Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks Non-Profit Organization Jewish Cultural Center, PO Box 14925 U.S. Postage PAID Reading, PA 19612-4925 Permit No. 2 readingjewishcommunity.org Reading, PA Change Service Requested Enriching Lives Volume 49, No. 4 April 2019 Adar II - Nisan 5779 ShaloThe Journal of the Reading Jewish Communitym published by0 the Jewish4 Federation1 of Reading/Berks9 Your Federation Supports: Jewish Education Standing with our Muslim friends By Bill Franklin is a sacred space. Reading’s prayer service the day after the Food Pantry The Jewish Federation of Reading is As Muslim leaders stood with us in the massacre to extend to them the Reading Friendship Circle horrified by the recent terrorist attacks that wake of the Pittsburgh shootings, we stand Jewish community’s condolences. We will targeted two mosques in Christchurch, with our Muslim friends and will continue continue to work together against bigotry Chevra New Zealand. We extend our deepest to fight against hate and extremism both at and violence. condolences to the families and loved ones home and abroad. During the service I noted that the Community Shabbat of the victims and to the people of New The Jewish Federation will accept phrase Salaam Alaikum is equivalent to our Zealand. donations to help the Muslim community Shalom Aleichem ( peace be with you) and Reading Jewish Film Series We also send heartfelt condolences to of Christchurch, New Zealand. Amin is equivalent to our Amen. Both were PJ Library members of our Muslim community — our Community members can give via www. often repeated. neighbors — who are hurting from this readingjewishcommunity.org or send Our communities will work together until Jewish Family Service hateful act. This is a tragedy not only checks to 1100 Berkshire Blvd. Suite 125 peace is upon us all. for Muslims but for all people and all Wyomissing, PA 19610. To this we all say Amen/Amin — may Jewish Cultural Center communities of faith. A house of worship I attended the Islamic Center of it be. Lakin Holocaust Library & Resource Center 2 Yom Hashoah events set for May Israel & Overseas By Amanda J. Hornberger a secret band of journalists, scholars and candle lighting by our local Holocaust In honor of Holocaust Memorial Day, community leaders decided to fight back. survivors and survivor family members Camp Scholarships Yom Hashoah, Jewish Federation of Led by historian Emanuel Ringelblum and will take place starting at 7 p.m. at Israel Trips Reading will hold two community events known by the code name Oyneg Shabes, the Highlands (2000 Cambridge Ave. in May. this clandestine group vowed to defeat Nazi Wyomissing). Jewish Community Back by popular demand, Jewish lies and propaganda not with guns or fists This year’s theme will be How & Why Federation of Reading/Berks, the Lakin but with pen and paper. The group told the We Remember and focus on Holocaust High School Holocaust Library & Resource Center and truth and risked everything so that their memory and memorialization. Local Fox Theatres will host an encore screening archive would survive the war, even if they educator Sean Gaston will present on Emergency Support of the new documentary “Who Will Write did not. This is the story behind “Who Will his recent educational trip to Europe to Lakin Preschool Our History” on Wednesday, May 1 at 7 Write Our History”. study the Holocaust and how the Shoah is p.m. at Fox East, 4350 Perkiomen Avenue, Immediately following the screening, remembered throughout Europe including Richard J. Yashek Lecture Exeter Township (next to Boscov’s East). Dr. Jennifer Koosed of the Albright College at various death camps. Admission is $5 per person. Holocaust Studies faculty will lead a brief The event is free and open to the Transportation In November 1940, days after the Nazis discussion. community, and a light dessert reception Maimonides Society sealed 450,000 Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto, On Thursday, May 2, a commemorative will follow the program. Your Jewish Legacy 92ND ST Y Programs Purim fun for everyone Joint Distribution Committee Meir Panim Annual Campaign Jewish Agency for Israel Yemin Orde School Education Programs Interfaith Unity Council Israel Advocacy Youth Events Great Decisions Series Jewish Community Relations Council Community Holiday Programs Women’s Philanthropy Jewish Federations of North America Counseling Services Leo Camp Lecture The community enjoyed another festive Purim. At top left, Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom presented its fourth annual Purim Spiel, this time with a Disney theme. Shabbat B’Yachad The fun continued the next day with Purim in the Air, a family event at Chabad co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks. Page 2 SHALOM April 2019 Reflecting Jewish values through our work By Richard Nassau organizations. I’m not surprised to learn it is our Jewish values that remain constant Development Director this. Our communities are more diverse. and evident. People in every Our response as a Jewish Federation is to The last two key findings from the Jewish generation discover engage people in new ways that continue to giving study reinforce the importance of our what is unique to them. reflect our values as a Jewish community. values. For American Jews, it has little to This includes finding We have done this. As our community do with age or income. As income rises, so t new ways to approach has diversified, so has the way does their charitable giving. In addition, the issues that confront Federation supports programs in the age of American Jews is not a significant every generation. My community. The Greater Reading Unity factor in the amount and frequency of their mother and father Coalition is an example. The Coalition charitable gifts. n approached parenting is comprised of organizations that The Jewish Federation of Reading/ differently than I do and, no doubt, differently represent the Muslim, Hispanic and Berks will continue to emphasize our Jewish from their parents. African-American communities, along values in everything we do throughout e So I react when someone tells me that with the Jewish Federation of Reading/ 2019. I invite you to take some time and look “this generation” isn’t as generous as past Berks. Like our donors we don’t operate at our community values and programs. If generations. This person then sets about in a vacuum. We understand how there is a program that is needed or should listing (and it is a long list) the many reasons important it is to be part of the greater be reviewed, let us know. It is your gift to why people aren’t as philanthropic towards Berks County community. Federation’s Community Campaign that the Jewish community as in the past. The study found that giving by American supports these values. m Five years ago, Jim Gerstein, Steve Jews remains robust, especially when Our goal is to ensure our Jewish values Cohen and J Shawn Landres conducted compared to the rest of the US population. are reflected in everything we do as a a national study that looked at giving Only 63 percent of non-Jewish Americans Jewish Federation. It could be Federation’s by American Jews. They raise some make a charitable contribution. Why is this? work helping people who are disadvantaged p cautionary flags, but they also found that The biggest factor influencing or our commitment to providing educational American Jews continue to be charitable. contributions to the Jewish community by opportunities for our children or the way The concern is that giving rates, while American Jews is their connection and we are bringing people together as one o remaining high, are now spread between engagement with the Jewish community. community. Jewish and non-Jewish organizations. The type of connection almost doesn’t We know generations may change, but l Their findings showed that 80 percent matter. The connection can be through the values we share as a Jewish community of the people who identify as Jewish and religious service attendance or marriage; remain. make charitable contributions give to or it can be just having Jewish friends or If you’d like to be involved or need e Jewish organizations. That’s the good volunteering through a Jewish organization. more information about our programs, news. The issue the authors raised is that Looking closely, I believe the reason for this contact me at 610 921 0624 or visit of this group, 92 percent give to non-Jewish is because no matter how people connect ReadingJewishCommunity.org. v Women’s Philanthropy April 16th Join us as we come together as women on April 16th at 7:00 pm for an e interactive evening with well-known author and activist Letty Cottin Pogrebin. Sponsored by Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, April 16th is an opportunity to connect with your neighbors and friends. We’ll explore the pivotal role of Jewish women and how we can achieve what we want for our D community and our families. The evening supports Federation’s Women’s Campaign. There will be an opportunity to make a Annual Campaign campaign gift and share the common bond of women working together to repair the world. Women’s Philanthropy Preregistration is required by April 5th - ReadingJewishCommunity.org or 610 921 0624. Maimonides Society Your Jewish Legacy Chai Circle Your Community Campaign Gift Supports: L’Chaim Society Jewish Family Service – Providing human services for the entire community. JFS serves as an important Book of Life resource for individuals and families often filling-in the overlooked gaps in community services. JFS Letter of Intent many programs include counseling, transportation, in-home visits, and its monthly Food Pantry. Six percent of your community campaign gift supports the JFS Food Pantry.