December 2012 - part 1

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community

DECEMBER 2012 | KISLEV/TEVET 5773

COMMUNITY RESPONDS Lehigh Valley joins others in disaster relief

Many in US express support for Israel

FROM CHEERLEADER TO COMMUNITY LEADER Allentown woman to host Pomegranate/Lion of Judah Chanukah party. See page 4.

The shores lining the Seagate community in Brooklyn were piled in ruins more than three weeks after Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, November 18, 2012. (Chavie Lieber)

By Kathleen Mory JFLV Marketing Assistant

MISSION 2012 PHOTOS Mission group travels to Israel, some for first time.

See pages 14-15.

CHANUKAH SPECIAL SECTION shines a light on good deeds No. 351 com.UNITY with Mark Goldstein 2 Women’s Division

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LVJF Tributes

8

Jewish Family Service

12

Jewish Community Center

16-17

Jewish Day School

18-19

Community Calendar

26-27

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley has established a relief fund in the wake of the destruction that Hurricane Sandy wrought on the Eastern seaboard and inland cities.

On October 29, at a little after 8 p.m., Hurricane Sandy made landfall in the Atlantic City region of New Jersey. Residents in the northeast, New York City and New Jersey in particular, were told to evacuate and seek safety on higher ground.

Devastation swept the region, leaving many people without homes or supplies.

Meteorologists and news teams covered the progress as it grew into a “superstorm” that swept through Pennsylvania and into Ohio. Allentown had winds up to 81 miles per hour.

The devastation was on a level not seen before in this part of the country. Mazel Day School of Brooklyn was flooded in the storm, leaving their staff and families to pick up the pieces. In the storm, the school’s Torah was severely damaged. “Long Island is like a war zone,” said Eugene Meyer of Bethlehem. He traveled there the week after Sandy to assess damage to his mother-inlaw’s home, Anita Todes. The site shocked Meyer.

“People are emptying their ruined appliances and in some cases, their homes, onto the curb,” he said.

Non-Profit Organization

702 North 22nd Street Allentown, PA 18104

U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lehigh Valley, PA Permit No. 64

More than 110 people lost their lives in the storm.

Immediate power outages resulted for over eight million people across the northeast after Sandy. Property damage is estimated at $20 billion.

The nation responded immediately by sending relief workers, food and financial donations. Many Jewish congregations, institutions and community members came together in order to provide necessities and support to others.

Many individuals opened their homes to provide warmth and shelter to those who lost their homes or were without power.

Lehigh Valley congregations extended their hours to provide warmth, hot beverages and a place to recharge electronics.

Those who were able to do so donated money to help fund the rebuilding of places like Atlantic City, northern New Jersey and Queens, N.Y., which bore the brunt of Sandy’s force.

Cantor Kevin Wartell, the chair of the clergy group in the Lehigh Valley and cantor at Temple Beth El, said, “Many sermons have been covering the fragility of life and the unexpected power of Mother Nature ... We are making an effort to publicize the Federation’s relief fund.” To date, the JFLV relief fund has raised $10,900.

This fund feeds directly into the Jewish Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (JVOAD), which urges those who wish to donate to send financial contributions because there is no available storage for donated supplies. Instead, financial contributions are the quickest and most effective way to help. One hundred percent of donations will be used directly for the relief effort for those affected by Superstorm Sandy.

To make a disaster relief donation, go to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley’s website, www. jewishlehighvalley.org or call 610-821-5500.

The Iron Dome defense system firing missiles to intercept incoming rockets from Gaza in the port town of Ashdod, November 15, 2012.

(Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90/JTA) Jewish Telegraphic Agency and JFLV Staff The Jewish community mobilized quickly in support of Israel during the early days of the conflict involving Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “The flow of information out of the Israeli foreign ministry was fast and it was regular,” said Mark L. Goldstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

The public responded, with thousands of Jews contributing to the Israel Terror Relief Fund. Public opinion among the general U.S. population remained extremely supportive of Israel’s right to self-defense and to having a specifically targeted response to Hamas.

“The support, statements of support, resolutions and letters from Congress, both the House and the Senate, were overwhelming,” Goldstein said. “The Senate passed its resolution by unanimous consent.”

Eight days after fighting began, Operation Pillar of Defense came to a close with a cease-fire that went into effect on November 21. Negotiators for Israel and Hamas are holding separate talks with Egyptian mediators to iron out the details of that cease-fire.

Six Israelis, four of them civilians, and 167 Palestinians, both terrorists and civilians, were killed during the operation.

More than 1,500 rockets were fired at Israel by terror organizations in Gaza during the operation, and Israel said it bombed more than 1,000 terror

targets in the coastal strip.

The cease-fire talks began on November 26 in Cairo. Among the topics being negotiated are loosening the restrictions on people and goods traveling to and from Gaza, as well as putting a halt to arms smuggling into Gaza, according to reports.

Israeli and Hamas sources would not comment on the parallel negotiations, according to The New York Times. Israel does not negotiate directly with Hamas, which it has designated a terror group.

Gazan farmers and demonstrators have been testing the limits of the ceasefire, entering a no-go zone that Israel established near the border. A Palestinian man was killed November 23 when he approached the border fence with Israel.

American moral and financial support has been strong even since the ceasefire began. To date, the Jewish Federations of North America have raised $5 million in pledges to help the one million residents of southern Israel.

The Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, World ORT and the Israel Trauma Coalition continue to deliver services and assistance on the ground throughout the area. Such services include trauma counseling, financial assistance, portable bomb shelters and bringing children to safe areas.

Meanwhile, the Jewish community, together with the rest of the world, continues to wait, watch and hope.

com.UNITY

FROM THE DESK OF MARK L. GOLDSTEIN

Executive Director | Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley markg@jflv.org

A Chanukah Lesson I was a teenager in the early 1970s. Jewishly, I was greatly impacted by youth groups such as BBYO and USY. My involvement catapulted following the Yom Kippur War. I was also extremely involved with the Soviet Jewry movement within the framework of our local community and our local Jewish youth groups. My first letter to the editor (of the Nashville Tennessean newspaper) was prompted by the plight of Soviet Jewry. It was the topic of many high school essays and orations in my public speaking class. I, and all my friends, twinned our bnei mitzvot with prisoners of conscience, Jewish refuseniks. I proudly wore the silver bracelet bearing the name of Mark Dymshits. My friends had bracelets for Ida Nudel, Anatoly Sharansky, Yuli Koshorovsky, Vladimir Slepak, Yosef Mendelevitch and others.

In my world, their names were household words.

Throughout high school and college, I remained connected to the plight of Soviet Jews. Early in my Federation career in St. Louis, I organized a mission to Russia to meet with refuseniks.

Unfortunately, the Russians would not grant our visa so the trip was cancelled. Two years later, I was privileged to help organize our Federation’s participation in a planned rally in Washington, D.C. Early attendance goals were somewhere around 100,000.

None of us knew if this could be possible. The largest “Jewish” rally in D.C. had been 15,000 people. The issue had been waning. Over the years diplomatic negotiations and détente resulted in the release of a few refuseniks. Some thousands were released in the 1970s, but in the early 1980s, the gates were shut tight. Other issues dominated the Jewish agenda.

We were challenged by the words of Elie Wiesel who called us, not the Soviet Jews, the “Jews of Silence.” Soviet Jews were speaking out and, in doing so, risking their limited freedoms and their lives. We needed to raise our voices to support them.

The “Mobilization for Soviet Jewry” rally was scheduled for December 6, 1987 -- 25 years ago -- to coincide with Mikhail Gorbachev’s visit to Washington to meet with President Reagan.

Organizers had less than 60 days to plan the rally. Our goal was 50 from St. Louis; instead, we brought nearly 250. We were scattered across nine flights and seven D.C. hotels. We were assigned a staging time and location where we all gathered for our march to the National Mall. As we walked, we realized the streets were getting more and more crowded. In the end, there were more than 250,000 people at the rally.

The massive mobilization reinforced President Reagan’s intention to keep human rights

on the summit agenda. At the rally itself, George Bush, Sr., then the Republican presidential candidate, declared his commitment to the cause.

A shofar was sounded. Pearl Bailey sang “Let My People Go.” Refuseniks recently released from Soviet prisons addressed the crowd. They included Yosef Begun, Yuli Edelshtein, Ida Nudel and Natan Sharansky.

Peter Paul and Mary led songs.

Countless politicians spoke.

And Elie Wiesel invoked the haunting memory of the Holocaust when he recalled how millions of Jews could have been saved in World War II if people had protested, as they now did in defense of Soviet Jewry.

During the Holocaust, “too many were silent then. We are not silent today.”

It was noted that, during the summit, Gorbachev was not pleased with Reagan’s constant reminder of the emigration issue and of the quarter of a million Americans who had rallied in support of Soviet Jewry over the weekend. The head of the U.S.S.R. would return to his country and, in subsequent months, prepare for the opening of Soviet borders for immigration to Israel. Over 1.5 million Jews were allowed to emigrate.

In “The Reagan Presidency: An Oral History of the Era” by Gerald S. Strober and Deborah Hart Strober, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights Richard Schifter is quoted as

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, At Bnai Abraham Synagogue in Easton on a recent Shabbat morning, a bar mitzvah echoed the question that Cain first called out almost at the beginning of time, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The bar mitzvah went on to show that, many generations later, in the land of Egypt, both Joseph and his older brother Judah answer, “Yes.” A little later, one of the bar mitzvah’s own brothers stood up and demonstrated how he himself answers “yes.”

Many of us would probably respond similarly

when we are talking about a relative. The answer is likely still yes if we are talking about the Jewish community or the land of Israel. Beyond that, the relation is more subject to debate. After all, Ishmael was the brother of Isaac.

Today, we face a second, implied, question: “Who is my brother?”

This month in HAKOL, we bring you answers. You will read some of the ways in which people in our community have answered this question and how it plays out in charitable giving of money, time and energy; in the formation of business partnerships and in how they

Hakol is published for the Jewish communities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and vicinity by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

COMMUNITY SUBMISSIONS Submissions to Hakol must be of interest to the entire Jewish community. Hakol reserves all editorial rights including, but not limited to, the decision to print any submitted materials, the editing of submissions to conform to style and length requirements, and the placement of any printed material. Articles should be submitted by e-mail or presented as typed copy; “Community Calendar” listings must be submitted in writing or by e-mail to hakol@jflv.org. Please include your name and a daytime telephone number where you can be contacted in the event questions arise. We cannot guarantee publication or placement of submissions.

We can choose to debate all we like about the historical facts of the story of Chanukah.

What we know for certain is that, generations later, the architects of our tradition found inspiration in the brash courage of a small band of devoted Jews. Rather than give in to oppression, goes the story, they stood up to the superpower of the day and kindled a light that burned not just for eight days, but for the ages.

HAKOL STAFF Jennifer Lader Editor

Allison Meyers

Graphic Designer

Diane McKee

Advertising Representative TEL: 610-515-1391 hakolads@jflv.org

JFLV STAFF

Mark L. Goldstein Executive Director

Judy Diamondstein

Assistant Executive Director

Temple Coldren

Director of Finance and Administration

Stephanie Smartschan Director of Marketing

Taffi Ney

Donor Development Officer

Joan Brody

Executive Assistant/Office Manager

Eileen Assed Wendy Edwards

Administrative Staff

Barry J. Halper President, JFLV

Monica Friess

Acting Chair, HAKOL Editorial Board

Member American Jewish Press Association

see the American political system and the world.

As a respite from worries about the future, recovery from the hurricane and managing December’s crowded calendar, I hope you find some comfort here.

Shalom, Jennifer Lader

MEREDITH AND FRANK ROCHON Birth of daughter, Harlan Elizabeth Rochon SHALOM BABY

IN MEMORY FREDERICK FRIEDMAN (Father of Karen Cooper) Eileen and Roberto Fischmann

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

2 DECEMBER 2012 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

LEHIGH VALLEY

Phone: (610) 821-5500 Fax: (610) 821-8946 E-mail: hakol@jflv.org

We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship by requesting that trees be planted in the Yoav--Lehigh Valley Partnership Park.

KARA AND YOSSI KASTAN Birth of daughter, Lielle Maayan Kastan SHALOM BABY JOCELYN MILLER AND GERAD MUNSCH Birth of daughter, Eiley Miller-Munsch SHALOM BABY

HAKOL

Mail, fax, or e-mail to: JFLV ATTN: HAKOL 702 N. 22nd St. Allentown, PA 18104

JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY IN HONOR

saying: “What the American Jewish community did was to put the Soviet Jewry issue on the U.S. government’s human rights agenda. And the U.S. government, in turn, put it on the Soviet agenda. The rally in Washington took place on a Sunday. The following Tuesday, Gorbachev met with Reagan, and the person who was the note-taker at the meeting told me that Reagan started out by saying to Gorbachev, ‘You know, there was this rally on the mall the other day.’ And Gorbachev said, ‘Yes, I heard about it. Why don’t you go on and talk about arms control?’

And for five minutes, Reagan kept on talking about the rally and the importance of Jewish emigration to the United States, when Gorbachev wanted to talk about something else.”

All advertising is subject to review and approval by The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley (JFLV). JFLV reserves the right to decline, withdraw and/ or edit any ad. The appearance of any advertising in Hakol does not represent an endorsement or kashrut certification. Paid political advertisements that appear in Hakol do not represent an endorsement of any candidate by the JFLV.

JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY MISSION STATEMENT In order to unite, sustain, and enhance the Lehigh Valley Jewish community, and support Jewish communities in Israel and around the world, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is dedicated to the following core values:

• Supporting Jews in need wherever they may be.

• Supporting Israel as a Jewish homeland.

• Supporting and encouraging Jewish education in the Lehigh Valley as a means of strengthening Jewish life for individuals and families.

• Supporting programs and services of organizations whose values and mission meet local Jewish needs.

To accomplish this mission the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is committed to the following operating guidelines: • Raising and distributing funds to support the core values.

• Developing Jewish leaders.

• Building endowments to support implementation of core values.

Committing to ongoing Jewish community strategic planning.

• Fostering cooperation among organizations and community building.

• Evaluating all decisions with respect to fiscal responsibility.

• Identifying unmet needs and investing in community initiatives to help get them started.

• Coordinating and convening a community response as an issue or need arises.

• Setting priorities for allocation and distribution of funds.

• Acting as a central address for communication about events, programs and services of the Jewish community as a whole.

Approved by the JFLV Board of Directors on November 15, 2000

Young adults mix, mingle, launch Ben Gurion Society

A Night at the Museum kicked off Federation efforts to engage the next generation and celebrate the establishment of the new Ben Gurion Society, which recognizes Young Adult Division donors who contribute $1,000 or more to the Annual Campaign. Dr. Jarrod Rosenthal stands with Ben Gurion Society and YAD co-chairs Dr. Nicole Rosenthal, Erin Corsa and Justin Corsa.

From left, Ofer and Dana Cohen schmooze with Ben Grossman and Matt and Keren Saltz.

David Caine bonds with a museum resident.

Jeffery Goldfine has fun with museum exhibits.

Having fun with science, Brian and Emily Ford explore the museum.

Mixing, mingling and making new friends, guests were treated to delicious food, a great DJ, a fun photo booth and all the museum had to offer.

January 27, 2013

at the Jewish Community Center

10 A.M. - 1 P.M. & 6 - 8 P.M. PHONE-A-THON VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Contact Judy Diamondstein at 610-821-5500 or judy@jflv.org IRIS AND JON EPSTEIN, SUPER SUNDAY CO-CHAIRS

Together, we do extraordinary things HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2012 3

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

Involvement transforms Allentown woman’s view of the Valley

By Ginny Cohen Special to HAKOL

Lunch & Learn Whose wall is it? A look into issues of religious pluralism and how it impacts women in Israel.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4 12:00 p.m., JCC of Allentown WITH RABBI LYNNDA TARGAN

Program is $12, including lunch. Men and women welcome. Please RSVP to 610-821-5500 or mailbox@jflv.org.

WENDY ROSENFELD Lunch & Learn Chair

EVA LEVITT

Women’s Division President PLEASE BRING NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS FOR THE JFS FOOD PANTRY

Lunch & Learn programs are a community education initiative coordinated by the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

A WOMEN’S JOURNEY TO ISRAEL FEBRUARY 2-8, 2013 Check out www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=241735 for more information.

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

WELCOMING NEW BABIES to the Lehigh Valley

LIELLE MAAYAN KASTAN

daughter of Kara & Yossi Kastan

If you’re expecting, know someone who is, or have a new baby, PLEASE LET US KNOW! Contact Abby Trachtman 610-821-5500 | abbyt@jflv.org 4 DECEMBER 2012 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

Allentown’s Ronnie Sheftel knows a thing or two about volunteering.

Sheftel has served as president of the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Division and as campaign chairman of Hadassah. She will soon host this year’s Pomegranate and Lion of Judah Chanukah party.

“At one time, I was on four or five Jewish boards,” Sheftel said. “My sister-in-law and I would attend many of the local Jewish events together and that’s where I met a lot of my friends.”

Sheftel has lived with her husband Milton in Allentown since 1950, and they raised three children together. She met Milton when she was living in New York in the late 1940s.

Milton, already a successful businessman in the textile industry in the Lehigh Valley at the time, obtained Ronnie’s phone number from some friends and decided to give her a call when he was at a work convention in New York. The two went out for dinner and dancing and, while on the dance floor, Milton made a statement to Ronnie that she will never forget: “Milton looked at me on the dance floor, and said, ‘I know this sounds very funny, but you’re going to marry me.’”

With a twinkle in her eye, Sheftel said, “We did get married and [we] moved to Allentown. Being from Brooklyn, I thought Allentown was the countryside, but I really learned to love it here.”

Being a part of the Jewish community was one of the main reasons Sheftel became so connected to the Lehigh Valley.

“I fondly remember selling raffle tickets at the Temple Beth El Dance,” she said. “I loved Hadassah and enjoyed running the monthly study groups for the fabulous women of that organization.

“Our children attended the Jewish Day School and I was on the board there for a while. Milton and I became very active in volunteering and fund-raising.”

While Sheftel participated in Hadassah and temple events, Milton served as president both for the Jewish Day School and the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

This month, Sheftel looks forward to hosting the annual Pomegranate and Lion of Judah Chanukah party at her home.

“My house is very conducive for a party,” she said. “The house was built in 1929. We originally purchased the property from Harry and Rae Lesavoy, who held many events and dinners in their home. Rae asked me to carry on the tradition of having charitable parties in this house, and I happily followed that request. I enjoy entertaining.”

Involvement in Lehigh Valley Jewish life has been a mainstay in Sheftel’s life.

Above, Ronnie and Milton Sheftel at St. Maarten Below, Ronnie as a co-ed at Upsala College.

She continues to volunteer her time and energy to strengthen the community. Look for her at the Pomegranate & Lion of Judah Chanukah party and other future Jewish events in the Lehigh Valley -- you’ll be happy to have made her acquaintance.

POMEGRANATE & LION OF JUDAH

Chanukah Party TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2012 7 p.m.

At the home of Ronnie Sheftel 227 N Main Street | Allentown, PA 18104

Enjoy a warm evening of Chanukah festivities RSVP by December 7, 2012 by calling the JFLV office at 610-821-5500 or email mailbox@jflv.org This program is offered to all women who make a commitment of $1,800 or more to the 2013 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs

Doctor visits Lehigh Valley

Wiesel, Sharansky address JFNA General Assembly

Elie Wiesel and Natan Sharansky take part in a historic dialogue at the GA to commemorate the 1987 March on Washington for Soviet Jewry. Photo: Robert A. Cumins for JFNA Jewish Telegraphic Agency and JFLV Staff

The Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation was founded almost 30 years ago and has been facilitating a physician exchange program with Western Galilee Hospital that has brought more than 20 physicians to the Lehigh Valley. The most recent, Chief of Cardiology Shaul Atar (shown above, right) spent two weeks in the Valley in November. During his stay, Atar was treated to academic exchange at Lehigh Valley and St. Luke's Hospitals as well as with other physicians. He and his wife, Irit, were busy during the evenings and weekends getting to know members of the community.

OUR SECOND YEAR Raising Food and Awareness for Hunger in the Lehigh Valley • • • •

Canned Structures Chanukkah Party FREE! Fun for the Community

Presented by Temple Beth El Jewish Family Education Call 610-435-3521 for information

Elie Wiesel and Natan Sharansky reflected on the 1987 March on Washington for Soviet Jewry during a special plenary session of the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly, held in November.

One discussion at the GA, which was held in Baltimore, featured Wiesel, a Nobel laureate, and Sharansky, a Soviet refusenik who planned the historic march that helped free Soviet Jewry, and was moderated by Laura Bialis, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and founder of the

Foundation for Documentary Projects. Sharansky is now the chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel.

During the GA, the first-ever report on inclusion of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender within Jewish organizations in North America was released during a special reception.

Michael Siegal of Cleveland was installed as the new board chair of JFNA. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the conference in a taped message.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, served as scholar in residence for the gathering.

“Jacobs gave an excellent talk on pluralism and Israel,” said Mark L. Goldstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

Judy Diamondstein, assistant executive director of the JFLV, also attended the GA, which was an opportunity to strengthen the local Federations and evaluate resource development.

As one highlight of the GA, Goldstein participated in a consultation on Jewish day schools in intermediate cities, which was administered by JFNA and RAVSAK (the association of Jewish community day schools).

Congregation Sons of Israel Scholar-in-Residence December 7-9, 2012

RABBI DR. ELIEZER SCHNALL We are happy to invite you to participate in our program as we host Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Schnall. Rabbi Schnall, is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology at Yeshiva University.

SHABBAT DINNER FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 7, 5:15 p.m.,

“Groupthink and the Sanhedrin: An Analysis of the Ancient Court of Israel Through the Lens of Modern Social Psychology.” Cost for the Shabbat Dinner is $12 per adult, $8 per child under 12, $36 maximum per family. Babysitting will be available. Reservations by December 3 to April at 610-433-6089.

SHABBAT MORNING, DECEMBER 8

“Why we’re stressed, why we’re satisfied: The National Study of Orthodox Jewish Marriage.”

Finale and Party

Dec. 16th

Time 10:00 a.m.

Temple Beth El 1305 Springhouse Road

Join us at Temple Beth El for fun, community, and a Celebration of Chanukkah and Tzedakah!

Giant canned structures will be donated to Second Harvest and Jewish Family Services.

Help out by bringing canned food or cash donation!

MAIMONIDES SOCIETY BAGEL BRUNCH DECEMBER 9, 10:15 AM AT THE JCC OF ALLENTOWN “Hakarat Hatov: Positive Psychology in Jewish tradition.”

Free of charge to Society members and spouses, $10 to community members

Rabbi Eliezer Schnall‘s scholarly work focuses on the relation between Positive Psychology (how to lead a happier, more productive, fulfilling life) and religious traditions. He has published in such noted academic journals as Family Medicine, Psychology and Health, and the Journal of Counseling and Development. His research on psychology and religion has been featured in The NewYork Times,The Wall Street Journal, on CBS television news, and numerous other national and international media.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2012 5

Fighting over every percentage point:

Arguing about the Jewish vote and exit polls

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President Obama hugging his campaign manager, Jim Messina, during a stop at his campaign headquarters in Chicago, Nov. 7, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

By Ron Kampeas Jewish Telegraphic Agency President Obama’s Jewish numbers are down, but by how much and why?

Expect four more years of tussling between Jewish Republicans and Democrats about the meaning of Obama’s dip from 78 percent Jewish support cited in 2008 exit polls to 69 percent this year in the national exit polls run by a media consortium.

Is it a result of Obama’s fractious relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Or is it a natural fall-off in an election that was closer across the board than it was four years ago? Does it reflect a significant shift in Jewish voting patterns toward the Republicans?

A separate national exit poll released Wednesday by Jim Gerstein, a pollster affiliated with the dovish Israel policy group J Street, had similar numbers: 70 percent of respondents said they voted for Obama, while 30 percent -- the same figure as in the media consortium's Jewish sample -- said they voted for Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Matt Brooks, who directs the Republican Jewish Coalition, said the $6.5 million spent by his group and the $1.5 million doled out by an affiliated political action committee to woo Jewish voters was “well worth it.”

“We’ve increased our share of the Jewish vote by almost 50 percent,” he said, noting that Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican nominee, won 22 percent in exit polls to Romney’s 30 percent.

Brooks said his group’s hard-hitting ads, which attacked Obama on his handling of both Israel and the economy, helped move the needle. “There’s no question we got significant return on our investment,” he said.

Democrats insisted that the needle didn’t wiggle so much, saying the more reliable 2008 number for Obama's share of the Jewish vote was 74 percent -- a figure that was based on a subsequent review of data by The Solomon Project, a nonprofit group affiliated in the past with the National Jewish Democratic Council.

“Right now, 69 or 70 is the best number we have for this cycle, and 74 percent is the best number we have for four years ago,” said Steve Rabinowitz, a consultant to Jewish and

Democratic groups, including the NJDC. “You can intentionally use a number you know has been corrected just for the purposes of comparison, or you can use the data.”

The 2008 numbers, like this year’s, are based on the 2 percent of respondents identifying as Jewish in the major exit poll run by a consortium of news agencies -- 400 to 500 Jews among more than 25,000 respondents. The Solomon Project review, by examining a range of exit polls taken in different states as well as the national consortium, used data garnered from nearly 1,000 Jewish voters, which reduces the margin of error from approximately 6 points to 3 points.

Whether the 2008 percentage was 74 or 78 -- or some other number given the margins of errror -- Republicans and Democrats agreed that Obama’s share of the Jewish vote had declined. Rabinowitz conceded that the Republican expenditure, which dwarfed spending on the Democratic side, may have had an impact.

“What yichus is there in the possibility of having picked up a handful of Jewish votes having spent so many millions of dollars?”

Rabinowitz asked, using the Yiddish word connoting status.

Gerstein said his findings suggested that the Republican blitz of Jewish communities in swing states such as Ohio and Florida had little effect; separate polls he ran in those states showed virtually the same results as his national poll of Jewish voters. Gerstein’s national poll of 800 Jewish voters has a margin of error of 3.5 percent, while his separate polls canvassing 600 Jewish voters each in Ohio and Florida had a margin of error of 4 percent.

He also noted that there were similar drop-offs in Obama’s overall take -- from 53 percent of the popular vote in 2008 to 49 percent this year -- as well as among an array of subgroups, including whites, independents, Catholics, those with no religion and those under 30. The only uptick for the president in the media consortium’s exit polls was seen among Hispanic voters, who likely were turned off by Romney’s tough line on illegal immigration.

“You see a lot of things that are tracking between the Jewish constituency and other constituencies when you look at the shift in

Jewish Vote

Continues on page 7

Polling expert explains the numbers

By Barry Halper JFLV President At a pre-election gathering on November 1 at Congregation Brith Sholom, an energetic crowd of 36 people were educated, enlightened and entertained by political scientist Chris Borick of Muhlenberg College.

Borick delved into the art and science of political polling and its implications in this year’s presidential campaign. He used presidential polling data dating from as far back as the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon election. He provided useful insight enabling a better understanding of polling data; for example, any time the approval rating of the incumbent is 49 percent or higher, the incumbent has been re-elected. This insight held true in this year’s election, too.

In addition to his teaching, Borick is director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. His highly accurate political polling, focusing primarily on Pennsylvania, brings inquiries from national and international news organizations.

The evening’s program was moderated

by Gordon Goldberg, professor emeritus of Kutztown University and a member of Congregation Brith Sholom. Goldberg provided fascinating background data on the polarization of the U.S. political electorate.

The evening’s program was presented in partnership with the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.

Jewish Vote Continues from page 6

Obama’s vote between 2008 and now, “ he said.

The NJDC president, David Harris, attributed what shift there was to the economy.

“American Jews are first and foremost Americans, and like all Americans it’s a difficult time for them,” he said. “The Democratic vote performance has decreased somewhat."

Gerstein said Republicans continued to err in presuming that Israel was an issue that could move the Jewish vote.

“They’ve got to do something very different if they’re going to appeal to Jews,” he said. “The hard-line hawkish appeal to Israel isn’t working.”

He cited an ad run in September in Florida by an anti-Obama group called Secure America Now that featured footage from a news conference in which Netanyahu excoriated those who

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to deliver meals

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2012

Perform a mitzvah this holiday season and deliver Meals on Wheels to those in need.

COORDINATED BY THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY

Contact Abby Trachtman at 610-821-5500, abbyt@jflv.org.

Chris Borick (right) speaks on polling while Gordon Goldberg tallies data.

he said had failed to set red lines for Iran, which was seen as a jab at Obama. Gerstein said that of the 45 percent of his Florida respondents who saw the ad, 56 percent said they were not moved by it, 27 percent said the ad made them more determined to vote for Obama and only 16 percent said it made them more determined to vote for Romney.

Israel did not feature high among priorities in Gerstein’s polling -- a finding that conformed with polling done over the years by the American Jewish Committee.

Asked their top issue in voting, 53 percent of Gerstein’s respondents in his national poll cited the economy and 32 percent said health care.

Israel tied for third with abortion and terrorism at 10 percent.

His national poll showed Obama winning a strong overall approval rating of 67 percent and a similarly solid showing on domestic issues, such as entitlements, at 65 percent. The president gained majority approval

Don’t abandon your investment plan. Rethink it. of his handling of relations with Israel (53 percent) and the Iranian nuclear issue (58 percent.).

But the RJC's Brooks said he was confident that Republicans would continue to accrue gains, saying that with the exception of Obama’s strong showing in 2008, his party has steadily increased its proportion of the Jewish vote since George H. W. Bush received 11 percent in 1992.

“Our investment is not in the outcome of a single election,” he said. “It’s ultimately about broadening the base of the Republican Party in the Jewish community.”

If market fluctuations and economic uncertainty have you second-guessing your investment plan, it’s time to take a closer look. With an Envision® plan, we can help ensure your goals are measurable, reprioritize them if necessary, and adjust your strategy to reflect realistic expectations and your own comfort level for risk.

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STANDING SILENT About 100 people turned out on Saturday evening, November 17, for a special JCC Jewish & Israeli Film Festival presentation of “Standing Silent.” The powerful documentary about the uncovering of sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community of Baltimore was introduced by its writer and producer Scott Rosenfelt, who hails from Easton and whose credits include “Home Alone” and “Mystic Pizza.” A Q&A with Rosenfelt and with forensic psychologist Dr. Robert Gordon followed the presentation. The evening was co-sponsored by Lexus of Lehigh Valley in memory of Rosenfelt’s father Lou Rosenfelt, a long-time Lexus employee.

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HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2012 7

Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation The endowment fund of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

IN MEMORY RUBY ARONSKY (Mother of Anne Gutman and Steven Aronsky) Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz FREDERICK FRIEDMAN (Father of Karen Cooper) Lenny Abrams Lisa and Ellis Block Wendy and Ross Born Cheryl and Scott Brenner Jan and Glenn Ehrich Iris, Jon, Harry and Charlie Epstein Roberta Epstein Carol and Gary Fromer Sandra and Harold Goldfarb Jocelyn and Jon Hodes Vicki and Stan Wax DANIELLE GOREN (Daughter of Terrie and Len Goren) Melissa Lulay SOLOMAN GRATCH (Father of Allison Lipson) Judy, Marc, Noah and Molly Diamondstein Suzanne Lapiduss Ann and David Packman Joanne and Robert Palumbo Lorrie and Jay Scherline Carah and Ryan Tenzer Vicki and Stan Wax ANNE GRIBBEN (Mother of Allen Gribben) Wendy and Ross Born Carol and Stewart Furmansky Rusty and Nate Schiff ANDREW HAFETZ (Son of Zena and Harvey Hafetz) Elaine and Les Lerner ETHYLE HALPER (Mother of Barry Halper) Lisa and Ellis Block Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel Randi and Donald Senderowitz PHILIP JACOBSON (Husband of Avie Jacobson) Sybil and Barry Baiman & Family Vicki and Stan Wax RUTH MOLLICK (Mother of Lynn Mollick and Helen Mollick)

Pearl and Morton Litwak MARTIN ROSENBLUM (Father of Marjorie Ofrichter) Lenny Abrams Jan and Glenn Ehrich Carol and Stewart Furmansky Martin Spiro Frank Tamarkin Judy Diamondstein and The Maimonides Society Vicki and Stan Wax ARLEN SPECTER (Father of Shanin Specter) Jay Scherline MARVIN WEISS (Husband of Judy Weiss and father of Lynda Somach, Janet Quate and Jodi Holman) Lisa and Ellis Block Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz Randi and Donald Senderowitz

IN HONOR JOAN BRODY In appreciation for all of your work in making our Israel trip so easy and memorable Jill and Jeff Blinder JAN AND GLENN EHRICH Marriage of daughter Naomi to Dani Saks Judy, Marc, Noah and Molly Diamondstein Barbara and Arthur Weinrach BARRY HALPER New president of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Barbara and David Sussman CAROL AND BARRY HALPER Birth of grandson, Henry Bennett Halper Iris, Jon, Harry and Charlie Epstein Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz Linda and Mike Miller Cooky and Mike Notis BETH AND WES KOZINN Birth of grandson, Joseph Brill Suzanne Lapiduss & Family LINDA AND HAROLD KREITHEN Granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel JENNIFER AND GARY LADER

Son Jacob’s Bar Mitzvah Monica and Henry Friess JUDY AND MORTON MILLER Marriage of granddaughter, Becky Betty Greenberg LINDA AND MIKE MILLER Special Wedding Anniversary Wendy and Ross Born LINDA AND MIKE MILLER Granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah Wendy and Ross Born JOANNE AND ROBERT PALUMBO Son Benjamin’s Bar Mitzvah Carol and Gary Fromer NICOLE AND JARROD ROSENTHAL In Appreciation Charlie Epstein JOE SAVITZ Special Birthday Jill and Hank Narrow MARK SCOBLIONKO Receiving the President’s Award from the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Barbara and David Sussman BARBARA S. SUSSMAN Special Birthday Eydie and Neil Glickstein EILEEN UFBERG Happy Birthday Merry Landis VICKI WAX Receiving the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award Eydie and Neil Glickstein Randi and Donald Senderowitz Barbara and David Sussman HAROLD WEINSTEIN Happy 90th Birthday Joani Lesavoy and Sid Greenberg DEBI AND DAVID WIENER Daughter Jordyn’s Bat Mitzvah Roberta Epstein We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship through recent gifts to the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation. The minimum contribution for an Endowment Card is $10. Call 610821-5500 or visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org to place your card requests. Thank you for your continued support.

Visit Any of Embassy’s Convenient Offices Valleywide: ALLENTOWN 1142 S Cedar Crest Blvd.

(484) 223-0018

ALLENTOWN 4148 W Tilghman St. (484) 223-1782

8 DECEMBER 2012 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

TREXLERTOWN 6379 Hamilton Blvd.

(610) 336-8034

BETHLEHEM 925 West Broad St. (484) 821-1210

BETHLEHEM 100 Gateway Dr. (610) 882-8800

SAUCON VALLEY Route 378 & Colesville Rd. (610) 332-2981

EASTON Easton-Nazareth Hwy. & Corriere Rd. (Next to Applebee’s) (484) 536-1870

Israeli consul looks to expand ties with Lehigh Valley

By Monica Friess Special to HAKOL Last month, JFLV Executive Director Mark L. Goldstein and JFLV President Barry Halper met with Yaron Sideman, the new consul general of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski and Easton Mayor Sal Panto and other area representatives attended the meeting to discuss ways to further strengthen the bonds between Israel and the Lehigh Valley.

Sideman is the State of Israel’s representative to Delaware, Southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. The mission of the consulate general is to preserve and enhance the friendship between this region and Israel, serve as a bridge to its Jewish community, develop economic relations and provide consular services to Israelis, Americans and others who may need them.

To fulfill its missions, the consulate general and its staff conducts and support activities and programs with the object of bringing Israeli culture to the region. The consulate general enhances awareness of the richness and diversity of Israeli life among various sectors of American society, academic institutions, cultural venues and various channels of communication.

“Mr. Sideman has held the post since September, and he has already visited our area twice,” said Goldstein, who noted that the Philadelphia-based consulate is very interested in strengthening and initiating partnerships in

our region.

The Lehigh Valley and Israel already have a rich and vibrant relationship. At last month’s meeting, the consul general and the Lehigh Valley representatives discussed ways to broaden and enhance these ties. Goldstein said four areas were at the forefront.

Culturally, both areas have much to offer. The mayors were very interested in the probability of bringing Israeli musicians and artists here.

In the realm of higher education, the possibility of bringing academicians to teach or lead seminars at Valley institutions was discussed.

An important opportunity also exists in the field of security: The group discussed emergency preparedness, unfortunately an area in which Israel has much experience. There are examples of U.S. first responders, including hospital staff, visiting Israel to glean from Israel’s practical knowledge. The JFLV will work with the consulate to explore such opportunities for Lehigh Valley police, fire and medical personnel.

The major area with a very successful proven track record, and the main focus of the recent meetings, is the field of economic development. Strong economic ties continue to evolve between Israel and this region. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a trade office in Israel. In addition, the Philadelphia-based AmericaIsrael Chamber of Commerce Central Atlantic Region, established in 1987, seeks to connect companies in Israel and the U.S.

From left, Rabbi Daniel Stein of Bnai Abraham in Easton; Barry Halper, president of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley; Yaron Sideman, Israeli consul general; Daniel E. Cohen, past president of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and Joel Scheer, an attorney in Easton. and to present and cultivate trade and investment.

In 1997, Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Ridge signed the commonwealth’s first cooperative agreement with Israel. There are three major bi-national foundation grants shared by Pennsylvania and Israel, and dozens of companies, including several in the Lehigh Valley region, have benefited from them.

In 2011, Pennsylvania exports to Israel totaled nearly $210 mil-

lion, a 7.33 percent increase from 2010. The total value of exports since 1996 has exceeded $2.2 billion, making Israel the commonwealth’s 22nd leading trade partner.

Goldstein indicated that the consul general is extremely committed to our region.

“Talks are on to continue moving forward on economic development,” Goldstein said.

“With Mr. Sideman, we have a wonderful opportunity to

strengthen our existing ties and connect in areas that are mutually beneficial.

“The consul general understands that these program areas will benefit Israel, and will benefit and enrich the Lehigh Valley. We’re fortunate that he has expressed such interest in our region and will direct energy to promote ties with Israel within the Lehigh Valley business, economic, cultural, educational and public safety arenas.”

Project fights hunger, one can at a time Temple Beth El is hosting its Chanu-Can food drive from December 9 to December 16. The project aims at raising food and hunger awareness and teaching children the meaning of helping others in need. Last year's participants collected 12,000 pounds of food and raised nearly $7,000.

The program empowers students to take an active role in achieving meaningful goals. Food and money will be donated to Second Harvest and the Jewish Family Service. To get involved, contact the synagogue office at 610-435-3521.

HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2012 9

First-Time Campers: $1 ,000

tuition assistance Call now for details.

Satmar’s life captivates A review of Deborah Feldman’s “Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots”

By Debbie Lader Special to HAKOL Rating:

“Unorthodox” is Deborah Feldman's memoir of her early life, from adolescence to young adulthood, including her marriage and the birth of her son. She takes the reader into her life as a Satmar Jew in Williamsburg, N.Y. In addition to describing the proscribed life, she focuses on her frustrations, doubts and questions about that life.

Feldman is raised by her Bubby and Zeidy in a strict, religious environment. Her mother left her with them at an early age and of her Feldman says, “Her journey speaks more of a struggle than happiness.” Feldman’s father was mentally ill and could not take care of her.

Only Bubby is supportive and shows Feldman some love, but even Bubby is unable to help her deal with difficult questions or concerns.

Feldman enters into an arranged marriage at the age of 17 and gives birth to a son, Yitzy. Restless, she enrolls in secular classes at a local college. In the people she meets, the joy of learning and the escape from the rigidities of her life, she finds the motivation to leave her

husband and her old life behind.

In the end, Feldman writes, “People want to know if I’ve found happiness, but what I’ve found is better: authenticity. I’m finally free to be myself and that feels good.”

As a person who grew up in a Conservative religious environment and who has lived for the past 13 years as Modern Orthodox, as someone who went to Jewish day schools and high school, I found this book compelling.

Although I reached a different outcome, I did connect with Feldman’s feelings and soulsearching.

The desire to explore and know what's going on outside of one’s own small circle is normal. If teachers, family, rabbis and friends stunt the curiosity, it can lead to rebellion. Feldman’s rebellion was done in what I would call a “soft way” for a long time.

In fact, she worried that her Zeidy could “see through” her.

She writes, "My heart would break if he knew the truth about me."

However, Feldman has little or no family support as she ponders her identity. It made me wonder whether, if Feldman were part of a different family -- one that was loving, understanding and encouraging -- her life would have turned out differently.

Other reviewers write that some of the scenes in the book are not true or are exaggerated for the shock value. For example, even as a young woman, Feldman isn’t aware of aspects of her own body and its function.

However, from what I have witnessed, it all sounds very believable.

Feldman’s words come across as sincere, even those that other reviewers

Deborah Feldman dismiss as complaining or as denigrating to her religion.

I would like to have had more details about how Feldman is able to leave her family and find success on her own with a child.

She says little of how she has the money to become independent, keep a car, care for a baby, travel the country and take college classes. This part of Feldman’s story left me wondering.

Overall, I found the book difficult to put down, and that doesn't happen to me often, especially with memoirs.

Want to sign up for

PJ Library?

Receive books, CDs and DVDs for your child FREE OF CHARGE Visit

www.pjlibrary.org 10 DECEMBER 2012 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

WRITINGS FROM THE

PHOTO CREDIT: YEVETTE HENDLER

CLERGY

STUDENT RABBI LESLIE HILGEMAN

Congregation Am Haskalah Chanukah is such a rich holiday.

Some of the earliest spiritual memories I have involve my sister and I cuddling with our mother, singing and taking in the warm glow of the Chanukah candles on the kitchen counter.

Over the years, I came to experience other aspects of the holiday. I got to learn about the Chanukah “story” and Jewish pride at the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greek Empire in 166 B.C.E. Later, I got to read the actual Chanukah texts such as the Book of Maccabees and the Book of Judith, which helped me understand the holiday in new ways.

I’ve seen Chanukah observed as an opportunity for families to exchange gifts, and I’ve seen it as an opportunity for tzedakah -- for addressing injustice and sharing our resources with those less fortunate than us.

Today, several websites list opportunities for Chanukah mitzvah projects.

Some organizations, such as the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), offer programs for building environmental awareness at Chanukah. Just as the Maccabees were able to conserve the last bit of oil

Finding light in the darkness they had, these programs help us think about using our resources in sustainable ways.

Of course, I’ve seen Chanukah celebrated through cooking -latkes or other fried foods -- so long as it involved the miracle of oil! And then there were the parties -- with dreidels as kids, with dancing as teens. At Am Haskalah’s Chanukah party this year on December 15, we’ll have a latke cook-off and a talent show.

All are welcome!

However I celebrate the holiday each year, I always find some time to connect with that spiritual observance I remember from my childhood, especially the kindling of light.

Light takes on special importance at this time of year because we are only days away from the winter solstice, when there are longer and longer stretches of darkness. Many people experience light deprivation at this time of year, and some may feel despair.

Enter Chanukah as a Jewish answer for tackling these earlywinter blues.

Hasidic thinkers understood the special opportunity Chanukah offers each year to bring much needed spiritual light into the dark times of winter. Poland’s 19th-century Rabbi Yehudah Leib Alter, also known as the Sfat Emet,

delivered a beautiful teaching about how we can reflect on the light of the Chanukah candles to discover and connect with our inner light hidden within.

What is that inner light? The Sfat Emet often wrote about what he called the “Inner Point,” the spark of soul-holiness hidden inside each of us. It could also mean a ray of hope found at just the right moment to lift us in times of doubt or despair. Either way, the teaching wisely acknowledges a reality many of us already know: In dark times, we may need something outside of us to lift us out of whatever malaise we are in, perhaps something as simple as our Chanukah candlelight.

So take an extra moment to gaze on your Chanukah candles when you light them this year.

Where could you use some hope in your life? See if you can bring the candlelight inside, inward. See if it sparks some hope.

Then see if you can hold that hope until the next night, or rekindle it again with the next night’s candles. As more candles are lit each night of the holiday, can the warmth and hope grow inside us also?

Perhaps this way the Maccabees’ Chanukah miracle can live on as light and hope kindled inside each of us, light and hope that we can share with others.

Easton Salon Series

A hybrid social/intellectual Jewish experience

3rd Sunday of every month JANUARY 20, 2013

7 to 9 p.m., location to be announced FEBRUARY 17, 2013 | MARCH 17, 2013 APRIL 21, 2013 | MAY 19, 2013

Presentation by

DR. HARTLEY LACHTER

Dr. Hartley Lachter is an associate professor of religion studies and director of Jewish studies at Muhlenberg College. His research focuses on the proliferation of Kabbalah in the late 13th century.

Dr. Lachter has given public lectures at area synagogues on topics ranging from medieval Jewish life and thought to the place of Jews and Israel in contemporary Christian discourse.

Based on the salon concept in Europe

where the elite would host small gatherings featuring scholars or artists, the Easton series will allow Jews to come together every month to discuss captivating and thought-provoking themes.

There is no cost to participate. Food will be available for purchase. Respectful accommodation for dietary observance.

Sponsored by the Easton Leadership Council of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

Happy Paws Dog Walking & Pet Services from YOUR home

Free initial consultation JCC jPerks participant Jessica Newman, Owner BS, Animal Biotechnology & Conservation Animal Behavior, Training and Enrichment

Allentown, PA 610.217.2173 newmanlj@aol.com www.happypawsnew.com Celebrating 4 years of Happy Paws HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2012 11

MONTHLY NEWS FROM JFS

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE

610.821.8722 | www.jewishfamilyservice-lv.org

OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY

DECEMBER 2012

Neil Dicker to speak as an ambassador for the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and a stem cell recipient BRUNCH & LEARN WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 Brunch at 9:45 a.m., talk at 10 a.m.

Jewish Family Service, 2004 Allen Street, Allentown

In 2005, Dr. Neil Dicker was diagnosed with a rare form of non Hodgkins lymphoma and underwent several years of conventional treatment. During this time, he participated in the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation and gave presentations to numerous medical schools and industries on a variety of subjects pertaining to this form of cancer.

In August 2009, Neil underwent a matched unrelated donor stem cell transplant and, after several years, has recovered and is in durable remission. Since recovering, he has been passionate about speaking on

behalf of the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation as an inspirational spokesperson encouraging all to become part of the international registry. He has brought his powerful message to Jewish organizations, the young Jewish professionals group and, most recently, to Lehigh Valley Health Management Association at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem.

Dicker is originally from the New York City area and received his dental degree from New York University. After serving in the U.S. Army as a dental officer, he moved to the Lehigh Valley in 1976. He had a successful dental practice in Bethlehem for 30 years and was part of the original group that formed the dental residency program at Lehigh Valley Hospital’s Muhlenberg Campus. He was affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Dental School’s continuing education program for more than 20 years. He is married to Linda Dicker and has four children and two grandchildren. Neil and Linda have

JFS wishes you a Happy Chanukah

Passing the word along

been members of Temple Beth El for 25 years.

Please call 610-821-8722 by December 10 to make reservations. Admission, which includes the brunch, is $3 per person.

Physically fit students get better grades, suggests an as-yet-unpublished study led by a team of University of North Texas psychologists and reported in Monitor on Psychology. Researchers at the University of Texas have gathered data on physical fitness, academic performance, self-esteem and social support from more than 1,200 students at five Texas middle schools. They found that those who were more physically fit scored higher on reading and math tests, even after controlling for the influences of the students' socioeconomic status and their academic self-concept. In addition to cardiorespiratory fitness, social support—defined as reliable help from family and friends to solve problems or deal with emotions—was related to better reading scores among boys.

Donate your vehicle With 2013 fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about ways to reduce your tax liability. Jewish Family Service offers a great opportunity for you to save on your taxes while helping families in your community.

Donating your car, truck or motor home to JFS-LV is a win-win for everyone. You get a receipt for your charitable donation, and JFS-LV receives the proceeds from the sale of the vehicle.

When you call JFS-LV, someone will be there to answer your questions, take your information and

schedule a convenient pickup.

FAQ: Q: Does my car have to be running?

A: Not always; however, older cars that do not run may be declined.

Q: What paperwork do I need?

A: You will need a copy of the title.

Q: Will JFS-LV give me a receipt for my donation?

A: An IRS-compliant tax receipt will be mailed to you.

Q: Does JFS-LV give me a value for

Q: Where can I go to find the value of my vehicle?

A: You can go online to www.kbb. com or www.nadaguides.com. You must use the private party value when determining the value of your vehicle.

Call 610-821-8722 for more information.

We thank the following individuals who have graciously supported JFS-LV by sending tribute cards: In honor of Harold Weinstein’s birthday Elaine Rothfeld Congratulations to Alex Rosenau and wishes for continued success Leslie and Michael Weinstock Congratulations to Dr. David Gilgoff on his impending promotion as director of Human Services of Lehigh County Barry Siegel In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rosenfeld’s 50th anniversary Rella and Jeff Bindell

Ellen and Ken Greene Susan and Larry Berman

grandson’s bar mitzvah Linda and Jim Wimmer

In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Miller’s 50th anniversary Rella and Jeff Bindell Ellen and Ken Greene Susan and Larry Berman

In memory of Leona Krichefsky Hank and Phyllis Perkin

In honor of Bernie Filler’s birthday Rella and Jeff Bindell

In memory of Marvin Weiss Hank and Phyllis Perkin Leslie and Michael Weinstock Jane and William Markson

In honor of Joe Savitz’s birthday Arlene and Rob Hurwitz In honor of Jeanette and Eduardo Eichenwald’s

In memory of Ethyle Halper Hank and Phyllis Perkin

Eleanor Wiener Fletcher In memory of Sol Gratch Leslie and Michael Weinstock Leslie and Victor Bunick and family Arlene and Rob Hurwitz In memory of Bella Chorost Roberta and Joel Levine In memory of Sandii Nogy’s sister, Carol Arlene and Rob Hurwitz

In memory of David Goldner’s father Judy and Mort Miller

In memory of Allen Gribben’s father Lorrie and Jay Scherline

In memory of Norman Somach Judy and Mort Miller

In memory of Marlene Korn Eleanor Wiener Fletcher

A tribute card from JFS-LV is a wonderful way to share your thoughtfulness with family and friends. For a donation of $10 or more (the amount is up to you), we will send a lovely card to the recipient of your choice, letting them know of your contribution to JFSLV. Your contribution may be made to JFS’s General Fund or may be directed to a special program such as the Kosher Food Pantry, Education and Programs, Senior Services and Director’s Discretionary Fund. Call 610-821-8722 if you would like to order cards.

12 DECEMBER 2012 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY

CARWASH COUPONS!

my vehicle?

A: No, it is up to the owner to affix a fair market value, always taking into account the vehicle’s condition.

As 2012 winds down, look forward to 2013 with a shiny, freshly cleaned car! If you get a carwash from Kuhnsville Car Wash, 5627 Tilghman Street, Allentown, you’ll be helping JFS help people in our community at the same time. Choose from the following: •

Gold Package: exterior wash, wax and undercarriage flush/rust inhibitor. $11.

Seniors (65 and up): $10 • The works: exterior work and interior services such as vacuuming, windows and tire dressing. $22. Seniors (65 and up): $21 Coupons are available at Jewish Family Service, 2004 Allen Street, Allentown, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. You may also send a check, made out to Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, and we will mail your coupons to you.

For more information, call 610-821-8722. Half of the proceeds go to Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley in support of our programs.

Food Pantry Thank you to Congregation Brith Sholom and the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley for your generous donations of food to the Jewish Family Service food pantry. Many people in our community have been helped as a result of your kindness.