“When it’s time to feed, we feed. When it’s time to educate, we educate. When it’s time to provide medical care, we treat.”
next
dor
Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley
opening the door to the next generation
BUBBY’S KITCHEN
“
This real-life woman’s wisdom and courage comes to life in Bubby’s Kitchen, a one-woman musical created and performed by her 33-year-old granddaughter, Shira Ginsburg.
”
- the Democrat & Chronicle
A One Woman Musical
Thursday, April 28, 2011
7:00pm at the JCC
Created & Performed by Cantor Shira Ginsburg
give a mitzvah, do a mitzvah
ERG Course Continues from page 1
Greening the community 7th-grader Ben Lewis commemorates his Bar Mitzvah by raising awareness for eco-friendly initiatives By By Abby AbbyTrachtman Trachtman JFLV Program Coordinator JFLV Program Coordinator
Ben Lewis wants his community to be more aware of how to be green in their daily lives, and he’s using his bar mitzvah to spread the word. For Ben, a 7th-grader at Springhouse Middle School, being green is an issue that is near and dear to his heart. Ben’s Aunt Roann lives in Connecticut, and in her town, there are a myriad of programs designed to help the community reduce, reuse and recycle. She visits often and made it her mission to help the Lewis family become green, too. Ben’s mom Stacy loved that her sister was showing them how they could use less water and electricity, and the Lewis family is now using fewer plastic grocery bags and recycling more. When it came time to make Ben’s Bar Mitzvah invitations, Stacy says Ben became very aware of all the paper they would be using, and he pointed out that the paper comes from trees. It was around the time of the devastating wildfires in Israel’s Carmel Forest that burned over 5 million pine trees, and Ben wanted to do something to help. He realized that all those invitations, envelopes and stamps were paper that was just going to be thrown away: paper that comes from trees. The Lewis family decided that, to save trees, Ben’s invitation would not include a response card and return envelope. Instead, they would ask for RSVPs by email. They took the money that they would have spent on the response cards and donated it to the Jewish National Fund’s JNF Parson’s
Water Fund: a comprehensive $100 million initiative to increase the supply of highquality water in Israel by more than 440 billion gallons by 2020. It will invest in a variety of water-related ventures, including building reservoirs, promoting water recycling, drilling for new aquifers, rehabilitating rivers and streams, and supporting educational initiatives. So what can you do to help Ben with his Bar Mitzvah project? Ben isn’t asking you for anything or to donate anything. He wants you to do some research into how you can be greener every day. He says that PPL’s website offers many suggestions for lowering your energy use and that that is a good place to start. Things like using a programmable thermostat to lower the heat when no one is home or unplugging appliances when they aren’t being used are easy ways to help the planet by using less energy. Ben says that being green is not just a Bar Mitzvah project; it needs to be a way of life. In addition to his mitzvah project, Ben will make his first adult gift of tzedakah to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. For help developing your mitzvah project, contact Abby Trachtman, Program Coordinator, at abbyt@jflv.org or call her at the Federation office at 610-821-5500, ext. 321.
The Holocaust Resource Center of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is pleased to announce the establishment of the
Helen and Sol Krawitz Holocaust Memorial Fund
supporting Holocaust education, prejudice reduction, tolerance education, and teacher training Tribute and memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley 702 North 22nd Street Allentown, PA 18104 610-821-5500
The endowment fund of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley
IN MEMORY GERALDINE BENOWITZ (Mother of Nancy Greenfield) Marilyn Entis BESSIE BERENSON (Mother of Mimi Silberstein) Jan, Glenn, Naomi and Noah Ehrich STANLEY BLOCH (Husband of Faye Bloch and brother of Leonard Bloch) Avie and Phil Jacobson FAYE BRAFMAN (Mother of Joan Lowenfels and grandmother of Erica Papir) Elaine and Leon Papir LISA BRATT (Sister of Evelyn Lipschutz) Wendy and Ross Born Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel Carol and Barry Halper Elaine and Leon Papir RON CHMIELEWSKI (Husband of Linda Chmielewski) Wendy and Ross Born ZELDA COOPER (Mother of Peter Cooper) Roz and Al Mishking AMIRAM BEN EZER (Brother of Sharona Schnitzer) Sandra and Harold Goldfarb BIRDIE AND HARRY GOLDBERG (Ann Goldberg and Family) Michele and Gilfrid Levy JOYCE GRATCH (Mother of Allison Lipson) Joanne and Robert Palumbo SHEILA GREENBERG (Mother of Nechama Katz and Matt and Bram Greenberg) Randi and Donald Senderowitz MARILYN GROB (Mother of Robert Grob) Joanne and Robert Palumbo ROBERTA LUBER (Mother of Robert Luber) Evelyn and Jay Lipschutz HAROLD ROTHFELD (Husband of Elaine Rothfeld) Lenny Abrams Joani Lesavoy and Sid Greenberg Carol and Barry Halper Roz and Al Mishkin Penny and Adam Roth and Family Selma Roth Barbara and Fred Sussman Debbie and Morty Zelickson ELAINE SAMPLINER (Mother of Marjorie Hertz) Wendy and Ross Born FRED WIENER (Husband of Linda Wiener and father of David Wiener) Lenny Abrams Wendy and Ross Born Judy, Marc, Noah and Molly Diamondstein Iris, Jonathan, Harry an Charlie Epstein Lisa and Barnet Fraenkel Avie and Phil Jacobson Suzanne Lapiduss and Tracey and Jason Billig Joani Lesavoy and Sid Greenberg
Elaine and Leon Papir Penny and Adam Roth and Family Selma Roth Randi and Donald Senderowitz Barbara and Fred Sussman Debbie and Morty Zelickson
IN HONOR JUDY AND STEPHEN BARRETT Happy 50th wedding anniversary Ruth and Bill Gross SUSIE AND LARRY BERMAN Son Josh’s engagement to Cindy Elaine and Leon Papir MARGE AND DOUG BLAKE Best wishes in your new home Elaine and Leon Papir RITA AND MIKE BLOOM Happy 40th wedding anniversary Elaine and Leon Papir JEANETTE EICHENWALD Thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom, warmth and friendship in Yachad studies. Roberta and Robert Kritzer MITZI GOLDENBERG Mitzi’s engagement to Bernie Topfer Roz and Al Mishkin DIANE AND IRWIN GREENBERG Son Keith’s engagement to Ali Joani Lesavoy and Sid Greenberg JANE AND ARTHUR KAPLAN Birth of grandson, Aiden Elaine and Leon Papir BETH AND WES KOZINN Birth of grandson, Dean Elaine and Leon Papir JUDY AND CARL OLESH Birth of grandson, Brody Sylvia and Sam Bub MIRRA AND SAMUEL PAPIR Happy 65th wedding anniversary Elaine and Leon Papir JOE PETERSON Named Builder of the Year by the PA Builders Association Carol and Barry Halper LOTA AND BOB POST Happy 50th wedding anniversary Sylvia and Sam Bub Roberta and Jeff Epstein NANCY AND ABE ROSS Birth of granddaughter, Sarah Elaine and Leon Papir KYLE ROTH Happy birthday Selma Roth MR. AND MRS. RICHARD STAIMAN Birth of daughter, Alexandra Elizabeth Beth and Howard Kushnick MARGERY AND JAY STRAUSS Daughter Allison’s engagement to Seth Lisa and Ellis Block SANDI TEPLITZ Birth of granddaughter, Logan Suzanne Lapiduss Elaine and Leon Papir
On December 17, the president signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. This much-anticipated legislation features the continuation of tax cuts that were scheduled to expire, the extension of unemployment benefits, and other measures designed to stimulate the economy. While the media focused much of our attention on the tax cut portion of the legislation, it did not target much attention to a significant provision benefiting individuals with Individual Retirement Account (IRA) assets who want to make charitable donations. The IRA Charitable Rollover, extended through 2011, allows individuals to distribute funds from their standard or Roth IRAs directly to charities. Individuals age 70 ½ and older may once again request direct transfers of funds from IRAs to qualified public charities, such as the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, without any income tax on gifted funds.
Clothing Continues from page 1
break, and maybe even a glimmer of hope. The people on the Tikkun Olam committee heard the call and reached out to help. The group set up donation dropoff locations across the Lehigh Valley, including all Jewish congregations, ABC Family Pediatricians Offices, the JCC, JDS, the Human Performance Center and the two Panera Bread cafes on Tilghman and
A special thanks from the JFLV to co-chairs Matt & Keren Saltz
africa
Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation
The funds must be transferred directly from IRA accounts to the charities (the Federation can provide interested donors with special forms to make these requests to their IRA custodians). Each individual is entitled to make a total of $100,000 in gifts to charities each year under the IRA Charitable Rollover provision. The IRA Charitable Rollover offers tax-wise options to donors. Since IRA rollover proceeds are not added to one’s adjusted gross income, these contributions do not qualify donors for a charitable income tax deduction. However, not being taxed on the withdrawal is worth even more than a standard charitable deduction. The IRA Charitable Rollover provision is a significant opportunity for donors who hold assets in their IRAs that they do not need, would like to make a large one-time gift, and/or are subject to the 2% rule that reduces itemized deductions from taxable income. The IRA Charitable
Rollover may be the best “pocket” from which to make charitable gifts over the next year. IRA assets cannot be transferred to heirs during lifetime and at death may be some of the highest taxed estate assets. The Charitable Rollover provision enables donors to continue their giving while avoiding income taxes on the rollover amounts and excluding the amounts from one’s taxable estate. Furthermore, the amount directly distributed to charity will be counted toward the required minimum distribution (RMD) even though the funds were distributed tax free. The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley has received several IRA Charitable Rollover contributions and is quite familiar with the documentation required to enable the fullest tax benefit to donors.
in Trexlertown. The restaurant chain, which participated in the drive last year as well, was even kind enough to offer free coffee to anyone who entered the eatery with a donated item. Much like last year, the Baby Bundle Clothing Drive turned out to be a huge success. Dozens of bags filled with donated baby and children’s clothing were collected during the course of the drive. Those who were in charge of the donation stations had to clear the overflowing bins many times over during the two weeks of the drive. At Panera Bread, people didn’t even ask for the free coffee when dropping off their donations. Times are hard on everyone, and people all around us are struggling. This is why this drive was even more special. People gave away what they
could to help children in need; children who count on the generosity of strangers to fill their very basic need of clothing. If you or someone you know would like to donate baby or children’s clothing to Central Family Center, please contact Director Connie Sentz at sentzc@allentownsd.org. A special thanks is extended to all who took part in the Baby Bundle Clothing Drive. Without all these wonderful women, this drive would not have been possible:
For more information, contact Mark L. Goldstein at the Federation office at 610-8215500 or markg@jflv.org.
Melissa Maggioncalda Erin Corsa Tama Tamarkin Regina Brenner Kim Voluntas Anat Schor Ben Davis Shoshana Gosselin Carah Tenzer
Eva Levitt will be visiting Ghana as part of a medical mission led by her son, Dr. Marc Levitt of Cincinnati, OH. She is currently accepting donations of new or gently used stuffed animals and duffel bags to take with her to give to the children. If you would like to make a donation,
please call Eva at 610-398-1376.
ghana
Project Yachad thanks Wendy Rosenfeld “We are all saddened that her voice was silenced too soon, but her songs will live on in our hearts.” ~Cantor Ellen Sussman
The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and the local Jewish community said thanks and farewell to Wendy Rosenfeld at a lunch on December 13. Wendy worked as the director of Project Yachad for 14 years, during which time she was instrumental in expanding the Teachers’ Learning Center (TLC) and its relocation to the JCC building to enable easier access to its resources by religious and day school educators. Here, Rosenfeld accepts a gift from Cantor Kevin Wartell.
PRIVATE PARTIES | BUSINESS FUNCTIONS 154 Northampton Street, Easton | 610-849-1749 | phoeniciaonline.com
HELP
WANTED TIKVAH HOUSE, the Lehigh Valley's group home for Jewish adults with special needs, is seeking part-time staff. Contact Eva Levitt at 610-398-1376 for more information.
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A summer experience that will last a lifetime.
215-563-8184
harlam.urjcamps.org
Join us for a great week
ll o r En ow! N
of fun, learning, and
friendship in the Easton Jewish Community
BAS / TCP SUMMER CAMPTOWN
AUGUST 15 THROUGH AUGUST 19, 2011 BAS / TCP Summer Camptown Week is August 15th through August 19th Monday-Friday 9am-3:30pm at Bnai Abraham Synagogue of Easton. Snacks and lunch provided. $100.00 per child for the week. Children ages 5 to 11 welcome. To enroll or volunteer, please contact Julie Hochhauser at 610-739-7500 or email jhoch@jazidental.com
Age appropriate activities will include:
Arts/Crafts, Art Exhibit, Outdoor Water Play, Indoor & Outdoor Games, Chefs-In-The-Kitchen, Music & Song Daily, Israel Celebration Day, Torah Tidbits, Yoga, Scavenger Hunt, Mitzvah Field Trip Day, Camp Millionaire Day, Shabbat Party
camp divisions Acorns Kindergarten (5-6 yrs)
Groundhogs 1st & 2nd Graders
Bears 3rd & 4th Graders
Rangers 5th & 6th Graders
DO N MI ’T OU SS T!
Sponsored by the Easton Leadership
Council of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.
ENROLL (610) 258-5343
First-Time Campers: $1 ,000
tuition assistance Call now for details.
BAS/TCP Camptown wishes to thank the Easton Leadership Council for its generous sponsorship of this enriching, fun Jewish experience for children in the Easton community.
The Spirit of Kibbutz Close to Home WHERE JEWISH CULTURE AND FUN MEET.
$1000 Discount for Eligible 1st Time Campers Inquire about "A Taste of Galil" (August 4 - 8 for 2nd graders)
Over 60 Years of Kibbutz Values • Leadership • Sports • Hebrew • Shabbat • Fun An overnight camp located in Upper Bucks County, PA • 2, 3, 4, & 7 Week Sessions
Call Abbey 484.684.6532 • registrar@campgalil.org
It's no se�
Studies show that Jewish camping is a powerful way to build strong Jewish identity and commitment in young people.
CAMP Schola rsh availab ips le
Our parents think we're just having fun Thanks to the generousity of the Annual Campaign, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is offering needs-based scholarships for Jewish resident summer camps such as Ramah, Pinemere, Harlam, Galil, Young Judaea, and Moshava.
Limited funds are available.
Download a Resident Camp Scholarship form today at:
www.jewishlehighvalley.org
DEadline: March 16, 2011
Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley 610-821-5500
The Federation is accepting contributions, including named scholarship funds, to increase the availability of scholarships granted.
Construction Underway — Join a brand new independent living community at Country Meadows of Allentown!
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Country Meadows of Allentown 410 Krocks Road ■ Allentown, PA 18106 ■ 610.395.7160 allentown@CountryMeadows.com Photos are artist’s renderings. 103783 Hakol.indd 1
Celebrate 100 years of Hadassah!
11/3/10 3:17 PM
Call Maria Ain at 610-694-0940 for more information.
We thank the following individuals who have graciously supported JFS-LV by sending tribute cards: Congratulations on Phoebe Altman’s Award Sondra Jacobs
In honor of Mr. and Mrs, Jerry Morse’s home and Jerry’s birthday Anne Cornfeld
In honor of Anita Berman’s 90th Birthday Susan, Larry, Josh and Lindsay Berman
In memory of Violet and Saul Musican’s granddaughter Sondra Jacobs
In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Braunstein’s 60th Anniversary Susan, Larry, Josh and Lindsay Berman
In memory of Donald Paul Elliot Grossman
Congratulations to Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Bub, on being the honorees at the Jewish Day School Dance Mitzi Goldenberg
In memory of Muriel Propper Susan and Howard Sherer
In memory of Larry Feinman, brother of Sylvia Feinman Phyllis and Chet Ringel In honor and memory Eleanor Wiener Fletcher Get Well Wishes to Tama Fogelman Tama Lee Barsky Lorrie and Jay Scherline In memory of Robert Grob’s mother Bill and Jane Markson Wishing Rabbi Lennick a Speedy Recovery Tama Lee Barsky In memory of Evelyn Lipshutz’s sister Lisa Howard and Susan Sherer
In memory of Harold Rothfeld Marilyn and Nate Braunstein Lillian Benton Helen Cook Jewish Family Service The Yiddish Group at Jewish Family Service Get well wishes to Arthur Weinrach Henriette Engelson In memory of Fred Wiener Tama Lee Barsky Susan and Larry Berman Gary and Diane Miller Sondra Jacobs Michael and Leslie Weinstock
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 JFS-LV. Your contribution may be made to JFS’ 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.
Food Pantry Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley thanks PacSun for its very generous contribution of canned and boxed food to our emergency community food pantry. Thanks also to the congregants of Temple Beth El for their generous donation to the food pantry.
Thank you for being part of our JCC Challenge Grant. Your support is greatly appreciated. Alan & Sandra Abeshaus Rony Ackerman Allentown AZA & BBG Marsha Baar Bob Barrett & Cathy Kraus Michael & Barbara Bassano Nancy Bernstein Alan & Donna Black Jeffrey & Jill Blinder Rance & Sheryl Block Ross & Wendy Born Nathan & Marilyn Braunstein Sam & Sylvia Bub David & Sara Jane Bub Richard & Kira Bub Betty Burian Barbara Cohen Edward & Natalie Coleman Anne Cornfeld Davison & McCarthy, PC Andrew & Lisa Ellis Ellyn & Marc Elstein Thomas & Roni Englert Michael Feldman Anna Figlin Scott Brenner & Cheryl Figlin-Brenner Ed & Brenda Finberg Peter Fisher & Kathy Zimmerman Harry & Amy Fisher Ari & Margee Forgosh Barnet & Lisa Fraenkel M.J. & Jane Kay Friedberg Henry & Monica Friess Stewart & Carol Furmansky Gene & Ann Ginsberg Brian & Alyssa Goldberg D. Goldberg Paul & Debbie Goldberg Barry Golden & Cheri Sterman Harold & Sandra Goldfarb Mark L. Goldstein & Shari Spark Arkady & Sophie Golynsky David & Marsha Gordon Karen Green Jeffrey & Elizabeth Greenberg Allen & Pat Gribben Leonard Gurvitz Barry & Carol Halper Bobby & Bonnie Hammel Gregory & Suzanne Harris Mark & Amy Holtz Ron & Martha Kahan Andrew & Nancy Kahn Steven & Audrey Kanoff Aaron Katz & Joanne Cohen-Katz Rabbi Melissa Klein Hilary Koprowski & Christine Gorigioitia Jeffrey & Carol Kranitz Josh & Terri Krassen Stuart & Lynda Krawitz Jack & Ferne Kushner Martin & Monica Lemelman Eric & Tina Luftig 14 FEBRUARY 2011 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY
Norman & Roberta Marcus Moische & Lisa Markowitz William & Jane Markson Paul & Colleen McGee Gerald & Dolores McKee Gerald & Ethel Melamut Harry & Ethel Miller Memorial Fund Holmes & Jeannie Miller Michael & Linda Miller Morton & Judi Miller Alvin & Roz Mishkin Sandy Newman Lillian Nissenbaum Michael & Cookie Notis Daniel Rawleigh Richard & Barbara Reisner Luther Rhodes III Harry & Carole Rose Barbara Rudolph Richard & Amy Sams, Jr. Jason & Judith Saranga Carl Schoenberg & Susan York Mark & Deena Scoblionko Elliot & Linda Sheftel Justin Sheftel Memorial Fund Larrie & Judi Sheftel Ross & Rebecca Silver John & Judi Silverberg Arthur & Audrey Sosis Leslie Sperling Leonard Sternbach Max & Shelley Stettner Barbara Sussman David Vaida & Ellen Sussman Donna Swoyer Kenneth & Lisa Szydlow Frank & Tama Tamarkin William & Pauline Trachtenberg Douglas Trachtman Marc & Abby Trachtman Michael & Eileen Ufberg Robert & Laurie Wax Stan & Vicki Wax Howard & Debbie Weber Robert Wechsler Joel & Susan Weiner Harold & Louise Weinstein Bill & Cheryl Wenhold Bernard & Shirlee Wiener Hillel & Tamar Wiener Robert & Carol Wilson Wayne Woodman & Lisa Scheller Cindy Zehnder
TRIBUTES Jewish Community Center General Operating Fund In Memory of Harold D. Rothfeld Louise & Harold Weinstein Mr. & Mrs. L. Sternbach Betty Greenberg Neil Schwab Carole & Harry Rose Barbara & Michael Bassano In Honor of Lillian Benton’s grandson’s engagement Betty Greenberg
JPerks: Exclusive Benefits for JCC Members
2011
Look for your new 2011 jPerks cards in the mail this month.
The following businesses have graciously agreed to participate in jPerks, special offers and discounts for JCC Members. Please check www.allentownjcc.org frequently for updates, new companies and more services. B&M Provisions Food Distributor Bike Line (Allentown) Blink Optical Boutique, LLC Clotheszing! Community Music School Creative Closets, Ltd. Curious Goods at the Bake Oven Inn Enid’s Engravings Glenn’s Mobile Drycleaning Service Great Companions Grille 3501 Happy Paws Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Herons View Beach House Rental Jezabels Salon Lazeez Fresh Mediterranean Grill Louie’s Restaurant & Catering Mr. Bill’s Poultry & Deli Paper Bag Parkland Restaurant Parma Pizza Phoebe Floral & Home Décor Pistachio Bar and Grille Pomodoro Pizza and Grille Positive Life Decisions, LLC Sally Ullman Photography The Jewelers Three Dog Night Top Hat Formalwear Twisted Scissors
Wild and Wonderful January at the J!
Camp JCC Kickoff and the Great Holtzie January 9
Dip & Disco January 15....... Teen Volunteers-thanks
...Swimming and Dancing at the J
Saturday Night Lights January 15
Head to Toe Wellness Expo and Group X January 16
C on the Ab Coaster
Boys Basketball Game and Swim Meet with the Y Sunday, January 16
February Program Snapshot
Skills and Drills Basketball Camp with Darryl Dawkins and Mike Iorio January 17
details online at www.allentownjcc.org Thursdays, Saturday, February 3, 10, 17 February 5 Ballroom Dancing Saturday Night Lights followed by for kids Dancing with the Stars Date Night Saturday, for Parents February 19
Sunday, February 6 Camp JCC Luau at the JCC 12:30pm-2:30pm Limbo, Hula & Swim
Sunday, February 13 Summer Fun with Clifford 9:30am-11:00am Art & Water Play
Sunday, February 13 Fun with Clay 12:30pm-2:00pm Sunday, February 20 Swim Meet HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | FEBRUARY 2011 15
Sheila Greenberg Kindergarten Scholarship Fund: To honor the memory of our beloved Sheila Greenberg (Morah Sima), the Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley is setting up the Sheila Greenberg Kindergarten Scholarship Fund, which will provide financial support for students to attend kindergarten. Morah Sima dedicated her life to her kindergarten students, and this fund will be a fitting tribute to her memory. If you would like to make a contribution, please send it to the school, specifying the Sheila Greenberg Kindergarten Scholarship Fund:
Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley 2313 Pennsylvania Street Allentown, PA 18104 Attn: Sheila Greenberg Kindergarten Scholarship Fund
Joel Mittleman, JDS Alumni By Sara Schonbach, Director of Admissions and Retention
Evolution of a superhero Local Jewish teen uses hero tradition to fight cancer By Jennifer Lader Special to Hakol
Who is your favorite superhero? Whether it’s Spiderman, Batman or the X-Men, chances are that that superhero has Jewish roots. These early superheroes created the model for comic book writers that followed, and for others with daunting foes. A provocative new memoir titled Twice, written by Benjamin Rubenstein and published by Woodley Books in Bethlehem, shows a legacy of the superhero comic tradition. Sub-titled How I Became a Cancer-Slaying Super Man Before I Turned 21, the memoir, with its comic-book-style illustrations, details Benjamin’s battles, first against bone cancer and then against leukemia, starting at the age of 16. In the 1920s, another Jewish teenager faced an uphill battle , and his method for coping laid the foundation for Rubenstein’s work. Jerry Siegel’s father had died, and, not long after, the stock market crashed, bringing on the Depression. Jerry handled his troubles by applying his imagination to his studies of the 19th-century philosopher Neitzsche, who wrote of a Super Man beyond human moral constraints. Working with an
18 FEBRUARY 2011 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY
Author and cancer survivor Benjamin Rubenstein. Starting at the age of 16, Rubenstein tapped into the Jewish superhero tradition to fight first bone cancer and then leukemia. His illustrated memoir, Twice, was published by Woodley Books in Bethlehem, PA.
illustrator and a publisher, Siegel created Superman, who stands for truth, justice and the American way. It wasn’t a coincidence that Siegel happened to be Jewish. In fact, if you look at the blessing after the Haftorah, you will find those very same words: “truth and justice.” Benjamin Rubenstein tapped into a superheroic tradition that started with Siegel and continued with Stan Lee, creator of Spiderman and the X-Men in the 1960s. He wore the Super Man persona like a protective
cape. Although he wasn’t fighting the Joker as Batman did, he had a strong foe, and the radiation treatments functioned for him a little the way kryptonite did for Superman. Rubenstein’s mother, Debbie, said that he was able to tap into the superhero tradition to give him strength. “He had to defend himself, and it worked,” Debbie said. “He overcame things that are lethal.” Besides the chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Rubenstein survived an
overdose of potassium and a tainted blood transfusion. Debbie recalls that her local rabbi in the Washington, D.C. area, Jonathan Katz, spent the entire day with the family the first time Benjamin had surgery. When they went to Minneapolis for a stem cell transplant, Assistant Rabbi Sim Glaser “was wonderful; spiritual, yet down to earth.” These religious leaders call to mind other Jewish heroes possessed of everyday human powers. Their lives can be seen in titles like Heroes of Jewish Thought. Who are these heroes? They are the rabbis of the Middle Ages who interpreted the Torah with explanations that still stand. They are sometimes the ones whose foes brutally tortured them to death. They remained heroes because they did not renounce who they were, but died with the Sh’ma on their lips. Although Rubenstein’s Jewish identity seemed important to him, he kept religious observance at arm’s length. He could do this and still call on the super heroic tradition; it is that deeply ingrained. With his salty language and tell-it-like-it-is style, he keeps his experiences on a secular plane. Things changed somewhat when his thick, corkscrew-curly hair started falling out. At that point in the memoir, Benjamin quotes his rabbi as explaining that the Sh’ma is to be said two times every day. He made a start by saying it once a day. And although he avoided “sick kids” while in the hospital, Benjamin, now in his twenties, regularly visits children and teens with cancer. He talks with them about the experience that he could never before delve into with therapists, his mother or his friends, paving the way for other cancer patients to do the same. Like the changing forms of the superheroes, personal development and religious observance for Benjamin and for
RIGHT: Author Benjamin Rubenstein with his family on the day of his brother’s bar mitzvah. ABOVE: Rubenstein’s illustrated memoir, Twice: How I Became a Cancer-Slaying Super Man Before I Turned 21, tells of his battles against his biggest foe: cancer.
many people is an evolving notion. The results for Benjamin remain to be seen: Will our young caped wonder eventually say the Sh’ma each day…twice? For more information about Benjamin’s memoir, visit his website at www. benjaminrubenstein.com. Jennifer Lader is a freelance writer living in Bethlehem and a congregant at Brith Sholom.
Fighting delegitimization
Will standard activism toolkit be enough? By Ben Harris Jewish Telegraphic Agency NEW YORK (JTA) — When a Miami community organization first conceived of holding a Jewish summit to address the campaign to delegitimize Israel, it expected 400 people might show up. Instead, 1,200 people packed a Miami auditorium for the Jan. 16 event, including an all-star cast of Israel’s most prominent defenders: Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky and Israel’s U.S. ambassador, Michael Oren. The summit, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Miami, was the highest profile meeting of the minds on combating Israel’s delegitimization since the Jewish Federations of North America announced last November at the General Assembly in New Orleans that it would be tackling the issue head-on. Participants at the Miami conference were encouraged to use the standard tools of political advocacy — contacting elected officials, calling in to talk radio — and they were given information
sheets to help them. Yet it’s not clear whether a strategy that relies on what is essentially the standard activist toolkit will be enough to set back the campaign of delegitimization. The campaign encompasses a broad range of tactics from the official to the grass roots: picketing stores that sell Israeli products; urging corporations, universities, and state and local municipalities to stop investing in Israel; and pressing the case against Israel in Washington and foreign capitals, and at the United Nations. On the pro-Israel side, a national strategy is taking shape under the direction of Martin Raffel, a senior vice president at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. Its main focus will be on civil society — the trade unions, liberal churches and university campuses that have proven receptive to the claims of Israel’s detractors. Among the initiatives planned is a move to bring civil society leaders on trips to Israel and to provide financing to communities to conduct meetings with key local leaders. All this and more will be financed by a budget of just over $5.5 million over three years from the JCPA and the Jewish Federations of North America.
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Joe Mascari’s Carpets & Rugs International 1221 Sumner Avenue, Allentown | 610.770.0244 Hours: M-F 10-6 | Sat 10-4 | Sun 12-4 HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | FEBRUARY 2011 19
The Jewish Leap...
“Jewish history is anything but static; it is dynamic, everchanging, infused with vicissitudes and peppered with moments of ecstasy and jubilation.”
SIMCHA C|L|U|B
Are you retired?
Then join us at the new social and entertainment experience Brith Sholom & Keneseth Israel
the Simcha Club
meets quarterly for a kosher lunch and a program. The price of the luncheon is $5.
Wednesday, March 23
NOON at Brith Sholom
SPEAKER: TBA Entertainment:
Featuring Rabbi Daniel Stein of Bnai Abraham and Cantor Ellen Sussman of KI PLEASE RSVP Brith Sholom 610.866.8009 Keneseth Israel 610.435.9074
We want to feed you like a Yiddishe Mama Need a ride? Contact: Rabbi Allen Juda 610-866-8009 Cantor Ellen Sussman 610-435-9074 JFS 610-821-8722
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Bender’s Home Maintenance Plus Bill Bender | 610-865-9274 RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL PAOAGHIC020812
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13th & Tilghman, Allentown | 610-770-7717 Sunday - Thursday 11 AM - 10 pM Friday - Saturday 11 AM - 11 pM Closed Mondays - pARkINg IN ReAR
need help? When Grandma isn’t available... babysitting? kids to activities? very experienced babysitting all ages available hourly, daily, & overnight
Seniors & Families errands? transportation? grocery shopping? New BBG members pose with their big sisters at their first sleepover.
Jewish Day School, Moravian Academy & Bryn Mawr graduate current graduate student impeccable references
484.347.6611
hildi.greenberg@gmail.com
PARKING AVAILABLE IN THE REAR Tuesday-Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-4
Call for your child’s flu vaccine Kenneth J. Toff, D.O. Laurie A. Cohen, D.O. Anna Linderman, M.D. Rima L. Strassman, M.D.
1517 Pond Road | Allentown, PA 18104 610-395-4444 | www.childrens-healthcare.com Open 365 days of the year
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the perfect gift card, the perfect present 20% off gift card purchases February 1-14 522 N. 19th St. Allentown • 610.437.1663 • boutiquetogo.com
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453 Northampton St., Easton, PA 610-252-3132 . 1-800-999-STATE Online www.statetheatre.org
St. Luke’s Hospice presents...
An Evening with Rabbi Harold S. Kushner
When Bad Things Happen to Good People Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 7:30 pm Doors open at 7 pm Central Moravian Church West Church & Main Streets, Historic Bethlehem General Admission tickets are available - $10/ticket For more information or to purchase tickets, contact St. Luke’s InfoLink at 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).
Harold S. Kushner, Rabbi Laureate of Temple Israel in the Boston suburb of Natick, MA, is best known for his book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, a straightforward, heartfelt contemplation of his personal doubts, fears and suffering following the death of his teenage son. His reflections have provided guidance and support to millions of grieving people. His book is an international best-seller and has been translated in fourteen languages. One critic has called it “the most important book of popular theology ever written in America.” Arrangements for Rabbi Harold Kushner made through the B’nai B’rith Lecture Bureau Premier Sponsor – Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc.
HELLERTOWN – SCHNECKSVILLE