Vaida and mother-inlaw of Cantor Ellen Sussman)

Judy and Larrie Sheftel

HELEN AND SOL KRAWITZ HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND

IN MEMORY

BARON JASPER (Father of Sherri, Suzanne and Tobi)

Lynda & Stuart Krawitz

By Cindy Schneider Temple Beth El

It’s the time of year for giving thanks and making a difference in the lives of others.

Temple Beth El once again responded with ChanuCan, a program to raise awareness and funds for those in need in our local community.

This year’s theme, Acts of Kindness, focused on learning and teaching about the compassion that supports us all.

ChanuCan premiered in December of 2011 with a resounding number of volunteers, donations of dollars and cans, and hands-on educational opportunities for the entire congregation. Through donations, food was purchased for a creative canbuilding program. Cans and non-perishable food items were then donated to local food banks, and TBE partnered with Jewish Family Services of the Lehigh Valley and Second Harvest. Each ChanuCan has donated over 6,000 pounds of food.

With ChanuCan 2022, TBE continued to collect food and raise awareness of food insecurity in the Lehigh Valley by teaching through involvement and participation in a necessary and worthwhile program. The Acts of Kindness concept brought so many ideas combined with parables from our Jewish heritage.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

IN HONOR VIKKI AND DAVID DUNN

In honor of the birth of your granddaughter, Mabel Solebello Dunn Wendy and Ross Born EILEEN AND ROBERTO FISCHMANN

Cities shine a light

when the Jewish people entered the temple and found a little jar of olive oil, enough fuel to light the menorah for one night. It miraculously lasted eight days….

“The beautiful message of Chanukah is two things: doing something today is not enough — tomorrow we need to do more; and, as the menorah symbolizes, a little

bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness.

“The way we overcome antisemitism is not by fighting back, but just by being positive, by adding more light and more light and more light. It’s not just by lighting a candle. ‘More light’ can mean being a bright light to your neighbor or your friend.”

The brass band then

played Jewish songs, lending energy and festiveness to the occasion. Some teenage boys who were running the event with Rabbi Halperin danced in a group, to the crowd’s approval.

The last night of Rabbi Halperin’s three city menorah lightings was in Allentown on December 21 before a Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey game

Stoking the flame of the Yiddish revival

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

In the Yiddish classes Mikhl Yashinsky teaches for the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and the Workers Circle, he begins by asking students to explain why they decided to learn the language. Often, a student will describe attending a performance of “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish,” the smash hit from the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene. This is literally music to the ears of Yashinsky, who not only teaches conversational Yiddish, translates Yiddish literature and writes Yiddish plays and videos, but who also played a beggar and innkeeper in the latest run of “Fiddler” in Yiddish, which closed on Jan.

1. “Many thousands of people have seen Yiddish ‘Fiddler’ by now and it’s had a real impact on them and how they see the language,” he told the New York Jewish Week. “It makes me happy that one thing feeds into another.”

The 33-year-old Chelsea resident is in some ways the future of Yiddish, at least of the secular, artistic and academic variety that is spoken and studied outside of the haredi Orthodox community, where it is often the first language. While some Yiddishists bristle at the notion that the language of Ashkenazi Eastern Europe is undergoing a “renaissance,” figures like Yashinsky are making sure the language continues to flourish in communities

beyond the yeshiva.

Yashinsky studied modern European history and literature at Harvard, attended the Vilna Yiddish Language Institute and in 2015-16 worked as a fellow at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Mass. In 2018, Yashinsky performed in the held-over runs of Yiddish “Fiddler “at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Lower Manhattan, then left New York for a steady gig teaching Yiddish at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

He rejoined the musical when it was staged in 2019 at Stage 43, the largest off-Broadway theater in the city.

versus its rival Hershey Bears. Minutes before the opening faceoff, rink workers wheeled a large menorah made of ice onto the playing surface. Rabbi Halperin stepped up onto to a small platform to reach the “candles” with a handheld

blowtorch.

He said a few words, and his son sang a song in Hebrew before the rink workers hustled the menorah off the ice so the game could begin.

Jewish television host Barbara Walters dies at 93

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Barbara Walters, the iconic newswoman and celebrity interviewer who made history for women and Jewish anchors on mainstream American news television, died at 93 on Friday. ABC News, where Walters regularly appeared on shows such as “20/20” and “The View,” shared the news without giving a cause of death.

Before becoming one of the most enduring and talked about news hosts in the world from the 1970s through the 2000s, Walters was raised by parents

descended from Jewish immigrants who fled antisemitism in Eastern Europe. Her father Lou founded a chain of nightclubs and moved the family from Boston to Miami to New York, earning and losing fortunes along the way.

In 2006, Walters told The Washington Post that her parents were not religious, and she never celebrated Jewish holidays while growing up. But she noted that her father would always come home from his Latin Quarter clubs on Friday nights, which she saw as a nod to a family Shabbat tradition. As an adult, she

began buying Christmas trees each year, proclaiming she loved the holiday.

Walters was married four times, to three different Jewish men. She had one child, with theater impresario Lee Guber, who demanded that their daughter attend Hebrew school. While married to producer Merv Adelson — from 1981-84 and then from 1986-92 — they celebrated Jewish holidays “because it was important to him,” she told the Post.

Walters worked her way up through the ranks at NBC in the early 1970s, becoming the first female co-host of “The Today

Show” in 1974. In 1976, she moved to co-host what was then the “ABC Evening News.” She became a longtime contributor to “20/20,” ABC’s primetime TV news magazine show that competed with CBS’ “60 Minutes,” and co-founded and co-hosted “The View,” starting in 1997.

Walters was known for her candid interviewing style — “She invented intimacy on television,” an ABC producer once said — but also hit her subjects with blunt, cutting questions. Some of her most famous interviews included Jewish figures, including Monica Lewinsky, who Walters called her biggest “get.” She asked Lewinsky if she would tell any future children about her affair with President Bill Clinton, which rattled Washington in a way few other scandals have. “Mommy made a big mistake,” Lewinsky replied. “And that,” Walters said in an often-quoted response, “is the understatement of the year.”

Walters also scored the

first joint interview with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, before they finished negotiating a historic peace agreement in 1979. In 1977, she had also interviewed Sadat on his flight to meet with Begin in Israel.

Her style was often debated, including by some critics who thought she ushered in the era of news as entertainment, and parodied by the likes of Gilda Radner on “Saturday Night Live.” In 2014, she appeared on “SNL,” proclaiming that it was an honor “to see my groundbreaking career in journalism be reduced to a cartoon character with a ridiculous voice.”

Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images

Workshop explores 100 years of Jews in Bethlehem

time high since the ADL began tracking it in 1979, and the story of being Jewish in Bethlehem continues to develop. On December 19, just 24 hours after the Christkindlmarkt incident, there was a well-attended menorah lighting near city hall for the second night of Chanukah.

By Jennifer Lader Special to Hakol

“Come In, Come In: Welcome to Bethlehem” on December 15 was the first session of a story-based workshop at Congregation Brith Sholom titled “Belonging to Bethlehem: A Jewish Story Sampler.” Despite coinciding with the season’s first snowfall, the session was well attended.

The monthly workshop, which I lead and which is also part writing course, explores the results of more than 10 years of interviews with 100 people in and around the Bethlehem Jewish community. One theme that emerged is that sharing in one another’s lives and stories is what builds community.

The first session emphasized the importance of identifying the context in which events occur. For example, the Jewish community in Bethlehem grew up in response to the needs of Bethlehem Steel for employees and for providers of goods and services. Jewish men and women worked in both capacities.

With Jewish families living scattered throughout the neighborhoods of Bethlehem’s Southside since the 1880s, their children mostly attended public schools. On the streets, “it was the league of nations,” as one man said — with many ethnicities, languages and religious persuasions. Over the years, there would be skirmishes on playgrounds, bullies lurking on the walks home from school. As one man recalled, “Oh, yes, a kid who got mad might say, ‘You killed my God.’”

Yet the general tone seems to have remained largely one of plurality, with many fondly recalling non-Jewish friends. As another interviewee said of the 1920s, “It was important to us that (the non-Jewish children) knew ‘we are Jewish and we don’t play ball on the Sabbath.’”

Jewish-owned shops routinely closed for the High Holidays, with notices published in the local newspapers. The Brith Sholom Community Center became the place where people from throughout the city learned to swim. Quite a number of Jewish women and some men became beloved teachers in the public schools.

Looking back over their lifetimes, those interviewed more commonly emphasized the points of connection to Bethlehem, known since the 1930s as the Christmas City, rather than the opposite.

When disturbing incidents happen, such as the four people wearing “It’s okay to be white” T-shirts at the final day of Christkindlmarkt, how easy it would be to turn away and think there is something wrong with this place. But research into the Bethlehem Jewish community showed that in recent decades, “No Place for Hate,” a program of the Jewish-based Anti-Defamation League, was adopted with gusto. Jewish children have found it more common to be called on to educate classmates on cultural customs than to fight. As one woman said, “It’s okay to be Jewish in Bethlehem.”

Today’s context is that antisemitism is at an all-

Mayor J. William Reynolds spoke with feeling, saying, “I’ve had a lot of phone calls … asking what can we do about the rising tide of antisemitism in our community, state and country…. We’re building the type of community where there’s a place for everyone … no matter what your faith is and who you decide to pray to or not. We will value you and we will not allow anyone to make others feel they are worth less than anyone else.”

In the research, it turned out that being part of Bethlehem meant something positive and special to many interviewed for the research project. Among those voices, and today, there is a strong sense among many in the Jewish community of belonging to Bethlehem at large. Although some people respond to their worries by hating, the connections we as humans all have to one another become clear in story after story.

The “Belonging to Bethlehem” workshop meets on the third Thursday of the month from 1:15 to 2:30. The next session is January 19. In-person signups are full, but it’s still possible to join via Zoom. The cost of this Brith Sholom fundraiser is $10 per session. Contact Tammy@brithsholom.net to register.

“Bethlehem Steel Works” by Joseph Pennell, May 1881.

By Sean Boyle Special to Hakol

The inaugural New York Jewish Book Festival was held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage on December 11, 2022. Throughout the day there were 32 programs, 85 speakers and 72 author book-signings.

Programs covered themes of Jewish heritage, culture and history, modern life and literature, the Holocaust, food and cookbooks, and books and activities for kids and families. All 32 were recorded and are available on the museum's YouTube channel.

The program “RBG’s Brave and Brilliant Women: 33 Jewish Women to Inspire Everyone,” titled from the book written by Moment magazine’s editor in chief Nadine Epstein, explained how a year before Supreme

Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, she sat down with her to discuss the Jewish women she found inspiring and said she wanted to write a biography anthology about them. They came up with 150 women from history and wanted to include 36 in the book but ended up with 33. Epstein provided background on why certain women were selected by both Ginsburg and herself, and she talked about what it was like collaborating with the justice.

The Association of Jewish Libraries (of which I am vice president and president-elect) was involved from the early stages of planning the book festival and was well represented with members and leadership attending and manning a table promoting the many resources offered on the AJL website at jewishlibraries.org. The AJF

also hosted and moderated the program “What Makes a Jewish Book?” The panelists each had several opinions and used copies of books on the table as supporting examples. They then discussed the types of Jewish books they’d like authors to bring them to publish: books that venture beyond the traditional Ashkenazi Jewish experience to highlight the many varieties of Jews in the world.

Kalaniot Publishers had several authors doing programs and book signings. One of note was Shoshana Nambi, reading her book “The Very Best Sukkah: A Story From Uganda.” Shoshana Nambi grew up in Mbale, Uganda’s Abayudaya Jewish community, learning Hebrew at the nearby synagogue and teaching songs and the Torah portion to young children. She is now a

rabbinical student on her way to becoming the first female rabbi from her community.

PJ Library set up a reading and story-time area with several of its books available for families to do their own story times.

Sabina Hahn, illustrator for the recent PJ book Jonah, led the interactive program “Illustrating Your Story.”

Chana Stiefel, coauthor with her husband, Larry Stiefel, of the recent release “Mendel’s Hanukkah Mess Up” did a prop-filled interactive reading of the book with her former teacher Penninah Schram, an internationally known storyteller, teacher, author and recording artist. (I reviewed this book for the December 2022 issue of Hakol.) Children were able to be photographed with the mitzvah-mobile prop.

The festival was free to attend and the exhibition floor open to all. The kosher restaurant LOX at Café Bergson offered many sit-down and grab-and-go options.

Festival planners hope the event becomes annual and will be looking to expand it across the entire Jewish Book Week, with two weekends full of author talks and other programming.

Sean Boyle is Congregation Keneseth Israel’s librarian, and vice president and president-elect of the Association of Jewish Libraries. His review of “Love and Kisses, Charlie,” a collection of WWII letters of former Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley president Charlie Fletcher, appears in this issue.

Sean Boyle (left) with Mitchel Weiss, CEO of Kalaniot Books.

Jewish Family Service operated a “choice model” pantry since 2013. On March 19, 2020, it was forced to halt all food distribution due to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. This restriction affected 120 households who relied on the Community Food Pantry to feed their families.

Six weeks later JFS was able to resume food distribution, using a contactless pickup

system. Clients were given prepacked boxes, with little opportunity to select the type or amount of food that would work best for their households.

“It was a less-than-ideal situation, but we wanted to get the food to those who needed it,” said Rebecca Axelrod-Cooper, impact coordinator for JFS. “We had no idea if we were giving too much food, or too little. And we didn’t know if they liked what we

were giving them.”

On December 12, 2022, after nearly three years, the choice pantry reopened to clients. With extensive planning, a team of staff have established new systems for safe operation, set up the grocery-storestyle pantry and trained volunteers. Masks are worn by anyone who is in the food pantry, so the food pantry can safely remain open. Clients are ushered through the

Hanukkah programs

610.821.8722 | www.jfslv.org

pantry by volunteers who assist them in choosing foods to fill their shopping carts. Reinstituting the choice pantry will reduce food waste and help maximize spending when placing orders with the Second Harvest Food Bank.

“The best part of this new system is reestablishing the dignity of choice,” says Doug Trachtman, food pantry liaison. “The volunteers love working one on one

with clients, who now get to choose the foods their families will enjoy eating.”

There is always a chance to learn something new. Since reopening our doors, we’ve learned that clients like canned corn better than any other canned vegetable!

To volunteer in the Community Food Pantry, contact Jennifer Oxfeld, joxfeld@jfslv.org.

IN HONOR

VIKKI AND DAVID DUNN

In honor of the birth of granddaughter, Mabel Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

JFS STAFF

In appreciation of their kindness Judy and Andy Murman RICK NOLTE

Wishing you a speedy recovery Judy and Andy Murman

HELEN AND LENO SCARCIA

In appreciation of their kindness Judy and Andy Murman LINDA AND JIM WIMMER

In appreciation of their kindness Judy and Andy Murman

JERI AND LEN ZIMMERMAN

In honor of the marriage of your son, Zach and bride, Ashley Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

IN LOVING MEMORY

MIRIAM ALEXANDER

(Mother of Audrey Nolte)

Judy and Andy Murman

Norman Sarachek

Abby and Mark Trachtman

SYBIL KAMBER

Rabbi Allen and Toby Juda

FLORENCE KASPIN

Casey Goldblat & Irving Kaplan

(Husband of Ethel Melamut, Father of Debbie Minkoff)

Theodore LaRose

ALAN MORRISON

(Husband of Judy Morrison, Grandfather of Abby Feinberg) Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

MICHAEL NATHAN

(Father of Phyllis Kaufman)

Bill Bergstein

Alyssa & Mark Emswiler

Beth and Howard Kushnick

Cary and Michael Mortiz

Judy and Andy Murman

Kathy Zimmerman & Peter Fisher

Robin and Alex Rosenau

Jill Steigerwald

Abby and Mark Trachtman

RENEE SCHWARTZ

(Mother of Pam Silverberg) Judy and Andy Murman

STUART SCHWARTZ

(Husband of Janice Schwartz) Judy and Andy Murman

MARISA VAIDA

(Mother of David Vaida)

Rabbi Allen and Toby Juda

Judy and Andy Murman

Helene & Leno Scarcia

Abby and Mark Trachtman

A tribute card from JFS is a wonderful way to share your thoughtfulness with family and friends. For a donation of $18 or more (the amount is up to you), we will send a lovely card to the recipient of your choice, letting them know of your contribution. Your contribution may be made to JFS’s General Fund or may be directed to a special program such as the Community Food Pantry, Education and Programs or Older Adult Services. Call 610-8218722 or visit www.jfslv.org/tributes to order cards.

We thank Howard Nathanson, Audrey Nolte, Rabbi Seth, Nancy Amols and Rabbi Singer for bringing Hanukkah programs to long term care residences across the Lehigh Valley.

We thank the following individuals who have graciously supported JFS by sending tribute cards:

GERALD MELAMUT

Shining a light against antisemitism throughout the Lehigh Valley

Allentown Bethlehem

Easton Community events

By Rabbi Yaacov Halperin Chabad of the Lehigh Valley

As we stand in the midst of these midwinter days, it’s

Following the path to positivity and growth

story of Jacob’s blessings for his grandsons, Menashe and Ephraim, we see a lesson about the importance of finding the positive in difficult situations.

When Joseph brought his children to receive a blessing from his father, Jacob, before Jacob passed away, he naturally stationed his older son Menashe on his right side and Ephraim, the younger son, on his left. But Jacob crossed his hands and placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head and his left hand on Menashe’s head, blessing them both.

Joseph was not pleased with this, as he knew firsthand the destructive power

Menashe is the older one; please place your right hand on him.”

His father responded, “Menashe will indeed become great, but his younger brother Ephraim will reach even greater heights.” We know that when a righteous person, like our forefather Jacob, intentionally does something, there are no mistakes in their actions. And if the Torah relates this story to us, it is likely that it holds a message for our own personal lives. Jacob and Joseph each had different views on how to approach life. Joseph gave his children names that reflected his experiences. Menashe represents the pain and suffering he faced during his time away from his family, being

sold into slavery and imprisoned. Ephraim, on the other hand, represents a message of thanksgiving to God for Joseph’s success despite these challenges.

Jacob, however, felt that the name Ephraim, which means “fruitful” or “prosperous,” was superior because it represents the ability to turn darkness into light and challenges into opportunities. He was trying to teach his son Joseph, and perhaps all of us, that when we find ourselves in difficult situations or negative experiences, we should not dwell on the pain and suffering, but rather see everything as an opportunity for personal growth and success. By embracing this mindset, we can turn even the darkest

moments into moments of joy and light.

The story of Jacob and his sons is a powerful reminder of the importance of finding the positive in difficult situations and seeing challenges as opportunities for personal development. It reminds us that it is up to us to make the most of the blessings we receive and to use them to create a meaningful and fulfilling life.

By adopting this mindset, we can turn even the darkest circumstances into moments of light and joy, just as Ephraim’s name suggests. Let us strive to follow the path of positivity and growth, using the blessings that come our way to create a life full of purpose and fulfillment.

Jewish Day School, PJ Library host party on Chanukah day 4

Parents and kids and other community members gathered at the Jewish Day School on Wednesday evening, December 21, for a JDS and PJ Library Chanukah party.

Guests enjoyed a variety of food offerings that included donuts and a latke bar with fixings. Rabbi Moshe Re’em of Temple Beth El and Rabbi Seth Phillips led the lighting of the menorah for the evening, the fourth night of Chanu-

Kids were able to get their faces painted for the celebration. They also got to take whacks at a giant dreidel pinata and have their photos taken against a backdrop fit for the festive occasion.

A rock band, complete with drum set and electric guitar and bass, entertained the gathering.

Kids got to take home goody bags when they left.

Why JDS?

By Ivy Bernstein, class of 2013

It’s rare to find a school that manages to both feel like home and also offer an excellent education that prepares you for life. JDS was that school for me. It was at JDS where I first learned to think critically and creatively. It prepared me for high school, college, and beyond.

I went to the Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley for nine years. The care and consideration that I received there served as my life’s foundation. After JDS, I embarked on a journey into high school. My first year there, I was ahead in most of my classes. “How did you learn to write so well?” people asked. Of course, I didn’t say much. But, in my mind, I thought of Mrs. Piesner who encouraged me in second grade, who wrote “KEEP WRITING” in bright colors on all of my journal assignments. I thought of Mrs. Kidd, who had us writing term papers in sixth grade. I thought of Mr. Goldman who encouraged me to run the middle school newspaper, who wrote in my eighth grade yearbook something about wanting a shout-out in the book I’d write some day. The beautiful thing about JDS is that these teachers truly believed in me. I thrived from the personalized attention and encouragement. It taught me to believe in myself, to believe that I really would succeed in life.

After graduating high school, I studied legal history at Brown University. Even there, I felt prepared to write, to study, and keep up with my peers. I can definitely say that JDS helped me get to Brown. A good edu-

cation teaches you the fundamentals. But an excellent education, like the one I received at JDS, pushes beyond that. It teaches you to think critically, to wonder about the world. It teaches you to dream big. JDS teachers make you feel like that’s really possible.

Over Thanksgiving 2022, I walked around JDS for this first time since 2017. All of the chairs in the multipurpose room felt so small. Lots of things had changed; the infamous tire swing was gone, and now there’s a hydroponic plant in the science lab! But it still felt the same. It smelled the same.

Now I’m 23 years old, working as a Civil Legal Advocate at a public defense office in New York City. I have no doubt that I will carry the skills that I learned at JDS with me for the rest of my life, as I embark on a career in public interest law. Yes, JDS taught me how to write, but it also taught me the value of Tikun Olam, to care for the world around you, to repair it. JDS was where I first learned to be a strong advocate for my beliefs.

Walking the hallways of JDS a few weeks ago, I was reminded of where I started. It still felt like home.

A farm-to-school garden to fuel bodies and minds

The JDS was awarded the Farm-to-School Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. This $15,000 grant provides schools with funding to purchase fresh, healthy food from Pennsylvania agricultural producers. The goal is to help students become more aware and engaged with their local food system as well as to help them leverage their own consumer influence to support Pennsylvania farms. The funds will directly support the JDS’ five-daya-week healthy hot lunch plan and the nutritional awareness of the students. Money will be allotted to double the garden from four to eight garden beds, create a compost area, and purchase ingredients for the daily salad bar from local farmers. In addition, the JDS will add a curriculum that bridges gardening, nutrition, and science using standards-aligned lessons focusing on student inquiry and investigation into health, earth and life sciences, math, literacy, and social science.

Remembering Rabin

As the JDS celebrated 69 years during the Evening of Tribute, the major fundraiser of the year, they paused to reflect on Israel turning 75 years old and Yitzhak Rabin’s visit to the JDS in 1978. The state of Israel was 30 years old when 55-year-old Rabin, a Labor Party member of Israel’s Knesset and the nation’s prime minister from 1974 until his election defeat a few months before his visit to the school, asked questions in Hebrew to JDS students.

He came to the Lehigh Valley to brief Jewish community leaders on the Middle East situation and help kick off the Jewish Federation of Allentown’s 1978 campaign for United Jewish Appeal, Israel Emergency Fund, and 40 other local and national humanitarian agencies receiving support from the Allentown Jewish community.

During Rabin’s visit to the JDS, the deep-voiced Rabin commanded the attention of students in kindergarten to 6th grade. One funny moment was when Rabin asked a second grader, “How long do you go to this school?” The student

started counting on his fingers and Rabin asked him, “Do you need a calculator?”

The school’s principal then briefed students about Rabin’s difficult decision to rescue Jewish hostages at Entebbe in July of 1976. Although Rabin noted there was a “heavy burden,” he said he was not nervous about making the decision.

Forty-five years since Rabin visited the JDS and in memory of the 27 years since his passing, JDS students studied Rabin’s legacy and the impact he had on so many. They shared their reflections:

Ariana Padin: He was a Prime Minister. He was in the army and wanted to help the world with peace.

Lyla Golding: He was the Prime Minister and how he set an example for me is he showed me that, we can make the impossible possible.

Ellie Rosenblum: One of his accomplishments was being a Prime Minster two times. This means people must have liked him a lot and he must have done an excellent job

Bailey Sherman: He taught me not to give up on my dreams.

Gabriel Marlin: He taught me if I stick to something then I can accomplish that.

The connection the JDS students make to Israel lasts a lifetime. For 69 years, JDS students have formed a deep connection

to the Jewish people and to the state of Israel. From Yom Ha’Atzmaut parades to boarding a plane to Israel from the multipurpose room, they bring Israel to life.

JDS is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

The Countdown to Camp Begins

Rachel Doyle Youth and Camp Director

We are very excited about camp this year, and we can’t wait to open registration for Camp JCC! If you joined our VIP list at the end of the summer camp season registration opens exclusively for you on January 17, 2023. VIP families receive an extra week to book preferred dates and specialty camps without worrying about them being sold out. Registration opens to the general public on January 25. Families can book any available weeks or specialty camps across Camp Junior, for campers entering Pre-K or kindergarten, and Camp Adventure, for campers entering grades 1-8. And new this

year for campers campers entering grades 9-10, we are launching a new Leader in Training (LIT) and Counselor in Training (CIT) program.

Summer 2023 also has more specialty camps! Camper favorites like Junior Chefs, pottery, Brick Masters, and art are back along with some new surprises. All campers, including those in specialty camps, will join in our weekly Shabbat party and attend weekly special events like a petting zoo, water inflatables, and a new camp dance! Field trips are back for campers in grades 1-8 along with all our favorite traditional summer camp activities like flagpole, Maccabi, glow stick parties, fun instructional swim, and themed

dress-up days.

Older campers will enjoy more robust offerings this summer including an expanded archery program, overnight options, and a new Leader and Counselor in Training program! This program will bridge the gap from camper to future counselor by teaching 9th and 10th graders key skills to become successful leaders and how to work with children. Our LIT/CIT participants will have fun and gain valuable experience.

Our camp leadership team always looks forward to welcoming back our dedicated camp staff, and this year is no exception! In addition to returning counselors, we are very pleased to have Shani, our summer shaliach (emissary), back with us

for another year from Israel. And this year she will not be coming alone but with four Israeli teens joining us to infuse more Israeli culture into camp. We are looking forward to hearing more about their experiences and learning

Israeli songs and dances as campers explore Israeli Adventure activities. Rounding out our instructor group will be specialists in art, STEM, and sports to facilitate structured and fun learning opportunities.

Camp JCC has your family covered for great all-around day camp experiences, specialty camps, before and after camp child care, and field trips. Younger or older, of all abilities, everyone is welcome, and we can’t wait to see your campers’ Day Camp Spirit smiles!

Two Ways to Improve Your Fitness at the Pool This Winter

Jodi Lovenwirth Aquatics Director

We have something for everyone in the aquatics department here at the J. This winter, we are highlighting our two new programs designed specifically for adult swimmers.

Saturday mornings starting January 7, we will be offering a program dedicated to those with minimal or no swimming experience who want to gain confidence in and around the water and learn basic swimming skills. These group lessons are designed so participants can be supported by our experienced instructors along with other community members who have similar swimming apprehensions. If you want to learn how to swim, but don’t know where to start we recommend checking out this program. Those looking

to enroll should contact the JCC at 610-435-3571 and ask how to sign up for Adult Group Swim Lessons.

On January 9, instructor Miriam Zager will be leading a master swim class where she will share her professional swim skills and experience. Master Swim by Miriam is an amazing program designed for adult participants who want to improve their swimming skills and their fitness in an aquatic setting. The only prerequisite of this class is that participants must be able to swim a full pool length unassisted. Miriam has been a competitive swimmer and coach for many decades. Through her experience, she will coach you on how to break your bad swim habits and enhance your skills to make swimming easier and more enjoyable. She can also provide personalized recommendations for you on how to use swimming

to improve your overall fitness. Miriam is able to teach swimmers at a variety of skill levels and would love to start working with you, no matter your experience.

To register for this class, call the

JCC at 610-435-3571 or go online at lvjcc.org/AdultSwim. We’re looking forward to seeing you in the pool at the JCC this winter!

Hanukkah is on the horizon

We’ll Be There For You

Weiss Early Childhood and Jewish Education Coordinator

Maggie Schutzler Development Director

wonderful reminder to me that hope never fades, it can only grow stronger.

So, what is Hanukkah and why do we celebrate this fun and joyous holiday?

Hanukkah is an eightday celebration that commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over King Antiochus IV and his soldiers. After their victory, the Maccabees rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem. A new menorah was built, but there was only a tiny jar of oil, which looked like enough to last for a day. However, a great miracle happened! The oil lasted for eight whole days.

The JCC’s annual Friends of the J campaign has gotten off to a fantastic start! We would like to share our gratitude to community members who have already made a gift this year. If you haven’t made a gift yet, it’s not too late- the Friends of the J campaign runs through January 15. All new monthly recurring donations will be matched for the first three months thanks to a very generous anonymous donor. To make a gift, please visit us online at lvjcc.org/friends, call the JCC at 610-435-3571, or email

For that reason, a candle on the menorah or Hanukkiya

friends@lvjcc.org. Thank you for being a Friend of the J! This year’s campaign theme is “We’ll Be There for You.” We all rely on our friends throughout our livesthrough the good and the bad times, and for many people, one of those friends has been the JCC. Whether the JCC provides a place for your children to learn, families to thrive, or individuals to socialize, the JCC will always be there for you. We asked a few of our members to tell us how the JCC has been there for them - read their stories below and see more at lvjcc. org/FriendsoftheJ or on Facebook!

Hanukkah is a favorite Jewish holiday of many children because it is a custom for kids to receive gifts for all eight nights! In addition, many delicious traditional foods are made on Hanukkah. Potato pancakes or latkes, jelly donuts, and chocolate coins, known as Hanukkah gelt, are mainstays that the entire family can enjoy! In a heated debate that many Jews find themselves on the opposite side of, it is a question of whether latkes go better with applesauce or sour cream. While we won’t take sides in this article, there are cases for both!

Another staple is the dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side that stand for the phrase “a great miracle happened there,” with “there” referring to Israel (Fun fact, in Israel the letters are different with “here” replacing “there!”).

The One Where We Play Basketball

winner receiving a pile of chocolate coins.

to grow, which serves as a

“Our son Ben went from not having much experience playing the game to learning foundational skills needed to continue to grow. We watched practice each week and witnessed Ben having so much fun while learning from the instruction Andrew provided. He’s very excited to join JHoops again this year and build on those skills.”

Traditionally, games of dreidel are played for stashes of Hanukkah gelt, with the

The JCC of the Lehigh Valley will be celebrating Hanukkah with our annual Family Hanukkah Celebration and Community Candle Lighting on Sunday, December 18 from 3pm-5pm. We will be celebrating in style

The One Where We Exercise in Water

Stagemakers cast explores indigenous culture

with games, crafts tables, doughnuts, hot latkes and cocoa, live entertainment, and a dance party! Register online at lvjcc.org/SpecialEvents or call the JCC at 610-435-3571.

We hope to see you there and wish everyone a chag sameach!

- Unger Family

“I remember when I first attending the aqua classes I started receiving invites to game day and lunch invitations. I have made many new friends but what I cherish most it the support group these women have formed. Over the years I have become more involved in the JCC and consider it my second home.”

- Ann Griffin

The One Where We Play Squash

of Indian Culture. Stagemakers would like to thank PBS39 for their support of the staff’s work to educate the cast about indigenous cultures and lifestyles. PBS39 provided educational resources based on the series and character

“There are so many reasons why I love playing squash at the JCC, but probably top of the list is the friendships and relationships I have developed with the other squash players over the last 8 years. They are such a diverse group, and they all bring their own special brand of humor, knowledge, culture and style of play to the courts. Honestly, I have never met such a friendly and welcoming bunch of guys. The competition on the court is always fierce and tight and the banter off the court is always delightful! Of course, I love the game of squash, and am grateful that the JCC has such a great facility to offer its members and guests. The staff is always welcoming and they work very hard to keep the JCC running smoothly.”

Molly of Denali. In addition, the organization funded the cast’s workshop with the Museum of Indian Culture’s educator Christine Applegate, who taught indigenous life skills and advised on the production’s dramaturgy.

Participants worked on hand weaving baskets, fishing line, and nets which were used for props and created masks and symbolic stamps to hand-stamp linen, which became part of the costumes for the production.

- Sal Sarwar

Jackie

Coping with winter depression

St. Luke’s University Health Network

Winter can be a difficult time of the year for people who struggle with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). They often feel hopeless and overburdened, but that doesn’t have to be the case. SAD, often called winter depression, is a form of depression that affects an estimated 5 percent of adults in the United States, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

“As the days get shorter, weather gets colder, and there are much fewer daylight hours outside of traditional working and school hours, lots of people can experience increased feelings of sadness, and decreased energy and motivation over the winter months,” said Dr. Howard C. Levin, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with St. Luke’s Psychiatric Associates and a member of

the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Maimonides Society of medical professionals. “To combat SAD, it is important to stay physically active, continue to socialize with friends and family on a regular basis, and consider regular morning exposure to different types of artificial light therapy to help combat the mood symptoms.”

For more severe symptoms, he said, speaking to a therapist or considering an antidepressant medication can help.

An important factor that can be overlooked with SAD, Levin said, is that low Vitamin D levels due to less sun exposure over the winter months can lead to increased feelings of fatigue and low energy. He said people should consider asking their primary care doctor to check their Vitamin D level and to see whether supplements may be helpful to alleviate some of the symptoms of SAD.

Here are some strategies to help cope with winter depression: Avoid isolation

Social withdrawal is a telltale sign of depression. If you are struggling with depression, you may feel a strong urge to isolate yourself from social interaction. This is the opposite of what you should be doing, as isolation can contribute to increased feelings of depression.

Combat this by gradually increasing the amount that you interact with others. Reaching out to your loved ones and engaging in social activities can be beneficial during this time of year. Get enough sun

Many of SAD’s symptoms manifest during the winter months when there is less daylight. Studies have found a correlation between increased feelings of depression and a decrease in exposure to natural light. Taking the time to get outside for just 30 minutes to an hour can help you handle any feelings of depression you may be facing.

Manage your stress

Increased and sustained stress is connected to increased feelings of

depression. Prolonged periods of stress negatively impact sleep, diet, energy levels and mood, which can increase susceptibility to depression. Do not let stress get the best of you. Learn strategies to manage it. Seek help

Sometimes the feelings you are dealing with can

become too much for you to handle by yourself. You do not have to face those feelings alone. One of the most effective strategies for coping with seasonal depression is to consult a professional. Counseling is an effective outlet for navigating depression.

Pickleball at the JCC: Good exercise (and fun!)

By Heather Lavin JCC Program Director

It’s midday on a weekday and the unmistakable sounds of pickleballs hitting paddles echo through the gymnasium at the JCC. The fast-growing sport of pickleball has had a home at the J for a few indoor seasons, and this winter is no excep-

tion.

Pickleball is easy to learn and challenging to master, which keeps people coming back to it again and again. It’s good exercise (though you can play at a more social pace if you prefer).

Use of the pickleball court is open to members and nonmembers to gather, practice and play during

open play times from October to May (reservations are required).

Few things sell out faster at the JCC than its affordable pickleball lessons. More will be available in 2023, including intermediate/advanced lessons with certified instructor Dottie Kelly and beginner lessons with instructor Ryan Guzman.

Lessons are geared to help players of all ages and

skill levels reach their goals. From learning the basics to improving your serve, the instructors are there to guide you.

Court times are available from noon to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, and Monday evenings from 6-7:30. Though competitive and seasoned players can be found on the courts, the JCC reserves select courts and times for those new to the sport.

Beginners are welcome to reserve court B Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:30-3 p.m. Equipment is available to borrow. Members play for free. Nonmembers can play up to five times a week for $15 per week.

For all things pickleball, visit lvjcc.org/pickleball or contact Andrew Yasenchak, sports and fitness director at the JCC, at ayasenchak@ lvjcc.org.

Health, well-being and the day my ambulance left without me

By Nurit Galon Special to Hakol

So much progress in science and technology. So many diseases and illnesses once considered impossible to cure or even treat. Surely we are a healthier world. Isn’t it true that life expectancy is longer than it was 50 years ago? It’s not unusual for people to live to 90, even 100.

All this is truly marvelous, and the medical world deserves the praise it gets, but are the benefits available to everyone? And have all improvements been purely positive?

We know, for example, that much of the world is too poor to afford advanced, or even standard, medicine. We are also aware that increased longevity unaccompanied by an improved quality of life may be a doubtful blessing. Yet we know that health problems that once seemed insurmountable are now being met with solutions that change lives for the better

and give hope for a better future.

Will medical solutions for the whole world ever be a reality? We can all do our bit in our own locales to try to influence local and national governments to make this a priority.

For many years in Yoav, each community had its own clinic, staffed by a resident nurse (usually a member of the community) and visited regularly by a doctor, who quite often lived in the kibbutz or moshav without being a member. Specialized medicine, such as orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, and ophthalmology, warranted a visit to the medical care center (Kupat Holim) in the nearby town.

One of the most progressive acts of the young Israel was the founding of Kupat Holim, with branches all over the country. Most of the population belonged (and still does) and is provided with free or modestly priced medicine, which includes hospitalization, maternity

needs and, today, more and more advanced and complicated procedures. Private medicine is now available for those who can afford it and wish to avoid often-long waits.

In most of Israel’s regional councils, central Kupat Holim clinics are replacing the clinics in each community. That’s sensible but not without consequences for those who have no transportation (though each community will usually provide it for a small fee).

Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary interprets health as “the condition of being sound in body, mind or spirit; freedom from physical disease or pain,” and wellbeing as “the state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous.”

Of the many activities the Yoav population participates in, quite a high percentage is devoted to well-being according to the Webster’s definition. I’m not sure about the “prosperous,” but lectures and physical exercises that

help us improve our health and make us happy seem to be on the right track.

Years ago, pregnant women in our kibbutz would call the ambulance based in our neighboring kibbutz and be taken to the maternity facilities in the nearest hospital. I’ll end this column with a story from my personal experience.

When I knew that it was time to give birth to my first daughter, I called the kibbutz nurse, who told me to walk slowly to the bench near the front gate while she called the ambulance. My husband and I reached the bench and sat and waited. The nurse joined us, together with other people who figured they could catch a ride when the ambulance came.

On arrival, the driver immediately announced that he would take only four passengers. That started an

argument over which four. I sat quietly on the bench. To my surprise, four people jumped into the vehicle — including my husband! — and off they went to the hospital. I sat there almost hysterical with laughter. “Where’s Yudke (my husband)?” someone asked. “He’s gone to give birth,” I mumbled.

Two minutes later, the ambulance returned, with a very embarrassed Yudke inside, trying to explain that he had been sure I was in the ambulance too! This true story has become part of my kibbutz and family history. Here’s wishing all of you good health and happiness. And a little prosperity certainly wouldn’t be bad!

New year, new experience SHLICHA’S

2022 felt like five years in one. My entire life changed with one decision: going on a job interview with the Jewish Agency for a position I had wanted when I was 15 years old — shlicha.

Little did I know that from that decision in April, I would move to the Lehigh Valley in September, by myself, to start this new journey.

One of the things I can say is very different about the Lehigh Valley from any place I’ve lived before is the weather. I’ve been here for four months and have already experienced the two seasons that Israel barely has at all: a very beautiful and colorful fall, and a cold and snowy winter.

In Israel, my family and I have to drive an hour to the Golan Heights to see snow, and it’s only there during January and February. And “fall” is just a name in Israel; there are barely any leaves on the ground, and the colors of the trees are not even close to what I saw in the Lehigh Valley from September to November.

I am happy to start the

VIEW WITH EYNAV DAHAN

New Year here in the valley. Seeing snow out my window and going outside with heavy coat and thick socks is a new experience for me, and I’m grateful for it.

That said, I think Israel’s weather has magic in it. Going to a New Year’s Eve party wearing my Teva sandals because it’s a “freezing” 70 degrees is something you don’t get to do in other places in the world. That’s special.

Of course, missing home is always in the background of everything I do here. A big part of health and wellness is mental wellness, and in Israel the warm weather will always feel like home for me.

Stay warm and safe in the Lehigh Valley weather, and have fun in the snow! And if you need some beach weather, catch a flight to Tel Aviv.

ALLENTOWN & PALMER TOWNSHIP

Houman

Ahdieh, M.D. Daniel Ross, M.D. Irena Cherfas, M.D. Mark Krakauer, M.D., M.Phil Robert Morrison, M.D.

Lindsay Tilghman, O.D. Kelsey Paciotti, O.D. Magi Labib, O.D. Amanda Hadeed, O.D.

Smartwatch study confirms Covid booster vaccine safety

Israel21c

In a first-of-its-kind study, physiological data recorded by smartwatches was used to examine the safety of Covid-19 booster vaccines.

Led by PhD student Matan Yechezkel, researchers at Tel Aviv University equipped 4,698 Israelis with smartwatches to monitor physiological parameters — such as heart rate, variation in heart activity, quality of sleep, and number of daily steps taken — over two years.

All study participants were asked to fill out daily questionnaires about their health status via a specially developed app. More than 2,000 of the participants received the booster dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine during the study period, allowing the researchers to objectively compare measures before and after that dose.

In addition, the researchers analyzed the medical files of 250,000 randomly chosen members of the Mac-

cabi Health Services HMO – anonymously, in collaboration with Maccabi’s KSM Research & Innovation Center – to detect potential unusual events connected with receipt of the vaccine booster. They evaluated the records from 42 days before receiving the vaccine to 42 days afterward.

Safety from 3 perspectives

The researchers were therefore able to evaluate the safety of the vaccines from three perspectives: subjectively (what the participant reports), objectively (what the watch detects) and clinically (what the physician diagnoses).

“We saw clear and significant changes after administration of the vaccine, such as an increase in heart rate compared to the pulse rate measured before vaccination,” said study supervisor Prof. Dan Yamin, head of the TAU Laboratory for Epidemic Research.

“And then we saw a return to the participant’s baseline, i.e., the pulse

levels after vaccination returned to their previous levels after six days,” Yamin said.

“Hence, our study confirms the safety of the vaccine. The research also allowed us to compare subjective and objective indicators and medical diagnosis of the same participant who received the first booster and a few months later the second booster,” he added. “We found no difference in the physiological response recorded by the smartwatches or that reported by the participant in the app.” 25 side effects

Based on medical literature that has reported 25 unusual side effects attributed to the mRNA Covid vaccine, the researchers were on the lookout for rare cases of inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and pericarditis. They report that they found no increase in serious incidents of any kind associated with the vaccination.

“If the watch reports any minor changes in the

muscles, and the participant reports only significant changes he feels, the medical file tells us about unusual events diagnosed by the doctors as well as hospitalizations that may be related to vaccinations, with an emphasis on cardiac events,” Yamin explained. “We did a comprehensive analysis of all those 25 unusual side effects, and we did not see an increase in their incidence among those receiving the booster. We found the vaccine to be safe to use.”

Yamin added: “The smartwatch sensors ‘felt’ that the vaccine was safe, the vaccinee himself reported that the vaccine was safe, and finally, the doctors determined that the vaccine was safe. The results of the study have far-reaching implications regarding objective testing of vaccine safety in the future.”

The researchers said their most surprising finding was that the watches were more sensitive than the people they were monitoring.

For example, many participants reported symptoms such as fatigue and headache for two or three days after receiving the vaccine. However, the watches were still detecting distinct changes in heart rate for several more days after the person reported feeling back to normal.

“There were also vaccinated participants who did not report any side effects at all and yet definitely experienced physiological changes, based on data from their smartwatches,” said Yamin.

Published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the research study was done in collaboration with Prof. Erez Shmueli, head of TAU’s Big Data Laboratory, and with Tal Patalon and Sivan Gazit of KSM Research & Innovation Center, as well as Amichai Painsky and Merav Mofaz from Tel Aviv University.

Heart valve repair without open-heart surgery

Israel21c

For patients suffering from heart valve or aortic insufficiency, the only

solution currently available is open-heart surgery to replace the valve. Unfortunately, the five- to six-hour operation is too dangerous

for some people, especially older adults. Only 20 percent of patients can be approved for the procedure. Yet, if left untreated, heart

valve insufficiency can lead to heart palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath and, ultimately, heart failure. The five-year survival rate is just 30%.

Israeli medical device startup Cuspa Medical is aiming to treat heart valve insufficiency with a procedure similar to how a stent is inserted into the heart – via a catheter threaded through an artery that starts in the groin area. As Cuspa’s minimally invasive Cusper device arrives at the heart, it “grasps” the leaflets (strong flaps of tissue) around the aorta, sealing them to prevent the leakage of blood through the heart valve.

Leakage is why heart valve insufficiency is so dangerous. The aortic valve sits between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta. If the valve doesn’t close well, instead of blood flowing from the ventricle to the aorta, it flows back to the left ventricle and creates stress on the heart. The condition is known as “aortic regurgitation,” which can be deadly.

Cuspa has so far tested Cusper on healthy pigs. “We’re mainly testing the safety of the device at this point,” Ariel Weigler, Cuspa’s CEO, tells ISRAEL21c. When aortic regurgitation

is “created” in the test pigs, Cusper reduces regurgitation by up to 80% while staying in place and not generating any tension or other damage to the leaflets. If it works in humans as well, Cusper “has the potential to move patients from a severe to mild case, regaining quality of life. This will be verified in the first in human trials,” Weigler explains.

Cuspa’s clamp is made of the same kind of metal alloy used for stents – nitinol – which does not promote any reaction from the body’s tissues and “remembers” the shape it’s supposed to assume. Because positioning Cusper in the body is so similar to inserting a stent, “physicians are very used to this procedure. There’s nothing holding them back from doing it,” Weigler says.

The problem Cuspa has set out to address affects about 10 million patients worldwide. If the clinical trials go according to plan, Weigler says, the device and treatment protocol could be commercialized within a few years. Testing is currently underway at Shamir Medical Center, along with additional tests on animals in the Beersheva area.

Healthy falafel? Thoughtful tweaks can make Israeli staples better for you

By Michele A. Waide Special to Hakol

What comes to mind when you think of Israeli foods? Satisfying staples like hummus and falafel? Shakshuka and shawarma? And don’t forget blintzes and latkes!

Culturally, all these foods are important. But what about health? Fortunately, some minor tweaks can improve the healthfulness of all of them.

Hummus

Chickpeas, small but mighty, are a nutrition powerhouse. The phytonutrients, antioxidants and fiber in them are shown to positively affect blood cholesterol and lipid levels. Made with pureed chickpeas, hummus is versatile and can be eaten hot or cold. It’s a great meal or snack, and it’s suitable for vegans.

Trying scooping up hummus with whole wheat pitas instead of white ones, or with vegetables like carrots, celery or cucumbers. The whole grain and vegetables help you meet daily intake recommendations for fiber and boost vital vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Falafel

Crispy on the outside and soft yet dense on the inside, falafel is made with seasoned ground chickpeas that are formed into patties, then deep-fried. Falafel makes a scrumptious sandwich, adorned with hummus, pickles or pickled mango chutney (amba sauce).

The down side is the deep-frying. High in transfats, deep-fried foods raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as “bad cholesterol” because it transports fats in the blood to cells, which may contribute to heart disease.

So forget deep-frying. Instead, bake falafel in the

oven or in an air fryer. The crispy nuggets are sure to please without the added fat.

Enjoy falafel on whole wheat pita or in a garden salad, or dip it in amba sauce for a satisfying snack.

Shakshuka

What’s not to like about shakshuka? Eggs are simmered in chunky tomato sauce and seasoned with minced garlic, onions and bell peppers as well as herbs such as coriander, cumin and paprika. It’s served with pita bread and sometimes beef or lamb on the side. This simple,

delicious meal boasts a host of nutrients, including calcium, iron, potassium, vitamins A and C, and fiber. It also has lycopene, which is found in tomatoes. It’s a potent antioxidant, an antiinflammatory and an anticarcinogen. Studies show lycopene helps lower risk of heart disease and some

cuisine, shawarma is Middle Eastern comfort food. Chicken, beef or lamb is marinated in a yogurt or vinegar base seasoned with warm herbs such as cardamom, cumin, ginger and allspice. Then the meats are layered on a rotating skewer and slow roasted. Thinly carved, tender strips of meat are stuffed into pita bread, topped with vegetables and tahini sauce or hummus.

To make shawarma healthier, choose leaner cuts of meat. For the marinade, substitute low-fat or nonfat yogurt for the whole-milk version.

Israeli couscous

Versatile and delicious, Israeli, or pearl, couscous has a nutty flavor and chewy texture. It is rich in selenium, an antioxidant that helps maintain normal thyroid function and reduces inflammation. Selenium can help boost immune function and reduce risk of heart disease and certain

soups and side dishes, or combine it with other grains and beans for a meatless meal.

Dessert!

Although traditional desserts like knafeh and blintzes often use fullfat dairy products, don’t despair. Portion control is the key to enjoying these decadent and delicious treats. Savor a small portion of your favorite dessert and avoid seconds.

Of course you could use low-fat dairy when making these treats at home. Remember that calorie savings add up over time and aid weight loss, which can help lower blood pressure and the risk of chronic disease.

The bottom line is this: Enjoy your culinary traditions, but make some small changes that will help improve your overall health.

Michele A. Waide is a registered dietician nutritionist with Advantage Nutrition and Wellness in Allentown. For further information, visit the Advantage website at anwnutrition.com.

cancers.

Try serving shakshuka over quinoa, a glutenfree whole grain that’s chock-full of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Toss in your favorite vegetables to ramp up your daily intake. And don’t forget the whole wheat pita.

Shawarma

A mainstay in Israeli

cancers. Couscous is also a good source of plant-based protein, with 6 grams of protein in a one-cup serving.

Try couscous in salads,

New New Year’s resolutions

By Sandi Teplitz Special to Hakol

We’ve all made them; few of us have kept them. If you’re swearing off sugar, that may work till the Girl Scouts come a knocking. Before you can say “thin mints,” you’ve downed a sleeve — for a good cause, of course.

It’s always fun to look at the food trends and make resolutions accordingly. Several years ago, it was de rigueur to swap out butter for canola oil, but in 2023 the tide has turned. Seed oils are bad. Period. The recommended replacement is olive oil or butter from grass-fed cows. If you make and eat the following recipe, you are certain to be eligible for a photograph in Fitness magazine. Or at least some views on TikTok.

Mindfulness: A Jewish take

By Shira Yacker Special to Hakol

“Mindfulness” is a word that has come up a lot in the past few years and even more so since people’s stress and anxiety has risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, many people are struggling to balance all of life’s responsibilities, including work, family, and leisure. We all want to be strong, to hold it all together for the sake of those we care about, but we often need help. Practicing mindfulness is one way to take control of the outside forces bombarding us daily.

According to the Jew in the City website, “Mindfulness can be translated into the Jewish concept of Yishuv Hadaas, commonly understood to mean peace of mind, tranquility, and composure, key aspects of Jewish living.”

The goal of mindfulness is to live in the present, not to be concerned with the past or the future, for at least a bit of time. We can’t survive if we’re constantly in a state of anxiety. As human beings, we need to set aside time to practice kavanah (the Jewish concept of mindfulness).

We are taught this practice for prayer. We are told

to say each word of every prayer with intent and focus. This will bring meaningfulness to the prayer and help to clarify emotions. This can be done with even just one prayer, perhaps the Modeh Ani, where we are thanking G-d for allowing us to wake up each morning, or with the Shema, a prayer most of us are comfortable with. If we think deeply about this concept, we can perhaps be more grateful for what we have, in the moment, and reduce our stress about things we can’t control.

Other Jewish concepts that come into play include chesed and emet. Emet is truth, the witnessing of what is happening in each moment while tuning out the extraneous noise. Chesed has to do with compassionate awakening, meaning that we bring compassion to the things we witness in life.

There are various mindfulness techniques that people can practice. There’s something for everyone, and the following list is just a start. Some suggestions from the PJ Library website include:

• Notice Your Breathing (paying attention to your breaths helps you calm down)

• Go Outside (away

from all distractions, including phones and TVs)

• Create (do something crafty by yourself or with your friends or family)

• Say Thank You (letting others know you appreciate them brings inner peace)

• Practice Chesed (being kind and compassionate to others; you never know what others are going through and a small act of chesed can go a long way)

For further help, here are a few Jewish books related to mindfulness:

• • “Mindfulness: A Jewish Approach” by Jonathan Feiner

•

• “Be Still and Get Going: A Jewish Meditation Practice for Real Life” by Alan A Lew

• “Jewish Meditation Practices for Everyday Life: Awakening Your Heart, Connecting with God” by Jeff Roth

Shira Yacker and her husband live in Palmer Township. She teaches special education in the Pen Argyl School District and previously taught Hebrew school at several synagogues in the Philadelphia area and in Easton for about 25 years.

Israel21c

After primary colon cancer tumors were surgically removed from 34 patients, 16 of them were given a short, simple twodrug treatment devised at Tel Aviv University that proved to drastically reduce their risk of the cancer spreading (metastasizing). Usually, the risk of metastases after tumor removal is about 35 percent among colon cancer patients.

However, only two patients (12.5%) of the 16 patients receiving the drug regimen experienced metastasis five years after surgery, compared to 50% in the control group of 18 patients.

Lowering stress is key Study co-leader Prof. Shamgar Ben-Eliyahu of TAU’s schools of neuroscience and psychological sciences said the researchers “deliberately sought the safest and cheapest drugs capable of lowering the body’s stressinflammatory response to surgery” — propranolol (Darlin) to lower blood pressure and reduce anxi-

ety, and etodolac (Etopan) to prevent pain and inflammation.

The 16 randomly chosen patients took these medications for 20 days, from five days before to two weeks after tumorremoval surgery at Sheba. The other 18 patients received placebo drugs. The findings corroborate what any cancer patient knows: that the anxiety surrounding cancer treatment takes a physical toll. “The stress during the waiting period for surgery, the stress and inflammation reactions that the body produces during the surgery itself and the physical recovery period, and finally the following anxiety of cancer recurring — all have an adverse effect on the body’s ability to fight metastatic processes,” said Ben-Eliyahu.

“These mental and physiological conditions create stress-inflammatory responses, which cause ample release of hormones from the prostaglandin and catecholamine families. These hormones suppress anti-metastatic

immune activity, and thus encourage the development of metastases,” he explained. “In addition, these hormones directly help the cancer cells that remain in the body even after surgery. Due to exposure to these hormones, the cancerous tissue becomes more aggressive and metastatic.”

Ben-Eliyahu and Prof. Oded Zamora of TAU’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine purposely sought out “a short, cheap drug treatment with no significant side effects” for treating stress and inflammation. “Due to the small number of subjects in both studies, it is impossible to accurately estimate the magnitude of the beneficial effect, but the effects are statistically significant, meaning that they are not accidental,” said BenEliyahu.

Ironically, using lowcost drugs could lead to difficulties in securing financing for larger clinical studies that must be done to verify the results from the small trial at Sheba Medical Center. “One

should bear in mind that the pharmaceutical companies have no financial incentive to support such studies,” admitted Ben-Eliyahu. “Our medicines are not patented; they are safe, cheap, and administered in a short treatment lasting just a few days. The drug companies look for patents on expensive drugs and prefer that the patient be dependent on the drug for the rest of their life.” He expressed his hope that funding will be found for a large-scale clinical study, “because without such research we will not be able to convince the medical establishment of the treatment’s effectiveness.”

The finding of the

study, published in the European Journal of Surgical Oncology, “sounds too good to be true,” added Ben-Eliyahu, “but similar results in breast cancer tissue were obtained in a study we conducted in 2017.” An overview of the theory and principles underlying the research was published in Nature Review Cancer.

‘Love and Kisses, Charlie’

By Sean Boyle Special to Hakol

“Love and Kisses, Charlie: WWII Letters From A Jewish-American Serviceman,” is a collection of Charles “Charlie” Fletcher’s letters to his parents and sister during his time in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Charlie moved to Allentown after his military service and eventually served as president of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, Jewish Family Service, Temple Beth El, the Allentown Center City Association and the Allentown

Parking Authority.

Starting with Fletcher’s first day processing into the military, his letters continue through all his training and his assignment to the 102nd Infantry Division. Fletcher wrote during the unit’s deployment to Europe and its several months of combat through the war’s end.

Then he wrote about the months of occupation and the impact of meeting Polish Holocaust survivors, and ended with his eventual return stateside and his honorable discharge from the army after almost three years of service.

The book has over 600 of Fletcher’s letters home, all compiled and edited by his grandson, Rabbi Joshua Gerstein, a chaplain in the Israel Defense Forces.

The letters are broken into 13 chapters, and Gerstein starts each with background on what is going on in Fletcher’s life at the time. He also provides information on the unit’s back history and fighting record, what it faces next and where, and more, all giving the reader context for Fletcher’s writing.

Although Fletcher was not directly involved in combat, he did serve overseas on the staff of the artillery headquarters of the 102nd. The division was in combat from shortly after arrival in Europe until the end of the war. It suffered 4,922 battle casualties.

The book contains only the letters Fletcher sent home to his parents, eventually including his sister as a recipient after she moves back home while waiting for her husband to return from overseas duty. The reader is not provided with the letters written in response, nor the content of the phone conversations referenced. But even though the conversation is oneway, the reader gets deep

insight into Fletcher’s life in the service, his love for his family and his constant worrying about their well-being back at home (as they worry about his being in harm’s way).

Gerstein provides personal and family photos throughout the book, as well as maps and other illustrations. Footnotes give background information on obscure references in the letters, as well as Yiddish/ Hebrew translations and clarification of military jargon Fletcher uses. The book’s introduction covers the happenstance of Gerstein’s finding the letters and the motivation to compile and arrange them into a book memorializing his grandfather and his service.

Recommended for ages 16-120, especially anyone interested in World War II or who knew Fletcher.

“Love and Kisses, Charlie: WWII Letters From A Jewish-American Serviceman,” by Charles L. Fletcher, edited by Joshua Gerstein, independently published, 2022, 634 pages.

Sean Boyle is Congregation Keneseth Israel’s librarian, and vice president and president-elect of the Association of Jewish Libraries.

‘Portrait of an Unknown Woman’

By Sandi Teplitz Special to Hakol

The year 2022 brought us several comebacks in the realm of entertainment. Narrowing it down to mystery and crime, there’s the new and engaging “Criminal Minds,” featuring many of the TV series’ original, splendid cast members.

Daniel Silva, famed author of the series of espionage novels whose most recent installment was 2021’s “The Cellist,” bid adieu to Gabriel Allon, legendary spy and member of Israeli intelligence. Allon posed as an art restorer to hide his identity and went to live the good life with his beautiful wife in Venice. His retirement was short-lived.

In 2022’s intense mystery “Portrait of the Unknown Woman,” Allon partners with his former CIA cohort, Sarah, to investigate a forgery of a centuries-old painting and in the process uncovers a multibillion dollar fraud in the art world. The reader is treated to a crafty cat-and-mouse look at the seamy world of unscrupulous art dealers with wellintentioned, deep-pocketed investors who are duped by the sellers. Think “Dateline” cleverly mixed with a James Bond protagonist and several Kardashian sisters thrown in for good measure.

Along the way, we are

treated to the allure of this “unknown woman”, not unlike the mysterious Mona Lisa. Settings of this tale range from Venice to London to New York, with all of the famed hotels in each city providing an aura of authenticity. After reacquainting myself with some art terms, I was able to follow Allon on his journey to uncover deception and enjoy the twists and turns of the ride. Welcome back, Gabriel. You were missed.

“Portrait of an Unknown Woman,” by Daniel Silva, Harper, 2022, 448 pages.

Sandi Teplitz provides a recipe for each issue of Hakol and occasionally reviews books.

TUESDAYS OR THURSDAYS, STARTING JANUARY 10 OR 12

Yachad University spring semester

9:30-10:30 a.m., JCC

Yachad classes for the new semester begin on January 10 or 12, depending on whether you choose Tuesday or Thursday as your weekly class day. The subject for the semester is “Hallelujah: The Life of David and the Psalms, Part 2,” a continuation of this fall’s study. Rabbi Seth Phillips is the instructor. Cost is $100. Register at jewishlehighvalley. org/calendar.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

KI Shabbat Out of the Box: Havdalah Sing-a-Long and Dinner

5 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel Chase away the winter blues with Rabbi Phil as KI marks the close of the Sabbath and transitions into the beginning of the week with Havdalah, songs and togetherness. All ages welcome. Register at kilv.org by January 10.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

Sons of Israel Men’s Club Brunch

10 a.m., Congregation Sons of Israel Sunday brunch sponsored by the Congregation Sons of Israel Men’s Club. Speaker to be announced. Cost is $5. RSVP to office@ sonsofisrael.net or 610-433-6089 by January 11.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22

Book webinar: Charlie Fletcher’s WWII letters 11 a.m., Congregation Brith Sholom or via Zoom

Rabbi Joshua Gerstein will discuss his newly released “Love and Kisses, Charlie: WWII Letters From a Jewish-American Serviceman.” Rabbi Gerstein compiled and edited the letters, written by his grandfather, Charlie Fletcher, while in the wartime U.S. Army. Fletcher was a congregant of Congregation Brith Sholom and a president of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. Brunch will precede the webinar at 10 a.m. RSVP at 610-866-8009. The webinar can also be accessed directly via Zoom: meeting ID 846 4273 3350 and password NISHIKOT.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

Maimonides Society

Phone-a-thon 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., JCC

Give your gift, make a call and help us close our pledged gifts. Register at jewishlehighvalley.org/calendar.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

Women’s Philanthropy Cooking for the Community 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., JCC Do you love to cook? Join the Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy in the JCC kitchen for Mitzvah Day to prepare kosher meals for older adults in our community. No experience necessary. Recipes will be provided. Whether or not you plan to attend, you can also help by sponsoring meals: $10 for one, $18 for two. Register by January 23 or sponsor at jewishlehighvalley.org/calendar.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

PJ Library Celebrates Tu B’Shevat 3:30 p.m., Muhlenberg College Hillel

Join PJ Library and Muhlenberg College Hillel to learn about Tu B’Shevat, the Birthday of the Trees. Experience Tu B’Shevat at stations with reduce, reuse and recycle-themed activities. Snacks, crafts and, of course, a PJ Library story! Register at jewishlehighvalley. org/calendar.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Maimonides Brunch and Learn 10 a.m.-noon, JCC Save the date. More details to come.

THURSDAY, MAY 4

Modi Live In the Lehigh Valley

The comedy headliner the New York Times called “the next Jackie Mason” is coming to the valley. Save the date. Details to come.

ONGOING EVENTS

MONDAYS

Yiddish Club

2 to 3:30 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley via Zoom

Experience the joys of Yiddish via Zoom as part of “Adults at the J.” The group meets weekly to discuss topics like cooking, humor, music and all kinds of entertainment in the Yiddish language. All are welcome to join this lively, weekly discussion. There is something for everyone no matter if you know a few words or are a fluent speaker. Enjoy fun, fellowship, stories and more. Participants Zoom in from 5 states. No cost. Contact Janis Mikofsky at the JCC of the Lehigh Valley, 610435-3571, ext. 501.

MONDAYS

Peaking Through the Veil class

7:15 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom Jewish women have always been a spiritual force within Torah and Jewish tradition. Too often, however, the voices of prophetesses and female sages have been overlooked, discounted or repressed. Join with Rabbi Michael Singer to explore classical and modern texts, bringing new life to important voices, perspectives and issues. The required books, “A Bridge for One Night” by Ruth Calderon and “Sisters at Sinai” by Rabbi Jill Hamme, cost $50. No class November 7, December 26, or January 1 or 9. For information email tammy@brithsholom.net or call 610-8668009.

MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Online Jewish yoga studio Mondays 11 to 11:45 a.m., Thursdays 4 to 4:45 p.m., Institute for Jewish Spirituality Mindful body practices help us find shelter right where we are, in our bodies in this very moment. Join yoga teacher and IJS faculty member Rabbi Myriam Klotz or Cantor Lizzie Shammash as she guides you in an all-levels yoga and movement session informed by Jewish spiritual teachings and designed to relieve stress as we increase awareness of breath and grounding through our bodies. Open to all, no experience needed. Sign up at jewishspirituality.org/get-started.

TUESDAYS

Weekly Torah study 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Institute for Jewish Spirituality

Rabbi Jonathan Slater will lead a weekly program: “Torah Study to Sustain The Soul,” aimed at addressing an aspect of spiritual life that will help us navigate this time of uncertainty and isolation. Open to all, no previous knowledge needed. Sign up at jewishspirituality.org/get-started.

TUESDAYS

Torah on Tuesdays with Bnai Shalom 12:30 p.m., at a private home Torah on Tuesdays interactive Torah study group. Contact office@bnaishalomeaston.org for more information.

WEDNESDAYS

Judaism for Our Time with Bnai Shalom 11 a.m., Congregation Bnai Shalom via Zoom

Register in advance for this meeting. For information call 610-258-5343.

WEDNESDAYS

Yoga with Miriam Sandler: ChairSupported Yoga 1 to 2 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom in person and via Zoom

Be seated in a comfortable chair, preferably armless (folding works well). Some standing poses holding onto the chair are offered, though students may choose to remain seated. Modifications are given. Open to the public in person and live stream available to all via Zoom. *$10 drop-in fee payable to Congregation Brith Sholom. For more information email mbserow@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAYS

Torah Studies: A Weekly Journey into the Soul of Torah 7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley via Zoom and in person

Torah Studies by the Jewish Learning Institute presents Season Two 5783, a 12-part series. Cost is $36 for the course including textbook. For more information, call 610-3516511 or email rabbi@chabadlehighvalley. com.

EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY

Hadassah study group 12:30 p.m., via Zoom

We discuss short stories from an anthology. Always welcoming new participants! Contact Marilyn Claire at mjclaire@gmail.com or 610972-7054 to sign up.

THURSDAYS

Basic Yiddish class 4 to 5:30 p.m., JCC via Zoom

Learn to read, write, speak and comprehend Yiddish. Textbooks from Yiddish Book Center available for purchase. Contact Janis Mikofsky at 610-435-3571, ext. 501.

3RD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Belonging to Bethlehem: A Jewish Story Sampler

1:15-2:30 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom or virtual

In this six-session workshop, you’ll hear the stories that made the Bethlehem Jewish community, starting from 1890. You’ll also

learn writing techniques and have time to write stories from your life or family. $10 per session. Light refreshments served. Instructor Jennifer Lader is a writer, storyteller and author. Registration required at tammy@ brithsholom.net or 610-866-8009.

FRIDAYS

Kol HaEmek

8:30 to 9:30 a.m., WMUH 91.7

Radio show with Cantor Kevin Wartell. For information go to muhlenberg.edu/wmuh.

3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

KI Shabbat B’Yachad

5:30-7 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel Art projects, songs, snack stories, prayer and dinner. Geared toward kids ages 5-10, but perfect for younger siblings too. RSVP at kilv. org.

SATURDAYS

Wisdom of the Talmud class

After Shabbat Lunch and Schmooze, Congregation Brith Sholom

Join Rabbi Michael Singer in a discussion about Jewish law, ethics, customs and history as found in the pages of the Talmud. The fall-winter class begins a new volume of the Talmud: “Mesechet Megillah.” Books are available in the synagogue office. No previous Talmud study required. For information email tammy@brithsholom.net or call 610866-8009.

DAILY Jewish Broadcasting

Service

JBS is a Jewish television channel featuring daily news from Israel; leading Jewish figures, issues and events of Jewish importance; call-in programs; Jewish studies; 92nd Street Y; live Friday and holiday services for those at home; children’s programs; films; music; books; and entertainment. jbstv.org.

DAILY

Congregation Sons of Israel minyanim

Shacharit on Mondays and Thursdays 6:30 a.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 6:45 a.m.; Sundays 8:30 a.m.

Congregation Sons of Israel welcomes all to the daily Shacharis and Mincha/Maariv services which are conducted in the main sanctuary of the synagogue for Covid-19 safety. Please check the synagogue at sonsofisrael.net for the weekly listing of the starting time for Mincha/Maariv. Face masks are not required, but strongly recommended. If you have any questions, call the synagogue office at 610-433-6089.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

Daily online meditation

12:30 p.m., Institute for Jewish Spirituality

One of their master teachers will lead a live daily guided meditation. Join with people from around the world to share 30 minutes of Jewish mindfulness. Open to all, no experience needed. Sign up at jewishspirituality. org/get-started.

Introducing LVHN Executive Health Program.

Designed for executives, business leaders and trendsetters, this comprehensive, personalized medical program was made with you in mind. Get all of your annual exams by the region’s leading health care providers – all in the same location – in one day. Register today at LVHN.org/exechealth