HAKOL - March 2023

We’re Celebrating Women with special articles for International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month p17-21 and elsewhere

FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p3

LVJF TRIBUTES p8

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p13

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p14-15

JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p16

COMMUNITY CALENDAR p22

Burnout: 3 doctors to give Maimonides their views

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

When Dr. Zach Goldsmith took over as president of the Jewish Federation’s Maimonides Society, he said he wanted to expand the membership of the organization of healthcare professionals.

“It is my personal mission to increase Federation engagement among younger healthcare workers, especially women,” Goldsmith said.

The society’s Brunch and Learn scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday, March 19, is a step in that direction. Three women healthcare professionals will make presentations that day, on the general topic of “Burnout in Healthcare”: Drs. Chelsea Busch, Lynn Wilson and Kristine Schultz.

“We are lucky to be working together for this lecture, as we each have unique perspectives ranging from acute care medicine to primary care and mental health specialties,” Schultz said.

Busch is a clinical psychologist with a primary focus in pediatrics. She gained experience developing resilience/ wellness programs for healthcare workers during her doctorate training at Nemours Children’s Hospital.

“The American Medical Association recently referred to physician burnout as ‘an epidemic in the U.S. healthcare system,’ with a majority of physicians endorsing symptoms of burnout,” Busch said. “So I am hoping this will be a timely presentation.”

Wilson is a geriatrician in the Lehigh Valley Health Network Department of Family Practice. She is program director for the geriatrics fellowship and has served as section chief of geriatrics. Geriatrics has experienced greater burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic than many healthcare fields.

Schultz is an emergency medical physician in the Lehigh Valley Health Network. She has an active role in resident education and focuses especially on ultrasound technology in emergency room evaluation. Emergency medicine has been another area of high burnout during the pandemic.

The presentations will focus on three questions

that fall under the general theme: What is burnout and how do you identify it? What can you do about it personally? How can you advocate for organizational change?

Goldsmith expects the subject matter and the presenters to be popular with the intended audience. “I really believe that the efforts of these three doctors and this particular topic will help garner more interest in Maimonides,” he

MODI Live coming to the Lehigh Valley Federation’s Main Event is a night of comedy

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

Modi has done his standup routine on the Big Three TV networks, HBO and Comedy Central and across the United States and the globe. But the comedian the New York Times called “the next Jackie Mason” still likes playing to Jewish audiences.

“I’m so blessed to be able to go to all these different Jewish communities and connect with my people,” the Israel-born transplant to New York City tells Hakol. He’ll have his chance to connect with the

Lehigh Valley community on May 4, when the Jewish Federation brings him here for its 2023 Main Event.

“I always look forward to Federation events,” he says. “They’re fun. I love how they’re a cross section of the community.”

He mentioned a recent show in Florida where Latinos were a majority of the crowd: Cubans, Puerto Ricans, South Americans, Mexicans. “They can be very cliquey on their own,” he says, “but they all came together.”

Most of Modi’s live events are to Jewish audiences. That

doesn’t mean everyone in attendance is active in a Jewish Federation, however, which is part of the reason some communities bring him in these days. “Instead of doing a fundraiser,” he explains, “they call it a ‘friend raiser.’”

As for his comedy itself, of course there’s the “Jewish voice.” That’s where the tie to Jackie Mason comes in. “Being compared to Jackie Mason is amazing,” Modi says of the comic who died in 2021 at age 93. “But the Jewish voice has developed since he was performing.”

More recently, a long-time comedy club owner compared

Modi to the comedy legends Robin Williams and Richard Pryor.

“I was thrilled with that,” he says of the published comments. “He said he never saw an audience laugh that hard.”

Modi believes the comparison makes sense. “It’s high energy,” he explains, like he himself is on stage. “They’re both really smart and think on their feet.”

Tickets for the Night of Comedy of Modi will become available to those who made their pledge to the 2023

ART GALLERY & FRAME SHOP

Cheryl Baran

BOUTIQUE TO GO

Elena Pascal

CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE

Katelyn Dane, MMSPAS, PA-C & Brandi Burns, MMSPAS, PA-C

COLD NOSE LODGE

Rayne Reitnauer

COMFORCARE HOME CARE

Kris Murphy

CREATIVE CLOSETS, LTD.

Ellyn Elstein

HAKIM HEALTH PARTNERS

Melissa Hakim, MD

said.

Goldsmith is working to set up a roundtable discussion for women in healthcare in May. Details on that will follow when they’re available. For information on joining Maimonides, contact Aaron Gorodzinsky, the Federation’s director of campaign and security planning, at aaron@jflv. org or visit the Maimonides web page at jewishlehighvalley.org/maimonides.

Campaign for Jewish Needs starting at Super FunDay on March 5. For more information visit jewishlehighvalley.org/ calendar/modi.

JANE RONCORONI FINE CLOTHING

Jane Roncoroni

LEHIGH VALLEY CENTER FOR SIGHT

Irena Cherfas, MD

LISA BAAS HEALING ARTS

Lisa Baas

A legacy continues as the Mickey Ufberg Memorial Ambucycle saves lives in Israel

Left to right: Drs. Chelsea Busch, Kristine Schultz and Lynn Wilson.

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley recognizes and appreciates the many local women leadersprofessionals, business owners, managers, and more. Thank you to those who support HAKOL as regular advertisers. Please patronize them and say thank you for their support of our nonprofit. In this issue:

Chag Sameach

eWe’re here to help you have a happy and festive PURIM with a full Kosher selection.

Tell us your story

March is a time of renewal and growth, ushering us into spring and signaling that the cold, short, bare days of winter are behind us and warmer days are ahead. March is also when we observe International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Since 1987 when the first Women’s History Month was proclaimed, there has been an annual theme. The 2023 theme is “Celebrat-

ing Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

It is remarkable that through thousands of years of persecution, Jews have remained and still survive.

Constantly a statistical minority, continuously targeted by individual and global acts of antisemitism, Judaism has outlasted myriad other civilizations and continues to do so. A single common thread —the passing down of our tradi-

tions, our culture, our religion and our stories from dor l’dor, generation to generation — has enabled our survival.

Storytelling has always been a Jewish value. Rooted in the history of midrash, the sharing of oral tradition and the exploration and interpretation of the stories and laws around Judaism have been essential to Jewish survival. Throughout history, Jew-

ish women have been a crucial component of that. Take, for example, Hemdah Ben-Yehuda, who worked closely with her husband to develop the modern Hebrew we know and speak today, ensuring a modern language that would aid in the longevity of a Jewish people in Israel. Look also to the efforts of the multiple women who have and are contributing to telling the Jewish American story. Like Rosa Sonneschein, founder of the American Jewess, the first English magazine published for Jewish women in the United States; Dora Askowith, a Jewish women’s history expert and professor who taught Jewish women at Hunter College for 45 years; Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose

comprehensive and pointed dissenting opinions have become famous for telling the story of judicial efforts toward creating a more equitable and fair society. By participating in and contributing to Jewish life in our community, we are also sharing in our rich tradition of Jewish women telling our own stories. This Women’s History Month, come be a part of that tradition by sharing your voice, telling our stories, and contributing to the longevity of both our local and global communities.

HAKOL STAFF

CARL ZEBROWSKI Editor

CHARLENE RIEGGER

Director of Marketing

DIANE McKEE

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

Account Representative TEL: 610-515-1391 hakolads@jflv.org

JFLV EXECUTIVE STAFF

JERI ZIMMERMAN

Executive Director

AARON GORODZINSKY

Director of Campaign & Security Planning

DENISE AHNER Director of Finance & Administration

JULIA UMANSKY Director of Gift Planning & EITC

LEE SOLOMON

Associate Director of Development

2023 Tickets

THURSDAY, MODI LIVE Sponsorships Available

Submissions to HAKOL must be of interest to the entire Jewish community. HAKOL reserves all editorial rights including, but not limited to, the decision to print any submitted materials, the editing of submissions to conform to style and length requirements, and the placement of any printed material. Quotes may be edited for grammar and clarity. Articles should be submitted by e-mail or presented as typed copy; “Community Calendar” listings must be submitted by e-mail to hakol@jflv.org or online at www.jewishlehighvalley.org. Please include your name and a daytime telephone number where you can be contacted in the event questions arise. We cannot guarantee publication or placement of submissions.

MAY

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 MEMORY

IRA (BOB) BORN

(Father of Ross Born)

Judy Alperin

Jeanette & Eduardo Eichenwald

Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel

JONATHAN DICKER

(Son of Neil and Linda Dicker)

Robie and Don Barga

Donna and Jim Edmonds

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

Carole and Michael Langsam

Enid and Bruce Reich

Karen and Alex Tamerler

RACHEL FRIEDMAN

(Mother of Adina Re’em)

Carole and Michael Langsam

STEPHEN HALEM

(Husband of Lynne Halem, Father of Samantha Himelfarb)

Aaron Gorodzinsky & Jennie

Schechner

MAXINE MILLER (Mother of Marla Melman)

Carole and Michael Langsam

ELLEN (ELLIE) WEINBERGER (Wife of Ben Weinberger)

Carole and Michael Langsam

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

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

Phone: (610) 821-5500

Fax: (610) 821-8946

E-mail: hakol@jflv.org

ROBBY WAX JFLV President

WENDY EDWARDS Office Manager

GINGER HORSFORD Donor Services Associate

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

Opus for Shanghai’s Jews Composer tells their WWII history, offers a sneak peak at rehearsal

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

Ever since finding out about the Jews of WWII Shanghai, the Beijing-born composer Wu Fei would occasionally obsess over the community. Who were they? What might have happened if they’d remained? How might Chinese and Jewish music have come together?

The thoughts eventually inspired a musical composition. “It was 16 or 17 years brewing,” she told a Lehigh Valley Jewish community audience at Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center on February 8. Then suddenly she had a finished piece for chamber orchestra: “Hello Gold Mountain.” “It basically took me two hours to write,” she said.

By the time Fei could walk, her parents had decided she would be trained

in music, and at age 5, she began taking lessons. She attended the China Conservatory of Music for high school and from there went on to study music and composition as an undergrad at the University of Texas and grad student at Mills College in Oakland, California.

Fei remained in the United States after school her schooling. That’s when she found out about the Shanghai Jews. Exploring in a library, she came upon the 2002 documentary “Shanghai Ghetto” on VHS cassette. She watched it and her years-long journey began.

As the documentary pointed out, Shanghai had become almost unique as a haven for Jews fleeing Europe during the Nazi era. “It was one of only two cities in the world that would accept them without a visa,” Fei said.

The Jews lived in the city alongside Chinese who had fled their homes elsewhere during the Japanese invasion in the late 1930s. When Japan’s army moved in to occupy Shanghai in 1941, it rounded up the Jews into a one-square-mile ghetto. There the three cultures mixed and mingled.

“Shanghai was a very metropolitan center of entertainment in the ’10s and ’20s,” Fei said, and that legacy continued. “It was really vibrant at the time.”

Many of the Jewish refugees were skilled performers on classical instruments such as piano and cello. “The musicians started giving lessons,” Fei said.

She wondered what might have been if most of the Jews did not leave for San Francisco soon after the war. “What music collaborations could have happened?” she asked.

“Hello Gold Mountain” answers that question as a musical “what if” whose title refers to the translated Chinese name for San Francisco: Old Gold Mountain. The composition premiered in 2019 in Nashville, where Fei lived and still lives, and featured Fei on guzheng (Chinese zither) and Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz on oud (a lute-like Jewish on instrument) — an instrumental

pairing that was both a symbolic and literal uniting of the two music traditions.

After Fei finished telling the Lehigh Valley audience about the Jewish community and her composition, she offered a sneak peak at rehearsal for the orchestral performance of the piece scheduled for the coming weekend. As in Nashville, Fei and Blumenkranz were united at the front of the stage, this time with the Lehigh University Philharmonic behind them. At times they stood out as soloists and at other times they blended in.

The give-and-take between Fei, conductor Paul Salerni, Blumenkranz and the other musicians fascinated audience members. They’d witness something like Salerni speaking to the trumpets: “Come in with da da da daaah, da da da!”

Blumenkranz set down his oud at one point and stood up. He clapped his hands and danced in place as he pushed for a more upbeat tempo. The

The legacy of Dr. Michael Ufberg z”l lives on

After decades of devotion and contribution to our community, our beloved Dr. Michael Ufberg z”l passed away on June 12, 2021. Nine months later, more than two dozen members of our community, including Mickey’s wife, Eileen, and their five children, traveled to Israel and donated an ambucycle from the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley to the United Hatzalah emergency medical service organization in memory of Mickey.

Through the use of ambucycles (specially equipped motorcycle-ambulances) and creative technology, United Hatzalah achieves dramatically reduced response times

to medical emergencies. The organization founded by Eli Beer is staffed almost exclusively by volunteers.

This is the second ambucycle donated by our Jewish Federation. The first was given in 2017 and is estimated to have saved 1,500 lives during its five years in service.

In a regular series in Hakol, we plan to highlight lives that were saved thanks to the latest ambucycle, donated in Mickey’s memory. The first installment can be found below.

—Friends of Mickey

Yonatan Aouat, the volunteer medic who rides ambucycle No. 1283, dedicated

to Dr. Michael Ufberg z”l, was working at his store in Israel one day when his United Hatzalah pager started buzzing.

Shortly before that, a Russian-Israeli man had called his daughter to tell her he was feeling very unwell. A nurse, she was concerned and called for help. Meanwhile, her 60-yearold dad headed outside to get some fresh air. He sat down on the stairs outside and proceeded to slump over, unconscious.

Meanwhile, Aouat had run out to his ambucycle, sped to the nearby location and arrived first on the scene some 30 seconds later. He found passersby attempting to perform chest compressions.

A fellow United Hatzalah medic soon arrived to assist. Confirming that the patient had no pulse, Aouat and his colleague launched into emergency CPR.

Then, connecting the pads from the ambucycle’s defibrillator, Aouat administered a powerful shock. Within minutes, the pair of medics had restored a steady pulse. They provided oxygen until an intensive care crew arrived. The

percussionists synced to his lead.

Three nights later, an audience in Zoellner Arts Center would witness this same group of musicians conclude the first-ever public performance of “Hello Gold Mountain” by a full symphony orchestra.

man was then evacuated for an emergency procedure.

The man’s daughter reached out to the medics a few days later to express her gratitude after her father had regained full consciousness at the hospital. He was later discharged and then sent home to continue his recovery process with his family.

Ambucycle No. 1283 continues to be a part of saving lives in Israel every day.

Handmade Afghans

BY EVA LEVITT

Composer Wu Fei with Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation.

The Lehigh University Philharmonic Orchestra practices “Hello Gold Mountain” in Zoellner Arts Center.

The United Hatzalah medics were invited to the hospital to visit the man they saved. Yonatan Aouat is at right, holding his ambucycle’s defibrillator.

Shops in 1930s Shanghai. Photo courtesy of Wu Fei.

Gorodzinsky talk focuses on local antisemitism

By Pearl Schmier and Barry Halper Congregation

Sons of Israel

Subtle or blatant, spoken in your face or online or in print, we are confronted daily with antisemitism. Sometimes we don’t even recognize it for what it is. Sometimes we feel it so strongly, so immediately. Do we respond in the moment, safely, or find another way to respond?

On Sunday, February 19, at Congregation Sons of Israel, the Lehigh Valley Jewish community had an opportunity to learn and discuss manifestations of antisemitism in local settings. Led by the Jewish Federation’s director of security planning, Aaron Gorodzinsky, personal experiences were presented and explored. The audience learned how to identify and

turn certain encounters into safe, teachable moments. In working to counter the rise in antisemitism, the Lehigh Valley Jewish community has gained state and national attention with grants and funding to help make local synagogues and other Jewish institutions safer and, equally important, with support from local officials in words and actions that strongly oppose antisemitism.

Jews are a top target for hate crimes in the United States. According to the FBI, Jews, who make up only 2% of the population, are targeted in 52% of hate crimes. Gorodzinsky said that a more accurate, robust tracking of hate crimes would push that percentage closer to 70%. So tracking of these incidents needs to improve.

Social media has a subtle, but huge impact on spreading antisemitism. While the older generation is still focused on Facebook, the younger generation uses sites such as TikTok. A single person on such a site can write and share something with a vulnerable young generation that believes everything they read, especially if it helps them satisfy the urge to

seek external reasons for their immediate issues.

There are ubiquitous antiIsrael and antisemitism postings on social media sites. Research shows that within the first 60 minutes of experience with TikTok, a person will be exposed to an antisemitic statement or picture.

Three years ago, Gary Fromer, then president of the Jewish Federation, stated that the Federation would take the lead in developing and executing a plan for a more secure local Jewish community. The Federation and other groups in the area have done much to combat antisemitism and to strengthen security.

The Federation has been very helpful to the Jewish institutions in supporting efforts to obtain state and federal funding. In the initial state offerings of funding for security, 80% of the requests came from the Jewish community. More recently, with broader participation, the percentage has dropped to 50%. Money granted from the state are solely for security hardware, not for security personnel or training. Federal funding has a broader application, but it is much more difficult to obtain.

As this was written, the Federation was in the final stages of securing an agree-

ment with the Secure Community Network to have a full-time regional director who will guide the community in securing its facilities from attack, train the community in how to best respond to attacks and other incidents, and provide ongoing monitoring of the region in relation to antisemitic acts.

The Bethlehem Interfaith Group, started by Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom, has done much to educate the clergy, local officials and general public in the Bethlehem and Easton areas regarding antisemitism. The group’s work was reflected in the quick, positive response by ArtsQuest management and Bethlehem city officials to the antisemitic incident at Christkindlmarkt

this past December. There was little question that those who heard Gorodzinsky’s talk left convinced that the Federation and local leaders are doing their best to educate the Jewish community and general population of the Lehigh Valley and to keep the Jewish community safe.

Left to right: Jennie Schechner, Aaron Gorodzinsky and Barry Halper.

Pearl Schmier.

Community to celebrate Purim with Super FunDay, carnival

March 5 is a big day at the JCC for the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community. The Jewish Federation is holding its Super FunDay fundraising event, the Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy is organizing the Holocaust Resource Center, PJ Library is celebrating Purim and the JCC is throwing its annual Purim Carnival. “Super FunDay is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate everything we have accomplished during the year,” said Aaron Gorodzinsky, the Federation’s director of campaign and security planning.

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with Federation volunteers making phone calls to potential donors to its Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs and to thank those who have already contributed.

“The day is organized to raise money for our annual campaign, thank our

donors for all that they do, and their generosity, and party together as we celebrate Purim,” Gorodzinsky continued. “We are proud of the community we have, and this should be a Super FunDay for us all!

At the same time Federation volunteers are kicking off the day’s events, religious school students will gather in the Kline Auditorium. Temple Beth El will put on a Purim spiel in the auditorium at 10. The Federation will provide the students with hamantaschen (Purim cookies) as snacks at 10:45.

At 10, volunteers from the Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy will gather in the Holocaust Resource Center to continue its mitzvah project to reorganize the facility. To help, register through the Federation’s calendar page at jewishlehighvalley.org/ calendar.

The carnival opens at

11 in the gym. There will be games with prizes, crafts and other activities. Popcorn and snow will be are available in the lobby. Also at 11, in the auditorium, PJ Library will host an expected 200 kids to make hamantaschen and make and pack mishloach manot (Purim gift bags) that participants can give to friends and family. The carnival and the PJ Library activities will end at noon, and a magic show will begin in the auditorium.

The day’s events end at 12:30 p.m.

To register to make fundraising and thankyou phone calls or to join the PJ Library Purim celebration, visit jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/ super-funday.

IronPigs Charities donates $1,000 to JDS sports and rec

The Jewish Day School was awarded a 2023 IronPigs Charities Community Grant to support its sports and recreation program.

JDS was among 22 of the 64 nonprofit applicants this year to receive funding from IronPigs Charities, the philanthropic branch of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs minor league baseball team. IronPigs Charities manager Matt Sommers said, “We are excited that the

projects selected by our board of directors will use the funds to provide positive experiences for children who often go without these opportunities due to economic and other access barriers. We are eternally grateful to all Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs fans for their support of IronPigs Charities. It is through their generous donations that these grants are possible.”

Life and Legacy program continues with new focus

By Julia Umansky Director of Endowment and EITC

In June 2022, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley completed Year 5 of the Life and Legacy program offered by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

At the end of Year 1, the 10 participating Jewish agencies and synagogues collected 241 commitments from 135 donors, already exceeding the first goal of 180 commitments. At the end of Year 2, the community brought in another 229 commitments estimated at $3.1 million, and all 10 participating organizations received incentive grants for reaching their new commitment goals.

In Years 3 and 4 of the program, organizations shifted their focus to formalizing intended gifts and continued stewardship of their donors. Despite the shift in focus, they brought in another $500,000 in commitments and exceeded the goal to have at least 50% of intended gifts formalized. By the end of Year 4, the Jewish community brought in over 550 commitments in legacy gifts. We grew from $4.6 million dollars pledged in Year 1 to more than double that at the end of Year 5.

Now, with the end of Year 5 behind us, our community has formalized 68% of its leg-

Camp Moms: Part of what makes Pinemere Pinemere

By Eytan Graubert Special to Hakol

acy gifts, with the Federation reaching a 79% formalization rate. So where do we go from here, and how do we ensure that five years of legacy gift efforts are honored? It seems Grinspoon had these questions too, along with, How can communities normalize legacy giving to become part of the fabric of philanthropic approaches?

Enter Life and Legacy Plus program. The Federation was approached with the opportunity to apply for an extension of the original program, with a slight shift in focus. The new focus is less on new legacy gifts and more on maintaining donor relationships, stewardship and expanding community outreach.

We hope to continue the successes of the first five years of the program and will work to ensure that legacy giving is normalized within the organizations and community.

Thank you to all our donors and to all the volunteers who have worked so hard over the past five years to make this program such a success in the valley. We look forward to the years ahead and to sustaining the success.

If you’re interested in learning more about Life and Legacy and/or making a legacy gift, please contact Julia Umansky at 610-821-5500 or julia@jflv.org.

The experience of going to sleepaway camp for the summer is a long-standing tradition in the Jewish world. Being at camp allows young people (both campers and staff) the opportunity to grow in immeasurable ways. To flourish, to gain independence and, as we often say at Pinemere Camp, to be the best version of themselves.

But even with all these incredible opportunities, one of the biggest challenges that even the most seasoned campers (and this camp director as well) face is homesickness. We navigate it with expertise and devotion to our campers, but it is not something that will ever go away. Campers will always miss their families and friends while at camp.

The Jewish community has always emphasized the importance of family. As a people, we treat our responsibility to our sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, as holy work. We learn that there is nothing more important than family and to do anything for them. Of course, this begs the question, How can our tradition of spending summers in the woods, away from our families, not contradict the hugely important Jewish value of cherishing, loving and living our lives with our families?

At Pinemere, we start by redefining what family can mean. Bunk mates become siblings at Pinemere and come to understand one another,

help and support one another, cheer one another on, cheer one another up and help whenever they can.

The counselors are the big sisters and brothers who love their siblings and want to do right by them. They are able to connect with campers in a way that parents (and camp directors) can’t, and the role-model relationships they form can last forever.

Yet, it is a different group of camp leaders who have formed an invisible camaraderie and who bring the value of unconditional love and support to the campers. While this group all have different jobs at camp (members of our camper care team, program supervisors, administrative staff), they come together to form one of the most important groups at Pinemere: the Camp Moms. A group of incredible women whose devotion to camp, Judaism, and the care and love of children define them. These women are the heartbeat of camp. Through their grace, warmth, smiles and pure love, they work tirelessly to ensure everyone feels like family. The campers probably wouldn’t define them as “mothers,” but they know in their hearts that the space they hold for a parent is helped to be filled by their presence.

For the child at Pinemere, there is opportunity every minute of every day to grow both spiritually and emotionally. Each camper is accepted with their quirks and eccentricities, needs and desires. And these differences are recognized and praised by our Camp Moms. And whether the problem is loneliness, a sad moment, news from home or no mail, these Camp Moms spot a camper who needs a hug, a con-

versation or a hand to hold, and they are there. When a camper succeeds, tries something new or shows the type of kindness that we try to teach, our camp moms are there to stand and applaud.

One camp parent offered this when asked about the Pinemere Camp Moms: “Knowing they are breathing camp air, the same air as my child’s breath, is the greatest comfort for a mother (and father) missing their child at home. They are truly your greatest blessing.”

No one assigned these incredible women the task of being Camp Moms, but at Pinemere, that isn’t be necessary. Here, all the staff fulfill the role they were hired for and accept the greater responsibility for the overall wellbeing of each camper. These women are just being themselves — loving and generous women with hearts as big as the sun and the moon — and they shine their smiles as they put their arms around each little star at camp.

What a gift they are to the kids, the family at home and to the values of camp. I’ve been to many camps and have never quite experienced this concept: angels who teach an activity or deal with camp issues and seem to appear just when a child needs them most. It is supernatural and beautiful. And it is what makes Pinemere Pinemere.

Eytan Graubert is the director of Pinemere Camp in Stroudsburg.

IN HONOR RONI AND TOM ENGLERT

In honor of the birth of your grandson, Garrett

Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz

LISA AND BARNET FRAENKEL

In honor of the birth of your grandson, Michael Sebastian

Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz

PAM AND SCOTT KRIM

In honor of the birth of your grandson, Aaron Thomas

Laurie and Robby Wax

ARLENE AND IRA LEVINE

In honor of the birth of your granddaughter, Hannah Rose

Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz

JAY PLOTNICK

In honor of a speedy recovery

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

ARLENE SAMUELSON

Get well soon

Eileen Ufberg

STEPHANIE AND STEVE SZILAGYI

In honor of your daughter Jillian’s engagement to Rory

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

CRISSY AND JASON TOFF

In honor of your new home

Laurie and Robby Wax

EILEEN UFBERG

In honor of receiving the Kipnis-Wilson/ Friedland Award

Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

SUSAN AND MARC VENGROVE

In honor of the birth of your grandson, Ronan

Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz

JERI AND LEN ZIMMERMAN

In honor of your son Zach’s marriage to Ashley

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

IN MEMORY SISTER

(Sister of Paula Joffe)

Vicki Wax

IRA (BOB) BORN

(Father of Ross Born, grandfather of Lisa Ellis)

Lenny Abrams

Laura and Bob Black

Sylvia and Sam Bub & Family

Patty and Ian Carlis

Sandra and Harold Goldfarb

Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein

Ellen and Phil Hof

Dee and Arny Kaplan

Beth and Wes Kozinn

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

Suzanne Lapiduss & Family

Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz

Elaine and Leon Papir

Randi and Donald Senderowitz

Vicki Wax

Valeska and Israel Zighelboim

RICHARD DERBY

(Brother of Albert Derby)

Barbara and Arthur Weinrach

JONATHAN DICKER

(Son of Neil Dicker)

Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

RACHEL FRIEDMAN

(Mother of Adina Re’em)

Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

Beth and Wes Kozinn

Suzanne Lapiduss & Family

Vicki Wax

RICHARD (RICH) GAFFNEY

(Husband of Lisa Gaffney)

Penny and Adam Roth

JEROME (JERRY) GINSBERG

(Husband of Gloria Ginsburg, father of Larry Ginsburg)

Lenny Abrams and Family

Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein

Carol and Stewart Furmansky

Shirley Furmansky

Beth and Wes Kozinn

Penny and Adam Roth

Randi and Donald Senderowitz

MAXINE MILLER

(Wife of Norman Miller, mother of Marla

Melman)

Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein

Suzanne Lapiduss

ALAN MORRISON

(Husband of Judy Morrison)

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

ELLEN (ELLIE) WEINBERGER

(Wife of Ben Weinberger, mother of Liz

Levy)

Parkland strings serenade JCC Friendship Circle

The Serenata Stolling Strings of Parkland High School visited the JCC at lunchtime on February 13 to serenade those who attended that Monday’s JCC Friendship Circle. Performing a mix of classical, jazz

and pop songs, the violins and violas walked around the tables in Kline Auditorium while the stationary cellos and double bass anchored the ensemble at the front.

Marcie Waisel Burger

Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

Joanne and Barry Hetzel

Roberta and Robert Kritzer

HELEN AND SOL KRAWITZ HOLOCAUST

MEMORIAL FUND

IN HONOR

SUZY AND GREG HARRIS

In honor of Abbey’s engagement to Ben

Lynda and Stuart Krawitz

IN MEMORY

RACHEL FRIEDMAN

(Mother of Adina Re’em)

Lynda and Stuart Krawitz

MAUR LEVAN

(Husband of Doe Levan)

Joan Lesavoy

MAXINE MILLER

(Mother of Marla Melman

Lynda and Stuart Krawitz

ELLEN (ELLIE) WEINBERGER

(Wife of Ben Weinberger)

Joan Lesavoy

We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship through recent gifts to the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation. The minimum contribution for an Endowment Card is $10. Call 610-821-5500 or visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org to place your card requests. Thank you for your continued support.

Kids and parents sing, schmooze, smile at JDS

By Crissy Toff Special to Hakol

The Jewish Day School was abuzz on Sunday, February 5, as more than 45 guests attended its PJ Library Engage program “Sing, Schmooze and Smile.”

The event was created to engage and educate young families and empower them to be connectors and leaders in their family’s Jewish life. And what brings the

community together more than music and movement?

Since this event was free and open to the community at large, it offered an even greater opportunity to introduce people to Judaism, in a classroom filled with Hebrew.

The excitement was palpable as young children and their families filled the school’s Pre-K Plus room. Alli Lipson, a former educator, took on the role of song leader and master puppeteer as she entertained and engaged the room full of children. Throughout the morning, children interacted with one another, sang, danced and enjoyed puppet shows. They twirled

wands and spun in circles. As the morning wound down, children enjoyed playing in the classroom and noshing on a kosher snack.

“What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning,” one parent said. “While my older child is at Hebrew school, my younger children get to enjoy their own activity and I have a place to spend time and meet new people.”

Alla Vigneri said, “This event was yet another example of how wonderful JDS events are. We enjoyed meeting some new friends and also seeing our classmates at a wonderful weekend program, where we sang and danced with one another.”

As Amy Oselkin put it, “It’s always nice to see the Jewish community come together.”

Al Ford’s mitzvah project will make birthdays brighter

attention is given at holidays, and holidays include birthdays.

Often, families who need emergency food assistance aren’t able to celebrate a birthday. That’s where the Birthday in a Bag program comes in. Clients are given a gift bag with everything necessary to celebrate: cake mix, frosting, birthday candles, party plates and napkins, and even a Happy Birthday banner — sometimes party hats too.

mitzvah project, Al has made his first adult gift of tzedakah to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.

For help developing your mitzvah project, contact Abby Trachtman, project coordinator, at abbyt@jflv.org or at the Federation office at 610-821-5500.

To put on the event, JDS received a grant from PJ Library through the PJ Library Engage program to hold four programs over 12 months. This and the Purim party on February 26 were the last two.

Lively family engage-

ment is a vital part of a vibrant Jewish community. It facilitates the growth and building of relationships throughout the Lehigh Valley. Part of building and nurturing a thriving Jewish community is creating exciting, innovative, highquality programs to attract new families and empower families to get involved.

Crissy Toff is a Lehigh Valley native who recently moved back to Allentown from Northern California with her husband, Jason, and their three young children. In addition to volunteering at JDS and for the Women's Philanthropy division of the Jewish Federation, she spends her time building websites and reading nonfiction.

Al Ford will become a bar mitzvah at Temple Beth El in Allentown on Saturday, March 25.

The Springhouse Middle School seventh grade student loves Dungeons and Dragons, video games and coding. When planning his mitzvah project, he looked to his parents, Emily and Brian Ford. Emily is currently on the board of Jewish Family Service, and Brian was a past JFS board member. “I decided to do a project to benefit the JFS food pantry,” Al said. “I am collecting birthday items for the JFS Birthday in a Bag program.”

The JFS Community Food Pantry provides emergency assistance to individuals and families in the 18104 zip code, regardless of religion, in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank. It also serves Jewish clients across the Lehigh Valley.

Stocked with food and personal items, the pantry is supported through contributions from our community and maintained by dedicated volunteers. Clients are able to choose the items they receive. Special

Al Ford has set up collection boxes for donations at Temple Beth El and the JCC. Birthday items may be dropped in the boxes, and the Fords will be collecting them from now until the end of March. Al and his family will pack the bags so that food pantry clients may receive one when there is a birthday in their family. “I feel like it would make their day a lot to receive the birthday items,” Al said.

If you have any questions about the project, email Al at fordmitzvah@gmail.com.

Brian and Emily are so proud of their son and his interest in supporting the food pantry. “JFS is an organization that is near and dear to our hearts,” they said. “Something that we try to instill in our children is the importance of tzedakah (righteous behavior) and giving to those in need, so we were thrilled when Al chose to do his mitzvah project with the JFS Community Food Pantry. We are looking forward to packing the birthday bags and putting smiles on the faces of the food pantry clients.”

In addition to doing the

In

Turning 90, Cantor Bach recalls his TBE years

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

Joseph Bach, cantor at Temple Beth El for 24 years, just celebrated his 90th birthday. Not that you’d guess that from all the activity.

Just a few years ago, for example, he finished writing the book, music and lyrics for the off-Broadway musical ‘Second Story Man and the Secret of Success. “Amazingly,” one of his granddaughters said, “the show was brought to life. I even saw it performed on stage in New York. It was really great.

“It was later selected to be part of the New York Summerfest Theater Festival. But then, of course, COVID happened.”

A producer is now working to raise $12 million to give the show an actual theater run. Bach said he hopes to live to see that happen.

Cantor Bach first arrived in the Lehigh Valley in 1963 to fill the cantor position at TBE. And he remained. “There’s a

whole generation out there that were likely touched by his tenure,” his son David said, “from his congregants to literally hundreds of bar mitzvah students, to families whose marriages and funerals he officiated, to those in the countless events and classes he led.”

And Cantor Bach did plenty here besides that. Among other things he’s proud of, he produced three public TV programs with Jewish content, served as district president of B’nai B’rith International and lent his voice and organizing abilities to the civil rights cause.

At a time when antisemitism is on the rise, Bach recalled that one of his most vivid memories of his time here was helping to get a Ku Klux Klan march in downtown Allentown canceled. It was shortly after the Supreme Court ruled in a 1977 Skokie, Illinois, case that the right to freedom of speech and assembly barred municipalities from disallowing public demonstrations. The Klan submitted a plan to march on the city soon afterward.

At the time, Bach was president of the 300-member local B’nai Brith, part of the international organization that describes itself as “dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the globe.”

Bach said, “The Morning Call called just before Shabbat to ask me for a response.” His main response: “They have the right to march, but I hope

the city doesn’t make it too easy for them.”

Some of his comments ended up in the paper.

“Saturday morning my car windshield and seats were riddled with bullets,” he said. “Holes were made by bullets in the stained-glass windows of all the shuls (synagogues).

The JCC door was machinegunned.”

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People joined the opposition to the march. The local director said people were furious and couldn’t be controlled. “Some have weapons,” he said. “They want to shoot the people dressed in white sheets on the streets.”

Allentown police told the Klan, “You have the right to march, but we can’t guarantee your safety.” The Klan canceled its demonstration.

Other strong memories of Bach’s time in the valley involve kids and music at TBE. “I had some wonderful years working with youth and putting on cantatas in the synagogue,” he said. “I would write about Jewish history and put music to it.”

He recalls Friday night as the big night at the synagogue. “They had very beautiful Friday night services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bach produced the TV programs, for PBS 39. One was based on photos of immigrants he found at the New York Public Library. He included many of them in a program he titled “The Melt-

ing Pot” and sang songs in Yiddish.

“My grandpop could have probably been the Fourth Tenor,” one of his grandsons said. “And it’s obvious why some of the most famous opera stars during the 19th and 20th centuries were once cantors.”

Bach turned “The Melting Pot” into a staged show. “I was booked and traveled much of the eastern part of the United States,” he said. “I made it as far west as Detroit.”

In early 1987, Bach said TBE told him his contract as cantor would not be renewed when it expired in June. His reaction: “I went out in a snowstorm and I bought three properties for $100 down.”

He had suddenly begun a second career, in real estate, and he needed money to rehabilitate his newly acquired fixer-uppers. He met with a banker. “I went to the Village Inn and had three vodka tonics,” he said. Both men enjoyed their talk, and Bach picked up the tab. The banker soon approved a loan for the full amount requested.

“I made a profit of $60,000,” Bach said. “I was making a better living than the synagogue was paying me.”

When Bach’s wife died in 2002, he remained a yearround resident in the valley for some years. “Then I

bought a property in Florida,” he said, “and now I’m a snowbird.” He owns a condo in the valley and stays there during the warmer months. Recently, members of the Bach family gathered virtually for what David called a “coast-to-coast Zoom toast” in honor of Cantor Bach on his milestone birthday.

“Today, you run a successful real-estate business," David said.. "You compose music. You engage with recording studios and Broadway agencies. You keep a busy social calendar. And, in your spare time, you’re even working on a storybook for your grandchildren.

“You are a wonderful and prime example that age is really just a number.” 610-882-8800

Rabbi Michael Singer Temple Brith Shalom

Ever since I was a little kid, I loved to dress up for Purim. It was fun to pretend to be someone funny, dastardly or heroic. To escape for a little while into a story of kings and queens, and cheer on Mordechai and Esther, and boo Haman.

Purim was always filled with light-hearted laughter, good songs and tasty treats. Yet, at the core of the story is the existential threat Haman posed to our people and just how close he came to seeing his plot succeed. Indeed, too often in Jewish history the Hamans got their way.

One of Megillat Esther’s interesting facts is that God’s name is not mentioned at all in the scroll. Our sages teach that while God is behind the scenes, it is up to us to stand up and fight for our future. All of this gives me a greater appreciation for just how heroic Mordechai and Esther truly were. Mordechai took a stand against Haman’s evil, and Esther was willing to use her position and risk her life for her people. It was their extraordinary courage, faith and conviction despite the long odds (purim = lots/lottery) and danger that still inspires today.

For many people, staying silent, keeping a low profile and not putting themselves at risk is not only common sense but the most practical and prudent course of action. Sometimes, as the saying goes, “You need to look out for numero uno.” Queen Esther almost certainly could have done that, but she did not. She and Mordechai understood that Haman’s demand for loyalty and worship of himself was only setting the stage for the oppression of the Jewish people and a rallying cry for anti-Semites throughout the kingdom.

Haman’s thirst and need for attention and power fed

Standing up with Mordechai, Esther

his need for an “enemy” of the king, which would enable him to consolidate power in the name of protecting and securing the kingdom. We as a Jewish minority could easily be labeled “lawless” and “dangerous,” a fifth column, if you will, because we were different. King Achashverus, moved by Haman’s fearmongering, only too willingly gave Haman the power and authority to carry out whatever actions he saw fit.

Against this backdrop, Mordechai and Esther stood up against Haman’s hate. Esther was willing to risk everything to go before the king. She did not know whether her entreaties would be her head or whether, after all was said and done, Haman’s evil plan would succeed because she was too late to stop it. Mordechai and Esther’s resistance to Haman and his band of evil hatemongers demonstrated that while it is easier to stand on the sidelines, standing up for what is right can and does make all the difference.

Sadly, today hate in all its forms has steadily been on the uptick. Our polarized society has swung open the door of demonizing “the other” by evoking culture wars and blaming the other for the world’s problems. For our Jewish community, this has brought to the fore the old antisemitic canards that “we are the masterminds of a global plot/conspiracy to take over the world” or that “Jews control the media, the government and the banks.”

From pharaoh and Haman to Kanye West and QAnon, the hate against us is a viral disease that today is more easily spread through social media and seeps into the mainstream, poisoning even those who do not subscribe to a particular hate group. As a result, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s last complete report, in 2021, there were 2,717 antisemitic incidents throughout the United States (probably underreported). This is a 34-percent increase from the 2,026 incidents tabulated in 2020 and the highest number on record since the ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979. Of the 2,717 incidents recorded in 2021, 1,776 were cases of harassment, a 43-percent increase from 1,242 in

2020, and 853 incidents were cases of vandalism, a 14-percent increase from 751 in 2020. The 88 incidents of antisemitic assault (a 167-percent increase from 33 in 2020), involved 131 victims; none of the assaults were deadly (thank God!).

While the numbers might numb us, the reality is that we have experienced this rise in hate right here in the Lehigh Valley. In December a group of white supremacists wearing antisemitic shirts started screaming diatribes against us at Christkindlmarkt in downtown Bethlehem. I have personally been screamed at walking home from synagogue on Shabbat, and not so long ago a family mourning the loss of their mother was harassed leaving our cemetery. From threats, lockdowns, increased security, incidents on college campuses and what seems like weekly distribution of hate mail, the rise of antisemitism will not just disappear because we wish it to. And while we are a prime target of this hatred, we are certainly not alone. The ADL has seen a rise in hate across the board against Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and LGBTQ+ Americans as well.

But we are not resigned to this America. One of the most important and effective ways of pushing back against this hate is to bring together people of good heart.

In response to the incidents in Bethlehem, Mayor J. William Reynolds spoke at Congregation Brith Sholom on Shabbat, and the Bethlehem Interfaith Group (B.I.G.) came together for one of the largest hanukkiah lightings at Bethlehem City Hall. By creating relationships of loving presence, we can not only condemn the hateful actions and ideology of hate but also work to build understanding and communities of resilience. To educate, challenge stereotypes and confront our own prejudices.

Therefore, we the descendants of Mordechai and Esther cannot be silent. We not only are the witnesses of the 20th century’s most horrific and evil plot to wipe out our entire people, the Shoah, but also are charged with never looking the other way. Now is the time to cast aside any lingering doubts or questions about whether we should “keep a low profile,” “let this pass by” or “not call attention to ourselves.” No, now is the time for moral courage, faith in one another and what is right, and a resolute conviction that if we stand up to those peddling hate, we can save ourselves, others and our children’s future. So let’s not only cheer for Mordechai and Esther this Purim, but also stand up and make some noise against hate. Chag Purim sameach!

EVERY MONTH BRING A SMILE

FLOWERS FOR

TBE middot garden to highlight Jewish values, creativity

By Cindy Schneider Temple Beth El

Planting a garden is a wonderful way to start spring. Temple Beth El already has a vegetable garden and now it’s creating a middot garden.

As a part of TBE’s Jewish Family Education program, the synagogue is hosting Ellen Alt, a Jewish educator and artist. Alt’s work has been exhibited in the United States, Germany, China, England and the Middle East. One of her aims is to bring people together to make art, and she is working with TBE to create a middot community art garden mural.

Middot are virtues or characteristics internalized and exhibited by a person. They help us interact with oth-

Dozens turn out for Maimonides lecture on vision surgery

By Carl Zebrowski Editor

ers. The garden is a way for teachers and students, from the TBE’s E. G. Scoblionko Religious School, to promote Jewish values related to the earth and to respectful human behavior. Young TBE families, the board of directors, Lehigh Valley teens and various Jewish organizations will also participate. One of the goals is to encourage the creativity of learners of all ages.

Planning began last fall with the selection of middot words that reflect Jewish values, and execution of the project will take place at TBE. Colorful vinyl panels will be created using artwork inspired by each value, written in both Hebrew and English. An initial educational process, learning about the middot and creating designs, will lead to the final creation date on April 23. The panels will then be displayed in a new fenced play area. The reveal will be on May 9, with an evening picnic at TBE coinciding with Lag BaOmer, which occurs on the 18th day of the Hebrew month Iyar.

TBE invites the community to join in this creation. Details about how to participate will soon be available through TBE’s office at 610-425-3521, on its website at bethelallentown.org, and on its Facebook page.

The turnout for the Maimonides Society Brunch and Learn on February 12 was the largest since the event returned after a hiatus of more than two years.

“The majority of Americans have some vision problems,” said Dr. Houman Ahdieh, an ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma, cataract and refractive surgery at the Lehigh Valley Center for Sight. The widespread nature of the problem may have had something to do with Ahdieh’s presentation on surgical vision correction attracting so many people to Congregation Keneseth Israel that morning (many of them wearing eyeglasses!). Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common refractive problem (or inability of the eye to focus light properly on the retina), Ahdieh said. It affects more young white women, highly educated and of higher socioecomonic status, than others, he continued. The cause is unknown, but may be related to how much time a young person spends on “indoor activities,” such as reading and viewing digital screens.

Refractive problems less common than myopia are: hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea), and presbyopia (an aging-related hardening of the lens that makes it harder to focus close-up).

To correct most refractive vision problems, people wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. Less than 1 percent opt for LASIK surgery. Two main reasons why they don’t choose that generally safe and effective procedure are fear and upfront cost. The price can be $5,000.

But, of course, regularly replacing eyeglasses or contact lenses adds up too, Ahdieh pointed out. “Designer frames with specialty lenses can cost up to $1,000. The best contacts are daily-wear lenses. They can cost $500 to $600 a year.”

For those who would choose refractive surgery, the best time to get it is in your 20s. “It will give you many years to go without needing reading glasses,” Ahdieh said. Of course aging will eventually catch up. “The correction doesn’t get rid of the glasses for reading.”

The LASIK surgery itself is shockingly fast. “The procedures can be from 15 seconds to 1 minute,” Ahdieh said.

“The patients are wide awake,” he continued. “There’s no anesthesia.” They are kept calm, and a speculum holds the eye open. The surgical equipment takes a battery of

measurements of the eye and feeds them to the laser.

Another frequent problem that eye surgeons face is cataracts. “Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the world,” he said.

There are two types of cataract surgery, one standard and one done with laser. The latter provides the patient with a safer and possibly a better outcome but isn’t covered by insurance. Ahdieh said that exception isn’t likely to change anytime soon.

“I’m not here to peddle any of this,” he told the crowd. “I just want to make sure that patients understand that we have all the technology options available in the world.”

The next Maimonides Society Brunch and Learn is scheduled for March 19 and will feature three women healthcare professionals presenting on the topic “Burnout in Healthcare.”

(See page 1 for a preview article on that event.)

Maccabi offers opportunity to sports media hope fuls

Maccabi USA and Maccabi Media are presenting a career-development program that offers a unique international experience to aspiring sports media professionals who are Jewish.

A team will be selected to cover the 2023 Pan American

Maccabi Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from December 27, 2023, to January 5, 2024. The application process is open now and will close on April 30.

Eligibility is open to college undergraduates (including fall 2023 first-year

students) who are Jewish and age 18 or over on December 23 and college graduates who are Jewish and no older than 25 on that date. Applicants must be enrolled in, intend to enroll in, or have already graduated from a universitylevel communications-related program such as sports media, communications, TV/ radio/film production, journalism and digital media.

Participants will perform several of the following sports media roles while covering the games and must show previous experience in as many of these areas as possible: shooting and editing video for daily packages; sports reporting (interviewing and writing articles); play-by-play and color analysis; social media content creation; hosting, anchoring and sideline reporting; and live event production and streaming.

Maccabi Media is also seeking additional candidates with strong technical expertise and computer skills who will be responsible for assisting with live streaming production and digital content/ website management.

All applicants must write a short essay plus submit a resume, demo reel, examples

of written/social media work and media/school references. Specific submission requirements will be provided after an applicant applies.

Those selected for Maccabi Media will be notified no later than June 30 and must commit to attend all virtual training and the games. A series of Zoom sessions, which will include assigned written and video projects, will begin in the summer. There will also be a mandatory in-person workshop immediately prior to departure for Argentina. Location and details for that will be provided.

Selected team members (as well as all USA athletes) will have a financial responsibility of $6,650 plus a $36 application fee and are responsible for their own domestic travel to the in-person training. The $6,650 will cover expenses for registration, international airfare, accommodations, transportation,

meals, equipment, medical insurance, Maccabi apparel and workshop events. (For candidates selected, all efforts will be made to provide some financial assistance for those in need, so finances should not be a barrier to applying.)

Participants will be given all equipment necessary for the media coverage, but must bring their own phone and laptop computer (with editing software). All provided equipment must be returned to Maccabi USA following the games.

Maccabi Media team members must have valid passports and proof of all required COVID-19 vaccinations.

Maccabi USA will provide any documentation if students are able to receive college credit for this program.

For more information contact Neal Slotkin at nslotkin@ maccabiusa.com.

Dr. Houman Ahdieh (left), speaker for the event, with Dr. Zach Goldsmith, Maimonides Society president.

Retired Men’s Group Is Stronger Than Ever, 4 Years In

Schmooze & Schmear is a monthly discussion group for retired gentlemen. Facilitated by JFS volunteers Sam Bub and Leon Zoller, this interest-based program draws an average of 20 participants from across the Lehigh Valley who meet monthly at Temple Beth El to socialize with their peers, enjoy a bagel with a schmear, and participate in a discussion topic.

Bub and Zoller approached JFS in 2019 with the idea of creating an opportunity for men to come together. It started with eight participants. Zoller, a retired businessman, began as the

social chair who recruited new members and facilitated introductions at each meeting. Bub, a retired physician, acted as the program chair by researching articles, YouTube videos, and presenting on current events and inventions. The only rule? No women and no politics. Schmooze & Schmear continued meeting virtually throughout the Pandemic. Back in person, Zoller and Bub are expanding the size of the group and empowering other members to take on the presenting role.

The January 2023 meeting featured Dr. Bill Tuffiash speaking on the

history of the bialy and his family’s connection to Bialystok, Poland. Bialys were brought to the United States by Jewish immigrants from Bialystok in the late 1800s and became a staple of Jewish bakeries in New York City. The inventor of the bialy, Moshe Nasovitch, was a relative of Bill’s great grandmother, Chaya Nosovitch, who lived in Bialystok. Participants enjoyed a lively chat about their shared love of bialys and their memories associated with this iconic food.

The gentlemen have developed a camaraderie and look forward to getting together each month. Bill

JFS Presents Documentary For JDAIM

explains, “I look forward to Schmooze & Schmear. I’m getting to know community members whose names I have heard for years, but never had the opportunity to meet.”

To learn more about joining this group, contact Carol Wilson, Clinical Coordinator of Older Adult Services. cwilson@jfslv.org

Dr. Bill Tuffiash speaks about his relationship to the bialy, and how this Jewish delicacy came to America.

Scholarships Available!

The Gaines Family Foundation Prize in Engineering & The Martin Philip Memorial Scholarship

JFS has been participating in JDAIM - Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month - since 2018 by bringing films, speakers, and educational programs to the Lehigh Valley.

On February 16, JFS, in partnership with ReelAbilities Film Festival

New York, presented “Bigger Than Us,” a behind-the-scenes short documentary chronicling the process of creating “Best Summer Ever,” the world’s first-ever feature film made by a majority disabled cast and crew.

A lively Q&A via Zoom with Ila Halby and Ajani

AJ Murray followed the screening. Halby is the director and co-founder of Zeno Mountain Farm, the fully integrated summer camp for people with and without disabilities featured in the film. Murray is a disabled actor, speaker, and multi-media writer and producer.

610.821.8722

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

IN HONOR

ABBY AND BEN FEINBERG

In Honor of birth of daughter, Brianna

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

ELLEN AND NEIL FELDMAN

In Honor of birth of grandson, Max

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

ROBYN AND BRAD FINBERG

In Honor of daughter Brie, becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

CHELSEA AND ERIC KARP

In Honor of David Karp’s graduation from Lehigh University

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

AMY AND ROB MORRISON

In Honor of birth of granddaughter, Brianna

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

IN LOVING MEMORY

CAROLYN ALBERT (Mother-in-Law of Howard Nathanson)

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

BOB BORN

(Father of Ross Born, Grandfather of Lisa Ellis and Amy Born)

Bill Bergstein

Emily and Brian Ford

Cary and Michael Moritz

Cooky and Mike Notis

Roberta and Alan Penn

Robin and Alex Rosenau

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

RACHEL FRIEDMAN (Mother of Adina Re’em)

Jane and William Markson

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

JEROME GINSBURG (Husband of Gloria Ginsburg)

Sheila Berg

Judith Miller

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

BARBARA GORDON (Mother of Lance Gordon)

Fay, Michael and Izzy Kun

MAUR LEVAN (Husband of Doe Levan)

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

MICHAEL NATHAN (Father of Phyllis Kaufman)

Fay and Michael Kun

ROBERT SKEMER (Father of Linda Schneider)

Phyllis and Henry Perkin

SHIRLEY STEIN (Sister of Pearl Stein)

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

ELLEN WEINBERGER (Wife of Benjamin Weinberger)

Debbie Zoller, JFS Staff & Board

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/tributes or call 610.821.8722 to place card orders. Thank you for your continued support.

Muhlenberg Hillel had a “Souper” Superbowl by making soup for older adult clients of Jewish Family Service. Students gathered to watch the game, hang out and do this mitzvah as a special partner with JFS.

Yoav Teen Delegation Returns to Camp

Eric Lightman Executive Director

Camp JCC is pleased to announce the return of the Israeli teen delegation to our camp this summer. Israeli teens have been a mainstay of the JCC’s camp program for many years, but the program was unfortunately not possible for the past three summers due to logistical issues relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. This cultural exchange program is a joint effort between the JCC, the Jewish

Federation of the Lehigh Valley, and the Yoav Region, which is our partnership community in Israel.

This year’s delegation includes Zohar Menashe (Kfar Menahem), Shira Morag (Gat), Ori Shoshan (Kfar Harif), and Noa Li - Or Kafri (Gal-on). In addition, Shani Kalmanovich, who spent time with us last year as Camp JCC’s shlicha, will be returning to camp to spend another summer with us while working together with the teens.

The Israeli teens will be part of the camp staff team for six weeks,

teaching our campers and their staff colleagues about Israeli culture, and instilling our environment with a tremendous amount of ruach (spirit)! They have been selected via a rigorous interview process involving both our camp team and our partners in Israel, based on their skills, interests, communication, and teamwork. The teens are housed with local host families, which is a wonderful opportunity for families with children of similar ages to build meaningful connections with their overseas

JCC to Offer Two Life Skills Classes This Spring

Heather Lavin Program Director

As children grow up and become pre-teens and teenagers, they are often faced with the challenge of finding new opportunities to develop their skills and build their independence. One area where this is especially relevant is in the realm of babysitting and lifeguarding. Offering babysitting safe sitter courses and lifeguarding courses to pre-teens and teenagers can have numerous benefits, both for the individual and for the communities they serve. For preteens and teenagers, these courses can provide valuable opportunities to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities.

By learning about child safety and CPR, for example, young people can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of caring for children and be equipped with the tools they need to provide safe and responsible babysitting services.

Meanwhile, lifeguarding courses can teach young people how to keep themselves and others safe in and around the water, as well as provide a valuable introduction to the skills required for careers in water safety and rescue. Beyond the individual benefits, providing these courses can also have positive impacts on the wider community. Teaching young people with these skills will better prepare them to help in everyday and emergency situation from child safety to a drowning situation. This, in turn, can help to create a safer and more supportive community, where people of all ages feel confident in their ability to respond to emergencies and help those in need. Furthermore, offering these courses can also help to support the development of future leaders in the areas of child-care and water safety. By encouraging young people to take on new responsibilities and learn new skills, we can help to foster a sense of purpose and

leadership in the next generation, preparing them to take on important roles in their communities and beyond. Equipping young people to provide safe and responsible care for others can help to build stronger and more supportive communities and support the development of future leaders in key areas of need.

The Babysitter’s Training Class will run Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm-8:00pm April 5 through April 26 and is open to teens ages 11-15. More more

peers and bring Israeli culture into their home.

The Camp JCC community is looking forward to welcoming our new friends at the beginning of the summer. You can expect your Camp JCC campers to come home each day singing popular Israeli songs, sharing their new Hebrew vocabulary, and having built meaningful connections with new friends, which is what camp is all about!

information or to register, visit lvjcc.org/BabysitterTraining.

For those looking to become a certified lifeguard, the Lifeguard Training Class runs Sundays 10:00am-2:00pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00pm-8:00pm April 16 through April 27 and is open to anyone age 15 and older. For more information, visit lvjcc. org/LifeguardClass or contact Jodi Lovenwirth, Aquatics Director, at jlovenwirth@lvjcc.org.

Hanukkah is on the horizon

Improvements Expand Learning Opportunities For ECE

Jackie Weiss Early Childhood and Jewish Education Coordinator

Lisa Yoskowitz Early Childhood Education Director

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

To a young child running on the playground or participating in an exciting new activity in the classroom, the world is filled with possibilities. They question everything they see. This newness and innocence reminds us of our own humanity and helps to re-connect us to the world around us at a time when it is so easy to get lost in our busy lives. That’s a part of what makes the early childhood years so important, because children bring such a marvelous perspective to events that many of us take for granted.

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

There are so many wonderful and exciting new “possibilities” here at the JCC’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program! Our new Trexler Library and Media Room will be completed this spring, following last year’s classroom renovations. The room will be filled with shelves of books and other immersive media, and comfortable and cozy seating for the children. In addition, we will have an interactive

For that reason, a candle on the menorah or Hanukkiya is lit for each of the eight nights of the holiday to commemorate the miracle. For that reason, Hanukkah is referred to as The Festival of Lights! It is a custom to light the menorah near a window, where it can be easily seen, and each night, the light from the candles continues to grow, which serves as a

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

touch-screen TV that will be linked to the award-winning TeachSmart software, enabling staff to bring new learning experiences to small groups of children. Also, this past winter, thanks to a generous donation by Jason & Crissy Toff, a new pavilion was built adjacent to one of our ECE playgrounds; this will serve as an outdoor classroom and dining space, further enhancing the variety of learning environments we have access to.

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

This school year, with seven classrooms in operation, the ECE program is 96% capacity. Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open, and we encourage all interested families to register as soon as possible, as wait lists have already been started for some age groups. We are proud to offer the highest standard of early childhood education quality, combined with our family and adult programs, and enrich the JCC community which has made us the premier provider of early childhood education services in the Lehigh Valley for over 70 years.

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

winner receiving a pile of chocolate coins.

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

Stagemakers cast explores indigenous culture

A&A Transportation

Lois Albright+

Jodi & Randy Barson*+

Elaine Rappaport-Bass+

Valissa Baxter

Alan Berger+

Sylvia & Sam Bub+

Audrey Cherney+

Maxwell Davison+

Robyn & Brad Finberg*+

Jane & Arthur Kaplan+

Binae Karpo+

Rosine Knafo+

Kobrovsky Family Fund*+

Beth & Howard Kushnick+

Martha Lebovitz+

Elaine Lerner+

Joan Lesavoy+

The Loomis Company

LVIC*

cocoa, live entertainment, and a dance party! Register online sameach!

Linda Silowka+(L)

Fred & Barbara Sussman Family Fund+

Carah & Ryan Tenzer+

Enid & Alan Tope+

Vanguard Cleaning Services of NE

Pennsylvania

Susan & Marc Vengrove+

Beverly & Ronald Wasserman+

Frances & Martin Weinberg

Arthur Weinrach+

Heather Lavin Program Director

Eileen & Roberto Fischmann+

Lucy Gans & Leslie Fletcher+

Jean Francis+

Susan Engelson Friefeld*+(L)

Leonard Glazier+

Jeff & Elizabeth Greenberg+

The cast of Disney’s “Moana Jr.” wowed the audience and was able to fully embrace their roles with the help of PBS39 and the Museum

Patricia Gribben*+

HSA Mechanical*

George Mann+

Ann Marie & Steven Markowitz+

McGriff Insurance Services

Betty Mendelson+

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

Marc Nissenbaum*+

RKL, LLP*

Robin & Alex Rosenau+

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

David Weinstein*+

Margo & Steven Wiener+

+ Previous Year Donors

* Over $500

(L) Life & LegacyTM Donors

List of additional donors as of 2/15/23

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

Deena & Mark Scoblionko+(L)

These additional donors have made a gift since our initial donor list was published in last month’s issue of Hakol. A complete, up-to-date donor list can also be found on the JCC website.

Why JDS?

Why JDS?

By Megan Hyman

By Megan Hyman

decision parents make about where to send their children for school is often one of the most stressful and difficult. Will the school strike the right balance between quality of education and overall child development? How will our child fit in? Luckily for our family, in a period of great uncertainty, the decision to choose the Jewish Day School of Lehigh Valley was the easiest “yes!” we’ve ever said.

We arrived in Allentown in late March 2020 with a 2-year-old son, Joseph and 4-month-old daughter, Evelyn. Having flown in from Dallas, Texas to be closer to family (Adam’s parents, Dr. David and Mrs. Susan Hyman who have lived in Allentown for nearly 50 years), we assumed

TheThedecision parents make about where to send their children for school is often one of the most stressful and difficult. Will the school strike the right balance between quality of education and overall child development? How will our child fit in? Luckily for our family, in a period of great uncertainty, the decision to choose the Jewish Day School of Lehigh Valley was the easiest “yes!” we’ve ever said.

We arrived in Allentown in late March 2020 with a 2-year-old son, Joseph and 4-month-old daughter, Evelyn. Having flown in from Dallas, Texas to be closer to family (Adam’s parents, Dr. David and Mrs. Susan Hyman who have lived in Allentown for nearly 50 years), we assumed

demic as built-in playmates and friends. The JDS has enabled that relationship to strengthen – they check in on each other on the playground and love to see each other in the hallways. It’s a joy to see the older children care for the younger ones. Evelyn is always so proud when one of the “big kids” helps her with her backpack at the end of the day, and Joseph talks about his “reading buddy” constantly!

we’d be here only the pandemic continued, sion after decision build a life here

vironment at JDS was an obvious place for us to turn. The administration and staff worked tirelessly to adhere to everchanging guidelines from the CDC and still make the magic of school very real for its students. Joseph FLOURISHED in this environment, and now that he’s in his third year as a student (kindergarten!) he loves the dynamic and joyful learning experience he’s had there. I’ll never forget when he came home to recite the full Pledge of Allegiance and knew all the words to the Hatikvah at three years old!

an early childhood education program, the welcoming, intimate, and warm environment at JDS was an obvious place for us to turn. The administration and staff worked tirelessly to adhere to everchanging guidelines from the CDC and still make the magic of school very real for its students. Joseph FLOURISHED in this environment, and now that he’s in his third year as a student (kindergarten!) he loves the dynamic and joyful learning experience he’s had there. I’ll never forget when he came home to recite the full Pledge of Allegiance and knew all the words to the Hatikvah at three years old!

demic as built-in playmates and friends. The JDS has enabled that relationship to strengthen – they check in on each other on the playground and love to see each other in the hallways. It’s a joy to see the older children care for the younger ones. Evelyn is always so proud when one of the “big kids” helps her with her backpack at the end of the day, and Joseph talks about his “reading buddy” constantly!

Why JDS?

By Megan Hyman

This year, his sister Evelyn was able to join the three-year-old program with the same teachers and several younger siblings of her brother’s class. She was very shy at first, but quickly overcame that and truly gets ready for school with enthusiasm. The school has supported her love of art, singing, and she’s made the sweetest friends. We LOVE getting updates and photos on the Class Dojo app throughout the day.

One of the major tenets of the JDS is a devotion to the development of bright, confident students who are well prepared to meet the world. This couldn’t be more representative of our experience. Sadly, our chapter in Allentown is coming to a close. For professional reasons, we are moving back to Texas at the conclusion of the school year. Our love for the community that Amy Golding, her staff, and volunteers have created will stay with us forever. The friendships we’ve made as a family through the school will remain and we know these memories made here will bring us joy for years to come.

One of the major tenets of the JDS is a devotion to the development of bright, confident students who are well prepared to meet the world. This couldn’t be more representative of our experience.

decision parents make about where to send their children for school is often one of the most stressful and difficult. Will the school strike the right balance between quality of education and overall child development? How will our child fit in? Luckily for our family, in a period of great uncertainty, the decision to choose the Jewish Day School of Lehigh Valley was the easiest “yes!” we’ve ever said.

Our kids became extremely close during the quarantine stage of the pan-

This year, his sister Evelyn was able to join the three-year-old program with the same teachers and several younger siblings of her brother’s class. She was very shy at first, but quickly overcame that and truly gets ready for school with enthusiasm. The school has supported her love of art, singing, and she’s made the sweetest friends. We LOVE getting updates and photos on the Class Dojo app throughout the day.

TheSadly, our chapter in Allentown is coming to a close. For professional reasons, we are moving back to Texas at the conclusion of the school year. Our love for the community that Amy Golding, her staff, and volunteers have created will stay with us forever. The friendships we’ve made as a family through the school will remain and we know these memories made here will bring us joy for years to come.

For any parent grappling with the decision of where to send your child to school in the Lehigh Valley, we found the JDS an extremely supportive place, a refuge from the uncertainties that we all face in our daily lives, and the perfect environment to instill a love of learning and Jewish values.

Our kids became extremely close during the quarantine stage of the pan-

We arrived in Allentown in late March 2020 with a 2-year-old son, Joseph and 4-month-old daughter, Evelyn. Having flown in from Dallas, Texas to be closer to family (Adam’s parents, Dr. David and Mrs. Susan Hyman who have lived in Allentown for nearly 50 years), we assumed

For any parent grappling with the decision of where to send your child to school in the Lehigh Valley, we found the JDS an extremely supportive place, a refuge from the uncertainties that we all face in our daily lives, and the perfect environment to instill a love of learning and Jewish values.

When it came now five-year-old an early childhood the welcoming, vironment at JDS for us to turn. staff worked tirelessly changing guidelines still make the magic for its students. in this environment, his third year as he loves the dynamic ing experience he’s forget when he came full Pledge of Allegiance words to the Hatikvah This year, his to join the three-year-old the same teachers siblings of her brother’s very shy at first, that and truly gets enthusiasm. The her love of art, the sweetest friends. updates and photos app throughout Our kids became ing the quarantine

Who is the refugee? It’s me.

Who is the refugee? It’s me.

Editor’s note: On Saturday, February 4, JDS parent Anastasiia Zavodnyk, was invited to be a guest speaker at Refugee Shabbat at Temple Beth El. Here are her remarks.

Editor’s note: On Saturday, February 4, JDS parent Anastasiia Zavodnyk, was invited to be a guest speaker at Refugee Shabbat at Temple Beth El. Here are her remarks.

So, who is the refugee? It’s me. I can’t speak for everyone, only for myself and my family. But let my story be something that can show the general picture.

The beginning of 2022 It was a happy time for me. I had a beautiful house near Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. I had a garden full of fruit trees and berry bushes. I had great plans – I was opening my own cafe and bakery store, I was setting up a big greenhouse to plant many vegetables there. My children went to great preschool and afterschool smart classes. My daughter started to go to ballroom classes at the best dance school in the area. My husband had a very important role with great career opportunities in the biggest energy company in Ukraine. We used to invite our friends to our little parties at home, used to see our parents when we wanted to. It was really a very great period of life; I was truly happy.

And then, on 24th of February, all was ruined. The war started. And what did we know about war? Only history WW2 from books and movies…and some horrible stories from our grandparents. We decided to stay, because it was our home. We thought that our village was now a target for the enemy and even if they would come. We heard stories from our grandparents who remembered a time when their homes were under occupation during WW2 so we kind of could guess how it could be in our case. But we were wrong, very very wrong. Because in village aren’t many people – it’s difficult to feel panic. We heard sounds of missile strikes, the house was shaking every time, but personally I really felt it on the second week, end of February. I needed to take my youngest daughter to doctor. So, we were going by car there. It wasn’t far but we needed to go through a checkpoint which was created as a part of country protection actions. There I saw real soldiers, guns, bullets laying on the ground, tanks for the first time in my life. And it wasn’t museum exhibition, it was real life situation. But worst was that something just fly above my head and then I heard and felt shot near me. It was enemy drone. It scared me to death, I never ever felt like this before. Next weeks were very scary for me. The enemy soldiers were closer and closer to our village. At

So, who is the refugee? It’s me. I can’t speak for everyone, only for myself and my family. But let my story be something that can show the general picture. The beginning of 2022 It was a happy time for me. I had a beautiful house near Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. I had a garden full of fruit trees and berry bushes. I had great plans – I was opening my own cafe and bakery store, I was setting up a big greenhouse to plant many vegetables there. My children went to great preschool and afterschool smart classes. My daughter started to go to ballroom classes at the best dance school in the area. My husband had a very important role with great career opportunities in the biggest energy company in Ukraine. We used to invite our friends to our little parties at home, used to see our parents when we wanted to. It was really a very great period of life; I was truly happy.

And then, on 24th of February, all was ruined. The war started. And what did we know about war? Only history WW2 from books and movies…and some horrible stories from our grandparents. We decided to stay, because it was our home. We thought that our village was now a target for the enemy and even if they would come. We heard stories from our grandparents who remembered a time when their homes were under occupation during WW2 so we kind of could guess how it could be in our case. But we were wrong, very very wrong. Because in village aren’t many people – it’s difficult to feel panic. We heard sounds of missile strikes, the house was shaking every time, but personally I really felt it on the second week, end of February. I needed to take my youngest daughter to doctor. So, we were going by car there. It wasn’t far but we needed to go through a checkpoint which was created as a part of country protection actions. There I saw real soldiers, guns, bullets laying on the ground, tanks for the first time in my life. And it wasn’t museum exhibition, it was real life situation. But worst was that something just fly above my head and then I heard and felt shot near me. It was enemy drone. It scared me to death, I never ever felt like this before. Next weeks were very scary for me. The enemy soldiers were closer and closer to our village. At

Who is the refugee?

Editor’s note: On Saturday, February 4, JDS parent Anastasiia Zavodnyk, was invited to be a guest speaker at Refugee Shabbat at Temple Beth El. Here are her remarks.

guage that my kids have – only because of you. It is very important because we have the ability to reconnect with their roots, which I hadn’t in my childhood. Your help and support made us confident in our presence here, in the US!

guage that my kids have – only because of you. It is very important because we have the ability to reconnect with their roots, which I hadn’t in my childhood. Your help and support made us confident in our presence here, in the US!

So, who is the refugee? It’s me. I can’t speak for everyone, only for myself and my family. But let my story be something that can show the general picture. The beginning of 2022 It was a happy time for me. I had a beautiful house near Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. I had a garden full of fruit trees and berry bushes. I had great plans – I was opening my own cafe and bakery store, I was setting up a big greenhouse to plant many vegetables there. My children went to great preschool and afterschool smart classes. My daughter started to go to ballroom classes at the best dance school in the area. My husband had a very important role with great career opportunities in the biggest energy company in Ukraine. We used to invite our friends to our little parties at home, used to see our parents when we wanted to. It was really a very great period of life; I was truly happy.

evening we needed to shut all lights, because our territorial defense was looking for hiding russian soldiers. I realized that I couldn’t stand any more. I couldn’t pretend as nothing serious was happening and it was safe enough for kids. The worse for me was to let then feel fear, to feel war. It’s not what children should feel, not until they are enough old to understand everything and not be hurt by it. I want my children to be happy, to be confident and have strong and healthy mental health. So, I asked my husband to leave our home.

We left on 7th of March and on 8th of March russians* came to our house. They occupied all village, killed men, raped women, stole a lot of things, ruin our houses… it lasted 4 weeks. So, it was nothing like occupation during WW2… it was worse, much worse. And it is still.

evening we needed to shut all lights, because our territorial defense was looking for hiding russian soldiers. I realized that I couldn’t stand any more. I couldn’t pretend as nothing serious was happening and it was safe enough for kids. The worse for me was to let then feel fear, to feel war. It’s not what children should feel, not until they are enough old to understand everything and not be hurt by it. I want my children to be happy, to be confident and have strong and healthy mental health. So, I asked my husband to leave our home.

So, what is the difference between me as a refugee and other people who came here as immigrants? Reasons why we came. I love Ukraine, it’s my home, home of my children and many past generations of my and my husband’s family. We miss our home a lot. And before February 2022 we never thought about emigrating abroad, we simply didn’t want to, because we were satisfied with our lives and happy in Ukraine. We chose the US because it was the best option of all, but also the most difficult. It was hard, and it is hard. Not only because of usual immigrant’s difficulties such as different language, different culture, finding job, getting all local documents, impossible life without a car, almost impossible life without a credit score, but the real difficulty is not being allowed to go out of the US. Maybe for people, who decide to come here, who has it like big goal, who choose to live here and can stand everything to make this “American dream” came true, but it is very hard for us, refugees, forced migrants, who’s heart is still at our home with our friends, neighbors, parents, houses and gardens. And only your help made our life here more like at home (through relations, conversations, care and support). Because at the end of the day most important things are not material things, they will never ever fill your heart and soul with love, kindness and happiness.

So, what is the difference between me as a refugee and other people who came here as immigrants? Reasons why we came. I love Ukraine, it’s my home, home of my children and many past generations of my and my husband’s family. We miss our home a lot. And before February 2022 we never thought about emigrating abroad, we simply didn’t want to, because we were satisfied with our lives and happy in Ukraine. We chose the US because it was the best option of all, but also the most difficult. It was hard, and it is hard. Not only because of usual immigrant’s difficulties such as different language, different culture, finding job, getting all local documents, impossible life without a car, almost impossible life without a credit score, but the real difficulty is not being allowed to go out of the US. Maybe for people, who decide to come here, who has it like big goal, who choose to live here and can stand everything to make this “American dream” came true, but it is very hard for us, refugees, forced migrants, who’s heart is still at our home with our friends, neighbors, parents, houses and gardens. And only your help made our life here more like at home (through relations, conversations, care and support). Because at the end of the day most important things are not material things, they will never ever fill your heart and soul with love, kindness and happiness.

Now we are here. And we are very lucky, because we met people with very big open hearts full of love and kindness, people who helped us with so many things. People from Jewish Day School, Jewish Community of Lehigh Valley, Jewish Community Center. Not enough words to describe how grateful we are for it. And this great opportunity to know Jewish traditions and lan-

We left on 7th of March and on 8th of March russians* came to our house. They occupied all village, killed men, raped women, stole a lot of things, ruin our houses… it lasted 4 weeks. So, it was nothing like occupation during WW2… it was worse, much worse. And it is still.

Now we are here. And we are very lucky, because we met people with very big open hearts full of love and kindness, people who helped us with so many things. People from Jewish Day School, Jewish Community of Lehigh Valley, Jewish Community Center. Not enough words to describe how grateful we are for it. And this great opportunity to know Jewish traditions and lan-

And then, on 24th of February, all was ruined. The war started. And what did we know about war? Only history WW2 from books and movies…and some horrible stories from our grandparents. We decided to stay, because it was our home. We thought that our village was now a target for the enemy and even if they would come. We heard stories from our grandparents who remembered a time when their homes were under occupation during WW2 so we kind of could guess how it could be in our case. But we were wrong, very very wrong. Because in village aren’t many people – it’s difficult to feel panic. We heard sounds of missile strikes, the house was shaking every time, but personally I really felt it on the second week, end of February. I needed to take my youngest daughter to doctor. So, we were going by car there. It wasn’t far but we needed to go through a checkpoint which was created as a part of country protection actions. There I saw real soldiers, guns, bullets laying on the ground, tanks for the first time in my life. And it wasn’t museum exhibition, it was real life situation. But worst was that something just fly above my head and then I heard and felt shot near me. It was enemy drone. It scared me to death, I never ever felt like this before. Next weeks were very scary for me. The enemy soldiers were closer closer to our village. At

So, I want to say a big, huge thank you one more time to all of you! I am grateful for the ability to be here today, in a safe, beautiful and ambitious place, the US. I’m grateful to all of you, for listening to my story, for supporting my family and Ukraine. I believe that war will end soon, that I can finally see my home and hug all my friends and neighbors. But I, as all Ukrainians, still stay in that fatal February, in pre-war days, when we were on our land, in our home; happy, confident in the coming days, full of ambitious plans.

evening we needed to shut all lights, because ritorial defense was looking for hiding russian realized that I couldn’t stand any more. I couldn’t tend as nothing serious was happening and it enough for kids. The worse for me was to let fear, to feel war. It’s not what children should until they are enough old to understand everything not be hurt by it. I want my children to be happy, confident and have strong and healthy mental So, I asked my husband to leave home.

So, I want to say a big, huge thank you one more time to all of you! I am grateful for the ability to be here today, in a safe, beautiful and ambitious place, the US. I’m grateful to all of you, for listening to my story, for supporting my family and Ukraine. I believe that war will end soon, that I can finally see my home and hug all my friends and neighbors. But I, as all Ukrainians, still stay in that fatal February, in pre-war days, when we were on our land, in our home; happy, confident in the coming days, full of ambitious plans.

We left on 7th of March and on 8th of March sians* came to our house. They occupied all killed men, raped women, stole a lot of things, houses… it lasted 4 weeks. So, it was nothing pation during WW2… it was worse, much worse. it is still.

*I use little letter instead of capital on purpose. I don’t respect this people anymore and it’s even hard for me to call them people, because what they have done and are still doing doesn’t look like they are humans at all to me. And because it is my story, I want to highlight it as my relation to them.

*I use little letter instead of capital on purpose. I don’t respect this people anymore and it’s even hard for me to call them people, because what they have done and are still doing doesn’t look like they are humans at all to me. And because it is my story, I want to highlight it as my relation to them.

Now we are here. And we are very lucky, because met people with very big open hearts full of kindness, people who helped us with so many People from Jewish Day School, Jewish Community Lehigh Valley, Jewish Community Center. Not words to describe how grateful we are for it. great opportunity to know Jewish traditions

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

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

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

The huge responsibility of the Woman of Valor

By Shira Yacker Special to Hakol

Eishet Chayil is an important concept in Judaism. According to aish.com, a website that describes itself as having “a singular focus of imparting timeless Jewish wisdom,” the term can be translated as Woman of Valor. It is explained that the Eishet Chayil is the one “who sets the tone of love, spirituality, and personal growth for all those around her.”

What a huge responsibility that is. As women, in Judaism, we are role models for our family. We are responsible for our family both physically and spiritually.

Aish.com goes on to say, “Gender is a pivotal quality in each person’s identity. Men and women are fully equal but different — and that difference is good. With their own talents and natures they can give to one another and help each other along the road of life.” This can be taken to mean that we should respect and embrace gender differences, but these differences should not stop anyone from pursuing and accomplishing what they desire. Limits are only in our mind. We, as women, are entitled to be our best in whatever roles we choose. We should be teaching our daughters to embrace this philosophy and not allow others to place roadblocks based on gender.

In our history it is explained that Moses offered the Torah to a woman first. He knew that if she accepted the Torah, it would be cher-

ished forever. Throughout the Torah, and Jewish history in general, it is women who saved the Jewish people time and time again. Our matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel have all shown faith and continue to be inspirations for Jewish women. We also think about Esther, the hero of Purim who saved the Jewish people from the tyrant Haman. Many feel that Judaism is a patriarchal religion, but in reality, great importance is placed upon the women in our history.

All of these women who came before us have shown us strength and determination and what it means to be a good person in the eyes of G-d and those around us.

Jewish women have a huge responsibility in our religion. “If not for her, where would we be?” says Aish. com. “There would be no home, no family..., no Jewish people.”

The importance of women is shown in the following ways for some denominations of Judaism:

• Lighting the candles to start Shabbat each Friday evening

• Going to the mikvah (ritual bath)

• Keeping kashrut (Jewish dietary laws)

Whether one is Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist or Reform, a woman’s role is extremely crucial in our religion. Regardless of level of observance, we need to remember that we empower other women, our mothers, daughters, friends and family, to be the best

they can be.

The prayer for the Eishet Chayil is as follows. It implores that women should be loved, valued, trusted and cared for:

A Woman of Valor, who can find? She is more precious than corals.

Her husband places his trust in her and profits only thereby.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks out wool and flax and cheerfully does the work of her hands.

She is like the trading ships, bringing food from afar. She gets up while it is still night to provide food for her household, and a fair share for her staff.

She considers a field and purchases it, and plants a vineyard with the fruit of her labors.

She invests herself with strength and makes her arms powerful.

She senses that her trade is profitable; her light does not go out at night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff and her palms hold the spindle.

She opens her hands to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

She has no fear of the snow for her household, for all her household is dressed in fine clothing.

She makes her own bedspreads; her clothing is of fine linen and luxurious cloth.

Her husband is known at the gates, where he sits with the elders of the land.

She makes and sells linens;

she supplies the merchants with sashes. She is robed in strength and dignity, and she smiles at the future.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and a lesson of kindness is on her tongue. She looks after the conduct of her household and never tastes the bread of laziness. Her children rise up and make her happy; her husband praises her: “Many women have excelled, but you excel them all!”

Grace is elusive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears G-d — she shall be praised. Give her credit for the fruit of her labors, and let her achievements praise her at the gates.

In a conversation with aish.com, Rabbi Gavriel Rudin, spiritual leader of Young Israel of Ottawa, Canada, summarized the role of Jewish women like this: “Women

are the driving force in a Jewish family. She is a divine being who is more in tune to her emotions, and thus, naturally, has a deeper spiritual connection to G-d. While there are times when women may not necessarily be at the forefront, an army does not bring its most precious intelligence and strength to the front of the battle. While perhaps a woman’s place is somewhat hidden, it is only due to her depth, beauty, and strength”.

Shari Yacker of Palmer Township teaches special education in the Pen Argyl School District and has taught at Hebrew school in the Philadelphia area and in Easton for about 25 years.

The bravery of Momentum’s modern Esthers

By Julia Umansky Director of Gift Planning and EITC

When we think of the story of Purim, we immediately think of Queen Esther and her role in saving the Jewish people of Persia from persecution and annihilation. She was a strong woman who kept her Jewish identify a secret until it was the right time to use her influence over the king for the good of her people.

But how do we bring the story of Purim, and Esther, into modern-day Judaism, where many of us would rather wear our Judaism proudly from the get-go and not hide our religious affiliation and culture? To me, it’s less about grandiose acts of honor and rather about the simple ways we show our Judaism and our pride.

When I think of modernday strong Jewish women, I think of a specific group that I have had the pleasure

of getting to know over the past year. In July 2022, I had the honor of leading this group of local Jewish moms on a partnership trip with Momentum Unlimited.

The first act of bravery for these moms? Leaving their young children at home while they explored a foreign country, many for the first time, for 10 days. I was constantly impressed by the tenacity and resilience of these women, especially when we found ourselves at the top of Mount Masada at 5 in the afternoon (if you’ve ever been in the desert at this time, you know this is an act of bravery all its own).

But it’s been through our monthly post-trip meetings that I have been able to see the true strength of these women and how they are each modern-day Esthers. Raising Jewish children, working full-time jobs, taking active roles in our community and advocating for the Jewish community are all simple acts of bravery that these mothers do on a daily basis.

As we all convened at our friend Lynn’s house to bake hamantaschen cookies ahead of Purim, I was

reminded again how Jewish bravery can take a different form now than it did in Esther’s day. Each of these women is devoted to her Jewish identity, whether or not it is something she was raised with. And each of these women advocates for Jewish rights, visibility and community involvement. In a time when antisemitism seems to be on the rise, the simple act of leading a Jewish life, and doing so unabashedly, is a real act of bravery. While our hamantaschen cookies may not have been picture-perfect, the evening itself was, and I have the ladies in our group to thank for that.

So, if you’re looking to find modern-day inspira-

tion for olden-day bravery, look no further than the strong Jewish women in our community who keep things moving on a daily basis. Or try to make a hundred hamantaschen cookies with one oven as the buttery dough keeps trying to melt. Just my opinion? Delicious and inspirational nonetheless.

Antisemitism expert to speak at Women’s Philanthropy event

Antisemitism expert Stephanie Hausner will speak at the Women’s Philanthropy Dollar-a-Day Spring Event at Temple Beth El on March 30. Chief operating officer of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Hausner will talk to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley society about the rise in antisemitism and what can be done about it.

“Most religion-based hate crimes in the United States are antisemitic,” said a 2021 special report coauthored by Hausner. “This threat has become more pervasive during the pandemic, fueled by conspiracy theories,

and embraced by an array of extremists.”

And that’s only the most obvious transgressions. “We are also aware that antisemitism can manifest in subtle ways — that is, in patterns that are difficult to detect, track, and prevent,” the assessment continues. “In fact, incidents that are seemingly innocent on the surface could mask antisemitism or reflect deep ignorance, which is a worrying trend that must be addressed.”

Regarding the essential role of Jewish Federations, the report concludes, “The organized Jewish community, led by the Jewish Federations of North America, have worked not only to address the physical security of all Jewish people but also to tackle antisemitic and antiZionist sentiment via education, legal protections, and coalition-building.”

In the CEO role for the Conference of Presidents, Hausner focuses on strengthening the conference’s activities and working with member organizations on combatting antisemitism (as well as promoting a vibrant US-Israel relationship). Before that, the Johns Hopkins University graduate in international relations worked for the Jewish Federations of

North America as managing director of the Israel Action Network, overseeing its federal and state advocacy efforts, campus and community initiatives.

Among other related achievements, she coordinated the pro-Israel community’s efforts to pass anti-Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions legislation, which has resulted in laws in 33 states so far. She also served two terms as an elected councilwoman in Clarkstown, New York.

The Dollar-a-Day event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is open to women who pledge a minimum of $365 to the 2023 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. The cost for the event is $36. For more information and to register (by March 19), visit jewishlehighvalley.org/ women.

Above (left to right): Julia Umansky, Stephanie Smartschan, Jessica Volchko, Lee Kestecher Solomon, Lynn Wilson, Wendy Edwards, Rachel Levin, Selena Robinson, and Susan Kolpon.

Below: The delicious hamantaschen from the women’s baking efforts.

Women’s History Month

and the Hebrew month of Adar being at the same time of the year is pretty amazing, since Adar is the month in which Purim falls. The holiday celebrates the victory over Haman, largely through the efforts of Esther. It’s not for nothing that the name of the Torah scroll read during this month is “Megillat Esther.”

Both Esther and Vashti are strong women in a world ruled by men, making a change in their lives and in other’s lives by standing up for what they believe.

Now, in 2023, women are in stronger positions than ever all over the world, and in many industries. I want to focus on Israeli women in positions of

Women are stronger than ever

power.

First, I must start with women’s roles in Israel’s army, the Israel Defense Forces. In 2001 the IDF started a unit called Yohalam that is entirely about promoting equal opportunities for women and providing women who serve with a safe and discrimination-free environment.

This unit has learned how to use the skills and abilities of women in the army and, since then, more than 85 percent of all of IDF positions are open to women. Seventeen percent of combat forces are women, 4 percent of air force pilot training graduates, 20 percent of navy commanders, and many more. This is something to celebrate!

Many Israeli women are filling big roles.

Matti Sarfati

Harkavi, the former mayor of the Lehigh Valley’s Partnership2Gether counterpart, Yoav, and chair of Yoav’s P2G committee, is now a member of Israel’s Knesset (parliament). Gal Gadot is a leading Hollywood actress well known all over the world. Titi Aynaw is the first Ethiopian-Israeli to win Miss Israel. Ada Yonath received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Alona Barkat is the first woman to own an Israeli soccer team, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, bringing new values and norms to the Israeli soccer world.

There are so many women that I can hardly begin to name them all. I couldn’t be prouder to be an Israeli woman, and I’m proud that we have a full month to celebrate women’s achievements.

Book review: ‘From Dust, a Flame’

By Sean Boyle Special to Hakol

Lambda Literary Awardwinning author Rebecca Podos’ fourth young adult novel, “From Dust, a Flame,” is an intergenerational teenage love story with young women making choices that inadvertently affect their daughters and future generations.

16-year-old Hannah used to think the biggest concerns she had were keeping her mother from moving her and her brother Gabe again before she finished high school and what would she do when Gabe left to go to college that fall. Everything else in her life was going to plan and she was in complete control. That all changed on her 17th birthday, when she woke up to having golden eyes with horizontal knife-slit pupils. Each day another mutation occurs. As Hannah and Gabe continue to freak out over this, their mother apologizes for not telling them more about her own past and says she needs to leave and get someone to help. After several weeks holed up in their apartment, they begin to fear that their mother may not return.

Hannah’s father had died when she was young. She knew her father’s parents in Canada, but she didn’t

know anything about her mother’s family, or its history. After being sent a death notice in the mail for their previously unknown grandmother, Hannah and Gabe travel to meet their aunts and uncles and hopefully find out what happened to their mother and why Hannah’s body continues to mutate daily.

The tale really begins when Hannah meets her mother’s side of the family and starts to learn of her mother’s past and sudden disappearance from her hometown when she turned 18. As Hannah discovers more, the novel bounces among four stories: her mother falling in love with a transient man working on her family’s farm, her grandmother as a young woman leaving her family at the start of World War II in Prague, a second world described in the fairy tale “The Underwater Palace,” and the past colliding with the present. Podos says this is her “gayest book yet,” and it is the first time that she felt confident to write about her Jewish experiences, although Hannah’s family when she was growing up was less observant than Podos’.

Highly recommended for ages 14-120, especially for readers who are interested in

Jewish demonology and stories about mother-daughter relationships.

“From Dust, a Flame,” by Rebecca Podos, Balzer and Bray, 2022, 416 pages.

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

By Sandi Teplitz

By Nurit Galon Special to Hakol

The weather may be cold and snowy, the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey fill our media, the political situation in Israel is less than calm, yet joyful messages also are everywhere: Purim is on the way!

Suddenly there is color all around — on advertising boards, in the media, on school announcement boards. Suddenly little Queen Esther, butterflies, fairies, soldiers, supermen and superwomen are showing up. Every school and neighborhood is preparing a Purim party along with the special hamantaschen — the villain Haman’s “ears,” a pastry filled with prunes or poppy seeds. Every child knows to boo Haman and cheer Esther and Mordechai.

Would it be correct to see Purim as a children’s fancy dress-up party? What makes Purim different from any other fancy dress-up party? Perhaps the difference is that Jews everywhere recognize that Esther was a Jewish woman brave enough to understand that her actions in a hostile surrounding could change the fate of her people. There is no shortage of outstanding women in Jewish history, but Esther stands out for giving her people reason to celebrate for centuries.

In Israel, Purim is traditionally celebrated with a parade in one of the bigger cities. The parade is called Ad Lo Yada, referring to the command to make merry and drink until you don’t know what’s happening! A parade is doubtful this year due to the security risks.

In Yoav, our schools hold celebrations, and the Community Centre of Yoav invites the people to a variety of Purim activities. Usually each of Yoav’s communities also celebrates Purim. These are not easy times, but we recall Queen

Esther’s example, and this year also, we wish everyone in Lehigh Valley chag sameah! Happy holiday!

It is fitting that in the same month we celebrate Purim and the triumph of Esther, we also celebrate International Women’s Day and the great, inspiring women in history. The list of great Jewish women includes Golda Meir, Israel’s first woman prime minister; songwriters; film stars; lawyers; paratroopers; judges; high-tech executives and, of course, women of the Bible. Women can do and be whatever they like.

We wish all our sisters in Yoav and the Lehigh Valley continued success in all their endeavors as equal partners and leaders of their communities.

Esther’s legacy of great Jewish women FIRST AND ONLY MEDICAL SCHOOL.

HANNAH KAHN ALLENTOWN, PA

Not only was Hannah Kahn born and raised in the Lehigh Valley – she also began her career in health care here. After graduating from Salisbury High School and Penn State University, Hannah worked as a technician in the St. Luke’s Allentown Emergency Department before beginning her education at the Lehigh Valley’s first and only medical school. Now in her second year at Temple/St. Luke’s, she is learning from supportive faculty in an environment she knows. When you train at a 100 Top Teaching Hospital, the possibilities are endless.

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, MARCH 3

Shabbat Across America Dinner

6:45 p.m., Temple Beth El Shabbat Across America Dinner. For the entire family. Schmooze and Spirits begins at 5:30. Dinner is served at 6:45. Cost for dairy meal is $18 or $45 per family. Register at bethelallentown.org/event/shabbat-acrossamerica.html.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3-SUNDAY, MARCH 5

Scholar in Residence Weekend

Four programs, Congregations Keneseth

Israel and Bnai Shalom

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, known as one of the most quoted rabbis in America, will lead the programs based on the theme “Turbulent Times: Jewish Life in the Contemporary World.” There’s the sermon “Is There a Hyphen in Antisemitism?” at 7:30 p.m. on March 3 at KI, the study session “How Jews

Get Work: A Master Class in Talmud” at 10 a.m. on March 4 at Bnai Shalom, the lecture “Judaism Beyond Sermons” at 6 p.m. on March 4 at KI, and the lecture “The Z Word: Israel Without Apology” at 10 a.m. on March 5 at KI. Food will be served at some of the programs. For more information and to register for the KI programs, visit kilv.org, and for the Bnai Shalom session, call 610-258-5343.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

Jewish Federation Super FunDay and JCC Purim Carnival

Activities begin at 9:30 a.m., JCC

At 9:30, Jewish Federation volunteers start making solicitation and thank-you phone calls for the Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, and religious school students meet in Kline Auditorium. Temple Beth El presents a Purim spiel at 10. The Jewish Federation provides hamantaschen (Purim cookies) to students at 10:45. At 11, the JCC carnival with games (prizes!), crafts and other activities begins in the gym, PJ Library offers Purim gift bag making and hamantaschen making in Kline Auditorium, and popcorn and snow cones are available in the lobby. A costume parade from the gym to the auditorium begins at noon, followed by a magic show. The event ends at 12:30 p.m. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/super-funday.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5, AND WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

Women’s Philanthropy Mitzvah Project: Holocaust Resource Center Organization

10 a.m. March 5 and 10:15 a.m. March 15, JCC

Join the Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy for its third mitzvah project of the year, organizing the historical resources in the Holocaust Resource Center in the JCC. Other dates for the project are March 22 from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and April 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/hrc-clean-upwp-mitzvah-project.

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

‘Wicked’ Purim Spiel

5 p.m., Congregation Bnai Shalom

Annelise Davis, daughter of Rabbi Melody Davis, wrote and directs this unique exploration of the characters of the Book of Esther with songs from the Broadway show “Wicked” reimagined with new lyrics. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Anneslie also designed the elaborate costumes for the principals. Doors open at 4. Refreshments will be sold before the show, which begins promptly at 5. There is no admission charge, though donations will be accepted. For more information call 610-258-5343.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

Summit to Combat Antisemitism

9 a.m., Muhlenberg College Seeger’s Union Lawmakers, security and antisemitism experts, law enforcement officials, and other leaders will talk about the rise in antisemitism in Pennsylvania, how to document antisemitic incidents more effectively and how to fight against hate. Clergy members of the Bethlehem Interfaith Group will discuss “Faith and Hope Against Hate.” For more information and to register to attend, visit jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/antisemitismsummit-march-12-2023.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

Maimonides Brunch and Learn: ‘Burnout in Healthcare’

10 a.m., JCC

Drs. Chelsea Busch, Kristine Schultz and Lynn Wilson will speak to the Jewish Federation’s society of healthcare professionals on the topic ‘Burnout in Healthcare.” Each presenter brings unique experience to the topic: Busch developing resilience and wellness programs for healthcare workers, Wilson working as a geriatrician, and Schultz working as an emergency medicine physician. Open to the entire community. No cost for Maimonides members and spouses; nonmember cost is $10 per person. Registration link to come.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22

Women’s Philanthropy Dignity Grows

6:30 p.m., JCC Boardroom

Volunteers will pack tote bags with of essentials for women in need. For information contact Lee Solomon at lee@jflv.org. Register by March 15 at jewishlehighvalley.regfox. com/wp-dignity-grows-march-22-2023.

SUNDAY, MARCH 26

Sons of Israel Men’s Club Brunch with State Rep. Mike Schlossberg

10 a.m., Congregation Sons of Israel Bagels and lox Sunday brunch. State Representative Mike Schlossberg will share reflections on the new governor and the current state of the legislature, specifically the House, and his personal priorities for the legislative session, including his efforts regarding mental health and education funding. Cost is $5 payable at the door. The whole community is invited. Register by March 8 at office@sonsofisrael.net or 610-433-6089.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

Women’s Philanthropy Dollar-aDay Spring Event

6:30 p.m., Temple Beth El

The guest speaker for this spring fundraising event is Stephanie Hausner, chief operating officer of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, who works to combat antisemitism and strengthen U.S.-Israel ties. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/dollar-a-dayspring-event-3302023.

THURSDAY, MAY 4

Federation Main Event: A Night of Comedy With Modi

7 p.m., JCC

The Israel-born comedian the New York Times called “the next Jackie Mason” is coming to the Lehigh Valley for a Jewish Federation Main Event. Tickets will be available to qualified Federation donors starting at Super FunDay on March 5. Ticket link and other details to come.

ONGOING EVENTS

MONDAYS

Yiddish Club

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

Experience the joys of Yiddish via Zoom as part of “Adults at the J.” The group meets weekly to discuss topics like cooking, humor, music and all kinds of entertainment in the Yiddish language. All are welcome to join this lively,

weekly discussion. There is something for everyone no matter if you know a few words or are a fluent speaker. Enjoy fun, fellowship, stories and more. Participants Zoom in from 5 states. No cost. Contact Janis Mikofsky at the JCC of the Lehigh Valley, 610-435-3571, ext. 501.

MONDAYS

KI Seminarion

7-9 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel via Zoom

Join Rabbi Phil Cohen for this Zoom class. For information, contact Vicki Dunn at 610-4359074 or vdunn@kiallentown.org.

MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Online Jewish yoga studio

Mondays 11 to 11:45 a.m., Thursdays 4 to 4:45 p.m., Institute for Jewish Spirituality

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

TUESDAYS

Weekly Torah study

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

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

TUESDAYS

Torah on Tuesdays with Bnai Shalom

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

WEDNESDAYS

Judaism for Our Time with Bnai Shalom

11 a.m., Congregation Bnai Shalom via Zoom

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

WEDNESDAYS Yoga with Miriam Sandler: ChairSupported Yoga

1 to 2 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom in person and via Zoom

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

WEDNESDAYS Torah Studies: A Weekly Journey into the Soul of Torah

7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley in person and via Zoom

Torah Studies by the Jewish Learning Institute presents Season Two 5783, a 12-part series, in person and via Zoom. Cost is $36 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 Marilyn Claire at mjclaire@gmail.com or 610972-7054 to sign up.

THURSDAYS Basic Yiddish class

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

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

3RD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

Belonging to Bethlehem: A Jewish Story Sampler

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

In this six-session workshop, you’ll hear the stories that made the Bethlehem Jewish community, starting from 1890. You’ll also learn writing techniques and have time to write stories from your life or family. $10 per session. Light refreshments served. Instructor Jennifer Lader is a writer, storyteller and author. Registration required at tammy@ brithsholom.net or 610-866-8009.

FRIDAYS

Kol HaEmek

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

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

3RD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

KI Shabbat B’Yachad

5:30-7 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel

Art projects, songs, snack stories, prayer and dinner. Geared toward kids ages 5-10, but perfect for younger siblings too. RSVP at kilv. org.

SATURDAYS

Wisdom of the Talmud class

After Shabbat Lunch and Schmooze, Congregation Brith Sholom

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

DAILY

Jewish Broadcasting Service

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

DAILY Congregation Sons of Israel

minyanim

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

6:45 a.m.; Sundays 8:30 a.m. Congregation Sons of Israel welcomes all to the daily Shacharis and Mincha/Maariv services which are conducted in the main sanctuary of the synagogue for Covid-19 safety. Please check the synagogue at sonsofisrael.net for the weekly listing of the starting time for Mincha/Maariv. Face masks are not required, but strongly recommended. If you have any questions, call the synagogue office at 610-433-6089.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

Daily online meditation

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

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