BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE DANIEL STEIN, RABBI ROBERT WEINER, PhD, CANTOR MARK SHRAGER, RABBI EMERITUS, ZT”L MORRIS SIEGEL, CANTOR EMERITUS, ZT”L
Bulletin January, 2016 20 Tevet – 21 Shevat 5776 Vol. 1 Published Monthly
THE
UNITED SYNAGOGUE
OF
CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM
1545 BUSHKILL STREET • EASTON, PA 18042-3118 (610) 258-5343 • Fax: (610) 330-9100 www.bnaiabraham.org • email: office@bnaiabraham.org
DISTRIBUTION NOTICE If you would like family members or others to receive a copy of the bulletin, please send name, address and $15 payment to Bnai Abraham. If you have not sent your email address to Bnai Abraham office staff, please do so as soon as possible. We will be notifying congregants of emergencies and special events through email.
CONTACTS Gerald Weisberger
President & Programming Committee Chair
Howard Nathanson Shelly Blumenthal
Youth Chair Gift Shop Chair
Howard Nathanson Irwin Lewis, M.D.
Kadima Advisor Men’s Club President &
Elaine Morrow
Ritual Committee Chair Sisterhood President
Ellen Lifschutz Aliette and Marc Abo, MD
Choir Director Theatre Club
Gerald Weisberger
House Chair
Lothar Gumberich
Memorials & Torah Restoration Committee
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS The deadline for submitting items is January 17th. Please have all items to BAS office no later than January 17th. Any items received after that date will be published in the next month’s bulletin.
O F F I C E H O U R S: Closed on Mondays and Fridays. Hours open: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Services/Minyan Schedule Thursday: 7:25 AM Friday Night Services – 8:00 PM First Friday of Each Month – Simcha Shabbat: 6:30 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM Kiddush follows If you require a special minyan, please notify the office at 610-258-5343.
A MESSAGE FROM RABBI DANIEL STEIN… More than once, I’ve been asked who my favorite teacher was at The Jewish Theological Seminary. While I was fortunate to develop lasting relationships with many teachers, I was most impacted by the ideas of David Roskies, my mentor in the world of Yiddish literature. Among his most innovative ideas is a process he calls “creative betrayal”—for him, it is the threefold approach that Yiddish authors took to the Jewish tradition. He claims that Yiddish writers would: 1.
Scour the Jewish tradition for meaningful narratives.
2.
Radically retell the story to meet their own artistic and creative goals.
3.
Present the new product as somehow traditional or folksy—an original and authentic expression of the Jewish tradition.
A great current example of this process is Fiddler on the Roof—currently enjoying its umpteenth revival on Broadway. While the play places a clear focus on Tradition (with a capital T), its themes of assimilation and interfaith relations are certainly modern. While Roskies primarily applied his theory to literature, it is a useful lens for thinking about all of Jewish tradition. This month’s holiday of Tu Bishvat provides a clear example of how we, as a community, reinvent our past to insure our faith’s continued relevance. In the Mishna (the earliest code of Jewish law after the Bible), Tu Bishvat is described as a the New Year for the trees; practically, this meant that the date was less of a holiday and more of an administrative date—akin to the end of the fiscal year. Israelites were responsible for certain yearly tithes; Tu Bishvat delineated if produce belonged to one year or another. In the Middle Ages, mystical Rabbis living in the land of Israel imbued the holiday with extra meaning; using the Passover Seder as an analogy, they created a special meal meant to deepen spiritual connections with the land and its produce. These rituals—called tikkunim—were meant to bring moral enlightenment, and bring the world closer to redemption. With the rise of Zionism in the 19th century, the holiday took on a new meaning: the procurement of tree, was essential to the redevelopment of the Land of Israel. Both buying and planting trees in Israel became symbolic of one’s commitment to the Zionist movement. The Jewish National Fund used forestation as part of its land acquisition program; Sunday schools in North America bought trees with their keren ami contributions, while elementary school students in Israel would plant trees on the holiday. More recently, as American Jews’ relationship with the Zionist movement has become more complex, Tu Bishvat has become a kind of Jewish Arbor Day. The rise of environmentalism as a social value has allowed religious schools to focus on the value of preserving our natural world with a Jewish lens. To my mind, all of these approaches are “right” and “authentic.” Each one represents a kind of intellectual development in the history of the Jewish people. Each one shows the malleability of our tradition—its unique ability to speak to a specific time and place. As long as we continue to engage in this process of rediscovery, reinterpretation, and reapplication, our tradition—like a well rooted tree— will long endure! Sincerely, Rabbi Stein
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE ‌ Shalom This coming year promises to be very busy. We are tasked with the search for a Rabbi, as well as discussions within and outside BAS regarding our future. Along with these major undertakings we must keep up with synagogue business, programming, the school, building maintenance, etc. Howard Nathanson has been appointed as head of the Search Committee. In order to accomplish these things we need volunteers who are willing and able to serve on vital committees. We are planning to have a performance by Cantor Jen Cohen and the Divas on the Bema production of The Odd Couple, directed by Danny Kaye, a computer class geared for seniors, along with programs already announced. In order to have a viable synagogue, we need programs, volunteers and regular standing committees. In other words, without the combined efforts of new, as well as our committed, experienced volunteers, these programs cannot be accomplished. Our Congregational Meeting generated a lot of enthusiasm. Please transfer that energy into action and call the office to volunteer. Jerry Weisberger, President
IT’S A BOY! BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE WELCOMES JUDAH STEIN
MAZEL TOV TO RABBI AND DENA ON THE BIRTH OF THEIR SON
UPCOMING EVENTS “TRADITIONAL” SHABBAT DINNER FRIDAY, JANUARY 1st – 6:30 P.M. Please join us for for a “Traditional” Shabbat Dinner including chicken soup, kugel, roast chicken, dessert, etc. Dinner – 6:30 p.m. Services – 7:30 p.m. $10/Adult - Children are free. Please RSVP to the office.
BNAI ABRAHAM/TEMPLE COVENANT OF PEACE KNITTING GROUP WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20th - 10:30 A.M. Please note the knitting group will be meeting at the home of Jessica Ytkin, 2321 Woodridge Terrace, Easton, PA 18045 Please RSVP to Jessica at (610) 253-8251 BETHLEHEM/EASTON HADASSAH BOOK AND FILM CLUB THURSDAY, JANUARY 21st - 1:30 P.M. BOOK: Paper Love by Sarah Wildman At the home of Roberta Diamond, 218 Georgia Ave., Bethlehem, PA Please RSVP Roberta at 610-865-3357 BNAI ABRAHAM FILM/DINNER SERIES SUNDAY, JANUARY 24th - 4:00 P.M. Join us at Bnai Abraham on Sunday, January 24th at 4:00 pm when we will be showing the film “The Sturgeon Queens”. Four generations of a Jewish immigrant family create Russ and Daughters, a Lower East Side lox and herring emporium that survives and thrives. Produced to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the store, this documentary features an extensive interview with two of the original daughters for whom the store was named, now 100 and 92 years old, and interviews with prominent enthusiasts of the store including Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, chef Mario Batali, New Yorker writer Calvin Trillin, and 60 Minutes correspondent Morley Safer. Rather than a conventional narrator, the filmmakers bring together six colorful longtime fans of the store, in their 80s and 90s, who sit around a table of fish reading the script in the style of a Passover Seder. Bagels and Lox will be served at Bnai Abraham and the cost is $6.00. Come to one or come to both! We look forward to seeing you.
SUPER SUNDAY – BE A SUPER HERO JANUARY 31 - COMMUNITY MITZVAH DAY JCC OF ALLENTOWN If interested in making calls or Mitzvah Projects, call 610-821-5500 or visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org
Yahrzeit List In the Bond of Life January 2016 January 2 January 3 January 3 January 4 January 5 January 7 January 8 January 10 January 11 January 12 January 17 January 18
Contact Irwin Lewis, Ritual Chairman
January 19 January 22 January 22 January 24 January 24 January 25 January 26 January 27 January 28 January 28 January 29 January 29 January 29
Julius Gumberich, beloved father of Lothar Gumberich Jerome Lehman, beloved father of Ginger Schocker Trudy Braffman, beloved mother of Marsha Abraham Paul Cohen, beloved father of Marilyn Herschler Gordon Solomon, beloved father of Rita Reiter Pearl Zeitz, beloved mother of Jessica Ytkin Jennie Cravits, beloved mother of Doris Lifland Fred Geller, beloved father of Linda Bloch Jack H. Scheer, beloved father of Joel Scheer Arnold Falk, beloved brother of Howard and Norman Falk Louis Cohen, beloved father of RenĂŠ Moskowitz Nachman Naftali Hertz, beloved grandfather of Herman Ytkin Charlotte Cohen, beloved mother of RenĂŠ Moskowitz Max Maron, beloved father of Norman Maron Paul Friedman, beloved uncle of Becky Goldenberg Sherman Litvin, beloved father of Herb Litvin Cantor Morris Siegel Pearl Bugen Gitkind, beloved sister of Roz Smolow Leonard Brooks, beloved father of Joel Brooks William Rabinowitz, beloved father of Mitch Rabinowitz Gerald Nathanson, beloved father of Howard Nathanson Ethel Kaplan Kahan, beloved sister of Sid and Leopold Kaplan Mollie Marcus, beloved mother of Renee Berg Herbert Saalfed, beloved father of Anita Tish Adolph Gross, beloved father of Faye Goldberg
BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE General operating expenses Please consider a donation to Bnai Abraham Synagogue to cover “General Operating Expenses”. Your donations support our Congregation and strengthen our Jewish community here in Easton. BEATRICE & LEON FRIEDMAN FUND 1. Support organizations that benefit minor children whose parents are unable to provide for their health, maintenance, support and education 2. Needy, elderly 3. Shelter for the homeless BUILDING FUND Extraordinary maintenance and repair of the buildings and property of the synagogue and parsonage SISTERHOOD CAMP RAMAH SCHOLARSHIP FUND GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND Interest only used to subsidize Bnai Abraham’s operating expenses GOLDMAN/MERBAUM TORAH FUND HERB SNYDER GARDEN FUND JESSE & TAYLOR COOPER FUND DR. JOEL LEWIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring stipends JULIUS COHEN MEMORIAL FUND 1. Religious School Scholarships 2. Assisting needy congregational youth in Jewish-oriented education, programming and activities (e.g. Yeshiva or Jewish Day School, trips, USY) RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND ROBERT KUTNER LIBRARY FUND SHEILA GOLDBERG FUND To pay High Holiday fees for anyone who cannot afford to attend SILVERMAN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Religious School Scholarships, Shofars SISTERHOOD BUILDING FUND SUE SEIGEL SHABBAT FUND 1. Shabbat programming, including kiddush lunches 2. Bagels and Books SY JACOWITZ TOT SHABBAT FUND Boker Tov Scholarships THEATER FUND Supports a wide variety of synagogue projects and functions
Bnai Abraham Synagogue Dan and Anne Kaye to honor the birth of Barbara and Gary Asteak’s grandson, Hayes Max Burroll. Phil and Ellen Hof – Mazel Tov to Robert and Linda Bloch on the birth of their grandson. Phil and Ellen Hof – Mazel Tov to Rabbi and Dena on the birth of your son, Judah. Phil and Ellen Hof – Mazel Tov to Arthur and Karen Popkave on the birth your grandson, Liam. Sharon and Stan Joehlin - Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Gary and Jennifer Lader – Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Irwin and Linda Lewis – Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Ellen Lifschutz – Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Ellen Lifschutz to honor the birth of Barbara and Gary Asteak’s grandson, Hayes Max Burroll. Elaine and Alex Morrow in memory of John Shanken Kaye, brother of Danny Kaye. Roz Smolow in honor of Arthur and Karen Popkave on the birth of their new grandson, Liam. Roz Smolow sending get well wishes to Shirley Falk. Jerry and Gail Weisberger - Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Jerry and Gail Weisberger – Sending get well wishes to Shirley Falk and Selma Jacowitz. Jessica and Herman Ytkin in memory of Ed Hudak’s mother, Helen Hudak. Jessica and Herman Ytkin wishing Selma Jacowitz a speedy recovery.
Building Fund Sally and Dexter Neadle – Congratulations to Jessica and Herman Ytkin on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Evan Ytkin. Sally and Dexter Neadle – Congratulations to Aron and Julie Hochhauser on the Bat Mitzvah of your daughter, Ali.
Goldman/Merbaum Torah Fund Danny and Nancy Cohen sending get well wishes to Selma Jacowitz.
Herb Snyder Garden Fund Robert and Marjorie Ruder in memory of Robin Hulton.
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Eugene and Harriet Bosworth – Mazel Tov to Julie and Aron Hochhauser on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Alitza Hochhauser. Danny and Nancy Cohen – Welcome to the world, baby Judah Stein. Sid and Helene Kaplan - Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Doris Lifland – Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Sally and Dexter Neadle - Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Janet Panto in memory of her father, Norman Seidel. Roz Smolow – Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah. Evangelos and Eloise Stampoulos - Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah.
Theater Fund Marc and Aliette Abo – Rabbi and Dena, Mazel Tov on the birth of your son, Judah.
Yahrzeit Alan Abeshaus in memory of his mother, Edna Abeshaus. Alan Abraham in memory of his father, Harold Abraham. Arthur Altman in memory of his mother, Ida Altman. Nancy Cohen in memory of her father, Frank Aufrecht. Howard Falk in memory of his father, Joseph Falk. Shirley Falk in memory of her step-mother, Pearl Krasner. Fay Goldberg in memory of her father, Adolph Gross. Marilyn Herschler in memory of her father, Paul Cohen. David Kaplan in memory of his uncle, Joseph Kaplan. Sid Kaplan in memory of his sisters, Dorothy Kaplan, and Ethel Kaplan Kahan. Leopold Kaplan in memory of his sister, Ethel Kaplan Kahan. Doris Lifland in memory of her sister, Shirley Ytkin, and her husband, Elmer Lifland. Doris Lifland in memory of her mother and father, Jennie and Morris Cravits. René Moskowitz in memory of her mother and father, Charlotte and Louis Cohen. Howard Nathanson in memory of her father Gerald Nathanson. Janet Panto in memory of her father, Norman Seidel. Mitch Rabinowitz in memory of her father, William Rabinowitz. Lorrie Scherline in memory of her husband, Jay Scherline. Roz Smolow in memory of her niece, Joan Kerbel. Sanford Stein in memory of his mother, Ida Stein. Judy Waldman in memory of her father, Norman Seidel. Debby Ziev in memory of her mother, Pauline Cohen.
Todah Rabah Thank you to everyone who participated in the "The Deli Man" and deli dinner program on Sunday, November 29. A fun time was had by all. Special thanks to Jessica Ytkin for recommending the film and Linda and Irwin Lewis for purchasing the film. In addition we thank Rabbi Stein, Wendy and Lothar Gumberich, Diane and Art Silverman, Linda Lewis and Marna and Roger Simon for helping out that day. Thanks also to everyone who volunteered at the showing of the film “The Search For General Tso”, followed by Chinese dinner at the New Imperial Restaurant. Again, everyone enjoyed the afternoon thoroughly.
Kiddush is a perfect way to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary, and it allows you the opportunity to celebrate with our community. To sponsor a Kiddush for $36, please contact the synagogue office. Do you have a celebration we should know about? Email office@bnaiabraham.org
Refuah Sh’lma (A Full and Complete Healing) To all who were sick or hospitalized, we wish a return to good health. David Denenberg Ilya Gabriel Sid and Helene Kaplan Bernice Merbaum Andrew Shaw Jack Stein Marty Zippel
In memoriam May God in His Kindness Grant Comfort and Solace to the Mourners
Dr. John Shanken Kaye, brother of Dan Kaye
Sisterhood News
The Ritual Corner for January Submitted by Irwin Lewis
Beit din Throughout most of Jewish history, Jews who had legal disputes with other Jews were expected to summon their opponents before a beit din {a Jewish Court} composed of three rabbis. Each side was entitled to choose one rabbi and the two rabbis would then choose a third rabbi. They would hear the testimony and arguments of each side. Litigants would generally represent themselves and were questioned by the three judge rabbis who would issue a ruling. There are still American Jews among the Orthodox who bring business disputes before rabbinic courts. The beit din is most often used to issue Jewish divorces and to supervise conversions to Judaism. Source: Jewish Literacy
Be Part of Sisterhood Join an extraordinary group of women to support the synagogue and have fun while doing it. If you have not yet sent in your annual dues -- just $20, please make check payable to Bnai Abraham Sisterhood and send to the office. Contact Elaine Morrow with any questions or to get involved. Call 484-515-3475 or email emorrow2542@gmail.com
General Announcements
Please Make The Following Changes in Your Directory of Our Members That Have Moved Mr. David Denenberg
742A Northampton St. Easton, PA 18042
Mrs. Faye Goldberg
76 Main Street Apt. E Chester, NJ 07930
Dr. & Mrs. Robert Silberman
401 Cinnabar Dr. Castle Rock, CO 80108-3111
Please notify Bnai Abraham Office in writing if you move, if there is a marriage, children, family member entering a nursing home, or change in membership status. We do need to keep your records up to date. Thank you.
General announcements continued.......
MEN'S CLUB TOPICS FOR 2016 WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SPEAKERS! TOPIC NEED NOT BE JEWISH-RELATED AND CAN BE VERY INFORMAL. PROFESSIONALS ARE WELCOME WITH EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION. PLEASE NO SOLICITATIONS.
CAMPAIGN FOR NEW MEMBERS - HELP WANTED! We are asking every member of our congregation to help us locate prospective new members. They may be your neighbors, friends, vet, or whomever. Please relay the name and any pertinent information to Elaine Morrow or the office staff at Bnai Abraham Synagogue.
AL’S CLEANERS - FUNDRAISER FOR BAS! Bnai Abraham has been signed up at Al’s Cleaners, 1132 Northampton Street, to enable the synagogue to collect 10% of all sales of dry cleaning and laundry services that our congregants spend there. It’s easy. Just mention that you are a member of Bnai Abraham Synagogue, and they will credit the synagogue and send the proceeds periodically. Al’s is only about seven blocks from the synagogue, has very convenient hours, and does excellent work. SHOPPING AT AMAZON…A FUNDRAISER FOR BNAI ABRAHAM! Click on the Amazon search link on the “Donations” page on the BAS website, and for any purchases made during your visit on Amazon.com, Amazon will contribute 4% to 15% of the purchase price to Bnai Abraham! How it works: Navigate to the BAS Donations webpage at http://www.bnaiabraham.org/donations.html and type any item keyword in the Amazon search box, and you will be transferred to Amazon.com. (You must use this link or purchases will not be traced to BAS). If you place items in your shopping cart and complete a purchase during your visit, Amazon will pay us a portion of the purchase price (not including shipping), that portion to range from 4% to 15% depending on the item category. Rates for categories are posted on our website. We encourage all of our members to shop on Amazon.com – but remember to only access Amazon.com through the BAS link at the below url or we will not get the purchase credit: http://www.bnaiabraham.org/donations.html Thank you for your continued support of BAS and HAPPY SHOPPING!
Tree of Life Permanently commemorate your simcha or celebrate a person! The “Tree of Life� sculpture is on display in the BAS Main lobby known as Founders Hall. It is used to honor and remember special events such as: Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Birthdays Anniversaries Memorials Engagements Namings Weddings and any other special milestone or celebration! Leaf: $140
Apple: $800
Or memorialize your loved one: Stone at base of tree: $1,100
Lothar Gumberich, Chairman: 610-253-5263 BAS office: 610-258-5343
Dedicate a memorial plaque to be located on the walls of the Sanctuary: $300 To honor your friends on the Walk of Life: $350
Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Family Service is committed to alleviating hunger in our community. Please join us in our efforts to accomplish this. Thank you to everyone who has so generously contributed to our food pantry with nonperishable items or financial support. We are supported in the Lehigh Valley by Second Harvest, as well as by the contributions of food drives and individuals. We are looking to expand into the entire Lehigh Valley to our Jewish community, and we ask for your support. If you have non-perishable items to donate, please either drop them at JFS or call and we will pick them up. Financial donations can be sent directly to JFS. In our outreach, we need everyone to spread the word. If you know someone, either affiliated or not, who could benefit from any JFS service, tell them about us and have them call. JFS maintains confidentiality and professionalism. We will deliver emergency food packages or supplemental food boxes anywhere in the Lehigh Valley. In addition to providing food, our Benefits Checkup Program (BCU) is designed to assist low-income persons of retirement age and younger adults with disabilities to find and apply for federal, state and local benefits. JFS seeks to help individuals and families live healthier, more stable lives by providing professional counseling, education and community programs. JFS would love to assist you in scheduling a food drive or creating a project that can help benefit persons in need. Please call JFS at (610) 821-8722 or go on our website for further information.
Our Advertisers… we thank you for your patronage
KAPLAN’S
ENTERPRISES, INC. Vertical Blinds Pleated Shades Mini Blinds Window Shades
American Flags Flags & Banners Custom Banner Canvas Work
CANVAS | AWNINGS Residential and Commercial 100 Northampton Street, P.O. Box 150 Easton, Pennsylvania 18042 610/258-5319 Fax 610/258-6036 NJ 800/458-7994 DAVID KAPLAN Established 1923
Denise Pollack, M.Ed. National Certified Counselor Licensed Professional Counselor Adolescent and Adult Counseling 2925 William Penn Highway, Suite 306 Easton, PA 18045 610-392-3862 www.denisepollackcounseling.com
Sandy Weiner Independent Senior Sales Director 3230 Highfield Circle Bethlehem, PA 18020 (610) 758-8800 1-800-258-8730 www.marykay.com/sweiner Swo226@aol.com Receive a $10 gift for scheduling a facial or glamour makeover
Our Advertisers… we thank you for your patronage
1134 Northampton St. Easton, PA 18042 610-258-7288
Barbara DeStefano “Our Quality is Etched In Stone” Easton Monument Studio Personalized Memorials & Distinctive Stone Art 203 North 7th Street, Easton, PA 18042
610-905-8523
Place an ad in the bulletin for twelve months and reach over 160 readers. Cost: $36/year Contact the Office 610 258-5343