Hakol - October 2022

Major donors kick off Federation’s annual campaign

By Carl Zebrowski Editor of Hakol

The location of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s major donor reception was familiar to most of those in atten dance on the evening of September 21.

Participants gathered in this lushly green backyard in Westwood Heights for the start of the Federation’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. They en joyed a warm, convivial reunion under sprawling tents lit by strings of glowing lights, as Vicki Wax, cochair of this year’s campaign, took to the podium to kick-off the event.

“I’ve been coming here for 50 years,” she told them. “But it never looked like this before when I visited my dear friends, the Ufbergs. It brings back so many great memories of our families spending time together. It is just so wonderful to be here with you, in person, to celebrate a new campaign year.”

Her cochair, Bill Markson, took the microphone to introduce the guest

speaker for the event, Alon Ben-David, an Israeli TV, radio and print reporter who’s covered politics, wars and other national and international news for three decades.

“He’s considered one of the leading jour nalists in Israel,” Markson said.

Ben-David jumped right into it. “As usual,” he began, “we are under the Chi nese curse of living in interesting times in Israel.” He went on to detail the shifting security challenges facing Israel today — ultimately highlighting the importance of organizations like the Federation raising funds to help the cause.

In the middle of what happened to be the same week that Iranians took to the streets to protest the morality police beating a woman to death for not prop erly wearing a hijab, and that police shot and killed protesters, he said that “Iran is really the source of most terrorism in the region.”

Ben-David went on to provide reasons

Major donors

Lucky and honored

By Bill Markson Annual Campaign for Jewish

Cochair

I am not sure whether lucky or blessed is the right word. Ei ther way, things have worked out well for me.

I came to the Lehigh Val ley in 1989. My wonderful, pregnant and accomplished wife, Jane, didn’t even blink about moving here from

Queens, New York, for me to take my first job as a cardi ologist. I joined a terrific solo practitioner, Ron Stein, and professionally we were able to thrive and prosper through numerous practice iterations over the years.

When Jane and I first arrived, we laughed at the way folks would follow road instructions to merge into the right lane a half mile prior to the actual merge. This was very different from the New York chaos that we had left.

We met other young cou ples at the Jewish Community Center and then at the Jewish Day School. Many became lifelong friends.

We made a great choice coming here. This is a great

Above: Campaign cochair Vicki Wax with Aaron Goro dzinsky, the Fed eration’s director of campaign and security planning, at the major donors reception.

Left: Campaign cochair Bill Markson.

Sharing is caring

As we celebrate the High Holi day season, this time of reflection and renewal allows us to think about the kind of community we want to be and what it might take to have the desired impact.

While we anticipate wonder ful celebrations with our young families and their children — PJ Library events, the beginning of a new school year, a return to the flow of fall activities — we are excited about programming and connecting with one another across all ages and stages of life. We at the Jewish Federation have spent a good part of the summer planning for our new program year, welcoming new staff, scheduling events and commit tee meetings, preparing an IT update, organizing the launch of new projects, meeting with

affinity groups and chairs, and we are excited about the pos sibilities that the year 2022-2023 brings. We are pleased to kick off this year with new leadership: Robby Wax as our president and Bill Markson and Vicki Wax as our Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs cochairs.

Beginning with the launch for our Maimonides Society, chaired by Zach Goldsmith, and Women’s Philanthropy, chaired by Beth Kushnick, we opened our 2023 annual campaign with a major gifts reception at the home of Eileen Ufberg. We especially can’t wait to connect and engage with you to realize the greater potential that exists within our community.

We are also excited to move forward with a special initiative that we have been working on for

the past year: the Older Adults Task Force. In partnership with Jewish Family Service, the Jewish Federation has convened the task force to address the programs and services that would help our older adults to “age in place” in the Lehigh Valley. Chaired by Rabbi Allen Juda, the task force has the mission to provide a wide range of services for the Jewish older adults of the Lehigh Val ley to help them age in place or live in a residential facility with a sense of security and feeling supported by the community. The vision is based on Torah and Jewish values. The Jewish community will strive to enhance the quality of life and facilitate the independence of every older adult connected to our Jewish community. Each person will be

treated with dignity and respect and helped to live life to his/her fullest potential. Members of the task force have identified five areas that we will be researching in order to bring best practices to our community: socialization, transportation, food provision, in-home support services and caregiver support.

The High Holiday season re minds us of the powerful prayer we recited, “Do not cast me off in old age; do not abandon me as my strength fails” (Psalms 71:9). This auspicious time of year al ways gives me pause to reflect on goals and aspirations, hopes and possibilities — what can be when we work together.

We are gratified to be able to host programs to engage with our youngest to our oldest com munity members. It is incumbent upon each of us and all of us to welcome and engage our young community members in order for us to be vibrant and relevant into

the future. However, we must not lose sight of the values that allow us to be a caring commu nity for all ages. We must ensure that proper services are available across the community so that we can all continue to enjoy vibrant Jewish life in the Lehigh Valley. I can hear preschoolers every where chirping “sharing is car ing.” That is a concise and clear message that should resonate with each of us.

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is Here for Good to ensure that our Jewish com munity thrives and flourishes from dor l’dor. Good doesn’t just happen on its own. It comes from our collective dedication, to the promise of a flourishing Jewish future. We count on one another to continue to help good grow — just as we have in the past, just as we will in the future.

HAKOL STAFF

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CHARLENE RIEGGER Director of Marketing

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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.

The

Valley-Yoav

Park in Blessed Memory of Mark L.

IN HONOR

ALEXA AND JOSH BROWN

In honor of the birth of your son, Leo Isaac Brown Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie Schechner

PATRICIA COHEN L’Shana Tovah!

Tessy Salsberg

ARI AND SAHAR DAVIDYAN

In honor of the birth of your son, Ivri Davidyan Partnership2Gether Committee AARON GORODZINSKY AND JENNIE SCHECHNER

In honor of your marriage

Chelsea and Elliot Busch

IN MEMORY BROTHER, DAVID (Brother of Marilyn Gootman Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald PRESTON KUPTSOW (Father of Amy Fels)

Eileen and Roberto Fischmann HOWARD LISTWA (Husband of Sherree Listwa) Linda and Neil Dicker GERALD (JERRY) MELAMUT (Husband of Ethel Melamut)

JFLV Maimonides Society

•

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

of strengthening Jewish life for individuals and families.

• Supporting programs and services of organizations whose values and

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.

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

Major donors

for optimism in the region. Iran, after all, has not been able to fulfill its nuclear goals. “The fact that Iran has not at tained nuclear weapons capabilities is a testament to our efforts,” he said.

He talked about the promising pos sibilities of the changing nature of rela tions among Israel and its neighbors. “In the new Middle East, everyone is a frenemy,” he said. “Everybody is work ing with everybody.” Parties don’t need to agree on much to be able to find the occasional issue for a mutually benefi cial partnership.

Israel and Lebanon, for example, are close to reaching their first agreement in 73 years, he said. It would define the maritime border between the two countries, giving each side certainty re garding its natural gas supplies. “This is at least as significant as the Abraham Accords,” he said of the 2020 agree ments under which the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain recognized Israel as a nation and opened diplomatic relations.

As a sign of growing hope for bet ter days ahead, he noted the name of one Gaza protest movement, which translates as We Want to Live. Life, a desirable life, may be the best hope for progress. Pointing to his cell phone, Ben-David noted: “This machine is flattening the ambitions of humanity.” People can instantly see pictures of beautiful tropical beaches, seared steaks on nice plates… “Everyone everywhere wants those sorts of things.”

Nearing his conclusion, he ad dressed the coming election in Israel,

the fifth in four years. “I’m not sure this one is going to be decisive,” he said. “These elections, like here (in the United States), are mostly about person alities, and I don’t think they’ll affect the region.”

Ben-David’s talk ended with a call for strong support for Israel and its de fense. Israelis today can avoid military service if they want to, he pointed out, so “Israel needs to be worth fighting for. No one (else) is going to fight for us.”

Next came an opportunity for at tendees to take to the podium to speak about the importance of the annual campaign, or just to describe why they contribute. Vicki Wax led the way: “If we’re going to ask people to pledge, we need to lead by example and make our own gift first.”

A line of others followed — imme diate past Federation president Gary Fromer, Harold Goldfarb, current presi dent Robby Wax. Fromer talked about how the Federation provides funds to a number of agencies, including the local Jewish Family Service, Jewish Day School and the Jewish Community Center. He stressed the importance of encouraging the younger generation to get involved and to help strengthen our Jewish community. He spoke about being inspired by his in-laws to want to take care of the Jewish community in the Lehigh Valley.

Robby Wax wrapped up the night with a call to action for the year ahead. “It starts here with this group on a night like tonight.” And it builds from there…

To make your gift to the 2023 Annu al Campaign for Jewish Needs, please contact Aaron Gorodzinsky, aaron@ jflv.org, or 610-821-5500, ext. 337, or visit our website at www.jewishlehigh valley.org.

Women’s Philanthropy event explores the science of friendship

exclusion or a lack of friendship produces the same response in the brain as physical pain.

Denworth pointed out three friendship styles. The indepen dent style is usually preferred by someone who likes solitude and makes friends based on circum stances or shared experiences. The discerning style is the per son with just a handful of close friends and not many friends beyond that. The acquisitivestyle person collects friends.

essential ingredients for friend ship, the relationship may not ultimately be healthy for you.

Denworth agrees with the saying “Some friends are here for a rea son, a season or a lifetime.” If a friendship isn’t reliable, positive and helpful in the present, it is OK to step away.

By Charlene Riegger Director of Marketing

Almost 40 women participated in the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Zoom event exam ining the science of friendship on September 22.

Lydia Denworth talked on the subject of her 2021 book Friend ship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life’s Fundamental Bond. It was an interesting take on the topic, looking through a scientific lens to learn about a subject most people don’t think of as scientific: science is provable and measur able, after all, but how do you measure friendship?

Denworth explained the qualities that friendships share, including long-lasting contact,

positive communication and co operative deeds. In short, friend ship makes us feel connected and makes us more willing to help.

Friendships have a direct relationship to physical health. The psychological is biologi cal. Positive interactions have health benefits, while a lack of friendships has negative effects.

Cardiovascular function, the immune system, sleep quality, mental health, cognitive abili ties, stress responses and rates of cellular aging can all be affected.

Denworth said friendships are just as important to health as diet and exercise.

So what is friendship, anyway? The basic scientific definition is: a relationship with repeated interactions, shared his tory and evolving content (which

makes me wonder whether Netf lix and Hulu could be considered my friends!). It is better to have one quality relationship than many that don’t fulfill all the needs of a successful friendship, Denworth said. A friendship that makes you feel connected and like you belong provides a release of “happy chemicals” in your brain. Conversely, social

How long does it take to make a friend? According to Denworth, about 50 hours of interaction — 90 hours to make a good friend and 200 for a best friend. A friend is reliable, positive and helpful. Most friend ships include a shared world view and mutual respect.

You may have a lot of interac tion with someone, but if that interaction doesn’t include the

Denworth reports that the best predictor of health at age 80 is not family history of disease, or even personal medical history, but satisfaction with your circle of friends at age 50. So, unfortu nately, those simple “secrets to long life” like drinking a beer or scotch every day, eating cookies every night, eating spicy food are as untrue as they seem.

Cherish your friends and you will not only enjoy your life, but also be taking a positive step toward prolonging it. And what does that mean? More time with friends!

Spain’s monarchy to knight Jewish American woman

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Doreen Alhadeff was the first American Jew grant ed Spanish citizenship under Spain’s 2015 law to repatriate Sephardic Jews from around the world. Now she is going to be knighted by Spain’s monar chy for helping others obtain that same citizenship.

Alhadeff, a 72-year-old real estate agent from Seattle, will be knighted under the order of Queen Isabella the Catholic next month, the Seattle Times reported.

Since earning Spanish citizenship in 2016, Al hadeff has helped guide people around the world, from Greece to Hong Kong, through the application process. Alongside synagogue leadership and the Spanish Jewish community federation, or FCJE, she also helped members of Seattle’s Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, an Orthodox Sephardic congrega tion that “holds fast to the traditions of the Island of Rhodes,” certify their heritage research.

“I think it shows unbelievable promise,” Alhadeff told the Seattle Times of her upcoming knighthood.

The order under which Alhadeff will be knight ed is named for Queen Isabella I of Castile — the same Queen Isabella who, along with her husband

King Ferdinand II of Aragon, carried out the Span ish Inquisition and issued the Alhambra Decree, which expelled Jews from Spain.

Alhadeff has spent much of her life deeply involved in her local Sephardic community. She remembers her grandparents and aunts and uncles speaking Ladino, or Judeo-Spanish, at home. She founded the Seattle Sephardic Network in 2013, which aims to provide cultural programs and events for the community and has resources for people looking to receive Spanish or Portuguese citizenship. Alhadeff’s husband, Joseph, also serves on the board of the Seattle Sephardic Network.

“When I go to Spain, I feel home,” Alhadeff told the Seattle Times. When she signed her citizenship papers in 2016, she told the Times of Israel, “I felt a bit as if I were walking in the footsteps of my grandmother.”

The application process for Spanish citizenship is lengthy and complicated: those who apply must prove their Sephardic heritage and pass tests on Spanish language, culture and values through the Cervantes Institute, which only has four locations in the United States. Prospective citizens must also get their documents notarized in Spain.

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 at 610-398-1376.

made payable to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

SPONSORED

Campaign cochairs

place to raise a family, to explore interests and to make a life. It’s also a great place to be Jewish. We have wonderful institutions that give structure and meaning to our commu nal Jewish life. Part of that life is also being passionate about Israel. How great is it that our Jewish Federation and the in stitutions that we collectively support reinforce our interest in community, being Jewish and connecting to Israel?

The past year has really crystalized all of this for me. I had the honor of being the Maimonides president until passing that torch to Zach Goldsmith. In that position I was able to connect further with like-minded Jewish physicians who may not have been part of my immedi ate friend group, and yet we shared career stories, patient care stories and happy hours.

I played squash with my Jewish and Muslim friends at the JCC and got beat there by my son Jon, as he had moved back to Allentown with his wife, Julia.

I was able to go to NYC to spend time with my daughters Liz and Becca, as they moved there to further their lives and yet still be back home here for dinner.

I was able to reconnect with my love and interest in Israel on our awesome Maimonides trip this spring. We were able to honor Mickey Ufberg of blessed memory by donating an ambucycle in his honor. The idea came from our very own Larry Levitt. On this trip I was lucky enough to travel and de

velop meaningful relationships with folks I knew but didn’t really know well. All so smart, and kind and fun.

So, I am just plain old lucky to have a life with all these wonderful connections, and I believe we are lucky col lectively as well. The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Val ley stands for all the things that have blessed my life. It allows us to collectively foster the con tinuation of this great commu nity, this Jewish community, as well as Jewish lives in Israel and around the world.

I am honored to be able to cochair the campaign with my new and now good friend Vicki Wax. How lucky am I to have traveled with her, and how lucky are we to have her be our relentless, loquacious and perpetual cheerleader (and mother of el presidente Robby!).

This wonderful commu nity that our family was lucky enough to wander into back in 1989 needs all its components to continue to attract young families to stay, return or move here. We raise money so that we all can continue to support Jewish life here, in Israel and around the world.

If we are successful at this we will all be lucky and blessed.

From strength to strength

By Vicki Wax Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs Cochair

As I begin the fourth year of a one-year commitment to be

Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs cochair, I can’t help but reflect on my life in our in credible community. Everyone who knows me has heard me talk about the flood of tears I shed at the thought that, as a Brooklyn girl, I could ever live in a place with corn stalks and no immediate family nearby.

What I could never have anticipated was the genu ine love and acceptance of a Jewish community overjoyed to welcome a new young couple to town. As soon as we heard about the Jewish Community Center, we found a home. Martha (z”l) and Ron Segel were our first and forever friends, and our circle of friendship just kept expand ing. Karl Glassman called our expanding friendships “the group that joined the group.”

Over more than 50 years of living here, I’ve had the honor of being taught and led by so many incredible and selfless people, professionals and many volunteers who have given so much of them selves to make our Jewish community what it is today. We’re thriving where so many other communities no longer exist. We have a wonderful formula that respects all ages, welcomes all newcomers and makes everyone feel a part of something so special.

I know that COVID-19 caused many challenges, but it also reminded us how precious life is. Our Jewish Day School remained open for in-person learning, Jewish Family Service attended to so many requests for meals and comfort, and our JCC Friend ship Circle had Zoom meet ings to make sure our seniors were connected when in-per son was impossible. COVID also brought back families that hadn’t lived here for many

years.

When we gather, I love seeing my dear mentor, Lenny Abrams, still participating in building our Jewish communi ty, as well as young parents at PJ Library events. As the Rus sian Jewish comedian Yacov Smirnoff used to say when he first came to America, “What a country,” I say, “What a com

munity!”

I can’t wait to work with Billy Markson, my new campaign cochair; President Robby Wax; Executive Direc tor Jeri Zimmerman; Aaron Gorodzinsky, director of cam paign and security planning; and the entire Lehigh Valley community. Let’s go from strength to strength!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022

The American Technion Society invites you to learn about NANO

HEALERS: A targeted drug delivery system to fight cancer

7 p.m. Temple Beth El

Join us to hear Professor Marcelle Machluf, Head of the Carasso FoodTech Innovation Center and former Dean of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering. Prof. Machluf is renowned for her cutting-edge cancer and drug delivery research, and her work in tissue regeneration and cultivated meat. Coffee reception to follow program. Email melanie@ats.org to register. Free and open to all.

Yoav Regional Council celebrates 70 years

By Nurit Galon Partnership2Gether

Seventy years ago, Yoav, Israel, was virtually unknown. Some of the roads were not really roads, but rather two strips of cement for the wheels of vehicles. There

were no buses, no trains and very few trucks, agricultural tractors and carts. In short, the question “Where is Yoav?” was met with rather complicated explanations. Named after the commander of the fighting units in the area, Yoav was the site of many dif

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ficult battles, battles won by the sheer tenacity of the amateur soldiers of the kibbutzim and moshavim. Those victories were responsible for the southern part of the country’s being included in Israel when the United Na tions decided on partition plan.

Today, Yoav is perhaps one of the most successful and thriv ing municipalities in the country and has received several national awards. Led by Mayor Dr. Mati Tsarfati Hacarvi, and with a 48-percent representation of women on its municipal council, the municipality had much to celebrate for its 70th birthday.

The educational, cultural and development groups in all the communities; the kibbutzim and

Above left: The Roman Amphitheater filled with Yoav residents for the 70th anniversary celebration.

Above right: Dancers in the 70th anniversary show on the amphithe ater stage.

moshavim; Al Azzi, the Arab village that has been an integral part of Yoav from the beginning — all can rightly boast of the children’s playgrounds, sports facilities, music centers, Golden Age facilities and, shortly to be opened, Yoav Business Park.

The dance studio celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and offered a stunningly brilliant evening on the stage.

The third week of August was devoted to the Yoav 70th anniversary celebration, in the

Roman Amphitheatre in Beit Gubrin, including evenings with some of Israel’s best singers. A special emphasis was given to Yoav’s founding fathers (and mothers!), many of whom are now in their 90s, with so much still to do and tell.

Of course the Lehigh ValleyYoav partnership in the Partner ship2Gether program received its due acclaim.

It’s a great time to be an Israeli — and especially to be a part of Yoav!

Pinemere honors Robby Wax and Marty Black during 80th anniversary weekend

More than 300 alumni of Pine mere Camp turned out at the lakeside grounds in Strouds burg over the weekend of September 9-11 to celebrate the camp’s 80th anniversary. They represented every era of the camp’s history back to the sixties and participated in a Shabbat celebration like no other.

A big part of the week end’s special events was honoring Pinemere’s last two board presidents, Marty Black and Robby Wax. Under their leadership, the Jewish overnight summer camp for kids grades 2 through 9 saw unprecedented growth, major renovations to facilities and a return to financial stability.

In recognition of their generosity and commitment, the weekend culminated with the honorary naming of two of the camp’s sports facilities: the Wax Family Basketball Courts and Black Family Ten nis Courts.

Robby Wax’s days at Pinemere began in 1982 as a camper in Bunk 4. Wax, president of the Jewish Fed eration of the Lehigh Valley and senior vice president and

general counsel for St. Luke’s University Health Network, spent six years as a camper in the Line and the Village before becoming a counselor in training (CIT) in 1988. He fondly remembers movie night in the CIT rec hall and the CIT trip to Hersheypark. He was a counselor from 1990 until 1992, teaching basketball and coaching the 14-andunder team.

He reconnected with Pine mere in 2001, doing some pro bono legal work. He joined the board of directors in 2004 and served on the finance committee and as treasurer and vice president before becoming president in July 2014, a position he held until this past June.

During his tenure as president, Wax led several fundraising campaigns, in cluding for swimming pool renovations and the mess hall. When the camp was strug gling financially, he assumed much of the responsibility for overseeing the accounting and budgeting processes.

Marty Black, was born into a Pinemere family. His parents, Donna and Alan

(z”l), met at Pinemere in the 1950s. Prior to starting out as a camper in 1972, Marty and his parents and sister Sara participated in family camping, a tradition that continued after he became a camper.

In 2004 Marty joined the board of directors, where he was an active member of the facilities committee and led the finance committee as treasurer. He also served as a vice president before becoming president in 2010. As president, he led the camp though challenging financial times during the Great Reces sion. When his term ended, he stayed on the board for eight more years.

For more information on the camp that promotes itself with the slogan “Best sum mer, every summer,” visit its website at www.pinemere. com.

Israeli Flavors

IN HONOR

ALIETTE AND MARC ABO

In honor of the birth of your granddaughter, Frankie Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie Schechner

Laurie, Robby, Ben and Danny Wax LENNY ABRAMS, CATHY SACHER AND BETH ABRAMS

In honor of your grandson’s marriage Sylvia and Sam Bub LAURA AND BOB BLACK

In honor of your granddaughter Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah Aliette and Marc Abo Beth and Wes Kozinn IRIS AND JONATHAN EPSTEIN

In honor of your son Charlie’s Bar Mitzvah Sylvia and Sam Bub ROBERTA AND JEFF EPSTEIN

In honor of your grandson Charlie’s Bar Mitzvah Sylvia and Sam Bub

AMIRA AND JEFF GEVIRTZ

In honor of your marriage Elizabeth Parr and Ed Reibman AMIRA AND JEFF GEVIRTZ

In honor of your son Sam’s marriage and your daughter Rachel’s engagement Carol and Gary Fromer AARON GORODZINSKY AND JENNIE SCHECHNER

In honor of your marriage Aliette and Marc Abo Carol and Gary Fromer Carol and Barry Halper Amy and Rich Morse JFLV BOARD, STAFF AND COMMUNITY

L’Shana Tovah

Aliette and Marc Abo

LINDA AND HAROLD KREITHEN

In honor of the marriage of your son Jeff Lynne and Mark Shampain

ROBERTA AND ROBERT KRITZER

In honor of your granddaughter’s Annie and Leah’s Bat Mitzvah’s Beth and Wes Kozinn HENRY MORSE

In honor of your Bar Mitzvah Gloria Lowy

ELAINE AND LEON PAPIR

In honor of your granddaughter, Charlotte’s Bat Mitzvah Beth and Wes Kozinn

BETH AND EDWARD POSNER

In honor of the marriage of your grandson Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald CATHY SACHER

In honor of your son Ryan’s marriage Carol and Gary Fromer NAOMI SCHACHTER

In honor of your 50th Birthday Aliette and Marc Abo Jane and Rob Cohen Carol and Gary Fromer LORRIE SCHERLINE

In honor of the birth of your granddaughter, Jace Aliette and Marc Abo RANDI AND DONALD SENDEROWITZ

In honor of your daughter Rissa’s wedding Roberta and Jeff Epstein Marc Nissenbaum

LYNDA AND RICHARD SOMACH

In honor of the birth of your granddaughter Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz AUDREY SOSIS

In honor of your Special Birthday Roberta and Rich London LAURIE AND ROBBY WAX

In honor of Ben starting Law School and Danny starting his Freshman year in college

Aliette and Marc Abo ROBBY WAX

Best Wishes for a successful term as JFLV President

Aliette and Marc Abo BARBARA AND ARTHUR WEINRACH

In honor of the birth of your grandchild Aliette and Marc Abo Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

IN MEMORY

FATHER (Father of Miriam Pitkoff) Carol and Gary Fromer

JAY APFELBAUM

(Husband of Harriet Apfelbaum) Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein

BEV BLOCH

(Wife of Lenny, mother of Wayne) Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein Randi and Donald Senderowitz

RUTH HELPER

(Mother of Jill Steigerwald) Carol and Gary Fromer

TARAS KOWAL

(Father of Christine Toback) Eileen Ufberg

PRESTON KUPTSOW

(Husband of Andi Kuptsow, Father of Amy Fels)

Aliette and Marc Abo Wendy and Ross Born Sylvia and Sam Bub Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

Carol and Gary Fromer Sandra and Harold Goldfarb

Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie Schechner

Beth and Wes Kozinn

Suzanne Lapiduss and Family Eileen Ufberg Laurie, Robby, Ben and Danny Wax

Vicki Wax Valeska and Israel Zighelboim

HOWARD LISTWA

(Husband of Sherree Listwa)

Jane and Rob Cohen

Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein

Randi and Donald Senderowitz

Lynne and Mark Shampain

JERRY MELAMUT

(Husband of Ethel Melamut)

Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein

Beth and Wes Kozinn

Roberta and Bob Kritzer

Suzanne Lapiduss and Family Penny and Adam Roth Randi and Donald Senderowitz

RICHARD WEIN

(Brother of Carole Ostfeld)

Wendy and Ross Born

HELEN AND SOL KRAWITZ HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND

HONOR ELLEN AND IRWIN SCHNEIDER

Thank you for your hospitality

Joan Lesavoy

RANDI AND DONALD SENDEROWITZ

In honor of the marriage of your daughter, Rissa Joan Lesavoy

MEMORY SISTER, IRENE (Sister of Irwin Schneider)

Joan Lesavoy

610-821-5500

New shlicha brings a love of film and volunteering

programs to promote values and positive behavior — for example, to keep the kids from smoking.

The next stop on her volunteering timeline was Zambia, where she went for three years. One of her main tasks there was to teach reading.

She also put her film background to use. “I made some short videos for donors to see the kids.”

The various duties and challenges of volunteering was the easier part of the three-year commitment. “The most difficult thing was being away from my family for so long,” she said. “We’re very close.”

Eynav Dahan arrived in Allentown from Israel in the first part of September. The new slicha (Israeli emissary) to the Lehigh Valley is now getting to know the area and figuring out specifically what she’ll be doing for the Jewish community.

“I didn’t hear of Allentown until I was going to come here,” she said. So there’s plenty do just to settle into her new home, and then to decide how to apply her personal strengths to her role. “I’m making my own schedule, seeing what I can do here.”

Two things are set for certain. One: “The goal is to bring the culture of Israel to the community, helping people get to know Israel in a more personal way.” Two: working regularly with the students at the Jewish Day School.

Dahan brings interest and experience in the arts to the job. “Doing art things in the community would be fun,” she said. “I’d like to do a lot of film-related activities, maybe partner with the Israeli film festival.”

Film is one of her prime passions. (Tim Burton, director of “Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands” and other generally quirky horror/fantasy movies, is one of her favorites.) In about the 10th grade, she began to concentrate on film in school. Then she went to college for it, with mandatory entry into the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) delayed so she could learn specialized skills to use in her military service.

In the IDF, she mostly worked on training productions. “We’d do educational short films for the commanders, so they knew what to do with their soldiers,” she said.

Besides a love of film, Dahan brings with her a yearslong background in volunteering, the seeds of which were sown in her childhood.

She grew up in the

house her parents ran in the Karmiel Children’s Village on the edge of the city. Troubled kids were taken to live among the 20 houses in the village. The parents in each house cared for a dozen children, plus their own — for Dahan’s parents, that was four girls. “Their job was to be the mom and dad,” Dahan said.

The village was “kind of like a gated community,” Dahan continued, “to keep the children safe and because some would try to run away when they first got there.”

She said she found the situation “very difficult, because I was sharing my parents. When I got older, I was amazed at what they did. That’s one of the things that made me want to volunteer.”

Taking a volunteer position as a “young guide,” she worked in the community with a children’s committee of 1st to 6th graders that was empowered to make certain decisions.

The children’s community center offered various

Other excursions she took included visiting Pittsburgh. As a teen, she’d traveled to the western Pennsylvania city, Karmiel’s partner in the Partnership2Gether initiative, to show a documentary she’d made about her maternal greatgrandmother’s experience in the Holocaust.

She also visited New York City. But she said it’s not as easy as you might think to continuing traveling the United States. “It’s kind of hard for Israelis to get a visa,” she said.

Her time in Zambia ended only this past April. Five months later she’s across the world again, now in the Lehigh Valley.

She debuted in the community at the major donor reception on September 21, handling the video stream for the kickoff event for the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. She’ll be out and about in the valley plenty more during her two years here.

Lehigh Hillel to dedicate new Jewish Student Center

The Lehigh University Of fice of Jewish Student Life is finally ready to celebrate the opening of its new Jewish Student Center.

The dedication of the center at 233 West Packer Avenue on Bethlehem’s Southside will take place on Sunday, October 16, dur ing the school’s Founders Weekend, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Jewish community is invited to attend.

Festivities will include celebrating the 40th anni versary of the original Hillel

House, opened on Summit Street in 1982. Later renamed the Jewish Student Center, the Hillel House remained the focal point of Jewish social and religious activity on campus until Lehigh of fered up a university-owned building. While the school was quiet during the COV ID-19 pandemic, the student center was moved into that new home, on Packer Av enue, in March 2021.

The building is open for student use from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Hours for its

office are Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

The Office of Jewish Student Life has the stated mission “to serve the spiri tual and communal needs of our Jewish students and the broader Lehigh community, so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world during their college years and beyond.”

For more information on the student center or the event, visit injlife@lehigh. edu.

"Strong values, hard work, and our Jewish community have been at the bedrock of my life

take these with me to Congress as I work to support Israel, tackle crime, protect our community, and foster prosperity."

BY STUDENT RABBI ALEX MALANYCH Congregation Am Haskalah

I often go through phases where I use the same idioms on loop — little catchphrases that, for one reason or another, describe not just moments but periods of time. Recently, I noticed myself constantly saying “an embarrassment of riches.”

Indeed, beginning my work in the Lehigh Valley, I am constantly struck by how unbelievably lucky I feel to be a part of so many different Jewish communities: the generosity extended, the resources available, the excitement.

High

of

But it also got me thinking about the season we are in. Rosh Hashanah approached swiftly, Yom Kippur hot on its heels, with all their various observances and rituals. These soon tumble into Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.

Add to this the fact that many holidays in the Diaspora come with two days of observance, and I can’t help but think: it’s an embarrassment of riches.

By holiday number three, we may begin to grow slightly numb. Or, to use a phrase from that giant of psychoanalysis Jacques Lacan, we experience jouissance — too much pleasure. But to an extent, I disagree with Mr. Lacan, who seems to think that beyond the threshold of pleasure is pain. Here I imagine him taking one bite too many of cake after a fine meal; full to bursting, we can appreciate how he might point to the uncomfortable tightness at his belt loops and say, “See the downside of too much of a good thing?”

Alas, spirits both are and

An

are not like stomachs. Sure, both need to be fed, but we often underestimate just how much our neshama (spirit) can handle. In fact, I would argue that our spirits are usually more undernourished than we ever realize. Unlike when we are hangry, we can’t always pinpoint when we need to refuel. There’s no nutrition content label readily available. It can’t be found on a takeout menu. The High Holidays can leave us dazed with their majesty, intensity and persistence. They are truly marathons. Outwardly, our calendars haven’t stopped in weeks, and so, offered another course so rich with the scent of etrog (a sour fruit) and the sweetness of Torah, we dare not take a bite. But our spirits may still need a second helping. As we see the embarrassment of riches before us, we may forget that just around the corner is the month of Cheshvan, sometimes called Marcheshvan or Bitter Cheshvan. With the exception of Beta Yisrael, it

is a time of no holidays, of little rejoicing, of historical sadness. Cosmically, the season shifts slowly from fall to winter and the days grow shorter. Considered this way,

we can see the abundance of Tishrei as not just festive excess, but a time to restock our spiritual cupboards and gather ourselves for the year ahead.

Chag Sameach!

Israeli economics professor makes case for Israel to improve education

By Carl Zebrowski Editor of Hakol

Professor Dan Ben-David didn’t always paint a rosy picture during his lecture hosted by the Jewish Fed eration of the Lehigh Val ley on September 18, but his ultimate message was that the root problem Israel faced — in a word, educa tional decline — could be fixed.

The senior faculty mem ber of the Tel Aviv Univer sity Department of Public Policy and founder and president of the Shoresh Institution for Socioeco

nomic Research told the audience in the Jewish Community Center that Israel was losing ground to other countries in a num ber of statistical categories. At the core was a decline in education relative to rest of the world.

In short, the problem he spelled out was: educa tional outcomes in Israel have slipped, especially in certain portions of the population, resulting in a larger portion of the popu lation earning less money and thus weighing down the nation’s economic growth. Being in a “rough

neighborhood,” he contin ued, Israel needs a strong defense, which requires a top economy to fund it.

“We need a first-world army,” he said.

With charts on display behind him to support his points, Ben-David talked about how Israel has fallen behind in statistical catego ries where it used to lead.

In infant mortality, he said, “Israel is lower than the majority of countries.” And while life expectancy is ris ing almost everywhere, in Israel it’s merely “good.”

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is “good, but not ex ceptional,” with the growth of GDP in Israel having slowed since the 1970s.

“The only reason it is still growing,” Ben-David said, “is because of the small fraction of the workforce in high tech (about 1/10th).”

Which brings us to edu cation. At a glance, things seem to be in order. Israel is No. 1 in years of school ing, which would suggest success.

But not quite. “It’s not the years of education, but the education in those years,” he said, repurposing Abraham Lincoln’s quote

THEi4

about life. Judging by stan dardized testing, “our kids are at the bottom.”

Too many kids in Israel are not getting a proper education, he said. “The secular schools are OK. The religious schools are pretty bad.” Racial minorities also have lower test scores than the rest of the population. And groups with the worst results are the groups hav ing more children, meaning that a higher percentage of the population makes lessthan-average wages.

He said an important change necessary to putting the economy back on the trajectory of its earlier years is to increase investment in education. A major obstacle to that is getting people to realize their overconfidence regarding the situation.

The Shoresh Institution has been working to per suade Israeli leaders that the education problem has serious potential implica tions, and also that they can fix it. “Our point is to wake

people up,” Ben-David said. Among those whose ear Shoresh has had is Prime Minister Yair Lapid, back when he was minister of finance. “The top govern ment officials understand this,” he said, because Shoresh has made sure to explain it to them.

If the people in the right places, with encouragement by Israelis and the Disapo ra, take action, the outlook is bright. “We have some of the best universities in the world,” he said. Is rael, along with the United States, is one of the top two countries in the world for attracting venture capital, meaning that investors have remained confident.

“The problem is the will power,” he said. Israel just needs to summon it.

“We’re not afraid of any thing,” he said. “We’re not afraid to try.

“This is the only Jewish country we have, and we need to keep it and keep it viable.”

The Golden Age or the Rusty Age?

their 90s, to have a certain buying power, with quite a percentage of them still mo bile and reasonably active.

So, as we used to ask ourselves about various new situations, is it good for the Jews or bad for the Jews? In other words, is becoming an older adult (definitely an interesting term!) easier and better today than it was when we were kids and no one questioned the place of our grandparents within the family structure?

to museums and physical education sessions. Who knows, perhaps there are a new Grandma Moses and other talents to be discov ered? Commercially, older adults have been recognized as a potential market and are definitely a seller’s target.

ceramics and jewelry mak ing. In the communities themselves, there are club rooms, breakfasts, meetings and lectures. Members over 80 are provided with small electric vehicles and can be seen navigating the high ways and byways.

A colorful artwork created by an older adult.

By Nurit Galon Partnership2Gether

Once upon a time, the word “old” was used for people who reached the ripe age of the Biblical three score years and ten: 70.

Mostly, grandparents lived with their children, and not too much thought went into this last stage in life, though quite a lot of ef fort went into finding a term that made it seem as though entering this period was ac tually lots of fun: the Golden Age, the Age of Wisdom, the time to do all the things we

never had time for. The me dia did much to portray old age as well-cared-for and ba sically healthy grandparents surrounded by their families of children and grandchil dren and giving out wise advice.

The era of assisted-living facilities, formally known less glamorously as old age homes, arrived everywhere, and with it, the custom of grandparents safe in the knowledge that they would grow old as part of their fam ily became rare. On the other end of the scale, it is not un usual for people to live into

First, in general we don't choose how long we live. But thanks to modern medi cine, our chances of living longer are pretty good. But how can we ensure that with longer life comes greater quality of life? How does society regard us?

Today in Israel and especially in Yoav, there is a definite improvement in the recognition that senior citizens, older adults, de serve to be recognized and helped to enjoy this stage of their lives. There is free public transport for those 75 and older, no waiting in lines, in-home help for those who cannot afford a senior residence, and lectures, uni versity studies, hikes, visits

This is not to say that the world is now a better place for all older adults. Far from it. And we can only hope that the United Nations and other global organizations see this group as desperately in need in many places.

For the moment, let’s take a look at the Yoav municipal ity, where 48 percent of the municipal council is women. Are women more aware of the needs of seniors?

Just a few years ago, Yoav set up a seniors committee with the task of studying the present situation and pro viding a long-term strategy and program. This seniors think tank was composed of two representatives from each Yoav community, and every senior in Yoav was asked to participate.

The results are impres sive. The Golden Age Campus provides courses and lectures, dancing and exercises, painting and

The pioneers of Yoav came from Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe, many of them survivors of the Holocaust, some arriving with the Exodus and with ships of the illegal immigra tion from Europe. There were later groups from the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement. Most of these im migrants are no longer with us, though some in their mid-90s have unbelievable stories to tell, stories that are being carefully documented for future generations.

So, what does the bal ance sheet look like for the Golden Agers of today? On the credit side, there’s much greater awareness that this is a growing group, still able to be active politically by voting and even demonstrat ing. There are clubhouses, activities, free transport and residences. There are trips abroad, as the world has become more available.

On the debit side, in spite of the enormous strides in medicine, old age has somehow brought with it more sickness, more physi cal, emotional and mental problems. The huge devel opments in electronics and our computerized world of ten leave the seniors lost and bewildered, and only too aware that this makes them more and more dependent on family and professional assistance.

But at the end of the day, with all the new problems and situations that crop up, life is better for our seniors. They are now no longer taken for granted. Their potential power in the country and society is recognized, and though they have to deal with situations not fully comprehensible to them, they are now better prepared and less frightened of their future.

Can we all say that?

Country Meadows of Allentown adds programs for Jewish residents

The Jewish population at the Country Meadows in Allentown has been grow ing, and the senior living community is responding.

“We have a bigger and bigger Jewish community, and many of them know one another,” said Pastor Diane Mc Cready, Country Meadows chaplain. “Many of them are local.”

And those residents are interested in coming together as they’ve done in the past. “They enjoy upholding their tradi tions,” McCready said. “We thought we should be doing more for them, to help them develop more of a community flavor.”

Among the regular programs has been a monthly Shabbat luncheon. “It just sort of evolved,” McCready said. At least it did before COVID-19. Recently it’s been on the return.

Jane Levine, with the Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, leads the gathering. Participants receive challah

and grape juice and candles. “Then we serve them a hot lunch,” McCready said.

“Jewish Family Service has been an integral part of helping us with what to do,” she added. Congregation Kenes eth Israel and Temple Beth El also have been essential to the programs.

Cantor Ellen Sussman visits on Wednesdays. “She comes and meets with groups across the campus,” McCready said. “Our residents just love her.”

There are also programs for Jewish holy days. For Rosh Hashanah, she said, “a gentleman from Temple Beth El is coming to blow the shofar.”

Efforts like these to get the Jewish residents more involved and make them better connected will only continue, McCready said. “We’re really doing our best to nurture the Jewish community.”

“I’m an ordained Protestant minister, but I have a special place in my heart for our Jewish residents. And I think they know it.”

Apple Bread Pudding

BY SANDI TEPLITZ

Now that fall is here, the produce section of grocery stores is sure to car ry a largesse of popular apples, some sweet and others tart. Enjoy the crisp fruit out of hand or in a pie, or change it up by preparing this homey dessert. Red Delicious apples work well in this recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

11 ounces white-bread slices

2 large eggs, preferably pasture-raised

1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla

4 large apples, peeled and diced 2 cups milk (dairy, almond or oat)

2/3 cup sugar

1/8 cup golden raisins

1/8 cup brown raisins

TECHNIQUE:

Quickly dip bread in water, then thor oughly squeeze out and tear into piec

es. In a standard mixing bowl, whisk eggs with sugar and vanilla. Add milk, bread, apples and raisins. Mix well.

Pour into a greased 8x8 Pyrex baking pan, and bake in a preheated 375-de gree oven for just under an hour. Serve warm as a side dish or as a dessert with crunchy cookies.

Holocaust survivor turns 100

By Carl Zebrowski Editor of Hakol

It’s not every day that a Holocaust survivor turns 100. It’s only rarer in the Lehigh Valley.

Ruth Saalfeld, a resident of the Heather Glen Senior Living in the Allentown area, celebrated her centen nial birthday on September 9. The surprise party drew a crowd, including TV’s 69 News.

“I didn’t know this was all happening,” said the mother of Congrega tion Bnai Shalom member and retired Lehigh Valley realtor Anita Tish. “I’m a celebrity.”

The journey to 100 be gan in Stuttgart, Germany, where Saalfeld was born to Jewish parents and raised into her mid-teens. That was the 1930s, so she was there when Adolf Hitler came to power.

But she prefers not to talk about the Nazis and their reign. “Everybody already knows about the Holocaust,” she said.

That doesn’t mean she doesn’t talk at all about those years. In fact, her experience back then at St. Agnes Catholic School turned out to be her favor ite conversation topic.

She bonded quickly with the nuns who taught there. “They treated me very well,” she explained. “They really liked me.”

The nuns kept her Jewish background secret and had her participate in regular activities like any other student. “Every morning, we had to go to church before school,” she said. “The kids didn’t even

know I was Jewish.”

But the Nazis found out. Before she could graduate high school, they termi nated her enrollment at St. Agnes.

The situation got much worse. On November 9, 1938, Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass), Nazis who were destroy ing Jewish properties in Stuttgart beat her father, Herman Weil, and dragged him through the streets.

He fled to Paris in hopes of avoiding further Nazi persecution, and Ruth nev er saw him again. When the Nazis invaded France in 1940, they captured him. He died in a death camp.

Shortly after Herman fled Germany, Ruth and her mother, Henny Bern heim Weil (cousin of Albert Einstein’s mother, Pauline Bernheim), left for Holland and boarded the ocean liner Statendam destined for the United States. Family mem bers in New York provided immigration affidavits that helped get them into the country.

Ruth went to work as a nanny for the Manisch ewitz family of kosher food and wine fame. Her mother worked in a nursing home and, later, in a Brooklyn sweater factory.

After World War II, Ruth met Herbert Saalfeld. Saalfeld had just returned from US Army service in Europe. Having landed in Normandy, he fought through France and into Germany, where his unit freed prisoners in Nazi camps. The rescue and ef fort to reunite camp survi vors are detailed in “Mem ories of Evil: Recalling a

World War II Childhood” by Peter Kubicek.

Ruth married Herbert in 1946 and they settled in the Washington Heights section of New York City. Ruth eventually founded DaVinci Wallcoverings, a shop-at-home wallpa per, carpeting and curtain service.

Outside work hours, Ruth was an avid ballroom dancer. From her teen age years into her 70s, she danced at Roseland Dance City near Radio City Music Hall.

Ruth and Herbert had two children, Harold and Anita. Harold is a retired US Navy podiatrist and attorney in Illinois. Anita settled in the Lehigh Valley and worked in real estate. She is a member of Con gregation Bnai Shalom in Easton.

In 2009 Ruth, by then widowed, moved to the Lehigh Valley to be closer to Anita and her family. In March 2022, she moved to Heather Glen.

So how did Ruth make it to 100? Was it the danc ing? Her regular workouts at the Jack LaLanne gym in New York? According to her: “Plain luck!”

Book

By Sean Boyle Special to HAKOL

Award-winning author Joshua Henkin’s latest novel, “Morn ingside Heights,” explores what happens when Columbia University’s youngest tenured Shakespeare professor, Spence Robin, develops early onset Al zheimer’s disease and the effects it has on his family, especially his wife, Pru.

The story opens describing how Pru was raised and grew up in Ohio before coming to New York City to start her mas ter’s at Columbia in the mid1970s. She falls in love with her six-years-senior professor and they shortly marry. The story then bounces between the “present” (30 years later), as Spence progresses through the disease, and flashbacks from throughout their marriage. Pru is the primary narrator but shares the role with Arlo, Spence’s estranged son from his first marriage.

The mixed timeline and pro

‘Morningside Heights’

gression of the disease contrib ute to a deeper understanding of the many conflicts inherent in a family going through such a traumatic experience. There are the expected conflicts of a genius becoming helpless and others trying to maintain his ac ademic honor while the disease destroys his brain, the struggle of adult children accepting their father’s deterioration and attempts to help him and their mother. There’s the struggle that occurs from a family mem ber trying to work full time and be a caregiver and finding and keeping quality, in-home paid caregivers. Even the relation ship with paid caregivers is filled with tension as Pru has to keep remembering that they are paid employees, not family members, even though they are all sharing amazingly personal experiences. But at the end of the day, they go back home to their own families and prob lems, and caring for Spence is really just a job.

Since the primary narrator

is Pru, the reader understands best her process of being a young graduate student fall ing in love and marrying her professor, the progression of her standing by Spence as he moves up in Columbia and gains fame as an author, to her having to watch it all collapse as Alzheimer’s robs him of himself. The reader also experi ences the many ways that Pru tries to cope with her new real ity, including her attempts at renewing her Jewish faith.

Henkin’s father taught at Co lumbia University for 50 years and developed Alzheimer’s in his late 80s. Henkin watched his mother, as his father’s caregiver, begin to participate in activities she had never felt comfortable with before. Exploring his par ents’ experiences was the origins of “Morningside Heights.”

Henkin lives and works in New York City and takes great care to include many references to physical locations. He also goes into great detail about the effects of Alzheimer’s and of the

is good…

many treatments, including new and experimental ones.

Recommended for ages 16120, especially for readers who love New York City and Colum bia University.

Morningside Heights, by Joshua Henkin, Pantheon Books, 2021, 304 pages.

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

family and friends come

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

…when you can take your pick of fun things to do

when new neighbors seem like old friends

always someone there to help if

need it

you have your favorite pet by your side

Baum School to honor Fraenkels at Fall Gala

Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel will be the guests of honor when the Baum School of Art in Allentown hosts its fall gala on November 12 after a two-year hiatus.

The Fraenkels, known for their involvement and dedication throughout the Lehigh Valley, from the Jewish community to the arts community, are

nity, Cocktails and Clay will begin at the school at 6 p.m. and feature a dinner that includes tapas. There will be a silent auction for gift certificates, experiences, artwork and more from around the Lehigh Valley.

Lisa Fraenkel is an artist, educator, lifelong student and member of the Baum School’s board of trustees.

tures. Her leadership as a trustee has been instrumen tal to the Baum School’s success, whether she was serving as an officer or on various committees. Out side the school, Lisa had a career as an art educator at the Jewish Day School and was cochair of the art gal leries at the Jewish Commu nity Center of the Lehigh Valley (JCC).

Barnet is the senior vice president of the FraenkelCichocki Group at Morgan Stanley and a trustee of the Harry C. Trexler Trust. He serves on the board of the Jewish Federation of Lehigh Valley, the JCC, the Charles and Figa Kline Foundation and other community orga nizations. He’s an advocate of foundations that support the arts and culture in the Lehigh Valley.

To coincide with the gala, the Baum School’s galleries will feature “A Class Act: Works of Mentor and Mentee Renzo Faggioli and Lisa Fraenkel,” from October 3 through Novem ber 12. The exhibition will feature the work of cera mist and long-time Baum School instructor Renzo

Faggioli, accompanied by Lisa’s artwork, making for a showcase of the creativity and talents of both student and mentor. Sculptures and ceramic pieces from other long-time Faggioli students,

nicknamed the clay-mates, will be featured.

Dress for the gala is black-tie optional. Ticket price is $150 per person. For more information, call 610433-0032.

Beginning in the early 1970s, Jeff Klepper and Dan Freelander, then song leaders in the Reform youth movement, composed some of the first contemporary JewishAmerican song “hits,” infused with the musical spirit of their generation. Their style blended Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Simon and Garfunkel, Motown and other new sounds with the fervor of Israeli and Chassidic song and the melodic and harmonic sophistication of the Beatles.

Combine that with a deep commitment to spirituality and renewing the worship experience, and you have a potent mix of music that moved thousands to sing and pray.

No. 1 on Adam Sandler’s bucket list? Going to Israel for the first time

By Gabe Friedman Jewish Telegraphic Agency

In 2008, Adam Sandler gave Hol lywood one of its most memorable Israeli characters ever: the Zohan, an Israeli Defense Forces operative with superhuman abilities who leaves the anti-terrorism grind to become a hairdresser in New York. “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” was a block buster hit.

But Sandler has never actually been to Israel.

In an interview with AARP pub lished on Wednesday — at 56, Sandler recently entered the group for older Americans’ historic membership demographic, and he has been using a

cane for an ailing hip — the Sandman was asked what’s on his bucket list after so much success.

“Well, I haven’t been to Israel and I’m the Zohan, for God’s sake. I’m excited to get there,” he said. He also said he’d like to get better at playing guitar and to learn to “speak another language, like fluent Hebrew.”

Sandler is currently in Canada filming his next Jewish-themed flick, “You Are SO Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!” — which is based on a young adult coming-of-age novel of the same name. He’s there with his entire family, and some of them will reportedly show up in the film, including his 84-year-old mother Judy.

PJ Library kids hear about Tashlich

PJ Library families met for a Rosh Hashanah program at the Jewish Community Cen ter on Sunday, September 11. They heard about Tashlich, the practice of throwing breadcrumbs in moving wa ter to symbolically cast away the sins of the previous year.

Rabbi Michael Singer of

Congregation Brith Sholom read a PJ Library story, blew the shofar and did blessings. Participants dipped apples in honey for a sweet new year.

Each child made a shofar and threw bread in water while thinking of the things they were sorry for.

Adam Sandler gave us the Zohan, an IDF soldier with superhuman strength, in 2008's "You Don't Mess with the Zohan." (Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images/Getty Images)

The AARP interview also touches on Sandler’s foray into more seri ous roles over the past several years, including his lauded performance as a Jewish Diamond District salesman in “Uncut Gems.” Sandler says in the interview that comedy will always be his favorite mode, but “Uncut Gems”

fans need not worry — Sandler’s set to star in a science fiction drama called “Spaceman” next year, and he’s previously confirmed that he’s working on another film with Jew ish “Uncut Gems” directors Josh and Benny Safdie (who don’t really do comedies).

Judaism for beginners

Lower Macungie Library to host Jewish celebration

A Taste of Judaism is a free threesession mini course exploring Reform Judaism’s big ideas: Jewish spirituality, Jewish values and the Jewish commu nity. Totaling six hours of learning, the program, sponsored by Congregation Keneseth Israel, is designed for those with little or no experience of the Jew ish faith.

These dynamic interactive sessions are open to the public and will be taught by Rabbi Phil Cohen, an educa tor who will encourage participation through dialogue and thought. This year, the course will be offered at Con gregation Keneseth Israel in Allentown on October 11, 18 and 25 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Although the classes are free, regis tration is a must — no walk-ins will be admitted. For questions or to register, please contact Martina Obenski at 610966-3226 or mobenski@kilv.org.

Klezmer music, games, a craft demonstration and a Yid dish language session will all be among the features of the Lower Macungie Library’s all-ages event Mazel Tov: A Jew ish Celebration on Sunday, October 23, from noon to 6 p.m. Composer, arranger and trumpeter Susan Watts is the klezmer performer. Her lineage in the tradition dates back four generations to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century.

Guest speakers will share stories about the Jewish im migrant experience, as well as the Jewish community in the Lehigh Valley.

Attendees will experience the power of Yiddish the atre, with Charles Richter, professor emeritus of theatre at Muhlenberg College, presenting an overview of the vibrant Yiddish theatre that was incredibly popular with Jewish immigrant populations from the 1880s to World War II. His presentation will include clips from major Yiddish films.

Sean Boyle, the librarian for Congregation Keneseth Israel (and regular book reviewer for Hakol), will read Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback.

Audrey Alexander Nolte, vice president of Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley and second-genera tion Holocaust survivor, will share her family’s experienc es in Nazi Germany in the late 1930s. Her talk will include the 1938-1940 Kindertransport effort to get Jewish children out of the country.

The Mazel Tov festival is the culmination of a grant awarded to the library as part of the nonprofit Yiddish Book Center’s Coming to America reading groups for public libraries. Previous programs included book discus sions about Yiddish literature.

Festival attendees are encouraged to RSVP for the event online at https://bit.ly/mazeltovlml.

Michael Feinstein is bringing his Judy Garland show to Lehigh

Sons of Israel extends invite to daily services and studies

By Barry Halper and Leon Zoller Congregation Sons of Israel

It’s a tradition among many Orthodox families to take one last summer trip after observing Tisha B’Av, the fast day commemorating the destruction of the temples in Jerusalem that falls on the ninth day of the month of Av, this year August 7.

Many people from New York City, Long Island, Monsey, Lakewood, Silver Spring and other areas make a trip to the Lehigh Valley to enjoy its many cultural and natural attractions. At Congregation Sons of Israel’s morning and evening minyanim (prayer services), those visi tors are welcomed to the community.

their shuls back home.

The crooner Michael Fein stein is bringing his Judy Garland show to the Zoell ner Arts Center at Lehigh University at 7:30 p.m. on November 5.

This son of Eastern European Jews whose sur prisingly melodic boyhood poking on a neighbor’s piano in New York City’s Lower East Side inspired his parents to buy a cheap upright and splurge on les sons has made a career of keeping alive songs from the golden age of Ameri can pop music.

Previous Feinstein shows have focused on the tunes of George and Ira Gershwin and on song writers of Tin Pan Alley, most of whom shared Jew ish heritage and roots in working-class New York with Feinstein and the Ger shwins. Famous Tin Pan Alley names include Irving Berlin, Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern and Rich ard Rodgers.

Titled “Get Happy: Mi chael Feinstein Celebrates the Judy Garland Centen nial,” the show coming to the Zoellner center’s 1,000-seat Baker Hall was created for what would have been “The Wizard of Oz” star’s 100th birthday this year. Feinstein will lead the audience through the life of the singer and actress, from vaudeville and the silver screen to the concert hall and television.

Liza Minelli, daughter of Garland and a close friend of Feinstein, is executive producer of the production and provided personal stories for it. Also featured will be some recently discovered, previ ously unperformed musi cal arrangements.

For further information on the event and to buy tickets, visit the Zoellner Arts Center website at zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu.

Sons of Israel in Allentown is the only Orthodox synagogue with daily minyanim in a 50-mile radius, and visitors appreciate hav ing a place to daven with a minyan. Often that means traveling to Allentown from a campsite in Hamburg or driving to the Delaware Water Gap after morning services. Daily minyanaires greet the visitors and answer their questions about the shul (synagogue), the Lehigh Valley Jewish community and places to visit during their vaca tions. Everyone leaves the minyan with a feeling of belonging to Klal Yisrael (the worldwide Jew ish community).

On the heels of the summer visitors are the returning Muhlenberg College students who attend our weekday and Shabbat services. They enjoy a friendly service, similar to the ones in

In addition, the synagogue’s small but dedicated Daf Yomi (daily Talmud study) group met with worldwide reknown recently when Rav Eli Stefansky of the Mercaz Daf Yomi in Bet Shemesh showed a video clip of one of the study sessions. Thousands of people worldwide follow his classes. Because Sons of Israel is between rabbis, its Daf group of men and women watch Rav Eli’s classes on YouTube each morning. One visitor was so impressed by the group’s dedica tion to Torah study that he took a short a video and sent it to Rav Eli, who, in turn, presented it to everyone the next day. You can watch it at https://youtu.be/6gjTm9vbxR8v.

If you’re interested in attending a minyan or studying with the Daf Yomi group, visit the Sons of Israel website at www.sonsofisrael.net for times and contact information.

Am Haskalah year-long program to explore the future of Judaism

Candles, music, coloring: Day school holds party for year’s first Shabbat

The Congregation Am Has kalah program May We Be Inscribed: The Next 50 Years will unfold over the next year, featuring classes, discussion groups, open-mic perfor mances and more. Through a mix of online and in-person events, it will explore the future of Judaism.

The program kicks off with a look back at the past, with several classes on the history of Judaism in America. The first will be Sunday, October 23, at 1 p.m., led by Student Rabbi Alex Malanych.

All the events are open to everyone. Some require preregistration.

For over four decades,

Congregation Am Haskalah has been a home to Jews of the Lehigh Valley looking for a place to belong. It offers a creative, participatory ap proach to Judaism, blending tradition with innovation.

Services and activities are generally held at Congrega tion Brith Sholom, 1190 West Macada Road, Bethlehem. Accessibility accommodations are available. To discuss your needs, contact Am Haskalah at 610-435-3775.

For more information, to sign up for the congregation’s Inscribed newsletter or to reg ister for events, visit the Am Haskalah website at amhaska lah.org or call 610-435-3775.

By Carl Zebrowski Editor of Hakol

“What do we do first?” Joanna Powers asked the kids at the Shabbat party outside the Jew ish Day School of the Lehigh Valley on the morning of September 30.

“We light the candles” was the response. “Right,” said Powers, director of Hebrew and Judaics for the school. “We can’t start Shabbat without lighting our candles first.”

About 70 young schoolchil dren, parents and community members were gathered on the lawn to celebrate the first Shabbat of the new Jewish year, thanks in part to fund ing from Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools, the Harold

Grinspoon Foundation, and PJ Library with support from the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

The participants sang “Sha lom Aleichem” together before the acoustic duo of JDS dads, Jason Toff and Brandon Linn, took the lead of the musical portion of the event. “Brandon and I have traveled the world playing songs,” joked Toff, “but there’s no venue like the Lehigh Valley.”

Appropriately, “Shabbat Shalom” was among the selec tions Toff and Linn played.

“What does shalom mean?”

Toff asked the kids. “Peace” was the response.

It might not have been a bona fide children’s party if not for the appearance of

“Baby Shark.” The duo sang their own words to the notforgettable tune, renamed for the occasion: “It’s Shabbat.”

Even more interesting was the next to last song. “This one’s about a dinosaur that comes to Shabbat,” Linn said.

The duo finished after about half a dozen songs, and the kids headed over to craft tables to color on white paper plates, to the food table to get grape juice and challah, and to the goody table for a bag with candles and a Shabbat blessing sheet.

“It’s an honor to be able to celebrate Shabbat with our JDS families,” said Amy Gold ing, JDS head of school. “We look forward to three more PJ Library events this year.”

Community Calendar

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

KI Shabbat Out of the Box: Origami

10 a.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel. Come join local origami artist Arlene Gorchov (and some special KI helpers) as we explore the ancient practice of transforming flat pieces of paper into 3-dimensional shapes and figures. Origami can not only calm the soul, but also help develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and mental concentration. Ages: 9 and up.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2022

KI Pizza in the Hut

6 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel. Be the first to enjoy dinner in our newly renovated Sukkah! Registration required before October 6. Please register at kilv.org

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2022

TBE Dor L’ Dor

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Congregation Temple Beth El. Join us for Davening, song, cooking, stories and more. This event is fun for families of all ages.

STARTING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022

KI Taste of Judaism... Are You Curious?

7 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel. Taste of Judaism® is a free three-session mini course exploring Reform Judaism’s big ideas - Jewish Spirituality, Jewish Values, and the Jewish Com munity. Totaling 6 hours of learning, the program is designed for those with little or no experience of the Jewish faith. These dynamic interactive sessions are open to the public and will be taught by Rabbi Phil Cohen, an engaging educa tor who will encourage participation through dialogue and thought. This year, the course will be offered October 11, 18 & 25, 2022, from 7 - 9 p.m. at Keneseth Israel. While the classes are absolutely free, registration is a MUST - no walk-ins will be admitted. For questions or to register, please contact Martina Obenski at 610966-3226 or mobenski@kilv.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022

KI Sip ’N Study with Rabbi Phil 7 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel. A little l’chaim with the beverage of your choice, a little studying, a little shmoozing - it promises to be a lovely evening.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022

JDS Community Sukkot Dinner

5:30 p.m., JDS of the Lehigh Valley. Outdoor dinner at JDS. Everyone is welcome. Contact JDS for more information.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

KI Social Action, Social Justice in the Sukkah

7 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel. Discuss some of the great issues of our day while contemplating the stars, feeling the breeze and smelling the grass.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

Elected Official Forum

7 p.m. Jewish Community Center. A pivotal contest will take place in the Lehigh Valley on election day. Join us and listen to Lisa Scheller and Susan Wild individually speak about their campaign focal points and their views on vari ous issues of great importance for the Jewish community and beyond. Make an informed decision on election day by attending this event! Register at jewishlehighvalley.org.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022

TBE Sukkot Dinner

6:45 - 7:45 p.m. Congregation Temple Beth El. Join us for an assortment of soups and salads

and a dairy meal. The cost is $18 per person or $45 per family.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2022 Lehigh Jewish Student Center Dedication

11 a.m., 233 W. Packer Ave., Bethlehem, PA.

Please join us for the dedication of the Lehigh Jewish Student Center! We will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of the first Lehigh Hillel House. Brunch will be served and there will be tours of the building. The ceremony itself will begin at 11:30 and should last no more than 30 minutes. Click here to register.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2022

KI 8th Annual Harvest 5k

10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lehigh Parkway, Allentown. Come join us in Allentown, Pennsylvania’s beau tiful Lehigh Parkway. It is a mostly packed and paved trail along a running river: a refreshing and beautiful natural treat. Water stations will be available at every mile, and expect cheering squads at every crossroads. Can’t join us in Allentown? No problem: join us virtually from anywhere in the world. Register at kilv.org.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2022

TBE Erev Simchat Torah

6:30 - 8:15 p.m., Congregation Temple Beth El. Join us for dancing, Torah reading, and lots of fun for families! No RSVP needed.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022 Maimonides Society Brunch and Learn

9:30 - 11 a.m., Jewish Community Center.

Open to the entire community. No cost for Mai monides members and spouses, non-member cost is $10 per person. Please feel free to invite any healthcare professionals thinking about joining the Maimonides Society. Register by October 19th at jewishlehighvalley.org.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022 Women’s Philanthropy Mitzvah Program

11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Jewish Community Center. Join us to make blankets for women and chil dren in need. The blankets will be donated to local shelters. You may sponsor a blanket or two as well. Let’s help bring a little warmth into the life of someone who needs it! Learn more and register at jewishlehighvalley.org..

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2022

PJ Library and JFS Birthday in a Bag Party

3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Jewish Family Service. Help ing someone celebrate a birthday is an Act of Kindness! Make a birthday card and pack up a birthday bag to donate to Jewish Family Service. Supplies for the bags will be provided. There will be snacks and, of course, a PJ Library story.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022

PJ Library and JDS Mega Kids Challah Bake

12:30 p.m., Jewish Day School. Free and open to the community. Save the Date.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2022

Dignity Grows Packing Party

7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley. Join us to assemble bags for Dignity Grows.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Dr. Gordon Goldberg (z”l) Election Polls Event

7 p.m., Jewish Community Center. Join us to hear Dr. Christopher Borick explain what the polling tells us about the upcoming election.

This event is in memory of Dr. Gordon Goldberg (z”l) who presided over the lecture in years previous.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley 50th Anniversary Celebration

10:00 a.m., via Zoom. Honoring the changemakers who have enriched lives in our community with their vision and dedica tion over the past 50 years. Visit www.jfslv. org/50thanniversary to learn more.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022

KI Shabbat Out of the Box: Hiking

10 a.m., Register by November 10 to get loca tion. Shabbat is a special time to enjoy nature and be grateful for the world around us. Join Melissa and Harvey Hakim for a vigorous hike as we get our heart rates up and notice the beauty of the world that surrounds us. Everyone is wel come! Register at kilv.org by November 10th.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022 KI Celebrate Israel’s 75th!

Brunch and Lecture

10:00 a.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel. The Women of KI and the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley are delighted to present an Israeli -themed brunch and lecture. Cost: $18/person. Ticket link available when you fill out the regis tration form. Visit kilv.org to register.

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 Yid dish language. All are welcome to join this lively, weekly discussion. There is something for every one 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 & 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 mo ment. 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 now.

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 spiri tual life that will help us navigate this time of uncertainty and isolation. Open to all, no previ ous knowledge needed. Sign up now.

TUESDAYS

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

WEDNESDAYS

Judaism for Our Time with Bnai Shalom

11 a.m., Bnai Shalom via Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting: click here.

WEDNESDAYS Yoga with Miriam Sandler: Chair Supported Yoga

1 to 2 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom in person and via Zoom. Be seated in a comfort able chair, preferably armless (folding works well). Some standing poses holding onto chair offered, though students may choose to remain seated. Modifications given. Open to the public in person and live stream available to all via Zoom. *$10 drop-in fee payable to Congrega tion Brith Sholom. For more information, email: mbserow@gmail.com. Join Zoom meeting here.

WEDNESDAYS

Torah Studies: A Weekly Journey into the Soul of Torah

7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley via Zoom and in person. Torah Studies by JLI presents Season Three, a 12-part series. Cost is $36 for the course including textbook. For more information, contact 610-351-6511 or rabbi@ chabadlehighvalley.com.

EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY

Hadassah Study Group

1:25 p.m., via Zoom. We discuss short stories from an anthology. Please contact Marilyn Claire at mjclaire@gmail.com or 610-972-7054 to sign up.

THURSDAYS

Basic Yiddish Class

4 to 5:30 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley via Zoom. Learn to read, write, speak and com prehend Yiddish. Textbooks from Yiddish Book Center available for purchase. Contact: Janis Mikofsky 610-435-3571, ext. 501.

FRIDAYS

Kol Haemek

8:30 to 9:30 a.m., WMUH 91.7. Radio show with Cantor Wartell www.muhlenberg.edu/ wmuh.

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 the home-bound, children’s programs, films, music, books and entertainment. Click here.

DAILY Congregation Sons of Israel Min yanim

Shacharit on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 a.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:45 a.m.; and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Congrega tion 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 website for the weekly listing of the starting time for Mincha/Maariv. Face masks are not required, but strongly recommended. If you have any questions regarding the minyan, please call the synagogue office at 610-433-6089.

MONDAY through FRIDAY

Daily Online Meditation

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