What topics are off limits for jokes? a Jewish comedian asks our audience. War? The Holocaust? See his answers.
It’s Chanukah time! See what our Jewish agencies are up to. Read of the hostage homecoming our clergy columnist witnessed in Israel. Special section
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JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p12
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By Carl Zebrowski Editor
John Spencer, combat veteran, award-winning scholar, and leading global expert on urban warfare and military strategy, is coming to the JCC on Monday evening, January 12, to talk with our community about the Gaza war and set the record straight.
“John is a voice of moral clarity and a respected military expert who has been a steadfast ally in articulating and defending Israel’s actions in Gaza,” says Aaron Gorodzinsky, director of the development for the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, host of the event. “He has consistently lent his expertise across major
media platforms to ensure that the true nature of the war in Gaza is accurately communicated.”
“In a media landscape often marred by misinformation and half-truths, we are honored to host John, who brings integrity, expertise, and truth to the conversation.”
Spencer has been one of the most articulate voices in the media explaining Israel’s military operations in Gaza and elsewhere after the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. He’ll provide our audience with expert insight into Israel’s efforts to defend itself and offer his well-informed view of what may follow as the war comes to its end.
He brings decades of first-
hand military experience to his task. His 25 years of U.S. Army experience, including elite units and two combat deployments, along with his ongoing work training military leaders and developing the world’s only course on largescale urban operations, boldly underscore his reputation.
Academically, he’s chair of urban warfare studies at West Point’s Modern War Institute, where he regularly distills complex military and political information into clear, actionable insights for varied audiences, whether covering operations in Ukraine, Israel, or Gaza, or potential confrontations involving China or Russia. He’s done more than a decade of groundbreaking
field research, written three influential books, and had over 140 analyses published in major outlets.
Then there’s the endorsement of influential American Jewish organizations. “We are proud to stand alongside the Jewish Federations of North America, America Jewish Committee, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Anti-Defense League, and American Israel Political Action Committee in welcoming John Spencer to our community,” says Gorodzinsky. Spencer’s presentation will begin in the JCC at 7 p.m.
Registration is required at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/ israel-in-focus.
By Carl Zebrowski Editor
Shai Albrecht has dedicated herself to combatting antisemitism and debunking lies about the Jewish people and Israel online since October 7, 2023. She has 400,000 social media followers to testify to her effort.
On January 27, she’ll bring the knack for storytelling, clear explanations, and energetic discourse that helped her earn that following to the Jewish Federation Women’s Philanthropy. She’ll talk at Temple Beth El at 6:30 that evening about her personal experiences as a Jew living in the United States with immediate family in Israel and pro-
vide guidance to the women for finding their personal voice to advocate for Israel and the Jewish community here and elsewhere.
Albrecht will delve into how the October 7 Hamas attacks, the hostages and their long captivity, and the Gaza war has impacted her and her family. She’ll also share her passion for Israel and how it has shaped who she is.
“I’ll reveal why my voice fights for Israel’s pride and our unbreakable future, sparking that same fire in everyone in the audience,” says the advocate the Zionist organization Hadassah has named among its 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know. “You’ll walk
away knowing you hold the power to understand the situation and act.”
Through all the challenges of the past couple of years, including being the target of public hatred and death threats, Albrecht has remained vocal as her social media following has grown. She’ll offer tips to the Women’s Philanthropy audience for how they can hone their own voices as advocates, especially coming together in strength as part of the Jewish Federation.
Tama Tamarkin, co-chair of the event along with Naomi Schachter, is excited about the choice of Albrecht for this meaningful gathering at a critical time, with the end of the war seemingly in sight.
“Since October 7, 2023, Shai has rapidly grown her social media platform, fearlessly tackling misinformation and rising antisemitism,” she says.
“Like me, Shai is a proud grandchild of Holocaust survivors who has inherited a fierce refusal to stay silent. We are eager for the Lehigh Valley women to hear her journey toward advocacy and be inspired to find and use their voices for good.”
Schachter says she’s eager to be part of “the inspiring conversation about the power of using our voices. At a time when standing up against hate matters more than ever, Shai has used her platform to speak out for the Jewish community. This event is a meaningful opportunity to come together, learn, and strengthen our collective voice.”
Albrecht’s own Jewish voice has been long evolving, going back to childhood. She grew up in an Orthodox family, the daughter of Israeli parents, and she says she learned to speak out from an early age. Besides online, these days, she has continued to make her voice heard as a keynote event speaker and in print for numerous publications.
Her presentation to the Women’s Philanthropy on January 27 will be her first time in Lehigh Valley, raising her voice, increasing visibility, and spreading a dedication to uplifting others that has resonated across many com-
munities. Her talk will begin at 6:30 p.m.
The cost to attend the event is $36. Registration is required at jewishlehighvalley. regfox.com/womens-empowerment-event. Arrive early and bring ID for security.
To talk about participating meaningfully and purposefully in the Jewish community through Women’s Philanthropy, advocating for the Jewish people and raising funds to fill Jewish needs here, in Israel, and elsewhere, contact Lee Kestecher Solomon, Jewish Federation director of community engagement, at lee@jflv.org or 610-821-5500.
9:00
11:00
Sunday, February 1, 2026 at the JCC
Activities of the day will take place from 9:00a.m. until 1:00p.m.
WE'VE GOT A BIG DAY PLANNED FOR YOU!
• Engage at the Maimonides Brunch and Learn
• Join a PJ Library Event
• Volunteer with Women’s Philanthropy for a Mitzvah Project
• Participate in a Security Training session
• Experience a Partnership2Gether workshop
• Come Meet and Thank Our Elected Officials Learn
With winter upon us and the days getting shorter, two moments call us to pause, reflect, and look forward with renewed purpose: Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, and the arrival of the secular New Year. These observances come from vastly different places. Chanukah is deeply rooted in Jewish history, and the New Year marks a secular turning of the calendar. Yet both invite us to look inward, reconnect, and move forward with intention.
Chanukah reminds us of the courage of the Maccabees, their victory, and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. At its heart, though, it is a celebration of spiritual resilience.
The small vessel of oil that burned for eight days symbolizes not only a miracle of the past but a timeless message: even a small spark can illuminate great darkness. As we light each candle on the chanukiah, increasing the brightness each night, we carry this message in our hearts and our actions. In a world that often feels heavy with uncertainty, Chanukah encourages us to create light wherever we can through acts of compassion, through strengthening Jewish identity, and through nurturing our sense of community.
This year especially, as our hearts remain with Israel, moments of hope carry profound meaning. Each hostage reunited with their fam-
ily brings a glimmer of light back into a nation that has endured deep pain and allows us to think about hope, resilience, and rebuilding. It is a powerful reminder that light returns slowly but surely, one candle, one life, one moment at a time.
Though not a Jewish holiday, the secular New Year holds significance for many in our community. It offers a natural opportunity to consider where we have been and where we hope to go. For me, it’s like the self-reflection of the High Holiday season, though in a less spiritual way. It invites us to acknowledge what we have accomplished, where we may have fallen short, and what changes we hope
Co-Chaired by Naomi Schachter and Tama Tamarkin
We gratefully acknowledge those individuals who have offered expressions of friendship by requesting that trees be planted in the Mark L. Goldstein Friendship Park, a Yoav-Lehigh Valley Partnership Forest.
IN HONOR
JANE AND BILLY MARKSON
In celebration of the birth of your granddaughter, Audrey Rose Markson Vicki Wax
STEFFIE AND STEVE SZILAGYI
In celebration of the birth of your grandson, Dylan Elaine and Leon Papir
JULIA UMANSKY AND JON MARKSON
In celebration of the birth of your daughter, Audrey Rose Markson
Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie Schechner
ORDER TREES, call the JFLV at 610-821-5500
IN MEMORY
MATTHEW FLACK
(Son-in-Law of Susan Musselman)
Temple Beth El Sisterhood
GERTRUDE LEWIS
(Mother of Rabbi Ellen Lewis)
Roseann, Edward and Sarah Weinstein
EVELYN SHERMAN
(Mother of Mike Sherman)
Mindy, Eric, Sam, Ty and Syd Holender
ELIZABETH WARSAW
(Grandmother of Kathi Katzman)
Robie and Don Barga
Francyne and David Bernfeld
Ilene and Steve Rubells
Annette and Bob Shaw
to make in the year ahead.
These reflections do not replace the themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but they can complement them. They offer a subtle second chance to adjust our goals, to renew our commitments to well-being, relationships, and community involvement, and head into the coming months with intention and purpose.
Chanukah and the New Year share an essential theme: renewal. Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple, and the New Year offers an opportunity for personal rededication. Both remind us that meaningful change rarely requires sweeping transformation. Small, steady acts such as
volunteering, supporting a neighbor, offering tzedakah, or simply being more present with family and friends can shape a life aligned with our values.
As we move from the warm glow of the Chanukah candles into the secular New Year, may we carry the lessons of the holiday with us. I hope we will nurture sparks of hope, pursue acts of goodness, and continue striving to bring more light into the world.
Wishing our entire community a joyous, meaningful Chanukah and a bright, healthy New Year.
HAKOL STAFF
CARL ZEBROWSKI Editor
CHARLENE RIEGGER Director of Marketing
BILLY THOMPSON
HAKOL is published 11 times per year 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. Quotes may be edited for grammar and clarity. Articles should be submitted by e-mail or presented as typed copy; “Community Calendar” listings must be submitted by e-mail to hakol@jflv.org or online at www.jewishlehighvalley.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.
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JFLV EXECUTIVE STAFF
JERI ZIMMERMAN
Executive Director
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Director of Development
DENISE AHNER Director of Finance & Administration
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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
By Carl Zebrowski Editor
You know the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, but how well do you know it, all that it does for our community and others, how it’s able to pull all that off. Have you ever felt like your grasp of the details has made you less than fully confident when talking with a community member about volunteering and donating?
Instilling confidence to that end was a goal of the Taste of Federation event that kicked off the community night on November 5 that culminated with a presentation by Israeli American comedian and educator Benji Lovitt. Iris Kramer, chair of the Jewish Federations of North America National Women’s Philanthropy, came to explain what it is that we at the Federation do, why we do it, what we’re trying to convey when we’re talking with people about the Federation, what the Federation is doing at this particular time, and what it hopes to do tomorrow as we encourage our younger generations to follow in our footsteps.
Carol Bub Fromer, past chair of the Lehigh Valley Women’s Philanthropy, welcomed the crowd of major donors to the Jewish Federation presentation. “This is a small but poignant snapshot of our Lehigh Valley community,” she said. She went on to explain that the Federation is here to “ensure that our Jewish identity does not become watered down and extinct. Most importantly, we bring Jews together in person.”
One thing to know about our local Federation right
up front is that 70% of all the funds that it collects stay right here in the Lehigh Valley to support critical elements of life in our community: the JCC, Jewish Day School, Jewish Family Service, and synagogues; events that bring together our Jewish neighbors from one end of the Lehigh Valley to the other; and assistance for those who need it.
Everyone in the room that night figured into this. “I’d like you to think about why you play the role that you do,” said Kramer.
That role happens to be just one of many in a Jewish Federations of North America that serves as an umbrella for 141 local Federations, including the Lehigh Valley’s. This umbrella organization was established soon after Israel became a nation in 1948 and has grown from there. “It evolved into a sort-of safety net for Jews in North America and everywhere,” Kramer said.
The national organization got involved in large-scale operations right away. It moved Jewish people from dangerous places in the world to safer ones, like to the United States from the Soviet Union in the 1980s and from Ukraine after Russia invaded in early 2022. “We have been in the business of rescuing and supporting Jews for decades,” Kramer said.
Most recently, the Federations together led the way to provide various forms of support, relocation and rebuilding, and other essentials since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. “The money the Federations raised in the Israel Emergency Campaign made
us the organization most able to keep Israel functioning,” Kramer said. The Lehigh Valley effort chaired by Israel and Valeska Zighelboim contributed over $1 million to that effort. Hundreds of organizations in Israel are still receiving money from the campaign.
Kramer’s recent experiences traveling to Israel with a Federations group gave her a chance to witness the impact of the emergency campaign up close. Evidence started to turn up immediately on arrival.
“The Israeli drivers who picked us up at airport called us the pillars of their existence,” she said.
Kramer initially came to the national Jewish Federations of North America through Women’s Philanthropy in her native Florida, particularly drawn to the Lion of Judah group. “I aspired to become a Lion of Judah after reading all the stories in our local Jewish newspaper,” she said.
Women have a distinct way of giving, Kramer pointed out. “There’s a difference in the way men and women make philanthropic decisions,” she said. Studies have put a fine point on that, which she summed up succinctly as: “Women give twice as much as men do.” And they’re the deciding voice in 90% of household donations.
Yet everyone in the room that night plays a key part in supporting Jewish com-
munities here, in Israel, and everywhere. “You have been the future of this community,” she said. That needs to continue. And expand. “Are we being the ancestors that our descendants need us to be?” she asked. “Do you have a pipeline of passionate future leaders? Will they continue to live your philanthropic values?”
She suggested that each person put what’s important to them about the Federation down on paper. “Write about your values,” she said, “and talk with your family and your community about supporting local Jewry. Your words will make your feelings and actions immortal.”
Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley President Bill
Markson closed this portion of the community evening. “It’s really important for all of us to be reminded of our global group that helps Jews around the world,” he said. “Yet 70% of the money raised stays right here to strengthen Jewish life in our backyard.”
“The Federation is convener and connector. We assure Jewish continuity. One gift makes a difference in all facets of Jewish life.”
You can talk about making that one gift to make a difference right now by contacting Aaron Gorodzinsky, Jewish Federation director of development, at 610-8215500 or aaron@jflv.org.
By Carl Zebrowski Editor
Nani Vazana has earned herself a good deal of fame as the living voice of the endangered Ladino language, the Judeo-Spanish traditional tongue of Sephardic Jews. The winner of the singing competition known as “Eurovision for Foreign Languages” will perform songs in this language known for its matriarchal spirit at the JCC on Thursday, February 12, at 7 p.m.
The Israeli composer, vocalist, and educator will present a Sephardic and Ladino concert for our community. This is a rare treat, as she’s one of only a few contemporary artists writing and composing new music in Ladino.
Vazana grounds her art in family tradition, drawing heavily on the Moroccan songs sung by her grand-
mother. Adapting inherited melodies and themes, she blends oral histories of Sephardic life with modern storytelling techniques and elements of flamenco music. The finished works bridge generations and cultures, preserving Sephardic influences.
Vazana’s 2022 album “Ke Haber” (“What’s New) is the only album filled with wholly original songs written in Ladino. Accompanying the sung words is a contemporary blend of Sephardic traditions like marketplaces and other traditional places and events. The instrumentation is a then-and-now tapestry of flamenco-like vocals, mariachi guitar, piano, trombone, and more. The album climbed all the way to No. 11 on the International World Music Chart. Besides writing, composing, and performing,
Vazana is an educator and advocate. She’s spoken at TEDx Amsterdam and hosted panels at the world music exposition WOMEX in Berlin. She is a professor at the London Performing Academy of Music and the Jerusalem Music Academy, chair of the Amsterdam Artist Collective, and founder of the online music-business academy Why DIY Music. Come out to hear the sound of Sephardic tradition with a modern twist, connecting old and young, past and future generations, through music. Be there for the stories passed down, the faith expressed, and the shared cultural identity kept alive.
Tickets are $36. Get them at jewishlehighvalley.regfox. com/special-performanceby-nani-vazana.
By Annette Mashi Yoav Partnership2Gether
Partnership is collaboration. It’s sharing ideas. It’s learning from each other. It’s building friendships. That’s exactly what happened when artists Patrick Conboy and Marla Duran came from the Lehigh Valley to visit Yoav, Israel, for a week.
Marla has been designing and making clothes under her own label for over 25 years. Patrick is a talented carpenter, building with wood for over 20 years. During an action-packed week of activities, both of them made a lasting impact on the Yoav community.
The week began with a welcoming meeting with Nati Lerner, mayor of Yoav, and Ronit Gamliel, Yoav’s CEO, followed by hands-on workshops.
Inspiring workshops
Patrick shared his designs and design philosophy with the 11th graders at the Safit middle and high school, giving them the chance to build models and see their designs take shape in 3D. He encouraged the 12th graders to think outside the box as they carved spoons.
It was amazing to see
the youths at Kedma Youth Village build a bench of their own design. Patrick guided them through every step, turning “we can’t do that” into confidence and pride in their finished product.
But it wasn’t only carpentry that Patrick taught. He also led Krav Maga self-defense sessions with Safit’s 12th graders, working on essential skills as they prepare to serve in the Israeli military.
“In terms of teaching,” Patrick said, “the kids have been wonderful. It doesn’t matter if they remember me or anything specific that I’ve taught them. I only wish to inspire them and give them something to be passionate about. If I’ve done that, then I’ve accomplished my goal.”
Marla captured the community with fabric. She held multiple workshops to teach her shibori-dyeing method. She guided teens at Safit and older women at the community center to create beautiful designs and enjoy the process. From T-shirts to scarves to bags, you’ll soon recognize the style of items made by graduates of Marla’s training.
The three artists Yoav sent to the Lehigh Valley last year—Sunny Zalinger, Idit Porat, and Romina Opal—
had a wonderful time and rousing conversations about art with Patrick and Marla.
Touring Israel and Yoav Marla and Patrick didn’t come to Yoav only to work. They received a warm welcome from the Partnership2Gether Yoav steering committee, touring many sites around Israel, including the Old City of Yafo, Jerusalem’s Old City, and smaller, intimate locations to discover history, culture, and everyday life.
And no trip to Israel is complete without delicious food. They enjoyed coffee from coffee trucks, Turkish coffee prepared with a finjan (traditional Arabic cup) at a picnic, a traditional Shabbat dinner, and dining with the committee.
Visiting the site of the Nova Music Festival and hearing stories of bravery during the Hamas attacks gave Patrick and Marla a glimpse into October 7, 2023. They saw memorials to the victims of that tragic day and visited the monument overlooking Gaza that commemorates the Israel Defense Forces Black Arrow raid on Egyptian army positions in 1955.
Patrick talked about
these visits with his wife, Inna. “I told her what I saw and heard, and she replied that it’s all so sad,” he said. “That’s what makes this trip important. When asked why, I said it strengthens ties. It’s about what we can bring back, and the kids we worked with now have experienced Americans coming to teach them. They will grow with these memories and understand they are not alone in this world and that Israel does not exist without friends.”
Reflections
Asked to sum up the whole experience, Marla said, “Before coming to Yoav, I didn’t really know what it would be like. I heard the people were warm and welcoming. I found that to be very true. Everyone opened their homes and their hearts to us. Our experiences gave me a strong feeling for life here in Israel. Family and friends are most important. Also, there is a strong feeling of love for Israel. It feels like a large family.
“Yesterday, we spent the day visiting the site of the October 7 attack. Although the trauma is still felt, the spirit of the Israelis is strong and resilient.
“It’s been a gift to have this Israeli experience.”
Patrick adds, “It’s about connecting and building bridges. I’ve truly come to cherish the amazing people who have opened their hearts and homes to me on this trip. I know I will continue to speak with them after this trip and that I will see them again. I’m not Jewish, which only makes it more interesting: it’s not about Judaism; it’s about learning and sharing different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life, and coming together as one people who inhabit this Earth.
“There is so much hate and animosity in the world, and we all experience that and feel that towards others; it’s human. But right now, in this place, all I can feel is love, and I am filled with it.”
The whole trip would not have been possible without the coordination of Lee Kestecher Solomon and Wendy Edwards at the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and, especially, Yael Feller-Malka in Yoav, who was on call 24/7 to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Looking forward to many more opportunities in the future!
By Carl Zebrowski Editor
What subjects should be off limits for jokes? War? Terrorism? Inevitably you end up at: Can you make a Holocaust joke?
Speaking at Temple Beth El on November 5, Tel Aviv comedian and author Benji Lovitt replied yes. He told the large Jewish community audience gathered for his presentation “It’s Okay to Laugh” that, well, it really is OK to laugh—even when times have been tough like the last couple of years following the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, on October 7, 2023, with hostages taken and held in Gaza.
“We’re here to laugh tonight,” he said. “Jewish people know that we have to laugh to keep from crying.”
Lovitt was in town for this Jewish Federation of Lehigh Valley communitywide event that fits into his franchise combining comedy with capturing for people what makes Israel and Israelis unique. Born in California, he made aliyah 19 years ago and settled on this comedy-education niche a few years later.
He does standup routines that provide insight into the people of Israel, leads workshops giving glimpses of life there, and co-wrote the book “Israel 201: Your Next-Level Guide to the Magic, Mystery, and Chaos of Life in the Holy Land” with fellow
comedian and educator Joel Chasnoff (who presented his standup routine to the Lehigh Valley last year).
After October 7, he focused his professional efforts on helping people cope with the tragedy of that day and the months since. “I created a new presentation on the power of dark humor,” he said.
In his exploration of topics many might consider off limits, he started with the big one: the Holocaust. He dug into the title number from “Springtime for Hitler,” the fictional musical in the Mel Brooks film “The Producers.”
“Springtime for Hitler and Germany,” the lyric goes. “Deutschland is happy and gay! We’re marching to a faster pace. Look out! Here comes the master race.”
The late Brooks, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, had responded to criticism of his making jokes about that tragic subject matter with a matter-of-fact “I could either spend my whole life haunted or I could get revenge against the Nazis by making them look stupid.”
If you can push humor as far as the Holocaust, just what might it not be OK to approach. “There’s not a topic that someone can’t find some aspect of to laugh about,” Lovitt said.
EMTs and soldiers often share dark jokes, he said.
They’re dealing with life and death all the time. There’s no avoiding that. “Bringing it down to earth with humor can make it less depressing,” he explained.
Israeli comedy is its own brand of Jewish humor.
“It’s very different,” Lovitt said. “It reveals the scars of Israelis.”
There are a lot of scars living in a land of Holocaust survivors and their descendants, he said, and a land that’s always at war. Then came the Hamas attacks. “When something like October 7 happens, it rips the scars apart,” Lovitt said.
He mentioned soldiers earlier, and their dark hu-
mor. Well, Israel is a land of soldiers. “When everyone joins the army at 18,” Lovitt said, “it affects everyone.” They learn firsthand that danger can always be lurking right around the corner. Can people molded by such a reality really afford not to laugh? “There’s nothing we can’t laugh about,” he said. Lovitt ended his presentation by putting a sentence related to the situation in Israel in large type up on the big screen behind him: “When are we ever going to be able to laugh again.”
Meanwhile, he pointed out, sadness has little trouble forcing itself into expression.
“We never question when we cry,” Lovitt said—the answer to when we can laugh again is now. Jewish Federation President Bill Markson closed the program with a reminder that nights like this, filled with conversation and shared laughs, are essential. “Thank you all for coming tonight, because it’s all being together,” he said. “It all makes our life better.” You can help the Jewish Federation present more nights like this, bringing the community together in unity and collectively working to make Jewish lives better locally (mostly), in Israel, and elsewhere in the world.
By Carl Zebrowski Editor
At this time when Jewish people here and elsewhere are feeling vulnerable and isolated, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley will commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a screening of the new documentary “Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire” for the community.
This 2024 film covers the life of the most famous Ho-
locaust survivor and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Night,” the memoir of his experience in the Buchenwald concentration camp.
The screening provides a moment for our community to come together to remember the tragedy the Nazis brought on the Jewish people and to consider the difficult current global situation in light of that.
The screening will be at Temple Beth El on Sunday, January 26, at 2 p.m. It’s
Stay vigilant and conscious of security now and in the coming winter months.
Many of us love to make social media posts during this time. Try to resist the urge to post your destinations before or during trips. Wait until after returning to do that photo upload. Inform a trusted family member or neighbor to keep an eye on your property and pick up the mail. This should also include shoveling snow on sidewalks and driveways. If you don’t already have outdoor lighting that is motion sensitive, consider making a change. There are too many opportunists waiting to take advantage of an empty residence.
Be mindful when out shopping. Put gifts in the trunk instead of the passenger area.
As always, report suspicious activity to me using the information below. If it’s an emergency, call 911.
Tim Brooks, SCN Regional Security Advisor tbrooks@securecommunitynetwork.org | 872-400-0239
sponsored by the Temple Beth El Glickstein and Marin Holocaust Memorial and co-chaired by Joan and Richard Bass.
Marking 80 years since the liberation of Wiesel (1928–2016) from Buchenwald, the film delves into the public and private dimensions of his life: his internal struggles, his commitment to education, his deep faith, and his insistence that the world confront suffering rather than turn away from it. Bringing together rare archival materials, original interviews, and evocative hand-painted animation, “Soul on Fire” illuminates Wiesel’s evolution as a witness and conscience for humanity. His famous enduring warning echoes through the film: “To remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all.”
At this time when Jewish communities are seeking find clarity and build
strength, this Lehigh Valley screening serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of memory, unity, and moral courage. Wiesel’s voice remains a guiding force, one that encourages us to confront hatred, uphold truth, and stand together.
The entire community is invited to attend. Admission is free. Advance registration is required at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/soul-onfire.
By Mike Miller Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation Chair
I have good news and better news about the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation Endowment Fund. The good news is that the foundation provides money for a substantial increase to our annual distributions to our beneficiaries: the Jewish Federation, Jewish Day School, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Community Center, Israel, our synagogues, and other nonprofit organizations. In order to continue to grow the Foundation, we ask that you consider an endowment gift.
Let us see what the Torah says:
The Torah places a strong emphasis on charitable giving, often framing it as a moral and religious obligation rather than a voluntary act. Here are some key ideas and principles found in the Torah regarding charity (often referred to as tzedakah, which literally means ‘justice’ or ‘righteousness’):
1. Obligation to give Charity is not optional; it’s a commandment. For example:
• Deuteronomy 15:7-8
‘If there is a poor person among you..., you shall not
harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need.’
This emphasizes a duty to care for the needy, especially those in one’s own community.
2. Gleanings for the poor
Farmers are commanded to leave parts of their crops for the poor:
• Leviticus 19:9-10
‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field to its very edge...; you shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger.’
This system ensured a way for the needy to gather food with dignity.
3. The tithe (maaser)
The Torah commands giving a portion of one’s produce or earnings:
• Deuteronomy 14:28-29
Every third year, a special tithe is set aside for the Levite, the stranger, the orphan, and the widow.
This institutionalizes regular giving to support both religious leadership and vulnerable populations.
4. Loan forgiveness There’s also a social safety net through loan cancella-
tion:
• Deuteronomy 15:1-2
Every seventh year, debts are to be forgiven.
This prevents perpetual poverty and gives people a fresh start.
5. No interest on loans to fellow Jews
• Exodus 22:25
‘If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, do not act as a creditor, do not charge him interest.’
This fosters mutual support within the community.
6. Help before they fall
• Leviticus 25:35
‘If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself..., you shall support him as a stranger and a settler, so that he may live with you.’”
The idea is to help someone before they reach rock bottom—prevention is better than cure.
To inquire about the opportunities offered by the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation, and for additional information, please reach out to Aaron Gorodzinsky, Federation’s director of development, at 610-821-5500, ext. 332, or aaron@jflv.org, or visit lvjfgiving.org.
rest easy knowing that your family will be well cared for and your property will pass to your intended beneficiaries.
HOW TO MAKE A BEQUEST
A bequest is one of the easiest gifts you can make to significantly impact our work. Your estate planning attorney can include a provision in your will that leaves a lasting gift to our organization. Your bequest could be a gift of specific assets (such as a vehicle, artwork or coin collection), a dollar amount ($1,000, $10,000 or $50,000), or a percentage of your estate (3%, 10% or even 25%). A bequest could also be made from the residue of your estate or what is left after all gifts have been made to your heirs.
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION GIFTS
It's easy to designate beneficiaries for assets that are not transferred through a will. For example, you can designate us as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, life insurance policy, bank accounts and investment funds by completing a simple form. Please contact your account or asset administrator to designate us as a beneficiary of these assets. Let us know if we can make sure the proper designations are in place so that your plans are carried out according to your wishes.
BEQUEST BENEFITS
MORE by scanning the QR Code, or by visiting the link below.
Liet International, dubbed as the jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/
A charitable bequest or beneficiary designation gift is an easy way for you to help us in our work. Here are some of the many benefits: Scan here to learn more For more information, scan the QR code or contact Aaron Gorodzinsky, director of development, at 610.821.5500 Ext. 337 or email aaron@jflv.org or visit lvjfgiving.org.
Monday, January 12, 2026 7:00 PM at the JCC
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026 6:30 PM at the JCC In partnership with: Registration is required. Register by scanning the QR code, or by visiting the link below. Please bring a photo ID for security purposes.
ADVOCATES
ALLOCATES
ARRANGES
AMPLIFIES
In commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley presents the documentary about Elie Wiesel, the Nobel Prize winning author of “Night.”
IN HONOR
In celebration of the birth of our grandson
Ruth and Nahum Vishniavsky
CHUCK BAKER AND SARAH
YERKES
In celebration of your daughter
Nora’s Bat Mitzvah
Judith Miller
CAROL AND GARY FROMER
In celebration of your daughter
Jenna’s marriage to Jared Alswang
Lynda and Richard Somach
ELSBETH AND STEVE HAYMON
In celebration of the birth of your grandson, Louis Winfield Haymon
Lynda and Richard Somach
CHELSEA KARP
In honor of being named Executive Director of Jewish Family Service
Beth Kozinn
BUDDY LESAVOY
In honor of being named Volunteer of the Year for the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Carol and Barry Halper
Eileen Ufberg
SUSAN LEVINE
In celebration of your daughter
Jorien Shareff’s marriage to Robert Lambeth III
Beth Kozinn
EVELYN AND JAY LIPSCHUTZ
In celebration of your granddaughter Leah Leisawitz's Bat Mitzvah
Lynda and Richard Somach
JANE AND BILLY MARKSON
In celebration of the birth of your granddaughter, Audrey Rose
Markson
Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie
Schechner
Eileen Ufberg
Laurie and Robby Wax
EDITH MILLER
In celebration of your granddaughter Nora Baker’s Bat Mitzvah
Judith Miller
DEENA SCOBLIONKO
Wishing you a complete and speedy recovery
Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie
Schechner
LYNNE AND MARK SHAMPAIN
In celebration of your 50th wedding anniversary
Lynda and Richard Somach
AUDREY AND ARTHUR SOSIS
In celebration of your 60th wedding anniversary
Lynda and Richard Somach
JULIA UMANSKY AND JON
IN MEMORY
ALAN ABESHAUS
(Husband of Sandy Abeshaus, father of Roberta Kurlander)
Judy and Richard Fried
Lynda and Richard Somach
MATTHEW FLACK
(Son-in-Law of Susan Musselman)
Beth Kozinn
WESLEY (WES) KOZINN
(Husband of Beth Kozinn, brother of Andrew Kozinn)
Joan and Richard Bass
Lynda and Richard Somach
ELAINE LERNER
(Mother of Richard Lerner)
Wendy and Ross Born
SYLVIA LENCHITZ
(Sister of Rose Lee Goldberg)
Gail Gelb
CAROL OSTROW
(Mother of Michael Ostrow)
Penny and Adam Roth
HOWARD ROHRBACH
(Father of Jim Rohrbach, Father-inLaw of Michelle Rohrbach)
Aaron Gorodzinsky and Jennie Schechner
Beth Kozinn
HARRY ROSE
(Husband of Carole Rose)
Lynda and Richard Somach
DIANE SILVERMAN
(Wife of Howard Silverman)
Lynda and Richard Somach
SUSAN VAKNIN
(Mother of Sharone Vaknin)
Lynda and Richard Somach
VICKI WAX JEWISH STUDENT CAMPUS
LEADERSHIP AWARD FUND
IN HONOR
In celebration of your grandson
Alex Goldman’s engagement to Nikki Idelson
Joan and Richard Bass
In celebration of your grandson
Ben Wax passing the Bar exam
Joan and Richard Bass
HELEN AND SOL KRAWITZ HOLOCAUST
MEMORIAL FUND
IN HONOR
PAIGE BLUTH AND HENRY LEHRICH
In celebration of your marriage
Joan Lesavoy
BUDDY LESAVOY
In honor of being named Volunteer of the Year for the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Joan Lesavoy
“Sometimes I’m afraid the tale might be forgotten. Sometimes I’m afraid it is forgotten already.” - Elie Wiesel
Sunday, January 25, 2026
2:00 p.m. | Temple Beth El
MARKSON
In celebration of the birth of your daughter, Audrey Rose Markson
Eileen Ufberg
Laurie and Robby Wax
VICKI WAX
In celebration of your grandson
Alex Goldman’s engagement to Nikki Idelson
Beth Kozinn
LYNN AND STEVE WIENER
In celebration of your son Benjamin’s marriage to Haley Rubin
Beth Kozinn
IN MEMORY
ALAN ABESHAUS
(Husband of Sandy Abeshaus, father of Roberta Kurlander)
Lynda and Stuart Krawitz
ELAINE LERNER
(Mother of Rich Lerner)
Joan Lesavoy
HARRY ROSE
(Husband of Carole Rose)
Joan Lesavoy
DIANE SILVERMAN
(Wife of Howard Silverman)
Joan Lesavoy
On a sunny but very windy Sunday morning, November 16, students from the Lafayette College, Lehigh University, and Muhlenberg College Hillels along with some Hillel staff members volunteered their time to rake leaves at the homes of older adults in the Jewish communities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton,
Forks, and Orefield. Using rakes and some leaf blowers, the students piled thousands of leaves in front of people’s homes to await collection by the local municipalities. The homeowners were very grateful for this effort, overseen by the Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley.
Due to increased need, we are collecting both tissues and cereal during the month of December for clients of the Community Food Pantry. Your donation can be dropped off at JFS during business hours, in the bins at the JCC, Temple Beth El, Bnai Shalom and Brith Sholom or ordered directly through the JFS Amazon Wish List
Thank you!
When
At the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, we see every day how powerful it is when people of all ages come together. A child learning to swim beside a grandparent doing aqua-aerobics in the same pool. Teens sharing the latest pop music with empty nesters sharing stories in return. Families gathering to celebrate traditions old and new. These moments are more than programs or activities–they are inspiring connections that strengthen our community and each other.
This year, our fundraising campaign, From Generation to Generation , celebrates the way our center has been and continues to be a home-away-from-home for everyone in our community. At the JCC, you’re not just a member, you’re family–and family is always welcome home. Whether you’re a newborn, a senior, or anyone in between, you are part of the vibrant tapestry of our community and there is a place for you here!
Our mission has always been bigger than any single activity. We create spaces for friendships to form, for traditions to be passed forward, and for people to feel they belong. We see parents and grandparents teaching values of kindness and curiosity; we see young people sharing new perspectives that help us grow. Together, we honor where we come from and look with excitement toward the future we are building.
Your support helps ensure that these meaningful connections continue. It allows us to expand inclusive programming, care for our facility, and welcome all who walk through our doors. Thank you for being part of our community’s story, and for helping us ensure that this spirit continues to be carried proudly from generation to generation.
Eric Lightman
Matt Unger Executive Director President
By Heather Lavin Program Director
We are thrilled to announce that this summer, Camp JCC will have two Israeli shlichot this summer. We welcome back Maya Katzab and introduce a new member from Israel, Moran Pikris. Continuing our tradition of cultural exchange, they arrive with enthusiasm and a wealth of Israeli music, dance, and stories to share.
By Kaitlyn Stefanowicz Marketing Coordinator
enthusiasm and genuine love for her heritage made her a favorite among our campers. We are thrilled to have her back, as she continues to foster cultural exchange and lasting bonds within our community and through her Isreali Adventure camp programming.
Our team was proud to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Outfit to Empower Luncheon, honoring The Perfect Fit for Working Women and its incredible impact in helping women enter the workforce with confidence
Meet Moran Pikris
A Summer of Cultural Exchange
and career readiness. We were especially honored as the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley was recognized as one of the five original founding partners of this inspiring program. Special thanks and congratulations to the YWCA Allentown team for carrying this vital mission forward. Our
Welcoming Back Maya Katzab
By Simon Katz Event and Membership Coordinator
We are delighted to welcome back Maya Katzab from Yoav, Israel as the Israeli Adventure Specialist. Maya previously spent a summer with us, sharing her vibrant Israeli culture through music, dance, and storytelling. Her infectious
Over the past couple months at the JCC, some special senior adult programs have been organized. In September, the JCC partnered with the Allentown Health Bureau to host an 8-week fall prevention workshop following The National Council On Aging’s A Matter of Balance (MOB) curriculum. MOB is an evidence-based program that works to reframe how one views the risk of falls, transforming it from a fear to a manageable and controllable
Moran is a 20-year-old from Rishon Leziyyon, Israel and will be Camp JCC’s Music Specialist. She is an experienced song leader who can play guitar and loves to rock climb. Moran volunteered as a scout leader for two years and also at “Tzaad Kadima” for adults with special needs. She has been playing electric and acoustic guitar for 7 years and studied music at a conservatory.
aspect of one’s life. In addition, MOB encourages participants to increase their activity levels and implement practical strategies to reduce fall risks at home. The small-group setting fostered meaningful discussion and mutual support among participants.
In October, Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator Lee Ann Kriner joined JCC community members for the second in a series of three educational lectures on Alzheimer’s and dementia. October’s talk— titled Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia —focused on breaking down how the
At Camp JCC, we prioritize fun for our campers and staff while embracing the responsibility of educating our community about Israel. Moran and Maya are excited to engage in this cultural exchange, teaching campers about Israeli holidays, food, and daily life, fostering bonds that will last for years to come. Their interactions will enrich our campers’ understanding of a
diseases affect the brain and impact individuals and their families. Kriner covered demographical statistics, risk factors, the stages of disease progression, current FDAapproved treatments, and promising new avenues of research the Alzheimer’s Association is supporting. Kriner is a captivating presenter and fosters a warm and welcoming environment, which allowed attendees to ask numerous, thoughtful questions. The final talk in the series is the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s and will likely be presented at the JCC in early 2026.
By Jen Appell Youth and Camp Assistant Director
The JCC is pleased to announce its new partnership with BBYO, North America’s leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement. As part of this partnership, I will be serving as the BBYO City Director in the Lehigh Valley, alongside my existing role as the JCC’s Youth and Camp Assistant Director. I am excited about this opportunity, which will allow me to expand our community connections to a broader age range, and help shape the programming available to Jewish teens in our area.
Allentown’s BBYO program is made up of two chapters:
an AZA (Aleph Zadik Aleph) chapter for those who identify as male, and a BBG (B’nai B’rith Girls) chapter, for those who identify as female. They are set up similar to fraternities and sororities, focusing on brotherhood and sisterhood, and a sense of community and belonging. Part of my new role is to help revive and grow the chapters here in Allentown, which trace their history back many decades.
BBYO is a teen-led organization. The BBG chapter currently has elected officers and a small group of active members. They have been focusing on small bonding events so far this year, including a recent trivia night which included pop
culture trivia, Jewish trivia, and more. We will be hosting a kickoff event for the AZA chapter soon, with the goal of engaging new teens and developing the next group of chapter leaders.
I believe that BBYO in Allentown has the potential to be the center of Jewish life for teens in our community, connecting them to their history, culture, traditions, and one another. I was in a Jewish youth group myself in high school, and it brought me so many memories and provided amazing leadership opportunities. In this role, my goal is to provide the same to the Jewish teens here in Allentown, and build a foundation that can continue to flourish and grow.
different culture and strengthen their roles as young ambassadors representing Israel. By summer’s end, Moran and Maya will have left lasting memories and a legacy of cultural appreciation that will resonate beyond camp, embodying the hope and joy that cultural sharing brings.
own Eric Lightman, Executive Director, and Tracy Sussman, Membership and Marketing Director, proudly accepted the award on behalf of Carole Rose and the JCC volunteers who helped bring this program to life 25 years ago.
Please join us in welcoming these two remarkable young women to the Lehigh Valley this year. Summer is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see them!
Finally, many of you readers may recall the Hess’s Patio Podcast program hosted at the JCC at the end of July, wherein attendee’s listened to a presentation on Hess’s Department Store and were then invited to sit with the podcast’s host Kate Kareha to share their own memories of Hess’s. At the time of writing, the first episode of the JCC edition of the podcast is live with the second episode soon to be released. The episodes can be heard on the podcast’s website (hesspatiopodcast. com) as well as on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
By Joanna Powers Head of School
Our JDS students blossom through three different years at once: the Jewish year, the secular year, and the school year. While September often brings the start of school and Rosh Hashanah, the new secular year doesn’t come around until now. A fresh wave of newness is a nice treat in the chill of winter, and you can’t have too many Happy New Years. There are even three more Jewish ones: the first of the month of Nissan for kings and festivals, the first of Elul for animal tithes, and Tu B’Shevat for the trees.
Worlds continue to collide as Chanukah often occurs right around the time the ball drops in Times Square—and a Peep drops
in Bethlehem, a Liberty Bell in Allentown, a crayon in Easton, a chocolate Kiss in Hershey, a pickle in Dillsburg. I hadn’t realized that Pennsylvania is the state where the most objects are dropped on New Year’s Eve. Although nothing is dropped in Philly. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, but that’s beside the point. It’s our job to help the JDS kids learn how to enjoy all their worlds. We may be well into 5786 on the Hebrew calendar and, say, fourth grade, but 2026 will be brand new. Sailing into the new year by the light of the Chanukah candles teaches so many lessons.
we’d be here only a few weeks at most. As the pandemic continued, we made decision after decision to establish roots and build a life here in Pennsylvania. When it came time for Joseph, our now five-year-old son, to get back into an early childhood education program, the welcoming, intimate, and warm environment at JDS was an obvious place for us to turn. The administration and staff worked tirelessly to adhere to everchanging guidelines from the CDC and still make the magic of school very real for its students. Joseph FLOURISHED in this environment, and now that he’s in
demic as built-in
The JDS has enabled that strengthen – they check on the playground and other in the hallways. older children care for Evelyn is always so proud the “big kids” helps her pack at the end of the talks about his “reading stantly!
One of the major tenets a devotion to the development confident students who to meet the world. This representative of our experience. Sadly, our chapter in ing to a close. For professional are moving back to Texas sion of the school year. community that Amy and volunteers have created us forever. The friendships a family through the school and we know these memories will bring us joy for years For any parent grappling sion of where to send your in the Lehigh Valley, an extremely supportive from the uncertainties our daily lives, and the ment to instill a love of ish values.
THE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY
INVITES YOU TO SAVE THE DATE FOR THE
72ND
EVENING
HONOREES
NAOMI SCHACHTER, TAMA TAMARKIN, AND MIRIAM ZAGER FOR THEIR DEVOTION TO THE ALLENTOWN CHAPTER OF “RUN FOR THEIR LIVES” ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025 AT 7:00 P.M.
TEMPLE BETH EL of ALLENTOWN PLEASE R.S.V.P.
Jewish Family Service is thrilled to welcome Carah Tenzer to the staff, but welcome back is probably more appropriate. Carah’s journey spans nearly 15 years, with roles as an intern, a board member, a volunteer, and now as part of the older adult services team.
Initially, Carah connected with JFS as a social work graduate student. She partnered with staff to reinvigorate the internship program while completing her field placement. This was just the beginning.
Upon the completion of her internship, Carah was asked
to join the board, which led to several years of involvement. This was a transformative era of leadership under then-board presidents Wendy Born and Rabbi Juda, along with new (at the time) executive director Debbie Zoller. Carah recalls feeling like she was witnessing the growth of the agency.
After years at a hospital cancer center followed by her work as a disaster program specialist and as a licensed social worker, the call back to JFS became too strong to ignore.
As the JFS older adult case manager, Carah supports older
adults in our community with guidance on resources and services based on their individual needs that may include transportation, socialization, food access, and aging-in-place. She brings deep empathy, decades of local connections, and a passion for helping people age with dignity and purpose.
Carah lives in the Lehigh Valley with her husband and three children. When she’s not working, she can be found spending time with her family, caring for her pets, or as active members of Congregation
Keneseth Israel.
We’re lucky to have her on staff—but truthfully, she’s been part of the JFS family for a long time.
JFS would like to extend a hearty thank you to the many individuals and organizations in our community who have dug even deeper than usual to support the most vulnerable of our neighbors. To help ease the spreading food insecurity caused by the loss of SNAP funding, additional food collection bins have been added at the Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth El, Congregation Brith Sholom, and Congregation Bnai Shalom. Community mitzvah projects and food drives have been spearheaded by Muhlenberg Hillel, Women’s Philanthropy, the Jewish Day School, Congregation Sons of Israel, Congregation Keneseth Israel, and others. These donations have provided hundreds of pounds of food to restock our pantry shelves and fill desperately needed emergency boxes.
Thank you from all of us at JFS! We can’t do our work without you.
We thank those individuals who have graciously supported Jewish Family Service with these tributes:
IN HONOR
AARON BERGER AND NISSA GOSSOM
(Bat Mitzvah of Hannah Berger)
Jodi Eichler-Levine, Maccabbe Levine, and family
ARNOLD HIRSHON
(Get well soon)
Audrey and Rick Nolte
CHELSEA KARP
(Becoming the JFS
Executive Director)
Bill Bergstein
Cary and Michael Moritz
Audrey and Rick Nolte
MICHAEL MORITZ
Audrey Nolte
SARAH ZIEFF MORSE AND FAMILY Zieff Family Fund
AUDREY NOLTE
Jett and Norman Sarachek
RABBI MOSHE RE’EM
(Kol Nidre sermon)
Jodi Eichler-Levine and Maccabbe Levine
ALEX AND ROBIN ROSENAU
(Grandson Eli’s Bar Mitzvah)
Bill Bergstein
Audrey and Rick Nolte
EVAN SOLOMON (Bar Mitzvah)
Julie Solomon
DEBBIE ZOLLER
(13 years as JFS
Executive Director)
Barry and Carol Halper
Rabbi Moshe Kurtz
Cary and Michael Moritz
Audrey and Rick Nolte
Alice and Mark Notis
IN MEMORY
HOWARD L. KAPLUS (Father)
Laura and David Kaplus
ANITA KATZ
(Mother of Marty Katz, Grandmother of Talia and Eliana Katz)
Phyllis and Henry Perkin
IRENE NOVICK
(Mother of Laura Garber, Carolyn Richter, and Brian Sinowitz; Sister of Anita Kaufman, Linda Hersch, and Glenn Novick)
Jeannie and Holmes Miller
LOUIS SIEGEL (Father’s yahrzeit)
Jeannie and Holmes Miller
SHIRLEY TILCHEN
(Mother of Susan Sherer)
Wendy and Ross Born
By Ilene Levin-Dando Congregation Sons of Israel
Since the arrival of Rabbi Moshe Kurtz and his family—wife Marisa and daughters Talya and Layla—in July 2025, Congregation Sons of Israel has experienced a renewed sense of energy and connection. That enthusiasm was palpable on November 2, when the congregation and the wider Lehigh Valley community gathered to officially welcome Rabbi Kurtz in a formal installation ceremony.
The sanctuary was filled with members, friends, and dignitaries, all eager to welcome the Kurtz family and commemorate this significant milestone. The atmosphere was warm and spirited, reflecting the deep sense of community that has flourished under Rabbi Kurtz's leadership.
Rabbi Jonathan Powers, congregation president, kicked off the event with a rousing welcome address, setting the tone for an event rich with history, community, and hope for the future.
Noam Cohen then brought the legacy of Jewish Allentown and Sons of Israel to life in a historical presentation, reminding attendees of the congregation’s deep roots and enduring presence.
Reflecting the congregation’s active role in the broader Jewish community, Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, extended a heartfelt welcome to Rabbi Kurtz and highlighted the strong bonds between local Jewish institutions.
Civic partnership has been a strong facet of Rabbi Kurtz’s tenure thus far. Past visits from Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and State Representative Michael Schlossberg have created a bond with public partners. One of the evening’s highlights was a ceremonial signing of a proclamation/lease agreement (sechiras reshus) by Mayor Tuerk and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca along with Rabbi Kurtz.
Rabbi Kurtz briefly described an important element of Orthodox Jewish life: the
eruv, which enables community members to carry on the Jewish Sabbath by creating a marked boundary around the neighborhoods in which observant Jewish people reside. For example, the eruv allows parents to walk to services with their children riding in a stroller.
The eruv depends on cooperation with the municipality, and a symbolic rental agreement is required covering the property the eruv extends across. The renewed lease signed by the three extends through the year 2100, ensuring this vital connection for generations to come.
Recently, road construction along the path of the eruv resulted in a breach that required necessary connections to be made.
Rabbi Kurtz and community members who check the eruv weekly for breaks worked closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to remedy the breach.
PennDOT road crews went above and beyond, installing a temporary fence to keep the eruv functional, demonstrating the power of teamwork between our Jewish community and public institutions.
The evening continued with moving tributes and blessings from Rabbi Ezra Cohen of the Lower Merion Synagogue and dear friends from Rabbi Kurtz’s previous community in Stamford, Connecticut. A touching video compilation from Rabbi Kurtz’s predecessors at Sons of Israel added a beautiful layer of continuity and pride for the shul’s longstanding heritage.
In his inaugural address, Rabbi Kurtz expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family, mentors, and the congregation’s leadership and staff for their support and warmth. He shared his vision for the future of Sons of Israel as a center of both Torah learning and communal engagement.
Meanwhile, the young-
est guests enjoyed their own celebration, complete with a magician, balloon artist, and the chance to sing the traditional prayer of Adon Olam that brought smiles across the room.
As the formalities concluded, attendees moved to a festive reception filled with live music, delicious food, and desserts. The evening closed on an uplifting note, with a performance by comedian Eli Lebowicz.
By every account, it was an unforgettable night, one that honored the synagogue’s heritage, celebrated the community, and set the stage for an inspiring new chapter in the life of Congregation Sons of Israel and the city of Allentown.
By Jill E. Kuebler Emmaus High School Theater
Director And
Rabbi Rebecca Einstein
Schorr
Dramaturg and Jewish Cultural Consultant
For three nights in November, the seats in the Emmaus High School auditorium were filled as a 13-person cast brought the Holocaust story of Anne Frank to life. Each night, the audience for the play “The Diary of Anne Frank” rose to its feet in applause after the concluding monologue and enthusiastically shared their positive impressions with one another as they left the theater.
Many of the theater-goers noted the attention paid to historical and cultural detail. From the manner in which the Dutch held their cutlery during a meal to the Ashkenazic pronunciation of “Maoz Tzur” (the name of a liturgical hymn), Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr, the show’s dramaturg and Jewish cultural consultant and co-author of this article, worked closely with the actors and the production team to support both the artistic integrity and cultural authenticity of the work.
Beyond attending rehearsals, Rabbi Schorr provided comprehensive resource materials and accompanied the cast and crew to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., emphasizing that antiJewish vitriol is not confined to this one moment in history and that Judaism is so much more than antisemitism attempts to encompass.
Getting performanceready was an intensive process for both cast and crew.
In addition to the expected activities required to stage a play, the preparation was enhanced by the expertise of Shari Spark, director of the Jewish Federation of the
Lehigh Valley’s Holocaust Resource Center. She made a presentation that included an exploration of historical artifacts. One particular item made an especially strong impact: an enlarged replica of the November 12, 1938, edition of the Morning Call. Just days after the November pogrom known as Kristallnacht, the Lehigh Valley daily newspaper reported on the violence that targeted Jewish communities across Germany. The students were shocked to discover that while news of the November 9-10 events made it all the way to the front page of their local paper, the United States and other countries did nothing to prevent the Nazis from moving ahead with their goal of Jewish destruction.
The newspaper article was among the dozens of museum-quality artifacts and reproductions in the Legacy Exhibit installed in the high school lobby by exhibit curator Marylou Lordi and Spark. At the conclusion of the play’s three-performance engagement, the exhibit was uninstalled from its location in the Hive, hub of the afterschool program, and relocated to the library, where it served as an educational extension of the play.
At the request of the cast and crew, Spark coordinated the incredible opportunity for a Holocaust survivor to meet with them. Michele Willner Levy, a member of the high school family, shared her life story. Everyone was truly grateful for her generosity of spirit and honored that she attended two of the three play performances.
Throughout the run of the show, the play raised nearly $2,300 for the Anne Frank Center USA, an organization dedicated to honoring Anne Frank’s legacy. In addition to telling her important story, the theater company wanted
to support the center’s mission of challenging prejudice and building bridges of understanding through education to prevent bigotry, antisemitism, racism, and discrimination.
“This experience has once again reaffirmed my belief in the positive impact of the arts in education,” says Jill Kuebler, the play’s director and co-author of this article.
“‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ will undoubtedly resonate with my students as one of the most pivotal educational experiences of their lives. I am filled with pride at what they have accomplished.”
All photos courtesy of Steve Braglio.
Chorus Line 6/3 - 6/14 WHEN?
Gypsy 6/24 - 7/5 WHEN?
Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School 6/17 - 7/26 WHEN?
Hunchback of Notre Dame 7/15 - 7/26 WHEN?
Circle Mirror Transformation 1/29 - 2/1 WHEN?
The Coast Starlight 3/5 - 3/9 WHEN?
Carrie the Musical 4/16 - 4/19 WHEN? $5
By Carl Zebrowski Editor
Jennifer Lader started working for the weekly Bethlehem Press in the 2000s, covering schools and neighborhoods. One year, as Chanukah approached, the editor asked her to write an article.
She interviewed Jewish residents on the city’s South Side, and the editor was pleased with the result. So was she. “I did think early on that, well, maybe this could eventually be a book,” she says.
Now it is. Just before Thanksgiving, she received her first copy of “Belonging to Bethlehem: Stories from the Christmas City’s Jewish Community.” And now this book bringing Bethlehem’s Jewish history to life has been released for sale (note that Chanukah is approaching and books make great gifts).
Congregation Brith Sholom, where Lader is a member and former board president, will hold a brunch celebration to launch the book at 11 a.m. on December 7. The book will be available for purchase there, with Lader donating part of the proceeds to the synagogue— the same synagogue that was the hub of the once-thriving South Side Jewish community that is the focus of this book before it moved in the 1980s
to its current location 4 miles north.
“Belonging to Bethlehem” covers 100 years, beginning in 1890, a few decades before the founding of Brith Sholom on the South Side. Its mission is to ensure that the story of Jewish Bethlehem all the way back to the 19th century won’t be soon forgotten, so it’s not lost to the young and future generations.
Lader had little trouble finding people who lived through many of the years remembered in the book, including a couple of contributors who lived past 100. After her initial interviews for the newspaper article, she kept finding and hearing from new people to talk with. One kept leading to another.
“I just started digging into the community,” she says, noting that by the time she finished the book, she interviewed 100 members and former members of the South Side community, including many veterans of the neighborhood’s main employer, Bethlehem Steel, and their family members.
“After a while, I kind of had a chronology of events. This became a quilt of stories. If you put them all together, these stories were telling the story of the whole community.”
Lader ended up with a wide-ranging history that
meanders with purpose from one interviewee’s account to another’s. The accounts are very personal, with plenty of the contributors’ own words included, allowing each individual’s character and personality to become part of the fabric of the quilt of history that Lader mentions.
Like most projects, this project of gathering historical information and personal perspectives and sewing it all together had obstacles to overcome. “I don’t think I really knew why I was doing it at first,” Lader says.
As her work continued, she started developing a system. Part of that was to take what she put on paper to a Bethlehem writer’s workshop. She showed the participants a story, noted the critiques they offered, went home to consider the details and rewrite, and came back for more. She learned pretty quickly through this process.
One of the main overriding themes of the finished book is, as its title implies, belonging. “What I realized is that all these stories were about belonging,” Lader says. “Belonging is a process. We’re all always on a journey of feeling more of a sense of belonging.”
Or less of that sense. Sometimes we feel like we just don’t belong. “It might be a sign it’s time to join a
new organization, play a new sport, or go to a new dance class,” she says. “Go to a place where people open their arms and welcome you. Brith Sholom became that place for my family and me.”
With the book now available to the public, one of the outcomes Lader hopes for is that readers who lament the gaps in their own family histories can identify certain common elements in the stories and do some detective thinking to reach conclusions of their own. “This is a way to gain a window into what might be your family history too,” she says.
One man she talked with, for example, wondered about
his 20th-century ancestors. “How did they get to Philadelphia and set up a store?” she says. This turns out to be a well-worn path: move from old country to new, arrive with no money, start a business. It could be anyone’s family.
Lader would also like to see her readers take on projects like this of their own.
“I’m hoping it inspires other people to collect their community’s stories and to share a bit of their own stories with the people around them,” she says. “Make a project of it. You can do it.
“There are a lot of ways to tell your story. Find your way.”
Rabbi Kurtz will examine the ethics teachings of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and how they steered Judaism in America. This eight-session series will be in person at 9:30 a.m. in the JCC Board Room. The cost is $100 per person. A recording of each class will be available for those who cannot attend. Registration is required to attend in person or to view the recordings.
The Shalom Baby playdate at Jay’s Local was a joyful afternoon of stories, snacks, and new friendships. Families connected, little ones played, and the warm community spirit made the event special. We can’t wait for the next one!
Store open weekdays 7am-6pm. Weekends 7am-noon and 4-6pm. www.coldnoselodge.com | Call/Text 610-965-3647
“Ellie’s Table: Food from Memory and Food from Home,” by Ellie Bouhadana, Hardie Grant Books, 2024, 240 pages.
By Sandi Teplitz Special to Hakol
In this unusual, genre-confounding book, Bouhadana,
part chef, part writer, takes us on a culinary adventure, all the while sharing her experiences with her curious readership. She introduces us to her unique blended family, exposing a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds that contribute to the charm of mixed Jewishness and enable her to express herself
through her cooking.
Her patriarchal lineage is Moroccan, and her matriarchal identity is Eastern European and German. Both parents eventually landed in Melbourne, Australia. She divulges her fondness for Rome, where she cooked and photographed the dishes in this book. Each recipe
is replete with stories and memories, at times making it feel as if it were written by a yoga instructor. A note of caution: not all the recipes adhere to kashrut. The recipe I chose to share here is kosher and dairy, and is very delicious.
1 pound spaghetti
7 ounces European unsalted butter, softened
3.5-ounce tin of chopped anchovies in olive oil
1/4 cup olive oil
8 sliced garlic cloves
Pinch of chili flakes
Pepper to taste
Handful of Italian parsley, finely chopped
Boil the spaghetti, save some of the pasta water, drain, and set aside. Whisk together the butter and anchovies for a few minutes, then add a teaspoon of the olive oil and whisk again.
Warm the anchovy butter and the rest of the oil in a pan until the butter sizzles.
Add garlic, chili flakes, and pepper, moving everything around until the butter foams. Add the pasta, parsley, and a little pasta water. Mix energetically until all spaghetti strands are coated. Serve immediately with a glass of wine, or vermouth on ice.
Chanukah
To list an event in the Community Calendar, submit your information on our website, www.jewishlehighvalley.org, under the “Upcoming Events” menu. All events listed in the Community Calendar are open to the public and free of charge, unless otherwise noted. Programs listed in HAKOL are provided as a service to the community. They do not necessarily reflect the endorsement of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. The JFLV reserves the right to accept, reject or modify listings.
FRIDAYS, DEC 5, 12
PJ Library Chanukah Tot Shabbats
Congregation Brith Sholom, Bethlehem, Congregation Bnai Shalom, Easton Celebrate Shabbat and the holidays with PJ Library kids and families through song, PJ Library stories, and other activities. Registration required. See ad on page 18.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5-6
Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Chaim Jachter and Cholent Cookoff
Congregation Sons of Israel
The community is invited to a Scholar-inResidence Shabbos with Rabbi Chaim Jachter. RSVP by December 1 by calling 610-433-6089 or emailing office@sonsofisrael.net.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Shabbat Out of the Box: Chanukah Cardmaking
10:30 a.m.-noon, Congregation Keneseth Israel
Join Lynda Pollack for “Cardmaking for Our Community,” a morning of fun, creativity, and kindness Registration is required at kilv. org/shabbat-out-of-the-box.html by December 1. Click on the event there to register.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
JDS Evening of Tribute
7 p.m., Temple Beth El
The Jewish Day School’s 72nd Gala Evening of Tribute will honor Naomi Schachter, Tama Tamarkin, and Miriam Zager for their devotion to the Allentown chapter of Run for Their Lives, the organization devoted to bringing the hostages home. Visit jdslv.org/ gala, email gala@jds.org, or call 610-4370721 for more information or to RSVP.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Bnai Shalom Tricky Tray and Bingo
1-4 p.m., Congregation Bnai Shalom
Join Bnai Shalom for the tricky tray and bingo fundraiser. For more information or to sign up, contact the synagogue office at 610-258-5343 or office@bnaishalomeaston. org. Registration required for the cash bingo portion.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
“Belonging to Bethlehem” Book Launch Party and Brunch
11 a.m., Congregation Brith Sholom, Bethlehem
Jennifer Lader, former president of Brith Sholom and editor of Hakol, is launching her book “Belonging to Bethlehem: Stories from the Christmas City’s Jewish Community.” Cost is $18 per person. Register by December 1 by calling the synagogue office at 610-866-8009.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
“From Homeless to Housing: Panel Discussion and Conversation Seeking Solutions for Our Community”
3-5 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel Jewish law envisions a society where everyone has a home, yet many people go without secure housing for long periods. It affects us all, too, straining our healthcare, criminal justice, and education systems and more. Light refreshments will be served. Visit kilv.org to register (required).
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Youth Chanukah Craft
3:30 p.m., Congregation Sons of Israel
The Sons of Israel Youth Department presents a Chanukah craft event. Cost is $5 per child, $15 max per family. RSVP to office@ sonsofisrael.net by December 1.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
NextGen Book Club
7 p.m., via Zoom
Get together on Zoom with your NextGen peers (ages 30-45) and discuss the novel
FRIDAY, DEC. 5 4:17 PM
FRIDAY, DEC. 12 4:17 PM
FRIDAY, DEC. 19 4:19 PM
FRIDAY, DEC. 26 4:23 PM
FRIDAY, JAN. 2 4:29 PM
“The Immortalists” by Chloe Benjamin. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/ nextgen-book-club.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Chabad Pre-Chanukah Ladies Night
7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley Sip, sculpt, and celebrate with the women of Chabad. Cost is $40. RSVP at chabadlehighvalley.com/menorahs25.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
JDS Little Learners Class
9:30 a.m., Jewish Day School
Jewish Day School is offering a free Little Learners class for caregivers with children ages 3 and under. Storytime, movement, and music with a Jewish twist. Register at jdslv.org/little-learners.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10
Women’s Philanthropy Chanukah Hoedown
6:30 p.m., JCC
Line line dancing with Alan Raisman. Light refreshments will be served. See ad on page 5 of the Chanukah section.
FRIDAYS, DEC 12, FEB 13, MAR 20, MAY 8
KI Family Service and Potluck
6:30 p.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel
For information, call the synagogue at 610435-9074. Register at kilv.org/event/familyservices-and-potluck.html.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
Community-Wide Hanukkah Glow Fest
10:30 a.m., Temple Beth El
Join us for a festive community Hanukkah celebration for all ages. Enjoy glowing activities, and time together as we mark the season. Cost to attend is $5 per adult, payable by cash or check at the door. All attendees under 18 are free. RSVP is required. Register at bethelallentown.org/event/community-chanukah-celebration.html.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
JDS and PJ Chanukah Mitzvah Party
3:30 p.m., Jewish Day School
Join JDS and PJ Library for some Chanukah fun, mitzvah projects, crafts, snacks, and, of course, a PJ Library story! See ad on page 6 in Chanukah section.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
Chabad C-Teen Chanukah on Ice
4-6 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley
Meet at Chabad to take a limo ride(!) to SteelStacks in Bethlehem for ice skating. Then return to Chabad for pizza, sufganiyot, and the first candle lighting. Visit chabadlehighvalley.com/chanukahlv for details and more events.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
Sons of Israel Chanukah Dinner and Party
5:15 p.m., Congregation Sons of Israel
The Sons of Israel Sisterhood invites everyone to a Chanukah Dinner and Party. Wear your ugly Chanukah sweater! Cost is $22 per person 13 and up, $8 per child under 13, and children 2 and under are free, with a $75 family maximum. RSVP by December 8 to the synagogue office at 610-433-6089 or office@sonsofisrael.net.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15
Menorah Lighting at Tikvah House
5:15 p.m., Tikvah House
Join Congregation Sons of Israel for menorah lighting, singing, and doughnuts at Tikvah House, 427 North 29th Street, Allentown.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Menorah Lighting at the Allentown Mayor’s Office
11 a.m., Allentown City Hall
Join Congregation Sons of Israel for menorah lighting, singing, and doughnuts at the office of Mayor Matt Tuerk in Allentown City Hall.
FRIDAY, JAN. 9 4:35 PM
FRIDAY, JAN. 16 4:43 PM
FRIDAY, JAN. 23 4:51 PM
FRIDAY, JAN. 30 4:59 PM
FRIDAY, FEB. 6 5:08 PM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Chabad “Light Up the Night” at the PPL Center
6:45 p.m., PPL Center, Allentown
Come to see the annual Chabad of the Lehigh Valley lighting of the giant Chanukah ice menorah before the Lehigh Valley Phantoms game. Doors open at 6 p.m., pregame ceremonies begin at 6:45, and game starts at 7:05. RSVP at chabadlehighvalley.com/ lightup5786.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
JDS Little Learners On the Road 10 a.m., Jay’s Local, Allentown JDS kids and their families go “on the road” to gather for fun and learning at Jay’s Local. For information or to register to attend, contact Beth Kushnick at 610-437-0721 or bkushnick@jdslv.org.
SUNDAYS, JAN 4-18, FEB 8-22, MAR 1-22
Let’s Learn Hebrew Together!
11:30 a.m. except 1:30 p.m. Feb 22, 10 a.m. Mar 1, via Zoom
Learn Hebrew with our Partnership2Gether friends. Cost is $100 for all 10 sessions (thanks to a subsidy from Federation). Space is limited. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/ivrit-together-hebrew-class.
THURSDAYS, JAN 8-FEB 26
“The Rabbi Who Shaped America” Class 9:30-10:30 a.m., JCC Board Room
Rabbi Moshe Kurtz of Congregation Sons of Israel teaches Yachad University’s spring semester class examining Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and his ethics teachings and how they steered Judaism in America. Cost is $100 for the eight sessions. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/the-rabbiwho-shaped-america.
MONDAY, JANUARY 12
Israel in Focus: A Conversation with Urban Warfare Expert Maj. John W. Spencer (U.S. Army retired)
7 p.m., JCC
Join us for an important conversation with John Spencer, America’s foremost expert in urban warfare. Spencer has been one of the most articulate voices explaining Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Hear what he has to say about Israel’s right to defend itself and what the end of the Gaza war may bring. Register at jewishlehighvalley.regfox. com/israel-in-focus.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25
Elie Wiesel “Soul on Fire” Documentary 2 p.m., Temple Beth El
In commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, JFLV presents the “Soul on Fire” documentary about Elie Wiesel, the Nobel Prize-winning author of “Night.” Register at jewishlehighvalley. regfox.com/soul-on-fire.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
Find Your Voice with Special Guest Shai Albrecht
6:30 p.m., Temple Beth El
Shai Albrecht is a well-known Israeli Jewish advocate whose voice, visibility, and dedication to uplifting others have resonated across many communities through social media and other outlets. Couvert is $36. Registration is required. See ad on page 3.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Eurovision for Foreign Languages Star Nani Vazana
6:30 p.m., JCC
The Eurovision for Foreign Languages Star winner will perform a concert for the Lehigh Valley community. See ad on page 7. Registration required.
THURSDAY, MAY 28
Unity in the Community 2.0: Broadway Celebrates the Lehigh Valley Time and location tba
Join us for a dazzling night of Broadway stars, including Judy Gold, comedian and actor; John Lloyd Young from “Jersey Boys”; and Andrea McArdle, the original “Annie.”
You save the date, we’ll save the seats!
ONGOING EVENTS
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
Bnai Shalom Cash Bingo
1 p.m., Congregation Bnai Shalom
Join Bnai Shalom for its monthly bingo game fundraiser, the first Sunday of every month. For more information call 610-258-5343.
MONDAYS
Yiddish Club
2-3:30 p.m., JCC of the Lehigh Valley via Zoom
Experience the joys of Yiddish via Zoom as part of Adults at the J. No cost. Call 610435-3571, ext. 501.
MONDAYS
Unpacking the Igros
7:15 p.m., Congregation Sons of Israel Study responses of the leading rabbi of the 20th century, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, and find out the answers.
WEDNESDAYS
Sons of Israel “Mysteries of the Midrash” Noon, Congregation Sons of Israel Rabbi Moshe Kurtz will teach this weekly class. Light lunch will be served. All are welcome.
WEDNESDAYS
Yoga with Miriam Sandler: Chair Yoga 1-2 p.m., Congregation Brith Sholom in person and via Zoom
Open to the public in person and live stream available to all via Zoom. *$10 drop-in fee. For more information email mbserow@ gmail.com.
WEDNESDAYS
Torah Studies: A Weekly Journey into the Soul of Torah 7 p.m., Chabad of the Lehigh Valley Cost is $54 for the course, including textbook. For more information, call 610-3516511 or email rabbi@chabadlehighvalley. com.
MOST THURSDAYS, THRU JANUARY 29
Lishma: Learn, Listen, Listen Learn 10:30 a.m.-noon, Congregation Keneseth Israel
Explore of variety of topics through a Jewish lens. The group does not meet Nov 27, Dec 25, Jan 1. Register at kilv.org.
THURSDAYS
Basic Yiddish Class
4-5:30 p.m., JCC via Zoom
Learn to read, write, speak and comprehend Yiddish. Contact 610-435-3571, ext. 501.
FRIDAYS
Kol HaEmek
9-10 a.m., WMUH 91.7 muhlenberg.edu/wmuh.
SATURDAYS
KI Torah Study
9:30-11 a.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel
For more information, contact Rabbi Tornberg using the form at kilv.org/form/ contact-rabbicall.
SATURDAYS
Wisdom of the Talmud Class After Shabbat Lunch and Schmooze, Congregation Brith Sholom
Join Rabbi Michael Singer in a discussion about Jewish law, ethics, customs and history as found in the pages of the Talmud. Any necessary books are available in the synagogue office. No previous Talmud study required. For information email tammy@ brithsholom.net or call 610-866-8009.
LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
Shabbat Yoga
10:30-11:30 a.m., Congregation Keneseth Israel
All are welcome. Questions, call Ann at 610462-2549 or Jett at 610-762-1450. Register at kilv.org/event/shabbat-yoga1.html.
DAILY
Jewish Broadcasting Service jbstv.org.
DAILY
Congregation Sons of Israel Minyanim Shacharit on Mondays and Thursdays 6:30 a.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 6:45 a.m.; Sundays 8:30 a.m.
Please check the synagogue at sonsofisrael. net for the weekly listing of the starting time for Mincha/Maariv.
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
Daily Online Meditation
12:30 p.m., Institute for Jewish Spirituality
One of their master teachers will lead a live daily guided meditation. Join with people from around the world to share 30 minutes of Jewish mindfulness. Open to all, no experience needed. Sign up at jewishspirituality. org/get-started.
