Hakol - November 2022

The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community

www.jewishlehighvalley.org

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Issue No. 459

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November 2022

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Cheshvan/Kislev 5783

AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977

Susan Wild and Lisa Scheller: An election forum at the Federation p3

Birthday in a Bag: PJ Library and JFS pack parties-to-go for families in need p17

FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p2 WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY p4 LVJF TRIBUTES p8 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p13 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p18-19 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p20 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p27

Lehigh’s new Jewish Student Center finally gets its grand opening

By Carl Zebrowski Editor of Hakol The Lehigh University Hillel has had a new home for over a year. The building is larger and more comfortable than the old one. Attendance at events is up. But due to the pandemic, there was never a proper grand opening.

Until October 16 of this year.

Around lunchtime that Sunday morning, dozens of students, alumni, administrators and community members – and tables brimming with food – filled the front lawn at 233 West Packer Avenue in Bethlehem for the official dedication of the new Jewish Student Center.

Standing at a podium on the front porch,

Rabbi Steve Nathan, endowed director of Jewish student life and associate chaplain at Lehigh, was enthusiastic about finally being able to celebrate the opening of the new hub for Jewish students on campus. “We did move in here in March 2021,” Nathan said, “but we know what March 2021 was like.”

He highlighted some of the benefits of the new location over the old. “It’s at least twice the size, and in better shape, and universityowned,” Nathan said. “We don’t have to worry when the furnace breaks down.”

University ownership of the site makes clear where Lehigh stands. As Rabbi Michael Lehigh Jewish Student Center Continues on page 6

Film director to address Lions and Poms on music in Sderot, Israel Music and war have a longtime relationship. Think of fife and drums corps accompanying Revolutionary War armies on the march, buglers signaling orders to Civil War troops.

The Lions of Judah and Pomegranates of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley will explore a different sort of relationship between music and war when they gather to kick off their new year with Night at the Movies on Monday, November 14.

The Lions and Poms will

view the documentary “Rock in the Red Zone” and discuss it and the situation in Sderot, Israel, a half mile from the Gaza Strip, with its writer and director, Laura Bialis. Amid years of continual bombing of the city by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Israeli musicians turned bomb shelters into music halls and birthed a new sound blending folk traditions from their own diverse cultural backgrounds with rock and roll. “The Sderot bands were essential in the process of Non-Profit Organization

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shifting Israeli music, being a fusion of East and West,” says an on-screen commentator.

Laura Bialis traveled to Israel from her native Los Angeles to film the movie.

She says on screen that “I encountered some of the most amazing music I’ve ever heard.” She ended up staying, settling right there in the war zone and crucible for art that her film depicts.

The Lions and Poms will discuss the tumultuous situation and the artistic innovation that arose from it, the spirit of the musicians and fellow residents, and other aspects of the multilayered

reality represented on screen.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Emmaus Theatre at 19 South Fourth Street in Emmaus. The film will be screened and a discussion with Bialis will follow.

Lion of Judah and Pomegranate members who are

donating $1,800 to the Federation’s 2023 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs are invited to attend and to bring a spouse or other guest along with them. Dinner will be served, dietary laws observed.

RSVP by Nov. 7 at mailbox@jflv.org or 610-821-5500.

Lehigh Valley, PA Permit No. 64

Don’t miss our special holiday pages (14-15) or the note of appreciation from executive director, Jeri Zimmerman (2).

I appreciate you It is at this time of year, with Thanksgiving and the end of the year quickly approaching, that I am always reminded of the expression “an attitude of gratitude.” As I may have noted before, this is the notion of making it a habit to express thankfulness and appreciation in all parts of your life, on a regular basis — for the big things and small things alike. Taking a moment, whether giving thanks to God or just feeling grateful in our own reflections, “an attitude of gratitude” resonates with me on so many levels.

With all the negativity and pessimism around us, Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to reflect on the positives, our

blessings, instead of focusing on the negatives. It is also a time to think about how to extend the season of gratitude to improve your life year-round. The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat hatov, which means, literally, “recognizing the good.”

Practicing gratitude means recognizing the good that is already yours.

Scientists have discovered all sorts of positive outcomes from practicing gratitude: improved physical health and immunity against disease; fewer expressions of toxic emotions such as resentment, frustration and regret; better sleep; more self-respect; more satisfying relationships; and enhanced

resilience.

According to author Melody Beattie, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, and confusion into clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

I am grateful for family and friends who provide support and encouragement through good times and, sometimes, tough times and for the many things that make day-to-day life so wonderful. I also appreciate

a community that demonstrates caring and compassion and a desire to welcome and engage its members.

I am grateful to each one of you for your time, talent and financial support working to make our community a rich and vibrant one. It is our Jewish Community Center, our Jewish Day School, our Jewish Family Service, and all our synagogues and other organizations that enrich our Jewish life here in the valley. In addition, our Jewish Federation, Jewish Foundation and affinity groups all work to provide opportunities to engage you in helping to make our community and the world a better place. How wonderful to be surrounded by you, as together we address important and meaningful work each day.

Please accept my sincere appreciation and thanks to each of you for inspiring me.

In this edition of Hakol, we take a moment to recognize the generous and valued support of sponsors and advertisers and all that they do to support our mission and community efforts.

I hope you will join me in recognizing their ongoing support by patronizing their businesses.

Together, we are here for good and we appreciate their generosity and community-minded care.

Wishing you and your families an attitude of gratitude and a relaxing Thanksgiving holiday!

If you’d like to share some thoughts on things you’re grateful for, please put them in an email and send it to hakol@ jflv.org.

HAKOL STAFF CARL ZEBROWSKI Editor CHARLENE RIEGGER Director of Marketing HAKOL is published 11 times per year for the Jewish communities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and vicinity by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

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

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

We cannot guarantee publication or placement of submissions.

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

JFLV EXECUTIVE STAFF JERI ZIMMERMAN Executive Director AARON GORODZINSKY Director of Campaign & Security Planning DENISE AHNER Director of Finance & Administration JULIA UMANSKY Director of Gift Planning & EITC ROBBY WAX JFLV President WENDY EDWARDS Office Manager GINGER HORSFORD Donor Services Associate

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

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.

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

IN MEMORY RENEE GITTLER (Mother of Susan Musselman) Carole and Michael Langsam STUART SCHWARTZ (Husband of Janice Schwartz) Eileen and Roberto Fischmann DAVID WIWIERSKI (Husband of Susan Engel-Wiwierski) Aaron Gorodzinsky MARGIE ZIMMERMAN (Mother of Kathy Zimmerman) Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel

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

2 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

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

Wild and Scheller speak directly to the community at Federation forum

By Aaron Gorodzinsky Director of Campaign and Security Planning The Community Relations Council (CRC) of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley hosted a candidates forum with Lisa Scheller and Susan Wild on October 13, giving them the opportunity to speak directly to our community on topics they may not have had a chance to address at any other public forum.

The forum was cohosted in person by the chair of the CRC, Bruce Reich, and me, and broadcast on YouTube to allow all members of the community to hear directly from the candidates.

What made our forum different from other debates the candidates have had this past few months was the opportunity for each to present without interruption. We designed the forum to give the floor to each candidate individually for 40 minutes, and we asked the same questions of each of

them, allowing them to present their visions to solve some of the most urgent issues for our community.

Both Wild and Scheller addressed a question on the rise of anti-Semitism in our community and our country and shared their vision on how to combat this epidemic.

They both shared their views specifically on the rise of anti-Semitism, discussed as anti-Zionism at college campuses across our nation, and what can be done by Congress to fight back against this hate disguised as free speech.

Both candidates also shared their concern for the physical safety of our community institutions and reiterated their support for the nonprofit security grant program, which provides nonprofit organizations funding for physical security improvements.

Switching topics, but bringing the same sense of urgency, Wild and Scheller shared their visions for the

role the United States can play to fight against Iran, its nuclear ambitions, and the role its regime is playing in supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They both agreed on the need to address significant concerns before the United States continues to negotiate a reentering to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (aka the Iran nuclear deal).

When it comes to Israel and combating the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, both candidates shared their deep connections to Israel as the home of the Jewish people and rejected any calling for putting conditions on aid to Israel. They also showed enthusiasm for the new reality on the ground since the Abraham Accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became a reality.

When answering questions from the audience, each candidate shared her distinct position on reproductive freedom following the recent

Above: Susan Wild with the moderators. Below: Lisa Scheller.

Supreme Court decision on abortion, and what she is willing to support moving forward, presenting two very clear paths.

Finally, the candidates both shared a willingness to speak louder against voices inside their own parties when

needed to reject hateful rhetoric and a willingness to work across the aisle for the benefit of our district.

If you missed this forum, you can watch a recap on the Federation’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=P0GO3_MnKDA.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 3

WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY Now that the holidays are over, Women’s Philanthropy is getting into full swing with an exciting line up of programs. Come take part in the upcoming events, including making a mitzvah, gathering with the community and creating new connections. For more information or just to schmooze, reach out to Lee Solomon, the Federation’s new associate director of development, at lee@jflv.org.

Women’s Philanthropy makes blankets for homeless people

By Charlene Riegger Director of Marketing The Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley came together to make fleece blankets for Jewish Family Service and the Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown on October 23.

The event began with a video about how Jewish Federations work to repair the world.

Our Jewish Federation takes care of those in need here in the Lehigh Valley, in Israel and in

60 countries around the world.

The video’s focus was on how scenes all around us sometimes make us feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do to help. The enormity can make us feel powerless to make changes.

Every little thing we can do helps. On this day, the women were there to make blankets to give a child something to cuddle in the shelter, to give a woman warmth, to help them know someone is thinking about them and doing something, no matter how small, to

help. In two hours, the women made two dozen blankets to be donated.

Event cochairs Miriam Zager, Ilene Ringold and Fay Kun organized this wellattended event and shopped for a variety of fleece fabric pieces in prints that spanned from lovely patterns for women to fun characters and sports themes for children. Almost 30 women came to the event and many more who were unable to attend sponsored blankets.

Jewish Family Service

distributes food and other essentials to people in need.

The Sixth Street Shelter assists families experiencing homelessness to secure safe housing. The organization provides shortand long-term lodging for those

who need it. When displaced people arrive, lodgings are set up with sheets, towels, blankets and more. When the people are able to move to permanent, affordable lodging, they can take those items with them.

Women’s Philanthropy LION OF JUDAH & POMEGRANATE

Volunteers to pack tote bags Night at the at Dignity Grows party Movies with Laura Bialis

Join Us for a Private Viewing

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14th, 6:30 p.m.

Emmaus Theatre A minimum gift of $1800 to the 2023 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs is required to attend.

The April 2022 Dignity Grows Tote Packing Party.

SPONSORED BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY’S WOMEN’S DIVISION

WELCOMING NEW BABIES

The Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is hosting its third Dignity Grows Tote Packing Party at the Jewish Community Center on Wednesday, November 2.

Volunteers will gather from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to fill totes with supplies of soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and other personal hygiene essentials (that Federal programs don’t cover and that people rarely think to donate

to food pantries). Filled totes from the event will be distributed to women in need through Jewish Family Service and SELF Women’s Reentry.

You can also donate money toward the purchase of these supplies.

To RSVP for the event, send an email to mailbox@jflv.org or call 610-821-5500. To make a monetary donation, go to jewishlehighvalley.givingfuel.com/dignity-grows.

to the Lehigh Valley

STANLEY ZIMRING

Son of Haley and Joey Zimring

If you’re expecting, know someone who is, or have a new baby, PLEASE LET US KNOW! Contact Abby Trachtman, 610-821-5500 | abbyt@jflv.org

4 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Handmade Afghans

BY EVA LEVITT

All proceeds benefit projects in Israel:

Food Banks in Israel Neve Michael Youth Village

For prices or to place an order, call Eva 610-398-1376.

All payments are made payable to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

I Am Jewish: Teen program starts its new year with a new name

US sanctions, designates 14 Iranian entities and officials for role in cracking down on protests

A protester hold up a picture of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman whose death in the custody of Iran's "morality police" has sparked widespread unrest. Credit: Twitter.

Jewish News Syndicate

Teen program activities from years past.

By Eynav Dahan Community Shlicha I Am Jewish. That’s the new name of the enrichment program for Lehigh Valley Jewish teens formerly known as Shalshelet.

IAJ isn’t a youth group or a school. It’s more a safe and welcoming space for Jewish teens to explore topics of their own choosing.

The program has been around for many years, hosted by Temple Beth El in Allentown two Mondays a

month. It has given teens a place to gather, participate in different activities together and just have fun while dealing with issues such as their identity, Judaism, body image, ethical life and Israel.

The name change was the result of a competition in which teens entered their own alternatives to Shalshelet, which suggested individuals wrestling with issues. The new name signals a fresh start for the year, with a program led by me as community shlicha (Israeli

emissary). We will focus on subjects such as movies and TV, America and Israel, identity, and others to be determined by the teens.

Signup has started for all Jewish teens in grades 10 through 12. The first meeting will be on November 21 at Temple Beth El. You don’t need to be a member of any synagogue to participate in this community program.

To sign up or get more details, contact Temple Beth El at 610-435-3521 or me at eynav@jflv.org.

The U.S. on Wednesday announced sanctions and other designations on 14 Iranian entities and officials, in an effort to hold Iran accountable for its crackdown on the ongoing protests against the regime nationwide.

Marking 40 days since the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, who was arrested Sept. 13 by the “morality police” in Tehran and died in custody three days later, the State and Treasury Department designations aim to demonstrate that the U.S. “is committed to supporting the Iranian people,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Blinken stated that the U.S. is designating three commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for their “brutal responses” to the protests; six officials within Iran’s prison system who are responsible for or complicit in “serious human rights abuses;” the governor of the Province of Sistan and Baluchistan, “for his role in overseeing the violent response by security forces against peaceful protestors;” two entities involved in “censorship, surveillance, and malicious cyber activity against the Iranian people;” and the commander and chief of police in the Isfahan Province “for his involvement in gross violations of human rights, namely the cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of peaceful protestors;” as well as sanctioning two individuals and one entity “implicated in extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals in Iran.”

“The United States is committed to working to promote justice and accountability for human rights violations and abuses in Iran,” said Blinken. “We will continue to find ways to support the people of Iran as they peacefully protest in defense of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in doing so, will continue to impose costs on individuals and entities in Iran who engage in the brutal repression of the Iranian people.”

NOVEMBER 29, 2022 is GIVING TUESDAY

Make your donation at jewishlehighvalley.org/donate HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 5

Lehigh Jewish Student Center Continues from page 1

Singer of Bethlehem’s Congregation Brith Sholom said afterward, “The fact that the university understands the importance of Jewish life and creating a place on campus that is welcoming for Jewish students is a tremendous leap forward.”

Retired Lehigh Professor Roger Simon, who led the effort to put a down payment on the original Hillel House 40 years ago, attended the event. “We were a group of amateurs running a building and worrying about the furnace and the insurance and the garbage collection and fixing the roof and all these things,” he said.

The inside of the new building was said to be comparatively grand. “This building is more comfortable,” said Nathan. “Plus there is a much better and more modern kitchen. It also provides twice as many rooms for studying and more office space for staff, along with a living room and game room and lounge for students to hang out and relax.”

Nathan thanked Seth and Linda Horowitz of the New York City area for their support.

Linda is an alumna of Lehigh and they’ve had two sons enrolled here. The younger one is there now, while the older graduated before the new student center opened. “Why didn’t they have

this when I was here?” Seth said he told him, half-jokingly. But the most important consideration has always been just having an inviting location to gather. “The Hillel building,” Seth said, “the older one or this one, was really a second home for them.”

Alex Margulies, a freshman, said he has attended events at the new location and has been inside a few times. “It’s just been a really nice welcoming place,” he said, “especially for a freshman, because I don’t know that many people. It’s just been great to have some place to meet with the greater Jewish community.”

Things have been going well so far this year, said Hillel copresident Max Colen. “The new center is a great place for students to work and collaborate and overall just have a great sense of community, because during the pandemic there really wasn’t much of that. This year we had the biggest Shabbat we ever had.”

Everyone is welcome, said copresident Elisa Lipkin. “It’s also very inclusive,” she said. “There’s so many students of different backgrounds that come here.”

All of this bodes well for Lehigh’s Jewish students heading into the future. As Rabbi Singer said, “It’s great to have the right rabbi in Steven Nathan, a brandnew building, exciting growth of the Jewish population at Lehigh, and a place where students can come together, Jewish and nonJewish. They get to create the community that they want, and this gives them that opportunity.”

6 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Polling expert to continue elections program he and Gordon Goldberg started in 2008

By Shira Yacker Special to Hakol Professor Christopher Borick will discuss the midterm elections at the Dr. Gordon Goldberg Memorial Lecture at Congregation Brith Shalom on November 3.

As director of the Muhlenberg College Institution of Public Opinion, Borick will talk about Pennsylvania’s status as a key swing state, what various polls might predict about the race and whether people should feel confident in the polls.

The election lecture pro-

gram began back when Gordon Goldberg (z”l) became aware of Borick’s Muhlenberg College-Morning Call polling during the Barrack Obama and John McCain presidential race. He then teamed up with Borick for a live presentation of the election information to Lehigh Valley voters.

Goldberg was a native of the Lehigh Valley. He attended Lehigh University and continued with his schooling to get a master’s in history from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate from Lehigh.

He became a professor at

Biden: Israel-Lebanon deal sets stage for more stable, prosperous region Jewish News Syndicate The Israel-Lebanon maritime border agreement sets the stage for a more stable Middle East, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday.

“As I said when this historic agreement was announced, it will secure the interests of both Israel and Lebanon, and it sets the stage for a more stable and prosperous region,” he said.

“The United States will continue to serve as a facilitator as the parties work to uphold their commitments and implement this agreement.”

Biden said that he was “proud” to congratulate Jerusalem and Beirut on officially resolving their longstanding maritime boundary dispute centered on gas-rich waters.

“Energy—particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean—should not be a cause for conflict, but a tool for cooperation, stability, security and prosperity,” he continued. “This agreement takes us one step closer to realizing a vision for a Middle East that is more secure, integrated and prosperous, delivering benefits for all the people of the region.”

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday signed the deal, following its approval by the Cabinet earlier in the day.

“This is a tremendous achievement for the State of Israel and for the government of Israel,” said Lapid at the beginning of the special Cabinet meeting.

Lapid suggested that by agreeing to the deal, Lebanon, an “enemy country,” was effectively recognizing Israel, and noted that the United States was providing Jerusalem with security and economic guarantees.

Seemingly in response, Lebanese President Michel Aoun clarified on Thursday that the accord does not constitute recognition by Beirut of Israel.

In a statement issued after he signed a letter approving the terms of the agreement, Aoun said it would have “no politi-

cal dimensions or impacts that contradict Lebanon’s foreign policy.”

Meanwhile, a formal signing ceremony took place Thursday afternoon at the United Nations base in Naqoura, located along the Israel-Lebanon border, that was attended by members of the Israeli, Lebanese and U.S. negotiating teams.

Israel and Lebanon remain technically at war and the delegations were not expected to appear together at the ceremony.

The agreement draws a border between the two countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) based on a boundary known as Line 23, and awards a disputed area of around 840 square kilometers (324 square miles) to Lebanon, while recognizing Israel’s claim to the Karish gas field and to royalties from the section of the Qana field that extends into the Jewish state’s EEZ.

Kutztown University, where he chaired the history department and the faculty senate.

He was the first director of the school’s honors program.

Each election program Goldberg and Borick did together began with Goldberg discussing a “hot topic” for that particular election, said his widow, Rose Lee Goldberg. Then Borick would present what his polls had determined. The night would end with a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Borick and Goldberg also started polling their audience to see whether their views on issues matched Borick’s poll findings. They called it the Goldberg Poll, said Rose Lee. Even when the 2020 program was presented via Zoom due to COVID-19, they conducted the Goldberg Poll.

Rose Lee said that her husband was “both a democrat and a Democrat, that he truly believed in the democratic process that gave each citizen the right to have a say in how the government was run by

Above: Gordon and Rose Lee Goldberg RIght: Christopher Borick

exercising his or her right to vote.”

With Borick continuing the lecture program in memory of Goldberg, Rose Lee said, the hope is that future generations will be inspired to follow in their footsteps and to stand up for what they believe in and share their views.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 7

IN HONOR ALIETTE AND MARC ABO In honor of the birth of your granddaughter, Frankie Beth and Wes Kozinn Vicki Wax SARA-JANE AND DAVID BUB In honor of your son Jack’s Bar Mitzvah Vicki Wax LISA AND BARNET FRAENKEL In honor of being recognized at the Baum School of Art’s Fall Gala Carol and Gary Fromer EYDIE AND NEIL GLICKSTEIN In honor of the B’nai Mitzvah of grandchildren Bradley and Shayna Roberta and Robert Kritzer AARON GORODZINSKY AND JENNIE SCHECHNER In honor of your marriage Barbara and Arthur Weinrach CAROLE AND HARRY ROSE In honor of the birth of your great-granddaughter, Oliva Rose Wendy and Ross Born LENORE SCHARF In honor of your Special Birthday Marilyn Claire Diane Miller AUDREY SOSIS In honor of your Special Birthday Bette Friedenheim Carol and Gary Fromer ARLENE AND RICHARD STEIN In honor of your granddaughter’s marriage Aimee and Ozzie Stewart IN MEMORY FATHER (Father of Miriam Pitkoff) Carole and Michael Langsam SISTER (Sister of Susan Hyman) Carole and Michael Langsam MIRIAM ALEXANDER (Mother of Audrey Nolte) Wendy and Ross Born Eileen Ufberg JAY APFELBAUM (Husband of Harriet Apfelbaum)

Carole and Michael Langsam BEV BLOCH (Wife of Lenny) Carole and Michael Langsam IRA LEHRICH (Husband of Lucille Lehrich and brother of Henry Lehrich) Dee and Arnold Kaplan HOWARD LISTWA (Husband of Sherree Listwa) Carole and Michael Langsam JERRY MELAMUT (Husband of Ethel Melamut and father of Brenda Miller) Jodi Eddy Barbara and Arthur Weinrach LINDA MILLER (Wife of Mike Miller) Dee and Arnold Kaplan REUEL (Rick) MUSSELMAN (Husband of Susan Musselman) Eileen Ufberg and Family RENEE SCHWARTZ (Mother of Pam Silverberg) Wendy and Ross Born Margie and Jonathan Hertz Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz STUART SCHWARTZ (Husband of Janice Schwartz) Wendy and Ross Born Marilyn Claire Bonnie and Bobby Hammel Alice and Mark Notis Roberta and Alan Penn Taffi Ney Eileen Ufberg Vicki Wax MARGIE ZIMMERMAN (Mother of Kathy Zimmerman) Sandra and Harold Goldfarb 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.

Israel to build a museum dedicated to Albert Einstein at university he helped found

By Asaf Elia-Shalev Jewish Telegraphic Agency An $18 million museum dedicated to the legacy of Albert Einstein will be built in Jerusalem.

The Israeli government approved a plan Sunday to establish a new home for Einstein’s extensive materials, including some 85,000 documents, on the campus of the Hebrew University, which Einstein helped found a century ago.

It’s the largest collection of papers and objects related to Einstein in the world and includes his Nobel Prize and the original notes he produced while developing the general theory of relativity in 1916, according to Benyamin Cohen, who is writing a biography of the physicist.

“Albert Einstein is an asset, the biggest brand name in the world for intelligence, science and genius,” Israel’s alternate prime minister, Naftali Bennett, said on Saturday, adding that he expects the museum to become “a pilgrimage site for anyone who wants to become familiar with Einstein, Jewish intelligence, and intelligence in general.”

A third of the funding for the museum will come from the Israeli government and the rest from the university and its donors, including art collector Jose Mugrabi.

Einstein was one of the earliest and most important champions of Hebrew University, using his profile as one of the world’s leading scientists to raise money for the institution. At a fundraising conference in 1954, a year before his death, he said in a speech that the university would be critical to Israel’s trajectory as a young country.

“Israel is the only place on earth where Jews have the possibility to shape public life according to their traditional ideals,” Einstein said. “We are all greatly concerned that its final shape will be worthy and gratifying. To what extent this

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Our pediatric cardiologists work closely with your child’s pediatrician, sports medicine providers, imaging technologists and other pediatric or prenatal specialists. Our collaborative approach enables us to create comprehensive and customized management plans based on your child’s specific needs, condition and age, from infants to teens... all right here at St. Luke’s.

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The heart care you trust for kids. Now more than ever.

Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, meeting with Albert Einstein at Princeton University, New Jersey.

(Universal History Archive/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

goal will be reached will depend significantly on the growth and development of the Hebrew University.”

His support for the university and for Israel was so deeply appreciated that Einstein was asked to become the country’s president in 1952, but he declined.

After Einstein died in 1955, the Hebrew University inherited his papers, letters, medals and “all other literary property and rights, of any and every kind or nature whatsoever,” per Einstein’s will.

The announcement of the Albert Einstein museum adds to a spate of new and planned museums and other cultural institutions in recent years in Israel, which are being funded to a large extent by philanthropic dollars from Jews living in the United States.

In Jerusalem, it will join the new Museum of Tolerance and the nearly completed new home of the National Library of Israel. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv has seen a recent $100 million renovation that created the ANU Museum of the Jewish People, as well as the opening of the Israel Innovation Museum at the Peres Center for Peace and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History.

Author at Lafayette: ‘People love dead Jews’

Author Dara Horn (second from right); Monika Rice (far right), moderator for Horn’s talk at Lafayette College on October 12 and assistant professor and Robert Weiner and Ilan Peleg Scholar in Jewish Studies at Lafayette; and three of Rice’s students who organized a book club to study Horn’s “People Love Dead Jews.”

By Carl Zebrowski Editor of Hakol Dara Horn kept pointing at the cover of her 2021 book “People Love Dead Jews” throughout her talk at Lafayette College on October 12. Once you understand the argument she’s making in this collection of essays that won the National Jewish Book award, you realize the title is spot-on. And, yes, she deals with her serious subject matter with occasional biting humor.

Horn, a novelist, nonfiction writer and instructor of Yiddish and Hebrew literature at New York’s Yeshiva University

and other colleges, told an audience of more than 100 in Lafayette’s Colton Chapel that immersion in stories about Jewish victims of the Holocaust, terrorist attacks and other atrocities through history makes people feel better about themselves.

“There’s a murdered, tortured Jew who absolves you of your sins,” she said (you were warned about the humor). People can tell themselves that whatever their own faults, they don’t inflict horror on other people.

The truth runs deeper than that, of course. And it’s troubling. It begs the question “Why do we care

how these people died if we really don’t care how they live?” At the core of that not caring is antiSemitism, or at least a lack of action against antiSemitism.

Within the last few years, Horn said, she became “the anti-Semitism whisperer.” She traced it back to a late 2018 article she wrote for Smithsonian magazine about the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam — a museum established in memory of the Jewish girl who became the most famous victim of the Holocaust — banning a staff member from wearing a yarmulke to work.

Around that same time, she wrote an article for the New York Times on the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh that killed 11. Suddenly she was a recognized expert. “I have now become the go-to person for the emerging genre of synagogue shooting opeds,” she said.

Horn said that antiSemitism has been buried in the American conscience. She offered the example of a myth that developed around Jews coming through Ellis Island on arrival in the United States. As the story goes, their surnames were often changed by government clerks who couldn’t spell.

“This never, ever happened,” Horn said.

She mentioned legal documents showing that Jews themselves filed for new names that didn’t sound so obviously Jewish.

“The reason these people were changing their names was because they’re lives were being destroyed,” she said. “They couldn’t get jobs.”

The stories about the misspelled names serve

a purpose, she said: “The myth buries the memory of American anti-Semitism.” America was supposed to be the exception. Anti-Semitism wasn’t supposed to happen here. Her book lays those notions bare.

To correct the continuing problem, she said, one of the things that needs to change is how we teach our youth about Jews. “When we say the reason that you shouldn’t hate these people is because they’re just like you and me,” she said, “we’re kind of saying that if they weren’t just like you and me that it’s kind of okay to hate them.”

She wondered, “Why are we not cultivating curiosity about human differences?” Teaching about differences and why they are important and worth nurturing should lead to improvement heading forward. Judaism is a counterculture, she explained, but one that’s been critical to the mainstream.

“Judaism is foundational to the history of the West. There is no West without Judaism.”

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How good is robotic surgery now? Maimonides’ president explains

Dr. Zach Goldsmith speaks to the Maimonides Society about robotic surgery.

For the first time in two years, members of the Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley met for a Brunch and Learn event.

Dr. Zach Goldsmith of St. Luke’s Center for Urology and new president of this organization of medical professionals, spoke to the group in the Jewish Community Center on the topic of “Robotic Surgery: Are We Meeting Expectations for Minimally

THE

i4

10 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Invasive Surgery?”

The chief of surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital-Anderson Campus began his talk with the origins of the technology.

Like many medical advances, robotic surgery began with war, with the US Department of Defense funding research on battlefield applications in the early 1980s. Stanford University picked up the mantel from there.

In the 2000s, private industry took up the effort, building on what the federal government and university researchers had established.

The groundbreaking da Vinci robot featured two joysticks for control by the surgeon and a camera view for each eye to provide a three-dimensional image that showed depth.

Robots have been proliferating since then.

“When I came here in 2016,” Goldsmith said, “St. Luke’s had one robot in one hospital. It currently has seven robots in four different hospitals.”

His talk threaded through various specialties, describing specific robotic surgeries in each. With photos blown up on the screen behind him, he detailed pelvic, abdominal, lung, head and neck, and orthopedic procedures.

He spoke with special expertise on prostatectomy, removal of the full organ, a procedure he has done robotically numerous times. “With open prostate surgery,” he explained, “much of it was done by feel.

To be able now to do this with perfect imaging, perfect magnification, is amazing.”

There are at least a few clear benefits to robotic surgery. One is less

blood loss. “I’ve never seen so much blood as a prostatectomy done the oldfashioned way,” said one of the doctors in attendance.

There’s often less pain too.

And rates of infection are, Goldsmith said, “quite low.”

Amount of time the patient spends in the hospital is shorter. “Decreasing length of stay is a big goal,” said Goldsmith. “Hospitals look at that when considering robotics.”

Of course there are criticisms of robotic surgery to consider. Most important is that there aren’t enough statistics available yet to determine trustable success rates. “There are very, very few trials for robotic surgery compared to manual surgery,” he said.

There’s also the possibility that the high cost of surgical robots — in the neighborhood of $2 million each — could give hospitals the incentive to push robotic surgeries when they may not be the most reliable option.

“The best way to recoup that investment is to use the robot more and more.”

Still, robotic surgery is here to stay. Training is critical. Inevitably, perhaps, the conversation turned to video games and the hours of “training” kids often accumulate on them.

“Everyone has learned a lot here today, especially to buy your kids a PlayStation 5,” joked Aaron Gorodzinzky, the Federation’s director of campaign and security planning, who oversees Maimonides.

But Goldsmith, a father of three, got the last laugh: “I’ll tell you we don’t have any video games in our house.”

COVID, Zoom, staying home and the tough decisions we still face

RABBI ALLEN JUDA Congregation Brith Sholom Emeritus The choices we make every minute of every day can contribute to making someone’s life a little bit better or worse even without intending to.

— Chikamso Efobi Our lives are filled with choices, large and small.

And didn’t many choices become more complicated after COVID-19 became a dark shadow over our lives in 2020? For those who eat out, before COVID one had to choose a restaurant and then a menu offering. Dessert or no dessert? Once COVID hit, eating out at restaurants disappeared from most of our lives. Of course, we still

had to decide what to eat for dinner. That daily decision led to choices about how to obtain the ingredients. Should we risk entering the supermarket or do curbside pickup or maybe Instacart?

After the vaccines became available, the debates began about choosing to get them or not. Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson and Johnson? And then came the boosters: 1-2-3.

Battles were fought over masks. Should we each have the choice to wear one in public or not? I wonder if we want to give surgeons that choice in the operating room. The synagogue world is still grappling with masks.

Sanctuaries? Yes. Kiddush?

No. But synagogue and religious life has been impacted in far more profound ways. Whether we want to examine the phenomenon or not, the nature of community appears to be changing. Of course, the nature of community has been changing for some time. I remember a former shul-goer who traded in the synagogue community for a Facebook one. And why not? After all, the people in her new

community, most of whom she had never met in person, were her “friends.”

I have found something comforting and meaningful in being part of a davening shul community since I was a child. But I must admit, praying on my own at home for over two years was an enlightening experience. After many decades of praying at a communal pace, I could daven as fast or, mostly, as slowly as I wanted. Especially on Shabbas and holidays, I was no longer zipping through the psalms that are an early part of the morning service. “Or Hadash,” Rabbi Reuven Hammer’s commentary on the weekday prayer book, notes, “We are … told of those who would begin each day with the recitation of the entire Book of Psalms. The siddur has adapted this practice by picking psalms and verses of psalms.” Always there are choices. That doesn’t even include the choice of a specific prayer book, which may impact which psalms are included.

And during the pandemic and perhaps beyond, there arose the question of how

one “attends” services. Go to an indoor sanctuary masked and socially distant? Go to an outdoor service, with or without masks? How about a Zoom service or streaming?

What does it mean to be a part of community? I “participated” in Zoom and streamed funerals and shiva services. Except for immediate family, will family and friends living at a distance ever again drive or fly to a funeral? Can anything virtual replace for the mourners a firm handshake (if you are still shaking hands during the flu season) or a warm embrace?

Are we part of a community when sitting at home in our jammies watching a screen? Does it make a difference if we are watching “our” synagogue’s service or a service in another city, state or even country? I know there are those who find it difficult to move around freely, so attending a service in person is an enormous or impossible challenge. But that is not the reality for most of us. For two years we bemoaned social isolation.

Now we don’t want to leave our homes to be part of a shul

community?

A younger generation is even having a tough time choosing to be publicly Jewish. After Rosh Hashanah, I listened to a couple of sermons online.

They were recommended to me and both happened to be delivered by Reform colleagues. I encourage you go to YouTube and search for Rabbi Angela Buchdal, Central Synagogue, Rosh Hashanah I, 5783 (about 20 minutes), and Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (about 54 minutes — you can split it into multiple viewings).

Many college students are confronting campus Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movements and anti-Semitic expressions. There are tough choices to be made.

Robert Frost, wrote the poem “The Road Not Taken.” The last stanza reads: I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 11

Adidas breaks ties with Kanye West amid mounting pressure over his anti-Semitic comments

By Philissa Cramer Jewish Telegraphic Agency

ON VIEW IN THE UPSTAIRS GALLERIES ARTIST TALK ON NOVEMBER 12 w/ member meet and greet

12 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

The athletic wear company Adidas is ending its relationship with Kanye West, days after the rapper boasted that he could “literally say antisemitic s— and they cannot drop me.”

The brand had faced growing criticism of its continued relationship with West, who is known as Ye, as other brands affiliated with West broke ties with him. Adidas reportedly brings in $2 billion a year through its Yeezy brand, accounting for about 10% of the company’s revenue.

Now, the brand will stop making Yeezy products and stop all payments to West and his companies, Adidas announced in a statement on Tuesday. The company said it expected to lose up to $250 million in revenue in the next three months, in part because of the onset of the holiday season.

“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness,” the company said in the statement.

“After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately.”

The decision came shortly after a U.S.-based marketing executive at the German company criticized her employer for not acting in response to the anti-

Former Adidas CMO Eric Liedtke, left, and Kanye West, right, at Milk Studios in Hollywood, June 28, 2016. (Jonathan Leibson/ Getty Images for ADIDAS) Semitism espoused by West, who vowed on social media to “go death con 3 on Jewish people” earlier this month.

It was the latest in mounting public pressure on the company, whose founders were Nazis and which produced weapons for the Nazis during World War II. “As a member of the Jewish community, I can no longer stay silent on behalf of the brand that employs me,” Sarah Camhi, a director of trade marketing, wrote on LinkedIn on Monday night.

“Not saying anything, is saying everything.”

The brand had announced weeks ago that it was putting its West ties “under review” but had said nothing publicly since.

Pressure increased after West seemed to revel in his imperviousness last week on the podcast.

A number of other major brands have cut ties with West since his original posting and in the wake of subsequent tirades against

Jews. Twitter and Instagram shut down his accounts.

The fashion tastemakers Balenciaga and Vogue have announced they will no longer be working with him. Hollywood talent giant CAA has dropped him, and a planned documentary about him has been scrapped. His ex-wife and the mother of their children, the major influence Kim Kardashian, took to social media to condemn antiSemitism, albeit without naming West, Neo-Nazi groups used West’s words to go after Jews, unveiling an anti-Semitic billboard in Los Angeles that was condemned by the White House Monday.

Camhi wrote that Adidas had not addressed West’s anti-Semitism internally to employees either.

“We have dropped adidas athletes for using steroids and being difficult to work with but are unwilling to denounce hate speech, the perpetuation of dangerous stereotypes and blatant racism by one of our top brand partners,” she wrote. “We need to do better as a brand. We need to do better for our employees and we need to do better for our communities. Until adidas takes a stand, I will not stand with adidas.”

Camhi, whose LinkedIn account says she has worked at Adidas since June 2019, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

Adidas said in its announcement that it expected the decision to result in a short-term loss for the company, which has already been struggling.

It also said that it retains ownership over past designs in the Yeezy line and would share more in a call with company stakeholders next month.

Collecting brand new (tags on) winter coats for local boys and girls Kids sizes 2T through 18 (adult sizes for teens are appreciated) NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2022

3 Easy Ways to Give: 1. Purchase coat(s) and place in collection point boxes or call 610-821-8722 to make an appointment to drop off at JFS office 2. Purchase coat(s) online and ship directly to JFSLV at 2004 West Allen Street, Allentown, PA 18104.

3. Make a donation of any amount towards purchasing coats in this year’s drive at jfslv.org/donate and select “Coats & Cocoa” in the fund dropdown Also accepting new hats and gloves! And, of course, hot cocoa mix Please contact Chelsea Karp with any questions at 610-351-9953.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 13

SHLICHA’S VIEW WITH EYNAV DAHAN

Thanksgiving is new to me, but I know about giving thanks

This is our moment to thank you, our volunteers, donors, legacy givers and community leaders for everything you do every day to make a vibrant Jewish Lehigh Valley 14 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

I don’t know a lot about Thanksgiving. Most is from TV shows and movies I grew up watching. But I do know about giving thanks. My Aunt Anat always told me that saying thank you is the most important thing you can do. To the security guard at the entrance of the mall, to the person holding the door for you and, most important, to the people who are part of your daily life, like your family, who you don’t always thank for all they do for you.

I am the second of four sisters, the daughter of my amazing parents, Osnat and Shlomi. My family means the world to me, and I always think of how blessed I am to have them. They support me through every decision I make, like moving to the other side of the world.

Twice!

I made my decision to go on shlichut (a mission), which brought me to the Lehigh Valley, pretty quickly.

I had lived in Zambia for three years and was searching for the next adventure. When I came across the shlichut program, I was interested, but I wasn’t sure. As I went through the process to participate, I came to understand what shlichut meant to me. I feel like it is all coming together with Thanksgiving: the shlichut is my time to be grateful for what I have and about Israel. It’s a journey for me, with myself and with the Lehigh Valley community, of gratitude, growth and learning.

Being far from home really makes me think of how much my home means to me. The warm and welcoming Israeli way of life is like no other in the world, and that is something I want to bring with me everywhere I go around the world. I want to meet as many people as I can and let them know about Israel. Maybe I’ll make them fall in love with Israel and see it through my eyes, with lots of love and gratitude.

One way for me to bring my Israel to the community here is through teaching about Israeli culture at the Jewish Day School. I got to meet the kids and started getting to know them, figuring out what they like doing and talking about. I’ll have the entire year to share with them my love of Israel and all the amazing things Israeli culture has to offer, sharing it in ways that will be interesting to them.

I’m also planning to offer some new programs in the community. My background is in movies and producing, so I want to do some fun things with that.

And as an Israeli with Moroccan roots, one of the best ways for me to get to know people and show my love and gratitude is through food, so I’m making a series of videos called “Israeli Flavors of the Holidays.”

Before every holiday, I’ll make an Israeli recipe and talk about it, and give you the recipe on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

I have many more ideas that I look forward to acting on during my time here. Stay tuned and reach out to me on my Facebook page, Eynav in Lehigh Valley, or send me an email at eynav@jflv.org.

I hope you had a great time during the High Holidays, and I wish you a happy Thanksgiving!

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER UPDATE FROM YOAV

We are here, we will remain and we will give thanks

By Nurit Galon Partnership2Gether Rosh Hashana has been duly observed in many different ways, both in anticipation of good events and with some uncertainty about the future: the results of elections, a new school year, the many new discoveries in medicine, warfare.

Just around the corner, not so long after the solemnity and soul-searching of Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving awaits us. Us? Isn't Thanksgiving basically an American custom of giving thanks to God for all the benefits and good things he has provided?

Thanksgiving existed in the United States before October 1863, but it was then, at the height of the American Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation establishing it as a national day of prayer and giving thanks.

How does Thanksgiving fit into the Jewish calendar? We have our own name for it: Sukkot. Observed last month, Sukkot centers on rejoicing and thanking God for the harvest. Many Israelis build huts in their gardens or on their verandas, and eat and sleep in them until the end of Sukkot.

So when did all this begin with the

Jews? A little earlier than Lincoln’s proclamation — more than 3,000 years earlier, when Sukkot was celebrated as a cheerful occasion honoring the Creator for the magnificent gifts he has given us through nature. Over the centuries, farmers built Sukkot huts (sukkah), which kept them closer to their crops and gave them places to stay during their travels on their land.

Today, preparations for Sukkot, especially the building of the sukkah, are really exciting. In the markets, there are big sales of the etrog (large lemon-like fruit) and the green leaves of the lulav (palm branches), decorations everywhere and, though some of us are a wee bit lazy and make do with ready-made sukkah, these are days when we are ready to love our neighbors and build our sukkah together.

In many ways, Sukkot is also a time for us to ask what we have to celebrate.

The Jewish calendar is not exactly overflowing with happy holidays. We have seen so much sadness in our history that the arrival of Sukkot, which joins our past with our present, shows us in no uncertain terms that we are very much here and will continue to be so and to give thanks.

The author’s sukkah then (1988) and now.

Turkey 2022

BY SANDI TEPLITZ Special to HAKOL

INGREDIENTS: 1 turkey, fresh or fully defrosted Pepper Garlic powder Powdered ginger 1 bottle kosher pareve

chili sauce 2 cups brewed Starbucks gingerbread coffee 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

TECHNIQUE: Season turkey with the spices and place in a large roaster. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour over turkey. Cover turkey with tented heavy duty foil and bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes per pound, basting occasionally. Remove foil for the last 45 minutes, continuing to baste.

At this point, optional vegetables, such as carrot slices cut on the diagonal, shiitake mushrooms and baby Brussels sprouts, may be added to the roaster.

Stir occasionally. More coffee may be added as needed.

Serve with mashed potatoes and sourdough bread stuffing. Ginger beer is an excellent accompaniment to this festive meal.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 15

A few of the sukkahs sighted across the valley

Above: Paul and Dore Kottler said they like to invite family and friends over to their backyard in Allentown.

Below: Marc and Susan Kolpon’s children Michael, Rebecca and Joshua in their backyard in Coopersburg.

16 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Above: In the field behind the Jewish Community Center.

Left: The Levin family in Nazareth had a pizza party on the second day of Sukkot.

Below: Students outside the Lehigh University Jewish Student Center.

PJ Library and Jewish Family Service fill birthday bags for families in need

By Desireé RodriguezLittleford Marketing Content and Design Associate Families gathered for a PJ Library and Jewish Family Service Birthday in a Bag party at JFS in Allentown on Sunday afternoon, October 23.

They filled birthday bags for families served by the JFS Community Food Pantry, putting a box of cake mix, disposable plates, birthday candles and a happybirthday banner in each one.

Kids decorated birthday cards.

Afterward everyone sat together to hear Chelsea Karp, volunteer and grant development coordinator for JFS, read “Maddi’s Fridge” by Lois Brandt and illustrated by Vin Vogel. “‘Maddi’s Fridge’ tells the story of two friends,” said Abby Trachtman, project coordinator for the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. “One of the children doesn’t have enough food in her home, and her friend wants to help her. The story highlights for PJ families why we pack birthday bags and why we have a food pantry.”

For JFS, the event was part of its 50 Acts of Kindness initiative for its 50th anniversary this year. The JFS food pantry provides frozen food, produce, nonperishables and hygiene products to more than 130 families every month.

“For families dealing with food insecurity and ongoing financial issues,” said Karp, “having a birthday party is not always possible. The Birthday in a Bag program gives people the chance to feel celebrated on

their special day.”

There were rewards for those who packed the bags too. “With this event,” said Trachtman, “PJ Library provided an opportunity for

our families to give back.

Even the youngest children understand celebrating a birthday and that helping others celebrate is an act of kindness.”

PJ Library Pizza Havdalah Saturday, November 17, 5:30pm

Private Residence In Nazareth

Register at www.jewishlehighvalley.org

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 17

18 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 19

You are cordially invited to virtually attend the Jewish Day School’s

69 � �venin� o� ��i�ut� Honoring

Israel & Valeska Zighelboim Pillar of the Community award

Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 at 7:30pm on Zoom We look forward to celebrating together. To donate and receive your online link to participate in the virtualcelebration on December 3rd, visit www.jdslv.org/tribute

20 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Book Review: ‘A Play for the End of the World’

By Sean Boyle Special to HAKOL Jai Chakrabarti’s awardwinning debut novel, “A Play for the End of the World,” tells of Jaryk Smith’s dealing with his survivor’s guilt for the Holocaust as he tries to pay back his debt to his childhood friend Misha in the early 1970s.

Although the story includes many flashbacks of Jaryk’s time in the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland, it is primarily set in the early 1970s in New York City and West Bengal, India.

Misha has mysteriously died in West Bengal, trying to help a local professor put on the play “The Post Office” using children of Bangladeshi refugees living in a local village. Jaryk goes to India to bring back Misha’s ashes and ends up staying to help put on the play.

Jaryk’s sense of duty to Misha is one of guilt about what he feels were years of undeserved gifts and signs of kindness from Misha, starting when Jaryk was a young boy. Many of Jaryk’s actions in life are driven by trying to live up to the gift of life, not given to the other orphans in the ghetto, that he feels guilty about. Eventually, Jaryk develops to be truly thankful and begins to act out of love for his fellow man, not out of obligation, but out of truly caring for others.

On July 18, 1942, Janusz Korczak, or Pan Doktor (Mr. Doctor), staged the play “The Post Office,” written by Bengali author and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at his orphanage in the Warsaw Ghetto as a form of rebellion against the Nazis.

Three days later, mass deportations to the Treblinka death camp began.

Since there are no records of which children played each part, Chakrabarti gives his fictional charac-

ter Jaryk the main part of Amal.

The story is primarily looking at how a play written in 1912 in India is used as a form of rebellion by giving hope and dignity to several hundred orphans immediately before they were taken to Treblinka. In Chakrabarti’s story the play is used in the same way by giving the same hope and dignity to Bangledeshi refugees 30 years later. It also explores Jaryk’s reaction to having been given that hope and dignity, and the guilt for surviving when everyone else at the orphanage died.

When Chakrabarti lived in Israel with his wife, he learned of Korczak’s performance of the play and traveled to Poland to learn more. He also interviewed several Bangladshi refugees and Holocaust

IDF adopts all-female tank crews for border defense In this image, published by the Israel Defense Forces on October 26, an IDF soldier stands atop a Merkava tank in southern Israel. (IDF Photo).

survivors when preparing to write this novel.

Chakrabarti’s maternal grandparents were refugees from what is now Bangladesh during the partition of India in 1947. He also performed in the same play when he was a child in India during his summer vacations from New York City. Chakrabarti is writing from very personal experience.

Jewish News Syndicate The Israel Defense Forces announced on Thursday that it will permanently adopt the model of all-female tank crews for border defense missions.

In a statement, the military said the decision follows a lengthy and comprehensive examination process that began two years ago, and which included a training period and a significant operational activity period.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi adopted Ground Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai’s recommendation to adopt the model following the success of the pilot program.

An initial pilot program began in 2018, but the IDF chose to launch a second program in 2020.

Tank crew members are cho-

“A Play for the End of the World” by Jai Chakrabarti, Knopf, 2021, 304 pages.

Highly recommended for ages 16-120, especially for readers who believe the arts play a vital role during times of political upheaval.

Sean Boyle is Congregation Keneseth Israel’s librarian and vice president and presidentelect of the Association of Jewish Libraries.

sen according to clearly defined criteria and must undergo an exam based on professional parameters, the IDF stated, before being placed in border protection tank deployments.

“We are successfully concluding an in-depth professional process,” said Kochavi in a statement. “As part of the concept, according to which the IDF is opening an increasing number of roles to women, I trust the female tank personnel to conduct border defense missions with professionalism and great success. They will form a significant component in the IDF’s operational effort.”

The first four female tank commanders in the IDF completed their grueling training course in 2018, before beginning operational duties.

Bring Jewish stories home To learn more about PJ Library and register to receive free Jewish-themed books for children from birth through 8 1/2 years, visit www.pjlibrary.org.

Paid for by Susan Wild for Congress

!‫צאו להצביע‬

During the High Holidays, I gave considerable thought to the honor I have had in representing this community, and what it means to me, as well as what more needs to be done.

Representing the greater Lehigh Valley's Jewish Community in Congress has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I am proud to have your support. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in Congress. I’ll keep working in a bipartisan manner to improve the lives of everyone in the Lehigh Valley. That includes addressing the challenges burdening our manufacturers and employers and the unique issues facing our healthcare providers and hospitals.

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HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 21

KI’s Harvest 5K raises $7,000 for Central Elementary School Runners and walkers as young as age 2 raced through the Lehigh Valley Parkway in Allentown on Sunday, October 16, in Congregation Keneseth Israel’s eight annual Harvest 5K. The event raised about $7,000 to benefit students of Central Elementary School in Allentown.

Mayor Matt Tuerk welcomed the participants, ran the 5K and finished in second place overall. Winners received gift certificates from Keystone Running Store plus unique handmade trivets created by KI President Eric Rappaport. The top three male and female participants from each age group won a tree of life pendant.

The number of runners almost doubled from last year, with 120 in the 5K (3.1 miles) and more in the 1-mile fun run. Runners from Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania who couldn’t come to the park ran a virtual race, running in their own neighborhoods at their own starting times.

Proceeds are going to the Central Elementary School sports teams and to fund much-needed gymnasium equipment. This is the fifth year that Harvest 5K benefited Central Elementary. Last year, the funds helped establish an art room, and in 2020 they helped to upgrade the school’s playground.

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22 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Local teen thanks Federation for backing her Israel trip

Every year, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley awards Teen Experience scholarships to local Jewish students in grades nine through 12. They can put the money toward experiences that enrich them, enhance the community and increase their likelihood of future engagement in Jewish life. Lindsay Kasner received one of these scholarships to help fund a trip to Israel this past July and recently sent us the following letter.

Thank you so much for your contribution to my trip to Israel. It was an experience of a lifetime, and I made unforgettable friendships and memories.

One of my favorite days there was when we went to the Maccabiah Games opening ceremony. It was so inspirational to see the athletes and to know that everyone competing was focused on a common goal.

This was not my first time in Israel, but it was new and different being there with friends instead of my family. I not only learned about Judaism and Israel, but I also learned about myself and grew as a Jewish teen. The trip taught me that I want to travel more, experience different places and meet people from different cultures.

Thank you again for this opportunity!

Saturday, November 5, 7PM at Upper Merion Area Middle School 450 Keebler Road, King of Prussia, 19406 ADMISSION TICKETS: Adults:$36 Temple Brith Achim children under 13 FREE Non-member children 13 and under - $18 VIP tickets - $75 musical spirit of their generation. Their style blended Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Simon and Garfunkel, Motown and other new sounds with the fervor of Israeli and Chassidic song and the melodic and harmonic sophistication of the Beatles.

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

THE TEMPLE BRITH ACHIM COMMUNITY expresses our gratitude to THE POWELL FAMILY FOUNDATION for its generous support of our artist-in-residence weekend!

Thank you, in advance to our concert sponsors!

To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.brithachim.org/scholar-in-residence.html

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 23

A Jewish cabaret artist’s Egon Schiele paintings, stolen by the Nazis, will be auctioned for charity

By Jackie Hajdenberg Jewish Telegraphic Agency After a years-long battle to reacquire two paintings the Nazis stole from their ancestor before he became one of their early victims, the descendants of Austrian Jewish cabaret performer Fritz Grünbaum will auction the Egon Schiele works off at Christie’s in November.

The proceeds will go to support up-and-coming performing artists from underrepresented backgrounds, starting with a student from a Washington, D.C., arts high school who will play the piano at an event celebrating the sales. The two paintings, “Woman in a Black Pinafore” and “Woman Hiding Her Face,” are expected to fetch as much as $2.8 million together.

Grünbaum was said to be the inspiration for a character in the 1972 film “Cabaret” and was also a real-life collector of the works of Schiele, an Austrian expressionist artist.

Grünbaum owned 81 pieces created by Schiele as part of his massive collection of artwork, which also included works by Albrecht Dürer, Auguste Rodin and Camille Pissarro.

Grünbaum performed as a master of ceremonies and wrote songs and operettas.

But he was also known for his political activity: In 1910, when an Austrian officer made antisemitic remarks, Grünbaum famously slapped him and was challenged to a duel, in which he was injured. After the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s, he became a vocal critic both in his performances and in a weekly column for a Viennese daily newspaper.

In 1938, Grünbaum and his wife Elisabeth were arrested by the Nazis and he was forced to sign a document giving her power of attorney. Elisabeth was then forced to sign a paper claiming she was voluntarily turning the artwork over to the Nazis. They were both sent to Maly Trostenets concentration camp near Minsk, where Elisabeth is presumed to have died. Grünbaum was moved to Dachau concentration camp and gave his last performance at the Dachau infirmary on Dec. 31, 1940. He died of tuberculosis two weeks later.

The effort by Timothy Reif and David Frankel — the heirs and co-executors of the estates of relatives of Fritz and Elisabeth Grünbaum — to reacquire the Schiele paintings was marked by legal battles due to issues with statutes of limitations and disputed claims that the paintings were never stolen,

24 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

and were instead in the custody of a relative of the Grünbaums through the war until they were sold to art collectors.

The family’s efforts to retrieve their paintings broke legal ground when a New York judge issued a landmark 2018 ruling saying that the family could pursue their claims under a law passed by Congress two years earlier. That law, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act, or HEAR Act, gives the descendants of Holocaust victims up to six years after discovering that the Nazis may have seized property belonging to their ancestors. Before the act was passed, statutes of limitations on these claims varied from state to state.

The law, and its application, is part of a complex and thorny effort to reunite the many works stolen from Jewish collectors as part of the Nazis’ campaign of terror against Jews in Europe during the Holocaust. As in the United States, other countries have recently made it easier for descendants of victims to retrieve stolen works.

Last month, for example, the Wassily Kandinsky painting “View of Murnau with Church” was returned to the descendants of a Dutch Jewish art collector who was killed at

Fritz Grünbaum was an Austrian Jewish cabaret performer and art collector. (Courtesy of CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD. 2022 and Getty Images) Auschwitz, in a reversal of an earlier court decision that said there was not enough evidence to support the claim it had belonged to the collector. The reversal depended in part on a change to Dutch policy to stop weighing the interests of museums holding stolen works.

Reif and Frankel are continuing to pursue other paintings that they say their ancestor owned. But for now, “Woman in a Black Pinafore” and “Woman Hiding Her Face” will be made available at auction Nov. 17. Christie’s says the paintings

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are valued between $500,000 and $800,000 and $1.5 and $2 million respectively.

Reif and Frankel will use a portion of the proceeds from the sale to establish the Grünbaum Fischer Foundation, which will support young performing artists with grants.

In a statement to Christie’s sales, Reif said, “This charitable legacy honors Fritz Grünbaum’s tradition of generously supporting Jewish performers when they needed it during the darkest hours of Nazi persecution.”

Romania’s ornate and sometimes crumbling synagogues draw new visitors via virtual tours Iosefin Synagogue in Timisoara, Romania, as seen on a new website opening doors to historical synagogues in Romania's Banat region. (Sebastian Puraci/Asociația Pantograf)

By Marcel Gascón Barberá Jewish Telegraphic Agency Stepping inside Romania’s Fabric Synagogue in real life would be a dangerous proposition: Closed since 1986, the ornate 1899 structure in the heart of the city of Timisoara is crumbling inside.

Online is a different story.

There, visitors to the Fabric Synagogue can look up at the domed cupola, its stained glass still intact even as holes dot the ceiling, and approach the ark, its closed doors leaving the illusion that a Torah might be contained inside. They can climb to the balcony and look out over the Hebrew letters still affixed to walls, then turn their gaze to the massive graffiti tag that occupies one whole wall of the second floor. They can even check out the synagogue’s dustladen organ before walking into the Timisoara sunshine and strolling to the municipal parks along the Bega River just a block away.

The virtual tour is one of eight launched recently to give Jews — and non-Jews — the chance to immerse themselves in a world that is no more: that of the non-Orthodox Jewish communities that developed under the Habsburg Empire in the western part of today’s Romania.

Launched by Romanian NGO Pantograf in collaboration with Jewish local communities and activists, the website Povestile Sinagogilor, or Stories of the Synagogues, invites visitors to a virtual tour of eight historic sites in Romania, including Timisoara’s main synagogue, which has been recently renovated.

The website includes interviews with current Jewish leaders of each community, as well as the English and Romanian transcriptions of oral testimonies collected throughout the decades. In them, Jews who were born in the area recount the prewar era of interethnic coexistence, the years of fascist persecution, and the mass emigration, mostly to Israel, during and after communism.

“It is a unique opportunity for the descendants of these communities to finally visualize what their grandparents left behind,” said Ivan Bloch, a mathematician and IT entrepreneur who is also the president of the Jewish community of Lugoj, in western Romania.

Advances in virtual tourism have opened new frontiers for people interested in sites of Jewish significance. An initiative is underway to recreate online the destroyed Jewish cemeteries of Libya, and this summer, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem opened an exhibit that allows visitors to explore the Great Synagogue of Aleppo through virtual reality. Both of those efforts aim to capture the experience of being

Jewish in a place where no Jews now live.

Romania, in contrast, does have a small Jewish population, but it is mostly centered in Bucharest, the capital and largest city.

The virtual tours focus on a different part of Romania, more than 300 miles to the west, called the Banat region. Previously under Ottoman rule, the region was incorporated in 1716 into the Habsburg empire, to which it belonged until its dissolution in 1918, when its territory was split among Romania, Serbia and Hungary. The Jews living in the portion that became Romania were mostly Hungarian-speaking and thrived until antisemitism became Romanian government policy starting in 1934.

Starting then, successive Romanian governments enacted increasingly aggressive legislation depriving Jews of their rights, and between 280,000 and 380,000 Jews living under Romanian rule were murdered during World War II, mostly in the Romaniancontrolled territories in today’s Ukraine. (Some 150,000 Jews living in Hungarian-occupied Northern Transylvania were also killed.)

Most of those who survived left the country afterwards.

In Lugoj, the third-largest city in Romania’s Banat region, Bloch said, the Jewish community once numbered more than 1,500 but is now well below 100. The synagogue there is in good repair, according to the website, but few Jews are present to see it.

“The project virtually rebuilds a connection that was severed in 1950, when half of the community emigrated to Israel together with its rabbi,” Bloch said.

Besides opening a window to history for Jews abroad, the new website aims to educate local audiences.

“It is also directed to the residents of these cities who pass by the synagogues daily and don’t know anything about their role and that of their Jewish communities in the broader Romanian society,” project coordinator Raluca-Elena Doroftei told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

Most of the synagogues featured in the website were part of Neolog Judaism, the reformist and liberal religious current that emerged in the 19th century in Hungary and extended across the Austro-Hungarian empire.

Music played a central part in the religious services they held.

“Being of the Neolog rite they could sing and had a cantor, a choir and an organ,” said Bloch, who points out that some of the organs of these synagogues “are still functional.”

In 1948, the nascent Romanian communist regime forced Jewish communities to unify in a single structure.

“The communists told Jewish leaders: We want you to have one single community that we can control, it is your problem how you organize it internally,” said Felicia Waldman, a scholar whose studies have included postwar Jewish life in her native Romania. As a result, she said, the Neolog community disappeared “as a separate structure and was forced to integrate in the majority Orthodox community.” The same happened with the Sephardic community, which became a section of that same Ashkenazi official Jewish congregation.

“Today, we continue to pray and practice religion in an Orthodox format, in accordance with the rabbinate and the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania,” said Bloch, the Jewish leader in the town of Lugoj, about the current situation.

In some cases, community leaders are hoping that the Stories of the Synagogues project could generate support to refurbish their historic buildings. The Fabric Synagogue, for example, was given to the local theater company with the assurance that the company would pay to repair it; when the company could not raise the funds, the building returned to the Jewish community’s control.

Now, the new website says, the community is again “looking for solutions” to pay for a renovation.

“A perfect architectural work, a synagogue built to last hundreds of years,” the website says, “is in danger of becoming a ruin.”

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HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 25

Why this is the most Jewish World Series in baseball history

By Howard M. Wasserman The Forward

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26 NOVEMBER 2022 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

The immediate narrative surrounding the 2021 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros is that it matches teams that no one outside their respective fan bases wants to root for. The Astros are one year removed from being exposed, although largely unpunished, in the largest sign-stealing scandal in baseball history (one’s anger about that may depend on views about sign-stealing and baseball’s other “unwritten rules”) that made the arrogant organization a universal villain.

Meanwhile, the Braves have a racist nickname and fans participate in a racist chant that the team has done nothing to discourage.

The team recently manipulated political processes to secure a publicly-financed stadium in a suburban county without easy transportation access for the people who live in the city that gives the team its name.

One group is happy with this match-up, however — Jews. Baseball has gifted us the most Jewish Series in history. Consider: This is the second Series with three Jewish players on active rosters, the first with multiple Jewish players on each team, and the first in which three Jewish players should appear. The Braves have left-handed starter Max Fried and outfielder Joc Pederson, who are among the best pairs of Jewish teammates, while the Astros have third-baseman Alex Bregman. Bregman and Fried had Bar Mitzvahs. The previous record was in 1959, when the Los Angeles Dodgers had pitchers Sandy Koufax and Larry Sherry (who won Series MVP) and the Chicago White Sox had pitcher Barry Latman, who did not appear in the Series. We missed a four-Jew Series when the Astros left thirdstring catcher Garrett Stubbs off the roster, just as the ’59 Dodgers left off Sherry’s brother Norm, a catcher for the team.

Pederson is part of a four-man outfield rotation, starting against right-handers and pinch-hitting.

He joined the Braves midseason following a trade from the Cubs, hitting seven homers in 64 games (18 for the year). He has been enjoying another Joctober, with three homers and nine runs

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Fried as a Bird: Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch during the third inning of Game Five of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 21, 2021. (Getty Images) batted-in in ten postseason games, while wearing a pearl necklace that has captured public imagination.

Bregman is two seasons removed from an MVP-runner-up season. He played only 91 games in 2021 due to injuries but played well upon his September return in helping the Astros’ stretch run.

Barring injury, Bregman will start every game.

Stubbs is the Astros’ thirdstring catcher, playing in 18 games this season. He is unlikely to see action in the Series.

Fried’s first start offers potential milestones. He will become the fourth Jewish pitcher to start a World Series game, following Jason Marquis of the St. Louis Cardinals (2004), Holtzman (197274) and Koufax (1959, ‘63, ’65 and ’66). Fried will try to become the first Jewish pitcher to win a World Series game since Holtzman won Game 4 in 1974. If Pederson appears in any game Fried starts, it would be the first World Series game to include three Jewish players and perhaps to have three Jewish players in the game simultaneously. The first inning of Fried’s start should present the first time a Jewish hitter faces a Jewish pitcher in a World Series, when Bregman bats third for the Astros.

Pederson and Bregman are World Series veterans; this is Pederson’s fourth Series and Bregman’s third, each having won one. They share the record for most World Series home runs by

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a Jewish player, with five. They faced off in the 2017 Series when Pederson played for the Dodgers, the Astros winning in seven games. Pederson homered three times and had an OPS of 1.344, while Bregman homered twice (one walk-off) and had an OPS of .739.

This four-Jew Series involves an unexpected match-up. The Braves won 88 games, fewest among six NL postseason teams.

The Braves’ record did not move above .500 until Aug. 6, the latest a World Series team has crossed that threshold. They seized control of the National League Championship Series against a 106-win Dodger team by winning the first two games at home in their final at-bats after trailing in both games, then taking advantage of a depleted and tired Dodgers roster and pitching staff. And closing the series required them to overcome the ghosts of blowing 2-0 and 3-1 series loads to those Dodgers in the 2020 NLCS. The Astros’ 95 wins were second-most in the American League. But in the ALCS, they trailed the Boston Red Sox two games to one and trailed Game 4 with two outs in the eighth inning, before tying the game — helped by a controversial non-strike call — and blowing the game open in the ninth. From the eighth inning of Game 4 to the end of the series, the Astros outscored the Red Sox 22-1.

Perhaps this Series is the match-up Hashem wanted.

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Community Calendar To list an event in the Community Calendar, submit your information on our website, www.jewishlehighvalley.org, under the “Upcoming Events” menu.

All events listed in the Community Calendar are open to the public and free of charge, unless otherwise noted. Programs listed in HAKOL are provided as a service to the community.

They do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. The JFLV reserves the right to accept, reject or modify listings.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Women’s Philanthropy Dignity Grows Tote Packing Party

7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley. Join the Women’s Philanthropy to pack reusable zipper-top totes with soap, shampoo and other personal hygiene essentials to be distributed to women in need. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/dignity-growspacking-party-1122022.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Election polls event with Professor Christopher Borick

7 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom and via Zoom. Hear Professor Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, explain what the polling tells us about the upcoming election. This event is in memory of Professor Gordon Goldberg (z”l), who presided over the lecture in previous years. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/dr-gordon-goldberg-memorialpolling-event.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Kol B’Seder concert

7 p.m., Upper Merion Area Middle School.

Temple Brith Achim of King of Prussia is hosting a night of music by the duo Kol B’Seder.

Tickets are $36 for adults and $18 for children under 13 who are not members of the synagogue (children who are members get in free). To purchase tickets, visit brithachim. org/scholar-in-residence.html.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Jewish Family Service 50th Anniversary Celebration

10 a.m., via Zoom. The celebration will honor the changemakers who have enriched lives in our community with their vision and dedication over the past half century. Visit jfslv. org/50thanniversary to learn more.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Keneseth Israel Shabbat Out of the Box: Hiking

10 a.m., register by November 10 to get location. Shabbat is a special time to enjoy nature and be grateful for the world around us. Join Melissa and Harvey Hakim for a vigorous hike as participants get their heart rates up and notice the beauty of the world that surrounds them. Everyone is welcome.

Register at kilv.org by November 10.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 & 13

Brith Sholom visiting scholar

7:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday, Congregation Brith Sholom. The program features Elizabeth Bloch-Smith, adjunct professor of biblical studies at the Princeton Theological Seminary. She has been on archaeological digs in Israel, Turkey, Connecticut and other places. The subject for the weekend is “The Nexus between Bible and Archaeology.” RSVP to Brith Sholom at 610-866-8009.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022

Keneseth Israel celebrates Israel’s 75th! Brunch and Lecture

10 a.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel The Women of KI and the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley are delighted to present an Israeli-themed Brunch and Lecture. Cost is $18 per person. Ticket link is available

when you fill out the registration form. Visit kilv.org to register.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Lions and Poms campaign kickoff event

6:30 p.m., Emmaus Theater. Save the date for an exciting evening at the movies! With the theater to themselves, Lions of Judah and Pomegranates will view “Rock in the Red Zone: Music Is Their Shelter.” Afterward, Laura Bialis, the documentary’s director and producer, will discuss the film and answer questions. Register at jewishlehighvalley. regfox.com/lion-pom-event-november-2022 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Author Caroline Goldberg Igra on mother-daughter relationships 7 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel.

Women of KI welcome you to join them for “Discussion and Dessert: Exploring MotherDaughter Relationship.” The award-winning author of “Where I Stand” (2022), a native of Philadelphia who is visiting from her home in Tel Aviv, will lead a discussion exploring mother-daughter relationships. RSVP at kilv. org by November 11.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Israel’s 5th Election in 4 Years: Will the 5th Time Be the Charm?

7 p.m., Jewish Community Center Kline Auditorium. Eetta Prince-Gibson, Israeli political reporter and former editor in chief of the Jerusalem Report, will give us her original and timely appraisal of the November 1 elections. She’ll explain why Israelis have to keep returning to the polls and advise us whether yet another election could be right around the corner.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Jewish Day School honors Dr. Israel and Valeska Zighelboim

7:30 p.m., Jewish Day School via Zoom. The Jewish Day School’s 69th Evening of Tribute will feature the presentation of its Pillar of the Community award to Dr. Israel and Valeska Zighelboim.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

Friday, Nov. 4 Friday, Nov. 11 Friday, Nov. 18

5:37 pm 4:30 pm 4:24 pm

Friday, Nov. 25 Friday, Dec. 2 Friday, Dec. 9

4:20 pm 4:17 pm 4:17 pm

Women’s Philanthropy Chanukah Party

Yoga with Miriam Sandler: Chair Supported Yoga

1 to 2 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom in person and via Zoom. Be seated in a comfortable chair, preferably armless (folding works well). Some standing poses holding onto chair offered, though students may choose to remain seated. Modifications given. Open to the public in person and live stream available to all via Zoom. *$10 dropin fee payable to Congregation Brith Sholom.

For more information, email: mbserow@ gmail.com. Join Zoom meeting here.

WEDNESDAYS

6:30-8:30 p.m., Jewish Community Center Save the date. More information to come.

Torah Studies: A Weekly Journey into the Soul of Torah

ONGOING EVENTS MONDAYS

Yiddish Club

2 to 3:30 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley via Zoom. Experience the joys of Yiddish via Zoom as part of “Adults at the J.” The group meets weekly to discuss topics like cooking, humor, music and all kinds of entertainment in the Yiddish language. All are welcome to join this lively, weekly discussion. There is something for everyone no matter if you know a few words or are a fluent speaker.

Enjoy fun, fellowship, stories and more.

Participants Zoom in from 5 states. No cost.

Contact Janis Mikofsky at the JCC of the Lehigh Valley, 610-435-3571, ext. 501.

MONDAYS & THURSDAYS

Online Jewish Yoga Studio

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

Mindful body practices help us find shelter right where we are, in our bodies in this very moment. Join yoga teacher and IJS faculty member Rabbi Myriam Klotz or Cantor Lizzie Shammash as she guides you in an all-levels yoga and movement session informed by Jewish spiritual teachings and designed to relieve stress as we increase awareness of breath and grounding through our bodies.

Open to all, no experience needed. Sign up now.

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rabbi Jonathan Slater will lead a weekly program: “Torah Study to Sustain The Soul,” aimed at addressing an aspect of spiritual life that will help us navigate this time of uncertainty and isolation.

Open to all, no previous knowledge needed.

Sign up now.

7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley via Zoom and in person. Torah Studies by JLI presents Season Three, a 12-part series.

Cost is $36 for the course including textbook.

For more information, contact 610-351-6511 or rabbi@chabadlehighvalley.com.

EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY

Hadassah Study Group

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

THURSDAYS

Basic Yiddish Class

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

FRIDAYS

Kol Haemek

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

DAILY

Jewish Broadcasting Service

JBS is a Jewish television channel featuring daily news from Israel, leading Jewish figures, issues and events of Jewish importance, callin programs, Jewish studies, 92nd Street Y, Live Friday and holiday services for the homebound, children’s programs, films, music, books and entertainment. Click here.

DAILY

Congregation Sons of Israel Minyanim

12:30 p.m., At the home of Cindy Danies.

Torah on Tuesdays - Interactive Torah study group. Contact office@bnaishalomeaston.org for more information.

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

WEDNESDAYS

MONDAY through FRIDAY

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

12:30 p.m., Institute for Jewish Spirituality. daily guided meditation. Join with people from around the world to share 30 minutes of Jewish mindfulness. Open to all, no experience needed. Sign up now.

TUESDAYS

10 a.m., Congregation Keneseth IsraeI. Join Lynda Pollack for a morning of fun, creativity and kindness as a group makes Chanukah cards that will be delivered to Jewish seniors.

Art supplies will be provided. Women of KI will be making cookies to include with the cards. All are invited to participate, ages 7 to 100. Register at kilv.org by December 5.

Shabbat & Yom Tov Candlelighting Times

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

Weekly Torah Study

6-9 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel.

Movie: Such Good Friends. Discussion led by Charlie Richter. RSVP by registering at kilv. org with number attending and what you would like to bring; desserts will be provided so please bring a main, side, veggie or appetizer.

Celebrate the beauty of Shabbat

7 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel..

Discussion and Dessert with Rabbi W. Jack Romberg discussing “A Doorway to Heroism,” a story about his great uncle Richard Stern, whose photograph of his protest hangs in multiple German museums, showing a rare Jewish protest in Nazi Germany. Register at kilv.org.

TUESDAYS

Keneseth Israel Potluck Dinner and Movie

KI Shabbat Out of the Box: Card Making for Our Elders

WEDNESDAYS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11

Rabbi W. Jack Romberg on his book ‘A Doorway to Heroism’

Torah Tuesdays with Bnai Shalom

Judaism for Our Time with Bnai Shalom

Daily Online Meditation

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

muhlenberg.edu/wmuh | 484.664.3456

Stay in touch with the Jewish community! Don't miss out on important news and upcoming events.

Sign up at www.jewishlehighvalley.org/ events/weekly-email HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2022 27

Some things don’t get passed down.

Like your mom’s hairdo.

Breast cancer isn’t always genetically linked.

In fact, over 75 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. If you are 40 or older, don’t pass on your mammogram – make an appointment today at LVHN.org/mammo.