Hakol - December 2023

The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community

www.jewishlehighvalley.org

| Issue No. 471 | December 2023 | Kislev 5784 AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977

Women’s Philanthropy hears former shlicha tell her 10/7 story, and makes and sells bracelets for the Israel Emergency Campaign. p6

Chanukah is coming. May it bring hope and some respite.

See our special pullout section.

FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p3 WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY p6 LVJF TRIBUTES p9 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p14-15 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p16 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p17 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p23

LV community joins 290,000 at March for Israel

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

Almost 150 people filled the three buses in Allentown JCC parking lot early on November 14. Their destination was Washington, D.C., and the March for Israel.

It was a monumental day for members of the Lehigh Valley Jewish community, students at the local colleges and others who were making the trip to the National Mall to join an estimated 290,000 people demonstrating their support for Israel and the return of the hostages taken

by Hamas.

“I was in Israel October 7 for the beginning of the war. I have children in Israel,” said Mark Notis of Allentown.

“It’s a life-changing time for every Jew in the world to

experience what happened, but it’s also heartwarming to see so many people come together in unity. We pray for peace.”

Lehigh Valley media, too, realized the importance of the march. A cameraman for 69 News was at the JCC filming as people boarded the buses.

And inside one of those buses was a reporter from the online Lehigh Valley News, going along to get an up-close view of the Valley group on the 2-mile-long strip between the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol.

After five hours of riding the buses and navigating crowded Metro stations, Lehigh Valley community members were on the mall and listening to the first speaker pump up the crowd on behalf of Israel. “My name is Tovah

Feldshuh and my Hebrew name is Tovah Feldshuh,” said the actress who began her performing career as Terri Fairchild. The crowd roared.

She reminded everyone that Hamas murdered, tortured and made hostages of Jewish civilians of all ages “only because they were Jews.”

The rally, she said, was about making a collective statement against this barbarity and against antisemitism of all sorts. “We stand here to say, ‘Enough!’” she said, kicking off another round of cheers.

The march came only a month after the attacks, but it felt like a long wait.

“Watching the numerous proPalestinian rallies has truly frightened us and created a lot of anxiety regarding our safety as Jews,” said Cherie Zettlemoyer of Allentown.

gathered to support Israel and the hostages taken by Hamas.

A good number of the people from all corners of the country who stood and sat on the grassy mall were young. It was an encouraging sign for a community that worries (as all communities of all sorts worry!) that the youngest generations may not be as involved or committed.

In my own wanderings around the mall and through security into the gated, restricted area that led up to the main stage, I had many

brief chats with youths in the crowd. All were exceptionally courteous and more than one thanked me for being there to back the cause.

Joseph Wolf was among the Muhlenberg students who made the trip from Allentown. “It was an amazing experience and quite jawdropping to see that many Jews in one place (ironically, someone in line to enter the restricted area was complaining he could not find a minyan),” the class of 2024 member said, referring at the end to the minimum of 10 adults required for public prayer.

Hana Feig of the Muhlenberg class of 2027 appreciated the feeling of unity, matched in her memory only by the feeling she had when visiting Israel.

“As a college student and a young Jewish American, I think that it’s more important than ever to show up for Israel, the place and people that I love and feel so strongly connected to,” she said. “I put two flags in my hair — a pride flag and an Israeli flag

“Attending this pro-Israel march and the coming together of hundreds of thousands of Jews was just what we needed to alleviate our fears and be at one with our fellow Jews.”

Feldshuh continued with the kind of talk Lehigh Valley community members had

been exchanging since the first week of October. It was, in fact, the kind of talk that Jewish communities all over the United States had been exchanging.

Now, here they all were standing shoulder-toshoulder, facing toward the Israel rally Continues on page 4

Hillel students also travel to DC for this ‘historic family reunion’

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

So many Lehigh Valley college students wanted to be part of the November 14 March for Israel in Washington, D.C., that overflow from their bus spilled into one of the other buses in the JCC parking lot.

A large part of that group came from the Muhlenberg College Hillel. Lehigh University sent a bunch of Hillel members too. A handful of hours after departing Allentown, they were all on the National Mall among the estimated 290,000 people

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— and I wasn’t the only one.

Despite what anti-Zionists say, intersectionality can and does coexist with Zionism and Judaism, and I aim to continue to demonstrate that with as much pride as I can.”

One of the topics raised multiple times during the rally was the pro-Palestinian protests happening at colleges across the United States.

The initial wave of support for Israel after the attacks had given way to criticism of its response.

Wolf said he was keeping up with anti-March for Israel commentary coming from campus during the day. “It was sad to see the reaction from some at Muhlenberg,” he said. “There were many students posting on social media that the rally was for genocide in Palestine and that they were ashamed to see Muhlenberg students going. In addition, there was a member of the faculty who posted on Instagram that there should be a worldwide intifada (the post has since been deleted).”

Those who marched

on Washington obviously disagreed strongly with these stances on the march.

Ira Blum, director of the Muhlenberg Hillel, touted community-wide healing as one of the benefits.

“Over the last few weeks, the fear, despair, and pain that I’ve absorbed in so many conversations have revealed a deeper sense of loneliness and worry of being alone, ignored and isolated,” he said.

“What I hoped to find, and what I was grateful to find, in D.C. was a family reunion of sorts. I think showing up for family and community, on campus, in America, Israel, Europe, wherever, is so crucial right now, in the face of fear, violence and loneliness.

“I am grateful to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley (sponsor and organizer of the bus trip) for bringing so many together from across the Lehigh Valley to be part of this historic family reunion.”

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A holiday of resistance and hope This month, as we celebrate Chanukah, an ancient story of Jewish strength and resilience, it clearly has significant lessons and meaning in modern times. These days, due to its December celebration, Chanukah has been conflated with Christmas as a holiday celebrated by gift giving and winter themes.

In reality, Chanukah is a celebration of overcoming oppression, resisting assimilation and maintaining our Jewish identity against all odds. Today, and especially since the October 7 Simchat Torah massacre in Israel, we must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to combat the tremendous increase (almost 400%) in antisemitism. I am reminded of Bari Weiss’s comments, “There are many forces in our world trying to insist, once again, that ‘all

Jews must die.’ But there is a force far, far greater than that. And that is the force of who we are.” Her answer as to how to combat antisemitism was … to be Jewish, to practice Judaism, celebrate culturally being Jewish and to just be Jewish in our own way.

There are many ways to “just be Jewish.” We retell individual stories of heroism throughout the Chanukah story: the strength of Judah Maccabee, the ingenuity and beauty of Judith, the devout piousness of Hannah and her seven sons. The bravery of these people has been reflected by those directly impacted in the pogrom of October 7. The father, Roy Edan, who tried to protect his child, 4-year-old Abigail Mor Edan, with his own body. Or mother, Shiri Bibas,

and the courage and bravery she displayed while being kidnapped with her two redheaded babies, Ariel, 4 years old, and Kfir, the youngest hostage taken, at 9 months old. And then there is the safe return against many odds of other children, elderly women, foreign workers delivered from captivity to freedom whose battle to recover will be the long road ahead of them. The miracle of Chanukah lies in the strength of a small, but mighty, Jewish community.

It is within our own community that we can convey light, showing up for one another and being present in Jewish spaces and for our “family” in Israel: our prayer vigil; solidarity rally in Washington, D.C.; placing ads in our local newspapers; calling our elected officials;

hosting educational programs for our teens as well as a series for community members; PJ Library events; holiday celebrations; and raising Israel emergency funds for the magnitude of needs yet to come.

According to Steven Weitzmann, director of the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, “Chanukah is a holiday about hope. It’s a holiday about survival.”

“And in this very dark period, which is still ongoing and feels hopeless to a lot of people, it’s about the possibility of finding light again in the most profound periods of darkness.”

Our desire to provide light and an ongoing presence is what strengthens our identity and allows us to maintain our Jewish heritage,

fighting forces of antisemitism by simply being. Let us bring light at these dark times and embody it within our own community this season, standing up in the face of antisemitism and speaking out for Israel and other communities who continue to experience oppression today.

It is in our small but mighty Lehigh Valley Jewish community that we find our strength as we celebrate the Festival of Lights together and rededicate ourselves to fighting hatred and antisemitism wherever it occurs.

Together, let’s bring light to others. Chag Urim Sameach! Happy Chanukah!

HAKOL STAFF CARL ZEBROWSKI Editor CHARLENE RIEGGER Director of Marketing 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

Join us in Illuminating the Future

As you celebrate the Festival of Lights, honor the spirit of Hanukkah by making a legacy commitment and leave a lasting impact on generations to come.

With a legacy gift, you ensure that the warmth of Hanukkah continues to spread its glow for future generations.

It’s easier than you think!

ContactJulia Umansky, Director of Gift Planning and EITC, julia@jflv.org; 610.821.5500 to learn how to create your legacy.

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 BONNIE AND BOBBY HAMMEL In celebration of your 45th wedding anniversary Vicki Wax CHELSEA KARP In honor of being named Kallah B’resheit by TBE Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald BETH AND ED POSNER In honor of the birth of your new great-grandchild Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

IN MEMORY ELEANOR WIENER FLETCHER (Mother of Rabbi Alan Wiener and Steven Wiener) Jill and Jeff Blinder OOLIE T. REICH (Furbaby of Andrea Reich) Aaron Gorodzinsky BURTON (BURT) SCHLOSSBERG (Father of Michael Schlossberg) Cooky Notis

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

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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.

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

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 3

Israel rally Continued from page 1

stage and the domed Capitol behind it, listening to politicians and celebrities and others, crying and cheering and singing together, raising signs that spelled out their views.

They were here to support Israel in large numbers in hopes of catching national attention and making a difference toward the release of the hostages and the political treatment of Israel as the war continues.

Speaker of the House Mike

Johnson delivered a passionate message regarding the role of the United States government. “The calls for a ceasefire are outrageous,” he said, pledging to maintain Federal support for Israel and for continuing efforts to combat antisemitism amid the increase in incidents. “This rise of antisemitism must be stopped.”

A steady stream of speakers continued to and from the podium at center stage.

Notable persons included Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the

4 DECEMBER 2023 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Jewish Federations of North America, which put together the event along with the Council of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke on the TV screen from the Western Wall in Jerusalem. He thanked the crowd for coming out for the demonstration to make clear to American politicians that they need to continue to stand behind Israel.

He expressed gratitude to President Joe Biden for standing his ground on the issue.

The crowd erupted with cheers and applause.

Herzog finished with a confident stance in defiance of anyone who may think of defeating the Jewish people.

“We the Jewish people are eternal and no one can ever break us,” he said.

The event closed with emotional speeches by relatives of Hamas captives. The mother of Omer Neutra, a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, told his story, tearing up the eyes of many in the crowd. “He was protecting his people when he was taken hostage by Hamas,” she said.

The thousands responded by chanting, “Bring them

home!”

The last moment on the stage belonged to the Jewish rapper Matisyahu, who sent the crowd on its way with a boost of positivity and a jump in its step.

“I’m happy to stand with so many fellow Jews, but sorry that I have to,” Ruthie Schleifer of Bethlehem said afterward. “May the hostages be released soon.”

Town hall covers steps being taken to secure Jewish sites

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

“I’m glad to be here, but I wish I wasn’t,” Tim Brooks, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s regional security advisor, to those gathered for a security town hall meeting on November 7. The problem, of course, is that his work to keep the Valley Jewish community secure is necessary.

Brooks got right to the heart of the matter by bringing up the bomb scare at the Allentown during Rosh Hashanah in mid-September. He was in Bethlehem at the time, and JCC staff forwarded him the threat they received via email.

By the time he arrived in Al-

lentown, he’d received word that 20 Jewish community locations in the United States had received the same threat.

The speed of that reporting is testament to the tracking and notification systems at the Secure Community Network.

It also allows for evidence to be provided readily to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

SCN, the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community in North America, directs the efforts of regional advisors like Brooks.

It collects intelligence information, assesses facilities, provides training, works with law enforcement and assists with incident response and crisis management.

Brooks said that the fact that the bomb threat email was received in widespread locations, and that the message was poorly written, gave the initial impression it was fake. “But we don’t just go on hunches,” he said. “We call the Allentown Police Department and Fire Department, and they come and check the J, and we know it’s just a hoax.”

Part of Brooks’ job is to initiate and maintain relations with all local law enforcement agencies in the region, and he

has personally met with departments in all municipalities that have a Jewish facility. No doubt his 20 years of experience in the Bethlehem police department (as well as 36 with the military) make this process smoother and more beneficial.

“By and large, all the jurisdictions are standing with you for your security and safety,” he told the crowd.

Brooks offered the audience a list of security priorities that he’ll be focusing on. After the already mentioned reporting and data collection, there’s threat vulnerability and risk assessment. He’ll meet with managers of Jewish facilities to determine what needs to be done, and the reports will be used to apply for funding.

Training was next on the list, specifically training for what to do in case of an active shooter. Survivors of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh and the 2022 hostage taking at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, said the lessons they’d received proved invaluable.

“Some of them credit that training for saving their lives,” said Brooks, “and that’s what I want to be the situation here for you, to have that knowledge, in case you ever need it.”

Other items on the list included stop the bleed (emergency first aid), travel safety (steps to reduce risk prior to and during travel), and crisis communication (emergency text messages and other alerts).

Aaron Gorodzinsky, the Federation’s director of campaign and security planning, emphasized a point Brooks had made about reporting incidents. People aren’t sure what qualifies as reportable.

Swastika at school? Leaflet at home?

“Every time something

happens in our community,” Gorodzinsky said, “you report it, whether you think it’s silly or it’s not silly.” A report of the incident will then be forwarded to SCN and investigated.

“Obviously if it’s an emergency,” he said, “you call 911.

Then you call me or Tim.” You can email Gorodzinsky at aaron@jflv.org or Brooks at tbrooks@securecommunitynetwork.org. Or call the Federation office at 610-821-5500 and ask for either of them.

SECURITY SQUARE WITH TIM BROOKS

There has been a large increase in antisemitic incidents in the United States.

The majority of incidents in Pennsylvania have been suspicious acts (email, person/ vehicle, online and phone) and flyering. In particular, there has been an increase in phishing/spoofing emails across the country. If you receive a suspect email, don’t click any links or respond to it in any way. Stay vigilant.

Report any antisemitic inci-

dents to me and, if applicable, to local law enforcement as well.

In these stressful times for the Jewish community, we are also working in partnership with our Older Adult Task Force. If you are 65 or older and would like to meet with me to discuss home security, please contact me at 872-400-0239 or tbrooks@securecommunitynetwork.org.

Community gives $700K to Israel Emergency Campaign

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

No sooner did Hamas attack Israel than the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley started raising money to send to Israelis who need it.

The Federation set a goal of $1 million for its campaign.

By late November, just several weeks after the attacks, 540 people had donated a total of

more than $700,000.

“The situation in Israel is an existential threat to Jews all over the world,” said Valeska Zighelboim, cochair of the campaign along with her husband, Israel. “We must keep Israel strong. Nowadays we encounter more and more reasons to contribute to this campaign and to Jewish causes in general.”

One hundred percent of the

emergency fund money goes to Israel. Part goes to the Valley’s Parternship2Gether sister region, Yoav, to be put toward security renovations and upgrades based on needs realized due to their proximity to the attacks. Most goes through the Jewish Federations of North America’s Operation Swords of Iron: Israel Emergency Fund to charitable agencies in Israel that distribute

ISRAEL NEEDS YOU: OPERATION SWORDS OF IRON

the money to those who need it. The list of organizations includes longtime Federation partners the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Israel Trauma Coalition.

The total raised nationally was over $650 million in midNovember. Funds from that total have been allocated to filling basic needs, emergency

WE’RE ALMOST THERE!

medical services, evacuation and housing of people displaced, trauma and other mental health support, and more.

“We are incredibly thankful to those in our community that have, not surprisingly, risen to the occasion,” said Israel. “The passion, generosity of all those that have engaged with this campaign must serve as an inspiration to the rest of us.”

In partnership with:

$

To address critical needs in Israel in support of Operation Swords of Iron, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley launched an emergency campaign, co-chaired by Israel and Valeska Zighelboim.

$ $ $ $ $ $

SCAN QR CODE OR VISIT THE LINK BELOW TO DONATE NOW! 100% of your donation will go directly to the relief efforts.

$ $ $

*$704,000 out of 1 million from 540+ donors as of 11/27/23

https://www.jewishlehighvalley.org/swords-of-iron HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 5

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

Ex-shlicha recalls 10/7 at Women for Israel event

By Charlene Riegger Director of Marketing

The idea came up on October 19 during the Women’s Philanthropy Mums and Muffins mitzvah project. Before the ladies began planting flowers outside the JCC they met inside, in the boardroom.

The Operation Swords of Iron Israel Emergency Campaign was less than two weeks old, and the October 7 massacre was still freshly painful for everyone. Miriam Zager, one of the mitzvah project cochairs along with Fay Kun and Ilene Ringold, spoke about the need for women to do something for Israel.

Laurie Wax, president of the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, was also there and heartily agreed that

the Women’s Philanthropy needed to do something more to help.

Wax decided to hold a bracelet-making event where women (and men) could make and/or buy bracelets, with all the proceeds going to the emergency campaign.

On Sunday, November 12, almost 100 women and a few men, including the Federation’s regional security advisor, Tim Brooks, packed the Jewish Day School multipurpose room for a short video and presentation by Meidan Keidar, former Lehigh Valley shlicha (Israeli emissary), and then to make and buy bracelets.

Wax opened the event expressing gratitude for all in attendance and explaining that Nancy and Steve Gold-

man were providing a match of up to $36,000 of bracelet sales. She asked people to open their hearts and to give until it hurts for Israel.

Next, a video was shown of Adi Shecory, a former Camp JCC counselor from Yoav, the Federation’s Partnership2Gether community in Israel. She spoke about October 7 and that her husband immediately went into service in the Israel Defense Forces. She also returned to the IDF, even though she is a mother and was not required to serve at this time. The video also highlighted performers from the Israeli Opera singing the now famous version of “Bring Him Home” in support of the hostages.

Cantor Ellen Sussman of Temple Shirat Shalom went

to the podium to speak about her gratitude for the community when her son and daughter-in-law (Keidar) and their three young children left Israel after the attacks and arrived at her home. Community members were quick to supply her family with all manner of baby and toddler items.

Keidar was introduced and spoke about the fear in Israel on October 7. Her home is near Haifa, in the northern area of Israel, so her family was not near Gaza. Alerts kept buzzing on her phone, however, and the warnings were getting closer and closer to Haifa. She knew she would soon have to take her infant twin boys and her 3-year-old daughter into their safe room.

Too soon, she got the alert to

do that. They waited in the room for hours until they received the all clear. After that, the family decided to leave Israel to come stay with Sussman.

“I am not brave like Adi,” Keidar said. “I didn’t go back to the Israel Defense Forces after October 7.” Most would agree that working to keep her children safe makes her brave too.

By the conclusion of bracelet sales, the Women’s Philanthropy had sold 553 bracelets and raised $74,000 for the emergency campaign.

Bravery comes in many forms — the bravery of soldiers, mothers, volunteers, donors and more. Most of all, it comes from love, love of people, love of community and love of country.

WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY SAVE THE DATE!

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This year, we will continue to reach out to those in need, find innovative ways to engage with our community and make sure GOOD grows at home, in Israel and around the world.

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

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6 DECEMBER 2023 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

WE HAVE BEEN FOR ALMOST 70 YEARS.

AND WE WILL BE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

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AMBUCYCLE UPDATE

Israel at war Women’s Philanthropy packs tote bags for JFS and Bloom

By Charlene Riegger Director of Marketing

About 25 women from the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy gathered at the JCC on Thursday, November 2, to assemble and fill hygiene tote bags for women in need.

Rachel Levin, the Federation’s Dignity Grows chair, opened the event by talking about helping ourselves by helping others. The war in Israel has the community upset and on edge and dealing with a myriad of other feelings. By packing these tote bags for

women in need, the group could feel positive about doing something for others, even though the results of the event wouldn’t directly help those in Israel.

The goal of this night was to pack 150 bags with 75 of them going to Jewish Family Service and the other half going to Bloom, a nonprofit that assists victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation to heal and rebuild their lives. Debbie Zoller, executive director of JFS, spoke about how it’s very fitting that the name of the program is Dignity Grows because JFS

strives to preserve the dignity of everyone who requires their services.

Carol Andersen, chief executive officer of Bloom, talked about sex trafficking and how Bloom helps the victims. She also said she was amazed about the program and thrilled with how many women attended the event to help pack the much-needed bags of hygiene products.

By the end of the evening, the group reached its goal of 150 packed tote bags, which were counted and sent to Bloom and JFS to help women receive the hygiene items they need.

Dignity Grows is a national initiative that started in 2019 at the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford in Connecticut. Its mission is to eliminate “period poverty” in America through direct support, research and social policy change.

By Avraham Sacks United Hatzalah

In early 2022 the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Maimonides Society of healthcare professionals donated a motorcycle-ambulance to United Hatzalah emergency services in Israel in memory of Dr. Michael Ufberg z”l. Ambucycle No. 1283 and its rider, EMT Yonatan Auoat, continue to make a lifeor-death difference with speedy responses through the congested streets of the city of Netanya.

While the Hamas attacks on Israel were brutal and unexpected, United Hatzalah’s response has been intense, comprehensive and characteristically speedy. Thousands of volunteers, dozens of vehicles, and tons of supplies have been deployed and used in the southern conflict region. Similar activities have been taking place in the north of the country to be ready for any eventuality.

Despite the fog of war and constant threat of missiles, Yonatan Auoat has kept his

commitment to lifesaving.

His daily routines continue despite the war.

In one incident last night, a man was sipping a cup of coffee outside a local kiosk when he stood up suddenly and collapsed to the sidewalk.

Witnesses rushed over and called for help. Auoat was nearby when he received the alert and sped to the location on his ambucycle, arriving first on scene.

He found the 52-yearold man lying motionless.

Though the patient was unresponsive, Auoat detected signs of a steady pulse. He attached a non-rebreather mask and stabilized the man with high-flow oxygen as he continued to monitor vitals.

When the ambulance arrived, Auoat assisted as the patient was loaded into the emergency vehicle for evacuation to the Laniado Medical Center.

Join Us for a Day of Unprecedented Generosity!

January 28th, 2024 | 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Show your support for Israel!

BLUE AND WHITE ATTIRE RECOMMENDED REGISTER BY SCANNING THE QR CODE, OR BY VISITING THE LINK: https://jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/super-sunday

T H E J E W I S H C O M M U N I T Y N E E D S YO U !

R E AC H O U T TO C O M M U N I T Y M E M B E R S M AI M O N I D ES B RU N C H AN D L E ARN M I T Z VA H P R OJ E C T PJ L I B R A RY E V E N T M E ET A N D T H A N K O U R E L E C T E D O F F I C I A LS A N D A N I S RA E L I L U N C H HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 7

How the Jewish Foundation keeps returns best in class

By Lewis Gaines Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation Investment Chair

Too many endowments don’t try to exceed the performance of their peers. While this may be surprising, it makes sense once you understand their main objectives, namely: match the performance of broad measures of the equity and debt markets, and keep pace with peer institutions that pursue similar mandates.

As a result of peer chasing instead of focusing on expenses and returns, the portfolios of most endowments look strikingly similar.

By copying the standard, highly diversified strategy and paying similar (too high) fees, many endowments fall short of or, if they manage their fees better, match the broad market performance.

Their investment returns also match their peers who follow the same strategy.

While most Jewish Foundations do not publish their investment returns, the ones that do so have very similar portfolio structures and long-term results. The typical growth and income funds in most foundations have lots of foreign stocks and also a large allocation to

smaller companies. The longterm results from five major Jewish Foundations closely mimic the performance of the Morningstar Moderate Allocation Index. This index is designed to match the portfolios of most endowments, and in fact it does. If you want to keep score, it is a very useful tool.

The Lehigh Valley Federation has chosen a different path. While the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation maintains a typical stock/ bond allocation of 68/32%, it has a strategic focus on: 1) large-cap domestic equities (S&P 500 index), 2) low-cost passive index funds and 3) the lowest advisory fees in the industry. Our focus on the S&P large-cap index was a deliberate choice that we made five years ago. We recognized that their global economic reach makes largecap domestic equities an excellent proxy for foreign stocks without the high costs incurred in investing overseas. In addition, our total fee structure of 0.32% is much lower than the typical 0.6-0.8% paid by others. That seemingly small fee difference saves the foundation more than $100,000 per year.

For the last five years, we have delivered results that

greatly exceed our peers. The major reasons for the outperformance are: 1) the avoidance of foreign stocks, which have performed poorly for over 10 years, 2) the S&P 500 large-stock focus, which has outperformed smaller U.S. companies and 3) over $600,000 in fee savings. Our five-year return improvement of 3.1% annually is highly unusual for a moderate allocation strategy Since 2009, foundation assets have grown from $25.1 million to $38.3 million. The baseline growth of $6.3 million represents the return of the typical foundation (mimicked by the Moderate Allocating Index). The strategic improvement of $5 million is the extra return generated

by our focused investment strategy.

Because assets have grown and long-term returns are well above our historic distribution rates, the foundation has been able to increase ongoing distributions.

These distributions support the Federation and the community organizations that receive allocated funds. In addition, many organizations have also chosen to invest their own endowment assets (totaling about $16 million) with the Federation. As a result of the high returns, they have increased their financial flexibility as well.

While short-term movements in the stock and bond markets are disconcerting, the foundation’s portfolio structure has shown longterm historical returns of around 9%. We continue to work closely with Goldman Sachs to test our strategic assumptions and are prepared to make changes if needed.

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BBYO kicks off new year

tion to the Jewish people.”

Rabin gave a personal take on that: “BBYO’s mission is to More than 20 Jewish teens met help identify teens with Judain Allentown on October 22 to ism especially in these tough kick off a new year for BBYO times with rising antisemitism. in the Lehigh Valley.

It allows Jewish teenagers to Led by the presidents of the find people they can identify local chapter’s two leadership with and have a good time.” groups — Aron Rabin of the He wanted to be able to AZA (the Jewish high school get teens together to make fraternity) and Stacey Lipson new friends and discuss their of the BBG (the Jewish high experiences. “We love to build school sorority) — and their connections between Jew respective boards, the group teenagers,” he said. “We’d is ready and eager for its first love to help them talk about full year of full-scale activities how to defend their views and since COVID interrupted. values.”

The teens at the kickoff Just about a month after gathering appreciated the the kickoff meeting, BBYO chance to lean on one another members met in the JCC on for support at this difficult November 28 for a Giving time, uniting as a community Tuesday fundraising event and enjoying fun activities. known as Giving BBYO Day. “Twenty to 30 kids attendThe teens make phone calls to relatives, friends and others to encourage them to make donations that will help fund BBYO conventions, summer programs, scholarships and more. The national fundraising goal is $1 million.

Rabin said he’s ready for the expended schedule of BBYO activities this school year. Holidays are important times on the The local BBYO chapter held its first meeting of the school year at the home of Doron calendar. “Last year and Lauren Rabin in Allentown on October 22.

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

ing an event is what we were looking for,” Rabin said of the chapter’s return to prepandemic form. Participants painted pumpkins, made s’mores around a campfire, and did other fun things that encouraged fun and interaction.

BBYO brings leadership training, community service programs and other opportunities to Jewish teenagers.

The international organization describes itself as “the leading pluralistic teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens more meaningful Jewish experiences…. (It) serves as the Jewish community’s most valuable platform for delivering to the post Bar/Bat Mitzvah audience fun, meaningful, and affordable experiences that inspire a lasting connec-

we had a Passover event with a mock seder,” Rabin said.

“That taught people about Passover and also let them have fun.”

He said that December brings the BBYO winter convention for the Liberty Region, which include the Lehigh Valley chapter. More than 150 teens will get to spend the weekend of December 15-17 away, at a hotel in Allentown, for a variety of activities.

There will be Shabbat services

Friday and Saturday, Rabin said, and a Shabbat dinner.

“One of my favorite parts its meeting other Jewish people in the tristate area and making new connections,” he said of the annual winter convention. “We’d like to get teens from the Lehigh Valley to meet more Jewish teens in other areas.” He hoped that by networking at events like this, the local chapter could work toward increasing its influence in the Liberty Region.

IN HONOR RONI AND TOM ENGLERT In celebration of your grandson Jackson’s Bar Mitzvah Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz AMIRA AND JEFF GEVIRTZ In celebration of Rachel and Brady’s marriage Judy Alperin ELIZABETH AND JEFF GREENBERG In honor of the engagement of your son Jonah to Dr. Erica Lehman Laurie, Robby, Ben and Danny Wax Vicki Wax BETH AND WES KOZINN In celebration of your grandson Dean’s Bar Mitzvah Vicki Wax BOBBI AND JAY NEEDLE In honor of your son Max earning his PhD. Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein

IN MEMORY ELEANOR WIENER FLETCHER (Mother of Rabbi Alan Wiener and Steve Wiener) Wendy and Ross Born Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein Carol and Stewart Furmansky Eileen Ufberg Vicki Wax CAROLE MARDER (Wife of Arnold Marder) Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein BURTON (BURT) SCHLOSSBERG (Husband of Rose Schlossberg, father of Michael Schlossberg) Gerry Baron Meredith, Abby, Seth and Keira Baron Elizabeth and George Kenney Margie and Jay Strauss BENJAMIN WEINBERGER (Father of Elizabeth Levy, Julie Hettleman and Joseph Weinberger) Susie and Chuck Mann

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 jewishlehighvalley.org to place your card requests. Thank you for your support.

MY LIFE, MY LEGACY

Seth and Kathi Katzman

We have had the good fortune to raise our family in

the Lehigh Valley. We are grateful for those individu-

als and families that we have gotten to know and for the many we have never met who have contributed to our life through their generosity and caring.

Legacy is recognizing that we do not live in isolation but depend on one another. It is the realization that we have benefited from those who came before us.

Our Jewish community has always been here for us.

By creating our legacy, we join with others in a bond of caring and commitment to provide for our future generations.

JFS @ H ME

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 9

TBE donates Torah to Masorti synagogue in Tel Aviv

By Gail Eisenberg Temple Beth El

This past June, my close family friend Wendy Keter made a request: Would Temple Beth El consider donating a Torah to her Masorti congregation in Israel, Havurat Tel-Aviv? Because this havurah is not Orthodox, the synagogue is not able to get a Torah through the Israeli Rabbinate.

I quickly reached out to Rabbi Moshe Re’em to discuss the request with him.

A strong supporter of the Masorti movement in Israel, Rabbi Re’em became an ally and said he would take this request to TBE’s Ritual and Service Committee, which he did. After the committee endorsed the request, the

matter went to the board of directors for its approval.

The leadership unanimously agreed to donate the Torah.

Once the decision was made, TBE investigated how to transport the Torah to Israel. Rance Block got guidance from a United Synagogue expert, and surrounded by TBE religious school students, he and Rabbi Re’em removed the Torah from its rollers and prepared it for its trip to Israel.

On October 20, less than two weeks after the Hamas attacks, Keter joined the congregation at TBE for its Friday evening Shabbat service to receive the Torah, thank the synagogue members and to talk about the current situation in Israel. There was a very large turnout.

Keter shared that she grew up in a Conservative Zionist household in Philadelphia and made aliyah at 18 when she attended Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Two years later came the surprise Yom Kippur attack on Israel. Her boyfriend was a pilot and was called to service. When she had initially left home for Hebrew University, her parents had made her promise that in case of war, she would return. When they finally got in touch with her after the attack (there were no cell phones back then), they told her not to come home, but instead go to Jerusalem to volunteer.

Two years later, she married her pilot boyfriend. Now, 50 years after that, she is a

mother of two sabras and a grandmother of five.

During Keter’s recent stay at my house, Keter confided that she had made her initial request for a Torah to 40 close contacts in America.

Several congregations were willing to give her a Torah that needed repair. Only TBE committed to giving her a kosher Torah able to be used immediately on its arrival in Israel.

TBE’s generosity shows that its sense of community is not just regarding fellow congregants, but K’Lal Yisrael (the Jewish people collectively) — particularly poignant at this time when Israel is

in a fierce existential battle against Hamas.

Maccabi offers opportunities for aspiring sports media pros Maccabi USA and Maccabi Media are accepting applications from Jewish aspiring sports media professionals for an opportunity to cover the European Maccabi Youth Games in London from July 28 through August 6, 2024.

The games feature male and female athletes from the United States, Central America, South America, Israel and other countries throughout the Diaspora

competing in under-16 and under-18 divisions. Sports include basketball, swimming, volleyball, tennis, field hockey and soccer.

The Maccabi Media Program is open to college undergraduates who are Jewish and are 18 by July 28, 2024, but no older than 25 on that date. Applicants must be enrolled in, intend to enroll in, or already graduated from a university-level communications-related

program such as sports media, communications, TV/ radio/film production, journalism and digital media.

Applicants who are chosen for this international opportunity will handle the following assignments during the games and must have experience in as many of these as possible: shooting and editing video for daily packages, sports reporting (interviewing and writing articles) and social media

content creation. Sports photography, graphic design (Canva and Photoshop) and website management skills are also highly valued.

Play-by-play, color analysis, sideline reporting and live event production/streaming will not be included in the program but are valuable skills that applicants are encouraged to demonstrate in their submission materials.

The deadline for applications is January 14. Applicants must write a short essay and submit a resume, demo reel, examples of written/social media work and media/school references.

Specific submission requirements will be provided after applicants apply.

Applicants selected for the program will be notified by February 1, 2024, and must commit to attend all virtual training and the

games themselves. Monthly Zoom training sessions will begin in February and include assigned written and video projects.

Participants are required to pay $6,650, which covers registration, international airfare, accommodations, transportation, meals, equipment, medical insurance, Maccabi apparel and workshop events.

For further details on the program and its requirements and restrictions, and to apply, visit maccabiusa. com/maccabi-media/.

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Bingo!

PJ Library celebrates day of thanks with older adults

By Billy Thompson Digital Marketing Associate

PJ Library Thanksgiving Bingo was gobbling good fun for young and old who enjoyed an afternoon together at Country Meadows Allentown on November 12.

As families showed up to join the Country Meadows group, cornucopia and wreath

crafts were passed around so everyone could make decorations for their homes. Some crafters were meticulous in following the instructions to make what were intended to be door ornaments, while others, especially the kids, just had fun with it. Either way, everyone put their own personal flare into their crafts.

With Thanksgiving right

around the corner, excited energy seemed to put everyone in a good mood.

In between crafts and snacks, Abby Trachtman, who directs PJ Library for the Jewish Federation, read a story aloud to the crowd. It was a moment that reminded everyone of the joys of reading that PJ Library spreads among the children of the community.

Next came bingo. Thanksgiving-themed bingo cards were passed to the various families and Country Meadow residents, and lighthearted competition began. In the end, there were two rounds of games. Two residents of Country Meadows won, but all who played had fun.

Crafts were left to dry in the corner while Tracht-

man and staff cleaned up the event space. No one was too quick to leave — those who attended were busy enjoying one another’s company. In the end, all were thankful for having this joyful and creative time together.

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HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 11

Older Adult Task Force, Hillels team up for leaf-raking

By Rabbi Allen Juda Chair of the Older Adult Task Force

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks once observed: “Jews know this in their bones. Our community could not exist for a day without its volunteers.

They are the lifeblood of our organizations, whether they involve welfare, youth, education, care of the sick and elderly, or even protection against violence and abuse.”

The Jewish FederationJewish Family Service Older Adult Task Force, as it strives to provide more services for older adults in the Lehigh Valley Jewish community, is well aware of the importance of volunteers. Their value was proven once again on Sunday, November 12, when the Older Adult Task Force organized a leaf-raking event for those 65 and older.

Community members who

requested assistance received help moving nature’s beautiful leaves from their yards to their curbs. As you may see in the photos, our volunteers efficiently and cheerfully raked thousands of leaves. We are fortunate to have received wonderful cooperation from the Hillels at Lafayette College and Lehigh University as well as from the Hillel and Office of Community Engagement at Muhlenberg College.

Months of preparation culminated on a sunny, crisp Sunday when student and staff volunteers raked across the Lehigh Valley in Easton, Bethlehem, Emmaus and Allentown. Homeowners appreciated the effort.

Barry Halper of Allentown emailed: “Carol and I greatly appreciate the leaf-raking at our house done by the Muhlenberg Hillel students and staff. Though I love raking leaves, I was unable to, due to recent hip replacement surgery, and the Hillel crew did a wonderfully thorough job, much better than I would have done.”

Volunteers found the effort worthwhile.

“As a member of Hillel at Lafayette,” Amanda

Friedman commented, “I feel like it is incredibly important to all of us to engage in service projects which bring us closer to both those in the Easton and local communities and also to our global Jewish community in a meaningful and helpful manner. This event was an awesome way for all of us together to support those who need it!”

Some homeowners are already looking forward to next year! Joy Miller of Bethlehem wrote: “Bob and I want to sincerely thank the volunteers from Lehigh

who raked our many, many leaves without any complaints, and all got along so well! This year is the first time we’ve gotten help! We will be watching for the event in 2024!”

The Older Adult Task Force will continue to meet and develop more programs and services. Some of them will depend on volunteers.

But others will require a professional touch.

We are fortunate that Tim Brooks is our regional security expert. In these stressful times for the Jewish community, if you are 65 or

(610) 882-8800 • embassybank.com Or Visit Any of Embassy’s Convenient Offices Valleywide 12 DECEMBER 2023 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

older and would like to meet with him to discuss home security, please call Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation, at 610-821-5500, ext. 332, or email her at jeri@jflv.org.

Israel expert updates LV community on war topics

By Carl Zebrowski Editor There could hardly be any topic other than Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks of October 7 for the Israeli journalist David Horovitz to cover in the latest of his Zoom updates on current affairs in Israel.

Picking up with the Israel Defense Forces crossing into the Gaza Strip, Horovitz explained during his November 13 update the challenges of conducting armed operations in a densely populated place controlled by a militant group that has no qualms about hiding its headquarters, weapons and fighters among civilians.

“They are fighting within parts of the civilian population that do not want to be there and are forced to be there and are being used as human shields,” he said.

He said Israel takes pains to avoid civilian casualties.

He gave the example of the headline-making explosion at a Gaza hospital soon after

the Hamas attacks. Hamas claimed an Israel Defense Forces missile hit the building. “The IDF did not say it wasn’t an IDF missile until after an investigation,” Horovitz explained. Accidents do happen during war. But the investigation determined that the explosion was a malfunctioning or intercepted Hamas missile. “As far as I know,” he said, “the IDF has not lied to journalists during this war.”

Israelis by this time had begun to worry about the international response, as initial widespread expressions of support had given way to questioning and protesting.

“We’re pretty worried about the Diaspora as well,” he said.

Horovitz continued that most of the West still stood with Israel at the time of the update, but France bailed out a few days before. As the war wears on, it will become more and more difficult to keep countries united behind the Israeli effort. “The army says it believes it will be months,

maybe a year, to destroy Hamas,” he said.

Asked what the Diaspora needs to do as Israel faces increasing opposition to its military actions, Horovitz said “keep informed.” “You should understand the level of the atrocities that were committed on October 7 and probably are still being committed,” he explained.

“It’s incredibly difficult to fight a war of this nature where you’re up against people who are utterly without interest in the lives of the people. But we’re not perfect either. To separate what’s credible, what’s real, what’s true is very, very difficult.”

Given the completeness of the surprise of the initial Hamas attacks, one of the participants in the Zoom session asked what might be the consequences to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government. “It’s an emergency government for the lifetime of the war,” Horovitz said, focusing on

the pressing need to eliminate Hamas and his belief that the Israeli citizenry would remain united as the pursuit of that goal remains. “I don’t think anyone’s going to force him to step down.”

Horovitz did say there would be a thorough investigation once the war was over.

“I imagine the entire military leadership will quit,” he said, noting that Israeli military leaders famously hold themselves accountable, to themselves and to the people, and would not need to be told to give up their positions.

Asked about the role of Iran, Horovitz said that of course Iran is the main state sponsor of Hamas, as well as other terrorist groups. “But it’s not clear how much they knew about the specifics,” he said.

“The point is this is, as Netanyahu called it: an axis of evil, and they’re coming for us and they’re coming for you.”

At the time of this talk, information was spreading about Hamas’ underground

tunnels and its command centers beneath hospitals. “I don’t think there’s much doubt about it, to be honest,” he said, “and I suspect we’re going to hear a lot more about it.”

This is a situation that obviously presents serious problems for military operations. “When you’ve got the headquarters of the people you have to root out placed next to areas you don’t want to touch,” he said, “you have to hope the IDF knows what it’s doing.”

This Israel current affairs update was the second in a series of updates by Horovitz sponsored in part by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. The dates for future sessions, on Zoom, are January 22, March 11 and May 13, 2024. To make sure you don’t forget, sign up to receive the Federation’s weekly events emails at jewishlehighvalley. org/email-sign-up.

the bold patterns and color choices.

Yael Edelist of Alembika talked about the company doing its part over the years to improve relations between Israel and its neighbors.

“The most important thing is working side by side with Palestinians in the West Bank,” he said. “All our production is done in the West Bank, and we have a very good, trusting relationship with the factory owners, who are all Arabs.”

Bevy Flogs has become one of Boutique to Go’s topselling pants lines. They are designed to be stylish yet comfortable and are machine washable. Manufactured in a town between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the pull-on pants and joggers have elastic waists and can work in casual

or dressy occasions. Bevy Flogs are known to fly off the boutique’s shelves.

Let and Her was founded

by Laurence and Phyllis, two designers and friends

from Antwerp, Belgium.

They moved to Tel Aviv and began the company. They are known for their totes and shoulder bags of fine leather with unique detailing.

Boutique to Go is at 522 North 19th Street in Allentown.

Shop donates 10% of Israeli designer sales to Israel

Boutique to Go in Allentown’s West End Theatre District is donating 10% of all sales of Israeli designer Daniella Lehavi’s handbags to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Israel Emergency Campaign.

The shop showcases apparel and handbags from four Israeli designers and this past month featured the Daniella Lehavi collection of leather and vegan handbags.

In recent weeks, Lehavi staffers have been working to assist those who need help due to the war in Israel. “We traveled with our commercial vans this week to distribute goodies to reserve forces in the north and move furniture to families evacuated from the envelope,” they said.

Daniella Lehavi was the first Israeli brand of bags and shoes and is known for distinctive, functional designs.

The bags are intended for women who want style but without sacrificing comfort and organization.

The three other Israeli designers featured in the boutique are Alembika apparel, Bevy Flogs pants, and Let and Her handbags.

Alembika was founded in 2005 by fashion designer Hagar Alembik-Hafoze and anthropologist Judy Fadlon.

It offers novelty women’s wear with women over 40 in mind. Its characteristic layered look is designed to be easy to wear. Boutique to Go customers have appreciated

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HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 13

We deeply appreciate your unwavering support for the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley. Your dedication has transformed our center into a beacon of unity, education, and cultural exploration, fostering a vibrant and connected community. At the core of our mission are the Jewish programs that serve as a foundation for shared identity and cultural heritage. Your contributions have strengthened these programs, ensuring their inclusivity and vibrancy.

Your support also extends to our Early Childhood programs, where we shape young minds and hearts in a nurturing environment that reflects our community’s unique diversity. Your continued generosity empowers us to invest in early childhood education, providing all children with a strong start in life. Likewise, your contributions to our Camp & Youth programs offer children a safe and supportive space for fun, friendship, and personal growth, especially crucial during these challenging times. We invite you to join us in making a lasting impact on our community, celebrating diversity and supporting our Jewish Life & Learning, Early Childhood, Camp, and other incredible programs.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment. Together, we can build a community where traditions thrive, diversity is celebrated, and future generations flourish.

With gratitude,

Eric Lightman Executive Director

Jeff Fleischaker President

14 DECEMBER 2023 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Competition Ramps Up For New JHoops Season ECE Celebrates Rosh Hashanah With Some Sweet Guests JCC Dedicates Campus in Honor of Bonnie and Bobby Hammel

By Heather Lavin

By Jackie Weiss

Additionally, the students had the Program Director opportunity to smell a honeycomb Early Childhood & Jewish and learn how honey is made!

Education Coordinator The 2023-2024 season begins in The honeybees collect nectar from mid-November with practices and flowering plants and bring the Our ECE students had a sweet games starting in December. We nectar back to the hive. Once the second week of school! For Rosh are recruiting for teams in grades Hashanah this year, a couple of our honeybees are back in the hive, 1-2, grades 3-4, and grades 5-6. the nectar is stored inside the ECE classes gathered in the gym We are always looking for coaches empty combs made of beeswax. for a special honeybee presentation and volunteers to help us make the The honeybees then flap their (minus the bees). program a success. Practices take wings very quickly to remove the Dr. Robbie Roeshman, a master place during the week, with games beekeeper for 35 years, along with excess moisture. Afterwards, the on Sundays both at home and away. honeybees make a wax to create his wife, Adrienne London, are Whether they are new to the sport a seal over the honeycomb for beekeepers in the Lehigh Valley. or are looking to play with friends, protection. Finally, beekeepers The presentation was a fun and With the opening of winter JHoops is the perfect opportunity harvest the honey by collecting the interactive experience with props, programs we will also bring back for your child to get in the game. honeycomb frames and scraping off beekeeping supplies, a honeybee our popular JHoops Jr. classes.

Our teams will once again be the wax cap that seals the honey. song, and a waggle dance! The Both Pre-K and Kindergarten-aged competing in the Rising Stars The frames are then placed in an Campus Re-Dedication - 2023 to be Campus Opening - 1958 students enjoyed pretending athletes will have the opportunity Basketball League, in both boys extractor to spin honey out of the bees and buzzing around the gym. to be introduced to basketball and and girls leagues. All teams must comb. After the honey is extracted, The students learned that learn basicpractice, skills. These practices Friday for a 2-hour block 1:30have a required minimum number to By Heather Lavin and it isgather, strained to remove anyplay honeybees get all their food from are onceopen a week and include inof playersDirector to run. Our time in the Program during times from 3:30pm. Rentals can be secured remaining waxplay or other particles. flowers and the food consists of house recreational scrimmages. league for the 2022-2023 season October to May. advance foraahappy flat fee ofhealthy $25 After straining the honey, it is time in wish all of you and nectar and pollen. Afterwards, the To register or for more was a huge success, giving our Pickleball is easy to learn and you choose to use our to six players). toHow bottle, label, and bring it to you! per new court year. If(up you’re looking for a students had the opportunity to information about JHoops visit teams opportunities to play (and challenging to master which Few things sell out faster at courts is up to you.

If you How does honey connect to the sweet way to celebrate, local honey look at a container of nectar and a lvjcc.org/JHoops. win) in a league that fits our keeps people coming back to it the JCC than are drop-in play Highinterested Holidays?in Because eating is available all our yearaffordable round at the container of pollen. The students players’ skills.

Stay tuned our again and again.

You canfor play (free to members, $5 for nonpickleball lessons.

Lessons apples and honey is a tradition on Game Preserve Apiary, which is now know that nectar is a liquid home game or schedule! for exercise at a more social members) you can reserve your will be at available laterPreserve this Rosh Hashanah, of course!

We located 4542 Game and pollen looks like dust. pace, either way, you can play at spot on the court in advance. winter with instructor Ryan the J! The fast-growing sport of This is a great option for those Guzman. Lessons are geared pickleball has had a home at the who don’t have a full group or to help players of all ages and JCC for a few indoor seasons, skill levels reach their goals. want to play with a variety of and this winter is no exception. people. If you have a group of If you’re looking to put those

By Heather Lavin For a few hours each weekday, similar-level players and want techniques into action, we offer Program Director we transform the gymnasium to ensure a court only for your instructional play on select

By Jodi Lovenwirth into two pickleball hard courts. group, then a court rental is for Fridays.

Instructional play is Stagemakers Youth Theater Pickleball court use is open to guidedDirector game where you put you. Court rentals are available aAquatics welcomes both new and returning A message from Bonnie & Bobby By Maggie Schutzler members and non-members Monday, Wednesday, and your skills to the test combined performersDirector to our stage as we was delivered by Rance Block, and Development Every year during late fall, the present The Addams Family Young the event concluded with a photo aquatics center at the JCC comes @ Performances are Thursday, of all attendees in front of the new alive with smiling faces, cheering OnPart.

Sunday, June 11, 2023, November 9 at 7was p.m.officially and Sunday, campus sign. the JCC property children, and blooming friendships.

November 12 at noon and rededicated as the Hammel 4 p.m. at Perhaps the most notable quality It’s swim season, featuring the the JCC of the Lehigh Valley.

Bonnie & Bobby share, however, Campus. The new name is in honor JSeals Swim Team! This year in on the fun and celebrate is their humility. They are always of To thejoin incredible contributions of is going to be packed with team the work of this great castto and Bonnie & Bobby Hammel thecrew, putting others before themselves, building parties, swim meets, and Jr. story follows Ugly, By Heather Lavin from hisThe beloved wife, Morticia.

Madison’s “process you canthecheer them on in Bonnie person in Honk and care deeply about the Jewish JCC of Lehigh Valley. lots of ruachphilosophy (spirit). Forisanyone our feathered protagonist, who Program Director over product.”

In Stagemakers Everything will change for the November.

Wednesday Addams, community of the Lehigh Valley. & Bobby were honored with who doesn’t know what the JSeals dislikes that he doesn’t quite look performers whole family on the fateful night the ultimate princess of darkness, The JCC of the Lehigh Valley heartfelt words from past JCC isproductions, about, we are more thanspend just afar like his darling duckling brothers From seasonal main stage they host a dinner for Wednesday’s more time learning and building has grownKathy up andZimmerman, fallen in love Hammel Campus is incredibly Presidents swim team, we are a family. This and sisters.

He then&embarks on a productions with Stagemakers do performing “normal” and his parents. with a sweet, smart young man grateful to boyfriend Bonnie Bobby Brian Ford, and Stuart Krawitz; isa ashow placethan for they swimmers to build it journey of self-discovery where he Youth Theater to private music Director in front of while an audience.

While from a JCC respectable family Hammel forMadison all they William, have done current President Jeff whom their skills they grow theirthe meets other unique characters and lessons, there’s a multitude of stage performance is the ultimate with choreographer Marcell her parents have never met.

She to support the JCC. Without their Fleischaker and Executive Director friendships. This close-knit group learns that being different isn’t such ways for kids to develop their Mackenzie and musical director it is all theshare rehearsal confides in her father and begs him support, the JCC would not be what Eric Lightman. The Hammels were ofgoal, friends their process love of a bad thing. love of performing arts at the techniques, and choreography. that gives performers experience Mackenzie Lynch, have taken not honored to tell herbymother.

Now,Mayor Gomez it is today. Thank you, Bonnie & also Allentown swimming while cheering on their On December 26 we will JCC. Withmust aand castdo ofsomething over 40 kids Keep an eyeand on watching our for and opportunity forwebsite growth.

This these young performers on a Addams he’s Matt Tuerk Pennsylvania State Bobby! teammates them be holding a Musical Theater ranging from kindergarten to 8th more musical workshops journey throughout rehearsals. creative team,theater including stage never done before– a secret Representative Mike keep Schlossberg. progress throughout the season. grade, Stagemakers Youth Theater Workshop with Bret Fox from this winter.

The 2023-2024 JSeals season recently debuted their fall musical, Random Farms Kids’ Theater Looking for an early27. introduction begins on November in New York for kids in grades The Addams Family – Young @ toEach performing arts?

Kiddos as member has the opportunity 2-5. While school is out, young Part to a sold-out crowd. young as a few old can to practice up tomonths three times a If you missed out on this show, we performers will have a fun-filled experience the benefits of music week to build their swimming welcome you to join us in February 2-hour workshop complete with and movement our “Moving skills.

Practicesduring will consist of for auditions for the spring musical, theatre games, acting and singing Together” Creative Movement clear, concise, proven workouts,

Join the Pickleball Craze This Winter at the JCC

Stagemakers Brings the Spooky This Fall JSeals Is Back, Making a Splash This November

with instruction focusing on gameplay and rules. From learning the basics to Road, Schnecksville, PAimproving 18078. your serve, Ryan is here to help!

Contact Dr. Robbie Roeshman and Open play times are available Adrienne London at 610-360-4191 from noon to 1:30pm, Mondayor 13beekeeper@gmail.com for Friday and Tuesday and more information.

Thursday from 1:30-3pm.

Members play for free and nonmembers pay a $5 drop-in fee.

For all things pickleball, be sure to check out our website at lvjcc.org/pickleball. instructed by qualified coaches.

Our participants will also get to compete against other JCC swim teams in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Baltimore, Harrisburg, Cherry Hill, and Delaware. These exciting competitions consist of home and away meets, leading up to the championship meet in Delaware, where the swimmers get to show off their swimming managerand Tessa abilities hardDeJesus work. and costume designer Stokes, To have some funKayla throughout hasseason, led a cast over 40various middle the we of will have and elementary school students parties including a holiday party, through physical that pizza party, and therehearsals coveted Diphave challenged to improve N-Disco, which isthem scheduled for their skills as performers and cast January 13, 2024. Mark your members.you won’t want to miss calendars, classes, brought tomore you by information it! For Onetickets of my and proudest moments Creativity Moves Lehigh lvjcc.org/stagemakers. asvisit Aquatics Director is notValley. only Caregivers can move and groove watching the swimmers earn their with theirand little ones inbut this familytrophies medals, watching friendly class designed babies these children become afor family through 5-year-olds.

Registration is now open for the To learn more about performing JSeals 2023-2024 season.

For more arts programs at the JCC, visit information, call the JCC at 610lvjcc.org/Stagemakers.

435-3571 or visit lvjcc.org/JSeals.

Explore the Stage With Performing Arts Programs

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 15

be here only a few weeks at most. As demic as built-in play demic as built-in playmates and friends. we’d be here only a few weeks at most. As we’d we’d be here o the pandemic continued, we made deci- The JDS has enabled JDS has enabled that relationship to the pandemic continued, we made deci- sionThe the pandemic – they chec after decision to establish roots and strengthen sion after decision to establish roots and build strengthen check in on eachon other sion after deci the playground an a life here –inthey Pennsylvania. on theit playground and love to each build a life here in Pennsylvania. build life her in theahallways.

When came time for Joseph, ourseeother five-year-old son, to get into older for When it came Joseph, our now other in the hallways.

It’sback a joy to see thechildren Whencare it ca JDS is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of the time Lehighfor Valley Evelyn is always so p an early childhood education program, now five-year-old son, to get back into older children care for the younger ones. now five-yearJDS is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley JDS is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of theintimate, Lehigh and Valley the welcoming, warm en- the “big kids” helps h Evelyn atis JDS always so proud when one of an early childhood education program, vironment an early child was an obvious place pack at the end of th the welcoming, intimate, and warm en- forthe “big kids” helps her with her backwelcoming us to turn. The administration and talks the about his “rea at the end of the day, and Joseph vironment at JDS was an obvious place staffpack vironment at J worked tirelessly to adhere to ever- stantly! changing guidelines from the CDC and One of the major us we to turn. The administration and talks about his “reading buddy” confor us to turnt

By Joanna Powers welcomed with open arms rolls on as well,for and still make the magic of school very real a devotion to the deve Interim Head of School staff worked staff worked ti Cantor Ellen Sussman’s held three successful days tirelessly to adhere to ever- stantly! confident students wh for its students.

Joseph FLOURISHED One of the major tenets of the JDS is changing guidelines from the CDC and changing guid family from Israel and of parent-teacher conin this environment, and now that he’s in to meet the world. Th

By Megan Hyman November has been a devotion the development of bright, still make still make have been enjoying her ferences, for which our the magic of school very real hisathird representative of the our year asto a student (kindergarten!) month unlike any other confident students who are well prepared for its students.

Joseph FLOURISHED for its students Sadly, our chapter in he decision parents make about he loves the dynamic and joyful learngranddaughter’s time in parents could choose in meet thehe’s world. more in meetthis environment, and now that he’s this environ in our memories. We toin a close.

For profe ingtoexperience had This there. couldn’t I’ll never being where to send their children forin

By Prek Megan By Megan Hyman A. Hyman You’d think she’s person or online are moving back to Ta forget when he came home to recite the school is often one of the most stressful representative of our experience. his third year as a student (kindergarten!) his third year watched the world, our been with us all year! ings. I went to several and sion of the school full Pledge of Allegiance and knew all the and difficult.

Will the school strike the our chapter is comthe dynamic and joyful learn- heSadly, he loves theyead he was decision parentswas make about he loves decision parentsin Allentown make about own worlds, and those Veteran’s Day a time so impressed by righthow balance between quality of educa- words to the Hatikvah at three years old! community that Amy to a close.

For professional reasons, ingteachexperience he’s had there. I’ll never ing ing experience where toinsend theircollaborative children for our where to send their children for we closest to us react to the to invite even more This year, his sister Evelyn was able and volunteers have cr tion and overall child development? How are moving back to Texas at the concluforget when he came home to recite the forgetThe when h school isto often one of the most stressful school is often one of the most stressful unimaginable in Israel and spiring people friends our child fit in? Luckily for our fam- to join the three-year-old program with us forever. speak ers and parents are.willAfter sion of the school year.

Our love for the full Pledge of Allegiance and knew all the full Pledge of and difficult.

Will the school strike the and difficult.

Will the school strike the America as we face an alily, same in a period of great uncertainty, the the same teachers and several younger a family through theA with our students. Miliall, they’re all on the community that Amy Golding, herand staff, words to thetoHatikvah three years old! words the mH we knowtothese siblings of herbetween brother’s class.

She decision choose the at Jewish Day School right balance between quality of educaright balance quality of was educatered and uncertain future. tary personnel from the team with the sameofgoal: will bring us joy for yeh very shyvolunteers at first,child but quickly overcame Lehigh Valley was the easiest “yes!” have created will stay with This year, his sister Evelyn was able This year, tion and overall child development?

How tion and overall development?

How At the Jewish Day School army, navy, air force and students who are set upever to said.

For any parent that and truly gets ready for school with we’ve us forever. made as to join thegrap thr will our child fit in? Luckily for our fam- to join the three-year-old program with will our child fitThe in? friendships Luckily forwe’ve our famwe chose to focus on guid- Israel Defense Forces told succeed.

We arrived in Allentown in late March enthusiasm. The school has supported sion of where to send y a family through the school will remain the same teachers and several younger the same teac ily, in a period of great uncertainty, the ily, in a period of great uncertainty, the ing and supporting one with a 2-year-old son, Joseph and her love of art, singing, and she’s made in the Lehigh Valley, us stories of bravery and We were proud 2020 to prowechoose know these memories madeanhere of her brother’s class. She was siblings support of her decision to choose the Jewish Day School siblings decision to theWe Jewish School theand sweetest friends.

LOVEDay getting extremely 4-month-old daughter, Evelyn.

Having another through the storm adventure. vide a special professional will bring us joy for years to come. very shy at first, but quickly overcame very shy at fi of Lehigh Valley was the easiest “yes!” of Lehigh Valley was the easiest “yes!” from the uncertainties updates and photos on the Class Dojo flown in from Dallas, Texas to be closer while shining a light for Our first annual yard development afternoon for daily lives, and th app throughout the day.grappling with theour to family (Adam’s parents,for Dr.school David and For any parent decithat and truly gets ready with that and truly we’ve ever said. we’ve ever said. the students to help them sale was aWe little chilly and our staff.

Two of our mententhusiasm. to instill a love oT Our kids became close durMrs.IsraeSusanThe Hyman who have in Al- We sion of where toextremely send your child to school enthusiasm. school haslived supported arrived in Allentown in late March arrived in Allentown in late March navigate what appears to inginthe stage ofwethe pan- theishJDS lentown 50 years), assumed soggy, but that stop son, li teachers, Adiher andlove Ariel thequarantine Valley, found of for art,nearly singing, andwe she’s made her love of ar withdidn’t a 2-year-old Joseph and 2020 with aLehigh 2-year-old son, Joseph and values. be a very long road ahead. many of2020 our families and (who is also our director of an extremely supportive place, a refuge the sweetest f 4-month-old daughter, Evelyn. Having the sweetest friends. We LOVE getting 4-month-old daughter, Evelyn.

Having It might be somewhat community Hebrew and Judaics), the uncertainties we closer all face in updates gave and photos on the Class Dojo updates and p flownfriends in from from Dallas, Texas to be closer flownfrom in from Dallas, Texasthat to be cold and scary outside, selling their wares and parents,an our daily lives, and the app throughout the day. to family (Adam’s Dr.excellently David and informative to family (Adam’s parents, Dr.perfect David environand app throughou but inside the JDS it has picking Mrs. up aSusan treasure or who have session truly instill a who love have of learning Ouriskids became extremely close durHyman lived about in Al- what Mrs.ment SusantoHyman lived inand Al- Jew- Our kids be been warm and buzzing two. Welentown were very gratehappening in Israel, ish values. ing thepast quarantine stage of the panfor nearly 50 years), we assumed lentown for nearly 50 years), we assumed ing the quara with activity and guests. ful for pop-up tents and the news and social media guage that my kids have – only bec Editor’s note: On Saturday, February 4, JDS parThis month we hosted the helping hands that that do not alwaysto get very important because we have the a ent Anastasiia Zavodnyk, was invited be a it guest good friends and generous made it all work.speaker at Refugee right.

It wasatan intense with their roots, which I hadn’t in m Shabbat Temple BethexEl. supporters of our school help and support made us confiden Here arewe her remarks.

A few Sundays later perience but so important to make sure they know here, in the US! were honored to host the for everyone who works at So, what is the difference betwee So, who is the refugee? It’s me. I can’t speak for every- my breath away to think so much farther! that the JDS is as producWomen’s Philanthropy’s theand JDS. and otheryou people one, only for myself my family.

But let my story be about my first few years The JDS wishes allwho came here as tive and invaluable as Women for Israelsomething event. that can show As the wegeneral find picture. ourselves sons why we came. I love Ukraine, it at the JDSFebruary (that the a Chanukah filled with ever.

Wenote: wereOn proud to guage that my have – only because you. and It ismany past gene Editor’s Saturday, February JDS par- The beginning Editor’s note: On Saturday, 4,kids JDSkids parAfter a 4, heartbreaking but on the Iteve our 70th of myofchildren of 2022 wasof a happy time for me. now refer to as “the late warmth, comfort, togethbe by the JFS, who very important because we have the ability to reconnect entvisited Anastasiia Zavodnyk, was invited to be a guest ent Anastasiia Zavodnyk, was invited to be a guest my husband’s family. We miss our h I had a beautiful house near Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. educational presentation Anniversary Evening of I mentors andwhich hope.

Chag2022 fore February a garden of fruit treeswe and berry help bushes.

I had 1900s”), with their roots, I hadn’tand in my childhood.

Yourwe never thoug speaker to athelp Refugee Shabbat atabout Temple El.hadand speaker at Refugee Shabbatmy at Temple Beth El. erness, arrived kindergarthe Beth hostages the full Tribute, can’t but ing abroad, we simply didn’t want to great plans – I was opening my own cafe and bakery peers, and compare them sameach! help and support made us confident in our presence Here are their her remarks. are her remarks. ten with tzedakah war, participantsstore, made atHere the esteemed satisfied with our I was settinglook up a back big greenhouse to plant many to the astonishingly dazAdditionally, we are lives and happy in here, in the US! project. A former student hundreds of bracelets that our school and the US because it was the best opti vegetables there. founders My children of went to great preschool So, and whatteachis the difference between me as a refugee zling students relieved to share that after So, who the refugee?

It’s me. I can’t forsold everySo, who is started the refugee?

It’s me.

I can’t speak for everycame byiswith her three the most difficult. It was hard, and i andraise afterschool smart classes. My daughter to werespeak being to the generations of selfand other people who came here as immigrants? one, only forwhile myselfthey and my family.money But let for my story be one, only for myself and my family.

But let my story be ers we are blessed with 46 excruciating days, there daughters were because of usualReaimmigrant’s difficu to ballroom classes at the best community dance school in the Israel.goThere less leaders, sons why we came.

I love Ukraine, it’s home, home culture, find something that can show the general picture. something that can show the general picture. today.

With our honored was announcement yesterentmy language, different area.

My husband had a very important role with great here from Israel, and the were attendants who members, supporters, and local documents, impossible life wit company inof 2022 of my press children of myhas and Thewere beginning of 2022 It was a happy time for me.career opportunities in the biggest energy The beginning a happy time forand me.many past Itinwas tow, we daypast thatgenerations an agreement girls thrilled to see hadn’t been in the JDS for organizaimpossible life without Ukraine. We usedgenerous to invite our local friends toa our little parmy husband’s family.

We miss our home a lot.

And beIthe had a beautiful house near Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.

I I had beautiful house near Kyiv, capital of Ukraine.

I forward and embrace our been reached to release 50 a credit scor classrooms and spaces years. We hope they impressive ficulty is not being allowed to go out ties atcome home, usedtions to see whose our parents when we wanted fore February thought about emigrathad a mom gardenhad full spoken of fruit trees berry bushes. I had had a garden full of fruit trees and berry bushes.2022 I hadweofnever the hostages in Hamas their so andby for people, who decide to come he to. It was really ashoulders very great period life; I upon was truly next 70 years. We have again very soon. we of stand ing abroad, we simply didn’t want to, because wechoose were to live here an great plans – I was opening my own cafe and bakery great plans – I was opening my own cafe and bakery come so far and we will go captivity. lovingly about. We also big goal, who happy.

The regular schedule today. I know that it takes satisfiedtowith ourmany lives and happy in Ukraine.

We chose store, I was setting up a big greenhouse to plant many And then, on 24th of February,store, I was setting plant thing to make this “American dream all was ruined.

The up a big greenhouse the toUSgreat because it was the best option all,hard butforalso vegetables there. My children went to great preschoolwar started. And what did we know vegetables there. preschool it isof very us, refugees, force about war?

OnlyMy children went we My needed to shut all lights, because our and ter- itheart is stillNot at our some horthedaughter most difficult.

Itto was hard, is hard. onlyhome with our and afterschool smart classes. My daughter started tohistory WW2 from books and movies…and and afterschool smartevening classes. started ritorial defense was looking hiding russian soldiers.

I parents, houses and gardens. And on to stay, of for usual difficulties such as differgo to ballroom classes at the best dance school in therible stories from our grandparents. goWe to decided ballroom classes at the bestbecause dance school inimmigrant’s the because it was our home. We thought that our village realized that I couldn’t stand any more. I couldn’t pre- our life here more like at home (thro ent language, different area. My husband had a very important role with great area. My husband had a very important role with great culture, finding job, getting all was now a target for the enemy and even if they would tend as nothing serious was happening and it was safe versations, care and support). Becaus local lifefeelwithout a car, almostthings are not m career opportunities in the biggest energy company income. We heard stories from our career opportunities in the biggest energy company in to let then for kids.

Thedocuments, worse for me impossible was day most important grandparents who enough impossible life without a credit score,willbut theever realfilldifUkraine. We used to invite our friends to our little par-remembered a time when their homes Ukraine. used invite friends to our little par-should to our feel war.

It’s not what children feel, not never your heart and so wereWe under oc-to fear, enough old towe understand everything nessthe andUS. happiness. of at could guessused how tountil ficulty is not being allowed to goand out of Maybe ties at home, used to see our parents when we wantedcupation during WW2 so we kindties home, see they our are parents when wanted notgreat be hurt by for it. Iof want myI children to be happy, to behere,So, I want a big, huge thank very very people, who decide to come who hastoitsaylike to. It was really a very great period of life; I was trulyit could be in our case. But we were to. Itwrong, was really a very period life; was truly confident and have strong and healthy mental health. to all of you!

I am grateful for the ab wrong.

Because in village aren’t many people – it’s difbig goal, who choose to live here and can stand everyhappy. happy. day, in a safe, beautiful and ambitious ficult to feel panic. We heard sounds of missile strikes, So, I asked my husband to leave our home. thing to make this8th “American dream” came true, but And then, on 24th of February, all was ruined. Thethe house was shaking every time, butAnd then, on 24th ofWeFebruary, ruined. left on 7thall of was March and onThe of March rus- grateful to all of you, for listening to personally I really it is very hard for us, refugees, forced migrants, who’s war started. And what did we know about war? Onlyfelt it on the second week, end of war started.

Andtowhat didcame we know sians* to ourabout house. war?

They Only occupied all village, porting my family and Ukraine. I be February.

I needed wedaughter neededtotodoctor. shut all we lights, because ourmen, ter- raped evening we friends, needed to lights, beca heart is still ataour with our history WW2 from books and movies…and some hor-take evening history WW2 from books and movies…and some killed women, stole lothorofhome things, ruin our end soon,neighbors, thatshut I canall finally see my ho my youngest So, were going houses… itI lasted 4 weeks.

So, itto was nothing like And occufriends neighbors.

But I, asrussia all U there. defense It wasn’t was far but we rible needed to go through ritorial looking forstories hiding russian ritorial defense wasand looking for hiding parents, houses and gardens. only your help made rible stories from our grandparents. We decided to stay,by car from our soldiers. grandparents.

We decided stay, pationpreduring WW2… it was worse, much worse. fatal February, in pre-war createdstand as a part country realized which that Iwas couldn’t anyitof more.

I couldn’t thatinI that couldn’t stand more. day Ic our lifethat here more like atrealized homeAnd (through relations, con-any because it was our home. We thought that our villagea checkpoint because was our home.

We thought our village our land, in our home; happy, confid protection actions. There I saw real soldiers, guns, bul- it is still. and wasenemy safe and tend Because as nothing serious happening and versations, care would and support). at the end was of the was now a target for the enemy and even if they would tend as nothing serious was was happening now a target foritthe even if they Now we are here. And we are very lucky, because we days, full of ambitious plans. lets laying on the ground, tanks for the first time in my for kids.

Theexhibition, worse foritWe me letmet then feel with enough formaterial kids. The worse for me was to dayvery most things are things, they come. We heard stories from our grandparents wholife. enough come. heard from our grandparents who people big important open hearts full of love not and And it wasn’t museum was was real to lifestories fear, But to feel war.

It’s not what children should feel, not fear, to feel war.

It’s not what will never ever fill your heart and soul with love, kindremembered a time when their homes were under oc-situation. remembered a time when their homes were under ocof capital shou on p worst was that something just fly above kindness, people who helped us with so many things. *I use little letter insteadchildren untiland they areI heard enough to understand everything and until they enough old toand understand ness and happiness. cupation during WW2 so we kind of could guess howmy head WW2 so we kind of Day could guessJewish howCommunity People from Jewish School, of arethis people anymore it’s even hard eve for m then andold feltcupation shot near during me. It was Lehigh Jewish enough because theymy have done and are still h It scared to death, I never felthappy, notdrone. be hurt by it. me I want children be to Valley, be not bethank hurt by it.one Iwhat want children to be So,wrong, ICommunity want very to sayCenter. a big,Not huge you more time it could be in our case. But we were wrong, very veryenemy itmycould be ever intoour case.

But we were very words to describe how we for confident it. And this ability theyhave aretohumans at alland to me.healthy And because before. Next very scaryBecause for me. The confident and weeks havewere strong and healthy mental health. and strong mei to all of grateful you!–I it’s amare grateful for the be here towrong. Because in village aren’t many people – it’s dif-like this wrong. in village aren’t many people difenemy soldiers were closer and closer to our village. At great opportunity to know Jewish traditions and lan- highlight it as my relation to them. leave So,ambitious I asked my husband to leave day, in safe, beautiful place, the US. I’m our home. ficult to feel panic. We heard sounds of missile strikes, So, I asked my husband to ficult to our feel home. panic. We heard sounds of amissile strikes, and We left on 7th of March and onwas 8thshaking of March We left on 7thstory, of March and on 8th of to all of you, for listening to my for supthe house was shaking every time, but personally I really the house everyrustime, grateful but personally I really They occupied village, sians* came to our They occupied myI needed family and I believe thathouse. war will felt it on the second week, end of February. I needed to sians* came to our house. felt it on the second all week, end of porting February. to Ukraine. stole lot of things, ruin our killed men, raped women, endSo, soon, finally see my home and hug allstole my a lot of thin take my youngest daughter to doctor. So, we were going killed men, raped women, take myayoungest daughter to doctor. wethat wereI can going was nothing houses… lasted 4 weeks.

So, it was nothin I, as allitUkrainians, still stay by car there. It wasn’t far but we needed to go through houses… it lasted 4 weeks.

by So, car itthere.

It wasn’tlike faroccubut we friends needed and to goneighbors. through But worse, much And in pation during WW2… it was fatalofFebruary, days, when we were onworse, much a checkpoint which was created as a part of country pation during WW2… ita was checkpoint whichworse. was created asthat a part countryin pre-war it is still. oursoldiers, land, inguns, our home; confident in the coming protection actions. There I saw real soldiers, guns, bul- it is still. protection actions. There I saw real bul- happy, Now we are here. Andlets we laying are very becausetanks we for Now we are here. And we are very lucky, days, ambitious lets laying on the ground, tanks for the first time in my onlucky, the ground, thefull firstoftime in my plans. open full of love and life. And it wasn’t museum exhibition, it was real life met people with very biglife.

Andhearts it wasn’t museum exhibition, it was real life met people with very big open hearts full us with many helped *I use little instead of kindness, capital on people purpose. who I don’t respectus with so m situation. But worst was that something just fly above kindness, people who helped situation.

But so worst wasthings. that something justletter fly above People from Jewish Day School, Jewish Community of People from Jewish Day School, Jewish Co this people anymore and it’s even hard for me to call them people, my head and then I heard and felt shot near me. It was my head and then I heard and felt shot near me. It was Center.

Not enough Jewish Center. becauseI what have and are Valley, still doing doesn’tCommunity look like enemy drone. It scared me to death, I never ever felt Lehigh Valley, Jewish Community enemy drone.

It scared me to death, neverthey ever feltdone Lehigh are for it.weeks And this to describe howI grateful they are humans at allThe to me. words And because it is my story, want to we are for like this before. Next weeks were very scary for me. The words to describe how grateful like this we before.

Next were very scary for me.

Jewish traditions and langreat opportunity to know Jewish traditio highlight it as village. my relation enemy soldiers were closer and closer to our village. At great opportunity to know enemy soldiers were closer and closer to our At to them.

16 DECEMBER 2023 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

The JDS Way: Open Arms and Open Hearts

Why JDS? Why JDS? Why JDS? T

T

T

Who is the refugee? It’s me

Who is the refugee?

WhoIt’s is the me.refug

we’d be here only a few weeks at most. As the pandemic continued, we made deci-

demic as built-in playmates and friends. we’d be here o The JDS has enabled that relationship to the pandemic

610.821.8722 | www.jfslv.org

Connection is the Light to Health and Wellness Debbie Zoller, MSW, LCSW JFSLV Executive Director Connecting to neighbors, family members, and friends can be the inspiration that helps us feel alive and relevant.

When we are isolated, we may focus on negative thoughts that lead us to a darker place. A meaningful conversation can redirect our negative thoughts and keep us from heading to a darker place or challenge us to think differently, and this can be the spark or connection that we need.

Being part of a community and better yet, multiple communities, is important at every age. Parents and children enjoy the structure of experiences

through school and recreational activities.

Parents of young children often develop friendships by socializing with other parents. Coworkers often provide a sense of belonging and connection.

As individuals enter retirement, there can be a lack of routine and socialization from the workplace may no longer exist.

Creating structure through community engagement can become increasingly difficult for older adults without a local family or who are experiencing the loss of friends. It takes courage to mobilize oneself to be a joiner especially if the individual never felt the need to do this earlier on in their life.

Decades of research and a recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General emphasize the critical role that social connection plays in helping individuals and communities to be healthy, safe, and resilient.

In the last two months, JFS has received calls from community members who are experiencing feelings of fear and lack of control after observing so much violence on our screens.

It’s important, now more than ever, to have conversations that come from a place of kindness and concern. Reaching out to those across the globe, as well as the local community, can be a way of demonstrating that you

care about what others are going through and that they are not alone.

Most importantly, reaching out means that you are not alone.

Building connections is a lifeline to sustainability. As winter approaches and it becomes colder, there may be more resistance to getting out of the house or going to activities.

Look for that sunny spot on a cold day. Set a goal that you will have at least two interactions per day.

Volunteer to call someone who is lonely, which will strengthen you and decrease your sense of isolation. In the words of American author and podcast host, Brené Brown, “We are hardwired to connect with

others, it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it, there is suffering.”

JFS is in a unique position to provide support through counseling and older adult services. The JFS staff is here to get to know you and connect you to programming and resources that will enhance your quality of life.

Volunteer Spotlight: Howard Nathanson Howard Nathanson used to give Hanukkah presentations for his daughter’s classes when she was in school. Howard is a longtime member and former Hebrew school teacher at Bnai Abraham Synagogue, now Bnai Shalom. He began giving holiday presentations at Country Meadows in Bethlehem where his mother-inlaw was a resident.

Fellow congregant and JFS board member Vickie Semmel told him that JFS runs similar programming which was his introduction to volunteering with JFS. He now presents four Jewish holidays each

year - High Holy Days, Hanukkah, Purim and Passover - to 11 long-term care residences across the Lehigh Valley.

Howard credits his parents, who were very involved in Jewish life, with instilling in him the importance of supporting the Jewish community, locally and globally.

Most presentations are at facilities with fewer than five Jewish residents but overall program attendance exceeds 15-20 participants. This allows Howard to present to many individuals who are interested in learning about the Jewish holidays.

Presentations spark engaging discussions

about religion and culture.

“JFS plays a vital role in the community,” he says. “People depend on JFS for its pantry and for housing services. But education is just as vital.

Through education comes understanding, trust, and a sense of community which is very important, now more than ever.”

Thank you to our generous community for your monetary contributions and the beautiful warm coats you donated to the annual Coats & Cocoa Drive. With your support, JFS is in the process of distributing more than 160 coats to school-age children, along with yummy hot cocoa.

We thank those individuals who have graciously supported Jewish Family Service by sending tribute cards: IN HONOR

WENDY AND ROSS BORN In honor of the Bat Mitzvah of granddaughter Lilah Rabbi Allen and Toby Juda CHELSEA KARP In honor of Kallah B’reshit Rabbi Allen and Toby Juda PAM LOTT AND RON TICHO In honor of the wedding of Hannah and Max Audrey and Rick Nolte

IN LOVING MEMORY

ELIZABETH BERGSTEIN (Aunt of Bill Bergstein) Rabbi Allen and Toby Juda ROSE MILLER (Wife of Robert Miller) Joan Brody BURT SCHLOSSBERG (Father of Michael Schlossberg) Bill Bergstein Carrie and Jeffrey Glazier Carol and Robert Wilson

MOLLY WEINSTEIN (Beloved Mother and Grandmother) Gail and Fred Eisenberg

A wonderful way to share your thoughtfulness with family and friends, the minimum contribution for a JFS Tribute Card is $18. Visit www.jfslv.org/give to place card orders.

Questions? 610.821.8122. Thank you for your continued support.

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HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 17

Rabbi-doctor to talk on Jewish bioethics at Sons of Israel Congregation Sons of Israel invites the community to a program on Jewish bioethics at a Sunday Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Dr. Yossi Cohen on December 17 at noon. He will talk about stem cell meat, DNA in Halacha, vaccinations and heart transplants.

Rabbi Cohen is the spiritual leader of the Fleetwood Synagogue in Mount Vernon, New York, and is a first-year resident at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx.

He received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University, where he had served as the research assistant for Rabbi Dr. J.

5.55%

David Bleich, researching complex Halachic medical questions, including the unique challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. He received his medical degree from the Technion in Haifa, Israel, and has published articles in Halachic journals and posts to his blog at fleetwoodsynagogue.org/ blog/.

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There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required by Monday morning, December 11. Call 610433-6089 or email office@ sonsofisrael.net. Babysitting will be provided.

The program is sponsored by Marcia Schechter in loving memory of Dr. Murray Schechter z”l.

BANK. BORROW. INVEST.

Brith Sholom to launch centennial celebration year One hundred years ago this coming March, a large and friendly crowd gathered for the groundbreaking of the Brith Sholom Community Center. One of the founders, a shopkeeper, had even purchased a silver shovel for the event.

Little could they have known what the world would experience in the coming 100 years and even now. As Jews, we know that despite difficult times, we must savor the sweetness of good friends, food and community.

With that in mind, the entire Lehigh Valley Jewish community is invited to help kick off Brith Sholom’s centennial year with a Brunch and Talk on Monday, January 1, 2024, at 11:30 a.m.

“Step back and visit the Roaring Twenties, our founding decade, with a delicious brunch,” said Fran Fisher, chair of the Brith Sholom Centennial Events Committee.

“It will feature many types of food you might have seen back then and also includes a short program. You’ll find out a bit about what may have

been on the minds of folks as they were planning to build Brith Sholom.”

The 1920s were a time of frenetic energy, with many feeling lucky to have survived the Great War and the flu pandemic of 1918. There were new freedoms for women and a new kind of music on the scene. Yet there were also restrictions: the Immigration Act of 1924 set quotas based on the United States’ 1890 census figures that limited immigration from Eastern Europe (and excluded Asian immigration altogether) to “preserve homogeneity,” as the State Department said at the time.

In this energized environment, the time was right for a new kind of project. It was one that even its founders called “daring.” This community center would meet not only the spiritual needs of the community, but also the social and athletic needs.

The city of Bethlehem viewed the groundbreaking as a good thing. The Jewish community would have a place to gather; the young could learn about

Judaism and how to be upstanding American citizens. The whole city could, and seemingly did, learn to swim there — the center had the only indoor swimming pool in the city at the time.

Harry M. Goodman z”l, who at the age of 37 became one of the original board members in 1924, said in an interview published

by Brith Sholom many years later, “Most of us couldn’t believe the size, scope, or enormity of the project as it went up before our eyes. We were amazed and thought, ‘Nobody could even have dreamt of this.’”

Years later, the community moved to its present building at Jacksonville and Macada Roads in Bethlehem, a great place to gather, pray, learn and celebrate.

This is the first of five centennial events sched-

C O N G R E G A T I O N B R I T H S H O L O M P R E S E N T S

A ROARING 20'S NEW YEAR’S DAY BRUNCH & TALK 11:30 A.M.

“Red-Letter Days”

Centennial Kickoff January 1, 2024 THE 1190 LOUNGE 1190 W. MACADA ROAD BETHLEHEM, PA

COST: $18.00

Free For Those 21 and Under

1920s Attire is Optional TO RESERVE CALL TAMMY AT 610-866-8009 RESERVE BY DEC. 15

uled for 2024. The cost to attend this event is $18. To sign up for the brunch, con-

tact Tammy at the synagogue office at 610-866-8009 by December 15.

Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg and KI commit to partnership

By Alan Snyder Congregation Keneseth Israel

Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg and Congregation Keneseth Israel sealed and celebrated the sacred partnership of rabbi and congregation through a series of events on the weekend of November 17-19.

Rabbi Tornberg’s longtime colleague Rabbi Leah Doberne-Shor crafted and led the Erev Shabbat installation service during which Rabbi Tornberg and congregation committed to their respective roles in learning and growing together in a spirit of compassion and caring. Special guests included family, friends, colleagues and former congregants, as well as many from the greater Lehigh Valley Jewish community. Services were followed by a celebratory Oneg Shabbat.

On Shabbat, November 18, the regular weekly Torah study was followed by Shabbat Out of the Box during which attendees crafted clay hamsas to symbolize the protection and generosity of G-d that we enjoy as a congregation and community. In the evening, havdalah was followed by a presentation by renowned Israeli storyteller Noa Baum, a musical welcome

by Patty Carlis and KI director of education Alex Malanych, and a casual celebratory dinner.

As a way of sharing the joy of the moment, KI religious school students and adult congregants joined on Sunday, November 19, to assemble birthday bags that Jewish Family Service will provide as

gifts to its food bank clients.

All KI Installation photos courtesy of Donna Fisher Photography. More photos can be seen by scanning the QR code.

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Young Leadership hang out at the alleys—and bowl

By Charlene Riegger Director of Marketing

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Young Leadership division met on November 18 at Steel City Bowl and Brews in Bethlehem for a fun night of glow bowling.

The adults-only group was very enthusiastic. They cheered for strikes and spares, and groaned over gutter balls, all the while schmoozing with one another.

Quite a few of the group said they appreciated the outing because it not only got their mind off of the events in Israel, but also surrounded them with their local Jewish community, giving them a greater sense of unity.

Last, some of the group enjoyed the fun way that yards of beer were served in a flute with the dispenser at a bowling-ball base.

Lee Kestecher Solomon, the Federation’s director of community engagement, thanked everyone who came out to the lanes for the night of food, fun and socializing. She hoped to see another large crowd for the Family Havdalah Movie Night on Saturday, February 3, at 6:30 p.m.

Young Leadership Presents Scan the QR code or visit the link to register

https://jewishlehighvalley. regfox.com/yl-family-movie-night

Saturday, February 3rd 6:30 p.m.

20 DECEMBER 2023 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

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Israeli envoy gives teens Israel-Gaza talking points

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

“Their questions were better than what I hear at colleges,” Israeli emissary Shay Rubenstein said after speaking to Lehigh Valley students at Temple Beth El on November 20 about the crisis in Israel.

Take, for example, the rhetorical question of one student who appeared to be in middle school. “What if Israel didn’t exist?” he asked, regarding the long-standing tensions in the Middle East that exploded on October 7. “It would be worse without Israel.”

Rubenstein flashed the smile of a proud parent: “That’s what I’m saying.”

The students brought with them to TBE a curiosity about and familiarity with the subject matter, clearly nurtured by teaching at home and possibly in school. They understood Rubenstein’s message.

The program opened with Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, sponsor of the event, welcoming the audience and thanking them for their dedication. “You must be the students who are really interested in learning about Israel,” she said.

Rubenstein, who first got involved in what he called “Jewish public diplomacy” as a teenager, began by giving the group his goal for the program: “I hope that after this talk, you’re able to talk more about Israel.” He offered his personal take on the October 7 attacks on the Israelis at the music festival near Gaza.

“These people were celebrating peace and love and life,” he said. “Hamas was celebrating death.”

He told the students he is friends with an Israeli who went missing in the attacks, Omri Ram. He recalled being with Ram in France. “He would just eat French cheese and enjoy life in Paris,” Rubenstein said. At the time of the Talking Points for Teens event, Ram was among 40 people listed as missing. “Nobody knows where they are.”

Rubenstein filled the students in on the 20th-century background of the land that is now the State of Israel. He explained that in 1947, the international community voted to create two states there, one Jewish and one Arab. The Jewish people accepted that. The Arabs did not.

When Israel declared itself an independent nation the following year, Israel was not present in Gaza and remained out for almost two decades.

“It was Egypt that controlled it, against international law,” Rubenstein told the students.

Control of Gaza changed hands over the decades, with Israel controlling it in 2005, when it pulled out and abandoned its settlements. In 2006 Gaza held elections, and its people voted to put Hamas in charge.

That choice was unfortunate,

Rubenstein said. “Hamas doesn’t care about their people,” he continued. “They care about their goals, which are the destruction of Israel and its people.”

This eventually brings us to 2023 and the October attacks and current crisis. Rubenstein mentioned a slogan heard more and more often these days: “Free Palestine!” He was not opposed to the words themselves. “I think we all support freeing Palestine — from Hamas.”

Bad things happen when people of Gaza turn against Hamas. It’s a terrorist group, after all. Some Palestinians were brave enough to air their beliefs in public since October 7. “Most people who went out into the streets to protest found themselves dead,” Rubenstein said.

“Hamas is bad for everyone.

It is bad for Israel. It is bad for Palestinians.”

Despite that truth, the initial surge of support for Israel in the United States soon gave

way to protests against Israel and in sympathy with Palestinians. Rubenstein said a lot of the problem is based on misinformation spread by certain news and online outlets.

“What we learn today on social media is not sticking to facts,” he said. “It’s fake.”

Rubenstein said turning against the Jews has been a recurrent theme through history.

“In every generation there’s someone who’s against us,” he said. “People use the current conflict as an excuse to attack us.”

That doesn’t mean he’s converted to pessimism. “The fact that you’re here today means a lot,” he told the teens. “We are one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Our 5,000 years of tradition and Jewish values are stronger that hate.”

Even after briefly lamenting the waning support for Israel from other nations, he wrapped back to optimism, concluding that there’s still the backing of the substantial U.S. Jewish community. Israel

may be outnumbered, he said, “but we have you. We have our family in America.”

After the talking points portion of the night ended, the students moved into the auditorium to pack gift bags with toys and other surprises to be shipped to children in Israel.

“There is so much power in collective good,” said Amy Golding, former head of school at the Jewish Day School and organizer of the packing effort.

“Our youth had the opportunity to learn together tonight and then found a way to give

back to their brothers and sisters in Israel. It is our hope that these goody bags can help lift a spirit, make a child happy and comfort the youth as they grieve. We send these bags with love and prayers.”

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BOOK REVIEW

Jewish woman reporter cracks 1920s murder case “Broadway Butterfly,” by Sara DiVello, Thomas and Mercer, 2023, 432 pages.

By Sandi Teplitz Special to Hakol

It was 1923, the year the term Roaring Twenties was coined, when a young Jewish woman reporter got involved in a mysterious crime connecting the scandalous young flapper Dot King with a series of lovers, all of whom swore both their love for her and their innocence in her murder.

Julia Harpman relentlessly pursues the New York case that stymies the police force and divides the community over the guilt or innocence

of the main suspects. Author Sara DiVello introduces us to the characters by telling her story based on research into those involved, fictionalizing the events and organizing the data in an effort to elucidate the racism, gender inequality and corruption so evident in the 1920s.

As a crime reporter for the Daily News, Harpman is out to make a name for herself, determined to be taken seriously in a city that has yet to see the value of a woman in the male-dominated career of journalism. But the more she is ignored, the greater she pushes back.

Though 100 years have gone by, much remains the

same in the political arena, including some offensive attitudes in our current governmental climate. Harpman refused to turn her back on the case and proved herself a courageous, caring, trustworthy journalist who allowed nothing to get in her way to uncover the truth.

No spoiler alert here.

Read this thriller yourself to discover the power of a wellwritten exposé.

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

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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.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 AND 2 Shabbat of Strength and Connecting with Israel Various times, Congregation Sons of Israel Join Congregation Sons of Israel for a “Shabbat of Strength and Connecting with Israel” with Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider, educator and author of best-selling Haggadahs and the newly published book “Torah United.” He will speak at Friday Mincha about “The Shechina and Torah Study,” on Shabbos morning about “Longing for the Land,” after kiddush on “Why the Menorah?,” and at Shalosh Se’udos on “The Meaning of the Last Hour of Shabbos.”

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 JDS Evening of Tribute 7:30 p.m., Temple Beth El The Jewish Day School will honor a group of supporters who have demonstrated their loyalty, dedication, commitment and generosity nearing 50 years.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 Advanced Practitioners: 21st Century Medicine 10-11:30 a.m., JCC Margo Lightman, a nurse practitioner with St. Luke’s Neurological Associates in Bethlehem, and Andrea Reich, a physician assistant with Advanced Dermatology Associates, will present this Maimonides Society Brunch and Learn.

Open to the entire community. No cost for Maimonides members and spouses; nonmember cost is $10 per person.

Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox. com/maimonides-society-brunch-andlearn.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 Bring Them Home! The Story of Gali and Ziv, Yoav’s Kidnapped Twins 4 p.m., JCC Liran Berman of the Valley’s Partnership2Gether sister region, Yoav, will talk about how his life changed dramatically when Hamas kidnapped his twin brothers, Gali and Ziv, from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Liran will appear live via Zoom.

Attendees will receive a “Bring Them Home-Now!” solidarity tag. Register.

TUESDAYS STARTING DECEMBER 5 OR THURSDAYS STARTING DECEMBER 7 Gaza in Jewish History: What’s It All About?

9:30-10:30 a.m., JCC board room Jeanette Eichenwald, former instructor for Yachad University, returns for the special series “Gaza in Jewish History: What’s It All About? This eight-session series runs as two separate classes, one that meets on Tuesdays and the other on Thursdays, in person at the JCC board room. The last classes are February 13 and February 15 (check the website to see which dates there are no classes). A recording of each class will be available for those who cannot attend. The cost is $100 per person. Registration is required to attend in person or to view the recordings. Register at jewishlehighvalley/ calendar.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 Women’s Philanthropy Chanukah Party 6:30-8 p.m., JCC Come together to celebrate the light that Women’s Philanthropy brings to the community. And enjoy latkes! Open to all who have donated to the Federa-

tion’s annual campaign. Register at jewishlehighvalley/calendar.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12 Grand Menorah Lightings 4785 Times and locations vary Chabad of the Lehigh Valley will light menorahs for Chanukah in each of the Valley’s three cities. December 9 is at 6 p.m. in Allentown’s PPL Center, the 11th is at 5:30 p.m. across the street from Bethlehem City Hall and the 12th is at 5:30 p.m. across from the Crayola Factory in Easton, with music by the Big Easy Easton Brass.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 Community Chanukah Party 10 a.m.-noon, Temple Beth El Gather with the community to celebrate Chanukah. The party will be Israelthemed. Food will be served kosher under the supervision of TBE’s Rabbi Moshe Re’em. Register at jewishlehighvalley/calendar.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 Sunday Lunch and Learn: Jewish Bioethics Noon, Congregation Sons of Israel Rabbi Dr. Yossi Cohen, who served as a research assistant exploring complex medical questions during his rabbinical studies at Yeshiva University, will delve into such topics as stem cell meat, DNA in Halacha, vaccinations and heart transplants. There is no cost for this program, but reservations are required

by Monday morning, December 11, by calling 610-433-6089 or by emailing office@sonsofisrael.net. Babysitting will be provided.

MONDAY, JANUARY 1 Roaring ‘20s Brunch and Talk 11:30 a.m., Congregation Brith Sholom The entire Lehigh Valley Jewish community is invited to help launch Brith Sholom’s centennial year. Step back and visit the 1920s with brunch. The menu will feature many types of food diners might have seen then. A short program is included. Cost is $18. To sign up, contact Tammy at the synagogue office at 610-866-8009 by December 15.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 Super Sunday 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., JCC Come out for an unprecedented day of giving with a Maimonides Brunch and Learn on “JFS: Elder Care,” a Women’s Philanthropy mitzvah day of cooking and a PJ Library family event.

Volunteers will make phone calls to raise funds for the Federation’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs and the Israel Emergency Campaign. Lunch will be provided. Details to come.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Family Movie Night and Havdalah 6:30 p.m., Jay’s Local Join the Young Leadership at the cafestyle eatery Jay’s Local. Register at jewishlehighvalley/calendar.

ONGOING EVENTS 2ND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Bnai Shalom cash bingo fundraiser 1-4 p.m., Congregation Bnai Shalom Doors open at 12:15 and games start at 1. There’s no game in October. For information email the synagogue office at office@bnaishalomeaston.org.

Celebrate the beauty of Shabbat

MONDAYS Yiddish Club 2-3:30 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.

Call 610-435-3571, ext. 501.

MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS Online Jewish yoga studio Mondays 11-11:45 a.m., Thursdays 4-4:45 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.-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.

WEDNESDAYS Yoga with Miriam Sandler: Chair-Supported Yoga 1-2 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 in person and via Zoom Torah Studies by the Jewish Learning Institute presents Season One 5784, a 12-part series, in person and via Zoom. Cost is $54 for the course, including textbook. For more information, call 610-351-6511 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 mjclaire@gmail.com or 610-972-7054 to sign up.

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

Learn to read, write, speak and comprehend Yiddish. Textbooks from Yiddish Book Center available for purchase.

Contact 610-435-3571, ext. 501.

FRIDAYS Kol HaEmek 8:30-9:30 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 KI Torah Study 9:30-11 a.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel Join Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg for a study session making sense of the week’s Torah portion. Enter the building through the 23rd Street door. For more information, contact Rabbi Tornberg using the form at kilv.org/form/contactrabbicall.

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.

Please check the synagogue at sonsofisrael.net for the weekly listing of the starting time for Mincha/Maariv. 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.

Noon, 1:30, 5:30 and 7 p.m. daily except Sunday, 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., JCC

Shabbat & Yom Tov Candlelighting Times Friday, December 1 4:18 pm Friday, December 8 4:17 pm Friday, December 15 4:18 pm Friday, December 22 4:20 pm

Friday, December 29 4:25 pm Friday, January 5 4:31 pm Friday, January 12 4:38 pm Friday, January 19 4:46 pm

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

muhlenberg.edu/wmuh | 484.664.3456

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2023 23

wishes you a

Happy Chanukah!

4 for $

Streit’s Chanukah Candles 44 ct

5

U

Kosher Boneless & Skinless Chicken Breast Fillet lb

2 for $

Kedem Sparkling Juice 25.4 oz

Kedem Tea Biscuits 4.2 oz

4

99

6

WHEN YOU BUY 2

lesser quantities $3.49

79

¢

2 for

7

$

6

$

Kedem Concord Grape Juice 64 oz

Manischewitz Potato Pancake Mix 6 oz

2 for Gunter’s Clover Honey Bear 12 oz

8

99

WHEN YOU BUY 2

lesser quantities $3.49

2

99

Bosco Chocolate Syrup 22 oz

1

$

Fresh Kosher Whole or Cut Up Fresh Chickens lb

3

3

99

2 for

6

89

$

Savion Fruit Slices 6 oz

2 for Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix or Egg Noodles 4.5 - 12 oz

4 for Manischewitz Candy Coins 0.5 - 0.53 oz

U

5

$

2 for Lipton Kosher Soup Mix 2 - 2.4 oz

5

1

79

Lieber’s Square Dreidel 1.05 oz

5

50

$

Challah Bread ea

We also carry many of your favorite Kosher deli, dairy, frozen and grocery products.

Prices effective through December 20th, 2023 www.weismarkets.com

We reserve the right to limit quantities. • Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors.

Products may not be available in all stores.