HAKOL - December 2021 by Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community

www.jewishlehighvalley.org

Issue No. 449

December 2021

Kislev/Tevet 5782

AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977

Meet our new Director of Gift Planning and EITC p3

THANK OUR VALUED SUPPORTIVE ADVERTISERS WITH YOUR BUSINESS IN 2022

Thank you to our 2021 advertisers! p23

FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p2 WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY p4 LVJF TRIBUTES p8 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p11 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p14-15 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p16-17 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p22

Founder of United Hatzalah to celebrate Maimonides anniversary

By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor As Federation continues to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Maimonides Society, there will be a special event on Sunday, Jan. 30. The keynote will be Eli Beer, president and founder of United Hatzalah of Israel. United Hatzalah is the largest independent, non-profit, fully volunteer Emergency Medical Service organization providing the fastest emergency medical first response throughout

Israel. United Hatzalah’s service is available free to all people regardless of race, religion or national origin. United Hatzalah has more than 6,000 volunteers around the country, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With the help of their unique GPS technology and iconic ambucycles, their average response time is less than three minutes across the country and 90 seconds in metropolitan areas. United Hatzalah’s mission is to arrive at the scene of medical emergencies as soon as possible and provide the patient with professional and appropriate medical aid until an ambulance arrives, resulting in many more lives saved. To explain how United Hatzalah works, Beer told a story that happened just last month. “This morning in Jerusalem, a mother found her nine-month-old baby in her high chair choking on a bit of pancake. When she sees that the baby girl’s not breathing, she starts panicking and screaming for help.

Another child calls 1221, the number for United Hatzalah, and within one minute a volunteer arrived and performed the Heimlich maneuver. A few seconds later, the piece of dough flew out of the baby’s mouth. From start to finish, this whole incident was over in literally less than two minutes. This volunteer doesn’t even live in Jersualem, but was nearby on an ambucycle and was able to get there quickly, no problem. Even a small traffic jam, another 30 seconds, could have led to a different result. Irreversible brain damage would have started. A lot of these situations lead to death.” That’s exactly what Beer and United Hatzalah try to prevent with their 1,000 ambucycles throughout the State of Israel. For this 35th anniversary year, the Maimonides Society has donated an ambucycle in memory of one of the society’s original founders, Dr. Mickey Ufberg, z”l. This is the second ambucycle the Lehigh Valley has donated to United Hatzalah, and already many

lives have been saved by these gifts. To celebrate these life-saving efforts and the work of Maimonides over the last 35 years, Beer will address the Lehigh Valley Jewish community on Jan. 30. Beer will be speaking not only about the origin story behind his organization and determination it took to get it off the ground, but also about the connections that have formed because of it among their thousands of volunteers in Israel from different backgrounds — Jew, Muslim and Christian, religious and secular. He will also share his personal experience with battling COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic and his miraculous recovery. Following Beer’s talk, later that day there will also be a PJ Library event for kids to learn more about the importance of doctors and other healthcare workers. Contact Aaron Gorodzinsky at aaron@jflv.org for more information.

GOOD NEWS FROM ISRAEL TOMER NEUBERG/FLASH90

Israel to speed up evacuations of some Ethiopians in midst of civil war Non-Profit Organization 702 North 22nd Street Allentown, PA 18104

U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lehigh Valley, PA Permit No. 64

By Shira Hanau and Andrew Lapin Jewish Telegraphic Agency Left, Ethiopians are reunited with their families at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, Feb. 4, 2019. Israel is set to speed up its evacuations of some of the relatives of Ethiopian Israelis who remain in the country in the midst of an escalating civil war. The news came just a week after Sigd, an Ethiopian Jew-

ish holiday that historically was marked with prayers for God to return the Jewish people to Israel Those who have firstdegree relatives in Israel — a category that was approved for evacuation in an agreement made in 2015 — will be evacuated more quickly. That group will number at least 3,000, Ynet reported. But there are thousands more Ethiopian Jews waiting to immigrate. Members of the same family may not be able

to get to Israel together if they were not all the on the list approved in 2015. Over the past year, Ethiopia has been the site of a bloody civil war between fighters in the rebel Tigray Army and Ethiopian nationalist forces, backed by troops from neighboring Eritrea. More than 10,000 people have been killed in the fighting, according to estimates from Ethiopians Continues on page 12

Much appreciated With Thanksgiving and Chanukah just behind us and year-end quickly approaching, I am reminded of the expression “an attitude of gratitude.” This is the notion of making it a habit to express thankfulness and appreciation in all parts of your life, on a regular basis. For both the big things and small things alike. On a regular basis, my young grandchildren delight in the activity of identifying their “thorns” and “roses,” giving them a moment to reflect on the days’ events and to share their challenges and express the things for which they are grateful. Whether giving thanks to God or just feeling grateful in our own reflections, the

expression an “attitude of gratitude” resonates with me on so many levels. First, I am thankful for family and friends who provide support and encouragement through good times and, sometimes, tough times, and for the many things that make dayto-day life so wonderful. I am also most appreciative of a community that demonstrates caring and compassion and a desire to welcome and engage its members. In this edition of HAKOL, we take a moment to recognize the generous and valued support of sponsors and advertisers and all that they do to support our mission and community efforts. I hope you will join me in recognizing their ongoing

support by patronizing their businesses. Together, we are HERE FOR GOOD, and we appreciate their generosity and community minded care. I am also grateful to each one of you for your time, talent and financial support working to make our community a rich and vibrant one. It is our Jewish Community Center, our Jewish Day School, our Jewish Family Service, all of our synagogues and other organizations that enrich our Jewish life here in the valley. Despite COVID restrictions, all of our agencies have found interesting and creative ways of bringing programs to you. In addition to the HAKOL agency updates,

I also call your attention to a new section in HAKOL bringing us the Good News from Israel – a reminder that we are blessed to be part of a global community. Along with our organizations, our Jewish Federation, Foundation and affinity groups all work to provide opportunities to engage you in helping to make our community and the world a better place. A new project called Dignity Grows, the return of missions to Israel, initiatives like Life and Legacy Each One Reach One, Women Empowering Women, programs for New in the Valley, Men’s Night Out, Mitzvot in the Making and our Maimonides Society’s 35th anniversary are just a

The Lehigh Valley-Yoav Partnership Park in Blessed Memory of Mark L. Goldstein We 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. IN HONOR ALITZA HOCHHAUSER In honor of the upcoming anniversary of your Bat Mitzvah Bob Lembach ASA HOCHHAUSER In honor of being called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah Bob Lembach AVI HOCHHAUSER In honor of the recent anniversary of your Bar Mitzvah Bob Lembach WESLEY KOZINN In honor of your Special Birthday Vicki Wax LINDA PIESNER In honor of the birth of your great

granddaughter, Melody Marilyn Claire IN MEMORY BLANCHE ALGIM (Mother of Matti Sarfatti Hacarvi) Jill and Jeff Blinder WALTER GOLDFARB (Brother of Harold Goldfarb) Ronie and Don Barga Carole and Michael Langsam SIMON GROSMAN (Father of Antonie Samuels) Arlene and Richard Stein GIL LEVY (Husband of Michele Levy) Carole and Michael Langsam

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

few examples of the upcoming diverse and exciting opportunities to celebrate in our community. I hope you will participate in any and/ or all of these initiatives, and please feel free to call me for more information. How wonderful it is to be surrounded by you, as together, we address important and meaningful work each day. Please accept my sincere appreciation and thanks to each of you for inspiring me.

HAKOL STAFF STEPHANIE GOODLING Editor/Marketing Associate

HAKOL is published 11 times per year for the Jewish communities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and vicinity by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS

ALLISON MEYERS Marketing Project Manager & Senior Graphic Designer DIANE MCKEE Account Representative TEL: 610-515-1391 hakolads@jflv.org

Submissions to HAKOL must be of interest to the entire Jewish community. HAKOL reserves all editorial rights including, but not limited to, the decision to print any submitted materials, the editing of submissions to conform to style and length requirements, and the placement of any printed material. Articles should be submitted by e-mail or 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.

BAYLEY CARL Marketing & Engagement Associate

MAIL, FAX, OR E-MAIL TO: JFLV ATTN: HAKOL 702 N. 22nd St. Allentown, PA 18104

GARY FROMER JFLV President

Phone: (610) 821-5500 Fax: (610) 821-8946 E-mail: hakol@jflv.org

JFLV EXECUTIVE STAFF JERI ZIMMERMAN Executive Director TEMPLE COLDREN Director of Finance & Administration AARON GORODZINSKY Director of Campaign & Security Planning AMY ZYLBERMAN Director of Community Development WENDY EDWARDS Office Manager

Member American Jewish Press Association

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

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Eileen Ufberg recognized with Kipnis-Wilson/ Friedland Award Eileen Ufberg has been chosen by Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley as our 2022 recipient of Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland award. The honor is awarded annually to one woman from each local Federation who has set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism in her community at the International Lion of Judah Conference. “We are so fortunate to count Eileen amongst our community leaders. For more than 50 years, Eileen has been a guidepost to philanthropy and has quietly led a number of initiatives during that time,” said Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. Ufberg is an active member of the Federation and received the George Feldman Award for outstanding young leaders and for working on numerous campaign efforts. She is a past chair of the Women’s Division and was a board member of her synagogue. She was a member of the Federation's leadership development committee and Community Relations Council. Ufberg has worked tirelessly and given generously to the Federation. In 2021, she was the recipient of the Pomerantz Award for her work on the Federation’s Annual Campaign. Together with her late husband, Mickey, z”l, Eileen co-chaired the community’s COVID Relief Campaign, enabling our agencies and synagogues to operate during the height of the pandemic. Ufberg credits those who came before her, showing that the simple act of giving can make an impact— rippling into the future. She and Mickey, z”l, raised their five children in the Lehigh Valley, all of whom attended the Jewish Day School, and now their 16 grandchildren are following their example. “We are fortunate to have Eileen in our community. She is warm, caring, with a great sense of humor and can always be counted on. She understands the meaning of philanthropy!” added Zimmerman. Lions of Judah are women who are committed to a gift of $5,000 or more to the Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. If you’re interested in learning more about Women’s Philanthropy, please contact Jeri Zimmerman at jeri@jflv.org.

Federation welcomes new Director of Gift Planning and EITC Last month, Julia Umansky joined the Jewish Federation staff team as the new Director of Gift Planning and EITC for the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation. Umansky served most recently in the non-profit world of animal welfare and adoption. In addition to creating and running exciting volunteer programs, she has experience in fundraising and grant-writing. Her skill set includes: team leadership, relationship building, volunteer management, customer service, project development and implementation, public speaking and presentations. Umansky will be responsible for working with the Endowment and Investment Committees and for administering and enhancing the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. She will also be included as part of the annual community campaign team. Umansky earned a B.A. in Biology from Boston University with a focus on animal behavior and vertebrate zoology. Originally from Cleveland, she comes from

a family deeply involved in their local Jewish community — her grandmother was the president of her sisterhood and her grandfather was the president of their temple. It feels natural, therefore, for her to become involved in the Lehigh Valley community now that she and her husband, Jonathan Markson, have moved from Brooklyn to his hometown of Allentown. They are big animal lovers, having a dog and three cats of their own, and are happy to be putting down roots in the Valley. Umansky is also an artist, working with acrylic and resin work, and is interested in Jewish mysticism. Umansky is looking forward to sharing her experience and developing endowment opportunities within the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation.

“I am so excited to be here,” shared Umansky. “Coming from such a large and well known Jewish community, I am very excited to have a way to fold myself into the Jewish community here and to start to build relationships.”

S O M E TH I N G S P EC I A L IS C O M I N G I N J A N U A R Y ! STA Y T U N E D.

N O I S S I HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2021 3

WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY

Women’s Philanthropy’s ‘Meaningful Mindfulness’ will connect new residents to Federation By Amy Zylberman JFLV Director of Community Development Chanukah may end on Dec.

6 this year, but Women’s Philanthropy’s New in the Valley affinity group is sharing one more gift on Dec. 7, a present focusing

S AV E T H E D AT E

on presence. Meaningful Mindfulness will take place over Zoom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7, with an invitation extended to anyone who has relocated to the Lehigh Valley since 2020. Holly Hebron Moyer, a social studies teacher at JDS, will guide participants through mindfulness exercises, providing new, creative outlets to achieve mindfulness during the winter months. Event co-chair Alli Lipson shared the value of mindfulness as the cornerstone of the program. “Mindfulness promotes health and healing and is so beneficial in our very stressful everyday life,” she said.

New in the Valley is an initiative connecting new women in the Lehigh Valley with the community through the Jewish Federation. Programs and events lend an opportunity for connection, which can be especially meaningful during winter. Lipson looks forward to building relationships where she lives, sharing “The Lehigh Valley is a small Jewish community that is very close-knit. People are supportive of each other during the wonderful milestones as well as through the difficult times. That’s what makes the Lehigh Valley so special.” Event co-chair Em-

ily Ford hopes that “participants learn some tips on how to practice mindfulness in their everyday lives, meet other newcomers, and feel a sense of connection to the Jewish community of the Lehigh Valley.” Participants will receive a bag with items focused on wellbeing, that can be picked up from the JCC front desk or Federation offices. Mindfulness itself can be an invitation towards meaningful Judaism, so if you’re New in the Valley, we hope to see you there. RSVP to Amy Zylberman at amy@jflv.org or 610-821-5500 by November 30 to guarantee your bag.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9

More information to come.

SAVE THE DATE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9

7:30 p.m. via Zoom

More information to come.

SPONSORED BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY’S WOMEN’S DIVISION

BY EVA LEVITT If you’re expecting, know someone who is, or have a new baby, PLEASE LET US KNOW! Contact Abby Trachtman, 610-821-5500 | abbyt@jflv.org

Food Banks in Israel Neve Michael Youth Village For prices or to place an order, call Eva 610-398-1376.

All payments are made payable to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley 4 DECEMBER 2021 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Dignity Grows engages and empowers in the Lehigh Valley

By Amy Zylberman JFLV Director of Community Development When Jessica Zachs, founder and chair of Dignity Grows, learned that one in five women and those assigned female at birth cannot afford menstrual products, she thought, “this is wholly unacceptable and I have to do something about it.” So, a new mitzvah project was born out of her hometown Federation, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, that has rippled out across the country. Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Women’s Philanthropy is delighted to partner with Dignity Grows, launching our first event on Jan. 26, 2022, with packing parties

happening in two convenient locations in Allentown and Nazareth. What happens at a Dignity Grows event? Volunteers gather and pack sustainable, reusable, sealable tote bags that are full of a month’s worth of sanitary products and feminine hygiene products — think soap, shampoo, tampons, etc. Those tote bags are delivered to partner organizations. We look forward to being able to partner with Jewish Family Service on this initiative. Members of the community may volunteer on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at Jay’s Local in Allentown OR in Nazareth at a private home for our first pack, where there will be opportunity to socialize

LIFE & LEGACY Each One Reach One incentive ends this month

and connect and learn about the need for this service to be provided in the Lehigh Valley. Donna Iorio is chairing this initiative with support from Beth Kushnick, Women’s Philanthropy President, and the members of the Women’s Philanthropy leadership team. Iorio expressed interest in the initiative, seeing how the work fits into the bigger picture. Iorio said, “I help in soup kitchens and homeless shelters and know the need for assistance is real and growing. Until it was brought to my attention, the need for help with sanitary products never occurred to me. It’s crazy that women should have to pick between providing for their families and taking care of their personal needs. This is a way to help locally.” The camaraderie felt throughout the evening may be rewarding enough, but understanding the good to come from the effort is its own benefit. Zachs says, “As women, we know when we support our sisters, we lift each other up and amazing things happen.” Stay tuned for event registration and more information. Dignity Grows™ is an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and supported by National Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federations of North America.

Left, Harold Grinspoon Ten organizations within the Lehigh Valley Jewish community have successfully completed the four-year LIFE & LEGACY program through the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, but there is a major incentive for participants going on through Dec. 31. Each One Reach One is an opportunity for donors to magnify their impact by joining the campaign to increase the number of legacy donors in our community between now and the end of the year. Participating is simple — it just takes one conversation. Reach out to one or more of your family members and friends, share your legacy story and ask them to join you in leaving a legacy to one or more Jewish organizations they value. Then take a selfie or have someone else take a photo of you (holding the Each One Reach One logo in the picture is optional) and upload it to a growing photo mosaic on the LIFE & LEGACY website.

Your photo will be combined with others from donors across North America to create an image of the LIFE & LEGACY logo. Upon submission, your name will be entered into two raffles. One is for one of ten $1,000 grants to be made to one of the organizations you have left a legacy to. The other is to receive a phone call from Harold Grinspoon, Founder, and Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, President of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. This is a great way to join other Lehigh Valley donors in this fun initiative to grow your legacy even more. The impact of our LIFE & LEGACY donors were also celebrated at multiple local synagogues for a Legacy Shabbat on Nov. 18. To learn more about Each One Reach One or how you can make a legacy gift, contact Jeri Zimmerman at jeri@jflv.org or 610-821-5500. HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2021 5

Local leader honored with Girl Scouts award

deliver their presentations at the event. The 2022 honorees are servant leaders who go above and beyond in their contributions to their personal and professional communities and serve as exemplary role models for girls. The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is proud to join the Girl Scouts in recognizing Berg, who has shown herself to be a leader in our local Jewish community in many ways and who served in the United

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States Air Force for 29 1/2 years. She was the Commander of the local Jewish War Veterans post, and on the national level, she serves on their marketing committee trying to raise awareness of Jews serving in the military. She was the first Chair of Women Veterans Committee within the organization. Berg is also active with Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy and is a past recipient of the Daniel Pomerantz Award for Campaign Excellence.

On Nov. 7, The Institute for Religious and Cultural Understanding (IRCU) of Muhlenberg College held its annual Wallenberg Tribute Lecture. This year, they honored Lehigh Valley Sikhs, a grassroots community organization that strives to serve the greater Lehigh Valley community at times of need. The speaker was Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, senior adviser of diversity and inclusion for YSC Consulting and visiting professor at Union Seminary. The IRCU’s mission is to cultivate awareness of religious and cultural diversity through programming, student support and media content that reaches the local community and beyond. Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley was a sponsor of the event, which honors Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg who saved Budapest Jews from the Nazis during the Holocaust. Recognized among Time Magazine’s 16 people fighting for a more equal America, Singh is the author of an upcoming book entitled “More of This Please: Sikh Wisdom for the Soul.” He is also an Equality

SAMRANJEETSINGH.ORG

Local Jewish leader Sheila Berg has been named one of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania’s 2022 Take the Lead Lehigh Valley honorees. Berg is one of four women from the Valley who were selected by a committee of past Take the Lead honorees to be recognized at their annual event next spring. Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls are prepared for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure in a safe, no-limits place designed for and by girls. Through Take the Lead, high school-aged Girl Scouts are paired with inspiring women leaders and shadow them for a day to gain valuable insight into their careers and receive guidance to jumpstart their professional networks. The girls, who are selected through a competitive application and interview process, creatively write and then

Annual Wallenberg Tribute honors Lehigh Valley Sikhs

Fellow for the Open Societies Foundation and the bestselling author of “Fauja Singh Keeps Going.” Growing up as a turban-wearing, brown-skinned, beard-loving Sikh in South Texas, Singh learned early that marginalized groups will not lecture their way into dignity and that empathy is truly built when people get to know each other as human beings. This realization is what brought him into the deep work of empathybuilding as an approach for personal development and social change.

The Great JFS Happy Hour delivers laughs

By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley held their annual fundraiser virtually on Nov. 7. The Great JFS Happy Hour was designed as a much-needed break from the stress of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of caring for mental health and that laughter really is the best medicine. Event co-chairs Marcia Berkow and Susan Sosnow greeted the audience of over 80 households, thanking them for their sponsorship of the

work of JFS and warming them up with a few jokes of their own. A video was shown of a behind the scenes mockumentary of “The Making of The Great JFS Happy Hour” featuring the co-chairs along with JFS President Rabbi Allen Juda, JFS Executive Director Debbie Zoller, and committee members Audrey Nolte, Naomi Schachter and Lorrie Scherline. The tonguein-check presentation showed that the folks behind the event know how to laugh at themselves. The main event of the afternoon was the profes-

Cafe Ivrit helps beginners learn Hebrew

By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor Are you planning a trip to Israel, or have you just been wanting to brush up on your Hebrew? Gavriel Siman-Tov, Federation’s Israeli community shaliach, is offering a fun new experience in partnership with the Jewish Community Center’s JUniversity. Cafe Ivrit is a casual way to learn beginner Hebrew, enjoying coffee while learning words and phrases and practicing informal conversation with Siman-Tov and the other participants. Cafe Ivrit is meeting on Wednesdays, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, from 11 a.m to 12 p.m. at the JCC. “It’s really intimate, we had a group of about only seven people at the first meeting,” said Siman-Tov. “The

sional comedians from Kosher Komedy, a group specializing in “clean” Jewish humor. Schachter introduced emcee Kenny Gluck, who got the crowd laughing before the first act, Joel Chasnoff, who entertained the crowd from the airport on his way back to Israel. A surprise performance of an original parody song from Zoller was the interlude before the final comedian, Jon Fisch, closed out the comedic portion of the event. Juda and Zoller thanked everyone for their support before unveiling the special edition 50th anniversary logo that JFS will use through 2022 to celebrate 50 years of service to the community. Attendees will also receive an exclusive, one-of-a-kind coffee table book entitled “The Great JFS Happy Hour: Supporting Families, Brightening Lives,” made up of the anecdotes, artwork, jokes and photos of people from the community. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to support the work of JFS, whose mission is to help individuals and families to live healthier and more stable lives by providing social services, professional counselling, education and community programs, guided by Jewish values. To learn more about supporting or volunteering for JFS, visit jfslv.org.

concept is just to sit for a cup of coffee and have a conversation. Something we've kind of missed out on in the past two years.” The group also listened to some Israeli music and shared their Hebrew names. “Our goal kind of just getting people to have the basic understanding of Hebrew before you go to Israel, knowing the basics, and just to remind them Hebrew is a language we’re all used to as Jewish people from Sunday school and prayers, but Modern Hebrew is a bit different,” added Siman-Tov. No experience is necessary, and sessions are free and open to everyone. Space is limited, however, so sign up at lvjcc.org/ cafeivrit or call the Welcome Desk at 610-435-3571 to join the remaining sessions. HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2021 7

IN HONOR JOAN AND RICH BASS In honor of the birth of your great-niece, Melody Marilyn Claire LAURA AND BOB BLACK In honor of the birth of your grandson, Asher Noah Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald ROSS BORN In honor of your Retirement Joan Brody Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald WENDY AND ROSS BORN In honor of your grandson Jacob’s Bar Mitzvah Joan Brody Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald ILENE COHEN In honor of a speedy and complete recovery Community Relations Council ANN AND GENE GINSBERG In honor of your grandson’s Bar Mitzvah Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald BETH AND WESLEY KOZINN In honor of your grandson Jack’s Bar Mitzvah Marilyn Claire Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald SHELAH MUETH Wishing you a speedy and

complete recovery Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie Schechner SARA AND BERNIE SCHONBACH In honor of your grandson Jude’s Bar Mitzvah Wendy and Ross Born Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald RANDI AND DONALD SENDEROWITZ In honor of your daughter Rissa’s engagement to Evan Ntonados Carol and Stewart Furmansky Roberta and Alan Penn DONNA AND BRUCE SILVERBERG In honor of your granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald AMY AND JACK SILVERMAN In honor of your daughter Jessica’s marriage Suzanne Lapiduss MARYANN AND ALAN SNYDER In honor of the marriage of your son Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald ART SOSIS Happy 80th Birthday! Laura and Bob Black AMY ZYLBERMAN Thank you for being a mentor Seth Browner

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IN MEMORY DEBRA HIRSCH BATT (Sister of Stephanie Kricun) Roberta and Alan Penn SANFORD (SANDY) BELDON (Husband of Pat Beldon) Wendy and Ross Born JUDITH GINSBURG (Grandmother of Tama Tamarkin) Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald Sara and Karl Glassman WALTER GOLDFARB (Bother of Harold Goldfarb) Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald Sara and Karl Glassman Audrey and Art Sosis Arlene and Richard Stein SELMA JACOWITZ (Mother of Amy Optiz) Deb and Barry Opitz GILFRID LEVY (Husband of Michele Levy) Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald MICKEY UFBERG MEMORIAL AMBUCYCLE FUND Mary Anne and Douglas Johnson Barb and Rick Reisner Susan and Joel Weiner We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship through recent gifts to the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation. The minimum contribution for an Endowment Card is $10. Call 610-821-5500 or visit www. jewishlehighvalley.org to place your card requests. Thank you for your continued support.

COVID-19 vaccines for kids are here. These rabbis (and their children) wrote prayers for the occasion. By Shira Hanau Jewish Telegraphic Agency When Rabbi Lisa Gelber heard that the Food and Drug Administration had approved the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for children ages 5-11, she couldn’t wait for the moment that her daughter would get the shot. But she also knew her daughter was scared of needles. So she sat down with her daughter, 11-year-old Zahara, and together they composed a kavanah, Hebrew for intention, to reflect the gravity and gratitude with which they viewed this milestone and process the feelings her daughter had about the shot. “Holy One of life and love, wrap me in a warm embrace as I prepare to receive my COVID-19 vaccine,” the prayer begins. “I give thanks to the doctors and scientists who are creators like you, for the wise people who approved the vaccine, and for everyone who made sure this was available to kids.” Gelber, the spiritual leader of Congregation Habonim in New York City, shared the full prayer on Facebook, where her friends and colleagues were circulating it in anticipa-

tion of the vaccine’s availability for children. “This feels like a miraculous moment in time. What a gift that this next expansive cohort will have access to a vaccine,” Gelber told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. When COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States began in December 2020, there was much discussion of which blessing or Jewish prayer to recite when receiving the shot. Several new prayers were even written specifically for that occasion, with many offering thanks to the scientists who created the vaccines. Now, children ages 5-11 are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine in the United States, potentially bringing to an end a period when parents have worried about the risks of activities as basic as sending a child to school or going to the playground. And the moment is being marked by a new set of Jewish prayers, with at least one, as in the case of Gelber and her daughter, even written by a child. Gelber said her daughter wanted to thank the people who created the vaccine while COVID-19 vaccines Continues on page 9

Putting down roots in Israel The Jewish Agency for Israel It took just eight months for Javier, 32, and his wife, Dafne, to file their paperwork, pack up their lives, and land in Israel after they decided to make Aliyah from Tucumán, Argentina. Upon their arrival in Israel in August 2021, they spent a week in quarantine in Tel Aviv and then settled into The Jewish Agency’s Absorption Center in Raanana. “I came to Israel looking for a brighter future, and there’s no better way to be the best version of yourself than by being true to your essence and connecting with your roots,” Javier explained. “Every stone in this country has a story, and we have spent generations speaking about and remembering each of them. America may be the land of opportunities, Europe may be the land of art and culture, but Israel is more than that: Israel is home.” Located throughout the country, Jewish Agency Absorption Centers are temporary living quarters that provide a soft landing and supportive framework for new olim (immigrants) as they acclimate to Israel. “Living at The Jewish Agency’s Raanana Absorption Center has been tremendously helpful, from the weekly Hebrew lessons on Zoom to the webinars they provided with different professionals,” shared Javier. “For every step we took along the way, The Jewish Agency was there to provide information and support.” From the moment they

COVID-19 vaccines Continues on page 9

noting her fear of needles. “Most moving for me was her gratitude for the opportunity to say a blessing which would ‘make me stronger’ and take her mind off of pain,” she said. Rabbi Karen Reiss Medwed, an assistant dean at the Graduate School of Education at Northeastern University, was first inspired to write a kavanah for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine several months ago when a nurse in her community spoke at their synagogue about the experience of being vaccinated. More recently, Medwed was inspired by her rabbi’s sermon to write a new kavanah specifically for parents to recite before their children receive the vaccine. “He spoke not only as a rabbi, but as a father, expressing the long awaited relief, as well as the deep religious sense of obligation this next phase of vaccination would bring,” Medwed told JTA in an email, referring to Rabbi Joel Levenson of the Midway Jewish Center in Syosset, New York. “There was no question I had to compose something to recite, just as parents recite a short kavanah upon having the zchut [merit] to arrive with their child to their bnai mitzvah.” Medwed’s prayer expresses gratitude to God and to those who developed the vaccines and, echoing the “shehecheyanu” prayer recited over a new experience, expresses the relief many

decided to make Aliyah, Javier had set his mind on enforcing a “no English-speaking” rule so that he’d practice Hebrew more often; still, there’s more to learn. “The one thing I’d tell other people thinking about making Aliyah would be to learn as much Hebrew as possible before you come as it’ll make everything so much easier,” advised Javier. At the Absorption Center, beyond learning Hebrew and accessing various resources to ease their transition, the couple is enjoying getting to meet fellow olim from around the world, developing relationships that make them feel like they are truly building a community. “Our experience here has been incredible, and we’ve met so many people from so many different countries; every day has been an opportunity to meet new friends, and so far it has been a blast,” said Javier. “The people are definitely the best thing about the Raanana Absorption Center, though the location is hard to beat, too!” As for where they’ll live after their time in the Absorption Center, Javier said they’ve yet to make up their mind, but it will depend on where they find employment. “I’m a public accountant, and my wife is a rheumatologist, so where we get jobs will influence where we live. Close to Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan or Givatayim sounds awesome, as that would put us close to the beach, and those cities are

full of young people,” mused Javier. “But nothing has been decided yet since we’ve fallen in love with Raanana as well. We’re just excited to soon be putting down real roots here and making our home in the Jewish homeland.” Editor’s Note: The Jewish Agency for Israel is an overseas partner of Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

parents feel at the opportunity to finally vaccinate their children. “With this vaccination I let out the long held pause and breath I have been anxiously keeping inside for these long months, and passionately affirm, Blessed are you, Adonai, Ruler of this Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and brought us to this moment, and let us all say, Amen,” the prayer reads.

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One candle to light them all

RABBI MICHAEL SINGER Congregation Brith Sholom Of all the candles in the Hanukkiah, the one that usually gets the least respect is the shamash. The original meaning of the word, shamash, is attendant, servant, janitor, caretaker or orderly. The shamash is the candle that kindles all of the other Hanukkah candles, but is not counted toward the eight days of Hanukkah. Yet, without the shamash none of the other candles could be lit, since each of these

other candles, according to Jewish law, cannot be used for any purpose other than providing their Hanukkah light. So what can we learn from the “servant” candle? That no matter a person’s job, they should be treated with respect and dignity, since without their hard work most of the things we take for granted could not be fulfilled. Indeed, the Rabbis realizing this lesson required that the lowly shamash, be given a place of honor either higher than the other candles, or set to the side from the other candles. Yet, all too often in our society the people in these roles become “invisible people.” People that while they are serving, helping, cleaning, working behind the scenes or literally right in front of us are simply looked past, and ignored. Throughout the pandemic we have often heard the term “essential workers” which includes cashiers, food service workers, teachers, truck drivers, nurses, maintenance people, childcare providers, eldercare providers, food production and warehouse workers to name only a few – without which our daily lives would grind to a halt. It is

amazing to see the smile on a person’s face when they are simply thanked or wished a great day. For someone to acknowledge that the work they do is valued and appreciated. Yet even more so, they deserve a living wage so they and their families can live in dignity with food on their tables, a roof over their heads and access to healthcare and retirement benefits. Not only does our Jewish tradition command this of us, but historically the Jewish community has also been a leader in creating fair labor laws and in the development of workers’ unions. On Hanukkah, as we light the shamash and kindle the candles which recall the great miracle of the Maccabees’ victory, we also need to remember the efforts of the many different people, big and small, throughout the year, whose hard work and efforts make our world and our lives better. In many ways, they are part of God’s creative miracles each and every day. Hanukkah Sameach! May the Festival of Lights fill your home with warmth, cheer and love, and may we all be blessed to share it with those around us. Chag Urim Sameach!

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BIG holds interfaith Thanksgiving service By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor Opening with lovely organ music, the Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG)’s Service of Thanksgiving took place both in person at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem and streamed live on YouTube on Nov. 14. A monetary offering was taken to benefit New Bethany Ministries, whose staff and volunteers work to bring hope and assistance to our neighbors experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness. There was also a petition to be signed declaring that Bethlehem is “no home for hate.” BIG President Rev. Beth Goudy welcomed the attendees. “There is power in coming together in thanksgiving,” she said. Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom read a prayer which gave thanks not only for the beauty and bounty of eastern Pennsylvania but also for the Lenni Lenape forebears who lived here before us. Leaders of many local congregations of various faiths took turns leading

the assembled congregation in prayers and songs of thanksgiving from different traditions. Rev. Madelyn Campbell of the United Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley gave a short message, quoting from Exodus 15 and invoking Miriam, who gave thanks after going through a time of great trouble. She reminded the congregants that it is normal to be overwhelmed in extraordinary times such as a global pandemic. “I give thanks for all of you, for my colleagues from many faith traditions here in Bethlehem and our ability to worship together today, whether in person or online. The psalmist has instructed us to give thanks to the Holy One and to do so joyously…. We come from many traditions, and we understand the Holy One in many different, ways but we are still filled with the same Holy Breath,” said Campbell. The Bethlehem Interfaith Group was founded in 2017 by Rabbi Michael Singer and seeks to promote education, justice and friendship among people of faith in Bethlehem.

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GOOD NEWS FROM ISRAEL Israel welcomes individual tourists back into the country By Abigail Klein Leichman ISRAEL21c

sion. Group travel restrictions were relaxed in recent months. To understand the impact of the tourism slowdown, in September 2020 there were 15,100 tourists entries compared to 405,000 in September 2019. From January through September 2021, there were 243,500 tourist entries into Israel, compared to 782,700 in the corresponding period in 2020. A record 4.55 million tourists arrived in Israel in 2019. Don’t consider submitting fraudulent forms: Foreigners caught with forged documents will be refused entry to Israel for five years. Foreigners who test positive for COVID on arrival or during their visit to Israel will be required to quarantine in a coronavirus hotel; those who refuse or who break isolation also will be refused entry for five years. For further details and updates, check the websites of the Israeli Ministry of Health and the Population and Immigration Authority.

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This is the moment so many travelers – and Israel’s tourism industry – have been waiting for since the pandemic shut out much of foreign travel through Ben-Gurion International Airport in March 2020. Effective November 1, Israel is reopening for individual travelers from all countries, without the need to obtain an entry permit – only a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before departure, and an online Inbound Passenger Statement. Each entering tourist also must present a vaccination certificate less than six months old, certifying that the bearer was vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna,

AstraZeneca, J&J, Sinovac or Sinopharm; Sputnik V will be recognized from November 15. Unvaccinated, recovered travelers may not enter Israel from the United States but can enter from the European Union with a digitized recovery certificate from the past six months (no such document currently is available in the United States). Incoming travelers will no longer have to get a serological test to obtain an early release from quarantine. They will take a PCR test upon arrival at the airport, and may leave quarantine as soon as the negative result is received — normally within 12 hours. Until now, individual tourists could enter Israel only under certain conditions, with special permis-

Ethiopians Continues from page 1

the United Nations and aid groups, and numerous war crimes have been documented on both sides, including frequent rapes of women and children. Recently, the president of Ethiopia encouraged civilians to arm themselves. In the 30 years since Israel covertly airlifted more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to the country as part of Operation Solomon, more than 8,000 Jews officially recognized by the Israeli government have remained stranded in Ethiopia, their pleas for asylum

were placed in limbo, even as some have had family members resettle in Israel. The war has particularly compounded problems for those Jews stuck in Ethiopia. Activists in Israel say the actual number of Jews in Ethiopia requiring asylum is closer to 12,000; there are also Ethiopian Jewish tribes not recognized by Israel that seek to remain in their country while practicing Judaism. Most of the remaining Ethiopian Jews are concentrated in the capital city of Addis Ababa, which is also a major site of the fighting. Many are scared about a potential total collapse of the country’s government.

GOOD NEWS FROM ISRAEL

THE ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT

Surfside firefighters visit Israel to train with rescue specialists who aided them

An IDF Home Front Command mission member searching for survivors in Surfside, Florida, June 2021. By ISRAEL21c Staff Last June, following the deadly collapse of a 12-story apartment building in Surfside, Florida, a team of Israeli disaster relief specialists flew over to help. Earlier this month, 15 fire-

fighters from Florida, Ohio and Virginia who’d worked with the Israelis at the scene came to Israel for five days. They participated in a rescue training drill with the IDF Home Front Command, conducted a joint review of the Surfside

Israelis join new World Health Network to eliminate COVID By Abigail Klein Leichman ISRAEL21c Meir Rubin, executive director of Jerusalem-based Kohelet Policy Forum, is one of 30 co-authors of an Oct. 30 article in The Lancet declaring the formation of the World Health Network (WHN) and its Global Summit to End Pandemics, which took place last month. An international grassroots task force in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHN includes independent scientific advisory and advocacy teams and citizens’ action to achieve progressive elimination of the disease globally. The initiative is spearheaded by physicist Prof. Yaneer BarYam, head of the New England Complex Systems Institute in Boston. “Our connected world is vulnerable to pandemics, and we must learn how to stop them. With COVID, the main challenge is to make a decision to achieve elimination locally and to use all of the tools that we have learned from in many parts of the world to achieve it,” said Bar-Yam. The American-born son of Israeli parents, he analyzes the origins and impacts of market crashes, social unrest, ethnic violence, military conflict and pandemics, and the structure and dynamics of social networks. “Different communities have learned how to suppress the outbreak. We can combine those tools together, technological ones including but not limited to vaccinations, and social actions,” Bar-Yam said.

The Lancet article notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has cost more than 4 million lives, left millions of people with persistent symptoms (long COVID), and has devastated disadvantaged communities in particular. “The tragedy is that much of this harm was preventable, as shown early on by many AsiaPacific countries that pursued elimination of COVID-19 and protected both their public health and economies,” the authors wrote. “The rest of the world can still work towards elimination…. Elimination means bringing cases down to sufficiently low numbers, so that no community transmission occurs for extended periods of time. Outbreaks might occur but will be rapidly detected and controlled. Despite the manifest success of this approach, many governments rejected it outright, and after repeated lockdowns and substantial losses to life and economy, these governments now speak of learning to live with the virus.” WHN members “aim to achieve elimination by assembling rigorous scientific evidence and guidelines; sharing experience and expertise between countries; coordinating international strategies and actions; empowering citizen actions to improve public health, support vaccine uptake, and shape policy; addressing the role of inequality, inequity, and marginalization in health; campaigning for vaccine equity and sharing; and challenging misinformation, nationalism, and exceptionalism.”

rescue operation, visited an Iron Dome antimissile defense installation and met with officials in the Gaza-border city of Sderot. The Israeli and American colleagues hope to craft a “rescue doctrine” to be available for disaster specialists around the world. The Home Front Command has requested another meeting of the two sides next year to further this goal. Col. (Res.) Golan Vach, commander of the National Rescue Unit in the Home Front Command, told The Times of Israel that he invited the American responders to Israel so that the two sides could learn from one another. Vach noted that the Americans brought to the rescue operation advanced equipment, logistical and organizational excellence and a comprehensive manual of instructions. The Israelis contributed their well-honed ability to gather critical intelligence at the scene to map out where to search for victims. This methodology significantly shortens the time needed to find trapped individuals, Vach said. Brandon Webb, program manager for Florida Task Force One and battalion chief for Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue, called his Israeli counterparts “Great people, highly trained and dedicated to what they do. I haven’t met any of them that I wouldn’t consider a friend.”

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Book Review: ‘Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth’ By Sandi Teplitz Special to HAKOL It's happened to many of us. Someone gets confrontational about Israel's undeserved status as a country, citing misinformation. Our first impulse is to be defensive at best, argumentative perhaps, and ultimately antagonistic. One of the reasons for this consequence of responses is lack of factual evidence to prove to the accuser that Israel is indeed worthy of her status and then some. Noa Tishby, an Israeli native currently residing in the United States, comes armed with material to advocate for Israel's worthiness by examining the country's past and justifying its present activity in the global community. In her book, “Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth,” she comes well-armed with facts which she presents in a manner that is not at all shambolic, unlike other tomes on the same subject which lead to fact-blurring and ultimately confusion. Tishby, who has served in the Israeli Army and comes from a family of activists, takes us through all this in a style that will appeal strongly to millennials and those born later. Her literary style is frank and kick***, perhaps a tad shocking to those accustomed to something more traditional. But that also turns out to be her greatest asset, as she refreshingly connects with Arabs, Palestinians and Muslims in an inclusive manner, asserting Israel's positivity all the while, not allowing her naysayers to detract from this end. She is not easily labeled, preferring instead to state facts in a way that plangently reflect the greatness of her homeland. Not afraid to call out some famed Ameri-

cans for their Faustian ways, she also cites their inadequacies through examples. Always dramatically, I might add. One of her targets is the BDS movement in America, which, among other things, seeks empowerment of Palestinians through boycotting Israel. Though she mentions Brandeis University as a place that makes room for these dissidents, she doesn't address the feasibility of offering on campus a support group to minimize their influence, something that may be a positive counterpoint. The book is worth reading for Tishby's enthusiasm; she brings a passion to her subject that is energizing. We haven't heard the last from this sassy Sabra. One walks away from the text feeling that this is just the beginning of her literary chutzpah.

Book Review: ‘The Way Back’ By Sean Boyle Special to HAKOL Gavriel Savit’s award winning second novel, “The Way Back,” is a young adult fantasy story that starts off in the 19th Century Eastern European shtetl of Tupnik, where two children separately meet the Angel of Death and end up on adventures traveling through the Far Country. Yehuda Leib, a mischievous youth who has never met his father, has been sent into hiding by his mother to ensure he’s not sold into the Tsar’s army. Bluma the baker’s daughter gives Yehuda Leib a loaf of bread for his travels as she worries about her Bubbe who has not been seen all day. Yehuda Leib and Bluma’s lives, as well as their families, are forever changed later that night as Death strolls through Tupnik and continues onwards to the village of Zubinsk. Death plans on being a guest at the holy Rebbe’s granddaughter’s wedding being held in Zubinsk the following morning. The wedding is open to everyone, which means it draws not only Hasidim and visitors from all over the region but also the demons and transient souls of the dead all wanting to have an audience with the revered Rebbe. Death’s interactions with Yuhuda Leib and Bluma and their families drives the two children individually into the Far Country where they each make pacts with separate ancient demon Lords and Ladies. Yehuda Leib and Bluma’s adventures cross with each other as they move between the land of the living and the Far Country and they finally join together as they both end up declaring war on Death himself. As they and their demon armies attempt to retrieve what Death has taken, they are confronted with what happens if they win and will they ever be able to return to their old lives.

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Savit grew up in an Orthodox household and read “boatloads of fantasy.” He has always wondered why there were not more Jewish references in mainstream fantasy writing. So Savit went about writing a book that was a Jewish-themed fantasy novel but also one that would be enjoyable to any reader. “The Way Back” has been compared to Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book” and Philip Pullman’s “The Book of Dust,” and Savit’s portrayal of the character Death is similar to Terry Pratchett’s and Piers Anthony’s personifications of Death. Highly recommended for ages 12120, especially for anyone who enjoys ghost stories and Jewish folklore and the fantasy works of Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett and Philip Pullman.

Happy Holidays! By Gavriel Siman-Tov Community shaliach Happy Holidays! It’s a blessing you hear a lot at this time of the year, and I love it. I love it because it's one of the best ways to explain the sentence I grew up on, vhhjh u,buntc aht aht, or “Each person should live by his own beliefs.” And the explanation that comes with it says you can choose what you believe in but on the other hand you need to understand this is a right every other person has. Yes, you can disagree with someone’s beliefs, but you have to respect them. I grew up like this. I could always choose what I wanted to do and what to believe in. This time of year is also very special in Israel, it’s a time you can really see the multicultural and religious aspects reflected in Israeli society. Christmas trees or New Year’s Eve celebrations are not a foreign thing to see. Well you might think, but wait a second, Israel is a Jewish state so what are you talking about?! Well, you are right. Israel is a Jewish state, but while being a

Jewish state, it still enjoys freedom of religion, and you would be surprised how many people find Israel to be a safe place for them to practice their religion. Let me back up for a second back to the Christmas trees and etc. So, Israel is a Jewish state, which means the majority of the population are Jewish and the holidays acknowledged as national holidays are the Jewish ones. Same idea if we consider the U.S., the majority of the population are Christians, so we can say that most of the holidays go by the Christian calendar. Throughout Israel, you will be able to see some Christmas trees next to a menorah, and on New Year’s Eve, you will hear thousands of people counting down to the new year to come. The population of Israel consists of 25% minority groups. They each have different beliefs and different cultures. All are welcome to practice and believe what they choose to, because each one of us has the freedom to believe provided we all respect others’ beliefs. Happy Holidays!

Founding PJ Library philanthropist reflects on handing out 35,000th book By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor When Vicki Wax paid a visit to her daughter in New Jersey ten years ago, she had no idea the impact that day would make on her or on the Lehigh Valley Jewish community. Her daughter, Nancy, asked her, “Have you heard of PJ Library?” Wax’s grandson, just five years old at the time, was excited to share a book, “Bagels from Benny,” with her. On the way home, she immediately called her husband, Stan z”l, to tell him that they needed to bring this initiative to the Lehigh Valley. With the partnership of Bonnie and Bobby Hammel and Jean Wiener, they did. PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month. Thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of Wax, who went on to be the chair starting it off in the Lehigh Valley, PJ Library has now been part of the Lehigh Valley Jewish community for the past 10 years. In October, a birthday party was held to celebrate the growth of this program over the past decade, and Wax was there to read and to hand out the ceremonial 35,000th book gifted in the Valley. “From the moment I heard about it, I was absolutely enthralled with the idea, the brilliance of it. I’m a former teacher, and I’m a book advocate. I certainly feel my passion is ‘doing Jewish,’ and giving out Jewish books for free for kids, that was in my wheelhouse. And I’m eternally grateful to the Hammels and Jean Wiener who partnered with us,” recalled Wax. Wax is incredibly proud of seeing how far the program has come in her community ten years on. “To think that ten years

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later here we are at our 35,000th book, I get teary when I think about it. This project has had such an unbelievable impact,” she said. Since it is partially sponsored locally, while other communities at the time had long waiting lists and were only giving out one book per household, the philanthropic families helping to sponsor PJ Library in the Lehigh Valley ensured the funding was there for each child in each home to receive an age-appropriate book every month. The Waxes actually got to meet with Harold Grinspoon several years ago and learned more about the program and the development of PJ Our Way, which is for kids ages 9-12 who have aged out of the traditional PJ Library program. “The bottom line is, I always believe, as many of us do, that you get more than you give. I cannot tell you how much pleasure I am truly getting from seeing this program thrive. Ten years have gone by in a heartbeat, and they have led to such an amazing project. Honestly, I think of it as a win-win. It’s a win for us as philanthropists and a win for the kids getting the packages.”

Above, Vicki Wax reading to the children at PJ Library’s 10th birthday party.

To learn more or sign your family up for PJ Library, contact Abby Trachtman at abbyt@jflv.org. HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2021 19

… d o o g Life is …when you can

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Life is good when you can spend time with family and friends, when there’s always plenty to do and when delicious chef-prepared meals are served restaurant style. Our residents enjoy entertaining activities and opportunities to engage with the community both inside and outside our campus, always knowing assistance is never more than a few steps away, if needed. To learn more, call or visit us today. Life is good…at Country Meadows. Scan the code to learn more

By Audrey Nolte Congregation Keneseth Israel History is a great teacher. It is our mission to learn about history so it is not repeated. With that in mind, The Women of KI and KI’s Adult Education Committee are cosponsoring the free viewing of an important documentary film, “They Survived Together” on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. both via Zoom and in person. This film is a story about the

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View the 2021 Trailer at https://youtu. be/OWTbS3WM2mg. To register for this event, visit kilv.org.

Wild for mushrooms

By Sandi Teplitz The first time that I tasted oyster mushrooms was at a luxe dinner party…. Immediately smitten, I developed several ways to incorporate them into my recipes. As the weather grows chillier, I think of the warmth of soup. Try the recipes below without deviation, and you’ll soon forget it’s December.

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incredible escape and survival of the Neiger family, including four small children, from certain death by Nazis in the Krakow Ghetto. The film’s producer/director John Rokosny will offer a presentation plus a question and answer session. There will also be a live performance by the film’s musicians.

Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. salted European butter 1 Tbsp. Italian olive oil 1/2 small shallot, chopped 1 large rib of celery, chopped 1/4 cup kosher Sauterne, as from Binah Winery 3/4 lb. oyster mushrooms, chopped 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped 1 tsp. Cerulean Seas kosher fine sea salt 1/8 tsp. white pepper 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth 1/2 cup half and half Technique: In a large sauté pan, heat the butter and oil until the mixture foams. Add the shallot and celery and cook over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring. Add the wine, mixing vigorously, and stir in mushrooms and seasonings, cooking for another 3 minutes. Pour in broth, and bring to a quick boil over high heat. Immediately

turn heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in half and half. Cool slightly and process in a food processor for 15 seconds. Reheat if necessary and serve with oyster mushroom butter spread on slices of a crusty baguette.

OYSTER MUSHROOM BUTTER Ingredients: 1 stick European butter at room temperature 2 Tbsp. European butter for sautéing 1 small shallot, chopped 1/3 cup chopped oyster mushrooms 1/2 tsp. chopped thyme 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. Cerulean Seas fine kosher sea salt Technique: In a large sauté pan, heat the 2 Tbsp. butter with the shallot, and stir together over low heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and spices and continue to cook for 5 minutes more, until soft. Remove from heat and cool for up to 1/2 hour. With a mixer, whip the remaining stick of butter until soft. Add the vegetables to the butter in the mixing bowl, and fold in well with a spatula. Put mixture into a crock, and seal tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate or freeze for later use. Any leftover butter may be used on roasted wild salmon.

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER UPDATE FROM YOAV

Yoav celebrates Chanukah and more By Nurit Galon Partnership2Gether So the calendar assures us that winter is really here, but the weather tells a different story, and the temperatures are still high in the 80s and 90s. But as the swimming pools are closed for the winter - then winter it must be! You can tell what season is beginning, because all the stores are filled with doughnuts, in Israel, at least, considered a Chanukah delicacy, and though the classic remains a jam doughnut, some of the stores have a “Dunkin' Doughnut" window display. By the way, who knows the origin of the doughnut as a Chanukah delicacy? First prize - a special box of Israeli doughnuts for the winner - and a special extra - you have to pick up the prize here in Yoav! The Yoav Community Centre is presenting a large number of Chanukah festivities, including stage shows for the children in every

community and also artists, magicians, singers for the whole region. This year's presentations include Pinnochio, Aladdin, Mushi the Rabbit and more. In each kibbutz and moshav, there is also a Chanukah party, often for the whole community, usually portraying the Chanukah story and the heroic struggles of the Maccabees. There are torchlight runs, fireworks, the everlasting miracle of the oil burning for eight days, and the delight in knowing that throughout the world the Jews are remembering the days and years of the Maccabim and hoping that next year, Jews all over the globe will be free to join the celebrations, each community in its own way. Now that the Corona has quieted down, at least for now, the members of the Yoav Region are once again doing what they love most - hiking and exploring all over the country. Recent trips to the Galil, to the beaches, to museums - all over this amazing country. Because we were not

allowed to travel abroad, Israelis rediscovered Israel, and the country is full with groups of every age. Next week, there is a trip to the Rabin Centre, to the Gilboa, to just about everywhere. Yoav communities celebrated 75th birthdays (Galon), 80th birthdays (Negba), and more. There were triathalons, Galgalon bicycle races, and even Halloween parties, with little devils everywhere. As a new member said, "Wow, if I had known kibbutz and

moshav were such fun, I would have arranged to be born there!" Last week, after three years without a budget, the Israeli government finally succeeded in voting to pass the country's budget. Economically, the cost of living is going up and wages are not keeping up. The situation on our roads is disastrous - last weekend we had 11 deaths - and no real plans have emerged to stop the carnage. Lots of problems and not so many obvious

solutions! But as we look around the world, we realize that although we know our problems are endless, how really fortunate we are to have the Jews of the world as our family in general, and the Jewish Community of the Lehigh Valley as our Partners! How many people can say that! To all of you, may you have a memorable and happy Chanukah, and we really shall think of you as we light our candles every night. Chag Sameach!

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HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2021 21

Community Calendar To list an event in the Community Calendar, submit your information on our website, www.jewishlehighvalley.org, under the “Upcoming Events” menu.

All events listed in the Community Calendar are open to the public and free of charge, unless otherwise noted. Programs listed in HAKOL are provided as a service to the community. They do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. The JFLV reserves the right to accept, reject or modify listings.

WEDNESDAYS, DECEMBER 1 & 8

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8

Cafe Ivrit

JCC Parent Panel

11 a.m. to 12 p.m., JCC Board Room. JUniversity along with the JFLV Community Shaliach bring you Cafe Ivrit. A fun, casual way to learn beginning Hebrew and practicing while enjoying coffee. There are four sessions offered. Contact bkushnick@lvjcc.org for more information. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3

First Friday’s - Breakfast with Our Elected Officials

8 to 8:30 a.m., Jewish Federation via Zoom. We will have a different elected official speak to our community about their work and answer questions. Register in advance for this meeting at https:// tinyurl.com/3cj57mcm. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3

First Friday: Sunni Islam with Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy

12:30 p.m., Muhlenberg College, Seegers Union Event Space. Join us in person this semester as we continue our focus on understanding religious diversity in the local community. Free and open to the public. Visit www.religionandculture.com for more information. Sponsored by Institute for Religious and Cultural Understanding of Muhlenberg College. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Jewish Day School’s 68th Evening of Tribute

7:30 p.m., Jewish Day School via Zoom. Honoring our dynamic champions. Educators of the year: all of our phenomenal teachers. Special recognition to our medical task force team: Dr. Pam Abrams, Dr. Eric Fels, Amy Golding and Dr. Moshe Markowitz. Star of the evening: Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley. Honorable mention: Arthur Hochhauser, VP of Finance, in recognition of his outstanding guidance of the JDS to remain open during the pandemic. We look forward to celebrating together. To donate and receive your online link to participate in the virtual celebration, please visit www.jdslv.org/tribute. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

The Women of KI Holiday Book Chat

10 a.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel via Zoom. It may be early, it may be late, but this celebration is right on time! Join the Women of KI as they honor the joy of reading on Sunday, December 5th at 10 AM on Zoom. Linda Eiskowitz and Audrey Nolte are reprising the collaborative party by zooming with books you love. Register at kilv. org and each participant will receive an annotated list of books discussed. Let’s give thanks to Jewish Book Month, Thanksgiving and Chanukah by connecting with books! Contact Audrey at 610-2487945 for further details. Register at https://tinyurl.com/vc7zbbr2. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

8 p.m., Virtual: Zoom & JCC Facebook Page Live. Looking for answers to those burning parenting questions? Join the JCC for a virtual series of panels focusing on a variety of parenting topics. Sign up at lvjcc.org/ParentPanel. Who can join the zoom? ANYONE and EVERYONE! Can’t make it? The class will be recorded so you can watch at a later time. Feel free to ask any questions before the session to be answered during the class by going to our Facebook group JCC Parent Panel at facebook.com/groups/jccparentpanel. DECEMBER 8: Jen Tanzola O.T. “In a world of technology, is handwriting still that important?”: How to support fine motor development starting at an early age. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

History is a Great Teacher

WEDNESDAYS

JCPA2021 Virtual Benefit: Moving Forward

7 to 8 p.m., JCPA online. Honoring JCPA’s 2021 Tikkun Olam Award recipients: Ilana Kaufman, Jewish of Color Initiative Executive Director, and Michael Fromm, JCPA Immediate Past Chair. Support JCPA’s work in the fight against injustice and hate. Register at https://tinyurl.com/cs9b98p7. FRIDAY, JANUARY 7

First Friday’s - Breakfast with Our Elected Officials

JUniversity presents Cooking together with Pam Turkin

11 a.m., JCC via Zoom. Learn to cook the light and hearty classic lentil soup and make a fun focaccia bread with Master chef and baker Pam Turkin on Zoom. FREE to all JCC members, $10 for others. Call the JCC to register at 610-435-3571 or go to lvjcc.org/ juniversity. Any questions call, Beth Kushnick at 610-435-3571.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7

Celebrate the beauty of Shabbat Shabbat & Yom Tov Candlelighting Times

Friday, Dec. 3 Friday, Dec. 10 Friday, Dec. 17

4:17 pm 4:17 pm 4:19 pm

Friday, Dec. 24 Friday, Dec. 31 Friday, Jan. 7

4:22 pm 4:27 pm 4:33 pm

David Horovitz Web Series

WEDNESDAYS, JANUARY 19 & MARCH 23

IPF Virtual Tours with the PA Federations

7 p.m., Via Zoom. A series of four virtual tours in partnership with The Israel Policy Forum and all the Pennsylvania Jewish Federations. The four tours are: Jerusalem, The History of Settlements in the West Bank:, Special Session on Hebron, and Hot Button Issues. Co-sponsored by the Community Relation Councils of Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley.

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, 610-435-3571 ext. 501. MONDAYS

PA Small Jewish Communities Learning Initiative Parshat Hashavua Class

with Cantor Wartell FRIDAYS 8:30-9:30 AM WMUH 91.7

muhlenberg.edu/wmuh | 484.664.3456 22 DECEMBER 2021 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

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 https://tinyurl.com/ rbs3dctj.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14

12 to 1 p.m., Via Zoom. Announcing the next series of online briefings with David Horovitz, Founding Editor of the online newspaper The Times of Israel. In the briefings, Horovitz will provide updates about the latest events happening in Israel and the Middle East. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3sfx5rju. To submit questions for Mr. Horovitz, please contact JCRC@jewishphilly.org. Sponsored by Jewish Federations of Greater Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. Save the date for future series sessions: Wednesday, March 2, 2022 & Monday, May 16, 2022

7 p.m., Jewish Federation via Zoom. Join the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Women’s Philanthropy’s New in the Valley community, welcoming newcomers to the Lehigh Valley, over Zoom and discover ways to experience mindfulness, get to know your Lehigh Valley neighbors, and receive a self-care swag bag! Featuring Holly Hebron Moyer, who will guide attendees through a mindfulness exercise. Open to those who are new in the Lehigh Valley since 2020! RSVP to amy@jflv.org.

Weekly Torah Study

TUESDAYS

MONDAY, JANUARY 17

Meaningful Mindfulness with New in the Valley

TUESDAYS

2 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel via Zoom or in-person. It is our mission to learn about history so it is not repeated. With that in mind, the Women of KI and the Adult Education Committee are co-sponsoring the viewing of an important documentary film “We Survived Together.” This film is a story about the incredible escape and survival of the Neiger family, including 4 small children, from certain death by Nazis in the Krakow Ghetto. The film’s Producer/ Director John Rokosny will offer a presentation plus a question/ answer session. There will also be a live performance by the film’s musicians. Look for more information on www.kilv.org.

Community Hanukkah Celebration

4:30 to 6 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley. Community candle lighting at 5:30 p.m. Community wide outdoor Hanukkah party! Bounce house, latkes, hot cocoa, donuts, Hanukkah crafts, live entertainment, and more. This event is LVKC supervised. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held indoors. Price: $20/family. JCC members: $15/family. To register, call 610-435-3571 or go to lvjcc.org/Hanukkah. Contact Ally Wiener-Avraham at awiener@ lvjcc.org with questions.

and IJS faculty members Rabbi Myriam Klotz or Cantor Lizzie Shammash as they guide 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 https:// tinyurl.com/7mtxyjz5.

7 p.m., Congregation Sons of Israel via Zoom. Prepare for the weekly Torah reading with Jews throughout the Commonwealth. Join Rabbis Nisan Andrews, Avrohom Notis, Dovid Kaplan, Elisha Friedman, and various guest teachers for this virtual learning. Join at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5014709078. MONDAYS & 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 teachers

Torah Tuesdays with Bnai Shalom

12:30 p.m., At the home of Cindy Danies. Torah on Tuesdays Interactive Torah study group. Contact office@bnaishalomeaston. org for more information. TUESDAYS

Our Prayers: History and Meaning with Bnai Shalom 8:15 p.m., Bnai Shalom via Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting at https://tinyurl.com/3ru3amrw.

Judaism for Our Time with Bnai Shalom

11 a.m., Bnai Shalom via Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting at https://tinyurl.com/jmx2zmw9. WEDNESDAYS

Virtual Coffee Klatch

1 p.m., Bnai Shalom via Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting at https://tinyurl.com/cx42z49j. WEDNESDAYS

Yoga with Miriam Sandler: Chair Supported 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 chair offered, though students may choose to remain seated. Modifications given. Open to the public in person and live stream available to all via zoom. *$10 Drop-In fee payable to Congregation Brith Shalom. For more information, email: mbserow@gmail.com. Join Zoom Meeting at https://tinyurl.com/3pf88d8d. 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 JLI presents Season One, a 12-part series. Cost is $36 for the course including textbook. For more information, contact (610) 351-6511 or rabbi@chabadlehighvalley.com. EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY

Hadassah Study Group

1:25 p.m., Via Zoom. We discuss short stories from an anthology. Please contact Marilyn Claire at mjclaire@gmail.com or 620-9727054 to sign up. THURSDAYS

Basic Yiddish Class

8 to 9:30 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley via Zoom. Learn to read, write, speak and comprehend Yiddish. Textbooks from Yiddish Book Center available for purchase. Contact: Janis Mikofsky 610-4353571, ext. 501. FRIDAYS

Weekly Virtual Shabbat Parties

9:30 to 10 a.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley Facebook. Join the Early Childhood Education department for a free Shabbat party each week live on the JCC Facebook page. Visit facebook.com/JCCLV. Contact: Ally Wiener-Avraham (awiener@lvjcc.org) SUNDAY through FRIDAY

Daf Yomi

Weekdays at 7:45 a.m., Sunday at 7:30 a.m., Congregation Sons of Israel via Zoom. Are you intrigued by thought-provoking, stimulating and provocative religious discussion? Are you enamored by the depth and scope of the Jewish legal system? Are you curious about Judaism’s perspective on marriage, tort law, Jewish burial, holiday observance, prayer, blessings and, for that matter, nearly any Jewish topic? Then Sons of Israel’s daily “Daf Yomi” class is for you. Meeting all year long -- and right now via Zoom -- this class covers the gamut of Talmudic law, studying one page of the talmud each day, and completing the talmud over the course of seven and a half years. Basic Jewish background is recommended. To access the daily Zoom conference, go to https://zoom.us/j/5598767191. 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 https://tinyurl.com/ rbs3dctj.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2021 23

Your health needs to come first. That’s why the relationship with your primary care doctor is one of the most important you’ll ever have. From identifying risk factors to coordinating specialty care, LVHN partners with you every step of the way. And with virtual and in-person visits, it’s never been easier to put your health at the top of your to-do list. Find your primary care partner today. Visit LVHN.org/primarycare or call 888-402-LVHN.

HAKOL - December 2021

Articles inside

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE

FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN

LVJF TRIBUTES

WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY