Volume 160 Number 8 The Temple of Loving - Kindness

April, 2019 Messenger Adar II—Nissan 5779

Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road, Scranton, PA 18505

This Year’s Fundraiser will be a Real Drag

If you’re looking for a great Are Here Again/ Happy” Saturday night out in night out April 27, just drag and the not-to-miss grand Scranton! yourself to Temple Hesed medley finale (you'll have for a spectacular night of to see it to believe it)! Tickets: camp and nostalgia. The Anns are funny and $20 — Advanced General Special points of interest: Carol Ann Carol Ann and talented and bring a fierce Admission Tickets Sharron Ann Husbands star $25 — At the Door • New time for chanting circle. and campy energy to the in Callaway-We-Go, a spec- room that leaves you want- $50 — VIP Tickets Gets You • Adult Education classes tacular drag concert event. ing so much more! Preferred Seating & two You won't want to miss Drinks! • Food History seeing these two queens, Drag yourself out April 27 who have roots in NEPA, for a night of fun and fabu- Call (570) 344-7201 for portray the Tony-nominated lousness! tickets and reservations. sisters, Liz & Ann Hampton Doors open at 7 p.m.. Callaway. Drag Shows are infinitely Showtime at 8 p.m. more fun than a typical This recrea- tion of The Callaways' historic 1995 Inside this issue: show “Sibling Revelry” fea- tures songs Donations 2 such as “Happy Days

Rabbinical Reflections 3

Co-President’s column 4 2nd Night Community Seder – April 20th, 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to Our Seder will be $18/

Calendar 5 join us for our annual adult and $12/child. Community 2nd Night Se- Everyone is welcome to der, on Saturday, April 20th Yahrzeits 6 join us as we explore the at 5:30 p.m. deeper meaning of free- URJ/RAC News 9 We’ll have the standbys of dom through story, song, and and symbols.

Congregation Information Back soup, as well as a variety Page of delicious side dishes courtesy of Wegman’s! Page 2 Messenger

BUILDING FUND RESTORATION FUND Donations to Temple In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Speedy recovery wishes to Rita Pincus Lenny Feinman Hesed The Davis Family Esther Adelman Arlene and Norman Gevant- hor In Honor of the Yahrzeit of father, William Katz Sharon Katz Levy

In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Jake Slawitsky Janet Slawitsky

In Memory of Laurence Da- vidow Call the Temple F. Warren Breig, Jr. Make Us An Offer office at (570) 344-7201 to In Honor of the Yahrzeit of For Any Item in the Gift donate or for Abraham Cornfield more Martha and Phil Fea Shop! Information. Jason Fea and Family Jennie Tutku and Family The minimum Bill Cornfield and Family donation that Don’t Delay!

can be MILTON AND MIRIAM FRIED- acknowledged MAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND Don’t Be Shy! by mail and in Name Your Price! the Messenger is In Memory of Laurence Da- vidow $10. Jim and Paula Kane Dealers Welcome! Major credit or RELIGIOUS SCHOOL debit cards In Memory of Jay Leiman, accepted. beloved father and grandfa- ther Shop Tues.—Fri. During Carol and Paul Leiman and family Office Hours Volume 160 Number 8 Page 3

Rabbinical Reflections A Field Guide to

According to some surveys, and also showing the links be- theme here? Passover ob- By more Jews celebrate Passover tween Passover customs and servance has always evolved (Pesach in Hebrew, which basi- Roman customs of the same and changed, and at Temple Daniel J. cally means “skip over,” as in a time; parsley or some other Hesed, it continues to do so). Swartz, lamb jumping over something – green, a symbol of the season The number four probably was apparently “Jumpover” or of spring; and either one or two settled on in the end to harmo- Spiritual “Skipover” didn’t convey the places for different bitter herbs, nize with the four cups and the Leader, importance of the day) than any symbolizing the bitterness of four children. They are teaching Temple other Jewish holiday. At the slavery. Nowadays, other sym- devices, designed first to in- same time, over the course of bols have been added for vari- volve children in the ritual and Hesed, my rabbinate, I’ve found people ous other struggles and search- then to pique their curiosity, by have more confusion over and es for redemption, such as or- having them notice what’s dif- get attached to the Seder simp- questions about the details of anges or olives. What’s on your ferent without immediately giv- ly because they were meant to Passover than any other holi- Seder plate? ing answers. But, from the be- be entertaining, especially for day. So instead of my usual ginning, they were meant to be children. There are lengthy mini essay, this month I want to a minimum level of questions – explanations given in some do a FAQ or “field guide” to we are always supposed to ask Why Four Cups of Wine: about how some some Passover symbols, rituals more questions than the formu- hidden symbolism behind the and customs. Of course, I can’t In the Haggadah, the explana- laic four. song relates to the Passover cover everything here, so feel tion for the four cups is that story, but it’s all a post facto free to ask me whatever addi- each one stands for a different explanation that tries to create tional questions you have, or to redemptive promise associated What the purpose of the Afi- a connection, rather than some- come to our community Seder with the Passover story, all re- thing that explains a connection th komen: on Saturday, April 20 , and lated one right after the other in that’s really there. So you have all your questions an- Exodus 6:6-7 and all about The Afikomen (actually based should feel free to substitute swered! different aspects of . on a Greek word, though there other songs that involve every- The fifth cup, which is set aside is some debate as to which one! for instead of us drinking Greek word and whether that What’s on the Seder Plate: it, is connected with a fifth word means “dessert” [the ex- promise that appears after an planation of the Babylonian We tend to think of the symbols intervening sentence, wherein Talmud] or “entertainment” [the Was the Last Supper a Seder: on the Seder plate as always God promises to “bring you into Jerusalem Talmud’s answer]) Understandably, I get this ques- having been the same – but the land which I swore to give” has several purposes. First of tion more from non- they have evolved over time, as to our ancestors. So the all, it’s a stand-in for the Passo- congregants, but sometimes have all our Passover customs. debated, is this a connected ver sacrifice, which was offered Temple members pass on this For example, horseradish didn’t promise deserving of a fifth cup, in the question from their friends. The start appearing on there until or unrelated? And has this when it stood. Second, the short answer is no. The Seder th the 14 century – and then, it promise really been fulfilled? search for the Afikomen is a began to be developed after the was only supposed to be an They also debate if four cups or way to keep children involved destruction of the Second Tem- inferior substitute for bitter five cups are more likely to and entertained. But it also has ple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E., lettuce, which was often una- bring good or bad luck. In the more mystical connotations, when the vailable in early spring to our end, they can’t resolve the symbolized the broken nature could no longer be offered. It ancestors who kept moving question – and one of Elijah’s of the world and how we are probably drew off of pre-existing eastward and northward, into roles is resolve all unanswered called to heal it, and how each family customs, some of which the colder climes of Poland, questions. Thus, it becomes of us has a share in both the might have already been Ukraine, and Russia. Today, Elijah’s cup. work of healing and the re- around when Jesus was alive most Seder plates have either demption that can come At Temple Hesed, we have also generations earlier, but the vast five or six (an arrangement that through it. bulk of what we do during the appealed to the mystics, be- adopted the custom of Miriam’s Cup, reminding us of Moses’ Seder – including the Seder cause, with the plate itself, it plate, the four questions, and made for 7 ritual items) ritual prophetic sister, her role in our redemption, and her connection What’s the Connection between the four cups of wine – comes foods: , a sweet mix- Who Knows One or Had Gadya ture symbolizing how the Israel- to water, with which her cup is and Passover? ite slaves were supposed to filled . make bricks from mud; a lamb In short, there really isn’t any. shank, reminding us of the While some Passover songs, lamb’s blood painted onto the What’s with the Four Questions: such as , were clearly Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz doorpost so the Destroyer developed for the Seder, most would “pass over” our houses; There weren’t four questions of the songs we sing at the end an egg symbolizing new birth originally (do you detect a have non-Passover origins and Page 4 Messenger

BETTER TO HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT THAN TO NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT Co-President’s Page ecumenical prayer vigils Since I am always cold, By Esther to show support for the These measures are on- this has been my mantra Jewish community. On ly the beginning steps of Adelman, whenever I wonder the other, representa- a process to enhance whether I should take a Co- tives of the Jewish com- the security of our build- jacket or sweater when- President munity were meeting ing. ever I leave the comfort with State and local po- of my nest. lice departments. I felt Other Changes helpless. We anticipate that this Now I have found it ap- will necessitate physical changes, such as cam- propriate to apply this to Steve, Rabbi, Marlene, eras, additional locks, the issue of security at the Hesed Board, and I panic buttons, replace- Temple Hesed. We have been discussing ment of glass. Funding want to feel safe in our how we can make our may be an issue, but we building, but how do we Temple safe. We have will do whatever it takes do that? What is heard many practical to keep everyone on our enough? Are we being suggestions. The property safe. We will paranoid and over- Scranton police will be also establish sheltering reacting to what’s been giving us their assess- and evacuation proce- happening in our world? ment of our building’s dures. Do we take the chance safety issues and also “We will do that it can’t (or won’t) their recommendations happen here, and do whatever it for implementing better Too much? We think nothing? security here. takes to keep not. “Better to have it I was Away Steps Taken and not need it than to everyone on need it and not have it!” I was in California when For quite a few years our property the Pittsburgh massacre now, we have kept the happened. For days, my safe.“ front door locked during daughters and I were the day, with the help of shocked and in a state an intercom system of disbelief, our conver- which enables us to Esther Adelman sations often punctuated identify anyone wishing by bouts of tears. I im- to enter the building. mediately became con- cerned about what we at Since Pittsburgh, any Temple Hesed would do time that you have come if, God forbid, we were late to a meeting or ser- faced with that scenario. vice, you have found the front door locked. We Between phone calls, know that it is an incon- emails, and texts with venience, but it is a Rabbi Swartz (who was small price to pay for the also away), Marlene, safety of those inside. and Mark Silverberg, among others, I found You will also notice that out how our community we have had a police was reacting. presence at any gather- ing where there are larg- On one hand, there were er numbers of people expected. Volume 160 Number 8 Page 5

APRIL 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Services 6 p 1 2 3 4 Hist.Thru 5 6 Food 4p

7 8 9 10 11 12Services 8 p 13 Chanting Circle 11:30 am

No 20 Temple Seder Adult Class— Services 14 15 16 17 18 19 5:30 pm Women 11:30 am Passover First Seder

21 Adult Class— 22 Earth Day 23 24 25 26 Services 8 p 27Callaway-We Women 11:30 am -Go 8 pm Passover ends

28 Adult Class— 29 30 Women 11:30 am

Holidays 5779 (2018—2019) Torah Portions Rosh Hashanah— Yom HaShoah— Sept. 9—10, 2018 May 1—2, 2019 Name Civil Date Hebrew Date — Yom HaZikaron Sept. 18—19, 2018 May. 7—8, 2019 Tazria April 6,, 2019 1.Nissan 5779 Metzora April 13, 2019 8.Nissan.5779 Sukkot— Yom HaAtzmaut May 8—9, Sept. 23—30, 2018 2019 More information is available from www.reformjudaism.org Sh’mini Atzaret—Simchat Lag B’Omer — May 22—-23, Torah —Sept. 30—Oct. 1, 2019 2018 Shavuot— Hanukkah — June 8-9, 2019 Dec. 2--10, 2018

Tisha B’Av— Tu B’Shvat —Jan.20—21, Aug. 10—11, 2019 2019 “Where there is no worthy Selichot —Sept. 21, 2019 Purim— March.20-21, 2019 Jewish Holidays begin at sunset. man, even a herring is a Dates specified are for evenings. Passover— That means they run from sundown fish.” Apr. 19—26, 2019 until dusk on the last day if the

Holiday. http://www.yiddishwit.com Page 6 Messenger

(Service April 5) Yahrzeits and *Ida Richman, *Samuel N. Kramer, *Hattie Levi, *Elsie Schneider, *Abraham Cornfield, Fred A. Ellenbogen, *Hannah Joseph, *Meyer Slavitz, *Myer Kabatchnick, *Stephen Mannaberg Loebl, Personal *Israel Linder Notes Week Ending April 13 (Service April 12)

*Joan Alperin, Florence Brown, *Arnold L. Apfelbaum, *Paul William Weinstock, *Daniel H. Stone, *Dr. Gladys Ball, *Harlan Ackerman, *Rose Swartz, Nellie Wooden, *Edith Leventhal, Dr Carl Strauss, *Gertrude Diener, *Al Dolinger Get Wells Week Ending April 20 (Service April 19)

Larry Golden Charlotte Milliken Sheldon A. Davis, Jennie Newman, *Jack M. Yanover, Aaron Pashkow, *Shirley Mitteldorf, Ellen Kline Charlene Ostro *Frances Ehrlich Joseph, *Elsa Stein Ehrlich, *Alice L. Goldsmith, *Fred Mark Seagaard, *Elizabeth R. Levi, *Rae Epstein, *Ralph L. Levy, *Selman Stein, *Aaron H. Vogel Phillip Knobel Joel Ostro

Kenneth Levine Janet Slawitsky Week Ending April 27 (Service April 26) Leonard Edward Snitko, Feinman Sr. Richard Mates Emily Trunzo Harold Kaplan, *Rebecca Weinberg, *Harry Ackerson, *Emma Kramer Freeman, Dr. Jacob S. Kominz, *Lena Rosenberg, Edward Bernstein, *Joyce Kroll, *Fred B. Levi, *Grace Pawlan, Han- nah Feinberg, *Samuel Morris, *Elias Strauss

Week Ending May 4 (Service May 3)

Jerome I. Karnoff, *Louis N. Kramer, Herbert Cummins, *Herman Gutman, *Sarah F. Kline,

Sheloshim *Nathan Young, *Sigmund G. Roos, *John Speir, Gertie Gross We regret to inform you of the pass- ing of Michael Friedman's mother, Marcia Friedman.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Michael, Cheryl and their entire fami- ly on their loss. Volume 160 Number 8 Page 7

Chanting Circle: Escaping Narrowness! – April 13th @ 11:30 a.m. Spring is a time of free- haps, enslave ourselves? Please note that we have dom. We see the world And how do we break out changed the time of our outdoors being liberated from the narrow places of chanting circle from “We have (at last!) from the oppres- our hearts and souls, get 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. changed the sion of winter. past crippling worries or to accommodate the fears or whatever is hold- schedules of those inter- time of our At our Seder, we tell the ing us back? ested. ancient story of the Jew- chanting circle ish people reaching free- In this month’s chanting No prior experience nec- from 10:30 a.m. dom after generations of circle, April 13th, we will essary – just a willingness slavery. explore finding freedom to see things in a new to 11:30 a.m.” from our inner light, support each other, But what about our- “pharaohs,” through the and seek freedom! selves? In what ways do wisdom of chants from we feel enslaved? Or per- Jewish and other sources.

Ashkenazic vs. Sefardic: History through Food! April 4

Our main emphasis this year to explore history through Come expand your horizons in Hebrew School has been food! between deli and matzah Jewish History. ball soup! On April 4th, from 4 p.m. to 5 As our students begin to p.m, everyone is welcome to Please RSVP to Temple explore the diversifying of join our Hebrew School stu- Hesed if you’re coming, so the Jewish community into dents in the Temple Hesed we can plan for the right Sephardic and Ashkenazic kitchen, as we prepare – numbers (no need for He- Jewry, we’re taking the op- and sample! – a variety of brew School families to portunity to give not only foods that show us the var- RSVP). them but any interested ied history of our people . adults or children a chance

There will be NO Services Friday, April 19 due to the

first seder. Join us at the Temple on Saturday April 20 for the second seder at 5:30 p.m. Page 8 Messenger

The Unknown Women of the Bible. Talmud and Midrash On four Sundays, April All classes will run from whole period of slavery 14th, 21st, 28th, and 11a.m. to 12:30 p.m., May 5th, Rabbi Daniel in Egypt. and they are free and and our next Adult Edu- What do our sources open to the public. cation Class will explore say about these wom- Come enjoy this fasci- some lesser-known Jew- en? Why have they nating, hidden side of ish heroines, as we look been forgotten? And at “the Unknown Wom- why is it so important our tradition! en of the Bible, Talmud, today that we reclaim and Midrash.” them? In our April classes, In our final class, the we’ll look at three very students will get to different women – Ju- choose between some dith, an community somewhat better-known leader and war hero, women of the Bible, all , the most noted of whom have lesser- female sage of the Tal- known sides: Sarah, mud, and Serach bat Miriam, Tamar, Eve and Asher, a musician Lilith, Hannah, Dinah, whom the Midrash and Esther. claims lived through the

Make your reservations today for

Callaway-We-Go. Call 570-344-7201.

See a clip of their performance on You Tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWs6lxk-DA

Volume 160 Number 8 Page 9

URJ on House Resolution National and WASHINGTON – In re- “It is especially significant sponse to the introduction of that this resolution is une- mate political disagreement International a resolution in the House of quivocal in its condemna- in other instances crosses Representatives condemning tion of anti-Semitism in all the line into anti-Semitic News anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim forms. The growing levels questioning of Israel’s right discrimination and bigot- of anti-Semitism in the to exist. ry, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, U.S. and around the world “These issues are sensitive Director of the Religious Ac- are of deep concern. At- tion Center of Reform Juda- and complex. We recog- tacks on Jews and Jewish nize that there can also be ism, issued the following institutions are on the rise statement: a difference between the and range from swastikas way words are intended drawn on JCCs to the hor- “We welcome today’s and the ways they are rific murders of 11 wor- heard. At this time of great House resolution con- shippers at Tree of Life demning anti-Semitism, delicacy and import, we Synagogue last October. hope passage of this anti-Muslim bigotry and Insinuations about Jewish other forms of hate. Im- House resolution will be a influence over media, fi- vital step toward healing portantly, the resolution nance, politics or other makes clear that these ha- and reflect the stalwart realms, as well as charg- support across the House’s treds, though centuries old, es of ‘dual loyalty’ among feed on and legitimize each spectrum of race and faith American Jews, also per- to acting in solidarity other, inflamed in our time petuate age old tropes by forces on the left and against anti-Semitism, anti- that have led to violence Muslim bigotry, and hate right. There is no place for and death. Today, criti- wherever it is found.” these, or any form of hate cism of Israel that in some in our society, no matter instances can be legiti- the source.

URJ on Mosque shooting

March 15, 2019 – Follow- sickened that sacred plac- science, to reach out to ing the attacks on the Al es of worship have be- their Muslim neighbors in Noor Mosque and Lin- come sites of slaughter. A acts of kindness and heal- wood Mosque in Christ- few months ago the mas- ing. church, New Zealand, Un- sacre happened in a syna- As the horrific reality of ion for Reform gogue on a Saturday in these attacks comes into President Rabbi Rick Ja- Pittsburgh, this time in “We encourage the en- clearer view, we mourn cobs issued the following mosques on a Friday in the innocent lives lost, tire Jewish community, statement: New Zealand. and recommit to shaping together with all people “Yet again the world is The Muslim community is a world of respect and of conscience, to reach shaken by extremist vio- in pain and anguish. They tolerance, of safety and out to their Muslim lence against innocent must not grieve alone. We peace for all of God’s chil- people at prayer, targeted encourage the entire Jew- dren. No exceptions.” neighbors…” in deadly acts of hatred. ish community, together —-Rabbi Rick Jacobs Too often we have been with all people of con- Temple Hesed Phone: 570-344-7201 ABOUT TEMPLE HESED: 1 Knox Road Fax: 570-344-4514 Temple Hesed, a Reform Synagogue founded Aug. 20, 1860, is Scran- Scranton, PA 18505 ton’s first and oldest Jewish congregation. It is one of the earliest congre- gations to join the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now the "The Temple of Loving Kindness" Union for . It has been a member since Dec. 12, 1874. On the Web at: templehesed.org The synagogue serves the needs of individuals and families in Lacka- wanna County and surrounding areas. Situated on Knox Road, off Lake Temple personnel and officers Scranton Road in the East Mountain section of Scranton, the current building opened in 1973. Temple Hesed operates a cemetery on West SPIRITUAL LEADER Warren Street in Dunmore.

Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz The office is open Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m.. to 4 p.m.; and Friday 9 570-877-3454 (cell) a.m.. to 2 p.m. 570-344-7201 (office) ([email protected]) Rabbi Swartz is happy to set appointments at any convenient time. Con- ———————- tact him to set a time. The rabbi also has "drop-in" hours every Tuesday OFFICERS from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Rabbi holds Esther Adelman and Steven Seitchik - Co-Presidents these times open for visits or calls for which an appointment was not or Larry Milliken - 1st Vice President could not be made. Cheryl Friedman - 2nd Vice President Jeffrey Leventhal - Treasurer The Temple Hesed Cemetery is open for visitation six days a week. Visita- Joan Davis - Secretary tion hours are: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. till dusk Jennifer Novak - Assistant Secretary and it is closed for on Saturday. For more information, call the

office. Board Members: Kenneth Ganz, Dale Miller , Robert Hersh, Natalie Gelb, Paula Kane, Carol Leventhal , Judith Golden, Our Partners Include; Donna Kostiak, Loren Selznick, Honorary Life Board Member: Jane Oppenheim

STAFF

Marlene Gianzanti—Office Manager ([email protected]) Edward Snitko-Director of Music Rich Mates-Messenger Editor ([email protected]) Jennifer Rosen Novak Social Media Maven Jeffrey Heilbrunn Webmaster ( [email protected])

from much later and so could not possibly have been part of the Last Supper.