Congregation brith sholom

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1 Congregation brith sholom President: steven L. glickman rabbi: Michael singer Rabbi emeritus: rabbi Allen juda Volume XXViII No. 5 ~ may 2017 iyar ~ sivan PUBLISHED MONTHLY CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM BETHLEHEM, PA Tel: Fax: info@brithsholom.net rabbisinger@brithsholom.net SUBMISSION DEADLINE: All information must be received in writing or copy ready by the 15 th of each month. Any article received after the deadline will be published in the next Bulletin. Visit our website at

2 FROM THE RABBI Finding the Balance Between Memory and Creating I think I have always struggled to live in multiple worlds at the same time. Like most Jews, I have one foot in Tradition and one foot in the modern world. I am a proud American and a proud observant Jew and Zionist. And also like most Jews, my identity is built with a complex intermingling of our people s history, personal memory and the need to continually renew and own my faith in the world in which I live. The wrestling match within me is usually brought into sharp focus from Pesach, when we retell our liberation from the bondage of Egypt, leading up to Shavuot the renewal of the Covenant at Sinai. In this period, we are commanded to count the Omer, which originally was a joyous time of thanksgiving for the bounty of the new grain harvest (wheat and later barley) and a reminder of our connection to the land. However, as Jewish history is sadly too often filled with persecution, anti-semitism, and death, the Omer counting also became associated with the Roman decree to outlaw the teaching of Torah and Jewish practice. Our Sages and their students as well as countless Jews would rather submit to torture and death than to give up our Torah, Jewish tradition, and faith in God. In this later historical context, the Omer combined the earlier Commandment with Jewish history and took on a new meaning and tradition. (Hence, not cutting one s hair, no weddings until Lag B Omer-33rd day of the Omer, etc.) When you then add to this time Yom HaShoah u Gevurah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), then the heavy weight of our history and the responsibility that comes with it drive me into conflict with the need, indeed the necessity for a compelling Judaism that can free itself of the death shackles of too much history of hardship, persecution, and hate. Can there be a moment to capture the creative imagination of a tradition that in its deepest essence is both a positive force for good, a dynamic and ever growing Torah, a reflection of the Divine Presence which, possesses a deep wellspring of meaning for those who embrace it? Yet, our history even with regard to the other Yom s (Yom HaZikaron (Israel Remembrance Day) and Yom Ha atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) is often cast in the shadow of those who sought to destroy us or those who yet seek to destroy us! The black hole of woe, heartbreak, and mourning overwhelm the birth of so many beautiful stars. For far too many Jews, their Jewish identity is forged from the darkness of these historical tragedies and not from the creative and dynamic power of our texts, traditions, ideas, and ethical life. As recently as 2013, a Pew Research study was done where a broad swath of American Jews were asked, What is essential about being Jewish? The following answer crushed me. When we asked Jews about what is and is not essential to their own sense of Jewishness, 73% say remembering the Holocaust is essential (including 76% of Jews by religion and 60% of Jews of no religion). Almost as many Jews, 69%, say leading an ethical and moral life is essential, and 56% cite working for social justice and equality; ethical and moral life is essential, and 56% cite working for social justice and equality; only 19% say observing Jewish law is essential. The Holocaust was the most important/essential aspect of what it means to be Jewish. Again, this is crushing. Remembering the Holocaust is important but, it is not by any stretch of the imagination what a living Judaism needs to sustain itself in the hearts and minds of future generations to come. How can this be #1 essential aspect of being Jewish?! What I long suspected before this study was completed was that while we have made ourselves informed students of Jewish history (particularly the negative, tragic history) we have too often failed to create and shift the culture to a positive Judaism/identity based on compelling thoughts, ideas, values, and observances. History has overcome/overburdened our future. I have therefore often seen my rabbinic mission as a small corrective in this light (through education, uplifting spiritual observance & Jewish ethical life) but like so many I continue to wrestle with the responsibility and weight of our history, the power of memory, and the balance of shaping/returning our Jewish future to the hands and hearts of a creative and dynamic people who are heir to Prophets and who continue to echo God s word and hope with all our hearts, minds, and souls. For our sake and for the future of Judaism s sake may we remember this first and foremost. Rabbi Michael Singer 2

3 Schedule of Services SHABBAT Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the beauty of the Shabbat Services and the Kiddush that follows. Services begin Shabbat morning at 9:00 AM. MINYAN is held in the Chapel Monday and Thursday mornings.7:45 AM Holiday mornings...9:00 AM SHABBAT AHARE MOT-KEDOSHIM Friday, May 5 ~ Candle Lighting: 7:44 pm ~ SATURDAY, May 6 Torah Portion: Ahare Mot-Kedoshim ~ Leviticus 16:1-20:27 ~ Haftarah: Amos 9:7-15 ~ Havdalah: 9:10 pm SHABBAT EMOR Friday, May 12 ~ Candle Lighting: 7:51 pm ~ SATURDAY, May 13 Torah Portion: Emor ~ Leviticus 21:1-24:23 ~ Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 ~ Havdalah: 9:17 pm SHABBAT BEHAR-BEHUKOTAI Friday May 19 ~ Candle Lighting: 7:58 pm ~ SATURDAY, May 20 Torah Reading: ~ Leviticus 25:1-27:34~ Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 ~ Havdalah: 9:24 pm SHABBAT BEMIDBAR Friday, May 26 ~ Candle Lighting: 8:04 pm ~ SATURDAY, May 27 Torah Portion: Bemidbar ~ Numbers 1:1-4:20 ~ Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22 ~ Havdalah: 9:30 pm Bethlehem/Easton Group of Hadassah is having a Hadassah Sabbath on Shabbat, May 6th, at Congregation Brith Sholom. Services begin at 9 A.M. The featured guest speaker will be Dr. Jodi Eichler-Levine, the Philip and Muriel Berman Professor of Jewish Civilization and Associate Professor of Religion Studies at Lehigh University. Her topic is "Crafting Judaism: Jewish Women and Creativity". A Kiddush-Luncheon will follow and everyone is invited. Junior Congregation Services May date for both age groups: Ages 3 ~ 7 Ages 8 ~ 12 Saturday, May 6, :30 A.M. SAVE THE DATE BRITH SHOLOM S SUPERCOLOSSAL MOTHER S DAY BRUNCH SUNDAY, MAY 14TH 12:00 Noon Scrumptious food, delightful music, special Mother's Day raffle prizes We will also be celebrating Lag B'Omer that day - a dual Mitzvah. Plan to attend and bring the family. $10 per person $25 per family maximum 3

4 SPONSOR Sandy & Bunnie Piltch in honor of our 2 new grandchildren, Axel Bertrand and Natalie Violet CONTRIBUTOR Lew Schor & Family in loving memory of Nesha Schor on the occasion of her yahrzeit DOUBLE CHAI Irving Kaplan in loving memory of Lynne Kaplan Attention Summer Campers Apply for an Ellen Wruble Greenberg Camp Scholarship This is a scholarship for $2, to be applied directly to a Jewish camp of your choice. Requirements are: 1. Family must be members of Brith Sholom Synagogue 2. Applicant must answer this question in writing: - Why do you want to attend a Jewish camp this summer? 3. Submit letter to Brith Sholom office by June 1st. Alison Loeb, Sam & Ron Guncler/Gunzler in loving memory of Leslie and Ruth Guncler on the occasion of their yahrzeits Micki Wechsler in memory of beloved father, Bernard Auerbach on the occasion of his yahrzeit Rabbi & Toby Juda in honor of Tamar chanting the Haftarah on the anniversary of her bat mitzvah Alan & Roz Cohen in memory of Julius Cohen Rabbi & Toby Juda in honor of Aaron chanting the Haftarah for his grandfather, Eli Keller s yahrzeit Support Congrega on Brith Sholom! Purchase Giant Foods Gi Cards and Congrega on Brith Sholom gets 5% of the proceeds. So when you purchase groceries, you will be dona ng to the shul. Giant Card contact Dore Ko ler, rxdek@ptd.net or Bethlehem/Easton Hadassah Book and Film Club Date: Thursday, May 18th ~ 1:30 p.m. Book: Catch the Jew by: Tuvia Tenenbaum Place: Sandy Wruble, 3341 Lord Byron Dr., Bethlehem, PA

5 On behalf of the ZOA Brooklyn Region, we would like to THANK YOU for your support of our 2017 Mishloach manot Campaign for the Israeli Defense Forces. It is only with your help that we can bring the Joy of Purim to thousands of Israeli Soldiers. Am Yisroel is like one soul and one heart. The Jewish nation needs to stand united as one nation. We applaud all donors and volunteers for your unity and coming together nationwide for this cause, it s your effort that made Purim so special for the nearly 9,000 soldiers we reached in Eretz Yisroel. We thank you and look forward to your participation in next year s campaign. Sincerely, Rubin Margules Rubin Margules, President, ZOA Brooklyn Region The Passover Committee wants to extend sincere thanks to the women who did all the Passover baking. They included the following: Merav Wirtheim, Hannah Zabitz, Alice Level, Nancy Levy, Judy Aronson, Judith Rodwin, Flora Pestcoe, and Sandy Wruble. We also thank our shoppers and those who donated items for the baking: Ruthie Shleifer, Debra Ross, Maria Ain, Flora Pestcoe and Sandy Wruble. It is a credit to our congregation that so many people work hard and contribute their time, energy, and talents, along with financial donations, to ensure delicious Kiddushes for everyone during Passover. Give us some feedback about which items you liked best (or didn't like) so we could plan accordingly next year. Sandy Wruble Still Dreaming of Digging Gardens Time to get working on the CBS gardens. Kick-off dates are: Planning Session: Thursday May 4, 11:00 AM Grub/Fun Work: M & Th., May 11 11:00 AM & 9:30 AM Everyone who joins the garden team gets a pair of Atlas Nitrile gloves. 5

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7 It is with gratitude that we acknowledge the following gifts given to the synagogue in memory of or to honor and commemorate the people or events mentioned. It is a sacred obligation and a unique privilege for each of us to be able to show such traditional support and respect for our heritage and loved ones. (Minimum contributions to each of the donation levels are: Temple/$10; Chai/$18; Silver/$25; Double Chai/$36); Golden/$50; Platinum/$100 GOLDEN DONATION In memory of Mrs. Eloise Kay Judith Rodwin DOUBLE CHAI DONATION In memory of Golda Schachmer & Shirley Shleifer The Shleifer Family In memory of George Geftic Stanley & Lora Geftic In memory of Eloise Kay Stanley & Lora Geftic Michael & Cary Moritz In memory of beloved father, Abraham Glaser Shirley Glaser In appreciation of Tim Miller Ziona Brotleit SILVER DONATION In memory of my beloved father, Robert Ungerleider on the weekend of his yahrzeit Pam Ungerleider In memory of Sylvia Thomas Mike & Jane Spitzer In memory of Sue Spitzer Mike & Jane Spitzer In memory of Robert Ungerleider Tzvi, Lisa & Jordana Millstein In loving memory of father, Benjamin Weinberg In loving memory of husband, Irwin Kugelman Ruth Kugelman CHAI DONATION In memory of Gus Levin Mel & Elaine Phillips In memory of Barbara Platt s brother, Steve Jim & Linda Wimmer In memory of beloved grandfather, Harry Brown Linda Redding In memory of Eloise Kay Jay & Judy Aronson In memory of Gus Levin Jay & Judy Aronson In memory of beloved mother, Edith Apsell Harris Apsell In honor of our daughter, Laura Bochner s wedding to Maurice Hiller Eugene & Lisa Todes-Meyer In loving memory of Eloise Kay Richard & Maria Ain Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Joel Singer Steve Bergstein & Nanci Goldman In loving memory of Morris Bader Karen Bader In honor of my Aliyah on Shabbat Leonard Kornit TEMPLE FUND In memory of Eloise Kay Michael & Stef ie Berman Mike & Jane Spitzer In honor of Maur Levan chanting the Haftarah on the 81st anniversary of his bar mitzvah Syman & Anita Hirsch In memory of Keith Granit, beloved brother of Lauri Franko Casey Goldblat Richard & Maria Ain In memory of Barbara Platt s beloved brother, Steve Richard & Maria Ain In memory of Etta Blinderman Irving Kaplan Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Pam Lott Casey Goldblat In honor of Ed Levy and in appreciation of his hard work & dedication as he completes his term as president of Brith Sholom. Yasher Koach, Ed! Norm & Sandy Wruble In honor of Micki Wechsler s new grandson, James Ruth Kugelman In memory of Murray Cooper Mitchell & Rebecca A. Cooper In memory of Nathaniel Goldman Steve Bergstein & Nanci Goldman In memory of Hannah Goldman- Tress Steve Bergstein & Nanci Goldman Bring a gift to the Sanctuary and carry a blessing from the House of God. C L U B WEDNESDAY, June 7th, 12:00 Noon hosted by Rabbi Allen Juda Congregation Brith Sholom 1190 W. Macada Rd. Bethlehem, PA Call to make your reservations ~

8 Graduation Shabbat May 27, 2017 Shira Levin Ian Pestcoe Mina Fisher Shira Levin will be graduating from Parkland High School. Plans to attend Ursinus College to study Biology. Received 60% Merit Scholarship. Ian Pestcoe will be graduating from Parkland High School and will be moving on to the next phase of his exciting work study program. Mina Fisher will be graduating from Saucon Valley High School and attending Rochester Institute of Technology. Starry Services Led by Alan Cohen You are cordially invited to join us for outdoor Friday night services In the beautiful Brith Sholom Courtyard 7:30 P.M. Friday nights ~ May 12, June 9, and July 14, 2017 Oneg Shabbat to follow No RSVP required 8

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10 WEEK OF MAY 6, 2017 Shirley Weissman 10 Iyar May 6 * George G. Korson 13 Iyar May 9 * Jackson Sigmon 10 Iyar May 6 Leona Steinberger 13 Iyar May 9 * Bernard Glazier 10 Iyar May 6 * Rose E. Beilin 14 Iyar May 10 * Martin Blinderman 11 Iyar May 7 * Esther Goldberg 15 Iyar May 11 * Isaac Deutch 11 Iyar May 7 * Jennie Klibansky 15 Iyar May 11 * Clara Edelson 12 Iyar May 8 * Maurice J. Phillips 15 Iyar May 11 Joseph Goldfeder 13 Iyar May 9 Gus Schwartz 15 Iyar May 11 WEEK OF MAY 13, 2017 Jennie Glickman 17 Iyar May 13 Milton Goldman 20 Iyar May 16 Linda S. Rosenberg 17 Iyar May 13 * Evelyn Goodman 20 Iyar May 16 * Sol Fink 18 Iyar May 14 Fannie Kaplan 20 Iyar May 16 * Samuel B. Goodman 18 Iyar May 14 * Hannah Perlman 21 Iyar May 17 Martin R. Miller 18 Iyar May 14 Bertha Gordon 22 Iyar May 18 * John I. Roberts 18 Iyar May 14 * Milton Kessler 22 Iyar May 18 * Evelyn Brown 19 Iyar May 15 Robert Schiffer 22 Iyar May 18 * Dr. Joseph Good 19 Iyar May 15 * Esther Weinstock 22 Iyar May 18 * Sally Himmel 19 Iyar May 15 Trudy Leavitt 23 Iyar May 19 Bess Hoffman 19 Iyar May 15 Martin Parker 23 Iyar May 19 * Isaac Bloom 20 Iyar May 16 * Minnie Smackey 23 Iyar May 19 * Samuel Cornfeld 20 Iyar May 16 WEEK OF MAY 20, 2017 Steven Goldstein 24 Iyar May 20 * Leo Tabachnik 27 Iyar May 23 Jerome Warren 24 Iyar May 20 * Milton Boganovitz 28 Iyar May 24 Stanley Barnett 24 Iyar May 20 William Ghersin 28 Iyar May 24 Evelyn Singer 25 Iyar May 21 * Amy L. Black 29 Iyar May 25 Lilly Warren 26 Iyar May 22 Lillian Kalnitsky 29 Iyar May 25 * Lena Weinstein 26 Iyar May 22 * Rose Katz 29 Iyar May 25 * Joyce Friedman 27 Iyar May 23 * Thurston Klayton 29 Iyar May 25 Barbara Goldberg 27 Iyar May 23 Sadye Phillips 29 Iyar May 25 Louis Gross 27 Iyar May 23 Michael Jahre 1 Sivan May 26 Lillian Solomon 27 Iyar May 23 Ira Meislin 1 Sivan May 26 WEEK OF MAY 27, 2017 Harry Gross 2 Sivan May 27 * Anna Silberman 4 Sivan May 29 Samuel Jaffie 2 Sivan May 27 * Max Katz 6 Sivan May 31 * Rose Shaffer 2 Sivan May 27 * Myer Shleifer 6 Sivan May 31 Max Belgrade 3 Sivan May 28 Arline Gold 7 Sivan June 1 Lorraine Fisher 3 Sivan May 28 * Pearl A. Herzfeld 8 Sivan June 2 * Emile Garfinkel 4 Sivan May 29 Samuel Pozefsky 8 Sivan June 2 * Gertrude Pisarev 4 Sivan May 29 Jerome Koller 8 Sivan June 2 BLOOD DONORS NEEDED Keep Brith Sholom in good standing. Call Miller-Keystone Blood Center at (610) and make an appointment. Give the Gift of Life. Call today to schedule your appointment to donate blood on behalf of Brith Sholom 10

11 May Iyar, 6 Sivan, Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat th of Iyyar Yom HaZikaron 6th of Iyyar, Yom HaAtzma'ut 7th of Iyyar, 8th of Iyyar, 9th of Iyyar, 7:44p Hadassah Sabbath 9:10p th of Iyyar, 12th of Iyyar, 13th of Iyyar, 14th of Iyyar Pesach Sheni 15th of Iyyar, 17th of Iyyar Parashat Emor 9:17p Starry Services 7:30 P 7:51p Lag BaOmer Mother s Day Brunch 12 Noon 19th of Iyyar, 20th of Iyyar, 21st of Iyyar, 22nd of Iyyar, 23rd of Iyyar, 7:58p 24th of Iyyar Parashat Behar- Bechukotai 9:24p Dinner & A Movie 5 PM 26th of Iyyar, 27th of Iyyar, 28th of Iyyar Yom Yerushalayim 29th of Iyyar, 1st of Sivan, Rosh Chodesh Sivan 8:04p 2nd of Sivan Parashat Bamidbar 9:30p rd of Sivan, 4th of Sivan, 5th of Sivan Erev Shavuot 8:07p 6th of Sivan Shavuot I 9:33p 11

12 Congregation Brith Sholom 1190 West Macada Road Bethlehem, PA Non-Profit Organization PERMIT no. 461 U.S. Postage Paid Lehigh Valley, PA CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM President: steven L. glickman Rabbi: Michael singer Rabbi Emeritus: Rabbi Allen Juda Volume XXViIi No. 5 may 2017 iyar ~ sivan Tel: Fax: info@brithsholom.net rabbisinger@brithsholom.net Visit our website at PUBLISHED MONTHLY 12