FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN

Be the Light!

One for each night, they shed a sweet light to remind us of days long ago …

We are reminded of days not so long ago when antisemitism was less prevalent. While antisemitism has been on the rise in the United States, focusing on the digitization of this vile prejudice is essential to stopping the spread of it.

We must continue to be vigilant. Through the Shine a Light initiative, we and our partner the Jewish Federation of North America draw on the inspiration of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, to encourage Jews and allies to speak up and send a message that antisemitism, in all its modern forms, won’t be tolerated in our communities. Shine a Light is a comprehensive initiative to spotlight the dangers of antisemitism through education, community partnerships, workplace engagement and community advocacy.

Antisemitism is a societal problem. Tolerating, minimizing or denying it allows hatred, scapegoating and conspiratorial thinking to erode our democracy. Effectively countering antisemitism requires all of us to speak up.

As we approach Chanukah, we hope you will participate with our community as we join others by taking pictures of your family/ friends proudly lighting the chanukiah (Chanukah candelabra) candles and sharing the photos with us. The national Jewish Federation, in turn, will highlight the photos as part of a national initiative. We will also have resources available with action steps to stand up against antisemitism. Please watch for more information so that you, too, can Shine a Light!

In addition, you are the light for your family and friends. You help them in times of need and comfort them in times of uncertainty. As we get ready to celebrate Chanukah, you can be that light for your extended Jewish family as well — including the individuals and families who urgently need your help now more than ever locally, in Israel and in 70 countries around the world. I encourage you to be a light for those who thought they’d never have to rely on others for assistance.

Federation-supported initiatives help make the world a better and brighter place, made possible by community efforts and donations. From caring for those in need to inspiring the next generation of young leaders, our Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs showcases the many ways that Federation-backed programming, and our community members, bring light to the world. Through our work together, we can shed a sweet light.

Through initiatives like the Jewish Family Service (JFS) programming celebrating 50 years, the Jewish Day School (JDS) 69th Evening of Tribute and Jewish Community Center (JCC) enhanced programming, we continue to work hard to bring light to our community and to stay connected to provide community support to one another.

This Chanukah, we ask you, our generous community members, to add your light by making a generous gift to the Federation. Through our 2023 Campaign for Jewish Needs, funds are provided to help our local agencies and synagogues with much-needed resources and for: Caring for those in need: • Providing food for those in need • Counseling for families in crisis • Supporting services for older adults • Helping disabled individuals and their families Building a vibrant Jewish community: • Encouraging young readers — PJ Library • Making Jewish education and camp affordable • Teaching teens to stand up for Israel • Connecting people to their heritage Bringing people together: • Providing volunteer opportunities to help others • Traveling to Israel on missions • Supporting our

Partnership2Gether family, Yoav • Creating lasting friendships Responding to emergencies: • Providing relief from

Israel to Ukraine, and when local disaster strikes

This Chanukah, you are a light that heals. You are a light that brings relief in times of need. Thank you in advance for your generosity and for being the light that helps us to be Here for Good.

Chag Urim Sameach!

Shine A Light on antisemitism to dispel the darkness this Chanukah.

Send photos of your family and friends lighting your chanukiah for us to share to help dispel the darkness. Please send photos to hakol@jflv.org

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

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. Quotes may be edited for grammar and clarity. 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.

MAIL, FAX, OR E-MAIL TO: JFLV ATTN: HAKOL 702 N. 22nd St. Allentown, PA 18104 Phone: (610) 821-5500 Fax: (610) 821-8946 E-mail: hakol@jflv.org

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.

HAKOL STAFF

CARL ZEBROWSKI Editor

CHARLENE RIEGGER Director of Marketing DIANE McKEE Account Representative TEL: 610-515-1391 hakolads@jflv.org

JFLV EXECUTIVE STAFF

JERI ZIMMERMAN Executive Director

AARON GORODZINSKY Director of Campaign & Security Planning DENISE AHNER Director of Finance & Administration

JULIA UMANSKY Director of Gift Planning & EITC

LEE SOLOMON Associate Director of Development

ROBBY WAX JFLV President

WENDY EDWARDS Office Manager GINGER HORSFORD Donor Services Associate

Member American Jewish Press Association

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 IN MEMORY LISA AND BARNET FRAENKEL ANNE KORNFELD In honor of being honored by the (Mother of Pam Walker) Baum School of Art Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel Cooky and Mike Notis RENEE SCHWARTZ AARON GORODZINSKY AND JENNIE (Mother of Pam Silverberg) SCHECHNER Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel In honor of your marriage Marilyn Claire Margie and Jay Strauss VALESKA AND ISRAEL ZIGHELBOIM Thank you for all your help! Aaron Gorodzinsky and Tessy Salsberg TO ORDER TREES, call the JFLV at 610-821-5500 or visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org.

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.