Kaplans endow chair at LVHN in honor of Dr. Lawrence Levitt The Lehigh Valley Health Network dedicated its newest endowed chair on May 3 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. Arnold and Deanne Kaplan created the Endowed Chair in Multiple Sclerosis in honor of Dr. Lawrence Levitt. The holder of the chair is Dr. Dmitry Khaitov, a neurologist who focuses on treating MS patients and codirects the LVHN MS Center with Dr. Gary Clauser. The chair will provide funds to expand MS educational programs, health and wellness programs for MS patients and clinical research for the Multiple Sclerosis Program at Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute. The Multiple Sclerosis Program
is recognized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as one of its Centers for Comprehensive MS Care. Dr. Brian Nester, LVHN president and CEO, said LVHN neurology saw almost 1,500 a patients annually over the past three years, and. “Every week,” he said, “approximately three to four new patients with MS seek care at LVHN either as a new diagnosis or as a transfer from another institution.” Arnold Kaplan, a former member of LVHN’s board of trustees who has generously supported the Lehigh Valley Jewish community over the years, spoke at the dedication ceremony about how his wife, Deanne, has
multiple sclerosis and by 1972 needed a wheelchair to get around. At that time, he worked at Air Products and Chemicals, having been hired by its founder, Leonard Parker Pool. The visionary behind what is now LVHN, Cedar Crest Pool, connected the couple with Dr. Levitt, a neurologist at LVHN who would “do whatever it took to help Deanne,” said Kaplan. “Little did we know then the impact Dr. Levitt and Lehigh Valley Health Network would have on our family,” Kaplan said. “It is a great honor to present this endowed chair today and to complete the circle that began 50 years ago.” Levitt, for his part, pointed to his relation-
ship with the Kaplans, and their gift in honor of him, as highlights of his career. Nester said endowed chairs are critical to the mission of LVHN, helping to recruit and retain the best national talent. He said it has become increasingly difficult in the post-COVID-19 world to recruit physicians — primary care, specialists and surgeons. “The endowed chair holders are among the health network’s best physicians who are engaged
our shelf. That inner voice must have been loud enough for other moms to hear in the Lehigh Valley when we moved here with two young kids. These moms embraced and encouraged me to listen to that voice and join them on the Momentum trip to Israel. I built my confidence as a Jewish mother touring Israel with other moms, including the women we partnered with from Yoav. It was so natural connecting with these women from the other side of the world, as if we were long lost sisters reunited. I felt so much love. I learned that there’s no such thing as being “Jewish enough.” Every household is different. It’s up to me to speak up and make memorable Jewish traditions for my family. Since the Israel trip, that quiet inner voice now sings out loud in harmony with my family as we light those Shabbat candles, no longer collecting dust on a shelf, but providing a bright, joyous tradition to our home. The best part: I feel the support of other Jewish moms right here in the Lehigh Valley who experienced the journey, and the triumphant roar, with me. As I said to my husband when we moved to the
Lehigh Valley, this is where our family life begins. These moms are an extension of our family.
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The “simple” act of bringing together Jewish mothers was enriching, spiritually nourishing, and it taught me the important value of appreciating the beauty of the current moment we are in now. Our Momentum journey was very much a “come as you are — you are enough” experience. No matter our imperfections, no matter our worries and obligations, now is the right time to reach out and be together. There was a great deal to our Momentum journey. Among many other aspects, it revived and updated my relationship with Israel, and the timeline on which I hope my husband and children can experience it too. It refreshed my adult relationship with Judaism, with all its ups and downs and complexities. Our journey together this year has created a wonderful bond with sensational women here in the Lehigh Valley. I also owe my endlessly supportive family some homemade shakshuka and other delicacies from the trip — big time! Yet, when I think of the many wonderful outcomes of the Momentum trip, I inevitably think of the spirit and enthusiasm, and of that ordinary, incredible moment just sitting there on the bus with my Momentum sisters. It was an extraordinary gift
to be reminded that even in the modern day, so much of a beautiful Jewish life is just showing up, making time for our lives with others and finding how incredibly strong we are together. Hinei ma tov uma na’im Shevet achim gam yachad. How good and pleasant it is For brothers and sisters to sit together. Selene Robinson My journey with Momentum finally allowed me to hear my voice. It took me from an appreciation of Judaism to a deeper connection within myself, my family and my community. At the beginning of our trip, I was secretly worried I wasn't “Jewish enough.” Other than lighting the hanukiah for Chanukah, my family lived a typically secular life. Yet there was always this inner voice, yearning for more. That voice quieted for years as I focused on my career and moved from city to city. It wasn’t until I met my husband, Ethan, that my voice finally spoke up, asking, “What are you doing with your life?” We wanted a Jewish household and we even received beautiful Shabbat candles for our wedding, but I didn't have the slightest idea what to do with them; they became pretty knickknacks on
Lynn Wilson Choosing to be Jewish has been, for me, a unique perspective. It has been a process over more than 10 years of searching, learning and growing within a culture that feels like home and at the same time foreign to me. Unlike many others who are born into Judaism, I do not have memories of family events or celebrations to fall back on. I do not have traditional challah recipes to serve on Fridays or recollections of my family lighting Shabbat candles. However, this year-long trip has shown me pieces of the depth of the Jewish connection to Israel, connection to family and the local Jewish community. In all these places, I have never been made to feel like an outsider; my Jewishness was never questioned. And yet, at times I feel the need to prove who I am and why I am here. This experience with Momentum has allowed me to share love of Judaism with my family and strengthen my connection to Israel. I appreciate the trip most to help me understand the connection Jewish people have with Israel and continue to
and focused on patient care, education, and research and lead the way in health care not only here at home but nationally,” he said. This latest endowed chair is LVHN’s 21st.
spend time every month with the women who had the same experience while deepening my knowledge of Jewish traditions. I am hopeful that my children will be able to have memories of family celebrations and challah on the holidays. These women have taught me many things during our year together. They’ve taught me that mothers are fierce and a force to be reckoned with. Connection transcends language, geography and background. That Judaism is more than a religion you may have been born with but rather a conscious choice to practice and engage with daily. And most importantly, they’ve taught me that community is what you make of it and what you put into it. I am thankful to be a part of the Lehigh Valley Jewish community with people who work hard to make it the best it can be; we are only as strong as the effort and connection we put in, so I encourage you all to get involved in a way that works for you and create the community you want.
Handmade Afghans BY EVA LEVITT
All proceeds benefit projects in Israel:
Food Banks in Israel Neve Michael Youth Village
For prices or to place an order, call Eva 610-398-1376.
All payments are made payable to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley
HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JUNE 2023 13
