Community Review - August 12, 2022

community review

Temple Ohev Sholom Welcomes Interim Rabbi to Harrisburg

BY ADAM GROBMAN

At Rabbi Marc Kline’s first service as the interim rabbi at Temple Ohev Sholom, he dove right into the deep end.

“I told the congregation ‘Change is scary,’” he says. “Nobody is sure what will happen - but the difference between fear and courage is taking the step anyway.”

Rabbi Marc (as he prefers to be called) has built his life in the face of change. In the early 1990s, he changed careers after becoming disillusioned with his work as a lawyer in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In each of his three previous congregations, he’s stepped into difficult situations and had to figure out how to lead and transform his communities.

And in 2008, after his first wife, Cindy, passed away, he had to find a way to move forward.

He’s successfully navigated each step of the way. And he hopes to lead Temple Ohev Sholom in transforming over the two-year term of his interim contract.

“I hope that the congregation figures out who we want to be in the year 2023 and beyond,” he says. “My job is to help make that happen - not do it for them, but to help them see what the best practices are, with the understanding that yesterday’s answers are proving to become less relevant.”

Rabbi Marc was unanimously recommended to Ohev Sholom’s board by the thirteen-member search committee, which was co-chaired by Shelley Adler and Bruce Feldman.

“Rabbi Marc far and away demonstrated the kinds of personality traits, skill sets, knowledge, and understanding that we were looking for,” Bruce says. “He brings experience in working with congregations in transition and we knew that it was important to help our congregation find common ground and a path forward.”

The synagogue has undergone multiple changes in recent months, including hiring local Jewish educator Sally Jo Bronner as its Religious School Director.

Born in Las Vegas, NV, Rabbi Marc drifted away from Judaism after his bar mitzvah ceremony. “The day after, my

rabbi threw me out of the synagogue,” he says. “He said that I didn’t see God the same way he did and that I was wrong.”

He began his ‘path back’ after his wife, Cindy, converted to Judaism. “When we went out on Friday, we’d go to Temple first,” he says. He began getting more involved with his Reform synagogue, tutoring students and eventually joining a program called Rabinnic Aid, which gave lay leaders tools to help their Reform congregations.

“I decided I enjoyed what I was doing at the synagogue,” he says. “So I told my wife ‘I think I’m going to go to rabbinical school’ and never looked back.”

He enrolled in Hebrew Union College - where his first-year study in Jerusalem was cut short due to the Gulf War - and was ordained in 1995. Since then, he’s made stops in South Carolina, Kentucky, and New Jersey, before accepting the interim role in Harrisburg.

“It is our strong belief that Rabbi Marc Kline is the right choice for our temple at this time,” says Audrey Miner, Board President of Temple Ohev Sholom. The search committee plans to begin its search for a permanent rabbi next year.

Rabbi Marc takes a modern approach to service and scripture, which he shared during his first Friday night service in Harrisburg. “The people were so warm and I think everybody will say we had a good time with a lot of good ruach - spirit,” he says.

He comes to Harrisburg along with his current wife, Lori Bernard, and their sixteen-year-old dog, Novus. Between them, they have seven children, including “an exchange student who never left.”

Rabbi Marc is looking forward to his first “official” service at Temple Ohev Sholom on August 19th, where musician and friend Steve Dropkin will join in leading the congregation in prayer and song.

“My grandfather told me ‘if you love what you do, it’s not work,’” he says. “And I can’t believe that I get paid to do this work that I love doing.”

Rabbi Marc Kline

JCCs: A Bridge Across Generations

BY ARNIE SOHINKI

for this year’s International Youth Day (a UN-designated awareness day on August 12) is “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages.” The UN shares that “solidarity across generations is key for sustainable development. We must collaborate to foster successful and equitable intergenerational relations and partnerships to ensure ‘no one is left behind.’”

It’s hard to think of a place that brings people together across generations more than a community center, JCCs in particular. In one room, Senior Adult Club hosts its weekly lunch programs in the morning, while youth summer camp performs its theatrical finale at night. Other times, the two generations meet at events, cross paths in the hallways, and come together for collaborative programming. Infants, toddlers, and pre-k students welcome Shabbat or participate in Havdallah just before or after a dance exercise wellness program livens the hallways with music.

When I started my career with BBYO (AZA and BBG), I saw the impact that Jewish communal programming can have on youth and that youth can have in their community. BBYO has successfully built Jewish identity and future leaders in the Jewish community and the community at large for more than 75 years, although AZA and BBG, as separate organizations, have been doing it for much longer. I’m happy to see that BBYO is re-energized to kick off another year of impact in our community with their social on August 21st (details on page 7).

Working with youth can be both challenging and rewarding, but they are valuable assets to our community and the future leaders and stakeholders. When given the support, guidance, and opportunities to strengthen their skills, they grow in their ability to positively contribute to our community and make a difference.

As summer camp ends and school gears back up, I want to say todah rabah - thank you - to all of our participants – from infants/toddlers in ELC to our seniors on the basketball court – for filling our JCC and community with energy, life, and spirit every single day.

Community Review

Vol. 96, No. 16 August 12, 2022 (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

Roberta Krieger

Rabbi Carl Choper Rita Gordon

Jeanette Krebs Arnie Sohinki

STAFF Editor Adam Grobman a.grobman@jewishfedhbg.org

Sales Director Ayelet Shanken 717-409-8222 a.shanken@jewishfedhbg.org

Design and Layout

Lisette Stahl

Graphic Designer Lisette Stahl

Postmaster: Send address changes to Community Review, 3301 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA., 17110.

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.

Adam Bomb: Local Duo Break Ground in Booming Card Community

BY ADAM GROBMAN

Growing up in Uptown Harrisburg, Sam Gras was an avid collector of Garbage Pail Kids cards.

“The former Family Pharmacy on 2nd and Lewis was our go-to place to buy twenty-five cent packs of cards,” he recalls. “They were incredible.”

The infamous humor of the series – and the artwork – struck a chord with Sam. “Among comic books, nothing was at that level of artistry – even if it was potty humor, it was exquisite.”

So by the time Sam had a child of his own, he wanted to share the spark of creativity that he experienced. He began to bring his daughter, “Tiz,” to comic book conventions (comic cons), and would create costumes for the two of them based on popular characters. Together, they’ve created costumes based on Lex Luther, SuperGirl, Bat Girl, and others.

“It was all about my daughter and I doing something fun together,” Sam says. “She expected me to be Batman to her Robin.”

As he attended more and more conventions across the country, Sam got to meet and become friendly with the artists who had captured his imagination in his youth. He also met some of the people running the shows,

like Roxanne Toser of Harrisburg, a legendary card seller and magazine publisher who has run the Philadelphia Non-Sports Card Show with her family for about fifteen years. The show is held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.

“I met Roxanne at the show and found out that she was from Harrisburg – we played Jewish geography, and of course she knew my dad, Norman,” Sam says. “From there, we had a friendship – she’s somebody who is highly respected in the card community.”

Roxanne, a collector herself with eclectic taste, has for a long time been one of the few, if not only, women in the card-selling industry. She’s sold and collected cards from the Beverly Hillbillies, Hogan’s Heroes, and even ‘Torah Personalities.’

“I was told not to sell those on Shabbat,” she remembers. “We showed them to Rabbi David Silver, and he knew a lot of the rabbis!”

While COVID brought challenges – like the cancellation of conventions and shows –it also spurred resurgence in collecting and value of cards.

“In the 1970s, kids threw these things away,” Roxanne says. “Then all of a sudden, they see them again and want them back – it

brings back happy memories of trading with friends in school.”

While many can remember feeling enveloped in the world of their collections, very few actually become a part of it. Through Sam’s costumes and a special collaboration with card company Topps, he has carved out his own unique place in the world of Garbage Pail Kids.

“My friend Joe Simcoe – one of the artists for Topps – asked me one day, ‘What’s the next costume?’ and I kind of scratched my head,” Sam says. “Making an Adam Bomb costume would be a dream come true – I’d never seen anyone make him before.”

Roxanne says that Adam Bomb is “the most iconic Garbage Pail Kids character.” Cards featuring his image are listed for hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on eBay.

Sam says that he met with Joe and Topps (with licensing requirements, special permission is needed to attend shows as proprietary characters), and was asked to make his costume within about four months.

“I worked every night on this costume – it was a lot of trial and error,” he says. Eventually he hit the ‘con crunch,’ the last week or so before a convention when blueprints go out

the window and cosplayers follow their muse to finish the costume in time.

The costume was a masterpiece – one that Sam has worn to the New York Toy Fair, New York Comic-Con, and the Philly Non-Sports Card Show.

“Sam’s costume is just fantastic,” Roxanne says. “How he made a costume to look like that is beyond belief.”

But, Sam says, the story didn’t end there.

“One of the challenges of being in the costume is that, while it’s nice to be there, people want to commemorate,” he says. “Everyone wants a card.”

Sam worked with Topps and their artists to create a card featuring his version of Adam Bomb, which was presented at Roxanne’s show. The card even features a shout out to Roxanne, with one of the characters holding a sign reading “This Rox.”

“To be able to work with the artists to make the card, the layout, design – it’s something my eightyear-old self would be running up the walls if he ever knew,” Sam says. “There’s no money in being a collector – but to be able to take something that I grew up with, that had an impact on my life, and that I still love to this day and be able to make it my own is a dream come true.”

Roxanne Toser, center, stands next to Sam Gras as Adam Bomb. At right, a special edition Topps card featuring Sam's "Adam Bomb" costume.

THE GRASS CAMPUS

is in full bloom!

Across the Campus’ six acres, flowers, greenery, and wildlife brighten the future home of Jewish Harrisburg.

Editor’s Note: On July 31st, 2002 (22 Av 5762), Harrisburg native Benjamin Blutstein was killed in the terror bombing at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His 20th Yahrzeit will take place on August 19th. In honor of Ben’s memory, his parents Drs. Katherine Baker & Richard Blutstein, invite community members to join them for a Siyum, minyan, and refreshments at their home at 3484 N. 3rd St. on August 21st at 12pm.

The following text was read by Dr. Katherine Baker in a recorded message at this year’s Yom Hazikaron Commemoration at the Harrisburg JCC.

Yair Lapid wrote “When you lose someone, your life - the way you know it - will never be the same. Your family is still yours, but there is a difference now. It is not true that life goes on. It stops - and then restarts differently.”

As of 2021, a total of 27,428 people have been killed in Israel as members of the

BY DR. KATHERINE BAKER

military or in terror attacks. During the 2nd intifada from 2002 – 2005, 1,201 were killed in fighting and terror attacks. Sixty-four of these were foreign citizens.

Twenty years ago, on July 31st, 2002, my son Benjamin Blutstein was one of those killed in the terror bombing at Hebrew University. One out of 27,428 is a small number. Twenty years is a very long time.

Many of you do not know who Ben was –so let me try to give you an idea of who we was and tell you a little about him.

Like all individuals, Ben was complex with good and not so good traits. He was smart, kind, and passionate about everything he did.

He was the big brother who walked his little sister, Rivkah, to elementary school at the JCC and who yelled at her when she touched his Star Wars figures.

He was the young boy who attended Temple Beth Shalom, Chisuk Emuna, and

Kol HaNeshama Sustains the Vision of Its Founder

BY SUSAN LEVITON (AND OTHER FRIENDS OF JANET)

Janet Frankel Staub, z”l, was a woman of great vision and unstoppable energy! She was a brilliant and passionate family therapist; adored her family and her friends, opera, her dogs, her Jewish world, and more; and was the embodiment of a mover and shaker. Oh, yes! In the years we knew each other, which predated and grew after our individual moves to Harrisburg from Philadelphia, I continually knew Janet to be the kind of friend whose focus and appreciation were deep.

When she was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she threw herself into treatment plans AND mapping out the lasting legacies Janet wanted to have extend beyond her life. She had always dreamed of singing in an adult a cappella Jewish choral group, and she embarked on an action plan to turn this dream into reality. In 2014, Janet directed much of her remaining energy to founding Kol HaNeshama, the Harrisburg Jewish Chorus, an activity of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg that transcended individual affiliations. Janet sang with us until her death in April 2015. Those of us who knew her still rehearse and sing with her passion and vision in our hearts.

Janet’s chorus established a yearly event to honor her memory, featuring our own music as well as bringing outstanding musicians and musical scholars to our community. We also sing at community gatherings and celebrations, area synagogues, colleges, and senior centers. We perform music composed

in a variety of styles with Jewish texts taken from traditional liturgical and contemporary sources, and more recently expanded our repertoire to include American music by Jewish lyricists and composers.

Kol HaNeshama has weathered the loss of members, the isolation of the pandemic, and the challenge of older, amateur singers learning complex harmonies in multiple languages. Under the brilliant leadership of Marina Cherepinsky, our Artistic Director, Still We Persist, making great music. We look to performing again to share with our community.

We seek to expand our ranks now that we are easing back into in-person and hybrid rehearsing schedules. Please! If you sing in the shower, if you sing Broadway hits in the car by yourself, or even if you hum along and wish you could sing Jewish music among patient and enthusiastic friends, consider joining us! We make audio rehearsal files available for each of our songs, and the encouragement to learn and become more accomplished singers is matchless. Kol HaNeshama is a sweet musical retreat and if you join us, you will find delight in the creation of music beyond your expectations!

To learn more, please contact Dave Spector, our Administrative Director (717-533-6483, djspector@icloud.com) or Marina Cherepinsky (717-651-6641, mnc2@ live.com) or go to https://jewishharrisburg. org/kol.

Kesher Israel as his family looked for where they belonged in Judaism.

He was the student at Pardes in Jerusalem preparing to be a Jewish educator and he was a member of both Harrisburg and Jerusalem chapters of Narcotics Anonymous.

He was a Talmud scholar and a hip hop DJ – although he did not spin on Shabbat.

He played at a rally for peace in Tel Aviv, and the following Shabbat davened across the Green Line in Mitzpe Yericho.

He loved music. He loved Israel. He loved Torah.

Who would he be now? I don’t know.

In an email to my mother the Thanksgiving before he was murdered, Ben said “I’m not even sure what most of the people at your Thanksgiving dinner think of my studying in Israel now. Perhaps they think I’m kind of crazy for being in a dangerous part of the world. Perhaps they are right. But I feel

I am doing something very important – I’m growing and changing. I don’t know where this learning is taking me, but I think it’s where I should be going.”

Who would Ben be? Who would any of the soldiers and civilians killed from the state of Israel be?

I don’t know. I wish I did.

Benjamin Blutstein,

Simplify Your Family's Charitable Gifting!

Our Donor Advised Philanthropic Fund (DAF) is Our Personal Charitable Gifting Fund

Our DAF helps us to conveniently manage our charitable giving. We may even involve our children and grandchildren in the decisions. We feel good knowing that they may even take over when we are gone. We give when we want to and the Foundation (JCF) manages our Fund to save us time. We can also take full advantage of the available tax benefits!

What is a Donor Advised Fund? A charitable fund from which you, the donor, can make gift recommendations to support qualified charities that are meaningful to you.

Why Create Your DAF Charitable Gifting Fund?

Funds held in a DAF grow tax-free. 

Simplify your philanthropy make all your charitable gifts from one fund. Let the JCF do all the record keeping! 

Make your tax deductible contribution using cash or securities to establish a DAF in your Family name. Contributions of cash or securities held by you for at least a year are fully deductible. 

Recommend gifts from the fund to charities you wish to support - at any time - freeing you from the pressure of making quick decisions. 

Unless you request anonymity, gift checks are sent to causes you recommended with a letter advising recipients to thank you for the gift. 

Your children can join you in making charitable gifts now, or as your successors inspiring future generations to carry on the tradition of charity (tzedakah) established by you. JCF can assist you with family planning strategies. 

DAF’s provide advantages of a private foundation while eliminating legal and accounting costs and excise taxes on investment income. 

You can easily convert your DAF into your legacy gift and ensure that you support your favorite causes forever!

Do what is in your heart & secure the Jewish community now and in the future!

Will a DAF accomplish your goals? Support what is important to you!

Contact Paulette Keifer to discuss.

Paulette.Keifer@pajewishendowment.org or (904) 307 -2413

Synagogue Life

BETH EL TEMPLE

2637 N Front St | (717) 232-0556 | www.bethelhbg.org

Beth El Temple has resumed in-person Friday evening and Shabbat morning services. We also offer a mix of in-person and Zoom minyans. For more information, visit Beth El's website.

CHISUK EMUNA CONGREGATION 3219 Green St | (717) 232-4851 info@chisukemuna.org | www.chisukemuna.org

Chisuk Emuna has resumed in-person services. Visit the website for details. For more information on programs and services, visit Chisuk Emuna's website.

CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL, LEBANON 411 S 8th St | (717) 273-2669 | www.congregation-beth-israel.org

Contact Rabbi Sam Yolen at yolen002@gmail.com for details on both programming and minyan. For more information, visit Beth Israel's website.

CONGREGATION BETH TIKVAH, CARLISLE Asbell Center, 262 W High Street (717)-240-8627 | www.bethtikvah.org

HISTORIC B’NAI JACOB, MIDDLETOWN

Water & Nissley Streets | (717) 319-3014 www.bnai-jacob.org

Historic B’nai Jacob Synagogue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, located at Water and Nissley Streets in Middletown, near the Harrisburg Airport and Penn State Harrisburg Campus. Shabbos Service are led by Marc Bluestein on Zoom. The service program and zoom link will be emailed to members of the congregation and also is available by request using the contact form on the website at: http://www.bnai-jacob.org. We are a community Shul and you are welcome to join us. There are no membership dues or admission fees. Our Congregation is currently working with consultants to reopen for inperson services later this year.

KESHER ISRAEL CONGREGATION 3200 N 3rd St | (717) 238-0763 | www.kesherisrael.org

Kesher Israel is holding in-person daily and Shabbat davening. For details about services, meetings, and programming, contact Benjamin Altman, President, at president@kesherisrael. org, or Ashley Caraballo at office@kesherisrael.org. For more information, visit Kesher Israel's website.

OHEV SHOLOM CONGREGATION, YORK 2090 Hollywood Drive | 717-852-0000 www.OhevSholomYork.org Ohev Sholom Congregation is a Conservative congregation serving York County in an inclusive, egalitarian manner. Established in 1902, the congregation is led by our student rabbi in association with our lay leadership. Ohev Sholom provides adult educational opportunities in conjunction with our local Chabad Learning Center while embracing different levels of observance, stages of life, and family structures.

TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 2090 Hollywood Dr, York | (717) 843-2676 www.tbiyork.org York’s 140-year-old Reform congregation.

TEMPLE BETH SHALOM 913 Allendale Rd, Mechanicsburg | 717) 697-2662 | www.tbshalom.org

Shabbat services will be held on August 19, and September 2 and 16. Please note that Temple Beth Shalom’s Shabbat services will be via Zoom only for August. The next in-person Shabbat service is planned for Friday, September 2. Services are led by Rabbi Carl Choper of Beth Shalom. Please email the office at tbshalom@gmail.com or call 717-697-2662 for information if you would like to join the services.

For details on upcoming Temple Beth Shalom services and events, check the website: http://tbshalom.org.

TEMPLE OHEV SHOLOM 2345 N Front St | (717) 233-6459 | www.ohevsholom.org

Services are held Friday nights, in person at 6pm for the remainder of August. For more information visit www.ohevsholom.org.

www.jewishharrisburg.org

Obituaries

JEAN PRONKO

Gienia "Jean" C. Pronko, 94, passed from the arms of her loving son into the arms of her Heavenly Father's on Sunday, July 17, 2022. In addition to her parents, Frank and Valera Borkowski; she was preceded in death by her husband, Myron "Mike" Pronko. Surviving are her two sons, Michael K. Pronko, and Gregory P. Pronko.

Jean was born in Dupont, PA on August 15th, 1927, and was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. When she moved to Harrisburg, she became a member of St. Margaret Mary Church. In recent years she lived part time in Harrisburg and also shared her son's home in Philadelphia. Jean was a woman of great faith in God and loved the Lord. She was a great mother, amazing homemaker and worked for the PA Department of Revenue for many years. She enjoyed family gatherings, playing cards,

gardening, and being a football mom. One of Jean's passions was children, and in addition to raising two of her own, she continued to express her love and care of children as a yard mother at St. Margaret Mary's School. Additionally, Jean worked with children at the Harrisburg Jewish Community Center. Jean loved to travel, whether it be camping and outdoor trips with her son Michael or theater, TV, and film journeys with her son Greg. A special joy was her opportunity to work one day with her son on a film set, as a professional background actor. She will be deeply missed by her caring sons, family, and friends.

ESTELLE STERN

Estelle G. Stern, 99, of Harrisburg, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Capitol Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center (formerly The Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg).

She was born on September 14, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Leon & Evelyn Glick. Estelle was a member of Beth El Temple, Harrisburg. She was an educator throughout the area, and had worked for the Area Agency on Aging. She was a gifted musician, was a concert pianist, a former member and conductor of the Beth El choir. She was the widow of Fred Stern. Surviving is her son, Gerald W. Stern of

hetrick-bitner funeral home, inc. hetrick-bitner funeral home, inc.

3125 Walnut Street • Harrisburg, PA 17109 (717) 545-3774

Nathan Bitner, Supr

JCC Senior Adult Programs

Lunch is served at 12 noon, with to-go options available for those

unless otherwise indicated.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

AUGUST 16TH - John Maietta will discuss “The French and Indian War: The War That Made America.” In 1754, a band of Colonial militia, led by a young Virginia Major named George Washington, stumbled on French rivals in the backwoods of Pennsylvania. The ensuing fight sparked seven years of hostilities between Britain and France and set the stage for America’s eventual Independence. This program highlights the big issues and dramatic events of the global conflict we know as the French and Indian War. Britain won the great prize in the war - the heart of North America - but would soon lose it all to frustrated Colonial upstarts.

AUGUST 18TH – Frank Valvano of Edward Jones will discuss “Outlook and Opportunities.” This program will discuss current market conditions and how the political, economic, and cultural forces shaping our markets can affect you.

AUGUST 23RD – Dr. Donald Koones will present a lecture on “Edison – The Genius!”

There was a time in our Nation’s history when the United States Patent Office in Washington, D.C. was contemplating on closing due to the fact that new and innovative ideas were “few and far between.” Then came Thomas Alva Edison.

During his lifetime, Edison submitted a grand total of 1,093 patents! In his book Edison, Edmund Morris traces the life of Edison, filled with discouragement and failure, yet possessing a will to move ahead, resulting in tremendous success. Come and share the story of a great American.

Note: You need not have read the book in order to enjoy the lecture.

AUGUST 25TH – Movie Day: Moulin Rouge, with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor (2 hours & 8 minutes)

AUGUST 30TH – Bingo with prizes for all!

Senior Update

BY ROBERTA KRIEGER

In my last column, I promised to fill you in on all the details of Pat Dodd’s lecture on Tuesday, June 28th and Dr. Koones’ presentation of Showboat on Thursday, June 30th.  Unfortunately, I was a bit “under the weather” and my remarks are based on what I heard from “Lady Whistledown.”  I don’t know if its presumptive of me to assume (I do know what they say about assuming) that a majority of you do know who she is.

At any rate, on Tuesday, June 28th, Pat Dodd did what Pat Dodd normally would do - dietary education in a lighthearted manner.  Pat never disappoints.  Another constant on our pleasure scale is Norman Gras.  Prior to Pat’s lecture, Norman made his fantastic coleslaw and potato salad to accompany the afternoon’s turkey sandwich lunch.

On Thursday, June 30th, Dr. Donald Koones once again enthralled us with his presentation on Showboat.  He certainly has a way of getting our undivided attention.  It goes without saying that the main luncheon course was chicken.

On Tuesday, July 5th, Jeff Jacobs led the group in a current events discussion/debate after a picnic style lunch consisting of a burger, coleslaw and potato salad.  Of course, watermelon was the dessert, because what is a picnic without that.

On Thursday, July 7th, we were delighted to have Rabbi Ron Muroff.  Rabbi Muroff spoke about processing grief in our lives and how we can learn from Jewish traditions.  Rabbi knows there is always a spot for him whenever his schedule permits.

At our Business Meeting/Birthday Party on Tuesday, July 12th, we voted to reinstate a drawing where all members coming to lunch (starting in the month of September)

will get a raffle ticket.  The day’s winner will get a “go to the head of list for one of next season’s shows.”  As most of you know, waiting lists for all shows are the norm.  Our official sign-up day is when we have our Thanksgiving lunch.  All members that are paid for the year 2023 and are there in person, are qualified to sign up. If you are unable to attend the Thanksgiving luncheon, Cheryl will be happy to take a list of shows from you that you are interested in.   After all persons at luncheon have signed up, she will then add your requests, in the order that they were received.  These raffles will take place at every Tuesday and Thursday luncheon prior to the Thanksgiving luncheon.  This can be a perk for those of you who come to our lunch/ programs regularly.  Prior to COVID, we did this and it was well-received.

On Wednesday, July 13th, I was fortunate to be on the bus trip to the Dutch Apple Theatre to see The Little Mermaid.  I knew the story, because as a grandmother of three little

girls who loved Ariel (the Little Mermaid), I had read the story to them and had seen the movie.  There were a few people on the bus who were hesitant to go because they felt it was going to be too childish.  WRONG!!!  It was a fabulous production.  The cast was amazing, their voices, costumes, etc., etc., were Broadway caliber.  On the ride back to the JCC, the topic of conversation was how great the show was.

On Thursday, July 14th, after Norman Gras’s delicious Mock Seafood Casserole, we were fortunate once again to hear session #3 of Holocaust Education in the 21st Century, by Lillian Rappaport.  For those of you who have not yet made it to Lillian’s programs, you should definitely give some thought to doing so.  These sessions are definitely worth attending.

On Sunday, July 17th, we had a fun time at Green Hills.  Although the possibility of going in the pool after playing Bingo was a pleasant thought, the weather was not conducive to

doing so.  However, a nice time was had by all, just by being together with our friends.

On Tuesday, July 19th, John Maietta lectured on our Automotive Culture.  As is the norm during John’s lectures, we always end up learning something new.  A fantastic Pasta Primavera, from the kitchen of our super Chef, Norman Gras, was served prior to John’s lecture.

On Thursday, July 21st, we played the Millionaire Game.  As usual, a fun time was had by all.  There are a few standouts in the group who are “Jeopardy worthy.”

Our amazing Sr. Advisor, Cheryl Yablon, has lots of other fabulous programs scheduled for the balance of July and beginning of August that will have taken place before this issue of the Community Review will be received by you.  I will do my best to give you all the pertinent details in my next column.

Look forward to seeing you at lunch. Hope you stay well, are properly vaccinated, and wear masks appropriately.

JCC Senior Adult Club Lunches and programs are held twice-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

who prefer not to unmask to eat. All programs begin after lunch

INCLUDE: Pianist David Kopp Performs for JCC's Senior Adult Club