Shalom Lehigh Valley 2025-2027

BARRACK HEBREW ACADEMY

Barrack Hebrew Academy is a Jewish community day school for students in grades 6-12 that offers a college-preparatory curriculum combining in-depth critical analysis, rigorous text study, experiential education, and a focus on Jewish values

Through academic excellence and a commitment to Jewish learning, we prepare our students for success and leadership, inspiring them to be ethical, wise, and involved Jewish adults Barrack students develop a lifelong appreciation of learning, an understanding of their place in history, a commitment to Jewish identity, and passion to reach their potential.

Welcome Home!

Whether you’re looking for a place to put down roots or you’re already here and want to become more active in the community, you’ll find the guiding hand you need in these pages

3 Cities, 60 Towns, Countless Opportunities

By Paul Muschick and Carl Zebrowski

Welcome to the Lehigh Valley: Downtowns, rural surrounds, mountains, lakes. And good jobs and a thriving Jewish community!

Babies to Bubbies

The Jewish community offers something for all its members, from the newest to the oldest

“It Remains a Young and Vibrant Community” Meet these families who know what makes the Valley great. They should. They’ve been here for generations

Back for Seconds

By Sandi Teplitz

These natives moved away only to return later. They share what brought them back—along with (bonus!) heirloom family recipes

Hand in Hand with the Homeland

From two decades of partnership with Yoav to touring and connecting throughout the state, the Valley maintains strong ties with Israel

Jewish Community

JCC, community security, Jewish Family Service . . .

Kids, Schools, Camps Jewish Day School, PJ Library, summer camps

Religious Life

Synagogues, Jewish ritual needs, clergy . .

Places to Go, Things to Do

Theaters, entertainment, museums, outdoor rec . . .

Three generations gather around Cooky Notis (center) in her Allentown backyard. In the article on page 14, multigenerational families tell us why they choose to remain in the Valley and highlight what they love most about it. Alison Conklin, whose photos have grabbed attention on the cover of many a Lehigh Valley Style issue, captured this scene bursting with greenery and positive vibes.

A Message from the Publisher Jewish Federation

Shalom Readers,

New to the area or thinking about making a change in life? We want to let you in on a little secret. Tucked away just an hour north of Philadelphia and 90 minutes from New York City, you’ll find a vibrant, diverse, picturesque community—the Lehigh Valley.

The Lehigh Valley offers city living, quaint downtowns, suburban leisure, rural farmland— whatever your heart desires. Plus, leading employers are looking for quality talent, telework is easy, housing is affordable, and free time is spent at many area attractions or in the great outdoors. Add all of that to a Jewish community with the amenities you seek, and you’ll be ready for your next adventure.

The Jewish Federation is Here for Good in the Lehigh Valley.

What does that mean? It means we are, and always will be, the engine for Jewish communal life, in partnership with the many Jewish agencies and synagogues that make our community so spectacular.

In the pages ahead, we invite you to get a taste of all that our community has to offer. More than 8,000 Jews call the Lehigh Valley home. Will you do the same?

Happy reading,

And from Our Shalom Partner . . .

Everyone benefits from a growing, diverse, and inclusive Lehigh Valley. That’s why the Jewish Federation and Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) worked together on this publication.

We both cherish and herald our region’s rich quality of life. We want to introduce it to others, confident they will fall in love with the Valley, too. Growth strengthens communities. It supports business expansion by increasing the workforce that

Robert Wax President

Jeri Zimmerman Executive Director

powers our vibrant economy, which in turn creates opportunities for people of all skill and educational levels.

LVEDC is working with partners like the Jewish Federation to increase awareness of the Lehigh Valley brand, which is critical for the region’s continued prosperity. Consistent use of the brand will position the Valley as a desirable destination to live, work, learn, and play. To that end, consider using the new Lehigh Valley logo (scan the URL code).

CONGREGATION BNAI SHALOM EASTON, PA

The Lehigh Valley’s newest/oldest shul!

CUSTOMIZED B-MITZVAH PROGRAM FOR EACH CHILD!

Warm, welcoming clergy and community!

1545 Bushkill Street | Easton, PA 18042 610-258-5343 | www.bnaishalomeaston.org

PRODUCTION TEAM

CARL ZEBROWSKI Editor

BILLY THOMPSON Art Director

CHARLENE RIEGGER Director of Marketing

DIANE McKEE Account Representative

JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY

ROBBY WAX President

JERI ZIMMERMAN Executive Director

HOW IT ALL FITS TOGETHER

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley brings the Jewish community together and raises money for local and global organizations that care for people, and nurture and sustain the Jewish community now and for future generations. jewishlehighvalley.org

THE COMMUNITY HUB

The Federation supports the Jewish Community Center and its Keystone STARS 4–rated early childhood education program, summer camp, and fitness and aquatic program.

TOMORROW’S LEADERS

At the Jewish Day School, the Federation is educating the next generation of Jewish leaders who will work to make the world a better place.

AFFINITY GROUPS

Federation groups bring together young adults, healthcare professionals, and others interested in friendship and philanthropy.

FOOD BANK

Through Jewish Family Service, the Federation supports the only food bank in the 18104 zip code, serving the needs of 130 Jewish and non-Jewish families.

$3.6 MILLION

The most recent annual distribution helps those in need locally, in Israel, and around the world.

HOLOCAUST EDUCATION

Staff and volunteers make presentations in public schools that focus on encouraging tolerance and reducing prejudice.

BETTER TOGETHER

When it’s time to celebrate or commemorate, the Federation hosts gatherings that pull the people together.

ADVOCACY

The Federation backs causes that are important to the Jewish people.

ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE

The Federation advises Jewish institutions and helps them apply for state and federal security grants.

up for our weekly email by scanning the QR code or by visiting jewishlehighvalley.org/email-sign-up

Welcome Home! Welcome Home!

Whether you’re looking for a place to put down roots or you already live in the Lehigh Valley and want to become more active in the community, you’ll find the friendly guiding hand you need here

There’s nothing wrong with moving to an attractive place and settling in for a while, getting to know the surrounds and the people who live there and figuring out what makes it all tick. Then eventually moving on to the next adventure.

But the true barometer of a place is the people who stay. The families. Grandparents to parents to grandkids to great-grandkids.

What was it that attracted the first family members to the area. Why did their kids stay? Why do

their kids stay?

The Jewish community of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, boasts an ample share of families of three, four, or more generations. The multigenerational Jewish families who have settled here found what they needed, and wanted. They remained as the Jewish community grew and bonds developed within it, people working, worshipping, volunteering, celebrating, and supporting one another—together.

This issue of the Shalom Lehigh Valley welcome magazine, published by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, shines a spotlight on what makes the Valley special and on the Jewish people, the Jewish generations, who found the region special and still find it special, who discovered that everyone from the youngest kids to the teens to the grownups to the older adults has their needs met here. You’ll even discover why you might want to settle your own family here, and, if you do that, just how easy it is to get involved in the Jewish community and in all the good it creates and shares, here and around the world.

View from New Jersey into Easton, the western edge of the Lehigh Valley.

View from New Jersey into Easton, the eastern edge of the Lehigh Valley.

3 CITIES,

60 TOWNS,

Countl ess Possib ilities

Welcome to the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania: Downtowns, rural surrounds, mountains, lakes—all within about half an hour. And good jobs and a thriving Jewish community too!

By Paul Muschick of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation and Carl Zebrowski, Editor

The Lehigh Valley stretches westward for miles in this hilltop view from Lehigh University in Bethlehem.

The Lehigh Valley stretches westward for miles in this hilltop view from Lehigh University in Bethlehem.

A job you love. Quality of life. Affordable living. Good schools. Interesting things to do. A short ride from big cities. You can have all of that in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

The Lehigh Valley has the amenities of a large region and the charm and friendliness of a small town. And the economy is booming, creating job opportunities for all skill and education levels.

With more and more people discovering all these qualities, the population continues to grow. Nearly 700,000 now live in the region that encompasses Lehigh and Northampton Counties, with its three cities strung along an eastto-west line beginning at the New Jersey border. Allentown is the largest of the three, followed by Bethlehem and Easton. All around them are nearly 60 boroughs and townships, each with a distinct sense of place.

Federation that hosts celebrations and commemorations and other events that bring people together and that raises funds for local Jewish agencies and those in need, a Jewish Family Service that provides services to meet needs of both Jewish and non-Jewish residents, a Jewish Day School to provide kids with a well-rounded Jewish education, and 10 synagogues of denominations ranging from Orthodox to Reconstructionist.

Just the facts

The general rise in population in the Valley stands out in the

some of the best in the nation.

The Valley is a place where you can bike stunning trails through wilderness by day and go out afterward for a night on the town. From aged steaks and fine wine, to concert and sporting venues, to museums and kids’ attractions, culinary, recreational, and cultural opportunities are abundant.

The community is multigenerational, with significant numbers of Gen Zers, Gen Xers, Baby Boomers, and Millennials. Young adults are leading the recent population growth, ranking the region among the state’s best at attracting 18-to-34-yearolds.

The Jewish population in the Valley totals about 8,000, and Jewish-owned and -founded businesses count among the region’s best-known legacy brands and employers. The best known of those is Just Born, famous for its Peeps marshmallow treats. The region even celebrates New Year’s with Peepsfest, a buzzing two-day gala of music, entertainment, food, and games that ends with a giant, 200-pound lit-up chick dropping like the Times Square Ball before a cheering crowd.

The Valley offers all the essentials of Jewish life: a JCC that serves as the community’s physical hub and more, a Jewish

Northeast region. Of the 218 counties from Pennsylvania to Maine, Northampton County ranks 12th in population growth since 2020, putting it in the top 5.5 percent. Lehigh County ranks 26th, putting it in the top 12 percent. Both are among the 10 fastest-growing counties in the state since 2020.

The varied landscape of the region offers bustling city life and suburban respite. Highly rated healthcare networks serve the population, along with 11 colleges and universities and a multitude of public and private K-12 schools and other educational institutions, including

In good company

More than 15,000 companies employing more than 338,000 workers call the Valley home. The gross domestic product exceeds $50 billion, more than that of two U.S. states. In 2023, the Valley was the No. 1 midsize region in the country for economic development based on the number of new projects.

The region’s job growth creates increasing opportunities for families. As commerce has expanded, median household income has risen, exceeding state and national medians. Poverty levels have decreased to less than the state and national rates.

Businesses are drawn here by the skilled workforce, by the more than 1.7 million people who live within an hour’s drive. The location as a transportation nerve cluster is a draw too: One-third of all U.S. consumers live within a day’s drive of the Lehigh Valley, making it easy for producers to get their goods

to market. It’s also easy to reach places like New York City (90 minutes) and Philadelphia and the Pocono Mountains (about an hour). For longer trips, Lehigh Valley International Airport has been voted second-best small airport in the nation. It recently added direct flights to multiple locations in Florida and to Denver.

Manufacturing drives the region’s economy. It represents 16 percent of the GDP, outpacing the rest of the nation, where manufacturing represents 12 percent. More than 700 Lehigh Valley manufacturers employ about 37,000 workers who make technological components such as semiconductors, lifesaving medical devices, food and beverages, vehicles, and consumer goods, among other products.

The region has always been good at making things. It retains the innovative mindset and hardworking traits of the days when Bethlehem Steel was churning out the steel to build skyscrapers and bridges. The manufacturing economy has greatly expanded and diversified since then. Mack Trucks are made in the Lehigh Valley. So are Martin Guitars and Crayola crayons.

business services.

Quality of life is another reason for the boom in business— companies want to locate where employees and their families will be happy and safe. The cost of living here is lower than in some other comparable locations in the United States. Nineteen of the region’s high schools were ranked among the top 500 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s University Health Network get high marks for their quality of care.

Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, and the Civic Theatre and Symphony Hall in Allentown. The Valley is known across the globe as the home of Musikfest, billed as the largest free music festival in the United States. Held over 10 days in August, it’s attended by more than 1 million people. Other festivals include Bacon Fest and Garlic Fest in Easton; the Great Allentown Fair and Blues, Brews, and Barbecue in Allentown; and Christkindlmarkt and Oktoberfest in Bethlehem.

For the fun of it

There’s also a lot to do for fun in the Valley. Its rich menu of recreational offerings caters to all tastes.

But it’s not just about manufacturing. The Lehigh Valley economy is balanced with job opportunities across employment sectors, ranging from the lab to the professional office to the shop floor. Other leading economic drivers include finance, insurance, and real estate; education, health care, and social assistance; and professional and

Family attractions include Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, Crayola Experience, and the Da Vinci Science Center. For foodies, there are farmers markets, outdoor cafes, and ethnic dining spots. For sports buffs, the top minor league affiliates of the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Flyers play in Allentown.

PPL Center hosts large concerts, performances, and other entertainment. Shows, music, and more take the stage at the State Theatre in Easton, Wind

Steeped in history and tradition

The Lehigh Valley has a proud heritage, and it’s well preserved at the National Museum of Industrial History, America on Wheels, Sigal Museum, Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, Museum of Indian Culture, and the National Canal Museum, among others.

Bethlehem’s historic Moravian Church settlement was recently named to the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the international Moravian Church Settlements sites. It is one of only 26 locations in the United States to hold that prestigious honor—a short list that features iconic locations such as the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall.

Jewish heritage in the area stretches back even farther, to well before the American Revolution. In 1655, Jewish refugees from Brazil who were part of the first established Jewish community in North America, in New Amsterdam (now New York), set out on a trading expedition

along the Delaware River, in territory that is now Northampton County. Jewish presence in the Valley began growing from there. The Valley’s first synagogue, only the 10th in the United States, was founded in Easton in 1839: Congregation Brit Shalom, later known as Temple Covenant of Peace, which merged with Bnai Abraham Synagogue in 2020 to become Congregation Bnai Shalom.

Outsiders are taking notice

People outside the Valley are noticing its special qualities. Realtor.com has ranked Lehigh Valley zip codes among the nation’s hottest three years in a row. Bethlehem has been named in the Top 100 Best Places to Live in each of the last three years by Livability.com.

Allentown’s West End Theatre District ranked 16th among America’s Most Underrated Nightlife Neighborhoods by Wealth of Geeks, a website “dedicated to anything we can geek out about.”

Easton recently was ranked among the nine towns in Pennsylvania with the best downtown areas by WorldAtlas. The list also includes a couple other downtowns just a short drive from the Lehigh Valley: Jim Thorpe and New Hope.

Of course there’s a lot more than one article can cover. But all this makes the case that the Lehigh Valley is worth more than a look from Jewish individuals and families looking to relocate.

Paul Muschick is the director of communications and media relations of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. Carl zebrowski is the editor of Shalom Lehigh Valley.

All three Lehigh Valley cities were founded during the colonial period. The steepled First United Church of Christ, one of Easton's oldest remaining buildings, dates back almost to the Declaration of Independence.

All three Lehigh Valley cities were founded during the colonial period. The steepled First United Church of Christ, one of Easton’s oldest remaining buildings, dates back almost to the Declaration of Independence. shalomlehighvalley.org

Babies TO Bubbies

The Lehigh Valley Jewish community offers something special for all its members, from brand-new additions to those who have been around for decades and everyone in between!

Welcome to the World!

Shalom Baby visits the family home with congratulations and a basket of gifts—useful stuff like bibs and onesies. PJ Library soon takes over the community hospitality outreach, delivering free Jewish children's books for the youngsters.

Summertime Is Camp Time

If your kid is staying home for the summer and needs a place to go during the day for fun and to connect with others in the Jewish community, JCC has Camp JCC and its array of specialty camps for kids with varied special interests. For the sleepaway

camping experience, Pinemere in the nearby Pocono Mountains is just one of the nearby destinations. Older teens can work at the camps as counselors.

The Well-Schooled Child

From preschool through eighth grade, the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Day School have the kids covered. Both have preschool programs, and the JCC offers after-school coverage too. JDS takes over the education duties for elementary school through the eighth grade. High schoolers can catch the bus for Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy right down the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Teens Together

As kids approach their teens, the Jewish Federation’s Give a Mitzvah, Do a Mitzvah program can guide them through their mitzvah project, volunteering to help others or raising awareness or money for a worthy cause. Teens can participate in a number of youth groups and programs that can further their education and help them build relationships with their Jewish peers. There’s the service and leadership youth movement BBYO, teen groups at many of the synagogues, and sports and fitness offerings as well as special events at the JCC.

Community Unity

Whether it’s time to celebrate, time to lean on one another, or time to commemorate, adults and kids from all corners of the Valley come together for organized events at various locations in the region for Jewish holidays, to help others, to learn, and sometimes just to have fun.

A Synagogue for Everyone

There are 10 synagogues spread throughout the Valley. All denominations are represented, from Orthodox and Conservative to Reform and Reconstructionist. They’re your home for everything Jewish from Shabbat and High Holidays services to weekly programs and life-cycle ceremonies. Most have religious schools, groups, and programs for kids and teens.

Making the World a Better Place

The Jewish Federation has three different groups that encourage volunteering and philanthropy, all while getting to know and keeping in touch with other community members: the Maimonides Society of healthcare

professionals, Women’s Philanthropy, and NextGen for young adults ages 30–45. All of them hold events throughout the year. There are also volunteer opportunities at Jewish Family Service and various other Jewish organizations and synagogues.

Silver Linings

Jewish Family Service offers a menu of services and programs for older members of the community, including Schmooze and Schmear monthly discussion group for older men (bagels and

cream cheese included!), Mazel Meals delivered to homes for Shabbat and holidays, and case management by a licensed social worker formulated for individual needs. JFS and the Jewish Federation partner in the Older Adult Task Force to provide essential services like fall leaf raking for those who need it.

‘It Remains a Young and Vibrant Community’

These families know what makes the Lehigh Valley a great place to live. They should. They’ve been here for generations

Alice and Mark Notis. Alice and Mark Notis.

From left: Abby Feinberg with daughter Brianna and husband Ben, Nala, Dr. Robert Morrison, his wife Amy with granddaughter Madison, and Judy Morrison.

From left: Abby Feinberg with daughter Brianna and husband Ben, Nala, Dr. Robert Morrison, his wife Amy with granddaughter Madison, and Judy Morrison.

Iris and Jonathan Epstein and their sons, Harry and Charlie.

Iris and Jonathan Epstein and their sons, Harry and Charlie.

Noam Cohen and Evie Notis and their kids, Eden and Micah.

Noam Cohen and Evie Notis and their kids, Eden and Micah.

The Epstein family. The Epstein family.

All Notis-Cohen photos by Alison Conklin

Clichés are clichés for a reason. If you’re writing a novel and you hope to stand out for your gifts for colorful description and insightfully idiosyncratic turns of phrase, avoid them. But clichés often become clichés because they capture what many people want to say about something in just a few words. They’re shorthand for a preponderance of evidence hidden beneath the surface. Consider this one: It’s a great place to raise a family.

All of the three families we talked to for this article on families that have been in the Lehigh Valley for four or more generations offered some version of that cliché as one of their top reasons for being here. There’s a lot implied in those words. You’d be right to assume that good schools are part of it, quality of life, comfort, fun and interesting things to do, viable jobs—a wide range of positives for every member of the family, from the youngest to the oldest.

THE EPSTEIN FAMILY

“It’s a great community with no traffic, beautiful parks . . . ”

Jeff Epstein has a reason for staying in the Lehigh Valley that you don’t hear every day: “Because buildings don’t move.” But it makes sense. He’s in the commercial real estate business, at Berger-Epstein Associates, and needs to be near his properties.

Real estate has been the Epstein family business since Jeff’s grandfather David, a Russian immigrant, arrived in the Valley and ventured into it before the Great Depression—until the flailing economy knocked him out. Eventually he was able to buy his way back in. Over the decades, the “whole family” has been involved, Jeff says, including his son Jonathan, a partner with him at Berger-Epstein for the past 20 years.

Jeff is married to Roberta, who has volunteered extensively at the Jewish Federation and earned the Daniel Pomerantz Award for Campaign Excellence for her work on the Federation’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. Jonathan has two boys with his wife, Iris: Harry and Charlie, ages 15 and 18. They’re the fifth generation of Epsteins in the Lehigh Valley. Both attend Parkland High School and are on the diving team. Harry is an artist and loves cars, and Charlie plays trombone in the high school marching band and is a gymnast at Parkettes.

When Iris is asked, Why do you live here? she responds, “Why not? It’s a great community with no traffic, beautiful parks . . . ” The list goes on. Iris’s resume in the Valley since arriving here in 2004 includes treasurer of the Jewish Federation, Lion of

Judah member of its Women’s Philanthropy, chair of its allocations committee, vice chair of its Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, and winner of the George Feldman Award for Young Leadership. Iris also fills various roles and board positions at her sons’ schools.

Jonathan was born and raised in the Valley, attended the Jewish Day School, and went to the Jewish Community Center for activities. He left the area for college and for work experience, but returned in 2003. He’s vice president and treasurer of the Congregation Keneseth Israel Cemetery Association (while Jeff heads the cemetery board at Congregation Sons of Israel), volunteers as chair of the nonprofit Great Allentown Fair Foundation, and serves on the Fund to Benefit Children and Youth and as an advisor of the LaunchBox program though Penn State Lehigh Valley. He and Iris were on the board of directors of Keneseth Israel, and Iris continues to be active in the Women of KI as the Oneg Fairy for over 18 years.

Iris’s family traces to New York and Asia. Her dad, Harold Rosenberg, was born in the Bronx. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater with the US Navy and afterward returned to Asia. He started a plastics and toy business in Hong Kong, where he met Iris’s mom, Shaoli, visiting from her native Taiwan. They married and Shaoli helped Harold build his company, which was best known for manufacturing ping-pong ball guns, parts for Barbies, and Hot Wheels.

Iris was born in Taiwan and lived there with her adoptive grandparents before moving to Hong Kong to be with her adoptive parents (Harold and Shaoli). “Then Dad got homesick and decided to move back to New York when I was 8,” Iris says. She grew up in Long Island and has always considered herself lucky. “I was adopted by two of the most generous and wonderful people I have ever known,” she says. Her volunteering in the Valley Jewish community comes down to passing along to others the sort of good that was done for her.

THE MORRISON-FEINBERG FAMILY

“There’s a lot of options here”

Dr. Alan z”l and Judy Morrison moved to the Lehigh Valley in 1972 with their three sons, Robert, Peter, and Michael. Alan, a hematologist/oncologist, started a practice that remained open for many years, with Judy as the office manager. He also led the hematology/oncology department at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem. He died in 2022.

Judy and Alan’s son Robert, Robert’s wife Amy, and their daughters, Abby and Rachel, moved here in 1995, when the girls were still in preschool. What appeals to the families are the friendliness, the schools, the good living conditions. All of them developed a whole network of friends in town.

The Lehigh Valley is conveniently close to two of the largest cities in the country, complete with many of the cultural and recreational amenities they offer, not to mention to Judy’s and Alan’s roots. “We missed New York,” Judy says, “but we were able to go back and forth a lot. We go to Philadelphia. This was the ideal spot to raise children, and the best of both worlds.”

Robert had settled with his wife Amy in Chicago after he went to medical school. At first, Amy says, “my husband didn’t want to come back to Allentown.” But at her prompting, he changed his mind.

Amy sounds a lot like Judy when describing her adopted home. “It’s a good place to raise kids, it has a Jewish community, and I made long-lasting friends,” she says. She’s on the board at Temple Beth El and has overseen the TBE and Keneseth Israel volunteers at the soup kitchen in downtown Allentown for 25 years.

The move to Allentown also worked out for Robert, an ophthalmologist who ran his own private practice before working for the VA. He and Amy have a lot of favorite restaurants in the area. “We eat out a lot,” Judy says. “We’re very good at making reservations.”

The family also goes to the theater, and Judy used to be on the board of the internationally famous summertime Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at

DeSales University. Museums are a big draw too. And those are just the start. As Judy puts it, “We support anything and everything in town.” Abby offers a favorites list peppered with places, activities, and services: “Fruit picking, wineries, good restaurants, outdoor playgrounds, excellent universities, babysitting from Hillel, Lake Nockamixon, casino, airport, great daycare.”

Abby left home for the University of Connecticut in the 2000s. She found Ben there on JDate. They got married in 2014 and in 2016 they moved to the Valley, where she’s a licensed clinical social worker whose outreach has included working with youth groups at the JCC. Ben, a Connecticut native, fully supported the move. “There’s a lot of options here,” he says. “It remains a young and vibrant community. It’s continuously up and coming.” Ben and Abby have two kids, Madison and Brianna, ages 4 and 2—the fourth generation of Morrisons in the Valley.

The family remains very involved, volunteering in the Jewish community and beyond. These days, Judy is a Lion of Judah member of the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy and helps with the local Meals on Wheels. “Delivering meals is very rewarding,” she says. “I do that two, three times a week.”

THE NOTIS-COHEN FAMILY

“It’s a beautiful, inclusive Jewish community and a great place to raise a family” Cooky and Michael z”l Notis were both born in Far Rockaway, New York. “I met him in fourth grade,” she says. They married in 1959, during Mike’s senior year at Lehigh University in Bethlehem. After a stint living in Bethlehem, they moved to Allentown, in 1960, and later moved within Allentown to the house where Cooky still resides.

The Notises had four children, Beth, Mark, Jennie, and Debbie. All went to the JCC nursery school and attended the Jewish Day School through seventh grade. “We liked the day school,” Cooky says. “That was very important to us. And the JCC and synagogue offered a warm and friendly environment.”

Michael went to work at Western Electric (which became Bell Labs) and simultaneously earned a PhD in materials science at Lehigh University. The University offered him a position and he worked as a professor and educator for many years, with a specialty in metals.

“He was active in research literally until the day he died” in 2023, his son Mark said.

Once the kids were grown, Cooky worked as a teacher’s aide at the JDS. She volunteered and was president of Jewish Family Service. “I think it’s phenomenal,” she says. “They have so many programs.” She returned to school and earned her bachelor’s degree at Muhlenberg College.

Mark is the only one of Mike and Cooky’s children who remained in the Lehigh Valley. Like his dad, he attended Lehigh University. He married Alice, also from the Lehigh Valley. While Alice worked as a nurse, Mark attended dental school in Philadelphia. “There was no way I was going to stay here,” he says. But after graduating dental school, he had the opportunity to take over a dental practice in Allentown. He and Alice initially lived upstairs from the office, but with two kids and another on the way, they moved to a house nearby. “It was a couple of blocks to the office and synagogue,” he says. “It was a great place to raise kids.”

Alice and Mark’s daughter, Evie Notis, one of five siblings, is the third generation to live in the Valley. Evie attended Brandeis University, where she started dating Noam Cohen, now her husband. After short stints in New York City and the Philadelphia area, Evie and Noam moved to Allentown, where Evie completed her medical residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network in family medicine. After graduating residency, she worked as a primary care physician and is currently pursuing a fellowship in palliative care and hospice medicine at LVHN. Their young children, Eden and Micah, are the fourth generation of the Notis family to live in the Valley, and Eden is the third generation to attend the JDS. Likewise, Micah is the third generation to attend daycare at the

Family Faves

JEFF EPSTEIN Syb’s West End Deli. “Syb’s is a favorite of mine. I go to meet my friends. If you publicize it too much, I’ll never get a seat again.”

IRIS EPSTEIN—Allentown Rose Gardens. ‘The Rose Gardens because that’s where Jon proposed to me.”

JON EPSTEIN—Hawk Mountain. “Hiking there, the river—lots of memories.”

HARRY EPSTEIN—Home. “He’s an artist and he loves making art,” Iris Epstein says of her 18-year-old son. “It can be very hard to get him out.”

COOKY NOTIS—Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.

JUDY MORRISON—Civic Theatre of Allentown, Act 1 Productions. “We all go to the theater.”

BEN FEINBERG—Lake Nockamixon, Folino Estate Winery, Thai Avenue restaurant.

MADISON FEINBERG— “Red Robin!” Dorney Park, Udder Bar ice cream.

JCC. Noam is finishing up his PhD at New York University remotely and teaching Hebrew and Jewish studies at Muhlenberg College.

Just like Mark, Evie did not think she would end up moving back to Allentown. Now she jokes about not being able to leave. “There is so much keeping us here!” she says. “It’s a beautiful, inclusive Jewish community and a great place to raise a family.” She and Noam enjoy community events and love taking their kids to the numerous family-friendly attractions in the Valley: Emmaus Farmers’ Market, various seasonal food and craft festivals, library events, museums.

The Civic Theatre of Allentown.

BACK FOR SECONDS

By Sandi Teplitz

These Lehigh Valley natives moved away only to return later to raise their kids. They share what brought them back and why they stay—and (bonus!) heirloom recipes for dishes that have their families reaching for round two

Lehigh Valley residents are lucky to live in an area with cultural treasures like the State Theater in Easton, Musikfest in Bethlehem, and Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown, to name a few. They also happen to be surrounded by reminders of Jewish heritage and are in the middle of a vital Jewish community.

When you consider these things, along with the good job opportunities, access to excellent schools, overall quality of life, and countless other benefits of living here, it starts to become clear why families choose to stay for generations. And many a Jewish grownup who lived here as a kid and moved away for a while eventually came back to raise their own family.

A handful of those grownups shared a bit about their own family backgrounds in the Valley. They also told us what brought them back to the area and what keeps them here. And while they were doing all that sharing, each slipped us a time-test ed family-favorite recipe.

Sandi TepliTz provides a recipe and often a book review for each issue of Hakol, the Jewish newspaper of the Lehigh Valley published monthly by the Jewish Federation.

From left: Nick Volchko, Zoe Volchko, Enid Reich, Zachary Volchko, Zander Volchko, Bruce Reich, and Jessica Volchko.

Shalom Lehigh Valley • 2025–27

Jessica Volchko

Jessica (Reich) Volchko’s family moved to the Lehigh Valley when she was 7, and she grew up as part of the Jewish community. She had her bat mitzvah here, got married here, and had her kids’ naming and brises here as well as her son’s bar mitzvah.

“We have remained because of the supportive, inclusive community, small enough that you know almost everyone, but large enough to have many avenues for participation,” she says. “We love raising our family here.”

Grandma’s Chicken Soup

4 large chicken breasts

6 celery ribs, cut up

8 carrots, cut up

1 tablespoon parsley

3 eggs

½ cup seltzer

1 cup matzo meal

Salt and pepper

Skin four large chicken breasts. Add to a Dutch oven along with the celery, carrots, and parsley, and salt to taste. Cover with water, bring to a full boil, and cook for 7 minutes. Simmer for 1½ hours, covered, adding matzo balls for the last half hour, remembering to cover again.

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, seltzer, and matzo meal, and add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for 12 hours. Then form small balls and add to the soup, which may be served with cooked noodles too.

Roberta Penn

Bernard and Muriel Frank lived in Allentown with their two children. When their daughter Roberta, now a retired psychologist, married Alan Penn, an attorney, they moved back and started their own family here.

Roberta is fond of the Valley Jewish community for its cohesiveness, advocacy for deserving causes, and warmth. She also likes the diverse experiences and opportunities available. She reminisces about family dinners with her cousin Judi Levy. Here’s one of Judi’s recipes that has become a favorite of her own children and grandchildren.

Emily Ford

Emily Ford and her husband, Brian, lived in Philadelphia for 15 years. When their second child was born, they decided to move out of the city. They chose the Lehigh Valley as their destination so they’d be closer to her parents, Elaine (Roth) and Leon Papir, and to join “a welcoming thriving Jewish community to raise our children.”

Brian works from home and Emily got a job at Lehigh University, where she remains. “We couldn’t be happier,” she says. “We’ve followed in my parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps by being active in the Jewish community and raising our children here.” At right is a recipe passed down from Elaine’s mother, Pirry.

Brisket á la Judi Levy

1 large first-cut brisket

1 large Spanish onion, sliced

5 carrots cut into 2-inch slices

4 ribs celery cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small can tomato paste

2 cups plain tomato sauce

½ cup ketchup

½ can whole-berry cranberry sauce

Mix together all the ingredients except the brisket, then place the mixture in a large roaster with a lid. Add the brisket. Sprinkle with cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Put in a 400-degree oven for half an hour.

Pull out the roaster to place heavy-duty foil on top. Turn the temperature down to 350 degrees and roast for another three hours or so. Add water to the pan during the last half hour of cooking. Mix well occasionally, remembering to recover each time.

Pirry Roth’s Kugel

(Non-Dairy Noodle Pudding)

1 pound medium noodles

½ teaspoon salt

1¼ stick margarine

¾ cup sugar

8 ounces apricot or peach jam or preserves

1½ teaspoon vanilla

5 eggs

1 handful white raisins (optional)

1 cup crushed Frosted Flakes

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

(For a dairy version, add: 1 pound cottage cheese, 1 pint sour cream)

Cook the noodles with the salt in the water and drain. Melt the margarine. Put the eggs, sugar, preserves, and vanilla into a blender and blend. Put everything except the cereal, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and the cinnamon in a bowl and mix. Put the mixture in a 9-by-13 Pyrex.

Mix the Frosted Flakes, remaining sugar, and cinnamon together into a topping and spread over the noodle mixture. Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 1 hour. The noodles on top should be lightly browned.

Roberta Penn and cousin Judi Levy.

From left: Leon Papir, Elaine Papir, Sam Ford, Al Ford, Emily Ford, and Brian Ford.

Ellen Sosis

Ellen Sosis and her husband, Scott Anderson, along with their dogs (now there are three), moved back to the Lehigh Valley in 2021 to be near her parents. “We just love it here!” Ellen says. “Once here, I left my longtime consulting career and entered the entrepreneurial world, designing and selling bedazzled wine, martini, and beer glass shaped purse hooks on Amazon.”

Besides spending time with her parents and her dogs, she has spent her time volunteering for Jew ish Family Service, the Jewish Federation’s Wom en’s Philanthropy, and Temple Beth El’s Sisterhood.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the local Jewish community and with all the wonder ful people here!” she says. “Plus, we purposely upsized, rather than downsized, in our latter years because we truly enjoy entertaining, and now host all the holiday gatherings at our new home. My mother was thrilled to pass the torch to us—however, the family still insists on us making all of her famous family recipes (rightly so!). I thought I would share a fan favorite, her mandel bread recipe. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!”

Audrey Sosis’s Mandelbrot

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ cup chopped walnuts

2 eggs

½-¾ cup chocolate chips

Salt

2 cups plus heaping ½ tablespoon of flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix the sugar, vegetable oil, vanilla, walnuts, eggs, and chocolate chips in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and a dash of salt. Then add the mixture in the small bowl to the mixture in the large bowl.

Separate the mixed dough into two long, flat oval mounds on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake for 27 minutes.

Remove from the oven, let cool a few minutes, and cut into slices about 1 inch long. Sprinkle one side with cinnamon sugar and bake 4-7 minutes.

Turn the other side up, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and bake 4-7 minutes. Cool. The bread can be stored in plastic bags in an

From left: Scott Anderson, Ellen Sosis, Audrey Sosis, and Artie Sosis.

HAND IN HAND WITH THE HOMELAND

From two decades of partnership with the Yoav region to touring and connecting throughout the state, the Valley community maintains strong ties with Israel

MISSION POSSIBLE

So, you want to visit Israel. Where do you even start? Isn’t everything in the ancient cradle of the Jewish people worth visiting? How do you trim a list of worthy sites down to the must-sees to include on your itinerary? The task can be intimidating.

The Jewish Federation can help. Joining one of its missions simplifies your preparation process. And it helps ensure that you don’t inadvertently leave out something essential and that your experience will be top-notch.

Federation missions also offer an opportunity to bond with Israelis and to see some of the good work happening in Israel. You’ll get to know members of the Lehigh Valley’s Partnership2Gether community of Yoav, building relationships that will last a lifetime and doing your part to strengthen the long-standing bond between the two communities.

To learn more, visit jewishlehigvalley.org/ missions.

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER

FAMILY BONDING WITH YOAV

By Connor Hayes

The past few years have been rocky for the world, let alone the Jewish world. We are lucky that in such times we have two communities we can rely on: that of the Jewish Lehigh Valley and that of our “other family,” of Yoav, Israel.

For over 20 years, the Lehigh Valley has been working together with the numerous communities and kibbutzim of Yoav. Ours is not a unique program; there are many Partnership2Gether programs

connecting communities like Philadelphia to Netivot, Greater New Jersey to Rishon LeZion, and Chicago to Kiryat Gat. Yet while the P2G program is replicated elsewhere, the unique experiences it has brought and continues to bring to our community are very much our own. The families of Yoav have become an extension of our own; their joys, we revel in, and in their sorrow, we hold them.

In addition to the emotional and familial connections, the key ingredients that make the partnership thrive are committing to programs that make the most impact and being unafraid to innovate. Yoav has a proud kibbutznik heritage of finding adaptive solutions to all kinds of challenges, so their innovation comes as no surprise, and we in the Valley

mirror this through fully supporting their ideas and initiatives. Among these is one of the longest-running aspects of the partnership: the tradition of Yoav sending its youth here in the summer to serve as counselors for Camp JCC. In addition, to connect an even younger generation, we run a collaborative pen pal program called Under the Same Moon, whereby an elementary school student in one community pairs with an elementary school student in the other and they exchange letters over time. For adults, there have been opportunities to travel to Yoav and stay with host families that become like our own, building bonds and memories that last long after the eventual departure from Ben-Gurion International Airport.

LITTLE FEET, GIANT STEPS

Do you dream of sending your child on a trip to Israel but aren’t sure how to make it happen? The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Visit Israel Savings Partnership can help.

A trip to Israel is not only a fun and exciting experience for your child, but also a unique way to get them connected to their Jewish heritage. Young people who have participated in an Israel experience regard their time in the country as one of the most positive Jewish moments of their lives.

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s Visit program is a saving partnership that helps diffuse the costs of your child’s trip. Enrolled children may receive grants of up to $1,600 each toward an approved four-week or longer peer trip to Israel. If you donate to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs, your child is already eligible.

Once you enroll your child, you deposit $300 a year in their account (the money deposited is not a donation—it’s your money in a savings account). Children may travel using their Visit grant after completing ninth grade and before age 26.

For an approved trip, the Federation will grant you $200 for each year you have deposited $300 in the account, up to $1,600 of grant money that you can add to what you saved. If your child is for some reason unable to make a trip, your savings will be returned.

Go to jewishlehighvalley.org/visit for more information or contact Abby Trachtman, project coordinator, at abbyt@jflv.org.

The hard work put into these programs and initiatives helps shape the character of both communities, as we grow closer by the year, and makes living in both the Lehigh Valley and Yoav immeasurably rewarding experiences. We continue to prosper through this partnership driven by communication, innovation, and dedication.

Connor Hayes is director of community programming for the Jewish Federation.

Yoav pays tribute to the Israeli hostages in 2024. Yoav pays tribute to the Israeli hostages in 2024.

JEWISH COMMUNITY

On Guard against Antisemitism

By Aaron Gorodzinsky

One of the most important responsibilities in the Lehigh Valley Jewish community is ensuring the safety and security of the people and institutions. Even before the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and the related rise in antisemitism, the community had established long-lasting partnerships with law enforcement agencies and national partners, implementing several security measures to ensure that this remains a welcoming and safe place for all.

1. Protecting the Jewish institutions

On November 7, 2019, Act 83 was signed into law, establishing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program in Pennsylvania, allowing the community to apply for security funding to protect its institutions. This legislation, passed following the horrific attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pitts-

Wonder Women

The Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy is critical to its Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. These women from all walks of life bring in about $1 million a year to help fund Federation-supported programs and services.

The women come together regularly to learn, travel, celebrate, and make meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. Through hands-on service projects and donating to the Federation’s campaign, they help those in need here and around the world and contribute to keeping Jewish life vibrant.

Throughout the year, Women’s Philanthropy hears speakers enlighten them on interesting and important issues so they can become informed leaders among their peers. The women

volunteers meet to provide essential items for people in need and to participate in projects that strengthen the Valley community’s connection with Israel. If you would like to be a part of this generous group of women enriching their own lives while improving the lives of others, visit jewishlehighvalley.org/women for more information and to get in touch.

WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY

Eileen Ufberg and Vicki Wax.

At the 2023 March for Israel.

burgh, has enabled the Lehigh Valley Jewish community to secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding, complementing the Federal Nonprofit Security Grant. The Jewish Federation has assisted each of its local agencies, synagogues, and other houses of worship in obtaining these vital grants to keep the community safe.

2. Establishing long-lasting partnerships

The Jewish Federation has developed strong long-term relationships with law enforcement agencies at the city, municipal, state, and federal levels. It is in constant communication with them and shares relevant information that impacts the community. From local police and fire departments to state troopers and the FBI, the Federation fosters and maintains relationships to ensure community safety.

3.

Investing in security

In partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America

LiveSecure grant and Secure Community Network, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley has invested significant funds to hire a full-time regional security advisor. The advisor is responsible for drafting emergency preparedness plans for each agency and synagogue, conducting security assessments, training staff and volunteers, and leading security initiatives. When incidents occur, the advisor coordinates security responses with facilities and communicates with law enforcement. The advisor also guides organizations in filing security grant applications and helps them plan for improved On Guard against Antisemitism

Where There’s a Need…

The Jewish Family Service provides a variety of services and programs that address needs of the community, including challenges in food insecurity, aging, and mental health.

Its Community Food Pantry distributes food and personal care items to any Jewish resident of the Lehigh Valley, as well as to neighbors living in the 18104 zip code. In 2023, JFS served over 1,000 individuals. Each summer, local farms like the Monocacy Farm Project, Temple Beth El garden, and participants in the Plant a Row program donate fresh fruit and vegetables to the pantry.

JFS’s licensed clinical social workers provide confidential individual and group counseling services. Topics addressed include depression, anxiety, stress management, and bereavement. Medicare and many private insurance plans are accepted for counseling services. In addition, support groups provide resources and guidance for grief, disabilities, and other needs.

Throughout the year, JFS offers educational lectures and training on how to cope with societal challenges, including at the Phyllis Ringel Memorial Lecture. It provides consultation regarding best practices to help businesses and organizations promote inclusion and embrace diversity in partnership with synagogues and community agencies. Some of the offerings are LGBTQIA+ cultural competency training, digital accessibility, and accessibility site visits.

JFS offers over a dozen volunteer opportunities for all ages, each catered toward an individual’s goals and interests, with work locations in the JFS office, in the community, or at home. Volunteer opportunities include stocking the pantry, driving, and facilitating programs. Volunteers increase the capacity of the agency to provide services, while offering fulfilling experiences.

The JFS has been dedicated to the service and inclusion of all members of society for over 50 years.

jfslv.org

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE

MAIMONIDES SOCIETY

To Your Health!

The Jewish Federation’s Maimonides Society brings together healthcare professionals throughout the year for Brunch and Learn events every handful of weeks, to organize various social and educational gatherings for the society and the rest of the community, and to raise funds for the Federation’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs.

Founded in 1987 by a small group of Lehigh Valley doctors who initially raised the idea in the Allentown home of Dr. ael Ufberg z”l, the society was the first ofwficial Jewish Federations group of healthcare professionals in the country. Dozens of others eventually followed and remain active, to the benefit of the members themselves, of their communities, and of those who benefit from their generosity.

The society is open to all healthcare professionals, from nurses and advanced practitioners to doctors, psychologists, and dentists. jewishlehighvalley.org/ maimonides

The Gathering Place

The Jewish Community Center has been an integral part of the Lehigh Valley Jewish community since its founding in 1918. Throughout its 105-year history, the JCC has put down deep roots as the central hub for family life and as a leader in providing education, wellness, culture, and recreation programs for people of all ages.

The JCC is here to help families and individuals of all backgrounds. It plays a vital role in nurturing the community and celebrates the diversity of those it serves in an inclusive, welcoming, spirited environment inspired by Jewish values. It supports creating a vibrant Jewish community, empowering its members through programs and services that promote excellence. It fosters meaningful connections and celebrates Jewish identity, history, and culture l’dor v’dor (from generation to generation).

Facilities at the JCC include the Kline Auditorium, newly renovated children’s classrooms, a fitness center and exercise studios, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gymnasium, a golf simulator, squash courts, and meeting spaces.

For Those of a Certain Age

Jewish Family Service older adult programs and services are designed to meet the specific needs that emerge as a result of the aging process.

Mazel Meals volunteers deliver Shabbat and holiday packages to recipients each month and also provide a personal visit. Creative Connections, Let’s Play, and Schmooze and Schmear are op-

Community events like organized holiday celebrations, community-wide gatherings, and social get-togethers foster a sense of belonging and unity among members. Youth activities and camps designed for young children and teenagers promote leadership development, cultural awareness, and community engagement.

Programs and services are for children and adults of all ages and provide a wide range of educational, recreational, and cultural activities promoting healthy living and social responsibility. They play a crucial role in fostering a sense of unity, personal identity, and cultural continuity. The offerings include early childhood education, summer camp, after-school programs, fitness, recreation, cultural events, educational programs, social gatherings, and support services.

The JCC offers individual tours for those who want to see what it’s all about—the place where Jewish and secular values and traditions are shared in a warm, comfortable, vibrant environment.

lvjcc.org

portunities for older adults to engage with one another in a supportive environment.

JFS provides outreach to community facilities to celebrate and conduct Shabbat and holiday programming. Licensed older adult social workers connect clients with aging resources such as transportation, caregiving, and home care.

For more information on how the older adult programs might help you, visit jfslv.org/ older-adult-services.

Dr. Zach Goldsmith, Maimonides president, and his wife, Dr. Andrea Goldsmith.

Dr. Zach Goldsmith, Maimonides president, and his wife, Dr. Andrea Goldsmith.

security operations. This service is provided as part of the Jewish Federation’s commitment to the community at no additional cost to any institution.

4. Engaging with elected officials

The community regularly communicates with elected officials, regardless of party affiliation. The Jewish Federation meets with them frequently and works with their staffs to ensure that they understand the community’s needs. From mayors to state and federal officials, the Federation invests significant time in maintaining strong relationships.

5. Sharing resources and best practices

The Jewish Federation meets every four to six weeks with the security committee of each institution in the community as well as with private security contractors to discuss concerns, share best practices, and learn from one another and from field experts. These meetings create an open channel of communication, which is essential for responding to emergencies.

Aaron Gorodzinsky is the director of development for the Jewish Federation.

LEHIGH VALLEY JEWISH FOUNDATION

Giving for Good

The backbone of any community or organization is a strong endowment fund, ensuring that the Jewish community remains as vibrant in the future as it is today. Through strategic investment choices, low fees, and experienced management, the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation has significantly outperformed benchmarks in recent years, reaching $52 million in 2024.

Housed at the Jewish Federation, the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation secures the future of the entire local Jewish community. It administers the majority of endowment funds for all the

Millennials with a Mission

The Jewish Federation recently relaunched its group for adults ages 30 to 45. Like the Federation’s other affinity groups—the Maimonides Society and Women’s Philanthropy—NextGen gathers regularly for members to schmooze, learn, join in family outings, and help support the Federation’s Annual Campaign

for Jewish Needs.

So far NextGen has held a Havdalah movie night, family picnics, a visit to a beer garden and a brewery tour (adults only!), a night of Rock ‘n’ Bowl Glow Light Bowling, and, on the more serious side, an expert-led educational session on “What No One Tells You about Israel and the Middle East,” and group mitzvah (good deed) projects. As these events suggest, creative, fun, and informative get-togethers and

agencies and synagogues, as well as for hundreds of community members who trust the foundation to ensure the continuity of Jewish life for future generations.

The foundation also serves as the community coordinator for the Life and Legacy program, fostering a planned giving culture that secures after-lifetime contributions for all the agencies. This effort has resulted in over 500 commitments, with an estimated value of more than $16 million.

To learn more about and be part of this vital endeavor, contact the Jewish Federation at 610-821-5500, email aaron@jflv. org, or visit lvjfgiving.org.

outings will keep things interesting as the membership continues to grow.

As the young leaders of NextGen are the future of the Jewish community, young adults are encouraged to join their age peers for good times, mutual support, and philanthropy and to shape the way the community of the future looks.

jewishlehighvalley.org/nextgen

JEWISH

Mark and Lynne Shampain.

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KIDS, SCHOOLS, CAMPS

The Jewish community takes care of its kids right from the start, offering a variety of focused activities, programs, and groups through the teenage years

JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL

Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy

Bryn Mawr

Barrack prepares students to become the next generation of Jewish leaders committed to making a difference in their community and the larger world. Located on its scenic campus in Bryn Mawr, down U.S. Route 476 from the Lehigh Valley, Barrack provides transportation options to regions that include the Lehigh Valley. The school brings together students from all Jewish backgrounds to learn as one kehillah (community). The core values of kavod (honor), ometz lev (courage), hesed (kindness), and kehillah guide and inform everything the school does and inspire students to become ethical, wise, and engaged young adults. 610-922-2350, admissions@jbha.org

COLLEGES WITH HILLELS

Lafayette College Easton

Lafayette College is a liberal arts college in Easton, on the

Colleges with Hillels

Continued on page 32

JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

Elementary Excellence

The Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley is a community school centered on each child’s individual needs, connections to their community, and celebration of Jewish traditions.

The JDS serves students from pre-K through eighth grade and delivers a stellar Pennsylvania-standards-aligned general studies curriculum and cutting-edge Judaics education. It offers small class sizes, a multisensory art room, an academic lab, music classes, physical education, a specialized science program, an accredited library, and both STEAM and performing arts electives.

Hebrew language acquisition begins in pre-K. After-school care includes engaging clubs for K-8th grade and Pre-K Club for the youngest students.

JDS’s customized curriculum features a supportive,

Happy Birthday!

individualized learning culture, differentiated instruction, and developmentally appropriate opportunities to grow in a safe and creative environment. Character development, civic responsibility, academic excellence, and a devotion to the State of Israel are the foundations of the JDS learning journey.

The school is open and welcoming to families of all Jewish denominations and backgrounds. 610-437-0721, jdslv.org

Shalom Baby, an outreach program of Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, welcomes Jewish newborns to the Lehigh Valley. Their families receive a warm visit from a trained volunteer at an arranged time. The volunteer brings a bag of gift items donated by all the local synagogues and Jewish agencies, many community partners, and local merchants. Little ones receive a specially designed

ShalomBaby bib in a Jewish Federation reusable grocery bag and items like books, stuffed animals, hand sanitizer, burp cloths, coupons, and candy. All new babies are also registered for PJ Library, a program run in partnership with the Jewish Federation that delivers free Jewish-themed children’s books through the mail. It’s the community’s way of welcoming its newest members. jewishlehighvalley.org/ shalom-baby

SHALOM BABY

Colleges with Hillels Continued from page 31

eastern edge of the Lehigh Valley. It is an undergraduate institution with 247 faculty and 2,700 students. It offers majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The Lafayette College Hillel Society serves as the hub of Jewish life on campus. It’s a student-run organization with a very active student board that provides opportunities for the campus and surrounding community to engage in a wide range of social, cultural, religious, and educational programming. It hosts weekly Shabbat services as well as other religious events like its annual interfaith seder. about.lafayette.edu/lafayetteat-a-glance

Lehigh University

Bethlehem

Lehigh University is one of the nation’s most distinguished private research universities. It offers 111 undergraduate degree programs and majors, and 87 research-based doctoral programs and professional master’s degree and certificate programs, to more than 7,000 undergrad and grad students. The Jewish population is estimated at 17 to 18 percent of the 6,000 undergrads. The Office of Jewish Student Life is the Jewish home on campus for students. The Jewish Student Center includes lounges, study spaces, a kosher kitchen, and a dining area, and is the home of the Hillel, the primary organization for Jewish students on campus. There is also the Chabad Club, Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, Friends of Israel, Challah for Hunger, and Tamid. There are weekly services and dinner every Shabbat, as well as on holidays. There are also

informal classes, social events, and community service opportunities.

610-758-4896, jewishlife.lehigh.edu

Muhlenberg College Allentown

Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College is an independent liberal arts institution in Allentown. With an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 2,000 students, Muhlenberg is dedicated to shaping creative, compassionate, collaborative citizens through rigorous academic programs in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as well as select preprofessional pro-

HOLOCAUST RESOURCE CENTER

So They Never Forget

The Holocaust Resource Center in the JCC is committed to remembrance of the Holocaust through education, preservation of primary sources of the history, and connecting with the younger generations in the struggle against antisemitism and hate. As part of this commitment, the HRC reaches out to and visits schools and educational organizations in the Jewish community and the community at large to make presentations and lead discussions.

grams. Muhlenberg offers Jewish students the outsize Jewish life of a large university in the intimate environment of a traditional liberal arts college, and there’s kosher dining available too. This combination is unique and makes Muhlenberg an attractive option for Jewish students and observant students. The Jewish population is between 25 and 30 percent of the undergraduate population. In addition to the resources provided on campus, Muhlenberg benefits from being situated in the heart of Jewish Allentown, with Orthodox and Reform synagogues, JCC, and Jewish Day School all within walking distance. muhlenberg.edu

Recently overhauled and reorganized by volunteers from the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, the center features a collection of over 1,000 books, visual and audio media, artifacts, artworks, original documents, and more related to the Holocaust, Judaism, Jewish life, antisemitism, hate crimes, and genocide. Most of the items can be checked out to borrow free of charge.

jewishlehighvalley.org/hrc

From left: Gia Jones, Miriam Zager, and Lee Kestecher Solomon in the Holocaust Resource Center.

SLEEPAWAY SUMMER CAMPS

Camp Galil

Ottsville

Camp Galil is a progressive Zionist, rustic overnight Jewish summer camp for campers in 2nd through 11th grade with a strong focus on social justice and youth leadership. Located in Bucks County, the camp focuses on cooperative living and welcomes families from all streams of Jewish life to create a diverse and inclusive community. Campers and staff come together in this joyful

Camping by Day, Home for Dinner

Camp JCC is a summer day camp with both traditional and specialty camp options serving children entering pre-K through 10th grade. Counselors include educators and specialists in many fields who cultivate strong bonds, encourage team building, promote sportsmanship, and foster the individual development of each child. Daily activities, which include indoor and outdoor recreational and arts programs, celebrate Jewish culture, empower inclusivity, build meaningful relationships, and promote community values.

Campers often engage with Israeli counselors in activities that celebrate Jewish traditions, holidays, and values. This may include learning Hebrew phrases, participating in Shabbat celebrations, and learning about Israeli history, food, and music. While Camp JCC has a Jewish cultural focus, children of all backgrounds and faiths are wel-

and energetic community built on Jewish values, connection to Israel, and social justice for a summer of fun and to build a better world together. campgalil.org

Camp Ramah

Lakewood

Ramah is an overnight camp in the Pocono Mountains for kids in grades 2 through 10. Over 75 years, it has built a tradition of warmth, inclusion, and radical creativity in a fun Jewish environment. Facilities include a heated pool, new basketball and tennis courts, a covered hockey

come, with the aim of creating a diverse and inclusive environment where campers learn from one another about different cultures and shared values.

A variety of outdoor and recreational activities, such as swimming, sports, arts and crafts, hiking, music, and drama are offered. These activities promote physical fitness, creativity, and teamwork among campers. Educational elements are built into the programs, such as science experiments, nature exploration, and hands-on learning experiences. These activities are designed to stimulate curiosity and enhance campers’ academic skills.

Camp JCC emphasizes building strong relationships and a sense of community among campers. Activities often focus on teamwork, cooperation, respect for others, and fostering lifelong friendships and connections. Campers learn important values like kindness, responsibility, compassion, and leadership through structured activities. lvjcc.org/camp

pavilion, an indoor gym, a softball field with a homerun fence, and a dining room that seats 600. On Friday evenings, the entire camp comes together in the outdoor synagogue. Everything that happens at Camp Ramah is rooted in Jewish values and traditions and is designed to foster personal growth, develop strong relationships, and instill a love for Judaism that will last a lifetime.

ramahpoconos.org

Golden Slipper Camp Stroudsburg

Golden Slipper is an overnight camp rooted in Jewish values for children ages 7 to 15 on 600 beautiful acres in the Pocono Mountains. Campers and the professionally trained and caring staff make the camp a unique place that is welcoming and exciting for all and fosters personal growth. The camp offers a large variety of sports, plus arts and crafts; science, technology, engineering, and math; music; and more. There are affordable packages for all and awards scholarships based on financial capability determined through a respectful and confidential process.

goldenslippercamp.org

Pinemere Camp

Stroudsburg

Pinemere Camp is a dynamic community made up of campers, families, staff, and alumni from around the world. Each summer, Pinemere creates a safe space for children where they can leave behind the hectic pace, pressure, and technology of the outside world and just be kids. Many people say Pinemere feels like a family. This is probably why 90 percent of its campers return each summer to its home in the beautiful Pocono Mountains.

KIDS SCHOOLS CAMPS

CAMP JCC

Pinemere sets itself apart with its intimate camp size, rustic setting, innovative programs, inclusive Jewish programming, and fun and welcoming environment. It aims to hire and develop the best staff in camping. Pinemere’s goal is to assist campers in building friendships, fostering their Jewish identity, acquiring new skills, and having the best summer every summer. pinemere.com

URJ Camp Harlam Kunkletown

Camp Harlam is located on over 300 acres in the Pocono Mountains and features two pools and a lake, athletic fields, arts facilities, climbing apparatuses, a teaching kitchen, a digital arts studio, and more. It’s

PJ LIBRARY

Read It Again!

Something magical happens when parents sit down to read with their children. The PJ Library program exists to encourage that educational and inspirational bonding experience.

The program sends free Jewish-themed, age-appropriate children’s books to families across the Lehigh Valley, and the world, every month. The Jewish stories they tell can help families talk about values, traditions, and culture. Both child and parent learn about the world around them and find inspiration that they can share.

Besides the books, PJ Library also offers regular activities and events throughout the year where families can learn together, celebrate holidays, and meet new people and catch up with

a great place for kids who want to experience a wide range of daily activities. Varied programming and commitment to an open and safe environment makes Harlam exceptional. There are affinity spaces for minority campers, including its Gender Sexuality Alliance and Jews of Color group, to explore and discuss their identities with trusted peers and staff. Another thing that sets Harlam apart is its values: acting according to one’s heart, finding inner beauty, and gaining confidence and independence. These tie in with Jewish teachings and with everything done at camp to develop children who are compassionate, resilient, and proud of their Judaism.

campharlam.org

friends.

Families with kids ages newborn through 8½ years old with Judaism as part of their lives are invited to sign up, regardless of their Jewish background, knowledge, or observance.

A program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, PJ Library is made possible in the Lehigh Valley through a partnership with the Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Center, and the Jewish Day School and through the support of local donors. jewishlehighvalley.org/pj

For the Youngest Ones

The Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley’s Early Childhood Education, JLounge after-school, and Camp Jr. summer camp programs are top-rated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. They emphasize recognizing each child’s unique and special abilities and encourage exploration, discovery, independence, and respect.

The JCC’s educational approach addresses the overall well-being of each child in a warm environment that makes them feel welcomed and secure. Classrooms are led by trained educators who understand child development theories and practices. They create nurturing and stimulating environments that support each child’s unique learning.

The ECE program includes developmentally appropriate practices tailored to suit the age and developmental stage of the student. It focuses on nurturing all aspects of a child’s development, including cognitive (thinking and problem-solving skills), social (interacting with others), emotional (understanding and managing feelings), and physical (gross and fine motor skills) devel-

opment. Play-based learning activities are often used to promote creativity, imagination, and problem-solving.

In the summer months, older children (entering preschool and pre-K) transition from the ECE program to the Camp Jr. program, providing a bridge to Camp JCC and eventually elementary school. This nurturing environment, integrated with the larger summer camp program, is the perfect place for young children to gain independence and confidence as they continue to learn and grow.

Children in elementary school (grades K-5) continue the educational journey in the JLounge after-school program, which includes homework help, healthy kosher-style snacks, games, indoor and outdoor recreation, and crafts. Children may also choose from a variety of add-on programs, including educational, arts, and sports enrichments. Transportation is provided from many schools. Vacation Camp, snow days, and holiday programs are also available when many primary schools are closed. lvjcc.org/main/early-childhood-education, lvjcc.org/ afterschool/jlounge-after-

A Little Help with Your Good Deed

Give a Mitzvah, Do a Mitzvah is an initiative of the Jewish Federation that offers bar and bat mitzvah students a resource for mitzvah (good deed) projects and tzedakah (righteous behavior) opportunities for their b’nai mitzvah year and beyond. Students make a donation to the Federation’s Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs and develop a hands-on social-action project.

The Federation guides the student through the process of creating the project. The possibilities are as endless as the student’s creativity.

Students can come into the Federation office and meet with the mitzvah coordinator or talk on the phone. The process begins with a discussion of hobbies, interests, and other passions. Then the coordinator and student brainstorm ways to make a difference. Students volunteer or raise awareness or collect items for others and learn about helping their community in the process. jewishlehighvalley.org/mitzvah

JCC EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, JLOUNGE, CAMP JR.

Henry Morse

Ten synagogues in the Lehigh Valley are home to Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist congregations, and the community offers support for various essential Jewish ritual needs

SYNAGOGUES

CONSERVATIVE

Congregation Brith Sholom 1190 West Macada Road, Bethlehem

This synagogue in the heart of the Lehigh Valley celebrates its beautiful traditional practices with a contemporary awareness. The community is intergenerational, and newcomers become friends and friends become family. From seniors to children, both couples and singles—everyone is encouraged to share their talents and viewpoints. There are opportunities to become involved, lead, socialize, and learn together. And the congregation claims some of the best cooks in the Valley! 610-866-8009, brithsholom.net

Temple Beth El 1305 Springhouse Road, Allentown

Temple Beth El is a warm, welcoming, egalitarian congregation offering educational, spiritual, and social opportunities for members of all ages and walks of life. It provides a nurturing environment in which all generations feel at home, sharing one another’s joys and sorrows. In the spirit of repairing the world, the

RELIGIOUS LIFE

LEHIGH

VALLEY JEWISH CLERGY GROUP

Tight-Knit Clergy in a Tight-Knit Community

By Rabbi Moshe Re’em

The choice to affiliate with a Jewish community will invariably shape the future of American Jewry. Can one live anonymously as a Jew without choosing to affiliate? Certainly, but at a cost. Jewish communal affiliation serves as an important vehicle for sharing in the joys of the Jewish holidays together with others of similar religious and ethnic backgrounds. Attaching oneself to community also helps in challenging times, when antisemitism rears its ugly head. To share with others is to identify openly with your greater “family” when you feel you need them most. October 7 made this even truer.

Fortunately, the Lehigh Valley Jewish community is small, tight-knit, and welcoming to newcomers. With a rich array of ways to affiliate Jewishly, the various synagogues and Chabad offer diverse ways to “do and be

Jewish.” People often comment on how well our Jewish clergy in the Lehigh Valley work together. Clergy cooperation and collaboration are not just given lip service here.

The Lehigh Valley Jewish clergy meets regularly to share and discuss ways in which to constantly improve the quality of Jewish life in the Lehigh Valley. Conservative, Reform, Modern Orthodox, Reconstructionist, and Chabad—all support one another and work together in order to serve our community better.

As chair of the Lehigh Valley Clergy Group, I, on behalf of my colleagues, welcome you to the community and say, “Shalom to the Lehigh Valley!” May this be a year of peace, good health, and cooperation for all of us.

Rabbi Moshe Re’em of Temple Beth El in Allentown is chair of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Clergy Group.

From left: Cantor Ellen Sussman of Temple Shirat Shalom, Rabbi Moshe Re’em of Temple Beth El, Rabbi Yaacov Halperin of Chabad Lubavitch of the Lehigh Valley, Rabbi Steve Nathan of Lehigh University, Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom, Rabbi Allen Juda (retired) of Congregation Brith Sholom, and Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg of Congregation Keneseth Israel. Not pictured: Rabbi Marjorie Berman of Temple Israel of Lehighton, Student Rabbi Alex Malanych of Congregation Am Haskalah, Rabbi Jonathan Powers of the Lehigh Valley Kashrut Commission, Rabbi Adrienne Rubin of Congregation Bnai Shalom, and Rabbi Yitzchok Yagod of Congregation Beth Avraham.

The Frederick Group

Brian H. Segel, CRS, ABR, e-PRO REALTOR®

Email: Brian@BrianSegel.com Office: 610.398.0411 Cell: 610.704.5384

A Place for Conversations

For over 40 years, the Philip and Muriel Berman Center for Jewish Studies at Lehigh University has brought people together for intellectual conversations on Jewish history, literature, religion, culture, and art. We offer Jewish studies courses for students and public events with renowned artists, authors, and scholars.

Join us for educational programs, seminars, and more! Visit our website and sign up fo r our email list for the latest news: bermanctr.cas.lehigh.edu

congregation embraces the larger community.

610-435-3521, bethelallentown.org

ORTHODOX

Chabad Lubavitch of the Lehigh Valley

4457 Crackersport Road, Allentown

Chabad’s focus is on the spiritual and social needs of local Jews of all ages. The congregation is dedicated to furthering Jewish education at all levels in the hope that it will inspire you to explore your heritage and strengthen your Jewish connection. Acceptance of every Jew regardless of background or prior experience is the hallmark of Chabad’s philosophy.

610-351-6511, chabadlehighvalley.com

Congregation Beth Avraham 1424 Frost Hollow Road, Easton

The “Shul on the Banks of the Delaware” is new to the area and is building its congregation. Rooted between new times and old, Beth Avraham works to bring out the best of both. It is a place of learning, growing, and camaraderie to enhance the Jewish experience and offers courses and holiday and special events get-togethers. rabbiyagod1@gmail.com

Congregation Sons of Israel 2715 West Tilghman Street, Allentown

Sons of Israel is a warm and welcoming modern Orthodox synagogue that serves the entire Lehigh Valley community. The congregation fosters an atmosphere of spirituality, observance, and individual growth. It is the only synagogue in the region to offer daily morning and evening

BETHLEHEM INTERFAITH GROUP

TOGETHER BIGGER

By the Rev. Cindy Simmons

The Bethlehem Interfaith Group began in 2017 with Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom reaching out to Christian clergy in Bethlehem to unite their congregations in common cause.

These days, BIG meets monthly and focuses on friendship, education, and social justice. It has sponsored several “faith crawls,” during which participants travel by bus to visit the places its constituent communities call home. At each site, participants learn about the history, traditions, and practices of the hosting faith community. Faith crawls have visited Brith Sholom (three

times), the Respect Graduate School (Turkish Muslims—three times), Central Moravian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Lehigh Valley Friends (Quakers), Wesley Methodist, St. John’s Windish Lutheran, St. John

A.M.E. Zion (the first and oldest Black congregation in the Valley), and Packer Memorial Church at Lehigh University, where participants recently learned about the history of this building and the nondenominational work of the current university chaplain and about the work of the university’s associate chaplains to Catholic and Jewish students.

BIG holds an annual interfaith Thanksgiving service and has hosted interfaith presentations at

the annual 10-day Musikfest, which draws over 1 million to Bethlehem each August. It is also a cosponsor of the February 2025 interfaith celebration presented by Touchstone Theater in the IceHouse Tonight performing arts venue, an event including a variety of religious traditions. During COVID, when the group couldn’t meet in person, then-President Beth Goudy worked with members to create inspiring online presentations.

The group formally responded to a December 2022 incident at Christkindlmarkt in which several visitors wore antisemitic T-shirts and voiced antisemitic views, and in response to the January 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, by Memphis police. BIG also hosted two vigils at Payrow Plaza next to the Bethlehem Public Library in support of Ukraine.

BIG has hosted educational events with representatives from the Justice Department to educate its members on how to respond to hate mail and other expressions of hate. It also supports several community events focusing on affordable housing and combating hate.

The Rev. Cindy Simmons is president of BIG and a parish associate at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.

MARK I. NOTIS

minyans. A broad spectrum of educational programs appears on its calendar, and it supports a strong chesed (kindness) committee with a mission to invite every Jewish person to worship, study, and participate in the community.

610-433-6089, sonsofisrael.net

RECONSTRUCTIONIST

Congregation Am Haskalah 1190 West Macada Road, Bethlehem

Founded in 1977, Am Haskalah is a warm and welcoming congregation that aspires to be as diverse as the Jewish people itself. Members gather to connect with their Jewish heritage and one another, with each person bringing something essential to the table. The congregation features creative education, with personalized instruction available for adults and children, spirited discussions, and meaningful services. Rituals are led by both lay leaders and rabbis, blending traditional melodies with modern values, whether you participate in person or online. The congregation hosts several ongoing activities: spiritual writing, book club, Wandering Jews Dinner Club, Jewish meditation, and occasional guest speakers. All are welcome to come as they are, and the values-based, fair-share dues structure never excludes anyone.

610-435-3775, amhaskalah.org

REFORM

Congregation Bnai Shalom 1545 Bushkill Street, Easton

Bnai Shalom is a creative, inclusive congregation inviting all people to deepen their bonds

with Judaism and to thrive in their personal journeys. Friday evening service leans toward the Reform tradition, while Shabbat and holiday services are more traditionally Conservative. There are social events and lifelong education for learners of all ages, including a customized, personalized B-mitzvah program for each child. Members and spiritual leaders share a vision of a diverse, dynamic, and welcoming community that offers many paths to Jewish involvement and enables everyone to support one another in their spiritual quests. The congregation is committed to honoring tradition while reimagining and innovating its practices to be accessible and relevant to 21st-century Jews and their families.

610-258-5354, bnaishalomeaston.org

Congregation Keneseth Israel

2227 Chew Street, Allentown

The members make this congregation what it is: a caring community committed to worship, wellness, education, and mitzvoth (charitable acts). Worship is meaningful and participatory, and people support one another during times of celebration and sadness. Through educational, worship, and social opportunities designed to meet the needs of a diverse community, members enjoy an environment where the exchange of ideas is encouraged. If you want a close-knit community and to play a part in shaping how a temple can help change the world, you are encouraged to join.

610-435-9074, kilv.org

Temple Israel of Lehighton

194 Bankway Street, Lehighton

Temple Israel of Lehighton is

a warm, caring, and inclusive congregation in Carbon County, embodying the spirit of modern Judaism while honoring its rich traditions. Its practice is wide-ranging and pluralistic, where all are welcome. The sanctuary is a serene and beautiful space for prayer and reflection. Friendly faces greet newcomers and regulars alike, creating an atmosphere of genuine hospitality. The congregation is diverse, embracing individuals and families from all walks of life, and committed to fostering a sense of belonging. Through joyful holiday celebrations, meaningful social justice initiatives, and intimate Shabbat gatherings, Temple Israel of Lehighton stands as a beacon of warmth. 610-379-9591

Temple Shirat Shalom Allentown

This a Reform congregation guided by tradition but not bound by it. What it does best is offer members a strong sense of community. They care about one another and make sure that everyone feels valued and respected. The temple offers all life-cycle events with a very personal touch. All Jews of all backgrounds are welcome. The goal is to excite members to the beauty of the Jewish tradition. The congregation is dedicated to lifelong Jewish learning, as well as making Torah study fun and accessible. Have you ever gone to services and felt alone in the congregation? That doesn’t happen at Temple Shirat Shalom. 610-428-3758

SUPPORT FOR JEWISH RELIGIOUS LIFE

Chevra Kadisha

This group provides support after the death of a Jewish person. It makes sure all laws are properly observed between death and burial, working with local funeral homes for traditional Jewish funerals and burials.

jewishlehighvalley.org/ directory/chevrah-kadisha

Eruv

An eruv surrounds much of Allentown’s West End and extends west beyond city limits to allow certain activities within its boundaries that are normally prohibited on Shabbat, particularly carrying objects. Find the eruv map at sonsofisrael.net/ allentown-eruv.html.

Lehigh Valley Community Mikvah

The facility in Allentown features two mikvot (ritual baths) along with spa-like amenities, including two Jacuzzis, to prepare bathers. It also has a kelim mikvah, a smaller bath used to dunk metal and glass utensils. The facility is open to all Jewish men and women for a variety of ritual purposes. lehighvalleymikvah.org

Lehigh Valley Kashrut Commission

The commission supervises and inspects kitchens and other facilities to certify that the food they offer labeled as kosher satisfies Jewish dietary laws. lvkosher.org

PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO

Here’s just a glimpse of the museums, theaters, entertainment destinations, outdoor recreation areas, and other attractions in the Lehigh Valley

AMUSEMENT PARK

Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom

Allentown

Since 1884, Dorney Park has been a place families and friends have come for a day of fun. With more than 60 rides, shows, attractions, and a waterpark, Dorney has fun for everyone. dorneypark.com

ARTS AND MUSEUMS

Allentown Art Museum

For 90 years, the museum has provided art education and programming, and amassed an exceptional collection of artworks. It features inventive programs and experiences and enhanced exhibitions that offer fresh perspectives and encourage participation. allentownartmuseum.org

Bach Choir of Bethlehem

Bethlehem

The oldest Bach choir in the United States gave its first complete American performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor in 1900. The internationally famous choir has 90 volunteer singers perform-

ing with the Bach Festival Orchestra and distinguished soloists. bach.org

Miller Symphony Hall

Allentown

The hall is one of Pennsylvania’s “most historic” performing arts venues. It’s home to the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, with performance space for diverse artistic organizations, creating a vibrant cultural community. millersymphonyhall.org

State Theatre Center for the Arts

Easton

Opening in 1926, the State Theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It presents regular performances. statetheatre.org

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Crayola Experience

Easton

The magic of Crayola crayons comes to life here. With 65,000 square feet of attractions, it’s Penn sylvania’s most colorful family destination for interactive, creative play. crayola.com/factory

Da Vinci Science Center

Allentown

In the summer of 2024, the cen ter moved to its current facility in downtown Allentown. It’s become a major attraction with exhibits and programs that make science fun for learners of all ages. davincisciencecenter.org

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Schnecksville

The zoo is home to more than 325 animals representing over 125 species. lvzoo.org

OUTDOOR RECREATION

Bushkill Falls

Bushkill

High in the uplands of the Pocono Mountains, trails and bridges lace the area, affording splendid views of the falls and beyond. visitbushkillfalls.com

Columcille Megalith Park

Bangor

The park features more than 90 stone settings throughout its more than 20 acres. Strategically placed between 1980 and 2005, the stones are about 3.6 billion years old. columcille.org

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Kempton

The sanctuary educates through programs and events, while offering access to 8-plus miles of hiking trails for firsthand learning and observation. Visitors immerse themselves and experience raptors in this native habitat. hawkmountain.org

Fast of Tevet 10 1/10

15 Shevat

Purim

3/13 - 3/14

Pass over 4/12 - 4/20

Se cond Pass over

L ag B’Omer

Shavuot

The Thre e We eks 7/13 - 8/3

The 15 of Av 8/9

Tisha B'av 8/2 - 8/3

Rosh Hashanah

Yom Kippur

Sukkot

Shemini Atze-ret & Simchat Torah

Chanukah

Purim

Pass over Se cond Pass over 5/1

L ag B'Omer

Shavuot

The Thre e We eks 7/2 - 7/23

The 15th of Av 7/29

Tisha B'av 7/22 - 7/23

Fast of Tevet 10 12/30 15 Shevat 2/2

Rosh Hashanah

Yom Kippur

Sukkot

Shemini Atze-ret & Simchat Torah 10/2 -10/4 Chanukah 12/4 - 12/12

Fast of Tevet 10 12/20

ARTS & THEATER

Allentown Art Museum........................................

Artsquest.......................................................................

Muhlenberg College Theatre & Dance............

Northampton Community College Theatre..

CAMPING

Pinemere Camp............................

HEALTH CARE

Gordon Pediatric Dental........................................

Hakim Health Partners..........................................

Lehigh Valley Center for Sight...........................

Maimonidies Healthcare Directory..................

Mark I. Notis, DMD, PC...........................................

St. Luke’s University Health Network.......................................................

JEWISH EDUCATION

Berman Center for Jewish Studies, Lehigh University.....................................................................

Jack M. Barrack Academy..... Jewish Day School....................................................

15 Shevat 1/23

Purim

Pass over

Se cond Pass over 5/21

L ag B'Omer

Shavuot

The Thre e We eks 7/22 - 8/12

Tisha B'av 8/11 - 8/12

The 15th of Av 8/18

Rosh Hashanah

Yom Kippur

2027 8/22 8/29 9/5 9/12 9/19 9/22 9/23 9/26 10/1 10/3 10/6 10/7 10/10 10/13 10/14 10/17 10/24 10/31 11/7 11/14 11/21 11/28 12/5 12/12 12/19 12/26 7:31 7:20 7:09 6:57 6:46 6:41 7:37 6:34 6:26 6:22 6:17 7:14 6:11 6:06 7:03 6:00 5:50 5:41 4:33 4:27 4:22 4:18 4:17 4:17 4:19 4:23 6:49 6:56 7:03 7:09 8:09 7:11 7:15

Sukkot

Shemini Atze-ret & Simchat Torah 10/22 -10/24 Chanukah 12/24 - 1/1

EVENING CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES 2025 1/3 1/10 1/17 1/24 1/31 2/7 2/14 2/21 2/28 3/7 3/14 3/21 3/28 4/4 4/11 4/12 4/13 4/18 4/19 4/25 5/2 5/9 5/16 5/23 5/30 6/1 6/2 6/6 6/13 6/20 6/27 7/4 7/11 7/18 7/25 8/1 8/8 8/15 2026 1/2 1/9 1/16 1/23 1/30 2/6 2/13 2/20 2/27 3/6 4:30 4:36 4:44 4:52 5:01 5:10 5:18 5:26 5:35 5:42 6:50 6:57 7:05 7:12 7:19 8:21 8:22 7:27 8:29 7:34 7:41 7:48 7:55 8:02 8:07 8:09 9:17 8:12 8:16 8:18 8:19 8:18 8:16 8:11 8:06 7:59 7:51 7:41

Chabad of the Lehigh Valley...................................

Congregation Am Haskalah.....................................

Congregation Beth Avraham..................................

Congregation Bnai Shalom.......................................

Congregation Brith Sholom.....................................

Congregation Keneseth Israel.................................

Congregation Sons of Israel...................................... Hakol, the Jewish newspaper.................................

Jewish Community Center......................................

Jewish Family Service................................................

Temple Beth El...............................................................

LEGAL SERVICES

Scherline Injury Law..................................................

OLDER ADULTS Access Ability................................................................. Country Meadows Retirement Community....

Nose Lodge............................................................

3/13 3/20 3/27 4/1 4/2 4/3 4/7 4/8 4/10 4/17 4/24 5/1 5/8 5/15 5/21 5/22 5/29 6/5 6/12 6/19 6/26 7/3 7/10 7/17 7/24 7/31 8/7 8/14 8/21 8/28 9/4 9/11 9/12 9/18 9/20 9/25 9/26 10/2 10/3 10/9 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20 11/27 12/4 12/11 12/18 12/25

7:22 7:11 6:59 7:57 6:48 6:44 6:36 7:33 6:24

We’re Here For You!

Sometimes care can’t wait. That’s why The Isaacman Family St. Luke’s Children’s ER is here! Ready to treat unexpected injuries like sprains and breaks. Late night high fevers that won’t quit. Any emergency that comes your way. Our Children’s ER is just another way we’ve been caring for kids, and comforting parents, for 150 years.

Open & ready in Bethlehem! 24/7/365