The Fun Goes on with Shafty!

hironThe Monthly Newsletter from Shir Ami in Newtown, Pennsylvania

SMAY • JUNE 2021 | Iyar • Sivan • Tammuz 5781

THE FUN GOES ON WITH SHAFTY!

inside:

Rabbi Briskin: What it Means to “Return Again”...... 3 May & June Services Calendar...... 4 Community Events...... 6 Order Your Shir Ami T-Shirt...... 11

...and much more - IN THIS ISSUE OF SHIRON!

Return Again

There is a lyric to a melody often sung at the High Holy What new ways of gathering might we see in the months Days which also speaks to us at this moment in the life ahead? Periodic Shabbat services on site for a limited of our congregation. “Return again, return again, return number of people, either in the sanctuary or weather to the home of your soul.” permitting outdoors. Not every week, but if we are able to get used to the idea of gathering in person again, it Many of us are yearning to return: to work and to will help us prepare for whatever a new normal could school; to camp, restaurants and the gym. We yearn to possibly be in the fall. return to living as we once did before the pandemic. RABBI CHARLES BRISKIN We have recently increased our capacity for b.mitzvah High among those places for which we yearn to return is services to 50 guests. Having now presided over Shir Ami. several in person services with larger numbers, it does feel a bit more normal in the sanctuary, even if we are still wearing masks. For many Shir Ami is our “Third Place.” Based on an idea first articulated by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1990 book, Our Confirmation Service and our Board Installation services later “The Great Good Place” a third place comes after the home and this month will be in person. In person participation for these special the workplace as the next most important place to gather. Howard ceremonies will be limited to those being honored, however we will Schultz, former CEO of The Starbucks Corporation championed livestream to the entire congregation so that all may participate, as we the idea of the “Third Place.” He wanted every Starbucks to be begin to experiment with hybrid worship experiences. an important gathering place in our communities. For many, including me, it was (before indoor seating was suspended) a We hope to return to the sanctuary in some capacity for the High Holy de facto satellite office space where I could retreat to read, write, Days. While we do not yet know what that will look like, we know that and think without the regular interruptions of the home or the office. a high quality live stream will complement whatever we do in person It was my third place. And how I long to return again. for those who prefer to join us from home. For those who yearn to return to their spiritual home, we hope that many of you will be able How, when, in what capacity we return to Shir Ami is a constant to join us. conversation among our staff and leadership. We have had an incredibly successful and safe year running our ELC in person. Our Unfortunately, we cannot simply flip a switch and return to how it protocols have kept children, teachers and staff safe and healthy. was. We envision requiring masks and distancing for the foreseeable However, parents have not been able to celebrate some key moments future. As long as the CDC makes these recommendations, we will with their children in person – Shabbat in the sanctuary, the Passover implement them. Literally breaking bread together is likely a long way plays, socializing in the lobby. off. But gathering for some masked and distanced conversations following an in person Shabbat service, may be possible (without Our hybrid religious school has also been successful. During the the coffee and pastries). warmer months, we meet outside; when the weather doesn’t cooperate, we meet inside, distanced, masked and with more of The prefix “re” will be at the heart of our work this summer and beyond. our students logging in from home. However, parents drop off, We will return, reunite, rejoin, re-inspire and rededicate ourselves to and pick up without coming into the building. Most conversations our beloved Third Place – Shir Ami. It will look different than it once I’ve had with parents this year have been through rolled down was, and it will take some getting used to, however, it is our mission car windows. to fulfill our yearning to return to the home of our soul.

While we have learned how to provide meaningful opportunities for gathering online, Zoom is not a third place. How then can we return to the home of our soul, to our third place, to our beloved Shir Ami? Slowly, carefully, deliberately.

CONTACT RABBI CHUCK BRISKIN: [email protected] | 215.968.3400 Ext. 102 3 All Friday services via Zoom (unless otherwise noted) and begin at 6:30 pm MAY | JUNE CALENDAR (with table blessings at 6:15pm). Chevrat Torah will remain at 10:15am.

WEEK OF MAY 1 WEEK OF MAY 21 WEEK OF JUNE 11 SATURDAY 5/1 FRIDAY 5/21 FRIDAY 6/11 10:15am Shabbat Worship. 7:00pm Shabbat Service 6:15pm

FIINGERMAN BAT MITZVAH LiveStream from our sanctuary Shabbat Your Way: A return of this popular Shabbat alternative. Look to the weekly Abraham Swerdlow Sanctuary Shabbat Service celebrating the 2021-2022 Board email for choices of activities via Zoom. A traditional Shabbat of Directors. Join us as we install our new board 10:15am service will also be one of the Shabbat Your Way options. Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service members, President Ellie Short, Jeffrey Cohen, ______R Led by Rabbi Greg Litcofsky Melissa Rubenstein, Andy Salsman, and Rachel ______Tyler. And as we thank our outgoing board members, SATURDAY 6/12 Sharon Benoff, Faith Bowers, and Jeff Eder for their 10:15am WEEK OF MAY 7 years of services to Shir Ami. Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service ______FRIDAY 5/7 Led by Cantor Flo Friedman

6:15pm Shabbat Table Blessings SATURDAY 5/22 10:15am Shabbat Worship. 10:15am 6:30pm Intergenerational Shabbat MEYERS B’NAI MITZVAH Featuring Rabbi Briskin, Cantor Kohlbrenner, Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service Rabbi Goldberg and song leader Michael Led by by Cantor Rachel Kohlbrenner Abraham Swerdlow Sanctuary Smolen, with a special graduation ______4:30pm Shabbat Worship. blessing to all of our high school seniors. WEEK OF JUNE 18 ______EPSTEIN BAT MITZVAH FRIDAY 6/18 SATURDAY 5/8N BAT MITZVAH Abraham Swerdlow Sanctuary 10:15am ______7:00pm Shabbat Service Shabbat Services at Shir Ami and also Livestream. Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service WEEK OF MAY 28 Led by Cantor Flo Friedman As we slowly begin to open up Shir Ami to in person worship ______for the community, we invite 50 people to join us in the FRIDAY 5/28 Abraham Swerdlow Sanctuary. Social distancing and mask WEEK OF MAY 14 6:15pm Shabbat Table Blessings wearing is required. Unfortunately, we cannot offer an Oneg 6:30pm Shabbat Service Shabbat follow (however we can spend a few minutes FRIDAY 5/14 ______schmoozing in the parking lot afterwards). 6:15pm Shabbat Table Blessings SATURDAY 5/29 ______6:30pm Shabbat Service 10:15am SATURDAY 6/19 with WoSA and Men’s Club Board Installation Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service ______10:15am Led by Rabbi Paula Goldberg SATURDAY 5/15 Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service 10:15am Shabbat Worship. Led by by Cantor Rachel Kohlbrenner 4:30pm Shabbat Worship. COE BAT MITZVAH WEEK OF JUNE 4 SCHAFER BAR MITZVAH Abraham Swerdlow Sanctuary FRIDAY 6/4 Abraham Swerdlow Sanctuary ______10:15am Shabbat Worship. 6:15pm Shabbat Table Blessings Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service 6:30pm Intergenerational Shabbat Led by Rabbi Greg Litcofsky WEEK OF JUNE 25 Featuring Rabbi Briskin, Cantor Kohlbrenner, 4:30pm Confirmation Service Rabbi Goldberg and song leader Michael Smolen. FRIDAY 6/25 [ see page 6 for more information ] ______6:15pm Shabbat Services ______SATURDAY 6/5 SATURDAY 6/26 SUNDAY 5/16 10:15am 10:15am Celebrate Shavuot with the Bucks County Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service Chevrat Torah Shabbat Service Kehilla: Journeys to Judaism Led by Rabbi Chuck Briskin Led by Rabbi Greg Litcofsky Celebrate this Festival holiday with an evening of 4:30pm Shabbat Worship. storytelling and music that connects our Jewish 10:15am Shabbat Worship journeys to the receiving of the Torah GRABOW BAT MITZVAH BISHOP BAR MITZVAH 6:30-7:45pm via Zoom link (here) Abraham Swerdlow Sanctuary Abraham Swerdlow Sanctuary Preceding our Kehillah gathering, please join your Shir Ami friends for a brief Yizkor Memorial Service as we remember those in our Shir Ami This summer, we hope to have more Shabbat Services at Shir Ami, either outside or in the Sanctuary. Throughout the family who have died since last Shavuot, Summer, we will feature a new program called Kol Ha’kahal—voices of the community in which Shir Ami members will share a d’var Torah or their Shir Ami story with the congregation during the Shabbat Service. If you would like to be one of 5:45-6:15pm via Zoom link (here) our speakers, please contact Rabbi Briskin directly.

4 Zoom links will be provided on the Shir Ami e-News. Email [email protected] if you require a link. ANNOUNCEMENTS SHIRON | May / June 2021

TODAH RABAH B. MITZVAH

To Donna DeSantis and her Grocery Card Delivery Crew: Barbara Roth, Linda Brown, Shelley Chloe Fingerman Fisher, Mindy Chesner, and Lindye Shechtman daughter of Laura Glickman and Jarad Fingerman To Marilyn Halpern and Marc Luber and their Food Bank crew for continually making fighting May 1, 2021 | 19 Iyar 5781 Parashat Emor food hunger in Bucks County a priority and the Food Bank. Volunteers: Sheryl Affrime, Ellen Barish, Barbara and Ron Cohen, Dara Dayen, Linda Kanner, Karen Katz, Andy Lasner, Susan Luttrell, Susan Mosley, Anita Rubin, Debbie Schorr, Ed Short, Lindye Shechtman, and Bonnie Chloe Coe Spiegler. daughter of Stephanie Coe and Peter Coe May 15, 2021 | 4 Sivan 5781 To Mike Green for continuing to coordinate a Wednesday Evening Food Drive to help benefit Parashat B’midbar the Jesus Focus Ministry at Bethanna Church in Southampton, and to all those who help to pick up food and deliver it to Shir Ami. Madison Epstein daughter of Stacy and Heath Epstein May 22, 2021 | 11 Sivan 5781 REFUAH SHLEIMAH Parashat B’haalot’cha

We Pray for Healing of Body, Mind, and Spirit for:

Kiley Anderson Molly Goldberg Jules Mendelsohn Sydney Grabow David Auerbach Rabbi Paula Goldberg Andi Miller daughter of Mindy and Adam Grabow Abraham Meir Moshe Steven Goldberg Harriett Obus June 5, 2021 | 25 Sivan 5781 ben Miriam Bonnie Goldstein Ettie Petroski Parashat Korach Jay Baronoff Bradley Goodman Elinor Pressel Bunny Barschi Susan Gorgas Linda Pura Sandy Bartash Zachary Hirsh Linda Rawicz

Susan Bilker Mikayla Hirsch Bob Rosen Eli Meyers Son of Jenny and Peter Meyers, Chava Liba Kim Hyman Sherry Weintraub Rosen and Buffie and Kevin Franlin bat Dov Ber v’Deborah Jim Johnson Steve Rosofsky Carol Cherson Albert Jones Michael Sachs June 12, 2021 | 2 Tammuz 5781 Parashat Korach Eric Cherson Rena Karlin Michael Sandman Barbara Paley Cohen Karen Katz Larry Schaeffer Shelley Cohen Keith Kessler Martin Schroeder Jay Crystal Adam Kritzer Rhea Silberberg Jake Meyers Moshe Dovid Ben Ada Amy Lasner Natalie Silverman Son of Jenny and Peter Meyers, Lily Dvorchik Jay Lasner George Spitalny and Buffie and Kevin Franlin Tim Egan Marlene Laster Karin Surkin June 12, 2021 | 2 Tammuz 5781 Mickey Fleischman Jan Maharam Anne Timmons Parashat Korach Linda Frank Sheryl Lomas Malamud Jeanne Winerip Elaine Geiger Brian McCusker Audrey Winston Jordan Goldberg Peyton Schafer son of Jessica and Randiy Schafer June 19, 2021 | 9 Tammuz 5781 CONDOLENCES Parashat Chukat

To Cantor Neil Schnitzer and Eric Schnitzer on the passing of their father, Norman Schnitzer To Rochelle (Michael) Newman on the passing of her brother, Alvin Wolinsky Brian Bishop son of Talli and Adam Bishop To Ronnie Gersten on the passing of her husband, Harry Gersten June 26, 2021 | 16 Tammuz 5781 To Lori Sobol on the passing of her mother, Jackie Klein Parashat Balak To Roberta Miller on the passing of her husband, Gerald Miller

5 To share an achievement, milestone, refuah, simcha or other news in our Shiron, please call 215.968.3400 COMMUNITY EVENTS

Shir Ami Bereavement Group Mondays | 7:30pm Mazel tov

We are continuing our Grief Support Group that will meet to our weekly on Zoom every Monday evening. This will be an informal place for anyone in the Shir Ami family who has suffered the loss of a 2021 Confirmands loved one to share their grief in a supportive non-judgemental setting. Judy Mazess ([email protected]) will act as host. ______Alexis Paige Fingerman Laura Glickman and Jarad Fingerman Meditations and Morning Blessings Wednesdays & Fridays | 8:45am Abigail Dara Green with Rabbi Charles Briskin (VIA ZOOM) Nancy and Michael Green ______Matthew Isaac Green Morning Coffee with Rabbi Briskin Nancy and Michael Green Thursdays | 9:30am (VIA ZOOM) ______Abigail Hannah Levine Rori and Michael Levine Shabbat Running/Walking Group Saturdays | 8:00am Harry Samuel Rosenthal May 8, June 5, 12, 19, 26 Debbie and David Rosenthal in Washington Crossing Park with Rabbi Eric Goldberg For questions on the specific location, please contact Rabbi Eric Goldberg Blake Isaac Rubin at [email protected] Stephane and Richard Rubin ______

American Red Cross Blood Drives Jordana Drew Seigal May 6, 13 and June 17 Lori and Scott Seigal 11:00am-4:00pm Sydney Faith Siegel Help save a life. Future date (they fill up quickly) will be on July 1. Please Michele and David Siegel donate if you are able. CLICK HERE. Sponsor Code: SHIR AMI. ______Emma Rachel Steinberger Jaime and Eric Steinberger Shir Sprouts May 8 | 9:30am Ava Madison Toren Anna and Mitch Toren Please join us on Zoom, Saturday May 8th for Shir Sprouts Shabbat, as we discover ways to honor our parents with singing, storytime and a craft activity. We will have fun celebrating Shabbat together!

Join together as we celebrate Shir Ami’s 2021 Confirmation SHIR Class on Saturday, May 15 at 4:30 pm for Havdallah blessings, PROUT and meaningful, personal writings from our students. This S S special service will be Livestreamed for our entire community. _____

6 For security purposes, Zoom links will be provided on the Shir Ami e-news. Email [email protected] if you require a link. SHIR AMI ELC | LEARNING TOGETHER SHIRON | May / June 2021

Earth Day, Poetry, and Israel...

The ELC children ended the month of March with Passover, Passover, Passover. Once again, our Kindergarten children wowed us with an amazing performance of “The Jewish People in the Land of Egypt.” All of the hard work to prepare for the play SHARI BECK-NAHMAN ELC Director, Shir Ami and our seders were well worth it. Everyone enjoyed singing, dipping, and eating.

In April, we spent a lot of time learning about the spring season. We were busy making spring flowers and umbrellas of beautiful pastel colors. We celebrated Earth Day which reminds us to appreciate our earth and care for it as well. Our entire school participated in some way to help. Our Bright Beginnings and 2s made bird feeders. Our 3s went around the Shir Ami property and cleaned up trash, our Pre K collected and created collages from recycled cans, plastic and paper, and the Kindergarten children planted flowers around our building. I’m very proud of all of our children!

April was also National Poetry Month. Children don’t get enough exposure to poetry anymore. It was really nice to hear the teachers reading poems of MAY | JUNE DATES different sorts. Our Kindergarten children even wrote their own poems! 5/3 – 5/7 - Teacher Appreciation

Am Yisrael Chai! I love our Israel Day Celebration. This year, we will be 5/8 – Shir Sprouts Shabbat celebrating Israel’s 72nd birthday. The children will put notes in the Kotel walll, 5/18 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (virtually) snack on pita and hummus, play “Sink or Swim” at the Dead Sea, and train for No School the Israeli army. 5/31 - No School – Memorial Day

6/3 – PreK Graduation As the school year starts winding down, we look forward to our Lag B’Omer Shabbat with our clergy outside, our annual Art Exhibit, and PreK and 6/4 – Kindergarten Graduation Shabbat K graduations! Last Day of School 6/14 – Camp Katan begins WE MADE IT!! To say that this year went by quickly is an understatement. To say that this year was a good year is also an understatement. Our ELC had a fantastic year! Thank you to all our parents for your support and cooperation in keeping with our protocols. Most importantly, I want to thank our amazing teachers for all their hard work and dedication. This year, not only did they teach, but also cleaned, washed, sanitized and sprayed. We could not have made it through this year without them. I am honored to work with such a fabulous group of professionals.

7 For more about Shir Ami’s Early Learning Center, contact Shari Beck-Nahman at [email protected] | 215.968.6255 SHIR AMI YOUTH | CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER

Looking Forward to the 2021-2022 Shafty Year

Once again SHAFTY comes out on top in NFTY-PAR. Mazel Tov Ezra Briskin for winning the position of NFTY- PAR President for the 2021-2022 year. Our senior youth group is fully committed to helping Ezra lead this region back to its “normal” state of greatness. FERNE LEVY Youth Director, Shir Ami We are so proud of our teen leaders here at Shir Ami. They have great compassion and dedicate themselves to being a leader in social gatherings, inclusion, social action and strengthening our core set of values. We are so proud of our teen leaders here at Shir Ami. They have great compassion and dedicate themselves to being a leader in social gatherings, inclusion, social action and strengthening our core set of values. I am pleased to announce that we have 17 extraordinary group of teens who will make our next school year exciting and new! Our incoming president, Abby Green, is a strong leader that will take us to the next level of excellence!

We finish out our year by donating over 100 pounds of shoes to the less fortunate, recycling over one thousand pop tabs to the Ronald McDonald house, “pieing” the winners of our pop tab contest and celebrating our outgoing/incoming board with our annual installation ceremony and senior send-off.

Mazel Tov to all our college bound seniors: Steph Axler, Emma Berman, Elena Crowell, Sophie Kravatz, Sara Langer, Sophia Levy and Emily Schorr. We know you will be successful and do great things!

It has been quite the year and a half for all of us. We have learned a lot about ourselves and our friends. We continue to cherish our families and the health and well-being of those around us. We are resilient and will remain strong; and because of that, we will rise up and be even better in the fall. Have a warm, relaxing, fun, safe summer!

8 For more info about SHAFTY youth groups, contact Youth Director Ferne Levy at [email protected] SHIR AMI RELIGIOUS SCHOOL | LEARNING TOGETHER SHIRON | May / June 2021

Torah, Ice Cream and Math – A Delicious Combination! RABBI ERIC GOLDBERG Religious School Director Shavuot beings the evening of Sunday, May 16. The holiday on which we commemorate receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai, Our celebration will also Shavuot evening traditionally includes an all night Torah study include some very wonderful session, beginning at sundown and concluding at sunrise the dairy treats! next morning. These treats will remind One of the other customs of Shavuot is eating dairy throughout our students of Torah’s our celebration. Sounds great to me! What could be better ‘sweetness on their tongues’ and how they can carry that sweetness than some ice cream, a milkshake or some cheese and crackers? into the world each day, through each word they speak and with As you may expect (after all, as the saying goes, two Jews three every action they take. opinions), there are many explanations for why dairy is the ‘official’ food of Shavuot. These treats will connect our students to the ‘land of milk and honey,’ reminding them that on Shavuot, and every day, Israel One explanation is that the Torah refers to Israel as a ‘land flowing should always be on their minds and in their hearts. with milk and honey.’ This sentiment is also one of the reasons that many Jews around the world eat at least one meal on Shavuot that Finally, these treats will reinforce to our students that the Torah is includes both milk and honey. the greatest gift we have ever received (yes, even better than a new Xbox or iPhone)! Another explanation is found in the Book of Numbers (28:26). When describing an offering that was to be given at the Temple in Our Shir Ami Religious Jerusalem on Shavuot, the four words that describe the offering School family wishes begin with the letters mem, chet, lamed, vet. Put those four letters your family a wonderful together and you get ‘m’chalav,’ which in Hebrew means ‘from Shavuot! milk.’ So what is more fitting to eat on Shavuot then something that L’Shalom, comes ‘from milk?’ Rabbi Eric Speaking of chalav (milk), the final explanation can be found in the ‘math’ of this word. Our older students know that every Hebrew letter has a numerical value (i.e. alef=1, bet=2). Add up the values of the letters of chalav (chet=8, lamed=30, vet=2) and look what you get…40! The exact number of days that Moses spent on Mt. Sinai receiving the Torah directly from God. From this the rabbis deduce that there is a significant and special connection between receiving the Torah and milk/dairy.

We can’t wait to celebrate Shavuot at Religious School in May! As we have done throughout the year, there will be hands-on, interactive learning about the importance of Torah, how the lessons, customs, laws and values contained within Torah still have deep meaning in 2021 and why the Torah connects us to the land of Israel, and our history, each and every time we open it up.

9 For more info about SHAFTY youth groups, contact Youth Director Ferne Levy at [email protected] For info about the Shir Ami Religious School, contact Rabbi Eric Goldberg [email protected] | 215.968.3254 LEARNING TOGETHER

D’VAR TORAH | Shared from our April Board Gathering This d’var was originally presented on April 13 by board member Marc Luber

This week Israel observes 2 of the 4 national In Israel, this day is marked with nearly full culture of Israel. It is not just about a flag, holidays that have been added to the Jewish participation from the general population. a moment of silence, or a prayer for those calendar since 1948. This of course was the You will note how traffic on a major highway that were lost. It is not about a day off, or a year when the state of Israel was established. literally STOPS as people get out of their cars celebration of any kind. In fact, the very next Beginning tonight, Tuesday April 13th in to recognize the moment. Its significance is day (beginning immediately as Yom HaZikaron the evening, and ending tomorrow night, clearly emphasized by all of the top officials. ends) Israel celebrates Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel celebrates Yom HaZikaron –The Israeli There is not one but two significant national which is Israel’s Independence Day. This day Memorial Day. This day memorializes any ceremonies that would be nearly impossible is filled with the same rejoicing characteristics Israeli soldier that has died, as well as any for any citizen to miss. The media outlets of our 4th of July celebrations including family Israeli victims of terrorism. It was enacted into all support the meaning with recognition of gatherings, parades, fireworks and more. But law in 1963, and it is one of the most somber the most important purpose of the day. To in Israel, there is no mistaking the difference days of the year in Israel. The evening begins remember those that died fighting for the between these two days. with a loud siren heard countrywide (youtube. State of Israel. com/watch?v=OeozUSWdoQA&t=115s), and It is an incredibly powerful juxtaposition. an official ceremony at the Western Wall, that And while there are many in the U.S. that all of the highest-ranking officials in Israel treat Memorial Day in a similar fashion, it is There exists a clear line between a day meant participate in. Tomorrow is always marked far from full participation, and I imagine the for remembrance, followed immediately by with an official country wide recognition by real number is probably a small percentage a day to celebrate the Independence which the vast majority of Israeli citizens. All public of our overall population. For many the day could only exist thanks to those that fought entertainment will be closed. It is a common is remembered with a post on social media, and died for it. Israel would not be able to tradition for many to visit the graves of fallen followed by a BBQ with friends and family. have one of those days without the other soldiers throughout the day. Often current and Often there is no mention of the holiday at all one. This is what makes Israel so special. It is former soldiers will be dressed in uniform, within households, and the day is commonly completely embedded into the culture. People while others dress in Israeli colors. Radio and referenced as the “unofficial start to the are Israeli first, before anything else. For many television broadcasts commemorate the day summer.” it is quite literally “what it means” to be Israeli. with names of those that lost their lives, or Maybe America has grown too big for this, video and music is played that conveys the So as an American citizen with a love for maybe we simply stopped emphasizing its importance of the day. Israel, I have considered the reasons for importance, or maybe it just isn’t ingrained in this stark contrast in how the two countries our culture. Of course, we also commemorate our fallen observe their respective Memorial Days. soldiers on Memorial Day here in the United There are many legitimate differences And so, the purpose of this comparison is not States. This is done on the last Monday in May to consider. Israel is a much smaller and to make anyone feel bad or guilty for how they every year. Our Memorial Day was unofficially younger country, located in an area that choose to spend their memorial days. observed following the Civil War, and not makes fighting for its very survival a reality. Federally recognized as a holiday until 1971, Compare this to the vastness of the U.S., with I did not serve in the military, and I know 50 years ago. It is not unusual for current and people spread across 50 states, and situated very few people that have. I do not have the former American soldiers to dress in uniform across the ocean from those that threaten us. first idea what it means to put my life on the or for people to visit the grave site of their loved Of course, the overwhelming percentage of line for my country, and if I’m being honest, ones on that day. It is also customary for top Israeli citizens enlist for mandatory military there have been more memorial days than not officials in US government to commemorate service. As a result, it is very likely that any where I don’t recall even taking a moment to the day with appearances at Arlington national given Israeli citizen knows of SOMEONE who truly reflect on the importance of the day. cemetery or similar locations. lost their lives fighting, or they have put their own life at risk to defend the State of Israel. So instead, my purpose of noting the I would like to take a moment to reflect on differences tonight, is to see how we might some of the notable differences in how our But at the very core of it, Yom HaZikaron is take from this the importance of having things two countries observe this similar tradition. critically important and embedded into the embedded into our CULTURE. Specifically, the

10 For questions about COMMUNITY EVENTS: 215.968.3400 | [email protected] SHIRON | May / June 2021

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Nancy Levitt’s adult design and Lillian Smolen’s youth design proclaim the importance of social justice on the front of the tee shirt, while the back has our Shir Ami logo. The light grey adult shirt has multi-colored hands holding a globe with a band aid and the words: “If not now, when” in English and Hebrew. Adult sizes run from S-4XL.

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Use the order form link https://www.shirami.org/form/tshirts on the Shir Ami website to place your order. Money supports the Tikkun Olam Fund. Any questions, please contact Ellie Short, [email protected].

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one we create and foster at Shir Ami. As members of the Shir Ami board, do we always consider the culture we are fostering in the decisions we make, the policies we enact, and the events we plan. Are we making the important things we do more impactful to our congregation’s culture? More impactful to our children and what they see as “important”? More impactful to how we interact with each other, and to what we value as a congregation?

For example, one role I have at Shir Ami is to help facilitate food and monetary donations for our food bank. It is certainly a function that means a lot to the community for which we are a part of. And while I often focus on that task of maximizing the food we bring in and distribute, maybe an equally important focus should be on how we make the very act of donating food a small but important part of our culture. Kids bringing in a can of food whenever they come to synagogue is a great example of how we currently do this. How can I help to take a small act of giving, and make it a part of what our congregation just…does? How can I ensure that consistent food donations becomes a part of our routine? A way for us to give to those who need more, and a part of how we do things at Shir Ami.

So to fellow board members, as we meet each month, maybe we can take time not just to create ideas (of which I have heard some really great ones in my short time), but how we can embed these ideas into the culture of who we are as a congregation, and as a community. And to those congregants online this evening, please consider what kind of culture you want Shir Ami to foster now and for future generations. Your feedback is always welcome, after all, we are many voices, but we are one song.

11 SHIR AMI | FINANCIAL UPDATE

9-Month Financial Update

Operating Revenue and Expense By Source - Nine Months YTD Through Mar 2021 Actual, Budget and 2020-2021 Annual Budget (Spring '20 Version) 3.0 Philanthropy and Engagement Mortgage Principal Education Millions 2.5 ELC Operations Affiliation 2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0 YTD Rev YTD Rev Budget Annual Rev YTD Exp YTD Exp Budget Annual Exp Budget Budget

Comments: Operating Revenues and Expenses exclude members' contributions to and spending from restricted funds. Philanthropy and Engagement encompasses include all "giving" and social activities such as Circle of Giving, High Holidays, fundraising events and Theater. Budget #'s are per the Spring '20 Congregational Meeting which did not fully anticipate virtual operations. Most revenues are budgeted to be collected early in the year (Sept YTD budget = more than 40% of annual) while expenses are paid throughout the fiscal year. Actual YTD collections are running 15% below budget ($380K) and expenses are also 15% lower ($275K). There were no operating revenues from endowment funds in this period. $290K second PPP proceeds were received but no forgiveness revenue has been recorded yet this year.

Eric Lindberg

12 CONNECTING WITH EACH OTHER SHIRON | May / June 2021 Around Our Community Despite our social distancing protocols, the Shir Ami community is as active as ever. Everything from Friday night Zoom services, special ELC programs, exciting SHAFTY events, and unique religious school learning...we are still very busy and having so much fun!

13 SUPPORT SHIR AMI | MAKING AN IMPACT Circle of Giving 2020/2021 HELP US STRENGTHEN OUR CONGREGATION Last year, Shir Ami members donated over $110,000 to the Circle of Giving Fund!

The Circle of Giving Fund enables Shir Ami to provide You can help sustain and grow Shir Ami by including the robust educational experiences for learners of all ages Circle of Giving fund as one of your tzedakah recipients. and meaningful opportunities for spiritual growth. If you haven’t yet given, we hope you will join the Shir Ami It helps us to create a lasting impact on our community Circle of Giving for the first time this year. If you are a past through Social Justice initiatives, and allows us to connect donor, we hope that you will consider increasing your gift with each other through dynamic social activities. by a level.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2020-2021 CIRCLE OF GIVING “CHALLENGE GIVERS” Johanna and Joseph DiMedio

Tzedek (Righteousness) Kavod (Honor) Corinne Austein Margie and Mark Kopins Abby and Scott Applebaum Helen Berman Meri and Jon Stevens Arlene Applebaum Sue and Ken Bieber Matti and Jim Wasserson Randi and Brett Cohen Natalie and Jason Cohen Jarad Fingerman Stacey and Jeff Cohen

Chesed (Kindness) Leslie Fisher Lynne and Richard Fiorelli Sharon and Jack Benoff Judith and Barry Kroll Robin and Glen Firestone Rabbi Paula and Harvey Goldberg Beth and Michael LaPat Diana and Hal Gever Karin and S. Daniel Surkin Rachel and Neil Lesser Susan and Allan Goodman Aimee and Steven Goldberg Ahava (Love) Lorrie and David Riggs Diana and Theodore Rosenberg Beverly and Mark Goldberg Anonymous Debbie and David Rosenthal Shawn and Brett Goldberg Lauren and Kenneth Bonn Brittany and Matthew Weiss Nancy and Mike Green Alison Saifer and Michael Kelly Marilyn and Sheldon Halpern Stephanie and Alan Kravatz Shalom (Peace) Julie and Gary Hershgordon Erin and Yale Saltzman Paula and Arthur Krauss Joanna and Nathaniel Holzman Harriet and Jerry Paley Cantor Rachel and Erik Kohlbrenner Chaver (Friend) Allison and Scott Leff Peter Coe Beracha (Blessing) Eve and Larry Lefkowitz Donna and Bob DeSantis Flora and Robert Day Shelly and Ken Levine Risa and Leonard Kane Dara and Neil Dayen Joshua McCoy Meryl Reis and William Spitz Rabbis Eric Goldberg and Geri Newburge Ellen and Paul Rawicz Ellie and Ed Short Kim and Peter Korda Susan and George Rosenberg Simcha (Joy) Janis and Howard Kritzer Karen Schulze and Marshall Asnen Debbie and Larry Schorr Ron Abraham Ferne and Scott Levy Paula and Mark Shavell Karen and Rabbi Charles Briskin Becky Markowitz Rachael and Michael Smolen Pamela and Bruce Dick Kim and Phil Nordlinger Nan and Ronald Smolow Linda and Norman Idleberg Ellen and George Rifkin Rachel and Jeremy Tyler Marlene and Marvin Laster Julie and Ken Standig Eileen and Philip Weinstein Jacklyn and Marc Luber Ricki and Dennis Tafflin Lisa and Marc Weiss Myrna and Steven Pressman Rebecca and Brandon Weiss Lindye and Steven Shechtman Chai (Life) Marilyn and Alan Sheinberg Marjorie and Harvey Abramson Debbie and Scott Stevens Sheila and David Auslander SEE NEXT PAGE FOR FORM

14 All first time givers and those that increased their gift from 2019-2020 will be acknowledged in a future publication. List current as of 4/26/2021 SUPPORT SHIR AMI | MAKING AN IMPACT SHIRON | May / June 2021

To donate to the Circle of Giving Fund ____ YES, I would like to be a member of Circle of Giving for the fiscal year July, 2020 through June, Name: ______2021. I pledge, in addition to my full Shir Ami dues, the following contribution to the Circle of Giving: Phone: ______$7,200 – Tzedek (Righteousness) E-Mail ______$5,400 – Chesed (Kindness) Please make checks payable to Shir Ami and mail to: 101 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA 18940 $3,600 – Ahava (Love) Donors at all levels will be recognized monthly in the Shiron and in our $2,500 – Chaver (Friend) High Holy Day handout. $1,800 – Simcha (Joy)

Enclosed is my check (payable to “Shir Ami”) $1,000 – Kavod (Honor) Please bill my account (in accordance with my current payment plan) $720 – Shalom (Peace) Please have the office contact me to discuss payment arrangements $540 – Beracha (Blessing) $360 – Chai (Life) FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT CIRCLE OF GIVING: ______(other amount) 215.968.3400 | [email protected]

Be a “Keeper” of Jewish Excellence this Year

Shir Ami is pleased to present our Keepers of Jewish Excellence program, allowing all members the opportunity to study throughout the year. Please consider becoming a “Keeper” at Shir Ami. Your donation supports all of the important mitzvot of learning and prayer that we share, and what’s more, allows us to continue our Shir Ami Lifelong Learning programs. “Keepers” will be recognized in the Shiron for their generosity.

I’d like to support Lifelong Learning at the following level: THANK YOU TO THE $500 $250 $180 $100 Other_____ FOLLOWING 2020-2021 “KEEPERS”:

Enclosed is my check (payable to “Shir Ami”) Please bill my account Susan and Kenneth Bieber Donna and Bob DeSantis Paula and Arthur Krauss Becky Markowitz Name: ______Harriet and Jerry Paley Janet and Norman Shachat Phone: ______

E-Mail ______

Please make checks payable to Shir Ami and mail to 101 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA 18940 15 SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

Caring For Friends Meals Wednesday Evening Food Drive

It’s more important than ever that you don’t let food go to waste. If you find yourself with extras, make sure you have Caring for Friends packaging on hand in order to immediately freeze leftovers and drop off at Shir Ami.

Shir Ami has been a longtime supporter of the Caring for Friends initiative. Help feed locals who are unable to help themselves, simply by packaging your leftovers or planning out some meals in their foil tray system. It’s Did you know that all Council Rock families with students in the district easy to help us provide enough food for over 130,000 are entitled to receive free meals? It’s true! (see: www.crsd.org/ seniors, kids, and families! Page/59795). It doesn’t matter if your student is in elementary, middle or high school or if he/she attends virtually or in person. ALL Council Rock students can get these meals. TO SUPPORT CARING FOR FRIENDS:

Mike Green and his family thought they’d try to get that food to people in 1. Contact Jane Cohen for foil trays at (215) 208-8995 need, and here at Shir Ami, we have been happy to help. Together with [email protected] Shir Ami families, as well as other families in the community, we have 2. Fill large section with a protein (i.e. turkey or veggie protein) been able to deliver more and more food each week to a food pantry 3. Fill small sections, one with a veg and one with a starch on Second Street Pike in Southampton. 4. Cover tightly with foil and fill out the Caring for Friends form 5. Put in plastic bag and use a twist tie to close it HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP: 6. Put it in your freezer for 3 or more days 7. Contact Jane Cohen to coordinate drop-off Council Rock makes the meals available on Wednesday mornings at the Sloan Center and late Wednesday afternoons at Newtown Middle School and Holland Middle School (4:00pm – 7:00pm for both). We encourage families who want to donate to wait until just before 7:00pm to pick up their bags of food at one of the middle schools – just in case the school DISCOUNT RETAIL CARDS district is somehow running low on meals (we want to make sure that all CRSD families can get what they need). After picking up the food, bring Save money at dozens of local businesses ONLY throughout the year, while at the same time help $20 it right over to the Administration entrance at Shir Ami. Mike and Co. – raise a little money for Shir Ami. Many local EACH who are outside from about 6:45pm to 7:15pm - will take your packages retailers participate in thie program and store the food that night in our walk-in refrigerator. On Thursday morning, they’ll deliver the food to the food pantry. Sound good? AVAILABLE NOW: www.shirami.org/form/discount-cards Join us Wednesday nights!

16 For any questions about Making an Impact at Shir Ami, please call 215.968.3400 FUNDRAISING | MAKING AN IMPACT SHIRON | May / June 2021

It’s Easy to Help Shir Ami When You Buy Groceries

Here’s a very easy way to support Shir Ami just by simply going to the supermarket. Pre-purchase supermarket cards from us at face value (in $50 increments) and we receive 5% of every card back from the market. Over the past months, this program has been a huge help to Shir Ami.

We sell about $20,000 worth of gift cards each delivery day (every three weeks), which in turn provides an extra $1,000 to ShirAmi. Gift cards have proven to be a really easy way to provide additional support to Shir Ami.

Participating markets include: Shoprite, Acme, Giant, McCaffrey’s, and Redner’s Markets

We will deliver cards to your door (local) or find a convenient meet-up if you live further away (such as New Hope, Doylestown, or NJ). NEXT DELIVERY DATES:

To order supermarket cards, get info about home delivery, or other questions, please email: [email protected]

SUPPORT SHIR AMI with AMAZON SMILE

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Shir Ami every time you shop – at no cost to you. You’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com. You use your same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. When you select Shir Ami as your charity, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases (not including tax or shipping) to Shir Ami every time you shop on AmazonSmile.

Remember to always start at smile.amazon. com for your shopping!

An ad for your business in Shiron supports you, and also Shir Ami.

To learn more about advertising in our Shiron: [email protected] | [email protected]

17 MAY 2021 | YAHRZEITS LIGHTING THE YAHRZEIT CANDLE: On the anniversary (yahrzeit) of the death of your loved one, it is customary to light a candle in memory of that person. The yahrzeit candle burns for twenty-four hours serving as a sacred and somber symbol of your mourning while framing this period of remembrance (yizkor). Before lighting the candle, you may choose, on your own or with family and friends, to recall the everlasting gifts that your loved one left behind for you to cherish and protect.

As you prepare to light the candle, you may recite this benediction to help you focus your attention and to create an intention for this solemn moment:

“Ner Adonai nishmat adam; The light of God shines in our soul.” (Proverbs 20:27) [I/we] give thanks for the blessing of life, for companionship, and for memory. Our tradition teaches us that we never lose those we love, for love is stronger than death. So [I/we] kindle this light now, and as it burns, so may the memory of ______continue to be an inspiration. (From the CCAR Rabbi’s Manual; 2015)

TO BE READ TO BE READ TO BE READ TO BE READ MAY 7 MAY 14 MAY 21 MAY 28

May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29 May Abramson Irene Gerson Goodman Florence Fieman Fannie Bolno Jack Eirenberg Seena Pachter Morris Goldberg Lillian Dimenstein Harold Tepper Enrique Gonzalez Sheri Gebhart May 9 Richard Katzenstein Lawrence Oring Cecil Frank May 16 Mary Meisler Arlene Rosenfield Israel Siegel Shelley Lanman Beatrice Cautin Ruth Stevens Paul Meissner Noah Jacob Cohen May 30 Philip Wascow Herman Cooper Stephen Eisenthal May 23 Faye Finkle Mollie Singer Esther Ostroff Doris Fisher Norman Necowitz Shirley Samson Nathan Gould May 10 Herman Steinkeler Ruth Bialick Michael Morrill May 31 Ida Blitzer Ned Ross Jenny Dayen Stephen Block May 17 Frances Weiss Florence Doroshow Karl Groder Ida Antman William Leshner Henry Geller May 24 Gordon Lewis Irving Seligman Fred Sarne Henry Mazess Arthur Boxman Etta Schildkraut

Richard Spitz Ruth Burke Allen I. Silverstein May 18 Steven Mazess May 11 Teresa Steinhart Berg Stan Muffs Arthur Berger Boris Rodos June 1 Nancy Cardonick Julius Antman Melvin Farber Suzanne Harbaugh Frieda Ruskin Sandra Hoffman Gerald Hershenson Louis Goldman Shirley Kniaz Ida Plaut Dorothy Mandell May 25 Max Newmaizer Albert Freiman Gerard Korda Sydelle Naftaniel May 12 Friederike Reisz Bessie Kaplan Jerry Druker Lily Meltzer Abe Raflowitz Joe Green May 19 Louis Rothman Edith Rodos Herman Katz Edward Irving Dick Selma Rabinowitz Marjorie Garber May 26 June 2 Arthur Rhodes Clara Koenig Dorothy Brooks Sophie Wolitzer Jeffrey Krenzel William Feldstein Nina Szrajber Edyth Hershgordon June 3 May 13 Marjorie Weinstein Hilda Aguero Jacqueline Hoffman Lila Bazilyan Benjamin Wolbransky Leonard Silberberg Libby Fein Marjory Auerback Belchick Harriet Caston Ira Weiss Morris Sheckman Samuel Gilman May 20 Cynthia Zaretsky David Kravitz David Grossman May 27 Naomi Montgomery Alan Hopenwasser Morris Abraham June 4 Jonathan Steiner Abe Kreiner Julia Affrime Edythe Block Blanche Yarus Ruth Leshner Sadie Halpern Leonard Busch Irene Lydia Schwartz Mildred Levin Louis A. Jacobs

May 14 Rose Rossman Morton Kalafer Mary Freedman May 21 Trude Robins Abraham Mann Martha Kravitz May 28 Hymen Sheinberg Gertrude Seligman Solomon Ruskin Betty Baronstein Leon Spigler Adele Shechtman Samuel Schwalb Shirley Marks Aline Sokler Morris Mildener (continued) Florence Wascow Gertrude Schwartz

18 JUNE 2021 | YAHRZEITS SHIRON | May / June 2021

TO BE READ Marvin Shaffer June 24 Daniel Schachere JUNE 4 Jane Wilcox Henry Asnen Zelda Weiner Caroline Levine June 5 June 15 Meyer Miller June 30 Nathan Garfinkle Bertha Bader Ellen Seligman Selma Abrams Bess Goodman Courtney Benkert Dorothy Wolinsky Barbara (Bobbi) Hopp Nathan Idleberg Herbert Dickler Vladimir Zolotarev Izaak Lewin Harry Stein Joseph Dunn Harold Oppenheim Leah Yassen Rose Gruber June 25 Mildred Zeplowitz Allan Kritzer David Adler July 1 Arnold Spiegler Marian Kraut Margaret Bieber June 6 Sylvia Nessel Leonard Feinberg Bella Cohen June 16 Ben Robbins Frederick Gates Sara Kant Helen Levine Morris Rudnick Sol Grossman Dave Klyman Ethel Mandell Judith Oppenheim Samuel Roth Barbara Rosenthal Lottie Polakoff Louis Shapiro TO BE READ Anna Smolow June 7 JUNE 25 Jack Solomon Joan Beth D’alessandro June 17 Erna Strauss Seymour Moses Minnie Fishbein June 26 Rosa Novick Mark Klein Murray Berger July 2 Mollie Soto Francis Cherkin June 8 June 27 Samuel Fleisher Bradley Chesner June 18 Ann Blumberg Maurice Goldberg Judith Deitch Adolf Katz Nettie Fein Abe Kosovske Sherman Kreiner Rebecca Levy Alice Skolnick Philip Weisman Leon Shulman

June 9 TO BE READ June 28 Albert Bush JUNE 18 Adam Blumberg Michael Friedland Blanche Boim Marshall Gordon June 19 Bernard Swerdlow Mary Byrne June 10 Jerry Goodman June 29 Sallie Davidson Susan Nelson Robert Caston Abe Falkowitz Milton Pollner Jack Orber Charles Silverzweig Mary Rigefsky

June 11 June 20 Tillie Dick Max Katz Anna Miller Meyer Shapiro Isaac Schwartz Saul Sorosky June 21 Florence Aqua Michael Fishbein TO BE READ Barry Allen Goldstein JUNE 11 Lynne Moses Yetta Schneider June 12 Robert Thomajan Thelma Buster Michael Cogen June 22 Elsie Olinsky Solomon David Nissim Robert Strom June 13 Anne Strom June 23 Isadore Gitler June 14 Abraham Goldberg Jerome Boxman Irving Levy Mary Helfand Esther Shapiro Melvyn Lurie

On the anniversaries of remembering, a Jew remembers not only by feeling, but by doing. Kindling a yahrzeit candle the evening before is one thing we do; the Kaddish spoken at a gathering of our people is another. All names will be read on the Friday evening before the yahrzeit. One way to honor your loved one is with a living memorial such as a contribution to one of our temple funds in their memory.

19 DONATIONS TO SHIR AMI FUNDS | MAKING AN IMPACT

CIRCLE OF GIVING from Brian Shlisky IHO baby naming from Joshua McCoy to Nancy and Rick Siderits IMO Jack Morgenstern from the Shubin Family IHO Lia becoming a Bat Mitzvah from the Shir Ami Board of Directors to Nancy Siderits IMO Jack Morgenstern from Felicia and Ed Kole to Marci Polekoff IMO Albert Polekoff from Meri and Jon Stevens to Nancy Siderits IMO Jack Morgenstern from Robbi and Fred Grant and Family IMO Janet Berg from Sharon and Jack Benoff to Nancy Siderits and Family IMO Uncle Jack from Paula and Arthur Krauss to the Schnitzer Family IMO Norman Schnitzer from Ivy and Larry Pearlstein to Nancy Siderits IMO Jack Morgenstern from Misty and Travis Robins IMO Rhonda Robins from Ellie and Ed Short to Nancy and Rick Siderits IMO Jack Morgenstern from Drew Martini In Appreciation from Irving, Marci, Susan, and Hallie (Goldfinger/ Bilker Family) to Nancy Siderits IMO Jack Morgenstern from Talli and Adam Bishop to Nina Orr IMO Miriam Greenman CANTOR RACHEL KOHLBRENNER’S DISCRETIONARY FUND from Cindy and Jerry Green to Eric Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer from the Shir Ami Board of Directors to Nina Orr IMO Miriam Greenman from Meryl Reis and Bill Spitz to Eric Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer from Meri and Jon Stevens to Nina Orr IMO Miriam Greenman from the Shir Ami Board of Directors to Nancy Levitt IMO Albert Polekoff from Meri and Jon Stevens to Nancy Levitt IMO Albert Polekoff RABBI ERIC GOLDBERG’S DISCRETIONARY FUND from Karin Surkin IMO Barbara Ehrlich from Essie and Bob Cherkin In Appreciation from Ricki and Dennis Tafflin IMO Diane Wulfsohn from Dara and Neil Dayen IMO Esther Katzen from Ricki and Dennis Tafflin IMO Jerome Wulfsohn from Dara and Neil Dayen IMO Larry Dayen from Ricki and Dennis Tafflin IMO Robert Tafflin from Mimi Rosenstock, Ruth Smith, Carol Rosentock and Families to Michael Goetz and Family IMO Mike Goetz RABBI PAULA GOLDBERG’S from Ellie and Ed Short to Phil and Kim Nordlinger IHO Evan’s Bar Mitzvah HONORARY CHEVRAT TORAH FUND from Sharon and Jack Benoff to Phil & Kim Nordlinger IHO Evan’s Bar Mitzvah from Judy Mazess to the Schnitzer Family IMO Norman Schnitzer from Meri and Jon Stevens to Phil and Kim Nordlinger IHO Evan’s Bar Mitzvah from Becky Markowitz to Phil and Kim Nordlinger IHO Evan’s Bar Mitzvah from Faith and Bruce Bowers to Evan Nordlinger IHO becoming a Bar Mitzvah RABBI ELLIOT STROM’S DISCRETIONARY FUND from the Shir Ami Board of Directors to David Elkin IMO Esteban Mazer from Meri and Jon Stevens to David Elkin IMO Esteban Mazer CANTOR MARK ELSON’S DISCRETIONARY FUND from the Shir Ami Board of Directors to Michele Siegel IMO David Shear from Meri and Jon Stevens to Michele Siegel IMO David Shear ANNA GEVER MUSIC FUND from Joshua McCoy IMO Earl McCoy from Mindy and David Chesner to Nancy and Lee Levitt and Family from Debbie and Steven Rosenberg IMO Walter Yarus IMO Albert Polekoff from Marilyn and Sheldon Halpern IMO Elizabeth Cogen from Andrea and Jay Miller to David and Emily Elkin IMO Esteban Mazer from Marilyn and Sheldon Halpern IMO Charlotte Breytspraak from Andrea and Jay Miller IMO Sidney Miller from Jeanne Winerip IMO Carl Winerip and Albert Winerip from Mindy and David Chesner to David and Emily Elkin IMO Esteban Mazer from Meri and Jon Stevens to Lia Shubin IHO becoming a Bat Mitzvah from Meri and Jon Stevens to Cantor Neil Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer from Meri and Jon Stevens to Ryan Phillips IHO becoming a Bar Mitzvah from Meri and Jon Stevens to Eric Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer from Linda Idleberg IMO Stanley Galey from Mindy and David Chesner to Cantor Neil Schnitzer from Margie and Mark Kopins IMO Norman Schnitzer from Linda and Norman Idleberg IMO Stanley Galey from Mindy and David Chesner to Eric Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer from Karin and Daniel Surkin to Eric Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer from Robin and Glen Firestone to Eric and Cantor Neil Schnitzer from Rabbi Paula and Harvey Goldberg to Eric and Cantor Neil Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer from Flora and Bob Day to Eric Schnitzer IMO Norman Schnitzer from Ellie and Ed Short to Emily and David Elkin IMO Esteban Mazer from Deborah Gates-Maten and Mark Maten to Beth Stoloff IMO Avidan Gantshar RABBI CHARLES BRISKIN’S DISCRETIONARY FUND from Trudy Rubenstein IMO Samuel Zackon BEVERLY SPIEGLER SPEC. EDUCATION LIBRARY FUND from Trudy Rubenstein IMO Alvin Rubenstein from Kim and Peter Korda IMO Trudy Korda BOBBI SLUTZSKY ELC SCHOLARSHIP FUND from Gail and Stephen Dickler IMO Benjamin Norkin from Dale and Steven Berkley to the Smith Family IMO Eileen Jenkins from Nancy, Lee, Casey, and Asher Levitt to Marci Rothstein Polekoff IMO Albert Dean Polekoff BOB MCGARRY ADULT EDUCATION FUND from Pam and Gary Lean to Marci Polekoff IMO Albert Polekoff from Jeffrey and Rachel Lyons to Marci Polekoff IMO Albert Polekoff BRUCE BIRNBAUM TIKKUN OLAM FUND from Marvin Kalafer from Elisa and Darren Corson to Nancy Levitt IMO Albert D. Polekoff CLAIRE AND JERRY MILLER CAPITAL FUND from Toby and Michael Slomovitz In appreciation

(continued)

20 To make a donation to a Shir Ami fund, please call our main office at 215.968.3400 or visit:shiraminow.org/donate (CONTINUED) SHIRON | May / June 2021

FOOD BANK SENIOR ENDOWMENT from Sharon and Jack Benoff from Sue and Ken Bieber IMO Elaine Holzman from Harriet and Jerry Paley IMO Mary Lomas SHARING IS CARING FUND from Sheila and David Auslander from Irving Goldfinger IMO Abraham Goldfinger from Ivy and Larry to Emily and David Elkin IMO Esteban Mazer from Ilene and Paul Goldberg In Appreciation from Becky Markowitz to Emily and David Elkin IMO Esteban Mazer from Irving Goldfinger IMO Sydney Skopp from Sandy and Glenn Kane to Linda Toll and Family IMO Francis from Irving Goldfinger IMO Meyer Miller from Mindy and David Chesner to Michele and David Siegel and Family from Irving Goldfinger IMO Harold Goldfinger IMO David Shear from Marci Goldfinger and Family IMO Estelle Goldfinger from Susan and Ken Bieber

SIMCHA ISRAEL CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND from Dorothy Silverman IMO Alvin Silverman SLOMOVITZ/ HUDES SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE FUND ISRAEL TIYUL FUND from Mindy and David Chesner to the Shubin Family IMO Lia becoming a Bat Mitzvah STAN AVERBACH BIBLICAL GARDEN FUND from Edward, Felicia, and Bonnie Kole to Susan Soffer and Family IMO Melvin Soffer from Diane and Adam Dienstman to Cantor Neil Schnitzer TEMPLE SHALOM SISTERHOOD CHILDREN’S FUND IMO Norman Schnitzer from Lois and Henry Wilcox IMO Ruth Yeslow from Lois and Henry Wilcox IMO Betty Mondros

KAY SWERDLOW BUILDING FUND

MARCIA ABRAHAM FUND FOR JEWISH LIFE from Ron Abraham IMO Lillian Abraham from Ron Abraham to Nancy Siderits IMO Jack Morgenstern from Ron Abraham to Cornel Spiegler IMO Theo Spiegler from Ron Abraham to Elle and Barry Abraham IHO the engagement of Jessie and Brandon from Ron Abraham to Cantor Neil Schnitzer and Family IMO Norman Schnitzer

MEN’S CLUB YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND from Paula and Arthur Krauss to Nancy Siderits IMO Jack Morgenstern

To make a donation to a MISHKAN HANEFESH DEDICATIONS Shir Ami fund,

PRAYERBOOK DONATIONS please call our main office at

PRESSMAN LIBRARY FUND from Sheryl and Larry Menacker to Debbie Moskovitz and Family 215.968.3400 or visit: IMO Sheldon Moskovitz shiraminow.org/donate

SAFETY AND SECURITY FUND

21 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

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22 To learn more about advertising in our monthly Shiron: [email protected] | [email protected] SHIRON | May / June 2021

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For boys and girls age 3-15 Door to door transportation

Lunch and snacks provided ACA Accredited Well-rounded camp Rental facilities available for experiences for picnics and weekends kids since 1986 FUN IN THE SUN!

1380 Creek Road Furlong, PA 18925 215.598.7143

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[email protected] Lacrosse Soccer Arcade Drama/ Miniature (In & Outdoor) Archery Dance Golf Softball Arts & Crafts Fishing Nature Swimming Basketball Ga-Ga Beach Volleyball Gymnastics Newcomb (3 Pools) BMX Bikes Hockey Rockwall/ Tennis Boating Kangaroo Jumper Zip Line Wiffle Ball Ceramics Kayaking Yoga ... & so much more! Owned and Operated by a Shir Ami family

To learn more about advertising in our monthly Shiron: [email protected] | [email protected] 23 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS | SHIR AMI CONTACTS SHIRON | May / June 2021

BOARD OF DIRECTORS www.shirami.org

President Ellie Short Main Office: 215.968.3400 Vice President Stephanie Kravatz Vice President Jason Cohen Religious School: 215.968.3254 Secretary Ellen Rawicz E.L.C.: 215.968.6255 Treasurer Michael Smolen Immediate Past President Jon Stevens Clergy and Emeriti AT LARGE: Debbie Rosenthal Rabbi Charles Briskin– [email protected] Jeffrey Cohen Melissa Rubenstein Robin Firestone Andy Salsman Cantor Rachel Kohlbrenner – [email protected] Todd Leon Rachel Tyler Rabbi Emeritus Elliot M. Strom – [email protected] Marc Luber Brandon Weiss Cantor Emeritus Mark Elson – [email protected] Rabbinic Scholar CLERGY AND ADMINISTRATION Rabbi Paula Goldberg – [email protected] Rabbi Charles Briskin President Cantor Rachel Kohlbrenner Jon Stevens - [email protected] Director of Operations Phil Nordlinger Director of Operations Director of Education Rabbi Eric Goldberg Phil Nordlinger - [email protected] E.L.C. Director Shari Beck-Nahman Youth Director Ferne Levy Director of Education Rabbi Emeritus Elliot M. Strom Rabbi Eric Goldberg – [email protected] Cantor Emeritus Mark Elson Rabbinic Scholar Paula Goldberg Executive Assistant Julie Hershgordon - [email protected] Executive Assistant Julie Hershgordon Membership Coordinator Jodi Friedman Membership Coordinator Preschool Administrator Cheryl Primola Jodi Friedman - [email protected]

SHAFTY (Youth Groups) PAST PRESIDENTS Ferne Levy – [email protected] Ronald Abraham Norman Leibowitz TS E.L.C. Director Harvey Abramson Becky Markowitz Shari Beck-Nahman - [email protected] Irving Altman TS (z’l) Joshua McCoy Sharon K. Benoff Andrea Miller TS Preschool Administrator Ken Bieber Jerome Miller TS (z’l) Cheryl Primola – [email protected] Fred Bock Mo Perera Danny Brown Stephen Rodos General Info: [email protected] Filbert Cherry (z’l) Alan Rosenberg TS NFTY website: NFTY.org/par Phyllis Doroshow Alan Sheinberg Ruth Fives Nancy Siderits Women of Reform Judaism: www.wrj.org Harvey Goldberg Teri Siegel Union of Reform Judaism: www.URJ.org Sheldon Gould TS (z’l) Ronald Smolow Janis Jacobs Nathan Snyder TS Bob Kasman (z’l) Leonard Sokolove TS (z’l) Robert Katzenstein Dena Stein TS (z’l) OUR MISSION Arthur Krauss Debbie Stevens Harold Lefcourt TS (z’l) Jon Stevens Shir Ami is the hub of Reform Judaism in Bucks County Larry Lefkowitz TS * (z’l) zichrono livracha “of blessed memory” We are DEDICATED to sustaining and growing a vibrant and diverse Jewish Community. AUXILIARY PRESIDENTS We are DEVOTED to educating all who seek a greater Men’s Club Michael Markowitz understanding of our traditions, values, and practices. Women of Shir Ami Risa Kane SHAFTY Abby Green We are COMMITTED to connecting with each other, cultivating spiritual growth, creating a just and Thank you to Big Page Marketing/David Sandman compassionate society, and supporting Israel and our for designing our monthly Shiron. Jewish family worldwide. 24