HAKOL - July/August 2021

The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community

www.jewishlehighvalley.org

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Issue No. 445

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July/August 2021

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Av/Elul 5781

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FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p2 LVJF TRIBUTES p8 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p13 HONOR ROLL p14-16 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p18 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p19 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p26

Isaac Herzog sworn in as Israel’s 11th president

PHOTO BY YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90

Jewish News Syndicate

Newly elected Israeli president Isaac Herzog during his swearing-in ceremony at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on July 7, 2021.

Former Labor Party leader and Jewish Agency chairman Isaac Herzog was sworn in as Israel’s 11th president on July 7, saying he would work to repair divisions within Israeli society.

The ceremony took place at the Knesset in Jerusalem and marked the end of Reuven Rivlin’s seven-year term.

The 60-year-old son of the sixth president of Israel, Chaim Herzog, also served as the country’s ambassador to the United Nations.

He was sworn in using the same 107-year-old Torah that his father used, which has long been in the family.

In his inauguration speech, Herzog pronounced that he will be a “president for all” while warning that Israel’s “common ethos and shared values are more fragile than ever.”

He said that “baseless hatred, polarization and division are exacting a very heavy price … the heaviest price

is the erosion of our national resilience.

My mission, the goal of my presidency, is to do everything to rebuild hope.”

In his parting speech, Rivlin also urged Israelis to come together as one and rebuild civilian unity.

“The Jewish state is not something to be taken for granted. A democratic state is not something to be taken for granted,” he said. “And there will be no Israel if it is not democratic and Jewish, Jewish and democratic, in the same breath.”

Herzog was not set to formally move into the president’s residence until after the observance of Tisha B’Av (July 17-18), the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, which is marked by a 25-hour fast. He is respecting the period of three weeks between 17 Tammuz and the ninth of Av, which is a time of mourning for the destruction of the ancient First and Second Temples, as well as other devastating events in Jewish history.

VOICES FROM THE CRC

5 ways Federation fights antisemitism

By Aaron Gorodzinsky Director of Campaign and Security Planning This has been a very difficult year for our Jewish community, witnessing once again a rise in the number of antisemitic attacks happening across our nation. I want to share five things we are doing in our community to fight against antisemitism long-term: 1. We help pass legislation Following many years of work, in 2014 we passed Act 70, giv-

ing all the schools in the state of Pennsylvania the necessary tools, training and funding to teach about the Holocaust. Act 70 provides training to all Intermediate Units, with the guidance of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and uses materials, resources and curricula developed by the ADL and other educational institutions at no cost.

By 2017, 90% of all school entities in the state reported that they are now providing education on Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations within social

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studies and language arts courses.

There is a lot more work to be done, but this is a good start.

In 2016, our state became the 14th state to pass anti-BDS legislation, prohibiting the state from contracting business with organizations and businesses that boycott the State of Israel or engage in boycotts against Israel while doing business with the state. Since then, the number of states has risen to 35.

2. We help protect our Jewish institutions On Nov. 7, 2019, Act 83 was signed into law, establishing the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program and allowing us to apply for additional security funding to protect our institutions.

This program has allowed our Jewish community to apply for hundreds of thousands of dollars in security funding to complement the Federal Nonprofit Security Grant. This year alone, our community received over $80,000 in grants.

In addition to the funding, this year, under the leadership of Gary Fromer, Barry Halper and Rance Block are heading the

security committee to help all our Jewish institutions apply for and obtain security grants. Their work is supplemented by Ilene Cohen, a security grant writer we were able to fund with a grant provided by the Jewish Federations of North America.

3. We educate ourselves We are currently working on five different programs, open to our community to help us be more educated and have the necessary tools to fight against antisemitism in all of its forms.

These programs go from combating antisemitism on social media and in online video gaming to hosting new seminars to prevent and combat antisemitism in our schools and universities.

We will share more about these programs in our next column.

4. We engage with our elected officials We are a community that communicates often with our elected officials regardless of party affiliation. We meet with them often, and we work with their staff to ensure they are aware of the needs in our community.

Our relationship with our elected officials is what allows us to pass the type of legislation we have been able to pass.

This year, we are launching a new program to continue developing those relationships. During the first Friday of each month, we will host a Zoom conversation with a different elected official, all representing the Lehigh Valley. We look forward to releasing the full schedule as soon as it is finalized.

5. We take our elected officials to Israel It is hard to explain the vital importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship to our elected officials if they have never had the opportunity to tour Israel and experienced the complexities of the country. This is why we as a community, supported by the other Federations in Pennsylvania, have guided several missions to Israel. On the last mission, in early 2020, Governor Wolf was part of the mission. We are now working on the 2021 mission, and we hope to bring two elected officials from the Lehigh Valley to the State Mission.

This was our moment On June 30, we closed the 2021 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. As I reflected on the year that passed, I was reminded by the astounding dedication of all those who helped to make our campaign a success during this unprecedented and challenging pandemic year.

Our campaign slogan, “This is Our Moment,” could not have been truer than what was evidenced this year.

By meeting the moment, together we made the difference that enabled us to meet critical needs locally, in Israel and around the world.

In addition to our annual campaign that supports our local agencies, the Jewish Day School (JDS), Jewish Family Service (JFS) and the Jewish Community Center (JCC), our synagogues and Hillels, we also took this

moment to support a special COVID campaign and matching gift opportunity as well as an Israel emergency campaign while Israel was being bombarded by thousands of rockets.

In a year that saw the ground shifting beneath us time and time again, we were ready to meet the moment because of YOU. It is clear we live in an incredibly generous community, and my sincere thanks to each of you who generously supported our 2021 Annual Campaign, enabling us to make critical funding decisions and to provide services on your behalf. Led by our remarkable president, Gary Fromer, our dedicated campaign co-chairs, Robby and Vicki Wax, and our outstanding Women’s Philanthropy president, Carol Fromer, we

were able to stay the course and to navigate the challenging moments of the past year and a half to ensure the continuation of community services to benefit all. Together with our agencies, we were able to meet social services demands on our food pantry and for our seniors, we supplemented funding to ensure that our pools and summer camp were ready to safely open, and we helped our day school to keep the school year going safely, both in person and through hybrid learning opportunities.

Now as we begin to see things reopening, we are faced with rising antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. Through our Community Relations Council (CRC), we are facing the challenges with heightened advocacy, education and

security. “This is Our Moment” became more than just a campaign slogan. Like Jewish Federations across the country, what positions our Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley to impact diverse areas all at once such as social services, Jewish life and crisis response locally and around the world is our annual campaign. It sustains an unparalleled network of agencies that enables all of us to respond quickly, especially in times of great need.

The annual campaign is why when the pandemic struck, when Israel was under attack, and when antisemitism struck at home, we had the infrastructure to respond.

I am profoundly grateful to our volunteers and leadership and to our professional staff who inspired and

worked seamlessly throughout a difficult year to meet and address the many unique challenges we faced together.

As the 2021 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs closes, I am gratified by your strong support and ongoing commitment to ensure that our community remains robust and resilient. I thank you for rising to make this our moment. With best personal regards, I wish you a relaxing and pleasant summer and look forward to a strong return as we plan for the 2022 program year.

HAKOL STAFF STEPHANIE GOODLING Editor

Thank you

ALLISON MEYERS Graphic Designer HAKOL is published 11 times per year for the Jewish communities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and vicinity by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS

$2,268,152 RAISED

2021 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs

The Lehigh Valley-Yoav Partnership Park in Blessed Memory of Mark L. Goldstein We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship by requesting that trees be planted in the Mark L. Goldstein Friendship Park, a Yoav-Lehigh Valley Partnership Forest.

IN HONOR PAM AND DAVID BYALA In honor of Sophie’s Bat Mitzvah Beth and Wesley Kozinn ALICE AND MARK NOTIS In honor of the birth of your grandson, Boaz Cooky and Mike Notis SHARI SPARK In appreciation 2021 Confirmation Class of Temple Beth El ROSE VENEKLASE In honor of your Bat Mitzvah Linda and Neil Dicker IN MEMORY JERRY ALPER (Husband of Tina Alper) Nancy and Michael Busch DAISY ELIAS (Grandmother of Shay Shimon) Jane and Rob Cohen MARJORIE JASPER (Wife of Baron Jasper) Arlene and Richard Stein

HELEN REGENSTREIF (Mother and grandmother of Sandra and Sue Levine) The Holender Family MICHAEL (MICKEY) UFBERG (Husband of Eileen, father of David, Jacob, Larry, Bonnie and Matthew) Judy Alperin Nancy Bernstein Jill and Jeff Blinder Beth and Scott Delin Barrie Essner Eileen and Roberto Fischmann Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel Susan and Bob Gadomski Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie Schechner Mindy and Eric Holender Linda and Harold Kreithen The Levy Family Daniel Poresky Mike and Nancy Schultz-Koch Allison and Shay Shimon Arlene and Richard Stein Barbara and Fred Sussman Enid and Alan Tope

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

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Submissions to HAKOL must be of interest to the entire Jewish community.

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

We cannot guarantee publication or placement of submissions.

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

DIANE MCKEE Account Representative TEL: 610-515-1391 hakolads@jflv.org BAYLEY CARL Marketing & Engagement Associate

JFLV EXECUTIVE STAFF JERI ZIMMERMAN Executive Director TEMPLE COLDREN Director of Finance & Administration AARON GORODZINSKY Director of Campaign & Security Planning WENDY EDWARDS Office Manager GARY FROMER JFLV President

Member American Jewish Press Association

All advertising is subject to review and approval by The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley (JFLV). JFLV reserves the right to decline, withdraw and/or edit any ad. The appearance of any advertising in HAKOL does not represent an endorsement or kashrut certification. Paid political advertisements that appear in HAKOL do not represent an endorsement of any candidate by the JFLV.

JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY MISSION STATEMENT

In order to unite, sustain, and enhance the Lehigh Valley Jewish community, and support Jewish communities in Israel and around the world, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is dedicated to the following core values: • Supporting Jews in need wherever they may be.

• Supporting Israel as a Jewish homeland.

• Supporting and encouraging Jewish education in the Lehigh Valley as a means of strengthening Jewish life for individuals and families.

• Supporting programs and services of organizations whose values and mission meet local Jewish needs.

To accomplish this mission the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is committed to the following operating guidelines: • Raising and distributing funds to support the core values.

• Developing Jewish leaders.

• Building endowments to support implementation of core values.

• Committing to ongoing Jewish community strategic planning.

• Fostering cooperation among organizations and community building.

• Evaluating all decisions with respect to fiscal responsibility.

• Identifying unmet needs and investing in community initiatives to help get them started.

• Coordinating and convening a community response as an issue or need arises.

• Setting priorities for allocation and distribution of funds.

• Acting as a central address for communication about events, programs and services of the Jewish community as a whole.

Approved by the JFLV Board of Directors on November 15, 2000

Federation director judges competition to find Israel’s Next Entrepreneur

Jewish Federation Executive Director Jeri Zimmerman was selected to serve as one of the judges for The Ted and Hedy Orden z”l and Family 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year competition sponsored

by Unistream in partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. The competition took place on July 14 via Zoom.

The Entrepreneur of the Year competition is an annual special event in Israel featuring over 1,500 youth presenting their business startups and groundbreaking social ventures. Now in its 17th year, the competition attracts hundreds of top businesspeople, successful entrepreneurs, journalists, diplomats and government representatives. There are around 250 business and social leaders and government rep-

resentatives from around the world, like Zimmerman, who serve as judges to evaluate the contestants and choose Israel’s Next Entrepreneur.

This year, the competition will include a public voting campaign in collaboration with Calcalist, and scores from the virtual judging will be weighed alongside the scores from the public vote, with the winner announced on July 28 at a special event celebrating Unistream’s 20th anniversary at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv.

Unistream was founded in 2001 by businessman and entrepreneur Rony Zarom with the aim of ensuring that every youth in Israel, including those in the periphery, has equal opportunities in life. Their goal is to enable youth to unlock their hidden potential by acquiring professional and life skills that will guarantee their future success. They provide each youth participant with entrepreneurial skills and tools which they can leverage to turn a dream into a startup—all while expanding their horizons and drawing inspiration from various spheres of innovation, enabling them to create new solutions and effect change in the world.

Thank you to our departing staff leadership Federation would like to express appreciation to two staff members for their years of service to the community. While we will sorely miss them, we wish Stephanie Smartschan and Jim Mueth the best as they pursue the next chapters in their careers. We offer our sincere thanks for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the goals of our Federation.

Stephanie Smartschan has resigned her role as the Director of Community Development & Operations of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. Stephanie will be moving on to pursue an exciting opportunity with Momentum as their Development Projects Manager. We wish her much success in this new endeavor.

Since joining JFLV 10 years ago, Stephanie had played an integral and successful role in growing our marketing efforts and more recently in working with our women's philanthropy and producing effective campaign events. She has many accomplishments to her credit, below are just a few:  Assisted Federation to restructure its staff and took on an increased leadership role  Conceived and orchestrated innovative fundraising campaigns, including the 60 Day Challenge, that brought in a significant number of new and increased gifts  Produced the Federation's first annual report and reports

thereafter  Developed partnerships with local media organizations and other nonprofits to increase awareness of the Jewish community through first-oftheir-kind sponsored content agreements for Shalom Lehigh Valley magazine  Conceived and secured a marketing services arrangement with Jewish Family Service  Led a complete revitalization of the Federation website, the JFS website and the Shalom Lehigh Valley website  Launched an active social media campaign to attract new residents to the Lehigh Valley  Successfully produced many women's events and built deep and lasting relationships through Women's Philanthropy Jim Mueth has resigned as the Planned Giving and Endowment Director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. Since his hiring in 2013, Jim played a role in the success of growing our endowment fund.

We thank Jim for the eight years of dedicated work, which resulted in many accomplishments, including:  Establishing our new Donor Advised Funds program.  Working with our Endowment Committee and our Investments Committee to implement policy and guidelines.  Overseeing a robust Request

Above, Stephanie Smartschan Below, Jim Mueth

for Proposals (RPF) process to engage an asset manager with whom to invest our endowment funds.  Successfully launching and managing our Life & Legacy program through the Grinspoon Foundation.  Creating marketing materials on behalf of our Agencies, Synagogues and Organizations for co-investing in our endowment fund.  Applying to the State of Pennsylvania on behalf of our community for EITC and OSTC scholarship funds.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 3

Nationally acclaimed rabbi encourages community at annual meeting

By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor On June 10, over 90 households tuned in via Zoom for the Jewish Federation’s annual meeting. Federation President Gary Fromer greeted the audience, commending them for weathering the pandemic together and thanking the community for their continued support.

“I’m more proud than ever to be a Jew living in the Lehigh Valley,” he said.

Fromer then passed the screen over to the evening’s keynote speaker, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, who is one of the most quoted rabbis and thought leaders in America.

Salkin, who shared that he had visited the Lehigh Valley many times in-person, said he was “not surprised” by the success of the 2021 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs and the ongoing commitment of the Lehigh Valley Jewish community to one another and to Jews around the world.

“Smaller Jewish communities around the country, like Lehigh Valley, are the beating heart of Jewish life. I’ve often found in my travels that when you go to a community like the Lehigh Valley, where generations have lived, where people really have strong roots, that the attachments are deep and powerful and really have strong roots, woven together like the strands of a Havdalah candle,” Salkin said.

Speaking on the current state of Jewish life in the United States, Salkin offered a triangular image.

“One part of the triangle is the pandemic, another is sociology of American Jewry and American religion, another part is American Jewish demography.

How those three parts of the triangle are constantly interacting over the past year,” he explained.

Salkin compared the transformation that the American Jewish world had undergone during the pandemic that of the way Judaism was reinvented

when the Romans had destroyed Jerusalem.

“The Temple was gone and along with it, the sacrifices. They needed new places for Judaism to happen, so they relocated to home - to the table - and to the synagogue. And this year, what did we do? In large measure, we did not have [access to] the brick and mortar institutions. In order to do Jewish, we had to move back into our homes, to our tables, to our desks, too many of us to our beds. We were on our laptops, on our phones, on our tablets. We moved Judaism to the cloud, which, let the record note, is a biblical euphemism for God.” Salkin said that in March 2020 he believed that in some ways technology would destroy our sense of community. But now, “I’m not so sure. Is it possible that the last 35 years of the development of technology were lying in wait as a test to see if we could use these tools to adapt themselves to a moment of crisis?”

Acknowledging the losses and griefs of the past year, none-

theless, Salkin was full of hope.

“It is very hard to kill our sense of what we are. In recent weeks, there have been once a day antisemitic acts in this country. We’ve never lived through this. We will survive. The real question will be in the words of the Talmud, what will we learn from all this?” he asked in closing.

The program continued with the business meeting portion of the annual meeting, including thanking all those board members who were completing their terms. Carol Fromer was also acknowledged for her two years as President of Women’s Philanthropy and now stepping into an eight-year term on the national Women’s Philanthropy board with Jewish Federations of North America. Jennifer Oxfeld was thanked through a video for her over 10 years of leading the Shalom Baby program and welcoming over 200 babies to the Lehigh Valley Jewish community. Recognition was also given to Jim Mueth and Stephanie

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin Smartschan for their years of service on the Federation staff (see page 3).

Then the awards were presented, with a video acceptance speech from each recipient: Brian Ford receiving the George Feldman Award for Young Leadership; Eric Lightman receiving the Mark L. Goldstein Award for Outstanding Jewish Professionals; Dr. Bill Markson receiving the Daniel Pomerantz Award for Campaign Excellence; and Eva Derby receiving the Mortimer S. Schiff Award for Prejudice Reduction. (See the June 2020 issue of HAKOL to learn more about the award winners.)

GA adopts hybrid model this fall After the last year of dramatic events with far-reaching consequences for the Jewish community, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the recent and drastic rise in physical and verbal acts of antisemitism, the Jewish Federations of North America are preparing to build a collective response to ensure the health, safety and continued wellbeing of the Jewish people. At the 2021 General Assembly, taking place Oct. 3-5 both in Washington, D.C., and virtually, leaders of the Jewish community from across the country will set the course for the year ahead.

“Collaboration and collective action are key to the success of the Jewish community.

Which is why we work very closely with partner organizations to actively address the issues facing Jews today,” a statement on their website said.

At this year’s GA, several important areas of Jewish life will be explored, including: Jewish security in North America and worldwide; building and fostering civic partnerships; and

North America’s relationship with Israel. GA 2021 participants will review the current state of these issues and provide important input and direction for the coming year. They will consider pressing current events, but also look at long-term trends of Jewish equity, diversity and inclusion, philanthropy and the demographic data from the Pew Research Center 2020 survey of Jewish-American life. Both small group discussions and full plenaries will focus on education and overcoming challenges.

To ensure they are continuing to safely chart the path for Jewish communities to flourish, this year’s GA will be held as a hybrid in-person/remote conference. In order to stay safe, 500 professional and lay leaders will be selected to join the event in person, following COVID-19 safety protocols throughout the conference in accordance with CDC guidelines. Last year, in the midst of a global pandemic, the GA took place completely virtually, allowing JFNA to reach more people than ever before. This year, a virtual component will again be offered in addition to the small in-person gathering.

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My two homes

By Gavriel Siman-Tov Community shaliach Recently, I had the opportunity to go back home to Israel to see my family and friends after almost a year of living on the other side of the world. This visit made me realize something. It made me realize that Israel will always be my home, but also that the Lehigh Valley and the Jewish community have become my home and my family.

I moved here in early September, right in the middle of the pandemic, as an emissary from the Jewish Agency for Israel to work and live in the Valley, to connect to people and to bring Israel a little bit closer to the community — to be the bridge. But there was one main thing I was worried about. How can I connect to people when I’m in my apartment working from Zoom?

This concern vanished pretty quickly. After the first week, I felt at home. People were reaching out, asking if I needed anything and wishing the pandemic would be over so we could have dinner together or just grab a cup of coffee. This feeling was the closest thing to a hug you can get in the middle of a global pandemic.

And, as you know, things got so much better since we got vaccinated, and life is starting to look more and more like we remembered it.

I was just in Israel for two weeks and had time to spend with my family and friends. To go

A sign at the entrance to my city saying, in Hebrew, “You came home, Ramat Hasharon.” out or just sit at home to have a Shabbat dinner with my family, and to play some “Katan” with my friends. And now I’m back at my second home here in the Lehigh Valley.

Here with my second family, I’m so excited to be able to meet more and more people in person, to see them in the flesh and not only in a square on a Zoom call, to be able to sit down for lunch and chat, to get to more and more members of my family that took care of me during this global pandemic when I just moved here from across the world.

I’m excited about the new normal and know that it’s going to be great.

Community shaliach is ready for his second year — in-person

By Bayley Carl JFLV Marketing and Engagement Associate “It’s almost been a year since I got here,” reflected Gavriel Simon-Tov, our Israeli shaliach, who has been here since fall of 2020. To say that this year was nothing like he expected his

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shaliach experience to be is an understatement.

Siman-Tov’s first unique opportunity of 2020 was to travel internationally. There were risks in doing so due to the pandemic, but in the end everything was fine. He had the support of many, and the care of two Federation staff members to get him through his quarantine. And if there’s one thing Siman-Tov took from the pandemic — there’s no time like the present.

“If I wasn’t going to do it now, I wouldn’t know what the next year would hold,” he explained.

During his first two weeks in Allentown, Siman-Tov met people solely through Zoom. Now, a year later, he's finding himself having to re-meet people.

“The funniest thing in person is how you recognize them, and you don’t have that getting to know someone over Zoom,” he said.

But now, exciting things are happening for Siman-Tov. He is starting to meet everyone in person, because of camp! While “everyone” largely consists of the younger members of our Jewish community, that will be his demographic heading into the school year. Come this fall, Siman-Tov will spend every Thursday at JDS. Last year, he mostly got to teach classes over Zoom, but he’s definitely excited to get to be in-person again.

“I think it’ll make a big difference, because my job is to make connections, and I think once we’re in person that will make it a lot easier.”

This school year, Siman-Tov will focus on teaching third grade and up. He wants to

Head camp counselor Heather Goff leads campers in a Shabbat celebration with the help of Gavriel Simon-Tov. have more Israeli education, and now that he knows the people better, he wants to focus on history and the student’s connections to Israel. He really wants to emphasize everyone’s common connection through Israel, showing that “we all share a history.”

“Why is Israel important?” and “why is it the homeland of Jews?” and “why do people say that Israel feels like home?”

These are all questions that Gavriel is excited to focus on with JDS students this coming school year.

He is already planning something for the older kids especially, that he did when he was in school.

“For me, growing up, every year at school we had a Yom HaShoah and Yom Hazikaron ceremony,” he explained. The students will get the chance to participate in the name readings if they’d like to. Last year, Siman-Tov worked with the students to make a name reading video, but this is one thing in particular he’s excited to be in person for.

“I don’t know how things work in a normal year and there’s a lot of new things because I don’t know how this community works in a nonCOVID situation, but it’s super exciting,” he said.

Do you know Noam?

By Bayley Carl JFLV Marketing and Engagement Associate This year’s camp shaliach is Noam Creme. Even though he only arrived in America recently, Creme is already part of our community — he’s from Yoav!

Creme, 23, lives in Kibbutz Gal-On. There, he sits on a young adult committee for Gal-on that he cofounded. This committee’s goal is to make young adults have their voices heard in the community.

Since starting this committee, they’ve been able to sit in on other meetings, concerning how the kibbutz operates.

After graduating from Tafit Regional High School, Creme served as a combat medic in his unit, Jordan Lions, a mixed gender unit in the IDF. “I wanted to do something meaningful,” he shared. While Creme didn’t plan to become a medic, it was incredibly fulfilling to him. He knew the work he was doing mattered on a humanitarian level.

He became a new recruit company medic in 2016. He did two cycles, including training and active duty at the front line on the West Bank. He served the end of service at the battalion medical unit. This included helping civilians and going into Palestinian villages to provide emergency medical services, along with routine medical services for civilians and the army.

After his service, he went traveling to French Polynesia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao and Nepal, and then the pandemic hit.

Creme had previously travelled to the United States. He visited his family, some of whom live in San Francisco. That being said, he had no existing plans to come to the United States to work. But, through the work he did on the young adult committee, he was able to do so.

In late 2020, the Yoav Steering committee was looking to diversify the age of their staff, Creme was a perfect fit. Later, when he was asked if he wanted to be in charge of the teen delegation this summer, “Of course I said yes,” Creme recalled. Very soon after his interview,

he got hired here. Unfortunately the teens couldn’t come because of the pandemic, but they still wanted him to come to maintain the connection.

An important reason for Creme still coming without the teens was to help to maintain our Lehigh Valley-Yoav relationship. After none of the Yoav community was able to attend camp last summer, a revised program was better than no program.

Creme’s camp shaliach experience is surely unlike any others have been. He still stays with host families and engages with the community camp. While some experiences are missing, others are new and exciting.

“Between both working and being at camp, I’m working to maintain the relationship with Yoav, and make the relationship between us better,” he said.

Another way Creme’s experience is special is the Yoav connection.

“Since I am from Yoav, that adds another level of community.” Through him, we’re able to continue to strengthen our relationship with the Yoav community.

When Creme returns home, he will continue to take part in the kibbutz movement and the young adult leadership within it.

“To get a say in the kibbutz management is important to me,” he shared.

In 2022, he plans to study political science at the Hebrew University.

Noam Creme leads a group of campers through Israeli studies activities.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 7

IN HONOR SARA AND CHAD BRESCHER In honor of Sophie’s Bat Mitzvah Beth and Wesley Kozinn SYLVIA AND SAM BUB In honor of your daughter Carol joining the Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) National Women’s Philanthropy Board Sybil and Barry Baiman DANNY COHEN In honor of your complete and speedy recovery Sylvia and Sam Bub Elaine and Leon Papir Vicki Wax BEN DAHAN Mazel Tov on your graduation Jane and Rob Cohen EVA DERBY In honor of receiving the Mortimer S. Schiff Award for Prejudice Reduction Joan Brody Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald Beth and Wesley Kozinn GAIL AND FRED EISENBERG In honor of the birth of your granddaughter Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein ALLYSON FELS In honor of your graduation The Rabin Family ARLENE FELTINGOFF In honor of your granddaughter Gabrielle’s graduation Sybil and Barry Baiman BRIAN FORD In honor of receiving the George Feldman Achievement Award for Young Leadership Sheryl and Rance Block Rita and Michael Bloom Beth and Wesley Kozinn Elaine and Leon Papir CAROL BUB FROMER In honor of joining the Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) National Women’s Philanthropy Board Sybil and Barry Baiman Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald AARON GORODZINSKY In honor of your engagement to Jennie Schechner Joan Brody Linda and Mike Miller BOBBY HAMMEL Wishing you a full and complete recovery Suzanne Lapiduss JANE KAPLAN Wishing you a full and complete recovery Elaine and Leon Papir BETH KUSHNICK In honor of being elected as the President of the JFLV Women’s Philanthropy Board Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald

EVA LEVITT Wishing you a full and complete recovery Bonnie and Bobby Hammel ERIC LIGHTMAN In honor of receiving the Mark L. Goldstein Award for Outstanding Jewish Professionals Sheryl and Rance Block BILL MARKSON In honor of receiving the Daniel Pomerantz Award for Campaign Excellence Sheryl and Rance Block JIM MUETH In honor of and gratitude for your years of service Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald Bonnie and Bobby Hammel MADELEINE ROSENTHAL In honor of your graduation The Rabin Family PENNY AND ADAM ROTH Happy Anniversary!

Audrey Cylinder SACHA SANCLEMENTE A pleasure to have worked with you Gloria Lowy CHARLIE SAUNDERS Happy 80th Birthday Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein LIZ SCOFIELD In honor of the birth of your granddaughter Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein LINDA AND ELLIOT SHEFTEL In honor of the birth of your granddaughter, Jessa Lynda and Richard Somach MAX SHELEV In honor of your High School graduation Sybil and Barry Baiman STEPHANIE SMARTSCHAN With gratitude for all you’ve done for our community Bonnie and Bobby Hammel BARBARA SUSSMAN In honor of your complete and speedy recovery Barbara and Arthur Weinrach TAMA AND FRANK TAMARKIN In honor of the graduations of Hannah and Gabe Peggy and Bill Berger IN HONOR OF DR. DARREN TRAUB’S SERVICE AND EXPERTISE Anonymous IN MEMORY BROTHER (Brother of Bill Offrichter) Carol and Stewart Furmansky LUCILLE BINDERMAN (Mother of Beth Kozinn) Sybil and Barry Baiman

Joan and Richard Bass Bonnie and Bobby Hammel Jane and Arthur Kaplan MATTHEW CARR (Father of Jackie Carr) The Unger Family PHYLLIS COHEN (Mother of Robie Barga) Roberta and Jeff Epstein Audrey and Art Sosis WILLIAM FELS (Father of Eric Fels) Bonnie and Bobby Hammel ETHEL GERSHMAN (Mother of Howard Gershman) Lynn and Samuel Feldman HERBERT GORDON (Brother of Michael Gordon) Rita and Michael Bloom MARJORIE JASPER (Wife of Baron Jasper, brother of Nate Schiff) Sybil and Barry Baiman Marilyn Claire Roberta and Jeff Epstein Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein Carol and Stewart Furmansky Elaine and Leon Papir Randi and Donald Senderowitz Audrey and Art Sosis Barbara and Arthur Weinrach GARY KOCH (Father of Jeff Koch) Laurie and Robby Wax and Family FERNE KUSHNER (Mother of JoAnne, David and Leila) Sheila Berg Wendy and Ross Born Roberta and Jeff Epstein Bonnie and Bobby Hammel JAY MELAMUT (Brother of Gerald Melamut) Beth and Wesley Kozinn JANE OPPENHEIM (Mother of Ellen Feldman) Wendy and Ross Born Lynn and Samuel Feldman Susan and David Hyman Lynne and Mark Shampain JOEL PEARLSTEIN (Father of Sharon Gayner) Laurie and Robby Wax IZABELLA ROTHSCHILD (Sister of Rob Gayner) Laurie and Robby Wax RONNIE SHEFTEL (Mother of Bruce Sheftel) Lynda and Richard Somach MICHAEL (MICKEY) UFBERG (Husband of Eileen, father of David, Jacob, Larry, Bonnie and Matthew, brother of Carol Liebman) Sandra and Anthony Abdalla Lenny Abrams and Family Sybil and Barry Baiman Sheryl and Jeff Bartos The Baruch Family Joan and Richard Bass Laurie Benowitz Bass Joshua Bennett and Danielle Lambersky Shelia Berg Susan and Larry Berman Peggy and Bill Berger

Am Haskalah

Reconstructing Judaism in the Lehigh Valley at the Allentown JCC, 702 N. 22nd Street Mon. 9/6 6pm ● Erev Rosh Hashanah Tues. 9/7 10am ● Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Tues. 9/7 1pm ● Tashlich at Cedar Beach Park Wed. 9/8 10am ● Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Wed. 9/15 6:30pm ● Kol Nidrei Thurs. 9/16 10am ● Yom Kippur Morning Thurs. 9/16 6pm ● Mincha, Book of Jonah Reading & Discussion, Neilah & Break Fast

In-Person & Online ● Free ● Open to All Please RSVP to AmHaskalahDirector@gmail.com

AmHaskalah.org 8 JULY/AUGUST 2021 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

610-435-3775

Scott Bernstein and Family Laurie and Marc Berson Laura and Bob Black Marge and Doug Blake Rita and Michael Bloom Ellen and Stephen Blumberg Wendy and Ross Born Marilyn Braunstein Debbie and Steve Briggin The Brill Family Joan Brody Edith Rae Brown Nancy and Michael Busch Allison Brucker and Kevin Cross Terry and Sandy Brucker Leslie and Victor Bunick The Caney Family Marilyn Claire and Family Jane and Rob Cohen Karen and Peter Cooper The Crain Family Karen and Michael DeAngelis Ruth and Richard Derby Jacqueline and Mitchell Dickman Danielle Eason Vicki and Gary Erlbaum Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald Joan Epstein Roberta and Jeff Epstein Donna and Barry Feinberg The Feld Family Lynn and Samuel Feldman Amy and Eric Fels Arlene Feltingoff Marlene and Arnan Finkelstein Robert Fioretti Tony Fischer Kathleen and Dennis Foster Jonathan Friedman Tracy and Jon Friedman Carol and Stewart Furmansky Jessica and Adam Furmansky Shirley Furmansky Ann and Gene Ginsberg Dayna and Howard Glantz Ariella Glazer, Sara Folit-Weinberg and Rita Borromeo Sandra and Harold Goldfarb Nanci Goldman and Steven Bergstein Ellen Goldsmith and Ed Shapiro Sally Goldstein, Bobbie Leiter, Ruthie Tanur and Ellen Read Ellen and Michael Gordon Elizabeth and Jake Greenberg Carol and Barry Halper Sandra and George Hartzell Etta Heller Jacqueline Herring The Hoenig Family Arlene and Rob Hurwitz Mary Anne and Thomas Johnson Sharon and Paul Kaliner Debbie, Michael and Scott Kaplan Cheryl and Bernie Kelberg Monica Kenvin Debbie and Andy Kimmel Iris Klein Steffi and Bob Kricun Roberta and Robert Kritzer Cantor Mark Kushner Carole and Alan Kushnir Merry Landis and Randy Steinberg Suzanne Lapiduss Martha Lebovitz Elaine Lerner Hilary and Andrew Levin Marsha and Jeff Levine The Levy Sisters Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz The London Family Dina and Michael Lunder The Marcus Family Denise and Gregory Marks Claudia Mattison, Diana Orenstein & Veronica Fischmann Margy McGroarty Diane and Gary Miller Linda and Mike Miller Judy and Alan Morrison Amy and Rich Morse Bobbi and Jay Needle Taffi Ney Alice and Mark Notis Cooky and Mike Notis The Nullman Family

Carole and David Ostfeld Jennifer and Gary Oxfeld Elaine and Leon Papir Jamie Paranicas and Jacob Pickle Dena and Yoni Parmet Marcy and Herb Parnes Margie and Mark Paul The Pedowitz Family Roberta and Alan Penn Jayne and Ron Perilstein Pinemere Camp The Piro Family Ina and John Portnoy Beth and Ed Posner Lota and Bob Post Lauren Michel Rabin Bonnie and Michael Raphan Malcolm Renbaum Ilene and Michael Ringold Bobbie Jaffe Robbins The Rosen Family Robin and Alex Rosenau The Samson Family Arlene and Lenny Samuelson The Satz Family Sheila and Charles Saunders Rusty and Nate Schiff Nancy and John Schneider Sandra and Jack Schonberger Janice and Stuart Schwartz Lisa and Matthew Schwenderman Deena and Mark Scoblionko Susan and Leonard Segal Randi and Donald Senderowitz Lynne and Mark Shampain The Shavin Family Judy and Larrie Sheftel Ilissa and Jonathan Siegel Diane and Howard Silverman Jared Small Stephanie Smartschan Lynda and Richard Somach Audrey and Art Sosis Allison and Richard Staiman Melissa and Ron Stein Gilda and Fred Stelzer Aimee and Ozzie Stewart Stephanie and Stephen Szilagyi The Tomei Family Stefanie and Darren Traub Laney and Bob Ufberg Marilyn and Michael Umen Bev and Ron Wasserman Barbara and Arthur Weinrach Marjorie Weiss The Whellan/Cohen Family Judy and Ed Whitby Margo and Steve Wiener Linda and Jim Wimmer The Winoker Family Gail Wolson Sherri Wyatt and Melanie Sink Marilyn and Bernie Yamner Cherie and Rick Zettlemoyer Valeska and Israel Zighelboim Carol and Perry Zirkel MARIAN VOSK (Mother of Stephanie Smartschan) Bonnie and Bobby Hammel ETHEL ZIMMERMAN (Mother of Len Zimmerman) Nancy and Michael Busch HELEN AND SOL KRAWITZ HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FUND IN MEMORY MARJORIE JASPER (Wife of Baron Jasper) Lynda, Stuart and Joshua Krawitz MICHAEL (MICKEY) UFBERG (Husband of Eileen, father of David, Jacob, Larry, Bonnie and Matthew) Lynda, Stuart and Joshua Krawitz We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship through recent gifts to the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation. The minimum contribution for an Endowment Card is $10. Call 610-821-5500 or visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org to place your card requests. Thank you for your continued support.

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER UPDATE FROM YOAV

A whirlwind of activity in a newly open Yoav

By Nurit Galon Partnership2Gether The past few months in general have been full of events, both in Yoav and Israel, and it's a little like being in a whirlwind, which thankfully seems to be slowing down.

The Corona epidemic seems to be under control, so that life is pretty much back to normal, though I think we have a long way to go before we can feel really confident that this is so. But schools are open (ironically just in time for the summer break!), restaurants are bursting at the seams (how thrilled we are to let someone else do the cooking!), and theatres and movies and places of entertainment are also open. Air flights are still very confusing with endless rules (and costs) for Corona testing, but the bright side to this is that Israelis have discovered what a beautiful and fascinating country they have, so home tourism is way up - perhaps some compensation to the very bad tourist season the country has gone through.

Politically, the past two years have been something of a nightmare, with an unstable government, and in spite of their success in making Israel perhaps the most successful country in the world in dealing with the Coronavirus, the country has had no budget for two years, resulting in no small amount of chaos and uncertainty, and polarising the various political parties, with demonstrations for and against throughout the country. But somehow, the elections were held, and somehow, we do have a government. Perhaps the first decision of this government was the setting up of a commission to investigate the causes of the Mt. Meron disastrous tragedy, with its large number of killed and wounded, caused apparently by massive overcrowding.

As if all this were not enough, mainly the south, though also the center, of the country was under fire. And this was war. Once again, the wailing of the sirens, the running to the safe rooms or shelters or stairwells, the children and yes, the adolescents and adults were filled with trepidation. The war passed as we knew it would, yet even as I write, a few "balloons" are floating over the kibbutzim and moshavim around the Gaza Strip.

Yoav today is bustling

with renewed projects and activities which were curtailed because of the Corona restrictions. Our third elementary school, "View of the Fields," is under construction in Kibbutz Negba and hopefully will be ready for the next school year, thus joining the Eyla and Sedoth Yoav Elementary Schools.

All 13 sites in the brand new Yoav Industrial Park have been sold, and as Mayor Dr. Mati Sarfatti Hacarvi explains, Yoav is placed in an excellent and attractive position for industrial and commercial companies, with public transport nearby, railway, bus and truck facilities easily available.

Eight years ago in 2013, four young counselors met at the JCC Summer Camp in the Lehigh Valley. Recently they met again, and proved that the Yoav-Lehigh Valley Partnership is being carried on by the younger generation also!

To all our friends in the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community, we wish a happy, healthy and peaceful summer, and hope that in the not too distant future, we may once again meet in person.

Left, Shai Bachar (Yoav), Ben (Lehigh Valley), David (Lehigh Valley) and Noam Goldberg (Yoav). Right, "View of the fields" - Yoav's third elementary school now under constuction in Kibbutz Negba.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 9

Selichot speaker to reflect on Shmittah On Saturday, Aug. 28, at 9:00 p.m., the Lehigh Valley Jewish Clergy Group invites the community to join them for a special speaker via Zoom, co-sponsored by Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. Rabbi Daniel Swartz will present his reflections at a program entitled “From Shmittah to Selichot — Rhythms of the Land, of Rest and of Forgiveness.”

Following the presentation, Congregation Brith Sholom and Temple Beth El are offering a Selichot service at 10:00 p.m. The service will take place in a hybrid model, both in-person

at Congregation Brith Sholom and via Zoom.

Please contact tammy@ brithsholom.net for details.

This coming year 5782 is a Shmittah (Sabbatical) year. This takes place every seven years, and in this year, debts are to be forgiven, agricultural lands to lie fallow, private land holdings to become open to the commons and staples such as food storage and perennial harvests to be freely redistributed and accessible to all.

Swartz will explore these issues in the light of our experiences during the pandemic, our quest for forgiveness and inner peace, and the need to

build an environmentally sustainable future.

Swartz is the Executive Director of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), which has engaged Jewish organizations and individuals in environmental advocacy and programs for 25 years as part of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE).

He has also worked with Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, Children’s Environmental Health Network and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He is currently one of 40 faith leaders from around

the world engaging in a Vatican-led effort to promote Climate Justice, “Faith and Science: Toward COP 26.”

Swartz has previously explored connections between faith and environmental values in a variety of publications. He is the author of numerous environmental op-eds in media ranging from CNN to The Hill to the Washington Post. He authored “To Till and To Tend: A Guide for Jewish Environmental Study and Action,” distributed to every synagogue in America. He also wrote “Faith Communities and Environmental Health:

Rabbi Daniel Swartz From Global to Local,” for which he won the 2005 Award for Excellence in Professional and Scholarly Publishing from the Association of American Publishers. Swartz was ordained by Hebrew Union College and received B.A.s from Brown University in Geological Sciences and in Environmental Policy.

He is the recipient of numerous academic and civic honors. Swartz is married to Rabbi Marjorie Berman and is father to Alana Swartz.

To register for the speaker’s presentation and discussion, please visit https://tinyurl. com/cdd3mw6t or call your local synagogue.

10 JULY/AUGUST 2021 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

“Shalom” to our own re-creation story

RABBI STEVEN NATHAN Lehigh University Hillel As this is the last issue of Hakol for 5781, it is also the precursor of what is to come in the next month.

In September/Tishre, we will all receive the newest edition of Shalom Lehigh Valley magazine in order to not only celebrate the new year, but to also welcome all those new to the community. Thinking back just one year ago, I don't think any of us knew what saying "Shalom" to the Lehigh Valley, and especially to newcomers, meant.

Would we meet in person or only on Zoom? Would we get to connect with new members of our community in real life? Would we get to connect with people we've known for years? Would we be able to see our own family members?

This past year has been like a proverbial roller coaster ride.

However, unlike a roller coaster, it was often difficult at times to find joy in the midst of fear. In addition, we never knew when, or where, we would be able to get off. I can think of numerous times when the ride was slowing down and I thought for sure we'd be able to exit, only for things to speed up again or take an unexpected turn.

And now, as we enter 5782, we can finally step off the ride. But that doesn't mean that the journey is over.

Things are still uncertain. However, we can begin to create a "new normal," whatever that means.

Some of us have lost loved ones during this year. Others have lost their sense of connection to the community. Others are still struggling with the anxiety and depression brought about by all that we have lived through. Still, we must continue with our lives and continue rebuilding our community even in the face of loss and uncertainty.

There are numerous "creation stories" in the Sefer Bereishit (the Book of Genesis) from which we will read in synagogue in the near future. The first is the creation of the earth, including animals and human beings. Then the second takes place after Noah and his family begin to repopulate the world after the flood.

The third is a little different. This is what happens after the Tower of Babel.

In this narrative, human beings get a little too "full of themselves" and try to build a tower that will reach the heavens. In order to prevent this from happening (and to teach people a lesson) God confounds them by creating multiple languages. Unable to communicate, their attempt to build the tower crumbled before their eyes.

And now we are undergoing our own re-creation story. We are rebuilding our world, our country, our cities and our homes after a year unlike any we've ever known.

The key to making this work is to realize that we all can speak different languages (metaphorically, in this case) through different media (I mean, who even knew what Zoom was 18 months ago?) and yet still continue to build our community.

After a year of solitude, also marked by disagreements and fracture, we can hopefully find a way to come back to one another and rebuild our world regardless of whether or not our experiences were the same or our beliefs are similar. Of course, we can still work to hopefully find an agreed upon shared language. But whether or not we achieve that goal, as long as we do our best to reach out, respect one another and care for our world, we can celebrate the "birthday of the world" next month on Rosh Hashanah by celebrating the rebirth and recreation of our world for each and every one of us.

Bring Jewish stories home To learn more about PJ Library and register to receive free Jewish-themed books for children from 6 months through 8 years, visit www.pjlibrary.org.

Sen ior livin In the words of our co-workers, g in sig our residents and their families hts

“We’re here for you. Always.”

For many people, being a caregiver for an aging parent can be both satisfying and complex. Gradually the demands of caregiving can overwhelm even the most dedicated families. But there are several solutions for these circumstances, and you don’t have to face them alone. Call us, and we can tell you about short-term stays and long-term residential options to help relieve the stress. This can be better for both you and your loved one and help you return to a more balanced relationship.

“Mom’s home care agency sent a different caregiver every day, and she was still alone too often.”

A loved one may not need care every minute of the day, but it’s nice to know it’s there whenever it’s needed and will come with a familiar face. We offer 24-hour access to medical care and caregivers available day and night to provide help as needed—all without disrupting a family’s work or personal schedule when a caregiver is suddenly not available. The availability of ondemand care helps loved ones live as independently as possible, often far more so than staying in their own home. They are free to go about their day and maintain their privacy while always knowing help is readily available.

“This is all new to me, so I have no idea about the cost.”

The cost of independent living, personal care or memory care can vary quite a lot. It’s important to remember, though, that there are fewer expenses associated with living in a retirement community. Gone are home maintenance and repairs, taxes and utilities, even groceries as meals are provided. Since every person’s situation is different, we use customized pricing to ensure our residents pay for what they need and nothing else. And, we have a financial calculator on our website to help you compare your current living expenses with our all-inclusive rate.

Helping to choose a retirement community for a loved one can be a daunting task. We are happy to answer your questions. Contact us for more information.

Welcome, life

410 N. Krocks Road, Allentown (minutes from Route 22 & I-78) • 610-395-7160 4035 Green Pond, Bethlehem (close to Routes 22 & 33) • 610-865-5580 175 Newlins Road West, Easton (in Forks Township) • 484-544-3880 Nursing & Rehab Center (for the greater Lehigh Valley) • 610-844-9003

CountryMeadows.com HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 11

CM-362, Hakol, Here For You, 5”x15.75”

THE IMPACT ONE MAKES: Sheila Berg

By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor Though she originally hails from Westbury, Long Island, Sheila Berg has made the Lehigh Valley her home for the past few decades. Active with the Jewish Federation, including Women’s Philanthropy, and as a former Jewish Day School parent, Berg also became a member of Temple Beth El, where she has served on the board and is active with the Sisterhood. Berg also got involved with Jewish Family Service, where she used her skills.

She is also well known as the Commander of the local Jewish War Veterans post. On the national level, she serves on their marketing committee trying to raise awareness of Jews serving in the military. She was the first Chair of Women Veterans Committee within the organization.

“When I joined, they didn’t recognize women veterans, and I brought that to their attention. Initially, we had 50 women, and now we have 300,” Berg

shared.

After doing social work at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Berg got a job setting up the first newborn intensive care unit with Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown. When she joined the military with her master’s degree, she was offered an officer position, but she turned it down.

“I went in as a jet engine mechanic because I scored the lowest on mechanical. I like challenges,” Berg explained, recalling how she worked on the largest cargo planes before eventually moving on to become the first non-commissioned officer in charge of family support in the military and helping to create a program that is now nationwide.

She also achieved two personal goals while on active duty: she took up scuba diving and became a private pilot.

Her 29 ½ years in the military are just one chapter of her extraordinary life.

Raising her son at the JDS, Berg believes, influenced him quite a bit.

“He has traveled the world, and wherever he went, he always found a place to worship,” she said. “Even when he was in college, he always had a Seder for unaffiliated Jews. I think it’s because of the amount of instruction he got at the Day School that he felt very comfortable and able to lead services there.”

From walking five miles to find a synagogue during the High Holidays during a semester abroad in South Africa to being threatened while wearing his kippah in London, Berg is proud that she tried to instill a sense of

12 JULY/AUGUST 2021 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Judaism in who he was as a kid which has stuck with him and has now been passed on to her granddaughter, who is currently in Hebrew school. JDS is just one thing Berg has loved about living in the Lehigh Valley Jewish community.

“We’re a diverse community, but we really are fairly close. I think I have friends that probably belong to every synagogue in the Valley. I just feel as though regardless of what synagogue and denomination you belong to, if something needs to be done in the Valley, people get together and get it done.

I have to really give credit to the rabbis.

I think [their meeting together as the Lehigh Valley Jewish Clergy Group] makes a difference,” she said.

As for her hopes for the future, she went on: “I am glad to see younger people coming into the community.

That’s a good sign.”

Berg is a past recipient of the Daniel Pomerantz Award for Campaign Excellence from the Federation, an honor which means a great deal to her.

“I consider that as very special. I knew Daniel and Bernice Pomerantz personally. Bernice and I had our Bat Mitzvahs together at Beth El. I was very honored to receive that. It wasn’t just an award to me, I knew the people,” she explained.

But it isn’t just the Lehigh Valley Jewish community she’s given back to.

Berg has served on many other boards as well. She was co-president of the Sisterhood at her synagogue in Dover, Delaware. She also was instrumental in getting chapel services for Jewish military at her base there. In the wider community in the Valley, Berg has

volunteered on the board of the YWCA of Allentown and Lehigh County Meals on Wheels and chaired committees such as Family Answers for Lehigh Valley Family Support and mental health for United Way. She credits her parents for raising her to believe in contributing to her community, as she grew up watching them volunteering.

“My parents have always done that,” she said, “They were always involved in community services and things. I grew up in the 60s, and they were involved in civil rights. My mother was a docent at the George Washington Carver Museum, and a cub scout leader. My father, a professor at Long Island University, was involved with UN rehabilitation. He got to travel around the world and went to Israel several times in the 50s. He loved Israel.”

With this influence, it was ultimately very early on in life that Berg set out on the path of helping others. As a lifeguard in high school, she taught swimming lessons to blind students, which she found very rewarding. She recalls one girl who wanted to learn to swim in a straight line, so Berg coached her.

“It was kind of a no-brainer when I went to college, that’s what I majored in,” said Berg.

The woman who feels so strongly about community has a community which returns the sentiment.

“Sheila Berg is a strong leader who has given of herself in so many ways to our community,” said Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 13

Thank you Because of your support of the 2021 campaign, we are able to help when help is needed, provide a safety net for those who must rely upon it, and nurture the core institutions that are the fabric of a rich and dynamic Jewish community.

THANK YOU.

PRIME MINISTERS CIRCLE $100,000+ Wendy Born*° Ross Born° Lewis and Roberta Gaines° Robert and Bonnie* Hammel° Just Born Inc° Charles and Figa* Kline Foundation° Anonymous (1) THEODORE HERZL SOCIETY $50,000 - $99,999 Master Family° Richard and Susan* Master MCS Industries Harry Louis Yanoff & Jeanette Master Yanoff Charitable Fund* The Wax-Goldman Family Funds Vicki Wax* Robby and Laurie* Wax Steven and Nancy* Wax Goldman KING DAVID SOCIETY $25,000 - $49,999 Roberto and Eileen* Fischmann Dr. Harold and Sandra* Goldfarb° Joseph B. and Rita* Scheller° TREE OF LIFE SOCIETY $18,000 - $24,999 Leonard and Enid Abrams Family Foundation The Fraenkel Family° Gary Fromer and Dr. Carol Bub Fromer* Hof & Reid LLC° Daniel and Nancy* Cohen Phillip and Ellen* Hof Chris and Tara Reid Lisa Scheller* KING SOLOMON CIRCLE $10,000 - $17,999 Air Products Foundation The Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation Dr. Jeffrey and Jill* Blinder° Charles Cohen and Rebecca Binder* The Martin Cohen Family Foundation°

Peter and Karen* Cooper° Jeff and Roberta* Epstein° Arnan and Marlene* Finkelstein Susan Gadomski*° Judy Auritt Klein Lion of Judah Endowment* Kobrovsky Family Fund Michael and Linda* Miller° Orgler Family Fund Dr. Richard and Barbara* Reisner° Robert & Judy Auritt Klein Family Fund Dr. Stuart A. and Janice* Schwartz° Richard and Marsha* Timmerman Larry and Carolyn* Zelson Dr. Israel and Valeska* Zighelboim BUILDERS OF ISRAEL $5,000 - $9,999 Dr. Marc and Aliette* Abo Bernard and Flo Kobrovsky Spec Fund Donna Black* Dr. Sam and Sylvia* Bub° Jonathan and Iris* Epstein Dr. Eric J. and Amy* Fels Dr. Jay and Fran* Fisher° Fraenkel Family Fund Dr. Jeffrey Gevirtz° Robert J. and Susan* Grey Shirley F. Gross*° z”l Barry and Carol R.* Halper° Nat and Erica* Hyman Drs. Andrew and Deborah* Kimmel° Patty Klein* Dr. Wesley and Beth* Kozinn° Martin and Judy* Krasnov° Stuart and Lynda* Krawitz Ferne Rodale Kushner*°z”l Elaine Lerner*° Dr. Lawrence and Eva* Levitt° Dr. William and Jane* Markson° Dr. Alan and Judith* Morrison° Drs. Steven and Nancy* Oberlender Phoebe Altman Lion of Judah Endowment Daniel Poresky° Dr. Robert and Lota* Post° Dr. Doron and Lauren* Rabin Drs. Jarrod and Nicole* Rosenthal Sadie Berman Lion of Judah Endowment* Lorrie Scherline*° Irwin and Ellen* Schneider° Mark and Deena* Scoblionko° Elizabeth Scofield* Larrie and Judy* Sheftel° Edith Simon*° z”l Dr. Frank and Tama* Tamarkin Dr. Michael z”l and Eileen* Ufberg° Arthur and Barbara*

14 JULY/AUGUST 2021 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Weinrach° Dr. Robert and Carol* Wilson James and Linda* Wimmer° Ilene Wood* Jeri Zimmerman* Anonymous (2) SABRA CIRCLE $2,500 - $4,999 Jessica Abo* Alan and Marsha* Abraham Dr. Houman and Lori* Ahdieh Sheila Berg* Dr. David and Sara-Jane* Bub Dr. Ian and Patricia* Carlis° Lawrence Center Dr. Mitchell Cooper and Rebecca AxelrodCooper* Glenn and Jan* Ehrich° Andrew and Dr. Lisa* Ellis Finkelstein Family Fund Veronica Fischmann* Dr. Peter Fisher and Kathy Zimmerman* Frances & Abraham Schwab Memorial Fund Dr. Ronald and Emily Freudenberger Stewart and Carol* Furmansky° Dr. Mark and Carmyn Gittleman° Dr. Gordon and Rose Lee* Goldberg° Drs. Zach and Andrea* Goldsmith Bennett Grossman Dr. Steve and Audrey* Kanoff° Dr. Arthur and Jane* Kaplan° Dr. Robert and Janice* Kaplan Dr. Harold and Linda* Kreithen° Dr. Robert and Stephanie* Kricun° Robert and Roberta* Kritzer Dr. Howard and Beth* Kushnick Dr. Michael and Carole* Langsam° Dr. Paul and Diane* Lemberg and Family Dr. Howard and Rachel* Levin Stanley R. Liebman Estate Donald and Lois* Lipson° Dr. Richard and Roberta* London° Dr. Moshe and Lisa* Markowitz Drs. Evan and Aviva* Marlin Ryan and Claudia* Mattison Dr. Gerald and Ethel* Melamut° Dr. Holmes and Jeannie* Miller° Dr. Robert and Amy* Morrison

Dr. Richard J. and Amy* Morse Nathan Braunstein PACE Dr. Michael and Ruth* Notis° Dr. Noah Orenstein and Diana Fischmann Orenstein* Dr. Robert and Joanne* Palumbo Rabbi Seth Phillips and Marge Kramer* Rhoda Prager*° Sandra Preis*° Elaine Rappaport-Bass*° Bruce and Enid Reich Judith Rodwin* Dr. Alex and Robin* Rosenau° Dr. Michael and Lynn F.* Rothman Cathy Sacher*° Dr. Mark and Lynne* Shampain° Dr. Elliot Shear Howard and Susan* Sherer Jack and Amy* Silverman Dr. Arthur and Audrey* Sosis° Dr. Jay E. and Margery* Strauss° Sylvia Rosen Lion of Judah Endowment* Dr. Kenneth and Alla* Toff° Dr. Edward Tomkin and Sandra Wadsworth Steven and Margo* Wiener° Dr. Michael and Miriam* Zager and Family Anonymous (2) GATES OF JAFFA $1,500 - $2,499 Alan and Sandy* Abeshaus Dr. Howard Altman° Richard J. Mongilutz and Kelly Banach* William M. and Peggy* Berger° Steven Bergstein and Nanci Goldman Bergstein° Dr. Marc and Lauren* Berson° Dr. Michael and Nancy Busch Dr. Elliot and Chelsea* Busch Marilyn Claire*° Dr. William and Gail* Combs Helen Cook*° Dr. Jill Crosson* Dr. Karen Dacey* Hon. Maxwell Davison° Dr. Hal and Kimberly Folander Dr. Ari and Margee* Forgosh Jerome and Sally Frank Frank Penn Family Fund Norma “Mitzi” Goldenberg* Dr. Marsha Gordon* Dr. Robert and Tracy Grob Dr. Paul Gross° Esther Halperin*° Hausman Family

Dr. Jonathan and Marjorie* Hertz Stuart and Hope* Horowitz° Dr. John Jaffe° Dr. Jeffrey and Nancy Jahre Rabbi Allen and Toby* Juda° Joshua and Danielle* Kroo Dr. Michael and Fay* Kun Elaine Langer*° Dr. Brian LeFrock Dr. Henry and Susan Lehrich Eric and Margo* Lightman Dr. Jay and Evelyn* Lipschutz° Betty Mendelson* Dr. Michael and Cary* Moritz Morris & Dyna Gorfinkel Memorial Fund Mort & Myra Levy Philanthropic Fund Taffi Ney*° Dr. Mark and Alice* Notis° Dr. Martin and Amy* Oselkin Alan and Roberta* Penn° Drs. Andrew and Flora* Pestcoe Dr. Daniel Relles The Ringold Family* Selma Roth* Dr. Charles and Sheila* Saunders° Dr. Andrew and Jacqueline Schwartz Donald and Randi Senderowitz Richard and Dr. Cheryl* Shadick Dr. Darryn and Lorey* Shaff Bruce Sheftel Ronnie Sheftel* z”l Dr. Andrew and Rachel* Shurman Dr. Bruce and Donna Silverberg Dr. Phil and Diane* Stein Dr. Frederic A. and Gilda Stelzer° Fred and Barbara K.* Sussman° Dr. Adam Teichman Dr. Ryan and Carah* Tenzer Dr. Michael and Janet Ulman* Dr. Marc and Susan* Vengrove° Dr. Andrew Wakstein Dr. Benjamin and Ellen Weinberger° David and Deborah* Wiener Gail Wolson*° Dr. Eric and Helaine* Young Richard and Cherie* Zettlemoyer Leon and Debbie* Zoller Anonymous (5)

CHAVERIM $500 - $1,499 Alfred T. Gifford Family Fund Dr. Isabella Alkasov* Richard and Regina* Angel Dr. Richard and Judith* Aronson° Barry and Sybil* Baiman Marietta Banach* Tama Lee Barsky* Dr. Noy and Andrea* Bassik Larry and Susan W.* Berman° Joseph and Sharon* Bernstein Ronald and Linda* Black° Rance and Sheryl* Block° Michael and Rita* Bloom° Dr. Stuart and Joan* Boreen Dr. Jeffrey and Nan* Bratspies° Richard and Kira* Bub Gordon and Janet* Campbell Harvey and Elizabeth* Cartine Charles L. Fletcher Memorial Fund Robert Cohen Albert and Eva* Derby Richard and Ruth* Derby° Eduardo and Jeanette* Eichenwald° Dr. Mark and Ellyn* Elstein° Joan Epstein*° Brian and Emily* Ford Hon. Robert and Ronnie Freedberg° Dr. Henry and Monica* Friess and Family Gerald and Selma Roth Family Fund Dr. Gene and Ann* Ginsberg° Dr. Lawrence and Vicki* Glaser° Leonard and Rhoda* Glazier° Lance and Ellen* Gordon Alan Greenberger° Sandra Greenfield* H. Sheftel Memorial Fund Drs. Harvey and Melissa Hakim Arthur and Susan* Hochhauser° Aron and Julie* Hochhauser Roslyn Holtz* Susan Hyman* Dr. David and Susan* Hyman° Gwen Jacobs* Selma Jacowitz* Dr. Beth Jennings* Jules and Tama Fogelman Fund Andrew and Nancy Kahn° Chelsea Karp* Dr. Barbara Katz* Seth and Kathi* Katzman° Dr. Jay and Phyllis* Kaufman° Drs. William and Susan* Kitei° Maxine S. Klein*° Dr. Joshua and Teri* Krassen Karen Kuhn*° Lawrence M. Lang and Elaine N. Deutch* Suzanne Lapiduss*° Gerson Lazar Family Fund Martha B. Lebovitz*° Bernard and Laurie Lesavoy--Lesavoy Butz & Seitz LLC Olivier and Alice* Level Lillian Schwab Memorial Fund Scott and Allison* Lipson Robert and Shirley*

Malenovsky° Jean Mandel*° Dr. Meredith Margolis* Dr. Jay and Marla* Melman° David and Judy* Mickenberg Morton and Judy* Miller° Edith Miller*° Ari Mittleman and Tara Brown* Michael Molovinsky° James and Shelah Mueth Dr. Jonathan Munves Jay and Bobbi* Needle Marc Nissenbaum° Dr. Michael and Martina Obenski° Dr. William and Marjorie Ofrichter° Dr. David and Carole* Ostfeld° Dr. David and Ann* Packman Leon and Elaine* Papir° Henry and Phyllis* Perkin Allen and Sandra* Perlman Stephen and Marianne Phillips Andrea Pinkus* Edward and Beth* Posner° Alison Post* and Morgan Godorov Adina Preis* Michael and Ilene* Prokup° Nan Ronis* Michael and Linda Rosenfeld° Janet Rosenthal* Samuel and Ann Born Foundation Naomi Schachter* Marcia Schechter*° Nathan and Rusty* Schiff Michael and Brenna Schlossberg John Schneider Bernard and Sara* Schonbach Schwartz Family Fund Dr. Howard and Tamara Selden Dr. Howard and Diane* Silverman° Nina Silverstein° z”l Rabbi Michael Singer and Alexis Vega-Singer* Adam and Stephanie* Smartschan Shari Spark*° Richard and Allison Staiman Marcy Staiman* Dr. Richard and Arlene* Stein° Carol Steinberg* Hon. Robert L. Steinberg Barry Goldin and Cheri Sterman* Aimee Stewart*° Dr. David and Laurie Strassman Dr. Michael F. Stroock° Sussman Family Fund Ron Ticho and Pam Lott* Alan and Enid* Tope° Dr. Mark and Abby* Trachtman Dr. Darren and Stefanie* Traub Dr. Stephen and Beverly* Volk° Dr. Ronald and Beverly* Wasserman° Robert and Sandy* Weiner° Jean B. Weiner Foundation Inc. Rosalyn Weingrod * Michael Weinstein° Gerald Weisberger and Gail Ehrens* Jerry and Flossie* Zales° Dr. Larry and Debra Zohn° Anonymous (13)

SHORASHIM $250 - $499 Karen Albert*° Barbara Asteak* Baiman Family Fund Miriam Bandler*° Patricia Beldon* David and Clara* Bergstein R. Bill Bergstein° Robert and Laura* Black° Dr. Robert and Linda Bloch Andrew and Dr. Christy* Block and Family Sally Brau*° Allen and Marjorie* Carroll Muriel Charon* Robert and Jane* Cohen ° Temple and Ann Coldren Howard and Catherine* Coleman Daniel Pomerantz Fund Edwin and Rabbi Melody* Davis Dr. George and Roberta* Diamond° Dr. Neil and Linda* Dicker Noah Ehrich Barbara Einhorn* Fred and Gail* Eisenberg Eleanor Extract* Melissa Falk* Dr. Alex and Harriet Feig° Phyllis Ford* Neil and Marjorie* Forgosh Renee Gittler*° Ann Goldberg* Dr. Brian and Alyssa Goldberg Rebekah Goldenberg* Amy Golding Brian and Judith* Goldman° Dr. Milena Goldshmidt* Nathaniel and Joanna Golub Allan and Mary Goodman° Aaron Gorodzinsky Donald Greenberg Jay Haltzman° Ricky Hochhauser* Ferne and Jack Kushner Fund James and Andrea* Jesberger Dr. Binae Karpo* Carolyn Katwan* Martin and Susanne Katz Iris Klein*° Jerry Knafo Dore Kottler* Dr. Hartley Lachter and Dr. Jessica Cooperman* Gary and Jennifer* Lader Merry Landis*° Susan Levin* The Eva Levitt Knitting Project Michele Levy* Eileen Lewbart* Dr. Norman and Roberta* Marcus Mark Klein Family Fund Hank Narrow Dr. Douglas and Ruth* Nathanson Michael Neuwirth and Melony Stanton Kyle and Daria Newfeld Matthew Notis Papir Family Fund Jay and Marlene* Plotnick Rabbi Moshe and Adina Re’em Reitars-Braunstein Family Fund Harry and Carole* Rose° Rosenau Family Fund Shaoli Rosenberg* Adam and Penny* Roth and Family Judd Roth Alan and Mary* Salinger° Joel and Linda Scheer Jane Schiff* James and Sandra*

Schonberger Sally Shapiro*° Linda Sheftel*° Stuart and Susan* Shmookler Dr. Roger and Marna* Simon° Beth El Sisterhood° Sons of Israel Sisterhood° Women of KI* Lynda Somach*° Stephanie Szilagyi*° Tenzer Family Fund Sharone and Lora* Vaknin Volk Family Fund Stanley and Judith* Walker Martin and Frances* Weinberg Joseph and Kristina* Weiner Alan J. and Abby* Wiener° Bruce and Alicia* Zahn Zelickson Family Fund Anne Zuckerman* Anonymous (7) KEHILLAH $100 - $249 Dr. Pamela Abrams* Richard and Maria* Ain Alexander Sach Phil Fund Alfred Wiener Family Fund Steven and Samantha* Ammer Amy Born Fund Elaine Atlas*° Pnina Avitzur* Barbara Bassano* Belman Family Fund Michael Benioff Elaine Berk* Dr. Neal Berkowitz Jason and Tracey* Billig Dr. Joan Bischoff* Glenn and Melisa Block° Joan Brody*° Jerry and Wilma Brucker Victor and Leslie* Bunick Robert and Gail* Burger Audrey Cherney*° Dana Cohen* Zachary and Ginny* Cohen Dr. Barry and Robbie Cohen Audrey Cylinder*° Scott and Beth* Delin Leah Devine* David and Vikki* Dunn Wendy Edwards* Lynda Extract* Samuel and Lynn* Feldman° Brad and Robyn* Finberg Brenda Finberg* Michael Finley and Audrey Ettinger* Dr. Michael and Traci Gabriel Murray and Linda* Garber° Dr. Eric and Debbie* Gertner and Family Jerry and Gloria* Ginsburg° Mark Kennedy and Arlene Gorchov*° Nissa Gossom* Jeff and Elizabeth* Greenberg Arlene Griffin*° Ron Grossman Lothar and Wendy Gumberich Tom and Rita* Guthrie° Ronald Harrison° Harry & Ethel Miller Fund Dr. Leo and Marilyn Heitlinger Alvin and Arlene* Herling° Lori Herz* Jeremy Heyman and Yale Taler Dr. Michael and Stacy* Hortner Kristin Illick* Charles and Dale Inlander°

Michael and Donna* Iorio Kristen Johnson* Gia Jones* Julie Paige Fraenkel Fund Jennifer Kaplan* Dr. Lewis and Joan* Katz Renee B. Kleaveland* William J. Klein Rosine Knafo*° Lillian Kobrovsky*° Dr. Marc and Susan* Kolpon Barbara Kritz*° Ruth Kugelman*° Mary Laronge* Daniel Leisawitz and Daniella Viale Frederick and Sherry Lesavoy° Leonard and Janice Levy Lisa Ellis Fund David and Marilyn* Louick° Debby Lowenstein* Steven Markowitz° Dr. Rebecca Markson* Marvi Family Fund Matt and Allison* Meyers Janis Mikofsky* Gary and Diane* Miller° Norman and Maxine* Miller° Stanley Miller Millie Berg Memorial Fund Judith Murman* Rabbi Steven Nathan Howard and Jill Nathanson Jay Neadle Sandy Newman* Audrey Nolte* Benjamin Notis Joseph and Eve* Peterson Michael and Barbara* Platt Dr. Matthew and Denise* Pollack Abby Pozefsky* Raab Fund Dr. Mitchell and Carol Rabinowitz° Alan Raisman Martin Rapoport° Eric Rappaport Joel and Harriett* Ringold Ira and Erica* Robbins Dan and Mary* Rockman Herman Rovner Ryan Sacher Phil Fund Fae Safer* Rick and Amy* Sams Dr. Norman and Jett* Sarachek° Helene Rae Scarcia* Melvin and Pearl* Schmier Ivan and Jill* Schonfeld Sally Schraden* Mark and Joyce Schuman Dr. Arthur Levine and Dr. Janet Schwartz* Eugene Search Ronald Segel° Ezra Shapiro Vanessa Shaw* Stanley Shrager Daniel Siegel Serita Silberg* Linda Silowka*° Jessica Silverman* Abigail Silverman* Susan Sosnow* Jane Spitzer*° Lenore Stecher* Dr. Ronald and Melissa Stein Michael and Sybil* Stershic Susan B. Mellan Memorial Fund Matthew and Tracy* Sussman

* Indicates an individual woman’s gift to the 2021 Campaign for Jewish Needs ° Indicates Silver Circle member

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 15

David Vaida and Cantor Ellen Sussman* Kenneth Szydlow Yael Taler* Rochelle Topolsky* Matthew Unger Dr. Mark and Gayle* Unger° Marjorie Weiss* Amon Wirthiem Norman and Sandra* Wruble Dr. Robert and Susanna Zemble Anonymous (20) GENESIS $1 - $99 Abigail Silverman Fund Herma Abramson* Aaron Alkasov Emmanuel and Allyson Wiener Avraham Dr. Susan Basow* Nancy Belgrade* Phyllis Berg* Bernard and Sarina* Berlow Stephanie Berman* Jeffrey and Lisa* Bernfeld Jerome Block Sharon Brooks* Betty Burian* Ivan Buyum Joyce Camm* Claudia Fischmann Fund Danielle Staiman Mitzvah Fund Diana Fischmann Fund Doba Domashevskaya* Stewart Eichelbaum Dr. Jodi Eichler-Levine* David Eiskowitz Elena S. Cohen Charity Fund Joseph Epstein and Sheryl Feinstein Michelle and Jason Erickson Anita Evelyn* Joseph Facchiano Dr. Ellen Field* Raymond Finkelstein Harry and Amy* Fisher Helen Fosam* Laura Garber* Dr. Debra Garlin* Gail Gelb* Roger and Cathy Gilbert Stephanie Goodling* Paula Grines* Herman Gross Samuel Guncler Rabbi Yaacov and Devorah Halperin Eddee Harrison Dolores Heller* Philip Heyman° Cory and Beth* Hiken Ginger Horsford* Douglas and Amy* Jaffe Chester J. Jasinsky Jessica Silverman Philanthropic Fund Helene Kaplan*z”l Harriet Karess* Dr. Jessica Lewis* Howard Lieberman Doris Lifland* Karen Lipman* Elizabeth Lischner* Rebecca Lovingood* Rochelle Lower* Leonard Lutsky° Silvia Mandler* David and Susan* Manela Louise Mapstone* Marlee Senderowitz Fund Debrosha McCants* Diane McKee* Ruth Meislin*° Charles Metroke Jacob Michaels and Laura Taylor Philip and Ruth Michel

Jeffrey and Dr. Lynn Milet* Dr. Robert and Ellen Miller* and Family Robert and Joy* Miller Ji-ln Mitzvah Fund Susan Mohr* Daniel and Larisa Morgenbesser Lyman and Renee* Moss Jane Much* William and Sharon* Mullin Nancy Gevirtz Memorial Fund Richard and Paula* Nelson Robert Prichard and Ellen Osher* Cantor Jill Pakman* Dr. Alan and Joan Parker Jeremy and Megan* Pildis Maria Pursel* Andrea Reich* Kevin and Lauren Reuther Linda Rich* Rissa Senderowitz Philanthropic Fund Carol Robins* Selena Robinson* Ethan and Selena* Robinson Robert Rockmaker Jack Rosenfeld Phyllis Rothkopf* Steven and Ilene* Rubel Samuel Gevirtz Mitzvah Fund Mary Lou Scarf* Jennifer Schechner* Lynn Schiavone* Warren and Rabbi Rebecca* Schorr Jonathan Schultz and Karen Goldner* Susan Selsky-Hann* Silverman Family Fund Micki Sinclair* Michael Smith Rabbi Aryeh and Beth* Spero Michelle Star* Norman and Cindy* Sussman° Sandi Teplitz*° Howard and Marilyn Tokosh Ufberg Family Fund Julia Urich* Kimberly Valuntas* Veronica Fischmann Fund Julia Vishnevetsky* Nicholas and Jessica* Volchko Dori Wallace*° Cantor Kevin Wartell° Neil and Judith Wetcher Bernard and Shirlee M.* Wiener Barbara Wolfgang* Lynda Yankaskas* Lisa Yoskowitz* Herman and Jessica* Ytkin Anonymous (18)

The donors noted above represent gifts to the JFLV 2021 Campaign for Jewish Needs. Every effort is made to correctly recognize all of our generous donors and honor their listing requests. If there are any inaccuracies or omissions, please call the Federation office at 610821-5500. * Indicates an individual woman’s gift to the 2021 Campaign for Jewish Needs ° Indicates Silver Circle member

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LION OF JUDAH DONORS Aliette Abo* Phoebe Altman Lion of Judah Endowment* Robert & Judith Auritt Klein Family Fund Philip and Muriel Berman Foundation Sadie Berman Lion of Judah Endowment Rebecca Binder Donna Black

Jill Blinder Wendy Born* Carol Bub Fromer Nancy Cohen Karen Cooper* Iris Epstein* Roberta Epstein* Marlene Finkelstein Eileen Fischmann* Lisa Fraenkel Susan Gadomski Sandra Goldfarb* Nancy W. Goldman Shirley Gross z”l Bonnie Hammel*

Ellen Hof Mindy Holender Erica Hyman Patty Klein Judy A. Klein LOJE* Charles & Figa Kline Foundation Beth Kozinn Lynda Krawitz Ferne R. Kushner z”l Elaine Lerner* Eva Levitt* Linda Miller Lota Post Barbara Reisner

Rita Scheller Lisa Scheller Lorrie Scherline Janice Schwartz Elizabeth Scofield Marsha Timmerman Eileen Ufberg Vicki Wax* Laurie Wax Carol Wilson Ilene H. Wood* Carolyn Zelson Valeska Zighelboim Jeri Zimmerman * LOJE

POMEGRANATE DONORS Sandy Abeshaus Marsha Abraham Lori Ahdieh Rebecca Axelrod-Cooper Kelly L. Banach Sheila Berg Sylvia Bub Patty Carlis Marilyn Claire Helen Cook Jill Crosson Karen Dacey Tamar Earnest Jan Ehrich Lisa Ellis Amy Fels Veronica Fischmann

Fran Fisher Norma Goldenberg Andrea Goldsmith Marsha Gordon Susan Grey Carol R. Halper Esther Halperin Jane Kaplan Deborah Kimmel Judy Krasnov Roberta B. Kritzer Beth Kushnick Elaine Langer Rachel Levin Lois Lipson Jane Markson Claudia F. Mattison Betty Mendelson

Rill Miller Jeannie Miller Judith Morrison Amy Morrison Taffi Ney** Ruth Notis Nancy R. Oberlender Diana F. Orenstein Jennifer Oxfeld Rhoda Prager Sandra Preis Lauren Rabin Elaine Rappaport-Bass Judith Rodwin Nicole Rosenthal Selma Roth Lynn F. Rothman

Cathy Sacher Deena Scoblionko Cheryl Shadick Lynne F. Shampain Judy Sheftel Rachel Shurman Amy Silverman Audrey Sosis Margery E. Strauss Tama Tamarkin Janet Ulman Barbara Weinrach Deborah Wiener Gail Wolson Debbie Zoller ** POME

MAIMONIDES SOCIETY DONORS Marc Abo Houman Ahdieh Howard Altman Marcus Averbach Noy Bassik Marc Berson Jeffrey Blinder Sam Bub David Bub Carol Bub Fromer Michael Busch Elliot Busch Ian Carlis William Combs Mitchell Cooper Jill Crosson Karen Dacey Tamar Earnest Lisa Ellis Eric J. Fels Jay Fisher Peter Fisher Hal Folander Ari Forgosh Ronald Freudenberger Henry Friess

Robert Gayner Jeffrey Gevirtz Mark A. Gittleman Harold Goldfarb Milena Goldshmidt Zach Goldsmith Andrea Goldsmith Marsha Gordon Robert B. Grob Jonathan Hertz Eric Holender Stuart Horowitz David Hyman John S. Jaffe Jeffrey Jahre Steve Kanoff Arthur Kaplan Robert J. Kaplan Andrew Kimmel Deborah Kimmel Wesley Kozinn Harold Kreithen Robert Kricun Michael Kun Howard Kushnick Brian LeFrock Paul Lemberg

Howard Levin Lawrence Levitt Margo Lightman Richard London Moshe Markowitz William Markson Evan Marlin Gerald Melamut Michael J. Moritz Alan N. Morrison Robert Morrison Richard Morse Mark Notis Steven Oberlender Nancy R. Oberlender Martin Oselkin Robert Palumbo Andrew Pestcoe Robert Post Doron Rabin Richard Reisner Daniel Relles Michael Ringold Alex Rosenau Jarrod Rosenthal Nicole Rosenthal Stuart A. Schwartz

Andrew Schwartz Howard Selden Cheryl Shadick Darryn Shaff Mark P. Shampain Elliot Shear Amy Silverman Arthur Sosis Frederic A. Stelzer Jay E. Strauss Frank Tamarkin Adam Teichman Ryan Tenzer Kenneth Toff Edward Tomkin Michael Ufberg z”l Marc Vengrove Andrew Wakstein Robert Wax Benjamin Weinberger Robert Wilson Eric T. Young Michael Zager Israel Zighelboim Larry Zohn

2021 CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS Aliette Abo Leonard Abrams Sheila Berg Marc Berson Rance Block Ross Born Wendy Born Sam Bub Sylvia Bub Carol Bub Fromer Marilyn Claire Daniel E. Cohen Iris Epstein Amy Fels Eileen Fischmann Brian Ford Barnet Fraenkel Gary Fromer

Stewart Furmansky Jeffrey Gevirtz Barry Halper Robert Hammel Allen Juda Chelsea Karp Beth Kozinn Danielle Kroo Beth Kushnick Merry N. Landis Suzanne Lapiduss Paul Lemberg Lawrence Levitt Eva Levitt William Markson Evan Marlin Aviva Marlin Michael R. Miller

Jeannie Miller James Mueth Taffi Ney Mark Notis Lota Post Lauren Rabin Elaine Rappaport-Bass Bruce M. Reich Nicole Rosenthal Lynn F. Rothman Mark Scoblionko Amy Silverman Nicole Smith Frank Tamarkin Tama Tamarkin Ron Ticho Michael Ufberg

Eileen Ufberg Vicki Wax Robert Wax Arthur Weinrach Deborah Wiener Robert Wilson Ilene H. Wood Israel Zighelboim Valeska Zighelboim Kathy Zimmerman

SCREENSHOT FROM TWITTER

Israel Defense Forces rescue team leaves Surfside to salutes and serenades

An El Al airplane carrying members of an Israel Defense Forces rescue team is given a "water salute" upon departing Miami on July 11, 2021.

By Ben Sales Jewish Telegraphic Agency The Israeli military team that assisted in the search and rescue operation at the collapsed building in Surfside, Florida, left on July 10 after receiving salutes and awards for their work.

The seven-person team from the Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command, which arrived in Surfside three days after Champlain Towers collapsed in June, received thanks from Miami-

Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and other local officials in a ceremony Saturday, according to The Times of Israel.

The team received medals and gifted the officials with an Israeli flag in return. They then walked down a street flanked by other rescue workers while people sang “Ani Maamin,” a traditional Jewish song affirming faith in redemption from difficult times.

On July 11, as the final members of the Israeli team

departed, their El Al airplane was given a “water salute”

by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

The salute involved the Fire Rescue team showering the plane with its hoses.

The confirmed death toll from the collapse had risen to 94 as of July 12, while Levine Cava said an additional 22 people remain “potentially unaccounted” for. Previously, Florida officials had informed families that “there’s zero chance of survival” for the bodies still missing.

Diverse groups come together for AmiUnity Hackathon

The Jewish Agency for Israel How can the concept of Jewish peoplehood be incorporated into Israeli youth movement activities? How can lasting connections be made between global Jewish communities and Israelis during kids’ teenage years? These questions and more were ones that were explored at the twoday Hackathon for Israeli youth movement leaders organized by The Jewish Agency’s AmiUnity program in early June.

Moran is the coordinator of the secular Hashomer Hatzair youth movement from Tel Aviv, and Yair is the training coordinator of the religious Ariel Youth Movement from Kiryat Arba. They, along with 100 other youth movement coordinators in Israel, attended the Hackathon to discuss how they can expose Israeli youth to the experiences of World Jewry and create connections and foster understanding between Israelis and Jews around the world.

“The Hackathon was a very significant and

important experience for me,” Moran stated.

“We came out with lots of ideas and a program, among other things, to build a helpful framework for new immigrants who come to Israel, to build content for all Jewish sects that will talk about Jewish identity, and more.”

During the Hackathon, each youth movement was tasked with creating a plan for integrating Jewish peoplehood into their activities as well as detailed goals for specific peoplehood projects.

“Globally, being part of Hashomer Hatzair connects you to the Jewish people, it helps preserves your Zionist identity, love of Israel and commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world),” said Moran. “The Hackathon helped us to understand that as a Zionist movement we have a responsibility towards all the boys and girls of the Jewish people.”

“In Ariel, we already have activities in Israel for members of the youth movement and their families that address issues of Jewish communities around the world,” Yair added. “Now, in addition to that, we are planning virtual meetings between Jewish youth in Israel and those abroad, and we will be organizing delegations of teenagers who will come to us from around the world, and send teen delegations from Israel to global communities. The Hackathon gave us a lot of ideas for new projects.”

Both Yair and Moran felt that 100 coordinators from different groups coming together to discuss the big issues was a great first step. Their biggest challenge now will be to figure out how to work together without any youth movement compromising their values. Still, the Hackathon reminded them that no matter where they are on the political map, they are part of the same Jewish People and global Jewish family.

Editor’s note: The Jewish Agency for Israel is an overseas partner of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

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HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 19

Working for Facebook, living in Lehigh Valley Editor’s note: This article is reprinted with permission from our partner, Made Possible in Lehigh Valley. Visit them online at lehighvalleymadepossible.com and learn more on page 21.

Jason Toff’s resume reads like a short list of some of the biggest and most popular tech companies in the world.

He has worked for Google, YouTube, Vine, and currently works as Director of Product Management at Facebook.

Over the years, his successful career in the tech industry has led him to live in such places as Manhattan, Hoboken, San Francisco, Menlo Park, and the East Bay area of California.

So where does he live now? The very place he was born and raised: the Lehigh Valley.

“Since coming back, my wife and I have found a whole new appreciation for the Lehigh Valley,” said Toff, 34, who moved back to the region this winter.

“I’ve reconnected with a lot of folks from my childhood. It’s nice coming full circle.”

Toff continues to work for Facebook, where he has spent the last year-and-ahalf developing new apps separate from the main Facebook application, like Collab, E.gg, and Forecast. Facebook employees haven’t worked in its headquarters for over a year due to the COVID-19 crisis, and many of its employees have

moved out of the expensive Bay Area as the company has shifted toward remote work for its employees.

“The Lehigh Valley is a great place for remote work,” Toff said. “We have an international airport nearby and I could pop into the New York City office occasionally as needed. It works out well for me, since I can take my boys to school before California wakes up, then call in for meetings during West Coast hours.”

Toff was born in Allentown, attended Parkland High School, and stayed in the state for college, attending the University of Pennsylvania. His wife, Cristina, is also from the Lehigh Valley, having grown up in Macungie and attending school in Emmaus and Allentown. They have three children.

The primary reason they moved back to the region was to be closer to their parents, who in turn could be closer to their grandchildren. They originally expected to return only temporarily, but ended up buying an acre of land in a great Lehigh Valley location for what Toff said “would’ve paid for a sub-par studio in San Francisco or New York City.”

In addition to the comparatively low cost of living, Toff particularly likes the Lehigh Valley’s central location, close proximity to major cities, wealth of recreational amenities, and great schools.

“The Lehigh Valley has a number of

things going for it,” he said. “ It’s two hours from New York City and one hour from Philadelphia. That’s amazing! In the Bay Area, it’s not unusual for people to commute for one to two hours to work each day given how bad traffic has become there.”

Toff joined Google in 2008 as an associate product marketing manager, and moved to the Bay Area for the role.

Eventually he transitioned into a product manager role at YouTube, before getting a job as Head of Product at Vine in New York City, going on to become the General Manager for the video app.

He developed an interest in virtual reality and took a job building out Google’s New York City virtual and augmented reality teams. Toff later moved to a partner role at Area 120,

Google’s internal incubator for new ideas, before taking the job he currently holds at Facebook.

Toff said the Lehigh Valley has been very helpful in preparing him for his career and providing the resources for his eventual success.

“I was very lucky to have some great teachers and mentors,” he said. “It’s not a coincidence that we’re sending our oldest son to the same elementary school I went to, and my other son to the same place I went to preschool.”

Toff and his family have enjoyed taking hikes around some of the covered bridges in the Lehigh Valley, and look forward to visiting Trexler Park and taking advantage of the region’s many other recreational amenities when the weather becomes a bit warmer.

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20 JULY/AUGUST 2021 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Shalom Lehigh Valley partners with Made Possible

By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor Editor’s note: Shalom Lehigh Valley is an initiative of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley to welcome newcomers to the Lehigh Valley Jewish community. Part of this project is the biennial publication of Shalom Lehigh Valley magazine. Delayed a year due to COVID, the 2021-2023 issue is set to be published both in print and online versions early this fall. This year, Federation is partnering with Made Possible in Lehigh Valley to help distribute the magazine.

While Shalom Lehigh Valley aims to welcome newcomers to the Jewish community, Made Possible has a similar goal with the greater Lehigh Valley community. Made Possible in Lehigh Valley is a regional branding and marketing initiative that shows off all the amazing things that are possible here in Lehigh Valley,

and why it’s such a great place to visit, work, learn and live.

The initiative is championed by Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), Discover Lehigh Valley, the Lehigh Valley Chamber and the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors.

Don Cunningham is President and CEO of LVEDC and the founder of Made Possible.

“The Lehigh Valley is underrecognized for the size and quality of the region,” said Cunningham.

His simple idea a few years ago was to bring partnering organizations together to let the world know what makes the Valley special. The goal of Made Possible is to attract people and businesses to visit, move to and live in the region.

Cunningham thinks that there are plenty of reasons why that’s a great idea.

“Diverse populations with a diversity of talent and skill sets are the regions that are retaining and attracting companies,” Cunningham said. “We have that in the Lehigh Valley, along with a good quality of life for people at all different stages of

life. From schools to neighborhoods to restaurants, nightlife and cultural arts or access to trails, mountains and rivers -the Lehigh Valley has it all.”

Cunningham, who served as Mayor of Bethlehem and Lehigh County Executive among other positions in the public and private sectors before his current job, also contributes a monthly column on business and economics to The Morning Call newspaper in Allentown.

A recent article highlighted some of the dynamics of population growth in the area.

“Diversity of ethnicity, of race, of religion, that has been the Lehigh Valley’s story, and it is an interesting one,” Cunningham said. “The strength of the Lehigh Valley for centuries has been its diversity. Immigrants have come here from the time of the millworkers, when there were 53 different languages spoken in a few square miles in Bethlehem, for example, to now. It’s our heritage, and we want to broaden that.”

One of the things that makes the Valley unique is that “we’re not a suburb of anywhere,”

according to Cunningham, “We’re our own market.”

Though he adds that the close proximity to big cities like New York and Philadelphia is a plus.

With nature always close by, multiple colleges and universities, two large health networks and other growing industries, Made Possible believes that young professionals and families will see the beauty that the Valley has to offer.

“You have all the assets of a larger city and the pastoral elements of a more rural community in an area with a good quality of life and employment opportunities. It’s a little bit of the best parts of cities, suburbs

and rural areas all in a nice-size community. It’s kind of like a large city and small town mixed together,” summarized Cunningham.

Larry Butler’s test for a kidney stone resulted in a lifethreatening discovery – an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

“I trusted St. Luke’s Heart & Vascular Center, the confidence and excellence of the doctors, and that I was being well taken care of – and that meant the world to me.”

St. Luke’s. The care you trust. Now more than ever.

sluhn.org • 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537)

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 21

Kosher Gourmet club feeds friendship over decades

By Stephanie Goodling HAKOL Editor A group of friends have been meeting up for decades to enjoy kosher food the gourmet way in the Lehigh Valley.

Sandi Teplitz, our regular food writer (see her recipes below), helps organize meetings of the party, which focuses on a different country’s cuisine each time.

Jeanette Eichenwald and her husband, Eduardo, are two of the original members who have been gathering together for going on 40 years. They are joined

by Susan and David Hyman,

Howard and Sherree Listwa, Phyllis and Henry Perkin, and Teplitz. Many of the group have been together since the beginning, with a few people moving away over the years or being added.

“When we started, we were trying to be gourmet. We’ve carried that through throughout the years. There’s always a theme,” explained Eichenwald.

The host is in charge of distributing each member’s task.

Teplitz is known for bringing delicious desserts.

While they used to have a more regular schedule years ago, they still make it a priority to

meet about twice a year.

The club meetings have helped the members maintain their relationships throughout the years. They’ve been to each other's children’s bar and bat mitzvahs and weddings, and stuck together through good and bad times.

“We never run out of things to talk about, nor do we run out of food to eat,” declared Eichenwald. “There’s certainly always leftovers.”

Editor’s note: The kosher gourmet club’s most recent meal was a Mexican-themed one. Please enjoy the recipe below as they did.

MEXICAN FRUIT SALSA

By Sandi Teplitz

Ingredients: 4 honey mangoes, cut up 1/2 red onion, finely chopped 1/4 yellow, red and orange pepper, seeded and chopped 3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro 2 Tbsp. chopped mint 1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes salt and pepper to taste Technique: One hour before serving, stir all ingredients together. Place in a glass bowl and chill. Yield: 4 cups

A barrage of blueberries Eating well in the Valley

By Sandi Teplitz Summer is a favorite time of year for me; blueberries can be found at all the local farm markets. Why not try these three tempting ways to use them?

BLUEBERRY VINAIGRETTE

Mix together 1/4 cup corn oil, 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar, 2 Tbsp. maple syrup, 1/4. tsp.

Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup blueberry preserves (Bonne Maman preferably), Diamond kosher salt and ground white pepper to taste. Add to your favorite salad.

BLUEBERRY SAUCE FOR CHICKEN OR SALMON

Mix together 1/4 cup blueberry preserves, 1/4 cup champagne, and 1/8 cup fresh lemon juice. Spread on chicken or salmon and bake at 350 degrees for the last 15 minutes of cooking.

ELVIS SANDWICH REDUX

Cut two slices of your favorite white bread thickly. On one slice, spread 1 1/2 Tbsp. blueberry preserves and 2 1/2 Tbsp. sunflower seed butter. Top with 3/4 sliced banana, then a Tbsp. of honey. Cover sandwich with the other slice. Butter the back of each slice and fry lightly until crisp on both sides. Serve warm.

HELAINE SIGAL’S BLUEBERRY NOODLE KUGEL In a large bowl, combine a pound of cooked and drained medium noodles, 4 eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla, 7 oz. salted butter, melted, 1 cup sugar, 20 oz. crushed pineapple and a pint each of cottage cheese and sour cream.

Place in a buttered 15x10x2 Pyrex pan, and top with a cup of semi-crushed corn flakes mixed with cinnamon and sugar to taste.

Dot with butter and bake for an hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool slightly then top with some blueberry pie filling mixed with fresh blueberries.

By Sandi Teplitz There are so many things to see and do here in the Lehigh Valley Jewish community that contribute to our quality of life.

And we know how to eat well!

Rabbi Steve Nathan is the Endowed Director of Jewish Student Life and Associate Chaplain at the Lehigh University Jewish Student Center in Bethlehem. Although he is a very busy man with many projects to his credit, he took the time to send along an inspiring recipe, one of his mom's specialties. It's appropriate for a plan ahead Shabbat dinner, and pairs well with broad noodles and a kosher merlot from Allentown’s Binah Winery.

22 JULY/AUGUST 2021 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

GOULASH

In a Dutch oven, saute 2 chopped onions with 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1 1/2 tsp. Hungarian paprika in 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil. Add 2 lbs. cubed beef with another 1 1/2 tsp. paprika, stirring occasionally. Add 4 cups low-sodium beef stock, pepper and salt to taste, a bay leaf and a tsp. of caraway seeds, and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add 2 cubed potatoes, 3 carrots, cut into thick rounds and, optionally, 2 lbs. of refrigerated sauerkraut, washed well and dried. Cover and bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours, without removing the lid. Serve hot.

PJ Library helps with book drive for local kids Wendy Born, past president of Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and past board member of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, saw an email from the United Way a few months ago. The email was from Lehigh Valley Reads, a United Way partner, and talked about the books they were giving to the children in the Lehigh Valley and how they were looking for books with diverse voices. Instantly, Born knew there should be Jewish voices among the diverse stories. With the recent increase in instances of antisemitism and racism, it is especially important to encourage understanding of different cultures. Born set up a meeting with Abby Trachtman, PJ Library coordinator at the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, and Angela Zanelli, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, Campaign Director for Lehigh Valley Reads at PBS39, and also, a PJ Library parent.

Zanelli explained that during the pandemic, Lehigh Valley Reads realized not all local children have home libraries and since libraries were closed, they didn’t have access to books. Lehigh Valley Reads, along with partners and educators determined that a home library should start with 10 age appropriate books per child. Lehigh Valley Reads started a book drive. Zanelli and her small team personally picked up donated books, packaged them by reading level and saw to the distribution of the libraries to local families. Like many of us working from home this last year, she enlisted the help of her wife and children. Lehigh Valley Reads and their partners also realized most children did not have access to diverse stories about other cultures, and they put out an email asking for books with those diverse stories.

“The aim is to learn about the cultures of neighbors through stories that represent the people in our communities,” Zanelli said. “In the same way, we want all children in the Lehigh Valley to be able to see themselves represented in the stories they read.”

With a little brainstorming, Trachtman, Born and Zanelli came up with the book drive idea. Families who have outgrown some of their PJ Library books with positive stories representing Jewish families and values, can donate those books to Lehigh Valley Reads by dropping off gently used books in the collection boxes located at the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, 702 N. 22nd Street, Allentown. The book drive will take place from July 12-23, 2021.

Books will be sorted and distributed to local families to begin their own libraries and those books will contain Jewish voices.

Wendy Born has communicated with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, parent organization of PJ Library. The Foundation is very excited about this collaborative community endeavor.

They are hopeful other communities will encourage more access to books discussing Jewish values, families and customs.

Book Review: ‘Beni’s War’

By Sean Boyle Special to HAKOL Tammar Stein’s latest historical fiction novel, “Beni’s War,” is set six years after her previous novel, “The Six Day Hero” (reviewed in the March 2019 issue of HAKOL), with the Laor Family recently moving from Jerusalem and now living in a new moshav in the Golan Heights. This time the middle son, Motti, is a soldier in the IDF, and the youngest brother, Beni, is the narrator.

The story opens with 12-year-old Beni riding the school bus home the night before Yom Kippur in 1973.

Walking home from the bus stop, he meets his older brother Motti, who is home on leave for the holiday from his tank unit stationed in the South. As the family attends Yom Kippur services, they are interrupted by a soldier announcing that everyone is to board a bus at noon to evacuate the moshav. The families of the moshav are of course upset, but as they prepare to load the bus to leave, the Syrian army begins to shell the moshav.

Beni is able to evacuate with his parents to his grandparents’ home, but

they bring along the school bully, which adds extra tension to an already stressful situation. As Beni and his classmates cope with their new reality while constantly fearing for their siblings' safety, we experience what it was like as a civilian during the Yom Kippur War. There were changes to the TV scheduling to keep the children entertained at night, shortages in the stores, and the lack of ablebodied men meant high school students had to take up some of the daily duties like mail delivery.

Stein is able to give us the Loar family’s perspective of the war in the Golan Heights with Syria while weaving in aspects of the Sinai fighting with Egypt as the family tries to track where Motti’s unit is fighting. As the war drags on, Beni begins to mature and starts to empathize and become friends with his former bully classmates. That empathy carries over to Egyptian POWs as well as with the other neighboring countries surrounding Israel, allowing Beni to envision a future with peace between Israel and its neighbors.

As in her previous novel, Stein used interviews from her family and met with

Israelis who participated in the fighting or lived through the Yom Kippur War to fill in the details of her book.

She also visited battlefields and spoke with locals as she attempted to understand how life in Israel changed during the fighting and the years afterwards.

Highly recommended for ages 9-120, especially for anyone with interest in the Yom Kippur War. Sean Boyle is a past JDS librarian and is now serving as President of the Schools, Synagogues, Centers, and Public Libraries Division of the Association of Jewish Libraries.

Beni’s War. (Stein, Tammar, Minneapolis, MN, Kar-Ben Publishing, 2020, 273p.)

If you're interested in journalism, want to get more involved in the local Jewish community, or just like to write ― HAKOL, the Jewish newspaper of the Lehigh Valley, is looking for volunteer writers.

Contact HAKOL editor Stephanie Goodling at sbolmer@jflv.org or 610-821-5500 for information.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 23

Congratulations CLASS OF 2021 Emily Alchaer

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COVID as a catalyst

By Amy Golding JDS Head of School Winston Churchill said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”

The challenges of the last year and a half certainly put schools in crisis mode, but the Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley has emerged stronger.

Changes necessitated by the pandemic forced educators to rethink almost everything: the definition of learning, the school-home relationship, the vision of what constitutes an educational space and how it’s used, the nature of what a school day looks like, the accessibility and role of the teacher, the school as an organ of the community, modifications to the school’s physical and technological infrastructures, reevaluating the attention paid to the social-emotional well-being of students, and professional development and support for teachers. The breathtaking pace of change has generated extraordinary excitement and possibilities.

When the pandemic started, the JDS moved swiftly into remote learning, working quickly to have computers in every student’s hands, teachers trained in Google Classroom and Zoom, schedules that would meet our academic rigor, creative outlets to address social and emotional needs, and innovative ways to build community with our new hashtag #TogetherApart.

We hosted innovative programs throughout the pandemic, including game nights, baking parties, paint nights and virtual hangouts—all to facilitate social interaction.

By August 2020, we understood that moving the school forward meant having oncampus learning for the entire 2020–21 school year, while ensuring that we provided an equally robust learning experience for the 20 percent of our students who started the year learning from home.

Our system needed to provide flexibility for students who needed to stay home because of COVID-19 concerns, but it also needed the ability to pivot to remote learning on a minute’s notice. We invested in technology. This encouraged us to expand our curriculum resources, allowing us to connect virtually to teachers in Israel, guest speakers

from around the world, and renowned scientists through the Da Vinci Science Center.

We boosted our Wi-Fi capabilities, purchased new laptops for students, increased our online resources for academic growth, and equipped each classroom with webcams and microphones. Going forward, these capabilities will allow us to reduce the number of absences for students. On days when sick students are required to stay home but still able to participate in school work, we can provide realtime instruction. Additionally, online learning has eliminated the need to cancel school for an extended amount of time because of the weather.

Being on campus this year prompted us to reexamine the school’s outdoor spaces and how they could be used more effectively to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, provide teachers and students maskfree time, and connect curriculum to the environment around us. The success of the temporary classroom has inspired us to build a permanent pavilion this summer that’s optimized for internet broadband, flexible seating, and the opportunity to eat, pray, learn, act and connect in this new outdoor classroom. The challenges presented by COVID-19 inspired us to use our outdoor spaces more fully and reinforced our understanding of the power these spaces hold to engage students and promote all aspects of learning. We created an integrated learning program, using our gardens to plant vegetables, flowers and herbs. Our second graders even fundraised and planted a butterfly garden inspired by their unit of study.

In the coming years, we plan to increase our integration of the gardens in Jewish studies by using them to teach about Israeli agriculture, geography and geology, in addition to continuing to use the produce in science, math and English to enhance our curriculum. We’re also replacing our 30-year-old big-kid playground with a new enhanced playground.

There were also significant developments on the administrative side, including fundraising, community involvement and recruitment.

It’s difficult to pinpoint precisely how COVID-19 played a role in these areas, but the

net results include increases in enrollment, fundraising dollars and the number of donors. COVID-19 forced us to ask: “What can we do now that we could not do before?”

But we also asked, “What are we willing to do now that we didn’t even consider before?”

By embracing the challenge and thinking creatively as an opportunity to connect even more to one another, our JDS family has flourished.

COVID-19 wreaked havoc on so many of our communities, yet we came away with more than a handful of technical tools. At the JDS, we continue to learn from the pandemic experience, with new solutions to problems and a broader vision for Jewish and general education.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JULY/AUGUST 2021 25

Plays like a kid.

Jumps like a kid.

Falls like a kid.

Must be a kid.

Good thing we built an emergency room just for kids.

After 10 years, the community’s only Children’s ER has a new, bigger space. Thanks to the generosity of the Breidegam Family, the new Children’s ER is now doubled in size.

NEW Breidegam Family Children’s ER includes: • Doctors and nurses specially trained in pediatric emergency medicine • Child-life specialists to help kids cope with an ER visit • Child-friendly design for kids of all ages – newborn to teens • A separate, dedicated entrance • Sensory-friendly spaces • Spacious waiting room with a play area and café Visit LVHN.org/childrensER to learn more.

Located on the campus of Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest