community review www.jewishharrisburg.org
March 6, 2015 | 15 Adar, 5775 | Vol. 89; No. 5 Published by The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg | Greater Harrisburg’s Jewish Newspaper
Federation Welcomes a New Program Specialist The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg (JFGH) is pleased to welcome Steve Cooper to the team. Steve is the new Program Specialist in the Jewish Community Center (JCC). “I hope to grow the engagement of young adults in our community programs and the JCC.” This position will coordinate the Young Adults program and basketball sports league. He also helps out in the Early Learning Center with Discover CATCH as their gym teacher and assists Andrea Weikert with Summer Camp (day camp and travel camp). Steve is looking forward to the Young Adults event on March 21, 2015. He just booked Morgan Miller, a comedian from New York City and the Harrisburg Improv Groups the HIT SQUAD and Future Wives. Steve promises a night of full of laughs and a chance to meet new members that joined the Young Adults Club. You may recognize Steve; he has been working for the JCC
for the past seven years. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in History from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2008, he started his career as a summer camp counselor for the JCC’s travel camp. Once camp was done, Steve decided to stay on board to work at the front desk; he then received his promotion to Program Specialist. Steve enjoys the daily interaction with all of the members and loves hearing stories about how the JCC impacts their lives. On the weekends, you can find Steve watching TV, especially Shark Tank, The Profit, and the Food Network Channel. He loves playing basketball, traveling to new places, and spending time with his family. Steve looks forward to this opportunity with JFGH because he believes that the Harrisburg Jewish Community has something for everyone.
New Cardio Equipment Comes to the HBG JCC Fitness Center
The Sports and Fitness Department at the Harrisburg JCC strives to keep our fitness equipment new and exciting for our members. Recently, the Sports and Fitness Department leased six new spin bikes to replace our oldest and most heavily-used bikes. This will allow us to continue to offer top-notch spinning classes that our members have come to know and love. In the cardio area of the Fitness Center, members will see two new pieces of equipment, including a Life Fitness elliptical machine which replaced our oldest elliptical. In addition to the elliptical, the Sports and Fitness Department leased a new upper body ergometer. The machine works your arms and provides a great cardio workout. For more information on the JCC’s new fitness equipment or to schedule a time to try out our machines, please contact Terri at t.travers@jewishfedhbg.org or call our fitness desk at 2369555 ext. 3103
A Message from Margie Adelmann, CEO Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg Recently, I attended a focus group meeting and during the meeting participants discussed the many challenges facing teens and families today. Substance abuse, bullying, divorce, isolation, mental health issues, and the list went on. As I sat there, I started to feel that so many of these situations were hopeless. Later that night, as I reflected on the meeting, my sense of hopelessness faded with a realization that we, the Jewish Community Center can be an answer to these conditions. Through our programs year round, we bring people together. Young, old, families, singles, seniors and provide healthy alternatives and ways to combat these challenges. And our tag line resonated even more with me. We are a true Community Center where everyone is welcome. I know I say this frequently, but honestly it bears repeating! I hope you will save the date for our “BIG NIGHT” Peace, Love and the JCC, Saturday, December 5th at the Center. This event will culminate our yearlong celebration. So much has changed over the past 100 years, but one thing has remained constant. We are the Jewish Community Center, and community IS our middle name.
L’Shalom,
Community Review Vol. 89 No. 5 March 6, 2015 (ISSN 1047-9996) (USPS 126-860) Published bi-weekly by the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, 3301 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, Pa., 17110. Subscription rate: $50 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, Pa., and additional entry office. Editorial Board Members Margie Adelmann Esther Boldes Rabbi Carl Choper Aaron Dym Rita Gordon Jeanette Krebs STAFF Editor Patti Bromley p.bromley@jewishfedhbg.org Sales Director Marty Lamonoff 717 232-6279 717-877-5973 lammie@aol.com Design and Layout Benchmark Group Media Graphic Designer Shawn Skvarna Postmaster: Send address changes to Community Review, 3301 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, Pa., 17110.
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A copy of the official registration and financial information of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
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Mission Statement of The Community Review: Inform readers about local, national and international events of interest to Jews. Promote Jewish values, Jewish identity and a sense of Jewish community in central Pennsylvania. The opinions expressed in the Community Review do not necessarily reflect the position of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg. The Federation does not endorse any candidate or political party for any elected office.
fed e rat ion | a nnua l c a m pa ign
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BBYO WOW Convention – March 28th Please join us on Saturday night, March 28th, during the Liberty
Region
BBYO
WOW
Convention, for a communitywide Havdalah service/sing-along. This event is being hosted by your very own Harrisburg AZA and BBG teens at the Best Western Premier. It will be quite an impressive event with over 200 teens in attendance. The Best Western Premier (formerly Four Points Sheraton) is located at 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111. The service is from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and all are invited! Hope to see you there!
AARP DRIVER SAFETY CLASS WHERE: Jewish Community Center 3301 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110 WHEN: March 12 and March 13, 2015, 12:30PM to 4:30PM 8-hour classroom – no test – minimal fee ($20 to AARP – if you belong to AARP you receive a $5 discount- price as of Jan.1, 2014) Nation’s first and largest – Geared to your safety needs Learn how to compensate for age-related changes Learn the new traffic laws Review the rules of the road and much more Your state law requires all auto insurance companies provide a multiyear discount to program graduates* Millions of graduates; are you missing out? Registration call Cheryl, 236-9555 ext.3115 *Most Insurance companies will give you a minimum of 5% off your Insurance Premiums for three years when completing this course! Call your Insurance Company to see if you can financially benefit from taking this class!!! We only offer this two-day course once a year and you must take this course before being able to take the one-day refresher course in the future. 4 | community review | greater harrisburg’s jewish newspaper
Two Championship Journeys, One Big JCC Family Coach Terri Travers’ Reflection on Championship Night
The JCC basketball program proved yet again that it finds success both on and off the hardwood. The Middle School Boys and Middle School Girls teams both played for the Central Pennsylvania Basketball League Championship on Thursday, February 12. For the first time ever, the JCC hosted championship night and never do I remember the atmosphere of the JCC gym so electric. The JCC has been very fortunate to have played in many CPBL championships, and every year I try to take a moment to step back and take it all in. Last night has left a picture in my mind that I hope will stay with me forever. The stands were packed. Families and friends of our players came out in full force. However, in what has become typical JCC fashion, all of our boys’ families came out early for the girls’ game and the girls’ families all stayed for boys. The standouts in the crowd were our high school players, most of who went through our middle school program. Despite busy schedules, they took the night to come out and cheer on the teams. And cheer they did. With painted chests, homemade signs and very original cheers the JCC student section put the Cameron Crazies to shame. The family that has been created within our program is what makes me smile. Win or lose, we have kids who genuinely want to give back. Over holidays, our college students return to high school practice and upon graduation we have had numerous former players come back to help coach. That is what makes us family and ensures the success of our program. The Middle School Girls did the near impossible and finished the season undefeated. The girls were down a key player for the championship, but the girls didn’t let that stop them. Instead they played for Anna and for each other. We had numerous girls step up and fill roles they have never been asked to play. They went beyond what they thought possible to achieve the ultimate prize - an undefeated season and a championship. The Middle School boys started the season as 19 individuals. We returned only one starter from the 20132014 championship season, yet our 8th graders came together quickly to lead the charge. From day one they had one goal, to repeat as CPBL champions. An early season loss to Lancaster Country Day fueled the boys to push harder and learn to lean on each other. They quickly found out that one team working together was much stronger than 5 individuals on the court. The boys beat Lancaster Country Day the second time they squared off and never looked back. They got the championship they desired. As the season concludes, I am left feeling beyond thankful and blessed. I was fortunate enough to watch two teams come together and improve and reach their goal. Our players learned to deal with the ups and downs of a game and still display great sportsmanship. I often get compliments from refs, coaches and parents of our opponents. People realize that our kids play with class, which is more meaningful than any outcome of a game. I hope that they all go on to many great successes in the coming years and can take with them the valuable lessons from this season. Hard work can pay off. Sometimes a call or decision in life doesn’t go your way, but it is better to smile, brush it off and keep on fighting than to hang your head in frustration. Trusting those around you can make you better and more valuable. And finally, I hope they remember that each player and JCC team is part of something bigger. I have no doubt that these players will be our next group in our JCC student section, painting up and supporting future teams as that’s what our family does.
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Reintroducing our Community Relations Council By Communications Subcommittee Co-chairs Jennifer Ross and Jeanette Krebs Thanks to the leadership of Federation President, Mark Maisel, and Julie Wright Halbert, our region’s Community Relations Council has reemerged. Three committees will address critical issues locally, nationally and internationally: Communications, Public Affairs (Co-Chairs Steve Loux and Alex Halper) and Interfaith/ Intrafaith (Co-Chairs Ted Merwin and Rabbi Carl Choper). In the upcoming year, we will work with representatives from our community to proactively and reactively deal with issues. We will seek guidance from the Jewish Council of Public Affairs ( JCPA) while seeking input from our members. One piece of guidance we are adopting from JCPA is that all discourse will be civil. The following is language from the JCPA Compendium (Full 2012 Compendium from JCPA:http://engage. jewishpublicaffairs.org/t/1686/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=1069): The community relations field should: model civility in our own work based on a commitment to dialogue and mutual respect for those with whom we may disagree, and swiftly condemn acts of demonization, defamation, and demagoguery; mount Civil Discourse campaigns in communities throughout the country in cooperation with partner organizations; educate our community about the rich sources in our tradition that embrace civility as an ethical and moral duty and that warn of the consequences of incivility; develop resources including training modules for lay and professional leaders on conflict resolution, active listening, and respectful communication; advance programmatic and process oriented solutions for difficult communal issues that afford opportunities for disparate voices to be heard, respected, considered, and valued; examine the role of the internet and other media in the decline of civility; and develop respectful mechanisms to challenge false or defamatory communications. (Resolution 2010 Plenum) The CRC invites you to our first of two forums on Israel featuring expert Israel speakers representing diverse and informed perspectives, on Israel’s current challenges. On Monday, April 27 at 7:00 pm, we are welcoming Dr. Gershon Baskin to the JCC. Watch for details in the upcoming month regarding additional speakers to this series to ensure a broad perspective is represented and shared in our community. The CRC also plans to hold a primary debate in the fall to encourage discussions about current politics. One other planned outcome of the CRC is the development of a detailed Crisis Communications Plan for the Jewish Federation to deal with internal and external issues. CRC Communications co-chair Jeanette Krebs and Director of Development, Marketing and Communications Ivy Schneider are currently developing a draft for the committee’s consideration. If you have an interest in participating in the CRC, please contact CRC Chair Julie Halbert at jbhalbert@ comcast.net or Federation CEO Margie Adelmann at m.adelmann@jewishfedhbg.org.
community calendar SUNDAY, MARCH 8 Intergenerational Ethical Will Program, 5-7 p.m., JCC
SUNDAY, MARCH 15 William Close “Earth Harp” concert, 3:15 p.m., The Forum, Harrisburg
TUESDAY, MARCH 10 Seniors Lunch Program, 11:30 a.m., JCC Program: Business meeting/Birthday Party
TUESDAY, MARCH 17 Seniors Lunch Program, 11:30 a.m., JCC, Program: “The Jewish Perspective” with Bob Axelrod, 12:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12 Seniors Lunch Program, 11:30 a.m., JCC, Program: Help identify old JCC photos FRIDAY, MARCH 13 – SUNDAY, MARCH 15 Silver Academy 70th Anniversary Weekend
FRIDAY, MARCH 20 AARP Safe Driver Course, 12:30-4:30 p.m., JCC SUNDAY, MARCH 22 100-minute Fitness Challenge, 12:30 p.m., JCC
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 Seniors Lunch Program, 11:30 a.m., JCC, Program: Al Goodman/ Musical DVD AARP Safe Driver Course, 12:30-4:30 p.m., JCC Vendor Fair and Open House, 5-8 p.m., JCC
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
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JCC Adult Programs
Classes available at the Jewish Community Center: SilverSneakers® CLASSIC – Have Fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement, and activity for daily living skills. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles, and a ball are offered for resistance, and a chair is used for seated and/ or standing support. Tuesday/Thursday mornings 9:15 -10:15 a.m. AND Wednesday morning at 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. Drop-in Fee $7.00 per class. Free to JCC members and SilverSneakers® participants. SilverSneakers® CARDIO – Get up & go with an aerobic class for you – safe, heart healthy and gentle on the joints. The workout includes easy to follow low-impact movement and upper body strength, abdominal conditioning, stretching and relaxation exercises designed to energize your active lifestyle. Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:45-11:45 a.m. Dropin Fee $7 per class. Free to JCC members and SilverSneakers® participants. SilverSneakers® YOGA – Yoga will move your whole body through a complete series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of postures designed to increase flexibility, balance and range of movement. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation will promote stress reduction and mental clarity. Mondays and Wednesdays 11:45-12:30 p.m. Dropin Fee $7 per class. Free to JCC members and SilverSneakers® participants. Gentle Yoga – Easy Poses for those new to Yoga. Must be able to get down on to floor. Mondays at 9:45 -10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 5:00-5:45 p.m. Drop-in Fee $7 per class. Free to JCC members and SilverSneakers® nity participants. SilverSplash® – Activate your aqua urge for variety! urg, SilverSplash® offers lots of fun and shallow water moves to improve agility, flexibility and rch cardiovascular endurance. No swimming ability is PM required and a special SilverSneakers® kickboard is used to develop strength, balance and coordination. Mondays/Wednesday 9:30 -10:30 a.m. Drop-in Fee $7 est per class. Free to JCC members and SilverSneakers® RP participants. ou ce The Jewish Community Center is offering the following senior events: – Every Tuesday at 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. SilverSneakers Classic eds 10:30AM – Discussion Group, on the day we have for our Business Meeting (usually the 2nd Tuesday of the month) ws Every Thursday at 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. – SilverSneakers oad Classic
March 17, 2015 – “The Jewish Perspective” – Bob Axelrod, Educational Director at Beth El Temple March 19, 2015 – Al Goodman/ Musical DVD March 24, 2015 – John Maietta will discuss “The Story of the “Monuments Men”: Seventy years ago this spring, a dedicated group of 350 soldiers and civilians were scouring the World War II battlefields of Europe, often ahead of advancing Allied forces. Their mission: to find and protect the millions of paintings and other cultural objects that the Nazis had looted from museums, churches, and the private homes of wealthy Jews. In 2014, George Clooney brought the exploits of these unlikely heroes to the silver screen in the film “The Monuments Men.” This presentation goes beyond the Hollywood portrayal to tell the true and inspiring story of what has been called “the greatest treasure hunt in history.”
allSenior Lunch will be served Tuesdays and Thursdays at Noon. es Reservations are preferred two days in advance if unt possible, * but no later than 4:00PM the day before. re Call Cheryl 236-9555 EXT. 3115
After-Lunch Programs are: 36March 5, 2015 – Barry Stein, JFS Executive Director will address the group March 10, 2015 - Discussion group at 10:30 a.m. with will moderator Bruce Bayuk. After Lunch Business off meeting and Birthday Party or March 12, 2015 – Help Identify people in Old JCC Photos ng for the 100th Anniversary celebrations nce
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March 25, 2015 – Bus Trip to Shady Maple Restaurant and Fulton Theatre to see “The Producers” March 26, 2015 – Movie Day: “Seabiscuit” starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper. Length 2 hours, 21 minutes. A great American story based on the inspiring true story of three men - a jockey, a trainer and a businessman – and the undersized racehorse who took the entire nation on the ride of a lifetime. March 31, 2015 - – Knitting Without Borders – learn to knit Bears for Children in South America. We will be using size 7 or 8 needles (if you have them bring them) and we will need soft worsted weight yarn (if you have some at home that you would like to donate, let Cheryl know). Louisa Narins, Hadassah President, had asked us to participate in this project.
“Guess Who’s Coming to Shabbas?” Program a Huge Success! Harrisburg is one of the first communities to take this initiative out of the synagogue model and take it community wide. We know what an amazing, warm and welcoming community this is and only want to spread that. Our next “Guess Who’s Coming to Shabbas?” dinner will be Friday, March 27th. Our goal is to have 100 families participate, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Jewish Community Center. If you would like to host a dinner or you would like to be a guest at a home, please contact Leslie Wiener at l.wiener@jewishfedhbg.org or 717-236-9555 X3106.
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On January 30th, a Friday night, more than 50 families from the Greater Harrisburg Jewish Community shared Shabbat dinner in 10 different homes and 2 synagogues, as part of a new initiative called “Guess Who’s Coming to Shabbas?” Our goal for the community is that everyone will have either hosted or been invited to someone’s home for Shabbat dinner, as we continue the program. “Guess Who’s Coming to Shabbas?” is an initiative that was started at Temple Sinai in suburban Philadelphia in 2012. The initiative was actually conceived from a broken heart when Debbie Albert lost my father, Bernie Albert, z’l, in March 2012. Following his death, there was discussion among his family about what to do to honor his life. Those who knew him best agreed that it was essential that we do something to strengthen their congregation and help families create meaningful memories, two things Debbie’s father had devoted his life to. The idea? A Shabbat dinner pyramid scheme. They asked a handful of families to host other congregants for Shabbat dinner in their own homes, with the expectation that the guests would then serve as hosts in subsequent months. The program, which we hope will grow, has several essential elements. Among them: • No rules. We make it clear that everyone does Shabbat differently. Lighting candles, making Kiddush and saying motzi is “doing” Shabbat. We provide a brochure with the blessings in English, Hebrew and transliteration and also send hosts audio files with the brachot, the words to “Shalom Aleichem,” and the blessings for the children. • Thinking outside your comfort zone. We ask hosts to invite community members they don’t know well. Rather than guests reciprocating by inviting their hosts later on, we ask congregants to “pay it forward” by engaging new families. • Branding it. Branding, we hope, allows community members to feel as if they are part of something “big.” Hosts receive a reusable shopping bag containing a challah, the brochure and a packet of table-talk cards with questions for discussion, such as: “If you could invite anyone from the Torah to your Shabbas dinner, who would it be and why?”
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HEBREW HIGH GRADUATION SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 29 The entire community is cordially invited to attend the Harrisburg Hebrew High School graduation ceremony on Sunday evening, March 29th at 7:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Hebrew High graduation is achieved upon completion of five years of post B’nai Mitzvah Jewish education. We are very proud of the students who make up the 2015 Hebrew High School graduating class: Samuel Hirshberg, son of Sylvie and Alan Hirshberg Zoe Krevsky, daughter of Sandra and Sanford Krevsky Jeremy Peisner, son of Bonnie and David Peisner David Rosen, son of Paula and Michael z”l, Rosen Sam Rosen, son of Hallie and Larry Rosen Max Rubey, son of Michelle and Todd Rubey Hannah Spitz, daughter of Paula Levitas and Larry Spitz and step-daughter of Robert Levitas David Weitzman, son of Lori Weitzman and Martin Weitzman A very joyful mazel tov to our Hebrew High graduates and their families! We look forward to sharing our pride in their accomplishments with the community. 10 | community review | greater harrisburg’s jewish newspaper
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2015 JCC Spinathon Dedicated to Marlene Minkoff By Arthur Kravitz, SFR Chairman This past December, our community was saddened by the loss of our beloved, Marlene Minkoff. Her valiant fight against cancer is an inspiration to us all. Throughout her tenacious ordeal, Marlene never quit, and always maintained her grace, beauty and dignity. Marlene leaves behind countless friends, a devoted family, and her loving husband, Herm. As a show of support for the Minkoff family, our JCC Sports and Fitness Department is sponsoring a Spinathon. This event will be held at the JCC on Sunday, April 12. For up to three hours, participants will pedal hard to perpetuate the memory of Marlene. Marlene was a dedicated volunteer and
supporter of The Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg. Participants will be collecting pledges to benefit The Home in memory of Marlene. Anyone wishing to participate should contact Terri Travers or Linda Skulsky. Those who would like to contribute to the Jewish Home in memory of Marlene can direct their gift to the Jewish Federation of Greater, Attn: Linda Skulsky, 3301 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Donations can also be dropped off at the JCC. Additionally, there will be shirts available to purchase, the proceeds of which will also benefit The Jewish Home. Please contact Linda Skulsky about this.
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The Broken and the Whole: Discovering Joy After Heartbreak Visiting Rabbi and Author Charles Sherman to discuss rebuilding a life in the wake of heartbreak. http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/books/ article9750563.html (for further reference) WHEN: 3pm-5pm, Sunday, April 19, 2015 WHERE: Chisuk Emuna Congregation, 3219 Green Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 ADMISSION: Free Signing Interpreter present for Hearing Impaired
Harrisburg, PA – Charles Sherman, the senior rabbi of the largest synagogue in central New York, will discuss his acclaimed Scribner/Simon & Schuster book The Broken and the Whole: Discovering Joy After Heartbreak at Harrisburg’s Chisuk Emuna Congregation on Sunday, April 19th. The Broken and the Whole is a wise, uplifting memoir about a rabbi’s search for understanding and his discovery of hope and joy after his young son suffered a catastrophic brain-stem stroke. The stroke left the child a quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator for each breath. Although the ground had shifted beneath the Sherman family’s feet, they were able to find comfort, pleasure, and courage in one another, their community, their faith, and in the love they shared. The experience pointed Rabbi Sherman toward the answers to some of life’s biggest questions: To what lengths should parents go to protect their children? How can marriage endure unthinkable hardship? How can we maintain faith in God when tragedy occurs? Is it possible to experience joy alongside continuing heartbreak? In answering these questions, Charles Sherman has written a profound and meaningful memoir with surprising levity and great insight. Lauded for inspirationally setting forth “how to survive in the face of calamity” by Publishers Weekly, for being “heart wrenching, inspiring, and ultimately reassuring” by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, and for being “deeply moving, extraordinarily though-provoking, and entirely humane” by Kirkus Reviews, The Broken and the Whole follows in the same vein as bestsellers like Tuesdays with Morrie, The Last Lecture, and When Bad Things Happen to Good People .It is a moving, honest, and refreshing examination on rebuilding life in the wake of heartbreak. BOOKS WILL BE ON SALE AND CAN BE AUTOGRAPHED BY RABBI SHERMAN.
About Chisuk Emuna Chisuk Emuna Congregation, a warm and welcoming congregational family founded by Eastern European immigrants in 1883, is led by Rabbi Ron Muroff. It continues to provide a traditional, Jewish home to members of the Greater Harrisburg Jewish community from all ages, backgrounds and levels of observance. Chisuk Emuna suffered a devastating structural fire in 2009 and opened the doors of their beautiful new building in May 2013. The facility serves as a place for prayer and study, life cycle and other celebrations, cultural and social action programming and as a meeting space for local organizations in the surrounding community.
PJ Library & Gamut Theater’s Popcorn Hat Players Collaborate On January 29th, a group of current and past PJ Library children performed the play rendition of Estie the Mensch (a PJ Library favorite). The students had spent 12 weeks working with Tara Herweg, of Gamut Theater, as their teacher to study theater. This class models the Popcorn Hat Players education department’s Theater Basics I class.
the Harrisburg Shakespeare Company. Our mission is to tell classic stories in new & exciting ways. We strive to present quality theatric performances for the enrichment of Central Pennsylvania by making theatre accessible in a way that educates, entertains, and inspires adults and children alike.
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The collaboration of the two local non-profits was funded d by the The Lipsett Supporting Foundation Fund of the Jewish w Community Foundation of Central Pennsylvania. The concept r was to bring two programs in our local community that serve ” ,children in a fun, educational, and creative way, and work ytogether to cross promote and strengthen the impact of their ereach. , The Popcorn Hat Players took the EstieThe Mensch book and created a script from it, so that the students could showcase what they learned in a performance. Not only did friends and family come out to see, but over 10 PJ Library families braved the snowy weather to come out and enjoy the show. The students were really great, it was very evident that they learned a lot while having fun. PJ Library and Gamut Theater hope to continue their working relationship in the future.
g PJ LIBRARY Is a Jewish Family Engagement program n implemented on a local level throughout North America. We mail free, high-quality Jewish children's literature and dmusic to in the Greater Harrisburg area. PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, made possible lthrough a partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg. is the combined Theatre l GAMUT THEATER GROUP Company of the Popcorn Hat Players Children's Theatre and
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Harrisburg Together By Carol Hillman On April 10, 1994, the Holocaust Memorial for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the corner of Front and Sayford Streets was dedicated. The impetus for the creation of the Monument, along with funding for it, came from Harrisburg’s survivors of the Shoah. The land the Monument sits on in Riverside Park was donated by the City of Harrisburg. It was an enormous task to create Pennsylvania’s Holocaust Monument. Several years later, Temple Beth Shalom, under the leadership of Rabbi Carl Choper, sponsored Greater Harrisburg’s first Reading of the Names on Yom Hashoah. Yom Hashoah is the Day of Remembrance of the six million Jews slaughtered in the Holocaust. Since then, the annual Reading of Names has become a community-wide event. Since 1994 the weather in Harrisburg has taken a toll on the Monument. The Jerusalem stone, which forms the base of the Monument, has been crumbling with each freeze and thaw. Weeds are growing up through the base. The black granite slabs that surround the Monument and tell the story of the Shoah need to be re-corked. In May of 2014, Temple Beth Shalom chaired an event called Harrisburg Walks Together to bring all the communities in Harrisburg together to honor the lessons of the Holocaust and preserve the PA Holocaust Monument. With the help of many of you living in Harrisburg, members of the Jewish community and many others, we held a successful Walk and raised $8,500. 200 community members supported our efforts. Thanks to everyone who helped. Not only did we raise money; we raised awareness. The Monument has had some new visitors this past year. Two prominent members of Harrisburg's black community have both brought teenagers from Jump Street to visit the Monument and learn about it from an historical, artistic and symbolic point of view. These groups were not Jewish, but they are good people who want to understand and learn from the lessons of the Holocaust. Dr. Robin Redman Wright, a professor at Penn State Harrisburg is teaching a graduate course entitled Social and Historical Issues in Adult Learning and has invited me, as chair of the event, to speak to her class about anti-Semitism, our efforts to bring the community together to preserve the Monument and to recruit her students to serve on our Steering Committee. This fall we were able to get an estimate of the cost of repairing the Monument. Those repairs, which will include replacing the Jerusalem stone in a substantial base and caulking the granite, will cost $25,000. With the $8,500, we are one third of the way there! Because we are most anxious to make the repairs before the cost goes up, we have tweeted our event in the hopes of raising the full $25,000 this year. On Sunday, April 12, 2015 we will hold Harrisburg Together, a timed 5K Run and simultaneously an untimed 1 mile Walk starting at River Front Pavilion on City Island and ending at the PA Holocaust Monument on the corner of Sayford and Front Streets. Registration will start at 1 p.m. At 3 p.m. medals will be given out to runners, followed by a brief program at the Monument. We hope all of you will help us honor the lessons of the Holocaust and raise the additional $20,000 we need to make the repairs. Please look for more information coming up and contact me at carol@parss.org to join Harrisburg Together or if you would like to contribute to the Fund to repair the Monument. We, at Temple Beth Shalom, hope that in some small way we are making the Greater Harrisburg community a better home for everyone.
Dr. Jonathan Milgram Jewish Theological Seminary Talmud Professor and Chisuk Emuna High Holiday Cantor Scholar in Residence March 6-7, 2015 Song and Study: Exploring Jewish Spiritual Pathways Friday Evening Shabbat Services & Dinner “A Musical Interactive Shabbat” Dr. Milgram will teach melodies that bring this service alive as we welcome Shabbat together. Mincha/Afternoon Service, 5:40 pm, Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 pm, followed by Maariv and a Dinner, by reservation only. Shabbat Morning, 9:15 am On Shabbat morning, Dr. Milgram will present a sermon and luncheon talk on Torah Study as part of the 70 Days for 70 Years Program Honoring the Memory of the Six Million, entitled, “Memory, Manuscript and Modernization: From Mishna to Microsoft.” Shabbat Afternoon Services, Study and Dinner, beginning at 5:00 pm “How Many Questions in the Four Questions?” Dr. Milgram will illustrate the connection between the medium and message of Torah study with an exploration of the development of the Four Questions of the Haggadah from the Mishnah to our Haggadot today. Mincha/Afternoon Service at 5 pm, followed by Seudah Shlisheet, a light dinner, including Torah Study with Dr. Milgram, Maariv and Havdallah. Dr. Jonathan Milgram is assistant professor of Talmud and Rabbinics at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Dr. Milgram has a BA from Columbia University and a BA from JTS. He earned his MA and rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University and his PhD from Bar-Ilan University. For more information, contact Susan at the Chisuk Emuna office, 717-232-4851 or info@chisukemuna.org.
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www.jewishharrisburg.org
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sy n agogue life A Purim Letter to Students -and the Rest of Us By Rabbi Akiva Males Each year at this time, Ricki Gold leads Kesher Israel Congregation’s effort in sending out Purim Care Packages to our college students. This is a beautiful project that our Shul is proud to carry out. Over the years, many students have told me how much these care packages have meant to them. I am always happy to write a short holiday letter to be included in the package. After writing my letter for this year’s Purim package, it struck me that while my letter was written for today’s college students, the message is for all of us – regardless of age. Wishing you a Happy Purim! Rabbi Akiva Males Adar, 5775 / February, 2015 Dear KI students, I hope you are well. Thursday, February 26th, is also the 7th day of Adar. Did you know that day of Adar plays a big role in the Rabbinic traditions and commentary surrounding Megilas Esther? Commenting on Esther 3:7, the Talmud in Megilah 13b tells us that when Haman cast lots to see which month would be the most favorable one in which to carry out his plan to annihilate the Jewish people, he rejoiced when the month of Adar was chosen. Why should this have encouraged him? It was because the Jewish people had already suffered a terrible historical setback during Adar -- on the 7th of which, Moshe (our greatest teacher) died so many centuries earlier. As such, Haman felt that Adar was a month of bad Mazel / fortune for the Jewish people. The Talmud goes on to state that had Haman studied Jewish history a bit more closely, he would not have been so excited. True, Moshe left this world on the 7th of Adar, but that same day was also the day he was born 120 years earlier. As such, Haman’s quick assessment of the month of Adar was completely wrong. Adar is not a month destined for doom and gloom for the Jewish people. It can just as well be viewed as a month full of hope and good tidings. This really is the essence of Megilas Esther -- “V’nahapoch Hu” (Esther 9:1) -- the great turnabout that we celebrate on Purim. Purim teaches us that what may have looked so ominous just moments earlier can actually be the very source of blessing and rescue. We’ve just entered the month of Adar. Once again, the Persian kingdom (modern day Iran) is threatening Am Yisrael – the Jewish people – with annihilation. While arm-chair generals, bloggers, and political commentators seem to know exactly what Israel and/or the US needs to do about this modern day Haman, we know there are no easy solutions to this very real looming crisis. Our fervent prayer is that in this month of Adar, G-d should bring us another Purim miracle. Let us remember V’nahapoch Hu – the great Purim turnabout. Despite how terrible things may seem for our people, Purim reminds us that our fortune can turn on a dime, and G-d can save our people from the jaws of destruction -- just as He showed us in the days of Mordechai and Esther. This Adar may we all merit seeing a true Purim turnabout that will bring a sense of relief and joy to Am Yisrael / the Jewish people. Layala & I wish you a happy Purim! Sincerely, Rabbi Akiva Males
BETH EL TEMPLE 232-0556 www.betheltemplehbg.org Minyan 7 a.m. daily and 5:30 p.m. Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 p.m. Shabbat morning service 9:15 a.m. Saturday night mincha/maariv/havdalah at same time as Friday evening candlelighting time PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
CHISUK EMUNA CONGREGATION 232-4851 | www.chisukemuna.org info@chisukemuna.org Weekly Minyan times: Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Thursday mornings, 6:50 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings, 7:15 p.m. Friday, March 6th, 5:40 pm: Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, March 7th: Shabbat morning service begins at 9:15. Mazel Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation, 10:15 – noon. Women’s Torah Study led by Dr. Maggie Grotzinger, 10:30 – noon. Shabbat Mincha, Torah Study and Maariv, 5:45 pm. Sunday, March 8th, 10:00 – 11:30 am: Dorot Project at the Residence and Jewish Home Friday, March 13th, 6:50 pm: Erev Shabbat Service Saturday, March 14th: Shabbat morning service begins at 9:15. Mazel Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation, 10:15 – noon. CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL Lebanon | 273-2669 Visit the Congregation Beth Israel Web Site at www.congregation-beth-israel.org All are welcome to our egalitarian services: Sundays at 9 a.m., Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. Our Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Paula Reimers, are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday evenings and on Shabbat morning at 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
CONGREGATION BETH TIKVAH Carlisle | 245-2811 www.bethtikvah.org Friday Night Shabbat Services 7:15 pm Location: Asbell Center, 262 West High Street, Carlisle
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Dates: March 6, 13, 20, 27 Everyone is welcome to join us! PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
HISTORIC B’NAI JACOB Middletown | 319-3014 www.bnai-jacob.org Historic B’nai Jacob Synagogue, Water and Nissley Streets in Middletown, will conduct Purim services and Megillah Reading on Friday, March 6th at 7:30 pm We are a Community Shul, all are welcome Tel (717) 319-3014 Visit our website for more information. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
KESHER ISRAEL CONGREGATION 238-0763 | www.kesherisrael.org Participate in our daily Minyanim. Mornings: Sundays and Federal holidays at 8 a.m., Monday through Friday at 6:45 a.m. Rosh Chodesh and fast days at 6:30 a.m. Evening services begin at 20 minutes before sunset. Please join us for our 9 a.m. Shabbat morning services - followed by Kiddush. Please contact our Office Manager, Cecelia Baker, at (717) 238-0763 for information about our congregation. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
TEMPLE BETH SHALOM 697-2662 | www.tbshalom.org Temple Beth Shalom’s Friday evening Shabbat Services are at 7:15 p.m, followed by an oneg in the social hall. Services are led by Rabbi Daniel Grossman and Lay Leaders of Beth Shalom. Please check the website calendar for details Saturday Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Grossman, will be held on March 7 and 21. Temple Beth Shalom’s Annual Community Passover Seder will be held on Saturday, April 4. Please check the website or contact the Temple office for details or to sign up! For details on upcoming Temple Beth Shalom services and events, check the website: http://tbshalom.org. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
TEMPLE OHEV SHOLOM 233-6459 | www.ohevsholom.org Friday, March 6: Shabbat Services, 6:00 p.m., Lehrman Chapel Saturday, March 7: Purim Spiel – contact Temple office for details, 233-6459 Friday, March 13: Shabbat Services, 6:00 p.m., Lehrman Chapel Friday, March 20: Fifth Grade Family Services, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary Saturday, March 21: Bar Mitzvah — Ben Kluger, 10:30 a.m., Sanctuary Friday, March 27: Shabbat Services, 6:00 p.m., Lehrman Chapel
l i f e cy c l e DOROTHY (BACHMAN) SCHWAB Dorothy (Bachman) Schwab, 79, of Harrisburg, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at home. She was the loving wife of 35 years of Andrew Schwab. She was born in Carbondale on June 19, 1935, a daughter to the late Edward Dale and Alice (Haley) Bachman. She enjoyed vacationing at the beach, especially Hawaii and Avalon, NJ. Dorothy was a woman who valued family and put that above all else. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly. In addition to her beloved husband, Andrew, she is survived by her children, Michael D. Roach of Wyandotte, MI, and Mark S. Roach and his wife, Jennifer Craig, of Harrisburg; her grandchildren, Emma and Max Roach; her sister, Suzanne Wise and her husband, Kenneth, of Hummelstown; her caregiver, Patricia Yeboah; and her dog, Star. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Richard W. Roach. Services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. HetrickBitner Funeral Home, Harrisburg handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dauphin County Library, Community Relations Department, 101 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101; or to Habitat For Humanity, PA United Church Center, 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 131A, Harrisburg, PA 17109. To offer condolences to the family, please visit, www. HetrickBitner.com.
years to the late Philip Sundick who died October 8, 2014. Shirley retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where she was an accountant for more than 20 years. Shirley is survived by two daughters, Paula C. Gould of Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Anita C. Zegers and her husband Jon of Harrisburg; six grandchildren, Benjamin, Joshua, Jessica, Erika, Samara and Jonah and one great-grandson, Jax. Services were held on Monday, February 23rd at Chisuk Emuna Cemetery Chapel, with Rabbi Ron
Muroff officiating. Burial was in Chisuk Emuna Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Horizons Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LGJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244. The Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. To share online condolences, please visit HetrickBitnerFuneralHome.com.
SHIRLEY SUNDICK Shirley Sundick, 89, of Harrisburg, PA passed away Saturday, February 21, 2015 at her home. Born July 21, 1925 in New York, NY she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Rose (Kirman) Grand. She was the wife of 66
CANDLELIGHTING March 6 .............5:44 p.m. March 13 ...........6:51 p.m. March 20 ...........6:59 p.m. www.jewishharrisburg.org
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