Temple Beth Sholom
The Shofar
Iyar/Sivan/Tammuz 5785 May/June 2025
The Words in the Haggadah are NOT Just for Passover/Pesach
Jo Ann Howard, President
Pesach is a little over three weeks behind us…the holiday dishes have been stored away…the choroset bowl is finally empty…we still have unopened boxes of matzah if anyone wants any…and all but one Haggadah has been put away. Why is that, you might ask?
Under the section Makot Mitzrayim, the Plagues of Egypt, we are getting ready to pour ten drops of wine for the plagues upon Egypt. They are: Dam, Blood; Tzfardeyah, Frogs; Kinim, Lice; Arov, Wild Beasts; Dever, Blight; Sh’hin, Boils; Barad, Hail; Arbeh, Locusts; Hosheh, Darkness; Maka B’horot, Slaying of the First-Born. Did you shutter when you read them at the Seder? Did you react when you just read them? Yes, I did, too. However, that isn’t why one Haggadah has not been put away.
A group reading preceding the ten plaques of Egypt screamed out to me and brought tears to my eyes. It was actually describing what is happening today in the world, including our own country. Read it and then decide what you can do to help change the course to destruction.
“Our rabbis taught: God is urgent about justice, for upon justice the world depends… Each drop of wine we pour is hope and prayer that people will cast out the plagues that threaten everyone everywhere they are found, beginning in our own hearts: The making of war, The teaching of hate and violence, Despoliation of the earth, Perversion of justice and of government, Fomenting of vice and crime, Neglect of human needs, Oppression of nations and peoples, Corruption of culture, Subjugation of science, learning, and human discourse, Erosion of freedoms.”
Now, what do you think? What can you do as an individual? What can we do as a community?
March 2-3/4-5 Iyar
27 – Nat Becher
May 9-10/11-12 Iyar
May 16-17/18-19 Iyar
5 – Herman J. Cornblatt 12 – Edwin Rosenstock
2 – Edith M. Cornblatt 6 – Gloria Calisch Gallagher 15 – Lorraine Lester
2 – Nathan Newman 6 – Patrice Kramer
2 – Wildred Santerre
3 – Margaret Heiner Kingoff
8 – Sarah Rebeka Whitten Kushner
8 – Louis Sager
3 – Jeanne Gabriel Kaufman 9 – Samuel Jacobs
9 – Isaac Rosenstock
– Lee Evan Howard
May 23-24/25-26 Iyar
May 30-31/3-4 Sivan
June 6-7/10-11 Sivan
18 – Phillip Greenberg 25 – Sidney Johnson, Sr. 1 – Jacob Berman
18 – Elechiam Kurtz
25 – Joseph Vatz 1 – Joe Bermann
19 – Samuel Cassoy 26 – Esther Cohen 3 – Arthur Goldstein
19 – Daniel Sechtin
20 – Mattie Kaufman
23 – Jay Newman Macht
23 – Sally Golsen
22 Iyar – Dr. Luis Fraifeld
June 13-14/17-18 Sivan
10 – Hyman Sater
26 – Leo Kaufman 5 – Tillie K. Rubin
26 – Eileen Stendig 6 – Annie Rebeccah Vatz
28 – Charles Miller 7 – Raynell Lantor
29 – Rebecca W. Berman
30 – Rabbi Arnold Shevlin
31 – Shirley Kellam
June 20-21/24-25 Sivan
15 – Riva Lea Kingoff
11 – Harry Binder Stein 16 – Zev Becher
12 – Samuel Gold
June 27-28/1-2 Tammuz
23 – Murray “Buddy” Rippe
25 – Alice Heiner Kingoff
16 – Sam Heiner
13 – Elizabeth Rose Hausman 17 – Ernest Freudenthal
19 – Lee David Howard
19 – Alan Bermann
20 – Esther Berman Fishman
20 – Theodore Harris
21 – Herman B. Kushner
21 – Ben Klaff
21 – Eleanor Howard
When lighting the Yahrzeit candle, you can recite the following prayer: The human soul is a light from God. May it be your will that the soul of (insert name) enjoy eternal life, along with the souls of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, and the rest of the righteous that are in Gan Eden. Amen
Let’s Welcome Shabbat Together (in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church)
MAY
Friday, 2nd 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service
Friday, 9th 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service/Hebrew Naming Ceremony Oneg hosted by the Feuerstein Family
Friday, 16th Shabbat Service not scheduled
Friday, 23rd 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service
Wednesday, 28th 7:00 p.m. Congregational Meeting
Friday 30th 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service
JUNE
Sunday, 1st 3:00 pm. Shavuot celebration at the Howard’s home
Friday, 6th Shabbat Service not scheduled
Friday, 13th 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service
Friday, 20th Shabbat Service not scheduled
Friday, 27th 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Service
Special Events We Celebrated in March and April
Peter and Jo Ann always enjoy opening their home to celebrate holidays with our Temple Beth Sholom congregation:
. In March we celebrated Purim. We enjoyed lunch together, noshed on hamantachen, and drowned out Haman’s name during the Megilla reading! Of course, we had plenty of jokes shared to keep us laughing and yes, many of us wore costumes! It was truly a fun-filled afternoon!
Many of us celebrated Passover with our very own Temple Beth Sholom Seder at the Howard’s home. Each participant had their own small seder plate filled with horseradish, charoset, parsley, and an egg, Thank you to all who participated by reading parts, sharing stories, and enlightening us with additional information about some of the Haggadah readings. We also had a wonderful meal together, which started with gefilte fish and matzah ball soup. Thank you to everyone who brought a tasty variety of vegetables and fruits to go along with the roasted chicken. And yes, we also had chocolate dipped maccaroons! With our fourth cup (or sip) of wine, we declared “Next Year at Temple Beth Sholom!”
Temple Beth Sholom Donations
Please remember the Building Fund for such things as Sympathy, Mazel Tov, Thank You, and Speedy Recovery. The list is endless. Your contribution will brighten someone’s day and help support YOUR temple at the same time!
Jimmy Adkins – Wishes for a Happy Pesach to the Temple Beth Sholom Congregation
Peter and Jo Ann Howard – In memory of our family members who we love and miss: Louis Sager, Lee Evan Howard, Lee David Howard, and Eleanor Howard. May their memories be for a blessing..
Supporting
Immigrants and Refugees in This Challenging Moment from the Union for Reform Judaism and Religious Action Center
Welcoming the stranger, or immigrant, is a core part of Jewish tradition, mentioned 36 times in the Torah. Leviticus commands, "The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love them as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (19:33-34). Our own people's history as "strangers" reminds us of the many struggles faced by immigrants today and we affirm our commitment to create the same opportunities for today's immigrants that were so valuable to our own community not so many years ago.
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and Religious Action Center (RAC) oppose the antiimmigrant rhetoric and executive orders issued by the Trump administration. Below is a background on recent Reform Movement statements, longstanding Reform Movement policies, and opportunities for action by individuals, congregations, and communities.
CREGATIONAL SOURCES SAUARY ACES GET OLVED RESOLUTIONS
SANCTUARY SPACES
As early as 1985, the URJ adopted a resolution on sanctuary, urging congregations and their members to, "provide sanctuary in one or more of its forms to Central Americans and other refugees who request safe haven out of fear of persecution upon return their to their homelands." The resolution continued, "We recognize the serious legal implications of some forms of sanctuary and alert the congregations to the recent prosecutions for assistance and support of these refugees, even as we commit ourselves to support the efforts to overturn the administration's interpretation and application of existing law."
As significant as the legal risks have always been, on January 20, 2025, the Trump administration rescinded a policy that limited U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents from operating in sensitive locations such as houses of worship, schools, and medical facilities. As such, offering sanctuary currently creates unknown legal risks.
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The RAC cannot offer legal advice to individuals or organizations but urges congregations to consult experts in local and state laws as well as their own congregational counsel.
Read When ICE Comes to the Congregation Door to learn more about what you can do if ICE or other immigration or law enforcement entities come to the door of the synagogue seeking entry.
URJ AND CENTRAL CONFERENCE OF AMERICAN RABBIS (CCAR) RESOLUTIONS ON IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS
URJ Resolution on Protecting Individuals at Risk of Deportation from the United States (2017)
URJ Resolution on Responding to the Global Refugee Crisis (2017)
CCAR Resolution on Protecting Individuals at Risk of Deportation from the United States (2017)
URJ Resolution in Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the United States (2007)
CCAR Resolution on Immigration Reform (2006)
URJ Resolution on Citizenship (1997)
CCAR Resolution on Citizenship (1997)
URJ Resolution on Immigration (1995)
URJ Resolution on Refugees and Sanctuary (1985)
CCAR Resolution on Immigration (1889-1974)
Our hearts are with the people of Israel and the civilians in Gaza at this difficult time. We pray for the immediate release of all of the hostages, a negotiated ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid to innocent civilians in Gaza, and a future of safety and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Also from the URJ:
A Little Humor is Good for the Soul!
THE “COMPLEAT” WORRIER
Goldfarb, a coat manufacturer, couldn’t sleep. He was growing thin and haggard. Finally, his partner, Vogelman, suggested counting sheep.
“OK, tonight I’ll count!”
The next morning, Goldfarb looked worse.
“Nu? Did you count?” asked Vogelman.
“Did I count! All the way to 5,000 sheep. Bupkes. So, I sheared them. Still I was wide awake. So then I made up 5,000 coats — till I finally drifted!”
“So what’s the problem?”
“I awoke with a start thinking, OY! Where could I get 5,000 linings?’
Vell, Nu?
Adam and Eve are sitting in the Garden of Eden, holding hands and watching a beautiful sunset. As a soft breeze gently sweeps over them, Eve tenderly turns to Adam and asks: "But, do you really love me?"
To which Adam replies, "Who else?"
A Classic
Mr. Solomon was drowning. “Help! Help!” he screamed.
The lifeguard swam to his rescue and schlepped him to shallow water. “Mister, can you float alone?!” he asked.
“Boychick,” gasped Solomon, “you picked some time to talk business!”
May – June 2025
A Message from Martha Woody, Danville President
As I write this article at the end of April for our May – June Hadassah Danville News, I am aware of how many observances we have encountered this month and the ones that the next few months will bring. In April we once again celebrated the Exodus from Egypt (the “narrow place”) at Passover and fortunately, the contribution of women in that central event is being recognized more than in the past. Yocheved, Miriam, Pharaoh’s daughter, and the Egyptian midwives have long been ignored despite their strength and bravery in the face of tyranny and cruelty. They have given us marvelous examples of courage under fire that we can emulate in our own time.
Jewish/Israeli observances in April included Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut (Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day). Yom Yerushalayim, celebrating the reunification of the city of Jerusalem, is observed this year on May 25 – 26, coinciding with our own Memorial Day here in the U.S. Just as it is possible to hold two conflicting views simultaneously, it is possible to both mourn and celebrate at the same time.
On the home front, we have a plethora of concerns to deal with. Economic issues such as inflation and the volatility of the stock market, fundamental questions about due process under the law and three co-equal branches of government, and international concerns including the rise of far-right parties promoting antisemitism as well as violence in any number of places (Ukraine, Sudan, Kashmir/India, etc.) are in the news on a daily basis. All of us, I know, are very concerned about these events and what they may mean for ourselves, the Jewish community, our country, and the whole world, but at the same time it can all feel so overwhelming! How do we respond to what is going on in some meaningful way and yet keep our sanity intact?
Hadassah knows that keeping silent is not a viable option. In many ways, Hadassah is the embodiment of this quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” We are a powerful voice against antisemitism and a powerful force for women’s health care and Israel but also advocate in areas that may not directly affect us: humanitarian concerns about our immigration policies, medical marijuana, racial justice, human trafficking, LGBTQ+ equality, economic justice, and more. We can take great pride in the accomplishment of Hadassah towards tikkun olam, the healing of the world. And let’s not forget the wonderful, life-giving work of Hadassah Medical Organization!
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As we celebrate our accomplishments, we need to remember “you are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it” (from Pirkei Avot). How fortunate we are that Hadassah helps us to continue the efforts to address the challenges that confront us! It can be as simple as making a donation by lighting a virtual menorah to kvetch or kvell with your Danville Hadassah chapter. But if you wish to do more in the way of advocacy, simply visit Hadassah’s website and click on “Get Involved” to find easy ways to make your voice heard. Interested in a trip to Israel? Hadassah can help with that too! We women are powerful, especially when we coalesce in significant numbers, like being members of Hadassah.
I’m issuing a challenge to all of you: Do one thing in the next two months to address one of Hadassah’s priorities that speaks to you and then, tell us about it! My email address is rfbmmw@comcast.net and I will be looking forward to hearing from you.
Shalom,
Martha Woody, President Hadassah Danville
HADASSAH, THE POWER TO HEAL OUR WORLD. TOGETHER.
We believe we can and must do all we can to advance justice and healing. We’ve been defying the odds for more than a century, creating new leadership roles for women, sustaining a vibrant Jewish state and paving the way for a pioneering health care system that saves lives every day. We are the power of women who do. And we believe that each of us has the power to heal our world, to take action, to make an impact.
We hope you do, too. Join us.
by Carol Ann Schwartz January 2025
Every January, Hadassah leaders gather for our National Assembly meetings, where we review the year just ended, plan for the future and inspire one another with the work that we do. And as we convened last month in West Palm Beach, Fla., we all had a sense of challenges met, the weight we carry and—paradoxically—the lift our work gives us.
Last year marked the first one since Israel’s independence that the country was at war for the entire 12 months, not only putting the nation in grave danger but also testing Hadassah’s medical and educational institutions to the limit. It was also a year of soaring antisemitism in America and in many corners of the world. But amid anxiety and deep concern, it was a year of healing, building, educating, advocating, growing and always going beyond.
I cannot sum up in a single column every edifying Hadassah story I heard or shared at our conference, let alone do justice to the 113-year foundation on which we labor. But I can tell you that I have never believed more profoundly in Hadassah than I do now.
We raised our voices in 2024 like never before, in American and international centers of power. The policy statements we adopted in January address key issues of our times. Building on a year of defending Israel’s right and responsibility of self-defense and, indeed, its right to exist, we issued a new statement calling on policymakers in the United States to continue their steadfast support for the Jewish state and to rally other nations and allies to stand with America against antisemitism and anti-Israel United Nations resolutions. The statement also called on American officials and foreign governments to follow the lead of the United States Department of Justice to take action to hold Hamas accountable for acts of terrorism on October 7, 2023, and the weaponization of sexual violence.
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Building on our longstanding advocacy for women’s health, reproductive freedom and gender equity in health research, we passed a new statement in support of
science and evidence-based policymaking, urging federal, state and local officials to rely only on accredited experts and resources and to oppose efforts to vilify scientists.
Our meetings featured first-hand reports of the Hadassah Medical Organization’s response to Israel’s urgent needs. As the war began, we had two major projects under construction: The Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus and the renovation of our iconic Round Building on the Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem campus. Thanks to generous gifts from our supporters, we were able to accelerate the phased opening of both projects, inaugurating floors in each building even as construction continues. Among those who addressed us during our deliberations—focusing on both the physical and mental aspects of treating combat injuries—were Shiri Ben-David, HMO’s chief psychologist; and Dr. Elior Moreh, head of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
We were all moved by the appearance of a lieutenant colonel—a tank commander to 400 soldiers—who described in detail how his arm was shattered in battle and how he was treated first at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem and then at the Gandel Center. Even though he still has seven screws in his arm, he returned to military service.
Dr. Yoram Weiss, director-general of HMO, also briefed conference delegates; this was by no means the first National Assembly meeting he has attended but on this particular trip he did more than provide insights and updates. Shortly after his flight took off from Tel Aviv en route to Miami, a fellow passenger had a medical emergency that turned out to be a heart attack. Our director-general administered oxygen, provided medication and requested an emergency landing in Athens, where the patient was transferred to a local hospital. What better example could we have to show that Hadassah is always on duty?
Our January conference took place just as optimism was rising in Israel—when a cease-fire took hold and Hamas began to release some of the hostages. We pray that peace will prevail and that the coming year will not make the same demands on our institutions. But I am confident that we, Hadassah, will rise to any occasion. Together we will heal.
NEW YORK, NY – For the first time since Newsweek launched its annual rankings, the magazine has named Israel’s Hadassah Medical Organization one of the best hospitals in the world. The Jerusalem-based nonprofit hospital system was founded and is owned by Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America.
The rankings appear in World’s Best Hospitals 2025, Newsweek’s latest annual assessment of hospitals worldwide. The 2025 report, which rates 2,400 hospitals in 30 countries, puts Hadassah in the company of such renowned American institutions as the Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic and The Johns Hopkins Hospital and such leading overseas institutions as Sweden’s Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset and Switzerland’s Universitätsspital Basel.
In the most recent World’s Best Specialized Hospitals and World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Hadassah once again earned a spot among Israel’s top hospitals for cardiology (fifth year), oncology (fourth year) and the use of smart technology (fourth year).
In a joint statement, Dalia Itzik, chairwoman of the Hadassah Medical Organization’s board of directors, and Yoram Weiss, MD, its director general, said, "At Hadassah’s hospitals, the true reward for our work lies in the thousands of patients whom we help to reclaim or enhance their lives each year. Our dedicated faculty and staff are aided by our use of cutting-edge technologies across every medical specialty and our partnerships with leading international science and healthcare companies.”
Carol Ann Schwartz, national president of the hospital system’s owner, Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, said, “We take immense pride in our physicians and scientists, whose contributions have once again earned the Hadassah Medical Organization a place on this prestigious list. Their groundbreaking work has propelled our hospitals into the forefront of global healthcare, securing their position among the world’s most innovative hospitals.”
The World’s Best Hospitals 2025 was produced in collaboration with the global data firm Statista. The report is based on an online survey of medical experts; hospital quality metrics, which measure such things as healthcare processes and systems; and surveys of patientreported outcome measures (PROMs), which document patients’ perceptions of their quality of life and ability to function after hospitalization.
members a way to virtually light a menorah at a meeting and/or send a mazel tov, get well, or an expression of sympathy to a friend or family member. Each menorah you light is $18. You can either pay by credit card on-line: https://bit.ly/DanvilleRaysofHopeandCelebration, or send your check to Jo Ann Howard (see information above). If you want the information sent to a friend or family member, please include their mailing information when you send your check and menorah information to Jo Ann.
Susan Dufour
In honor of my grandniece, Sydney Emerson Schwartz on her Bat Mitzvah, and my grandnephew, Max Arthur Califf, on his first birthday
Sharon Goretsky
In honor of the women of Hadassah Danville.
Jo Ann Howard
In honor of the Southern Seaboard leaders for the guidance and support given to our Danville Chapter
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Ronnie Mand
In honor of Sasha’s Bat Mitzvah and the amazing job she did!
Ronni Nichamin
Just because…
Melanie Vaughan
The first two candles are a huge THANK YOU to Gail and Sharon for such a wonderful program.
The third candle is for all the strong women here this evening and around the world.
All the remaining candles are happy thoughts in honor of my precious husband Kevin’s birthday. Looking forward to celebrating many more years of birthdays together.
Martha Woody
Menorah #1: This menorah is for: Anyone in a position of power, and anyone who wants to use their influence for good. May they grow in wisdom and corage and may their acts of love-kindness be abundant.
Menorah #2: This menorah is for: All those in my orbit who uplift and sustain me – my family, local friends, Hadassah friends, YMCA and yoga buddies, kitten videos on Instagram, and random folks whose good deeds go viral and give the rest of us hope.
Will we see your name next time?
Each menorah you light is just $18!