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Enriching Lives Volume 50, No.11 December 2020 Kislev - Tevet 5781

ShaloThe Journal of the Reading Jewish Communitym published by1 the Jewish2 Federation2 of Reading/Berks0

Your Federation Supports: Jewish Education Community strength on display Food Pantry

Friendship Circle

Chevra

Community Shabbat

Reading Jewish Film Series

PJ Library

Jewish Family Service

Jewish Cultural Center

Lakin Holocaust Library

& Resource Center

Israel & Overseas

Camp Scholarships

Israel Trips

Jewish Community

High School

Emergency Support

Lakin Preschool

Richard J. Yashek Lecture

Transportation

Maimonides Society

Your Jewish Legacy Our sense of community remains strong. Clockwise from left, volunteers at the Reading Hampden Heights SDA Church get ready to open a new JFS Food Pantry on Oct. 28, Carol Perlmutter gets a mask at the October JFS Mask Distribution event, and local kids enjoy an interactive treasure hunt outside Kesher Zion/Oheb Sholom . 92ND ST Y Programs

Joint Distribution Committee

Meir Panim There’s still time to have Annual Campaign your gift to Federation matched Jewish Agency for Israel By Richard Nassau for programs and services our annual community in cooperation with Reform Yemin Orde As we began 2020, a group of committed campaign needed to grow. The pandemic Congregation Oheb Sholom, Kesher donors established a matching gift pool. accelerated that demand, and our Zion Synagogue and Chabad-Lubavitch School Education Programs They made a commitment to match dollar- community responded. of Berks County. Interfaith Unity Council for-dollar every new or increased gift to Federation is the central organization There is still time before 2020 ends to Federation’s annual community campaign. that connects all of us — especially on have your gift matched. If you haven’t yet Israel Advocacy The result is an additional $50,000 in issues such as helping fellow Jews in need, made a gift, please do so. If you’ve already contributions that will be matched by pool support for Israel, the growing problem of made a gift, consider an increase. Youth Events donors. anti-Semitism, as well as cultural programs You can mail your gift to us or go Great Decisions Series Even before the pandemic, the pool featuring speakers, Jewish Film festival online at ReadingJewishCommunity.org. donors understood that if Federation and more. Help keep us a strong and vibrant Jewish Jewish Community is to continue meeting the demand This is all done as a Jewish community. Relations Council

Community Holiday Programs Women’s Philanthropy Light up Chanukah with Lantern Walk Jewish Federations By Amanda J. Hornberger 12 at 5:30 p.m. Rabbi Michelson will of Reading. Kits will be available of North America One of the joys of 2020 has been lead us in a Havdalah service and starting December 4 and will include the greater appreciation and enjoyment light the menorah. Then we will go on all the elements you need to make Counseling Services of the simple things in life. Family. a short walk using lanterns, candles a special, safe, reusable lantern for Nature. Light. The community is and flashlights as our guide. We will our event. Register for the kit on our Leo Camp Lecture invited to a Jewish Federation of carry our lights of hope forward into website (ReadingJewishCommunity. Shabbat B’Yachad Reading/Berks Chanukah event that Chanukah, winter and 2021! Masks org) by email ([email protected]) or will combine these simple things for a and social distancing (and warm call 610-921-0624. memorable evening. clothes) are required at this outdoor May we all take some time this Join us at the arboretum at the event. Chanukah to share our light, enjoy Reading Public Museum (500 Museum Kids are invited to register for a free nature and come together as a Rd. Reading) on Saturday, December DIY lantern kit courtesy of PJ Library community. Page 2 SHALOM December 2020 There’s never been a better time to give

By Richard Nassau We held virtual Friendship Circle lunches, family programs ensuring that we kept Development Director including delivering box lunches to everyone engaged, even when moved outside. The This past year, the attending. We thanked 50 households that JCC sponsored 28 Literatour programs need for your annual responded to a special request brought on featuring an array of authors, continued our campaign gift to by the pandemic to Feed the Hungry. annual film series and provided special PJ Federation was never You saw it through our Shlicha’s outdoor Library presentations for our community’s more evident. and online classes. We got together to cook, children. You saw the need learn Hebrew, play games and get updates You saw it through our diversity with through the increased from Israel. more than 30 My Story videos now recorded demand at our Jewish You saw it through our work against and available on our YouTube channel. n t Family Service Food hate and anti-Semitism. When the Your single gift deepens our connections. Pantry. In September 200 families, a LGTBQ Center was targeted, Federation You are a vital resource for Jews throughout record number, received 10,000 pounds convened a virtual Town Hall attended Berks County. of groceries. We’ve opened a second food by over 100 people. The result is a As we approach the end of the year, e pantry site to meet the increased demand. new coalition to develop an Interfaith please make your Annual Campaign gift You saw it through Federation’s many Mentorship program, along with other new today. It enriches so many lives. Go to outreach efforts that kept us connected initiatives and increased collaboration ReadingJewishCommunity.org. or if you as a community. This past year we made among agencies. prefer, mail it to us. hundreds of phone calls to check in with You saw it through the Jewish Cultural Thank you for making a commitment

m people, especially our isolated seniors. Center’s expansion of community and to a vibrant and strong Jewish community.

p FBI reports alarming rise in hate crimes From online news sources crimes, however, rose to 527 in 2019, in 2016 found that more than 2,700 city The FBI reported in November that U.S. from 485 in 2018. And the total number of police and county sheriff’s departments

o hate crimes rose to a level not seen in more hate crimes based on a person’s sexual across the country had not submitted a than a decade. The bureau recorded a orientation stayed relatively stable, with single hate crime report to the FBI during l record 51 killings motivated by hate. one fewer crime reported last year, the previous six years. According the bureau, there were 7,314 compared with the year before, though Greenblatt said America must “remove hate crimes in 2019, an increase of about there were 20 more hate crimes against the barriers that too often prevent people

e 200 from the year before. The FBI defines gay men reported. in marginalized communities – the hate crimes as those motivated by bias In response to the report, advocacy individuals most likely to suffer hate crimes based on characteristics such as race, groups such as the Anti-Defamation – from reporting hate-based incidents,” a

v religion or sexual orientation. League called on Congress and law sentiment shared by other advocates. The report was based on data, enforcement officials all over America to “The FBI’s report is another reminder submitted by 15,588 law enforcement improve data collection and reporting of that we have much work to do to address agencies. hate crimes. There are concerns that data hate in America,” Southern Poverty Law

e The Associated Press reported that may be incomplete, as police agencies Center President Margaret Huang told some of the 2019 increases may be are not required to report the information the AP. the result of better reporting by police to the FBI. Of the 5,512 hate crime offenses departments, but people in law enforcement The AP reported that only 2,172 law classified as crimes against persons in

D and advocacy groups are certain that hate enforcement agencies out of about 15,000 2019, 40% were for intimidation, 36.7% crimes are on the rise. The U.S. Justice participating agencies across the country were for simple assault, and 21% were Department has made investigating such reported hate crime data to the FBI. And for aggravated assault. There were 51 Annual Campaign crimes a priority for years. while the number of agencies reporting murders; 30 rapes; and three offenses of There was a nearly 7% increase in hate crimes increased, the number of human trafficking reported as hate crimes. Women’s Philanthropy religion-based hate crimes, with 953 agencies participating in the program There were 2,811 hate crime offenses Maimonides Society reports of crimes targeting Jews and dropped from the year before. A large classified as crimes against property. The Jewish institutions last year, up from 835 number of police agencies appeared not majority of these (76.6%) were acts of Your Jewish Legacy the year before. That’s a 14% increase to submit any hate crime data. destruction/damage/vandalism. Robbery, in criminal anti-Semitic activity and the “The total severity of the impact and burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, Chai Circle highest ithe number has been since 2008. damage caused by hate crimes cannot arson, and other offenses accounted for L’Chaim Society Jews and Jewish institutions also faced be fully measured without complete the remaining 23.4% of crimes against the majority — 63% — of religion-based participation in the FBI’s data collection property. Book of Life crimes. process,” the Anti-Defamation League’s Another 236 offenses were classified The FBI said the number of hate crimes president, Jonathan Greenblatt, said in a as crimes against society. This includes Letter of Intent against African Americans dropped slightly statement. activities such as gambling, prostitution, to 1,930, from 1,943. Anti-Hispanic hate An Associated Press investigation and drug violations. JDC makes a difference around the world

From Federation staff Tens of thousands of elderly Jews and families around the world live in dire poverty. The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) ensures they never have to choose between essentials like food and medicine, as well as provide something DONATE NOW invaluable — the knowledge that they are TO OUR not forgotten, but remain part of a global Jewish community that will always have JEWISH their back. COMMUNITY Jews around the world still face threats CAMPAIGN – anti-Semitism, violence, and social and economic upheaval. While our priority is to help Jewish communities live safely where Please visit they choose, when those threats endanger ReadingJewishCommunity. Jewish lives or Jewish life, JDC is the 9-1-1 org of the Jewish people. When natural disasters or other calamities strike, JDC helps communities Make your gift of all backgrounds and faiths rebuild and today! stay long after it is over to make sure those communities get back on their feet. JDC • Provided more than 22 million hours of America also brings expertise to slow-moving crises, home health care to vulnerable Jews living • And funded 1,500 Jewish campers like endemic poverty, food insecurity, and in desperate conditions. from over 20 countries to have the unique the plight of refugees, because repairing • Provided innovative social programs opportunity to meet, celebrate, explore, the world means taking action when we see to over 245,000 Israelis and share experiences with their Jewish people in need. • Supported 110,000+ impoverished student peers from around the world at In the past year, JDC has: Jews across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin Camp Szarvas in Hungary. December 2020 SHALOM Page 3 From the President’s Desk There are many things we can be thankful for

By William D. Franklin makes depression less likely. It even which makes everything possible. The attitude of gratitude, hakarat President tends to make people sleep better We are thankful that Amanda, Adi, hatov, is a central theme in Judaism and I am sure your and is a major factor in strengthening Margo and our synagogues continue helps us to be positive- to energize, to Thanksgiving was resilience.” to creatively deliver programs and heal, and to hope. Again, it was Rabbi unlike any others you And despite the many challenges we weekly services. And we are thankful Sacks who said: “Optimism and hope are have celebrated. I face, we do have a lot to be thankful for. for Brenda — she is the first one you not the same. Optimism is the belief that hope your turkey was Technology allows us to remain connected see and talk to, and all of us turn to her the world is changing for the better; hope real, not virtual. And I with our families and community. With the when we need help. is the belief that, together, we can make hope that despite the support of our many volunteers, Carole We are thankful that we live in a the world better. Optimism is passive; craziness of our times and Sari have been able to open a country where we can disagree with hope is active ” you were able to find second food pantry and provide Jewish someone and still maintain a friendship. I am both optimistic and hopeful the many things we have to be thankful Family Service clients in need with rides, Faced with the growing threats of anti- that our Reading Jewish community for. shopping services and taking them to Semitism and anti-Israel actions, we are will continue to actively work for a Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z”l taught doctor appointments. thankful that we can regard our Jewish better world as it has never stopped that “thankfulness reduces toxic emotions We are thankful for Richard’s work to identity and U.S. citizenship as two doing. such as resentment and frustration and ensure your continued financial support, halves of a coherent whole. Kol HaKavod, bravo to all of us! U.N. speaks of Temple Mount as solely Muslim site

From online news sources dates back thousands of years. They will as he used the Hebrew words for the site. vote, including Austria, Belarus, Cameroon, Some 139 United Nations countries also not change the fact that today, our “For years, the Palestinians have Colombia, the Czech Republic, Honduras, have approved a resolution that spoke of the connection to Jerusalem is stronger than promoted language that includes only Kiribati, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Sao Temple Mount solely as an Islamic holy site, ever. A growing number of countries are the Muslim term of “Haram al-Sharif” and Tome Principe, Serbia, Slovakia, Solomon by referencing it only by its Muslim name of moving their embassies to Jerusalem, our purposely excludes the Jewish name — Islands, Togo, Uruguay and Vanuatu. al-Haram al-Sharif. united and undivided capital.” Temple Mount,” he said. Some of the countries that abstained It was one of seven pro-Palestinian, This UN action takes place as the Trump Erdan told UN member states that their such as the Czech Republic, Honduras, anti-Israel resolutions that the UN General administration has increased its efforts to “support has emboldened the Palestinians Serbia and Malawi have spoken of Assembly’s Fourth Committee passed underscore Israel’s link to Jerusalem, which to not only deny the Jewish connection to relocating their embassies to Jerusalem, a recently during a session in New York. is the capital of the modern state and where these sites, but to deny Muslims access to move that designates recognition of Israeli The UN resolution that spoke of Jerusalem the Jewish Temple, the most holy of Jewish them, too, while threatening violence. By sovereignty over at least the western section included language that referenced the link of sites, had stood in biblical times. supporting these resolutions, you share of Jerusalem. The Temple Mount as well all three monotheistic religions to Israel’s “Unlike this chamber, which is detached responsibility for this behavior.” as Jerusalem’s Old City are located in east capital. The resolution, in its language, spoke from reality, a growing number of nations The international body’s recent resolution Jerusalem. of Jerusalem as “occupied” only in reference are acknowledging that Jerusalem is the is the latest step in a long battle between The Dominican Republican and Brazil, to east Jerusalem. undeniable capital of the Jewish people Israel and Muslim nations regarding the both of which said they would weigh Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad and the Jewish state,” the ambassador said. status of Jerusalem, particularly the Temple relocating its embassy to Jerusalem, Erdan told the committee that the resolution “As Minister of Public Security, I ensured Mount, which is the third holiest site in Islam. supported the resolution. “completely ignores any link between the that all religions had access to Jerusalem’s Eight countries besides Israel voted European countries that supported Jewish people and the Temple Mount — holy sites. against the Jerusalem resolution, including the resolution include Belgium, Denmark, our holiest site. This is a disgrace. The “No resolution passed here will change Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Hungary, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, audacious attempt to rewrite history will the eternal connection between the Jewish Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, not change the indisputable fact that the people and the holiest site of our faith – Har the United States. Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the Jewish connection to the city of Jerusalem HaBayit, the Temple Mount,” said Erdan, Another 16 nations abstained from the United Kingdom. How Jews are responding to rise in anti-Semitism

From online news sources American Jews are center-left in count on the rest of the country to recognize something anti-Semitic; 7% said that such American Jews have been reminded political orientation. Thus, the AJC’s or sympathize. Only 43% of the public an accusation would actually make them that the world’s oldest hatred almost findings about the perceived bipartisan agreed that anti-Semitism is getting worse, less inclined to such a view. never totally disappears, even in places nature of anti-Jewish hate reflects a trailing the Jewish total by 39 percentage Among Jews, there is surprisingly where Jews are largely assimilated, and certain fatalism, while also breaking points. “A large majority of Americans would little disagreement about the extent of communal life feels settled. down along lines of party affiliation: not defer to Jews in evaluating whether anti-Semitism in America. The challenge In recent years there have been While 69% of respondents agreed that or not something is anti-Semitic,” the poll resides in convincing other Americans. deadly assaults on synagogues, kosher the Republican Party holds at least some reported: “Nearly two thirds of respondents The gap between Jewish and non-Jewish grocery stores, and Hanukkah parties, anti-Semitic views, a not-insignificant (65%) said it would make no difference to perceptions of anti-Semitism is a reminder along with a wave of physical attacks 37% said the same about the Democrats. them if a Jewish individual or organization of the need for empathy, persuasion, on Jews in New York. And anti-Semitic One of the poll’s relative surprises is considered a statement or idea to be anti- and relationship-building. Meanwhile the rhetoric is heard in both major political that the BDS movement, which is almost Semitic.” Moreover, only a quarter said gap remains, in a time when Jews sense Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks Non-Profit Organization parties. Prejudice among campus Israel exclusively a left-wing phenomenon that a Jewish accusation of anti-SemitismJewish Cultural Center, PO Box 14925 that their position in AmericanU.S. Postage PAID society is Reading, PA 19612-4925 Permit No. 2 readingjewishcommunity.org Reading, PA haters, identitarian right wingers, mentally and has vocal fans among growing would make them more likely Changeto Serviceconsider Requested becoming less secure. disturbed passersby, and members of the Democratic Party constituencies, is Enriching Lives Volume 47, No. 9 September 2017 Elul 5777-Tishri 5778 federal government jostle for room within viewed as either being anti-Semitic or a frayed American Jewish psyche. having anti-Semitic supporters among In 2019, the American Jewish 80% of Jewish respondents. While the ShaloThe Journal of the Reading Jewish Communitym published by0 the Jewish9 Federation1 of Reading/Berks7 Committee commissioned a poll aimed statement “Israel has no right to exist” A newspaper serving the Jewish community of Berks County, at understanding how American Jews has adherents on both extremes of the Your Federation Supports: Pennsylvania, andJewish published Education monthly, September through June, under perceived these various threats against political spectrum, it is mostly heard in left- Food Pantry the Jewish FederationFriendship Circle of Reading/Berks. Funded by the Annual Jewish them. This year it repeated the exercise, wing quarters these days; 85% of Jewish Chevra Community Campaign.Community Shabbat while also polling the general public on respondents agreed it was anti-Semitic. Reading Jewish Film Series its views on American anti-Semitism. The Interestingly, 74% of the general PJ Library General Offices: Jewish Family Service 1100 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 125 results are worth examining. public agreed with the 85% of Jews who Jewish Cultural Center Lakin Holocaust Library Wyomissing, PA 19610 Jews overwhelmingly believe that view anti-Zionism as inherently anti- & Resource Center Phone: Israel & Overseas 610-921-0624 FAX: 610-929-0886 America is becoming a more anti-Semitic Semitic, with near identical numbers Camp Scholarships Web site: Israel Trips www.ReadingJewishCommunity.org and physically dangerous place for them of Republicans (74%) and Democrats Jewish Community to live, work, and study: 82% responded (73%) sharing this view, which is often High School Jewish FederationEmergency of Support Reading that anti-Semitism has increased over painted in left circles as a uniquely Jewish Lakin Preschool Chair: Richard J. Yashek Lecture Robert M. Caster, CPA the past five years. Some 27% reported or “right-wing” position. The findings President: Transportation William D. Franklin Maimonides Society that Jewish institutions with which hint at a sharpening awareness of anti- Communications Director:Your Jewish Legacy Mark Nemirow, Editor they affiliated had “been the targets of Semitism among Jews, who are sensitive 92ND ST Y Programs Proofreaders: Joint Distribution Committee Federation staff anti-Semitism” since the October 2018 to the potentially hateful motives behind Meir Panim Annual Campaign massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue political rhetoric, hardline anti-Israel Jewish Agency for Israel Yemin Orde in Pittsburgh; 37% reported that they had activism, and the everyday behavior of School Education Programs Interfaith Unity Council

“taken steps to conceal their Jewishness their fellow citizens. Why else would one Israel Advocacy in public” since that attack. Meanwhile, conceal outward signs of their Judaism Youth Events Great Decisions Series 43% of Jews between the ages of 18 and unless they sensed some real danger? Jewish Community Relations Council 29 had “experienced anti-Semitism on a The AJC poll suggests that however Community Holiday Programs Women’s Philanthropy college campus over the past five years.” threatened Jews may feel, they should not Jewish Federations

of North America

Counseling Services

Leo Camp Lecture

Shabbat B’Yachad Page 4 SHALOM December 2020 Hanukkah-themed Tot Shabbat with Erica Perl By Amanda J. Hornberger neighbors and friends! You won’t want to miss this FUN, Our community loved Erica Perl when she It’s Hanukkah, and Max and Rachel are musical and hilarious morning! Families who visited in January as part of the inaugural excited to light the menorah in their family’s preregister will receive a free, signed copy of season of Literatour Berks. During her visit new apartment. But, unfortunately, their “The Ninth Night of Hanukkah” courtesy of PJ she spoke to young tween readers and was Hanukkah box is missing. So now they have Library of Reading. a fan favorite for kids and adults. no menorah, candles, dreidels, or, well, You can register by visiting our website: We’re thrilled to welcome Erica back for anything! Luckily, their neighbors are happy to https://readingjewishcommunity.org/home/ a special RCOS Tot Shabbat with Literatour help, offering thoughtful and often humorous literatour. Signed copies of the book will be Berks and PJ Library on Saturday, Dec. 19 stand-in items each night. And then, just as available for purchase through the Literatour at 10 a.m. on Zoom. Hanukkah is about to end, Max and Rachel, Berks official book vendor, Reads & Company Perl’s interactive session will focus on her inspired by the shamash (“helper”) candle, of Phoenixville. new children’s picture book “The Ninth Night have a brilliant idea: they’re going to celebrate Thank you to the sponsors and patrons of Hanukkah”, a fresh twist on a Hanukkah the ninth night of Hanukkah as a way to say of Literatour Berks for making this event celebration: celebrating a ninth night with new thanks to every­one who’s helped them! possible. Find Your Voice: Finding generosity all around

By Amanda J. Hornberger the travel memoir “An Island Called Home: his family over, and now Esther’s made sure One of the goals of our new Find Your Returning to Jewish Cuba,” and the award- she’s the first child to join him. Voice program is to get tweens together to winning coming-of-age novel “Lucky Broken Being separated from her beloved sister learn about Jewish values and apply them to Girl,” a PJ Our Way selection. Her new is heart-wrenching, but Esther promises to their everyday lives. novel, “Letters from Cuba,” is inspired by her write everything down that happens until One Middah seems to be sticking out so grandmoth­er’s story of escaping Poland to they’re reunited. And many good things do far … Nedivut or generosity. In October we make a brand-new life in Cuba. happen. First of all, the Cuban people are learned that the main character in our book Find Your Voice will meet over the school welcoming and treat her with dignity. Then Jude’s name means generosity in Arabic. year with authors of books that will tackle she chances upon a way to make more In November our group created more topics such as social justice, being Jewish money than her peddler father could dream than 100 hats that were donated to children and young adult life in America in 2020, all of when she discovers her talent for making staying at Mary’s Shelter in Reading. A true while creating steps towards social action lightweight dresses. All of a sudden there is a act of Nedivut. through service and learning. Participants demand for her designs, and it looks like they In our next book, “Letters from Cuba,” are encouraged, but not required, to read the will soon be able to afford to bring the family Esther manages to help her father save titles for Find Your Voice. over. But it turns out not everyone is pleased money to bring her family from Poland to About “Letters from Cuba”: with her success and there are pockets of Cuba, with the help, support and generosity Pura Belpré Award Winner Ruth Behar’s anti-Semitism in Cuba too. Now it’s a race to of her new friends in Cuba. inspiring story of a young Jewish girl who get her family out of Poland and into Cuba Tweens ages 8.5-12 are invited to join flees Poland on the eve of World War II and before it’s too late, and to see if there is a the intimate conversation with author, Ruth makes a new life for herself in Cuba, while way to stop the hate from spreading through Behar, on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m. Behar she works to rescue the rest of her family, is Cuba too. was born in Havana to a mixed Ashkenazi- based on Ruth’s family history. Tweens are invited to join us for an Sephardic family, grew up in New York and Things have gotten dire for Esther’s family interactive virtual conversation with Behar became the first Latina to win a MacArthur in Poland as discrimination against Jews has on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. on Zoom. Genius Grant. An anthropologist, poet, intensified. With the family store shuttered, Registration required to Amanda at amandah@ film­maker, and writer, she is the author of her father has fled to Cuba to work to bring jfreading.org or call 610-921-0624. Center Jewish Cultural 92nd St. Y Programs Learn about the liberator of Bergen-Belsen Game Nights By Amanda J. Hornberger recently as dean of adult learning. She has Community Shabbat On April 15, 1945, Brigadier H. L. Glyn lectured around the world and has a doctorate Hughes entered Bergen-Belsen for the first from Boston University. Among courses she Reading Jewish Film Series time. Waiting for him were 60,000 living taught at Boston University were Resistance

Great Decisions prisoners, starving and sick. One month During the Holocaust and Character and earlier, 15-year-old Rachel Genuth arrived at Ethics Education. She designed and taught Interfaith Mitzvah Day Bergen-Belsen. She had been deported with Ethical Decision Making for Education Leaders her family from Sighet, Transylvania, in May for Northeastern University’s College of Yom Ha’atzmaut 1944. Rachel had by then already endured Professional Studies.

PJ Library Auschwitz, the Christianstadt labor camp, Genuth), at the next Literatour Berks program You can register by visiting our website:

and a forced march through Monday,the Sudetenland. September 9, 2019 at 7 onp.m. JCCThursday, and Exeter Community Dec. 3 Li atbrary 7 p.m. This event is https://readingjewishcommunity.org/home/ PJ Our Way Literatour Berks Preview Night In her book “All the Horrors of War,” co-sponsored by the Maimonides Society of literatour Signed copies of the book will be Come learn more about the 18 authors visiting Berks this year! Bernice Lerner follows both Hughes and Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks. available for purchase through the Literatour Leo Camp Lecture ______Genuth as they move across Europe toward Before and after she served as director of Berks official book vendor, Reads & Company Monday, October 7, 2019 at 7 p.m. Exeter Community Library Tech Tuesday Bergen-Belsen in the final, brutal year E.R. of Boston Ramzipoor University’s Center for the Advancement of Phoenixville. The Ventriloquists World War II. of Ethics and Character (now the Center for Thank you to the sponsors and patrons Presented in partnership with the LGBT Center of Greater Reading. Yom Hazikaron Lerner will tell us this true story of her Character and Social Responsibility), Bernice of Literatour Berks for making this event

mother, Ruth Mermelstein (née Rachel Lerner worked at Hebrew College — most possible. Art Exhibits Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 7 p.m. Location Provided Upon Registration Angela Himsel A River be a Tree Yom Hashoah A program of Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks.

Annual Meeting and Picnic ______

Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Wachovia Theatre, Albright College Purim Carnival Thomas Wolf The Nightingale’s Sonata: The Musical Odyssey of Lea Luboshutz Richard J. Yashek 40th Annual Leo Camp Memorial Lecture

Program includes Curtis Institute musicians performing César Franck’s “Sonata for Violin and Piano”. Memorial Lecture Presented in partnership with the Camp family and Albright College. ______Kristallnacht Remembrance Monday, December 2, 2019 at 7 p.m. Exeter Community Library Tiffany Shlain Youth Events 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week

Purim Masquerade Party

Bridge Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 7 p.m. Location Provided Upon Registration Dawn Raffel The Strange Case of Dr. Couney: Chevra How a Mysterious European Showman Saved Thousands of American Babies Mahjong A program of Maimonides Society of Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks.

Trips to NYC/Philadelphia Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 4 p.m. Exeter Community Library Joni Klein-Higger and Barbara Sharf Lakin Holocaust Library Barnyard Bubbe’s Hanukkah Presented by PJ Library of Reading with support from the Sue B. Viener Memorial Fund of Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks. & Resource Center ______

Shabbat B’yachad For More Information - 610-921-0624 Community Calendar To Register - ReadingJewishCommunity.org/home/literatour December 2020 SHALOM Page 5 There’s still time to sign up for Leadership Gifts Brunch

By Richard Nassau up is Wednesday, Dec. 3. The pandemic has Many of the most important issues that Jews created unprecedented needs. Annual campaign think about are expressed in Jewish humor. contributions totaling $1,200 or more are What makes a joke Jewish is it applies to Jews recommended to attend this event, and reservations but more significantly, it must express a Jewish are required. sensibility. Hailed by Jewish Week as “America’s rabbi,” Rabbi — Rabbi Joseph Telushkin Telushkin is a world class speaker. On Sunday Dec. 6, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin will Federation invites members of the community to be speaking at Federation’s Virtual Leadership Gifts join us as we welcome “virtually” Rabbi Telushkin Brunch. to our community at a time when humor remains This annual leadership event recognizes and particularly important. thanks our major contributors to Federation’s You can register online at ReadingJewishCommunity. Community Campaign. It is Federation’s foremost org. fundraiser. For more information, contact Federation at 610- You can still attend, as the deadline to sign 921-0624. Reservations are required. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin Event highlights grandmother-granddaughter-story

By Amanda J. Hornberger of indomitable women and the men who eight years on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” I was fortunate to have strong and loved them. There’s Bobby’s mother, who She writes for The New Yorker’s “Daily long-lasting relationships with both of traveled solo from Belarus to America Shouts.” She received a WGA Award my grandmothers. I believe their strong in the 1880s to escape the pogroms, in 2016 and has written for the Emmy influence had a major impact on the and Bess’s mother, a 1970s rebel who Awards, the Academy Awards, and the woman I became. A special grandmother always fought against convention. Then 2020 Democratic National Convention. and granddaughter relationship is the there’s Bess, who grew up in New York She is head writer and executive producer subject of Bess Kalb’s new book “Nobody and entered the rough-and-tumble world of “Yearly Departed,” a forthcoming

Will Tell You This But Me: A True (as Told of Los Angeles television. Her grandma comedy special from Amazon. to Me) Story.” her. Bobby was a force — irrepressible, Bobby was with her all the way — she You can register by visiting our website:

Women of all generationsMonday, September are invited 9, 2019 at 7 p.m.glamorous, JCC and Exeter unapologetically Community Library opinionated. was the light of Bess’s childhood and https://readingjewishcommunity.org/home/ Literatour Berks Preview Night for a special Literatour Berks event Bobby doted on Bess; Bess adored her fiercest supporter, giving Bess literatour. Signed copies of the book will Come learn more about the 18 authors visiting Berks this year! with Kalb, co-sponsored by Women’s Bobby. Then, at 90, Bobby died. But in unequivocal love, even if sometimes of be available for purchase through the ______Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of this debut memoir, Bobby is speaking to the toughest kind. Literatour Berks official book vendor, Monday, October 7, 2019 at 7 p.m. Exeter Community Library Reading/Berks on Monday, Dec. 7, at 7E.R. RamzipoorBess once more, in a voice as passionate Kalb is an Emmy-nominated comedy Reads & Company of Phoenixville. The Ventriloquists p.m. on Zoom. as it ever was in life. writer and bestselling author of “Nobody Thank you to the sponsors and Presented in partnership with the LGBT Center of Greater Reading. Bess Kalb saved every voicemail Recounting both family lore and family Will Tell You This But Me,” a New York patrons of Literatour Berks for making her grandmother Bobby Bell ever left secrets, Bobby brings us four generations Times Editor’s Choice. She wrote for this event possible. Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 7 p.m. Location Provided Upon Registration Angela Himsel A River be a Tree

A program of Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks.

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Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Wachovia Theatre, Albright College Thomas Wolf The Nightingale’s Sonata: The Musical Odyssey of Lea Luboshutz 40th Annual Leo Camp Memorial Lecture

Program includes Curtis Institute musicians performing César Franck’s “Sonata for Violin and Piano”.

Presented in partnership with the Camp family and Albright College. ______

Monday, December 2, 2019 at 7 p.m. Exeter Community Library Tiffany Shlain 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week

Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 7 p.m. Location Provided Upon Registration Dawn Raffel The Strange Case of Dr. Couney: How a Mysterious European Showman Saved Thousands of American Babies

A program of Maimonides Society of Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks.

Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 4 p.m. Exeter Community Library Joni Klein-Higger and Barbara Sharf Barnyard Bubbe’s Hanukkah

Presented by PJ Library of Reading with support from the Sue B. Viener Memorial Fund of Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks.

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For More Information - 610-921-0624 To Register - ReadingJewishCommunity.org/home/literatour Page 6 SHALOM December 2020 Village name in Golan proves to have ancient roots

From online news sources Maayan Baruch and Kela Alon, as well (around 300 CE), these stones were generation to generation. However, at A 1,700-year-old boundary as volunteers. placed as the boundaries of villages, for Nafah, the ancient remains have not stone inscribed with the name “Kfar The deciphering of the inscription by the purpose of collecting taxes. This is revealed such settlement continuity,” they Nafah” in Greek was uncovered in Dr. Danny Syon, together with Professor the first boundary stone in the center of said. “Since the Byzantine period - about an archaeological excavation by the Haim Ben-David from the Kinneret the Golan Heights, on which appears the 1,500 years ago — and up to modern Israel Antiquities Authority in the Golan Academic College, pleased researchers name of a place that has been preserved times, settlements are not known here, Heights. The IAA found this stone during who realized it showed that Nafah has to this day. Nafah was the name of the apart from briefly during the Mamluk excavations ahead of the installation been the name of this site for nearly Syrian village that existed here until the period (13th -15th centuries CE). For this of a water pipeline. The excavation 2,000 years. According to researchers, Six Day War in 1967, and now Nafah is reason, the preservation of the name is was directed by Dina Avshalom-Gorni “The inscription, which mentions the the adjacent military base. intriguing and astonishing..” and Yardenna Alexandre of the IAA, name Kfar Nafah, (Nafah village) was “Usually, ancient names are preserved The stone, which had a secondary with the participation of pre-military inscribed on a boundary stone. Under the as a result of settlement continuity, use as the covering of a tomb, reinforces academy (mechinot) students from reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian which preserves ancient names from the possibility that names of ancient settlements were preserved for many generations, even where there was not continuous settlement. The boundary stone was discovered during an archaeological excavation conducted prior to installation of a pipeline. The water pipeline of Nafah- Kedmat Zvi will serve the water supply system to IDF bases in the Golan Heights and the town of Katzrin. According to Alexandre and Avshalom-Gorni: “The fascinating excavation at Nafah uncovered a public building from the Mamluk period, which served as a road station. This is the first public administrative building from the Mamluk period excavated in the Golan Heights. “The road station was built on the main road connecting the Galilee to Damascus, and probably served as a stopover and resting place for traders and government officials traveling from Safed, the capital city of Mamluk Galilee, to Damascus. Here they dined and slept, reorganized their equipment for the RRUUTTHH journey, and cared for the horses. In the BBEEHHAARR building’s courtyard, the remains of a furnace and some iron slag were found, indicating that an ironsmith may have worked here, repairing the horseshoes DDEECC.. 2200 during the stopover.” Eyal Ben David, a manager of the 44 PP..MM.. pipeline company, said that, “as a company that devotes a lot of resources to building new water infrastructure throughout Israel, to strengthening the stability of the water economy also in the future, we are happy for the opportunity we have to contribute to the preservation of the heritage of the past. “The company is proud to be part of this important discovery.”

Obituary David S. Bender, 71, of Reading. David graduated from Bucknell University with a BA and from Cornell University with a PhD in educational psychology. He worked at Penn State Berks for 43 years, most recently as a Associate Professor of Educational Psychology. David also served on the Exeter School Board for 34 years. He JEWISH SOCIAL was a member of Reform Congregation INTERFAITH Oheb Sholom. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his children: VALUES ACTION Michelle and her husband, Andy Siegel, his sons Jeffrey and his wife, Kim, and Eric and his partner, Abby Brill. David is also survived by his six grandchildren, his sister Sherri Bender and his sister-in-law Sue Radcliffe. --- Frances Y. Joseph, 93, of Reading. Frances was a member of Kesher Zion Synagogue and was active Thanks to our sponsors: with the Sisterhood. She worked for many years for her husband’s This program made possible through a grant from PJ Library, a program of the clothing business, Joseph’s, and Harold Grinspoon Foundation later the Jeannette Shop. Frances is survived by her stepdaughter, JoAnn McNaron, her stepson, Ira Joseph, her two grandchildren, her brother Michael Yachnik and several nieces and nephews. Page  Shalom March 2010 Community News Obituaries

Lucy Suzanne Knoblauch L. (Sulman) Moyer. He is also survived Zeidman, 96, Wyomissing. by his daughters, Aileen D., widow Surviving are a son, Bruce F., of Neal H. Endy, of Pennside, and E. husband of Geraldine L. Zeidman, of Roxanne, wife of Les Walker, of Batavia Shillington; a brother, Harry Knoblauch, Ohio; sons, Stan B. , husband of Kristine husband of Edith Knoblauch, of Reading; K. Moyer, of Sinking Spring and Jay a sister, Ruth Balis of Wyomissing; and H., husband of Margaret R. Moyer, of several nieces and nephews. Muhlenberg Township. Other survivors --- are grandchildren: Brett A. Endy, Chad Irene S. Zeidman, 62, Wyomissing. M. Endy and Elizabeth K. Moyer; and She is survived by her brother Bruce great-grandchildren, Carson N., Logan Images from F., husband of Geraldine L. Zeidman C., Ardyn N. and Ava L. Endy of Shillington. --- Yemin Orde --- Shirley Robinson of B’nai B’rith Area resident and recent college Robert Berger, 54, Reading. Apartments. Survived by her Friendship graduate Jessica Flamholz sent us He was the former spouse of Lea Circle friends. these pictures from her recent visit Berger, Reading. He is survived by --- to Yemin Orde, an Israeli village two daughters, Molly R. Berger, State Louis Malamud, 95, formerly for children and youth supported College, and Bethany S. Berger, of Temple. He is survived by a son, December 2020 by our Federation. SHALOMReading; and one brother, Dr. Barry M. Mitchel, husband of Laura Malamud,Page 7 Berger, husband of Kathleen A. Vieweg, of Las Vegas; grandchildren Barry Boston, Mass. husband of Johna Malamud, Deborah --- Babbit-Malamud and Sheri Malamud; All Around the Town______David Moyer, 85, Reading. and great-grandchildren: Jessy Babbit, By RachelJoan G. Friedman Gabrielle Jeffers, Badalstudent, who teaching has received at North the honor Penn of on the He marriageis survived of by their his wife, son Marjorie Morton Carlyhusband Malmud Ryan and on Ian the Malamud. birth of their daughterCongratulations of Gerald andto KoreySusan Jeffers,Blanck beingSchool chosen District as and the willChild start Advocate teaching of Caster to Carmen Colmenarez on second child Ethan Paul, born Nov/ 9 andwill beto Edithgraduating Blanck on the birth of thein 2021. Year for the State of Pennsylvania. Nov. 14. Morton and Carmen live in in Philadelphia and to grandparents theirin newDecember granddaughter and great- *** Temple.Plan for your Bar/Bat MitzvahRita Sugarman & W eddingand Jeff HantganGuests! of granddaughter!from Bloomsburg BestMazel wishes tov to parentsto our TracyBerks SnyderCounty *** Arlington, Mass. University of*** athletesand Mindy competing and Rob in the Coopersmith 2010 Maccabi Mazel tov to Cindy and Tim We love good news about PennsylvaniaMazel Tov to with the aBluestone Family: Games:and grandmother Gladys Lewis Schuchart on the marriageShalom of their membersNewspaper of our community! (Joan Please Friedman) ToBachelor’s David and Degree Marianna on their new on Emilythe October & Jared weddingBaksic, swimming of Jeremy daughter Lauren to Ben Fleischman of share it by emailing Marknem@aol. daughterin Early andChildhood to grandparents Eric and CoopersmithAndrew Blickle to Sarah, basketball Rollman of West Berkley, Calif., on Oct. 25. com or calling the JCC office at 610-5” (2 col.) x 7” Marissa.Education (PK- Chester.Matthew Eisenberg, swimming *** 921-0624. Questions? 4) and a minor ***in Hannah and ***Alexis Glassmire, Mazel tov to Rachel Hantgan, ContactUntil nextJodi time: Gibble, Shalom! Marketing Director EducationalCongratulations Technology. to Charles She and is swimmingMazel tov to Beth and Bob Caster formerly of Wyomissing, and her Brenda Diamond on the engagement Brandon Missan, soccer READING The Highlands at Wyomissing of their son Brett and to grandfather Al 2801 Papermill Road 2000 Cambridge Ave., Wyomissing, PA 1910 Diamond. Wyomissing, Pennsylvania 10-288-3405 Underwater*** bricksUntil show next time: skill Shalom! of Israel’s prehistoric inhabitants Mazel Tov to Rosalind Hyman and [Email all your simcha news to joan@ GROUP RATES AVAILABLE herFrom daughter, online Attorney.news sourcesCathy Hyman friedman.net]evolved in ancient times, becoming Atlit Yam and Bene Beraq — more and more skillful and proficient Call Alice for a Site Tour located in Israel’s Sharon Plain in using the environment surrounding — date backKEEP to the UP pre-pottery WITH THE them. COMMUNITY (610) 736-2082 ✦ www.reading.homewoodsuites.com NeolithicVisit C, whenwww.readingjewishcommunity.org pottery was not “In the Neolithic period, we manufactured yet. start seeing the first sedentary About 9,000 years ago, the site settlements, and the appearance of Atlit Yam was home to a vibrant of bricks is deeply connected to village where several houses as well this phenomenon,” Isaac Ogloblin as a ritual place stood. Ramírez, a PhD student and the lead A few centuries later, the area author of the paper recently published II hadhad nono idea!idea! was submerged ou’veby the worked sea and hard today to accumulatein the Journal your wealth.of Archaeological We hear this again and again from residents of The Highlands. is located off the coast of northern Science: Reports, told The Jerusalem Trust it to someone who will work even harder to • People are so friendly. Israel. Y Post. Among growthe remains your assets of buildings and provide youIf at withthe beginning peace of mindof the Neolithic • There’s so much for me to do. • I love the independence and as well asas of you animals, plan for plants the future. and Fromera, financialbricks were planning simply and dried out even several individuals, marine in the sun, as ancient populations privacy at The Highlands. archaeologistsinvestment identified management a number of to developedcustom credit pyro-technologies, solutions, the • I don’t worry about my future. circular installationsdeposit products made of and heated more. artifacts Clermont started Wealth to Strategies be fired, which • Dining is like a fine restaurant. mud bricks. increased their resistance to the • My kids are so glad I’m here. As Israeli– personal, scholars focused from and the highly point confidential. of allowing them to survive for A diver explores an underwater installation of heated mud bricks.• I feelMarine like archaeologists I’m at a resort. are excited at Department of Maritime Civilizations millennia under the sea. what they are finding in ancient communities once located along• This Israel’s was coast a smart that have and since valuable become and the Zinman Institute of For the study, the researchers submerged. Archaeology at the University of considered bricks found in sites from financial decision. of the Recanati Institute for Maritime Plain — are from the more recent Haifa and the Israel Antiquities different periods, both submerged • They do things first class. Financial Planning Comprehensive Investment Management Studies at the University of Haifa. period of the Neolithic Wadi Rabah Authority found out, those ancient and not. Underwater survey and • I wish I’d moved here sooner. Atlit Yam and Bnei Brak – located phase. artifactsCustom offer Credit a key Solutions to understand collectionBank Deposit of & samplesConvenience forProducts analysis • I love it here! in the Sharon Plain — date back to The oldest bricks were how prehistoricWealth Preservation populations & Transfer in IsraelServices wasRetirement conducted Planning with the assistance the pre-pottery Neolithic C, when manufactured in some form of an pottery wasCome not yet manufactured. tour Theoval Highlands. shape up as large as 15 inches, Neve Yam and Ein Asawir — the while the most recent were in a COMMUNITY DRIVE-THRU CHANUKAH CONCERT B”H first locatedFind not out far firstfrom Atlithand but why just itsemi-rectangular is the best place shape for and slightly with Chabad, Oheb Sholom and Kesher Zion a few short distance fromretirement the shore smallerliving. — with the largest found CLERMONT WEALTH STRATEGIES and the second also in the Sharon approximately 30x50x10cm. in size. AT If you’re exploring options and choices for your retirement years, be sure to call us for a tour. You too can be a part of this wonderful lifestyle. We have every- 1.866.332.8393 thing from a studio apartment to gracious CHANUKAH cottages. We would love to meet you Sit in your cars & enjoy the show clermontwealth.com and answer your questions.

Securities and Insurance Products: Not GrandFDIC-Insured Menorah• Not Insured by any lighting Federal Government of the Agency Call for lunch and a tour today. GIANTNo Financial CUPCAKE Institution Guarantee • May loseMENORAH! value • Not a deposit 10-775-2300 EQUAL HOUSING www.thehighlands.org OPPORTUNITY +++++ SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 · 4:30 PM @ CHABAD - 2320 HAMPDEN BLVD.

Dreidels

Hot chocolate Chocolate gelt

Sizzling latkes Decorate your own cupcake and help build the menorah (this will be a socially distant activity with individual Delicious ingredients per donuts participant)

NO CHARGE Fun for the whole community RSVP is required to [email protected] Page 8 SHALOM December 2020 Lishmor Al HaOlam: Guarding the planet Confessions of paper addicts

By Andi Franklin paper recycling on the environment. The and production of methane (a potent and Solange Israel-Mintz production of harmful chemicals alone greenhouse gas) adds to the carbon We love paper! We love reading gives us pause. footprint of paper products. things printed on paper because we As Jews who have been on earth 3. Paper recovery, instead of find it difficult to read long things on the for 5,780 years, it’s imperative on us landfilling, can reduce the global computer or other digital devices. We to make sure that the environment can warming potential of paper products by find reading a newspaper more fulfilling maintain us for at least another 5,800 15 to 25%. in print than digitally, because you can years. 4. Discarded paper & paperboard discover more interesting topics to So again, what can we do? We make up roughly 26% of solid municipal read than by scrolling. Eyes are more already recycle, but obviously that is not waste in landfills. adept at reading paper than scanning enough. 5. The de-inking process during paper a screen. So far, we’ve learned that: recycling is a source of emissions due to Is that an age thing? We are after 1. Paper bags have just as significant the chemicals released. all of an older pre-computer generation. of an environmental impact as plastic 6. New Jersey just instituted the But not likely. Our family members feel bags and typically require more energy most stringent paper bag restrictions in the same way. and greenhouse gas emissions to the U.S. So — what to do?? produce. We pledge to change: We don’t like what we read about 2. Disposing of paper in landfill Andi: I will switch to using bamboo the impact of paper production and sites, and the subsequent breakdown toilet paper and increase my use of scrap paper. Solange: I will reuse paper by using all the clear parts for notes. When I print things to read, I will print double sided Do you have a pledge you’d like to and two pages per sheet. make?

ZOOM WITH US! December 19th at 10:00 am TotShabbat Join Rabbi Michelson for a musical, story-filled interactive hour for children through grade 2. Members & non-members welcome. No registration required. Zoom link available at ohebsholom.org. Future Tot Shabbat dates: 1/9, 2 /20, 3/20, 4/17, 5/15, & 6/12.

Avoiding Common Estate Planning Mistakes Medicaid, Power of Attorney, Wills, and More Friday, December 18 1:00pm • On Zoom PRESENTED BY Knowledge is power when it comes to estate Nicole C. Manley E. Kenneth Nyce planning. Unfortunately, studies show that the Law Office majority of American adults are completely unprepared with crucial emergency documentation. Join us to learn how to avoid pitfalls and tips on keeping your plan current.

RSVP to Jill by calling 610-624-1299 or email [email protected].

LEARN MORE AT 803 Penn Street • Reading, PA 19601 • www.ManorAtMarketSquare.com December 2020 SHALOM Page 9 JAFI makes immigrants’ dream come true Federation staff With JAFI’s assistance over the last 10 years, more than a quarter million immigrants have moved to Israel from 150 countries around the world. Every year thousands of people make Aliyah and immigrate to Israel, fulfilling their Zionist Dream. Whether they are fulfilling a dream or in need of rescue, JAFI helps all Jews to move to the Jewish homeland. “Many Jews come to Israel because they see opportunities for a better life,” said Malka, who made Aliyah from Latin America in 2019. “And while that’s true, even more importantly, I think that this is our place, our country.” “For me, Israel is hope. Hope that everything for a Jew is possible,” said Uriel, an oleh (immigrant to Israel) whose parents escaped the Nazi invasion of Poland, while Heading to Tel Aviv from Ethiopia. his wife’s parents fled Algeria and Morocco. environments by making Aliyah. Aliyah on the first Ethiopian Aliyah flight of “Our parents and grandparents had no In Ethiopia, JAFI has been instrumental the year. Zigala, the Asrash family patriarch, choice; today, we come by choice.” in helping our long-waiting brothers and was on the flight. His daughter Vadia and her Of course, while so many olim move sisters come home to the Jewish state. In children made Aliyah in 2006, but Zigala had to to Israel purely because they want to fulfill 2019, 663 Ethiopian Jews were brought stay behind in Ethiopia, awaiting approval from the Zionist vision of living in the Jewish to Israel. To date, this brings the total of the Israeli government to move to Israel. Every state, many immigrate to Israel for safety Ethiopian Jews JAFI has assisted in making day, as she settled into her new life in Bet reasons. In 2019, with anti-Semitism rising Aliyah to be more than 90,000. Shemesh, Vadia thought of her father, praying to alarming numbers in many countries But there are still many Ethiopian Jews for the day he could finally make Aliyah. The globally, and hitting record highs in the U.S., waiting to come to Israel and be reunited with Jewish Agency was able to finally bring Zigala more Jews than ever are fleeing oppressive loved ones. As part of Operation Yehudith to Israel, making for an emotional reunion with

governments or unsafe and antisemitic in February 2019, 83 Ethiopian Jews made Vadia and his grandchildren at the airport. Overseas Orthodox woman leading Israel’s cyber game Israel21c.com second husband. “He working. An interconnected world requires “On Friday morning I have on one ear was working for IBM a shift from centralized to distributed a conference call and one hand mixing back then, he was security. Protection is required for assets cholent, and with my foot I’m rocking the an executive, and and endpoints such as desktop computers baby carriage,” says Ola Sergatchov. “That’s he was wearing a and security cameras. “You’re making sure what my life looks like.” Vice president of black yarmulke,” she you’re applying security at the point that corporate strategy at Israeli data center says. “I just found you’re protecting,” she says. “Walls don’t and cloud security company Guardicore, this combination that work; you can break them.” Sergatchov was named one of the top 25 I was looking for, of Sergatchov notes the changes the local women leaders in cybersecurity of 2020. going out into the Ola Sergatchov high-tech industry is undergoing in terms She is a rarity in the Startup Nation: An modern world and of personnel. There is a gradual addition of Orthodox woman at the top of the game on still inside the home and the family adhering religious employees to formerly completely a largely secular playing field. “I’m a human to the values of Judaism and in particular of secular companies and adjustments to that being, a haredi [strictly religious] person, and Hasidut [Hasidism].” reality. I’m still part of this big world,” she notes. “I’m After obtaining a work visa, she took “Ten years ago it was unheard of that you’d just trying to get the word out that there is a a job at a startup doing data-based make accommodation for a religious person way. It’s not easy but I think you can follow security. The company was sold to Oracle, in terms of how you conduct business,” & I srael that path and it’s very beneficial at the end where Sergatchov moved into business she adds. “Today, our secular employers of the day for both sides.I grew up in Russia development before starting work at IBM, are willing to make these accommodations for the first 17 years of my life. I became which relocated her back to Israel in 2016. because it’s a two-way road: when you make Jewish Agency religious in Russia and that was one of the She joined Guardicore in 2018. one step the other side will make a step as for Israel reasons I decided to come to Israel.” As head of strategy, Sergatchov leads well.” Sergatchov said she is pleased to see She came to Jerusalem to study long-term processes and initiatives involving more women entering the industry. Yemin Orde economics. But when her first husband turned technical, product and customer aspects of She concedes she had to make personal her attention to her “head for programming,” the work. She develops strategic relationships sacrifices for her career. She believes both Jewish Federations she decided to switch to computer science. with global system integrators such as men and women need to find the right work- of North America She moved to the United States, where Accenture and Deloitte, as well as overseeing life balance. “It’s either equal responsibilities in she was struck by how haredi Jews were Guardicore’s customer advisory board. the house and the workforce, or something’s Joint Distribution greatly integrated into the workforce and Cybersecurity, Sergatchov notes, looks going to fall in between,” she concludes. society. That’s also when Sergatchov met her very different than it did when she started “There’s only 24 hours in a day.” Committee Meir Panim Page 10 SHALOM December 2020 Fascinating and fun Israeli programming in Berks

Some highlights of events led by Adi Shalev, our community’s Shlicha. Clockwise from top, a virtual talk by Or Cohen, the first-ever female commander of a Israeli naval combat vessel, making pita on the Tabon at an interactive treasure hunt, and a cooking class featuring shaksukah, tahini and Israeli salad. Join Adi for plenty of interesting events scheduled throughout the year. December 2020 SHALOM Page 11 Why UAE looks to Israel to secure food supplies

Israel21c.org Investment House and managing partner at a semiarid climate. “In our part of the think this is the power.” Food security is emerging as a key area Catalyst Fund. He and senior partners of his world they are not focusing on agri-tech Last February, well before COVID-19 in which the United Arab Emirates is eager Tel Aviv-based firm met with Hamed Ahmed enough. I heard Israel has the best startup and the Abraham Accords,Jerusalem- for Israeli expertise, according to Isareli and Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and the local ecosystem and agri-tech is a big part of based entrepreneur and PICO Venture UAE investors. stock exchange, to discuss opportunities for that,” Al Nowais says. Partners cofounder and managing partner The Gulf states import more than Israeli businesses. “One topic that came up Cukierman learned that it’s not only Elie Wurtman visited the UAE and Bahrain. 90% of their food. This issue intensified again and again is food security.” human food security at stake. The UAE’s UAE investor Ibrahim Ajami had invited when pandemic-related transportation Established Israeli companies in fields multimillion-dollar camel racing industry Israelis to invest in his country and spurred stoppages disrupted supply for several such as precision agriculture and irrigation, requires a million tons of ultra-premium similar invitations from leaders in other Gulf months. The UAE now has a food security seed treatment, desalination and solar feed annually. states. On Oct. 18, Wurtman flew to the minister and Food Security Council. energy can step swiftly into the welcoming Ahmed Nasser Al Nowais added that the UAE on a historic direct flight from Tel Aviv The Abraham Accords between Israel UAE landscape and perhaps even partner Emiratis are excited about the normalization with a delegation led by U.S. Secretary of and the UAE and with Bahrain a month with UAE ag-tech startups. “We have agreement with Israel. “You have more the Treasury Steve Mnuchin. Wurtman later give these countries access to identified 200 companies that we think fit excellent ideas than I ever saw from one wrote in a Dubai newspaper that he was promising food-supply solutions from the the food-security sector, and we’ll choose country,” he says. impressed by the UAE government’s ground up. about 20 that have a major opportunity to Al Nowais chairs the events committee Ministry of Possibilities founded in 2019, and “The Gulf states see how we produce deploy in the UAE,” says Cukierman. of the new nonprofit, government- sees many opportunities for Israeli water, vegetables in the desert and are very Abu Dhabi-based investor Ahmed supported Emirates Angels Investors desert agriculture and solar technologies, impressed. This is essential to them and Nasser Al Nowais confirms that producing Association, which signed a partnership among others. More than that, he added, they seek companies that can deploy food locally is a top priority. His country deal with Tel Aviv Capital investment “I am most passionate about collaborating technologies tomorrow,” says Edouard hopes to incorporate Israeli methods to bank and co-hosted an online investor around education and creating an exchange Cukierman, chairman of Cukierman do so economically and sustainably in summit on Sept. 22 with Jerusalem- between Israeli and Emirati youth to engage based OurCrowd. “We’re excited about in the world of possibilities, innovation and this historic moment for the region, and creating a better future for all in the region.” to expand a community of peaceful Next year, Wurtman plans to bring 20 coexistence and, most importantly, build a young ambassadors from his PICO Kids powerful engine of economic and cultural initiative — founded in 2012 to provide exchange,” Emirates Angels Chairman informal education in STEEM (science, Masaood Al Masaood said. technology, engineering, entrepreneurship Al Nowais added “The three main and math) to multi-ethnic Jerusalem objectives of the Emirates Angels Investors fourth- to ninth-graders — to meet the next Association are to educate angel investors generation of entrepreneurs in the UAE. on opportunities and risks; collaborate with “They will build gadgets – and bridges incubators and accelerators in the UAE – together. They will meet courageous and around the world; and provide [vetted] investors like Ibrahim Ajami, eat hummus startups to these angel investors. In a year together, play backgammon or X-Box, or two, we want to be a safe place for angel and collectively work to solve some of the investors to come to the UAE.” He says region’s most pressing problems.” mentoring and professional networking News of joint UAE-Israeli projects are just as vital for startups as financing. and investments has been swirling. An He expects this will be easy to accomplish online platform, the UAE-Israel List, was with Israelis. “I think you have the best created to start networking and build ecosystem because you collaborate friendship, peace and understanding together, even if you have differences. I through advancement of business.” Page 12 SHALOM December 2020 Making a difference with Blankets of Hope

By Carole Robinson The temperature outside may be dropping, but I have a story to share with you that will fill you

e with warmth. My story begins with the COVID-19 infection, which is c mainly transmitted by

i respiratory droplets produced when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe.

v According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, data supports community masking to reduce the spread of

r COVID-19. When Pennsylvania mandated a mask policy in public spaces, I had the privilege of connecting with Marc Goldstein, President and Founder of Blankets of e Hope, at a Kesher Zion board meeting; he generously offered to donate a significant number of disposable masks to Jewish

S Family Service. Thanks to his donations, JFS has been Carole Robinson and Marc Goldstein with a few of the many masks he has donated to the community. able to hold monthly mask distribution events and provide hundreds of masks each month to community members. During you if you want a warm blanket. If you are bed that they can call their own, it instills

l y Marc’s most recent visit to the Federation in a car accident, they usually wrap you in some confidence and self-pride. Getting a bringing a bag bulging with 1,000 sterile a blanket. A blanket gives you security, it good night’s sleep is also healthier for body

i face masks, I interviewed him to learn more gives you warmth and it gives you hope.” and mind, which helps to develop a more about Blankets of Hope and its mission. Blankets of Hope purchases 50” x 60” productive lifestyle.” Since its inception, Marc was inspired to establish Blankets fleece blankets for $5. The blankets are Blankets of Hope has donated 180 bed of Hope in December of 2011 after reading not stored but are shipped directly to the sets. depressing stories about the poverty rate organization in need, eliminating overhead Blankets of Hope has evolved from an in Reading. Instead of focusing on the costs. Since its creation, Blankets of Hope organization committed only to helping the m negative, Marc wanted to do something has donated 57,000 blankets to over 100 homeless. During the pandemic, Blankets uplifting for the local community. An idea organizations. of Hope provided 85,000 disposable clicked when one of his customers ordered In July 2019, Blankets of Hope expanded masks to local organizations. They donate

a fleece blankets to distribute as holiday gifts. its mission to include the ”bed program.” blankets to veterans, cancer and hospice Marc checked with Sharon Parker, Marc learned that some local children patients, animal rescues, children’s homes, Executive Director of Berks Coalition to End were sleeping on the floor, a sofa, or domestic abuse victims, foster care, Homelessness, to see if her organization sharing a bed. He contacted Chris Fecera ambulance agencies, firefighters, law F needed blankets. She connected him with at Fecera’s Furniture, who passed along enforcement, and so many more in our Opportunity House, Hope Rescue Mission, a manufacturer discount (one free bed for community and beyond. Mary’s Shelter, YMCA of Reading, and every five beds purchased), agreeing to According to Marc: “We’re able to make

h the Berks Counseling Center. After Marc store the beds and provide free delivery. an immediate impact. Every penny donated established the local need for blankets Each bed set ($165) includes a twin to Blankets of Hope is used to purchase and got a supplier, he founded Blankets of mattress and box spring, a mattress pad, blankets, beds and bedding for those Hope as a nonprofit with a $50 donation sheets, a pillow, and two blankets. individuals in need. After all, every person from him and another $50 from his father, Marc told me, “Most people who are deserves to feel Secure, to be Warm, and Martin Goldstein. leaving a facility such as Safe Berks to have HOPE!” Marc explained why blankets are most likely have nothing of their own, let If you would like to learn more about essential. “Most children use a blanket for alone a bed, because they usually are Blankets of Hope or would like to make security. When we are sick, we get under leaving everything behind to escape a bad a donation, please contact Marc at a blanket. If we are chilled, we grab a situation. Most importantly, when a child [email protected] or write to blanket. If you are in a hospital, they ask or an adult gets to sleep on a brand-new Marc at PO Box 3617, Reading, PA. 19606. Poetry corner ewi s Do You Remember? Do you remember eating bagels that cost five cents each, or going to the shore to play on the beach? Do you remember crying when you could not get your way? Do you remember all the fun you had at home? J Do you remember when you were happy every day? That is why I am writing this poem. You were happy because your whole family was here. Do you remember all the good times you had, Food Pantry You had good health, a job and had no fear, and can put aside all the times that were bad? Friendship Circle of anyone hurting you or robbing you in your house. We all had good times and we all had a bad day. You and your family could depend on your spouse. Counseling Services Please just remember all the good ones-this is all I can say. To take care of you for ever and ever and ever, Do you remember what is important to you? Transportation and to be there for you in every endeavor. You want to be a good person and a good Jew. Do you remember your senior prom? Financial Assistance You had a beautiful gown picked out by your mom. Hope to see you all soon – Stay well! Hospital and — Tootie Moyer Home Visitations

Living with Loss

Information and Help is available Referral Jewish Family Service wants to help Jewish community members who are Case Management struggling due to COVID-19. JFS is ready to assist individuals and families Holiday Programs facing eviction, utility shut-off, and food scarcity.

For assistance, contact Carole or Sari at 610-921-0624. Your phone call to JFS will be kept confidential December 2020 SHALOM Page 13 Jewish Family Service keeps up essential work

Jewish Family Service has been busy this fall. Clockwise from top left, volunteers help open a new food pantry at Reading Hampden Heights SDA Church, which distributed food to 60 households; volunteer Paul Schwartz prepares to hand out a turkey for Thanksgiving at the JFS Food Pantry at the Olivet Boys and Girls Club; JFS volunteer Phyllis Dessel presents a program on “The ABC’s of Medicare.”

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2000 Cambridge Avenue | Wyomissing, PA 19610 Page 14 SHALOM December 2020 Year-end tax planning using your IRA

By Richard Nassau The maximum total amount for your This material is for informational advice. You should always consult your own Make sure to consult a tax adviser to QCD in a calendar year is $100,000. purposes only. It is not intended to provide financial advisor to determine if a qualified determine how the following information Eligible IRA accounts: traditional, or be relied upon for, tax, legal or accounting charitable distribution is right for you. applies to you. Inherited, inactive SEP and inactive If you are over the age of 70½, you SIMPLE plans. can lower your taxes by transferring all or QCDs are not allowed to donor part of the Required Minimum Distribution advised funds or to private or supporting KZ ADULT EDUCATION 2020-2021 (RMD) from your IRA directly to qualified foundations. charities like the Jewish Federation of You may not receive any benefits in Reading/Berks. The amount is up to you return for your QCD. with Dr. Robert Seesengood and when done properly this amount IRA contributions made after 70½ can be excluded (within limits) from your cannot be used as a QCD. adjusted gross income. If you turn 70½ this year, a QCD will Qualified Charitable Distributions not count toward your required minimum You must be at least 70½ years old distribution. Reading the Writings: The Ketuvim in Scholarship and Popular Culture at the time you request a QCD. Make sure to contact Federation and You know, very well, the stories of Ruth and Esther. You’ve read Qohelet often. But how far Generally, distributions must be other charities about your QCD. This into Psalms have you gone? Are Jewish proverbs the source of both Jewish wisdom and Jew- completed by Dec. 31 each year. ensures you are properly acknowledged ish comedy? Are Job and Shir Hashirim dramas (or the inspiration for modern movies)? Funds must be transferred directly for your gift to comply with IRS guidelines And what about Chronicles? Or the weird and mysterious book of Daniel? The Ketuvim are from your IRA custodian to the qualified for QCDs. a fascinating collection, tucked into the back of the Bible, that is brimming with strange and charity. For more information, email interesting content. They’ve been a regular interest to scholars; they tell us a great deal about how ancient Jews thought and lived, and about how the Bible came together. The You can make multiple QCDs to any [email protected] or call Ketuvim have staying power; they show up in a great deal in popular culture, and their sto- number of charities in a calendar year. Richard Nassau at 610 921 0624. ries brim with witty language and with characters – Esther, Ruth, David, Solomon – who are integral to Jewish imagination. This class, over the winter and spring of 2020-2021, is an opportunity to read through the Ketuvim together and discover again these wonderful Writ- ings. Pomegranate sorbet This class will be held online on the second Thursday of the month: 6:30-7:30 pm a cool, tasty treat November 12 ~ December 10 ~ January 14 ~ February 11 From online news sources 2 cups freshly squeezed pomegranate March 11 ~ April 8 ~ May 13 ~ June 10 A Looking for something cool and juice (from 4 large pomegranates) or tasty? Try this pomegranate sorbet bottled juice You don’t need an ice cream maker to Juice of half a lemon You must register for the course or for an individual class in order to receive the Zoom link. whip up a batch of this delightful frozen Mint to garnish You can contact us at: [email protected] dessert. And it’s perfect after the Jewish  New Year. Directions: Dr. Robert Seesengood (Th.M., Princeton Theological Seminary; Ph.D., Drew University) is Professor of Religious Studies and We in Israel are downright proud of 1. Make syrup: Combine water, Associate Dean at Albright College, Reading, PA. He is the author of numerous articles and five books, all on the subject of biblical our ruby-red pomegranates. They’ve sugar, honey and mint. Boil 2-3 minutes studies. He’s currently at work on American Standard: The Bible in U.S. Popular Media and Culture (Blackwell).  been growing here since biblical times until sugar dissolves. Turn off heat and and are not only gorgeous to behold but set aside to cool. 555 Warwick Drive, Wyomissing, PA 19610 also a superfood packed with nutrients, 2. Squeeze pomegranates and 610Ͳ374Ͳ1763 antioxidants and healing properties. lemon half. Email: [email protected] As a cooling summer treat, this sorbet 3. Combine syrup with juices and can’t be beat. let cool. Web: www.kesherzion.org Pomegranate Sorbet 4. Extract the mint and pour the 5-10 minutes prep time liquid into a 9×13 baking dish. Transfer 2-3 hours in freezer; to freezer. 5 minutes to process/serve 5. Let freeze for 1.5 hours. Mix with Ingredients: a fork and put back in freezer. Repeat 1¾ cups water process until firm, then process in food 1¾ cups sugar processor and pour back into the dish. 2 tablespoons honey Freeze 4-6 hours. Few sprigs fresh mint 6. Serve garnished with mint.

We are all responsible for the continued vitality of the Jewish organizations important to us.

To create your Jewish legacy contact: Richard Nassau, Director of Development • [email protected] • 610.921.0624 ReadingJewishCommunity.org December 2020 SHALOM Page 15 Each of us can be the miracle this Chanukah By Rabbi Brian Michelson this celebration. We thank God for went ahead and re-lit the Menorah It is not at all surprising that Israel’s Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom standing by us in times of trouble, for in the Temple. The Maccabees acted national anthem is titled, Hatikvah, Please, don’t call vindicating us, and for delivering the out of faith; they did what needed to The Hope. Israel was not founded on me the Grinch who strong into the hands of the weak. It be done. The first light, then, was miracles — it was built on hope in the stole Chanukah, but mentions rededicating the Temple, the greatest miracle because our face of despair. “As long as a Jewish I have my doubts but Al HaNissim does not mention a Jewish faith overcame despair and heart beats … our hope will not be when it comes to the miraculous cruse of oil. hopelessness. lost.” Those are the words of Hatikvah, Festival of Lights. That story of the oil first appeared A cruse of oil that burns for or as David Ben Gurion said, “Anyone These days when in the Talmud, some 600 years after eight days instead of one day is who doesn’t believe in miracles is not I tell the story of the Maccabean revolt. Even then, not a miracle — that’s a special a realist.” Chanukah, I tend the sages were confused. “Why effect. It’s sort of cool but it is not So, did one little cruse of oil burn to play down the exactly do we celebrate Chanukah,” that important. The faith of the for eight days? I don’t know. That’s not miracle of the oil that burned for they ask. Maccabees, their willingness to stand why I celebrate Chanukah. For me, eight days. There are reasons we It occurred to me: Even if you buy up against tyranny and hate, and Chanukah is about hope, courage, and celebrate Chanukah, but I’m not into the story of the oil that burned their perseverance — those are true a willingness to act. convinced that the oil is one of for eight days, maybe there was a miracles! Miracles happen because As we celebrate Chanukah this them. greater miracle that took place 2,200 we dare to act even when it seems year, let us remember: We can Al HaNissim, the prayer we years ago. The miracle was that the that we can’t make a difference, even be a single cruse of oil. We can recite each day during the week Maccabees never lost their faith. when the odds are against us, and be the miracle — we can make a of Chanukah, doesn’t mention the Even though they knew that they even when it would be easier to just difference. That is something worth oil. It provides other reasons for did not have enough oil to last, they give up. celebrating. Chanukah lets us celebrate the power of light

By Rabbi Yosef Lipsker as described in the Torah, reflect ugliness of darkness. profound than you ever imagined. Chabad Center of Berks County their particular character. Darkness Furthermore, during darkness we It is also what makes Chanukah Chanukah recalls the victory of is identified as ‘Night’, while light is yearn for … light! so special. It is, after all, the festival the forces of good described as ‘Day’. 3) The darkness actually helps the that is deepest into the chill, gloom over the forces of Amazingly, in the English language light to sparkle. If one holds a lit candle and darkness of winter. It is precisely darkness and evil. “light” and “night” are the same word during the day, one barely knows it. at times like this that we need a The flames of the with just one change of letter. This At night, however, its light sparkles strong reminder that light has hidden, Chanukah lights seem is significant, because in Jewish like never before. In one instant, the mysterious powers, the most important to overpower and philosophy these two are grouped darkness that has opposed the light is being its ability to change a situation banish the darkness together to better illustrate their now assisting it to be better noticed! and replace it with brightness and of “the night”. contrasting effects. Going from night It’s not that the light really improves warmth. Indeed, the laws to light is a logical step, with night its shine. It remains as it originally was. As we observe the beautiful of Chanukah are very seemingly helping the light to assert But because of the darkness, its glow Chanukah lights (a most important clear. The lights are to be kindled only itself. is revealed as something that sparkles. requirement of the Mitzvah) we should after the sun has set and night has This can best be understood by Here are some extraordinary remember the miracle, which was all descended. The emphasis is on the introducing a number of salient points examples of darkness assisting the about difficult and dangerous times natural setting of darkness, which is regarding light. light. that were transformed through faith then dispelled with the help of these 1) Light has an obvious advantage When a candle or light burns, and prayer, the lights of our religion. beautiful and special lights. Then and superiority over darkness. This is we admire its soothing clarity and It reminds us, too, not to be afraid there is the tradition that the light is to clearly evident by the fact that it only brightness. We rarely consider that the and despondent, even as the storms be visible to the street, advertising its takes a tiny amount of light to banish energy is supplied by wax or oil. The rage. It only takes a little light to make message to the outside world. a larger quantity of darkness. What’s source is concealed (like darkness). a difference. While others are being The Chanukah lights have the power more, the darkness disappears by Yet from these shaded shadows there taught the ‘art’ of darkness, we know to penetrate the darkness of the home itself! There is no struggle, no effort! emerges light! the truth — that light is not only more and counter the threat and hazard of This indicates the innate power of Another illustration is the black of powerful, but also that the darkness outside, harmful influences. light. the eye, from which vision is achieved. itself ends up assisting. Light. It is powerful even in 2) The darkness itself actually The early Rabbinic Sages point out Our mission statement is to bring its slightest exposure. It provides confirms light’s superiority. When one (and this is now backed up scientifically) the warmth of our time honoured illumination and radiance, and warms has been confined to darkness for a that it is only the black of the eye that values and guidance into our lives. We us with its glow. Light is so mysterious period of time and then released into assists vision, even though black is the should strengthen our own commitment and majestic that it is often used as a the light, there is tremendous relief opposite of light. and involvement with our eternal metaphor for many Divine and religious and an appreciation for its glow and By understanding point #3 mentioned light of Torah. This will illuminate our concepts. illumination. Accordingly, one is more earlier, one can better appreciate why family’s life and assist in banishing any Its fundamental purpose and function aware of light, through darkness and this is so. The darkness reveals the negativity. is to reveal. Darkness conceals, while night which it replaces! Conversely, light’s (vision) true sparkle. Have a wonderful, happy and light uncovers. Their respective names, one also immediately recognizes the Yes, the miracle of light is more sparkling Chanukah!

A new six-session JLI course, coming Spring ‘20

A new six-session JLI course, coming Spring ‘20 Secrets of the Bible ICONIC STORIES,Secrets MYSTICAL of the MEANINGS, Bible AND THEIR LESSONS FOR LIFE ICONIC STORIES, MYSTICAL MEANINGS, AND THEIR LESSONS FOR LIFE 6 Sundays, starting November 8th | 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. via Zoom please register by e-mail at [email protected] 6 Sundays, starting November 8th | 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. via Zoom please register by e-mail at [email protected] Page 16 SHALOM December 2020 RCOS Food Festival triumphs over obstacles

An intrepid group of volunteers made this year’s drive-thru version of the Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom Jewish Food and Cultural Festival a big success. Neither a pandemic nor miserable weather could keep the congregation from continuing what has become a tremendously popular community tradition.

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ENT Head & Neck Specialists, PC 985 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing 610-374-5599 • www.ent-hns.net MayDecember 2010 2020 SHALOMShalom PagePage 17 10 Federation Honorial - Memorial Card Information HonorialsHonorials and and Memorials Memorials ContributionsContributions may may be be made made to to the the following following Funds: Funds: Please mail your payment with complete information to the Jewish UJA-Federation Campaign $10 Federation, PO Box 14925, Reading, PA 19612-4925 or bring to the Jewish Federation Jewish Community Campaign Cultural Center, 1100 Berkshire Blvd, Suite 125, Wyomissing. You may set up Jewish Family Service $10 a “savings account” for the purpose of sending cards. Please contact the Leo Camp LectureLecture FundFund $10 Jewish Federation at 610-921-0624 for further information. JFS FoodFood BankBank $25 JFS Taxi TransportationTransportation ProgramProgram $20 Contributions as of Nov. 13 Contributions as of April 16 Holocaust Library & Resource CenterCenter $18 Doris Levin Fund UJA-FederationJewish Family Service Campaign Doris Levin Fund $10 In memory of: In honor of: PJ Library Fund Elaine Levine – Sean Kardon, Berna Sherman and family, Doris and Elliott Sarah Simon’s engagement – Vic and Dena Hammel Michael ClyminHarry (Ellen & Abramson’sRose Sack father) Fund – Susan and Richard D’Angelo Leisawitz Alma and Ed Lakin’s new home – Vic and Dena Hammel, Mildred & Ivan Frank MehringerEvelyn – Edith Thompson Mendelsohn Fund Harold Spector – Robert and Sheila Spector Gordon Stanley Ferber (Sari Incledon’s father) – Corinne and Andy Wernick, Dena and Sam Goodman’s engagement – Alma and Ed Lakin Vic Hammel, Carol and Gordon Perlmutter, Debbie Goodman and John Moyer, Sue Alyse Corbin’s marriage – Carol and Bernie Gerber, Alma and Ed Lakin Doris Levin Fund Wachs, Anzie and Edward Golden, Al and Betsy Katz, Debbie and David Goldberg, Stanley Ferber (Sari Incledon’s father) – Sue Schlanger, Louise Zeidman, Sue Viener’s Birthday – Yvonne & Rob Oppenheimer In memory of: Nancy Osborn and Marty Beilin, Lorrie Heisler and Jennie Saft, Sue and Mel Blum, Cheryl and Eric Farber Birth of Selma Cutler’s great-grandson Jacob - Debbie Goodman and John Dr. Walter Gershenfeld – Stephanie and Dennis Arbige, Carole and Mike Rita Sugarman and Jeff Hantgan, Louis Shucker and Sherry Faust, Saul, Donna and – Jonathan and Jan Simon Moyer RobinsonDavid Bender Neil Eisenberg, Berna Sherman and family, Selma Levan, Roger Schein, Jonathan Birth of Carol and Gordon Perlmutter’s new grandson – Debbie Goodman and Shoshana Tannenbaum – Carole and Mike Robinson and Jan Simon John Moyer Federation Jewish Community Campaign David Bender – Corinne and Andy Wernick. Ellen and Don Abramson, Doris HolocaustIn memory of: Library and Resource Center and Elliott Leisawitz, Al and Betsy Katz Get well: In memorySelma Cutler of: – Dena and Vic Hammel Harold “Duke”Pototsky – Doris and Elliott Leisawitz, Jonathan and Jan Simon Harold Leifer – Rob and Yvonne Oppenheimer Shoshana Tannenbaum – Ken and Mary Holt, George and Sue Viener, Sue Peter Bludman – Roger Schein DorisSchlanger, Levin Gordon Memorial and Carol Fund Perlmutter, Leah Kanter-Salis, Rosemary and John Rita Wilikofsky – Berna Sherman and family, Selma Levan Evelyn Thompson Nursery School Fund InDeegan, memory Naum of: and Lyudmila Ger, Louis and Katherine Danzico, Florence and June Beck (Shelley Fogelman’s mother) – Doris and Elliott Leisawitz In memory of: MarvinRita Segal,Wilikofsky Vic and – Stephanie Dena Hammel, and Dennis Emma Arbige Holder, Susan Gallagher, Mildred & Robert Brok – Jonathan and Jan Simon Shoshana Tannenbaum – Beth and Bob Caster Ivan Gordon, Carrie & Stephen Latman, Judy, Bob & Susan Pollack, Anna & Moisey Schneider, Norman & Rita Wilikofsky, Audrey Williams, Alan and Esther Strauss, In honor of: Friendship Circle Fund Jewish Family Service Jay and Evelyn Lipschutz, Carol and Bernie Gerber, Barbara and Seth Rosenzweig, Sari Incledon’s semi-retirement and her many years of dedicated service In memory of: In honor of: John Castrege and – family,Carol Greenberg Michael Geraci, Maxine & Dick Henry, Piekara Family, to the Jewish Community – Robert and Sheila Spector Elaine Levine Birth of Carol and Gordon Perlmutter’s new grandson – Sue and George Viener, Laura Higgins – Carol Greenberg Birth of Jackye and Jim Barrer’s grandson – Doris and Elliott Leisawitz Rita Wilikofsky Betsy and Al Katz Bat Mitzvah of Fran Mendelsohn’s granddaughter – Rosalye Yashek Evelyn Thompson Nursery School Fund (Lakin Preschool) JFS Food Pantry InFriendship honor of: Circle In honor of: In memory of: SarenaGet well: Kabakoff’s marriage – Beth and Bob Caster ShoshanaRachel Reyner’s Tannenbaum engagement – Jill andto Harrison Gladys KrupnickSkaist – Jonathan and Jan Simon Harold Leifer – Glenn and Gaye Corbin Judy Schwank’s re-election as state Senator – Louise Zeidman In memory of: Raie Fogelman – Beth and Bob Caster In memory of: Holocaust education spreading inStanley Berks Ferber (Sari County Incledon’s father) – Beth and Bob Caster Sydney Sussman – Henry and Helene Singer ContinuedSheila Brooks from Page – Henry 5 and Helene Singeralso that the students are genuinely On a wider note, there have justice and Holocaust remembrance today. silence is not the reason why survivors interested in hearing their stories. I know been many recent developments in I am heartened to hear that three additional are invited in. Instead, that factor is my students were genuinely interested in Holocaust education in Berks County schools in Berks County will be offering present because of the immense respect hearing Hilde’s story and many still talk and the surrounding areas. Within these courses for their students. students have for these individuals and about it now, several weeks later. the past month I have met with two Though the fourth quarter of the individuals who are in the process school year has begun, there are still of developing a Holocaust course to many additional opportunities that  be offered at their local high school. remain. I just spoke to an undergraduate  One gentleman was from Lancaster ethics class at Penn State Berks County. The other, Gerry Evans, is a regarding the ethical/moral implications teacher at Hamburg High School. I of the Holocaust. I found the students  have been in contact with two other to be receptive and inquisitive and local teachers, Pete Ruckelshaus at have been asked to deliver a similar  Twin Valley and Jim Konecke at Wilson program in the classes that the same  High School. Pete has resurrected a professor also teaches at Reading Area course on Holocaust Literature at Twin Community College.  Valley, and its first offering is during As mentioned above, Kim Yashek, the current fourth quarter. He is very daughter of the late local Holocaust excited about offering this course to survivor Richard Yashek, is speaking at  his students and has even lined up Twin Valley, Hamburg and Fleetwood.  several guest speakers including Rabbi Right now Albright College is hosting Brian Michelson, Kim Yashek and Hilde an exhibit titled, “Stories Among Us: Gernsheimer. Washington State Connections to the Jim Konecke is teaching at Wilson Holocaust, Lessons in Genocide.” The Central Junior High but will be moving up exhibit includes the stories of five Holocaust to Wilson High School at the beginning survivors and one liberator and has of next school year. He will be offering a received good reviews. It is definitely course on Nazi Germany. His students worth a visit! It will be at Albright’s Gingrich will be studying this period of German Library through May 10. history in depth, including a study of the *** rise of anti-Semitism, the initial period of Jennifer Goss teaches social studies the Holocaust and the Final Solution. The in the Fleetwood School District and latter partW ofY theO courseMIS willS IlookNG at post-war OPT OspecializesMETR IinC Holocaust CEN Teducation.ER The Best Care In Sight! Plan for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Wedding Guests! Comprehensive Vision & Medical Eye Care

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