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Nissan– Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 Issue No. 110

the connection

Imagining the Congregation of the 21st Century Musings from my trip back to school… By Rabbi Aaron Bisno, p.4

also in this issue Rabbi Aaron Bisno and Rabbi Dr. Walter Jacob attended the 150 th annual gathering of the Central Conference of American Rabbis at Hebrew Union College in Cincinatti. Rodef Shalom Cares: Make an Impact, Volunteer with Our Caring Committee Karen Brean, President, p.3 Celebrate Summer

A Guatemalan Sojourn for Human Rights in the Biblical Rabbi Sharyn Henry, p.5 Building a Stronger Rodef Shalom Community Botanical Garden barry weisband, Murray Klein Executive Director. p.6 P. 14 109 Shevat- Nissan 5779 | May-July 2019 Contents Issue No. 110

3 Rodef Shalom Cares: Volunteer with Our Caring Committee We are a Reform Jewish congregation karen brean 11 “Doing Congregation” in the dedicated to melding the traditions of Early 20th Century: The Seekers our faith with contemporary life. Our 4 Imagining the Congregation congregation was chartered in 1856 and martha l. berg is one of five synagogues on the National of the 21st Century Register of Historic Landmarks. We are rabbi aaron bisno 12 Growing Prayer, Practice a diverse congregation engaged in social & Learning Opportunities issues, culture, and learning—made up 5 A Guatemalan Sojourn at Rodef Shalom of multigenerational, multicultural, and for Human Rights bill klingensmith & Salem Leaman interfaith families and individuals; our rabbi sharyn h. henry doors are open to everyone. 13 Social Justice and Action Staff Phone Extensions 6 Building a Stronger Committee Works to Empower 412.621.6566 Rodef Shalom Community Immigrants, Support Gun Safety barry weisband david manchester & sarah rosenson Sherry Bell 137 Martha Berg 131 14 Biblical Garden Summer Events Rabbi Aaron Bisno 123 7 Teach Your Children Well: Yael Eads 130 Judaism Through Generations Dan Eisner 116 mayda roth 15 Member Connections Rabbi Sharyn Henry 126 Dr. Walter Jacob 125 8 Preschool & Family Center 16 B’nai Mitzvah Kristin Karsh 120 mimsie leyton Bob Kelly 148 17 Delve into Biblical Archaeology Kate Kim 111 9 Reflections On a Amy Langham 117 with Dr. Ron Tappy Successful Year: J-JEP, teri cowan Brian Larson 121 Collaboration, and Learning Mimsie Leyton 127 Marlee Lyons 112 dan eisner 18 A Year of Brotherhood’s Don Megahan 190 Accomplishments: 2018-2019 Michael McHugh 144 10 Building Jewish Connections tim litman Hope Nearhood 143 at NFTY and Beyond 19 Contributions Helena Nichols 132 abby adelman Christine Ranasinghe 182 Stephanie Rex 124 Mayda Roth 140 Rodef Shalom Congregation is a member of the Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno Barry D. Weisband Union for Reform Judaism. JoAnn Ruffing 110 Frances F. & David R. Levin Murray Klein Dave Seskey 128 Senior Rabbinic Pulpit Executive Director

Sam Siskind 179 Rabbi Sharyn H. Henry Miriam Leyton Melanie Solomon 122 Sidney & Shirley C. Rapport Walter Jacob, DHL Family Center Director Olivia Tucker 133 Rabbi Emeritus/Senior Barry Weisband 119 Scholar Don Megahan Music Director & Organist

The bulletin of Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, is published four times annually. The Gift Corner 115 Periodical postage paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. Lippman Library 180 Postmaster: Send address changes to: Hakesher, 4905 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. USPS 537–660 Rodef Shalom Congregation

The mission of Rodef Shalom Congregation is to build and sustain a vibrant Reform Jewish community. We guide and support our members in living full Jewish lives throughout the life cycle, based on Torah (study), avodah (worship), and gemilut hasadim (acts of loving kindness). We strive to be a national and international leader in Jewish thought and practice. Rodef Shalom Cares: Make an Impact, Volunteer with Our Caring Committee Karen Brean, President [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566

he Board of Trustees and staff of Rodef Shalom have been working hard this year to reinvigorate our committees. One by one, committee chairs are shoring up existing committees, reinvigorating dormant ones, collaborating Twith each other, and reaching out to congregants to help us do our sacred work. One of the Congregation’s strategic goals for volunteer, please contact Caring Committee 2018-2019 is the greater engagement of the Caring Congregational Vice Chair, Marian Allen, at 412-980- Committee. To that end, the Caring Committee has 9214, or email us at [email protected]. launched the RodefShalomCares initiative, the mission of which is: “To provide support to our members at times of hardship, illness, loss, and celebration.”

Our goal is to have our volunteers partner with our Rabbis in the sacred work of performing acts of loving kindness (gemilut chasadim), visiting the sick (bikur cholim), honoring the elderly (hiddur p’nai zaken) and comforting the mourner (nichum aveilim).

This initiative seeks to build on the caring work that Women of Rodef Shalom and Brotherhood have been doing for many years. All of us have been touched in some way by that caring work.

In order to shore up the ways in which we give support, to reinstate some past initiatives and fill in any gaps, RodefShalomCares will support our members in a variety of ways. This year, these first steps will be taken:

• Trained volunteers will visit or make caring calls to members who have been ill, experienced a loss, or just need some extra support. • Volunteers will deliver challah (and soup) for Shabbat during the first 30 days of mourning. • The Committee will bring opportunities to learn about support strategies for ourselves, our children, and our elderly loved ones.

With these and other efforts,RodefShalomCares will respond to the needs of our members. Many volunteers are needed for this important effort. If you are interested in being a RodefShalomCares

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 3 Imagining the Congregation of the 21st Century Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno, Frances F. & David R. Levin Senior Rabbinic Pulpit [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x122 ∧ @rabbibisno

n the first days of April, 600 Reform rabbis gathered in Cincinnati for the Central Conference of American Rabbis’ annual gathering. Reform rabbis from across the world came together to mark the 200th birthday of IRabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, the architect of Reform Judaism in America. And, too, meeting in Cincinnati allowed us to return to the original campus of the Hebrew Union College, the first seminary in the United States devoted

to the training of rabbis - and the place where I first One truth was confirmed again and again: The realities learned the significance of asking questions and we are confronting in Pittsburgh are not unique, save questioning answers. In essence, it is where I learned that in Pittsburgh (1) many Jewish institutions have to think and to act like a rabbi. been preparing for the coming paradigm shift for years, ------and (2) there exists within our community an espirit So it was, that HUC’s historic home hosted a three- de corps that, simply, isn’t evidenced everywhere. It’s day conversation about what it means to be a Jew in a not creativity for which we lack; ideas we have among free society today, how synagogue life will be defined us in abundance. (Two Jews, three opinions.) in the next decade, and what will be required of all of us as we fully embrace the opportunity we have to However, only in sharing our ideas candidly, sans shape our people’s experience for the next century. concern for which actor gets credit for a communal Many were colleagues’ conversations concerning success, will unconventional solutions present sociology, anti-Semitism, the synagogue, the next themselves. And thus, to successfully think and act generation of the rabbinate, and what will be required in ways both strategic and wise, which is to say: in of our communities as we grapple with the emerging order to meet the needs of our community going realities of an interconnected, everything-accessible, forward, it will be necessary for us to partner across 24-seven, 21st century world. congregational boundaries so as to co-innovate the next iteration of congregational Judaism.

In Pittsburgh, I believe this to be possible; and, after October 27th especially, as is clear to all: Every member of our Jewish community is in this together. ------As I strolled across the campus of the Hebrew Union College, at the conference’s end, I was reminded of my earliest days as a seminarian (25+ years ago) and of all I then looked forward to experiencing in the active rabbinate. But even more, I was filled with a sense of gratitude for all I learned as a student, for all I have experienced in the years since, and for all, I am certain, we will yet accomplish as we reimagine and The 150th annual gathering of the Central Conference of redesign the Reform congregational community of the American Rabbis took place in Cincinnati this past April. future - together! The rabbis are photographed in front of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives at the historic Cincinnati campus of the Hebrew Union College. Rabbi Bisno is located under the arrow!

4 rodefshalom.org A Guatemalan Sojourn for Human Rights Rabbi Sharyn H. Henry, Rabbi [email protected] ∧ (412) 621-6566 x126

I bought an apron in a Guatemalan market. It is purple and blue, and it has some sparkly bits on it. I am neither an apron person, nor someone who favors sparkly bits on my clothing, but I needed this apron. The apron reminds me of the midwives who hosted a group of rabbis in their collective near Quetzaltenango. These women, poor midwives, some of them illiterate, all of them beautiful, formidable, and gentle, looked like royalty in their aprons. Maybe my apron would connect me with some of their graciousness and courage.

The women are part of CODECOT, a collective of The mission of UDEFEGUA relies heavily on a CICIG, the indigenous women, midwives, healers and educators, in International Commission Against Impunity, a 2007 the Quetzaltenango region of Guatemala, and I was one agreement between the United Nations and the State of 15 rabbis, traveling with the American World Service of Guatemala. CICIG provides for the investigation and Global Justice Fellowship. After a 30-year brutal internal criminal prosecution of groups that foster impunity and armed conflict, (the government calls it a civil war, the undermine the democratic achievements in Guatemala indigenous people use the word, “genocide”) there are since the end of the internal armed conflict. In its still egregious human rights violations in Guatemala. We eleven-year existence, CICIG has won the approval of were there to meet and to hear the stories of Guatemalans the Guatemalan people and made significant progress— engaged in advocating for their rights, safety, and land. sending corrupt politicians, business people, and leaders of organized crime to prison. Guatemalan President The work of the CODECOT midwives is not supported by Jimmy Morales has called for an end to CICIG and has the government, yet the women travel long distances, taken steps to hasten its demise—but the people are sometimes at night, sometimes into areas where gangs speaking out. We witnessed demonstrations where prowl the terrain, sometimes—most of the time—without hundreds, if not thousands of Guatemalans protested the pay, to be with laboring Mayan women. After our tour president’s decision. of the CODECOT office/training school/communal gathering space/clinic, we heard personal stories from At our meeting with Charge d’Affaires David Hodge the midwives. One of them, a particularly gregarious and other US Embassy staff (at the Embassy), we were woman, talked about being bitten by a patient’s dog. Her encouraged to lobby our own government leaders to corn tortilla remedy: quickly mix masa with water, flatten address corruption and impunity in Guatemala. In it into a tortilla, apply it to the wound…and then feed it to March, my cohort, along with other rabbis from around the dog! She laughed; we worried. the country, met for an AJWS lobby day. We spoke to our elected officials on behalf of the Guatemalan human Our weeklong sojourn in Guatemala included briefings rights leaders who entrusted us with their stories, and by the leadership of UDEFEGUA (Unidad de Defensores addressed other concerns of AJWS and its grantee y Defensoras de Derechos Humanos de Guatemala), partners as well. which defends human rights activists working for social change. From 2008 to 2011, there were 1,286 reports of The primary goal of the Global Justice Fellowship is attacks against human rights activists; 55 of them were to inspire American rabbis to become advocates for killed, sometimes by hired assassins. Attacks range human rights. My participation in the AJWS Global from harassment and public defamation campaigns to Justice Fellowship has deepened my sense of awe in rape and murder. Criminals, corporations, and corrupt the capacity of the human spirit. This, coupled with government officials use fear, trauma and bloodshed to the congregation and community’s trust in me as suppress grassroots activists and to mute journalists. expressed in the new social action award that bears UDEFEGUA aids activist organizations developing safety my name, fills me with an even greater passion to work and security plans for their offices and staff in order to for the dignity, safety, and justice of my neighbors, minimize the risk of attacks. UDEFEGUA also provides as well as for those who live throughout the world. mental health support to activists coping with anxiety and trauma related to threats, and supports victims With or without my apron. seeking justice in courts.

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 5 Building a Stronger Rodef Shalom Community Barry D. Weisband, Murray Klein Executive Director [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x119

or more than 160 years, Rodef Shalom Congregation has been a vibrant synagogue that serves Pittsburgh’s Reform Jewish community. Over the decades, the synagogue has grown and expanded its facilities and programming. FAlmost from its founding, Rodef Shalom has been an impactful, community-minded nonprofit organization that serves individuals and other organizations in the greater Pittsburgh area.

As leadership and staff plan for the next five to ten years meetings are held to share information and provide and beyond, Rodef Shalom embraces our unmistakable feedback. This also allows them to focus on the priority role as a not-for-profit organization with a community areas and strategic goals so that each committee aligns focus. The Campos market-research study conducted with Rodef Shalom’s vision for future engagement within late last year clearly points out significant opportunities the communities. for the synagogue to play a more vital role in both the Jewish and broader Pittsburgh communities. We will plan In recent times, Rodef Shalom has allowed its and implement programs and services that will motivate membership-driven committee structure to become members and nonmembers individual clusters that may alike to help them achieve their or may not have fulfilled personal goals and more fully their respective purposes. develop their lives through Jewish The committees have not values, teaching and study. come together to form a strong foundation in which to In order to accomplish this vision, accomplish the synagogue’s Rodef Shalom has set in motion vision, mission and goals. With a new committee structure that much more attention now placed ensures that the individual on the internal interactions committees’ ongoing work of these existing and new aligns with the organization’s committees, there is a higher strategic goals and objectives by probability that Rodef Shalom using the three pillars of Caring, Practice and Learning, will create programs that will more comprehensively and Sustainability. In addition, a new Institutional engage members and the broader communities. Advancement Committee (IAC) has been launched that focuses on five strategic activities that will help us All of this will take time, and at least three to five years engage with a variety of people throughout Western to quantifiably measure outcomes and to achieve real Pennsylvania, nationally and globally. The IAC’s five qualitative results. The expected impact will be a much focal areas are Membership, Marketing, Development stronger Rodef Shalom which is in a better position to and Fundraising, Philanthropic Fund and Innovation. help individuals and organizations achieve their goals, and help them live the lives they have chosen for However, this is not a quick fix. There are organizational themselves. cultural changes afoot at Rodef Shalom. Historically, these committees have worked more or less as separate The congregation needs YOU today to help it continue entities, without much internal communication between to build a stronger community in order to realize its long the committees or its membership. This new structure term vision for tomorrow. To join a committee, please call places an emphasis on a more organized approach for me at 412-621-6566 ext. 119 or email me at weisband@ communications. Regularly scheduled committee chair rodefshalom.org.

6 rodefshalom.org Teach Your Children Well: Judaism Through Generations Mayda Roth, Director of Development [email protected] ∧ (412)-621-6566 x140

I recently finished reading Dr. Richard Rubin’s book,Jewish In America, Living George Washington’s Promise. A Phi Beta Kappa from Brown University, Rubin went from building, operating and ultimately selling a textile business, to the world of academia. With a doctorate in political science from Columbia University, he taught there and at Swarthmore College. Rubin explores the fusion of American values with Jewish ones into what he labels a hybrid Jewish identity that American Jews must cultivate and pass on to future generations.

Notwithstanding the current increase in anti-Semitism, Looking toward our volumes of rich, historic text as Rubin concludes that the broad diversity in America pathways for exploring, learning and growing is possible, has made this country, historically, the most welcoming because here at Rodef Shalom, we have embraced the place in the world (outside of Israel) for Jews. mantra of those who preceded us and we are building for the future. Rubin comments that understanding the persistence of Jewish life and values is what we should teach to young Making sure that we are ready for the future is why we and old alike. This particular passage reminded me have embraced a vigorous fund development program. of the lyrics in a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song: Support our Rodef Shalom Legacy Society. Let me know “Teach your children well.” if Rabbi Bisno and I can call you to tell you more.

In a nutshell, “teaching our children well” is why I believe You can support the Rabbi Sharyn H. Henry Social Justice we work so hard to keep Rodef Shalom sustainable. Award, honoring her 20 years at our Congregation Our fundraising efforts maintain our programs and our and the 30th anniversary of her ordination. Donate by building as an ongoing treasure, not as a museum calling me at 412.621.6566 x140 or via email at roth@ of the past. rodefshalom.org.

Most importantly, philanthropy provides the opportunity Thank you, as always. for a robust spiritual life. We are not just people of the book, we are writing new chapters of an ongoing story.

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 7 A year’s worth of play, learning and fun at the Rodef Shalom Preschool and Family Center! For more information, contact Mimsie Leyton at [email protected] or by calling 412-621-6566 ext. 127.

8 rodefshalom.org Reflections On a Successful Year: J-JEP, Collaboration, and Learning Dan Eisner, Interim Director, J-JEP [email protected]

espite the outside challenges of this past year, J-JEP is thriving in 2018-2019! With 175 students, representing three congregations and six unaffiliated families, we have come together as a community to celebrate joys and sorrows. DIn September, new students were welcomed into the J-JEP community at Consecration. It is always wonderful to welcome new members of our learning community.

In March, we celebrated Purim with carnivals at Rodef Shalom and Beth Shalom. We also celebrated with songs and games on Wednesday evening at Rodef Shalom during J-JEP hours.

Students also had the chance to learn about Passover In October, the Pittsburgh Jewish community suffered an through games and activities. We were also lucky enough unimaginable tragedy that we continue to grapple with to be able to spend time with Jewish rock singer Dan today. It is a testament to our resilience that we have Nichols as part of our Passover learning. continued to remain a cohesive community. Our J-JEP educators have done an amazing job helping our students This May, we will come together to celebrate all that we navigate our new reality. I want to thank each and every one have learned and accomplished this year at the Celebration of them for their dedication to and support of our students of Learning. It is a fitting way to end the year with in the weeks following Oct. 27. They did this even as they community and joy. These were just a few of the highlights were working through their own thoughts and emotions. of the year. Throughout it all, we came together for class breakfasts, weekly t’fillah, electives, specials, and more. In mid-November, I joined J-JEP as its interim director and Our educators have truly shone in their creativity, devotion immediately felt welcomed by the entire community. My to their students, and expertise. second Sunday fell on the day of the J-JEP T’fillah Breakfast. We were joined by Pizmon, a Jewish A Capella group from I, especially, want to acknowledge Kate Kim, J-JEP Assistant New York City, that gave a wonderful performance. In Director, for keeping everything moving forward at the addition to the performance, we discussed what it means beginning of the year, especially through the unexpected, to be a part of a Jewish community. and for supporting me as I have gone through the year. I know that J-JEP is headed in the right direction, and I In December, Latkepalooza was a wonderful success. It felt cannot wait to see what the coming years bring for J-JEP. good to come together specifically to celebrate with each other and the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community. We also celebrated Chanukah during our midweek classes at Beth Shalom and at Rodef Shalom. We gathered to light the Chanukiah (Chanukah menorah) and to enjoy latkes and sufganiyot.

Although we were snowed out on MLK weekend, our classes spent time the following week learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. and issues of racial and social justice.

At the beginning of February, we came together as a school to learn about Jewish ritual objects at World Wide Wrap. An initiative of the Men’s Clubs of Conservative Judaism, J-JEP participates in World Wide Wrap as a community. Older students learn to put on tefillin, and younger classes spend the day learning about Jewish ritual objects. Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 9 Building Jewish Connections at NFTY & Beyond Abby Adelman, Senior at North Allegheny High School Immediate NFTY-PAR past president

his past February, I attended the NFTY Convention with about 500 teens from across North America in Dallas, TTexas as a delegate from NFTY PAR. NFTY is the Union for Reform Judaism’s youth program, the URJ’s future plans to address anti-Semitism. He composed of 19 regions across the United States and explained the importance of building up synagogues Canada. NFTY PAR encompasses all of Pennsylvania and giving them the resources to grow their youth (with the exception of Erie), South Jersey, and Delaware. programs, which would eventually send more teens NFTY Convention is an event that occurs once every to NFTY. I personally loved this idea and left feeling two years in a different city that aims to bring teens extremely confident in the URJ and its leadership. together from all 19 regions to create friendships and gain education and knowledge about issues facing our For the past four years, NFTY has been so incredibly world. important to me. Serving as the Programming Vice President for one year and President the next, I have As this would be my second Convention, following grown so much as a leader and as a person. Not only Chicago in 2017, I knew a bit of what to expect, but have I made my best friends, but I found my Jewish also knew that coming in as a senior and regional connection that I am able to incorporate it every day. board member, my experience would be completely different! As a senior, I will be graduating NFTY mid-April, and I leave a completely different person than I was coming In just four days, I learned so much about topics varying in freshman year. I am more independent, thoughtful, from Israel to goal setting. What made this convention and caring than I ever thought I could be, and I am so different than others before it was the ability to so excited to use all the skills NFTY has taught me in choose what sessions we attended. For me though, college and beyond. one of the most valuable parts was a conversation I had with URJ President, Rabbi Rick Jacobs. Myself and NFTY has changed my life, and I am so excited to see another PARite sat down with him for 30 minutes and more Rodef Shalom teens joining this inspirational discussed Youth Engagement within synagogues, and movement for years to come.

10 rodefshalom.org “Doing Congregation” in the Early 20th Century: The Seekers Martha L. Berg, Archivist (412) 621-6566 x131 ∧ [email protected]

n the early 20th century, Pittsburgh was an industrial boomtown, and Rodef Shalom grew along with it. Rabbi J. Leonard Levy, who came here in 1901, was a dynamic speaker and a charismatic leader. The congregation’s Imembership doubled during Rabbi Levy’s first year here, and it soon outgrew its downtown building and rebuilt where we are today. Rabbi Levy involved the older, more affluent member families in providing financial support for progressive social justice issues.

But Rabbi Levy had a concern for youth as well, Undated and he was known for encouraging young people to photo of The develop their full potential. In a time when Gilded- Seekers with Age amusements provided many temptations to female guests. young people, Rabbi Levy wanted to make sure young Rabbi Levy congregants maintained their ties with Judaism and is standing, with Rodef Shalom. In 1910, whether at Rabbi Levy’s center. sole instigation or at the request of a group of young adult men who admired him is not clear, he established a new organization at Temple called, “The Seekers.” sound was transmitted from the electrical engineering There is relatively little documentary evidence of the department at Carnegie Tech (CMU) to the meeting at group’s existence over the seven years until Rabbi the Concordia Club (now the O’Hara Student Center at Levy’s death. Most of what I have been able to discover Pitt). is from contemporaneous newspaper accounts of The Seekers. Some have suggested that the group Occasionally, the members themselves were the included young women as well as men, since Rabbi speakers, on topics demonstrating their own academic Levy became an advocate of women’s suffrage in the interests or professional expertise. In addition, The nineteen-teens, but all of the names mentioned as Seekers sponsored a Sunday reading circle of 20- participants or officers are male. By 1916, membership 30 participants, which, under the Rabbi’s guidance, was expressly limited to “young men of the Temple tackled Plato’s Dialogues one year and Jewish History over 24 years of age.” another. There was also a Seekers Bible Study group which met every other Friday evening in Rabbi Levy’s The Seekers held monthly dinner meetings fall home study. The Seekers started the first Jewish through spring, many with outside speakers. Topics Big Brothers group in the Pittsburgh area, and they ranged from “Sexual Hygiene” to “The French participated in volunteer work with Jewish residents Revolution” to “Weapons of Naval Warfare.” One of at the State Industrial Reformatory in Huntingdon, PA. the first demonstrations of “wireless telephony” in Pittsburgh was part of a Seekers meeting in 1915; Many of the young men involved in The Seekers went on to lifelong membership and leadership positions at Rodef Shalom. “We do not know of any work which Dr. Levy has done in this community that has J. Leonard Levy memorial plaque more practical value or which will be of more lasting in sanctuary, given influence than the bringing together of seventy young by The Seekers. men for purposes of a higher order.” (Jewish Criterion, May 3, 1912).

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 11 Growing Prayer, Practice & Learning Opportunities at Rodef Shalom Bill Klingensmith and Salem Leaman, Co-Chairs, Prayer, Practice and Learning Committee [email protected]

ot too long ago, it was called the “Worship Committee.” Then, it became the “Prayer and Practice Committee.” And at the beginning of 2019, the committee name changed once again to become the “Prayer, Practice and N Learning Committee.” In the charter of the earlier Worship Committee, it is Symons (Director of the Center for Loving Kindness at the stated that the role of the Committee is to “partner with JCC) as well as Rabbi Mahler. PP&L has also sponsored the Rabbis to focus on enriching the lives of Congregants other programs such as “Tools for Elul” in the days leading through innovations and best practices in worship.” If that up to the High Holy Days. The committee hopes to continue last word (worship) is changed to “learning,” you have the this thought-provoking series for many years to come. new essential purpose and mission of the committee. For the next year (after the High Holy Days), PP&L will Last year, in keeping with tradition, the weekly Saturday continue the Saturday Morning Text Study and Shabbat Morning Torah Study program between Pesach and Lunch and Learn Programs. Additional programs will Shavuot became a seven-week series on Pirke Avot (Ethics include both Hebrew and Yiddish language instruction, of the Fathers). Sponsored by the Prayer and Practice using the Aleph-Bet Boot Camp concept. The Yiddish Committee, these discussions were led primarily by our component of this program will be co-led by a member of Rabbis. A survey was sent to attendees after the sessions the Dor Hadash Adult Education Committee. concluded,where more than 70 percent of respondents indicated that studying Jewish texts beyond the weekly Other new learning opportunities to be offered in the Torah portion was both informative and engaging. Eighty- coming year include a guided tour of the Westview five percent said they were able to find connection to their Cemetery and an orientation to and tour of the Rauh Jewish everyday lives in their study of Pirke Avot. And almost 90 Archives. percent of those surveyed felt that regularly scheduled classes and programs with distinct start and end dates Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin will join Rodef Shalom for several and times were preferable to drop-in classes. weekends, both as a guest lecturer and as a study leader. Rabbi Salkin was ordained at HUC and is recognized as an As we look at the evidence, we see the need for more important lecturer and author on a wide span of Jewish courses like this one, and that is why the main objective topics. of our Committee is to continue to provide a variety of learning opportunities to members of Rodef Shalom and The PP&L Committee’s longer-range plan includes several the greater community. possibilities: Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes, Spirituality Studies, an “Ask a Rabbi” program, classes on Israeli The Prayer, Practice and Learning Committee (PP&L) has Politics, Prayer Book Familiarity, as well as various Jewish conducted two major programs: Saturday Morning Study History and Jewish Holiday lectures and classes. and Shabbat Lunch and Learn. For Saturday Morning Study, the discussion leaders have been Rabbis Bisno A major long-term objective of the Prayer, Practice and and Henry, Eric Lidji (Director of the Rauh Jewish Archives Learning Committee will be to bring all future learning at the Heinz History Center), Cantorial Soloist Molly May, opportunities at Rodef Shalom into a formal, scheduled and Rabbi Mark Mahler (Temple Emanuel of Mt. Lebanon, (evenings and Sundays included) Adult Education retired). They have led discussions on various texts from Academy concept that would be open to the entire Jewish not only the Torah, but also the Prophets and Writings as community and beyond. Stay tuned! well. And we are again studying Pirke Avot this year, with Rabbi Mahler, from April 27 to June 1. Finally, the PP&L Committee looks forward to hearing from YOU with your ideas and suggestions for additional Shabbat Lunch and Learn has enjoyed presentations by learning opportunities at RSC. To learn more, contact noted Israeli Liturgist and Poet Alden Solovy, Rabbi Ron [email protected].

12 rodefshalom.org Social Justice & Action Committee Works to Empower Immigrants, Support Gun Safety David Manchester and Sarah Rosenson, Cochairs, Social Justice and Action Committee [email protected]

he newly revitalized Social Justice and Action Committee is hitting the ground running on a number of projects and T initiatives with the support of Rabbi Sharyn Henry and Program Coordinator Olivia Tucker.

In response to the tragic Tree of Life shooting, we have backed an effort spearheaded by Development Director Mayda Roth to encourage members of the RSC community and the greater Pittsburgh community to send postcards encouraging state elected officials to support common- sense gun legislation. This effort is being cosponsored by a number of local organizations, including the RSC Brotherhood, Women of Rodef Shalom, and CeaseFirePA. We are continuing to solicit other sponsors and also working to find venues where postcards can be signed. All that is required to send a postcard is a signature and your zip code (you must be at least 18 years of age).

Beginning with the celebration of Passover, in which we invite all who are hungry to come and join our Seder, with guests from JFCS, we also began a project with Casa San Jose, a Latino community center that provides support and resources to Latino immigrants in our area. One specific effort involved knocking on doors in the East Liberty and Beechview neighborhoods, encouraging residents to display a sign in their windows indicating that their homes are safe places for immigrants. The sign also provides information on one’s rights with regard to ICE.

Later in May, several members of our committee, along with others in the RSC community, will attend the Religious Action Committee of Reform Judaism’s Consultation on Conscience conference in Washington, D.C. We hope to use this opportunity to connect with others from the URJ community and to learn about social justice and social action projects that are occurring in other congregations across the county. Though we are a small committee at the moment, we Looking ahead to the rest of the year, we hope to focus are very open to welcoming new members and hearing on educational and outreach projects related to criminal their ideas for how we can contribute to repairing the justice reform and the successful reentry into society of world and bending the arc of the universe toward justice. former prisoners. We are researching speakers to bring in, films to screen, and possible educational trips to Contact [email protected] if you organize. would like to join us or if you have an idea you would like to share with us.

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 13 Celebrate Summer in the Biblical Botanical Garden!

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JOIN OUR FIRST OF THE MONTH BIBLICAL GARDEN TOURS:

June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4 at 12:15 p.m.

ENJOY MUSIC AND MORE AT OUR ANNUAL The Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden GARDEN PARTIES! was established by Irene (z”l) and Rabbi Dr. Walter Jacob in 1986 to highlight the plants This year’s Garden Parties will be held June 13, of the ancient near east. Each summer, featuring Craig Davis Jazz Band; July 11 with Kierra Zee, Pittsburgh’s Godmother of Soul; and August 8 a themed special exhibit augments the with the Boilermaker Jazz Band. Save the dates and collection of biblical plants that focuses on stay tuned for more information! one aspect of daily life. All programs are free and open to the public. For OUR 2019 SPECIAL EXHIBIT FEATURES “FOOD more information, call 412-621-6566 or visit our & COOKING IN OUR FIRST DIASPORA - THE website at www.rodefshalombiblicalgarden.org. PERSIAN PERIOD (400 BCE-200 BCE).”

The Garden respects the love of the Bible, which people throughout the world have displayed by naming plants for biblical figures. Although these plants were not grown in ancient Israel, we have planted a selection of them – specially labeled – to demonstrate this attachment to the Bible. We see the Garden continuing the long Rodef Shalom tradition of interfaith standing, so the world of plants can bring us closer to each other. We’ll see you this summer in the garden!

STORY TIME IN THE BIBLICAL GARDEN

Enjoy story time with your preschooler in the summer oasis of Rodef Shalom’s Biblical Garden. After each picture-book reading, we will complete a creative art project! Contact nichols@rodefshalom. org for more information.

• Wednesday, June 12, 12:45 p.m. • Wednesday, July 10, 12:45 p.m. • Wednesday, July 24, 12:45 p.m.

14 rodefshalom.org Member Connections:

DAVID MANCHESTER: FATHER, DESIGNER

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RODEF SHALOM?

My full-time job is a stay-at-home dad for our (almost) It’s really hard to pick just one. The people, the 8-year-old son. I also am a freelance graphic designer, congregants, every employee, from Steve and Bob doing everything from logos, brochures, and other to Mimsie and everyone else behind the scenes. printed materials for websites. I’m an avid gym-goer, The rabbis are amazing. Former Rabbi Amy Hertz love cooking, playing tennis, and I am the frontman actually helped us write our own Bris “service.” It for the local alt-folk band, Arlo Aldo. We’ve been living was amazing. And Rabbi Henry and Rabbi Bisno are in Mt. Lebanon since relocating to Pittsburgh 9 years absolutely incredible, both as spiritual leaders and as ago. We love our street and have no qualms making human beings and sources of wisdom. There’s also the the trip cross-town to attend Rodef Shalom and J-JEP. history and majesty of the building. I also appreciate the philosophy of Rodef Shalom and the way the HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ATTENDING RODEF synagogue reaches out to all the communities of SHALOM? AND WHY DID YOU START ATTENDING? Pittsburgh. It’s such an amazing place to be a part of.

My wife and I started attending Rodef about 8 years WHAT'S YOUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE? ago. We are an interfaith couple and were looking for a spiritual home that felt welcoming to both of us. As campy as it sounds, can I say peace and unity? Conservative synagogues left my wife out too much, I’m not saying everyone has to have the exact same and a lot of the Reform synagogues didn’t have enough opinion or political stance, but we seem so far away that appealed to my needs. Rodef not only fit the from the days when we could sit at a table and have a services side of things for us, but the people we met civil conversation about our differences. were so incredibly warm and welcoming to both of us. Mimsie and Michelle from the Family Center became a I think that if we can get back to a place where we second family for us and were incredible with our son. can accept other people’s opinions, that would be Rodef Shalom has become more than a spiritual center magical. Also, for the future, I want to see a time when for all three of us, and has turned into a whole second the well-being of all people, all colors, all creeds, family for us. takes precedence over politics and proceeds. When corporations and governments care more about people ARE YOU OR HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY than profits. When companies and political lobbyists COMMITTEES OR GROUPS? start to care about the health of our planet.

I was on the Family Center committee while my son I look forward to the day when people of color don’t was in preschool, and now I am a member of the Board have to have “the talk” with their children, or fear the of Trustees. This year, I am a co-chair for the Social police. When no one sees themselves as a “superior” Justice committee, and I’m really excited about the race. When my son doesn’t have to do active shooter committee’s potential. drills in school. Frankly, I’d be happy to start with any one of these, but if we could get them all, I think that DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL MEMORY TIED TO YOUR would make for an incredible future. JEWISH FAITH?

Going tallit shopping with my grandfather before my Bar Mitzvah. I might not have appreciated it at the time, but looking back, what a beautiful symbol about the way Judaism is passed down through the generations.

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 15 Mazel Tov! B’NAI MITZVAH

Julia Freudenberg May 18

Julia Freudenberg, daughter of Susan and Joe Freudenberg, will become a Bat Mitzvah on May 18. Julia is a seventh grader at The Ellis School. She loves skiing, animals and her friends. She is participating in the Goldston Teen Philanthropy Project.

Joshua Ari Valinsky June 1 Joshua Ari Valinsky, son of Jane and Buddy Valinsky, will become a Bar Mitzvah on June 1. Josh attends St. Edmund’s Academy, where he plays on the basketball team. Some of his hobbies include baseball, basketball, collecting sneakers, and reading. Josh also loves animals and hopes to adopt a dog soon! His Bar Mitzvah project is volunteering at the East End Cooperative Ministry cooking and serving food to the residents at the homeless shelter. He chose this because he enjoys cooking, and volunteering makes him feel good.

Jack Aaron Segall June 8 Jack Aaron Segall, son of Mia and Arie Segall, will become a Bar Mitzvah on June 8. Jack is a seventh-grader at Colfax, where his favorite subject is math. He enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his brothers, Noah and Nate. For his mitzvah project, Jack is raising money for the Backpack Program at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

16 rodefshalom.org Delve into Biblical Archaeology with Dr. Ron Tappy Teri Cowan, President, Women of Rodef Shalom [email protected]

embers of Women of Rodef Shalom, together with Brotherhood and Rodef Shalom Congregation, are pleased to sponsor a special weekly lecture series this spring called the Fran Lefkowitz Biblical M Archaeology Series with Dr. Ron Tappy of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. This course began Sunday, April 7. It will be offered through May 19.

This series is named in blessed memory and in honor of JOIN US AT OTHER Fran Lefkowitz, who served as President of the Biblical UPCOMING WRS EVENTS: Archaeology Society of Pittsburgh. Her passion for biblical archaeology inspired the education of others

on this subject. We will always remember Fran as THURSDAY, MAY 2 - 5:30 P.M: HEY GOOD the organizer of this Biblical Archaeology Series. For LOOKIN,’ WHATCHA GOT COOKIN’? many years, Fran also was active in other ways in our Join WRS for an evening of wine and hors Congregation and in Women of Rodef Shalom. She had d’oeuvres, a cooking demonstration with been Treasurer of WRS, had chaired a number of our Bistro to Go, and dinner in Freehof Hall. committees, and also served as our financial advisor. Tickets are $25 for WRS members and $30 for all other attendees. The lectures in the series are being presented by Dr. Tappy, a biblical scholar and professor at the Pittsburgh RSVP at www.rodefshalom.org/rsvp. Theological Seminary. Dr. Tappy is the author of many books on Biblical Archaeology and is an international THURSDAY, MAY 9 - NOON: WORLD speaker on this subject. He has his own archaeological UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM, dig in Israel and works there at least one month 2019 LUNCHEON featuring Guest each year. Speaker Asaf Elkalai, Global Artist and Educator. Contact [email protected] During this series, Dr. Tappy is discussing the reality of for more information. well-known biblical narratives that shaped history and course participants are delving into topics surrounding the Hebrew Bible. He provides an in-depth look at the I want to thank the whole staff for all of their help history of Israel throughout the period of the Hebrew this year. The Women of Rodef Shalom could not judges and kings. You have the chance to study have accomplished so many goals successfully archeological proof of the biblical stories cherished in without your help. I will just mention a few Judaism. Prepare to be fascinated and amazed at this names: Barry, Stephanie, Marlee, Amy, Christine, series of lectures at Rodef Shalom Congregation! You Michael, Michelle, JoAnne, and our wonderful can join at any time. Rabbis Jacob; Bisno, and Henry: thank you so much. Our new name may be Women of Rodef Shalom, but I still think of all our past presidents, The Fran Lefkowitz Biblical Archaeology Series began committee chairs, vice presidents, and board on Sunday, April 7, and continues each Sunday through members as my mentors and sisters, which may Sunday, May 19. A light lunch will be served at 12:30 pm be why it’s sometimes hard to not call our group before each session. Each session is from 1:00 pm to “Sisterhood.” I love and value you all. The WRS 2:30 pm. The series is free and open to the public. has such a large group of talented women who work constantly. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for a fabulous year. I feel very blessed to Please RSVP at www.rodefshalom.org/rsvp. We’ll be your President of WRS. -Teri Cowan see you there!

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 17 Looking Back at Brotherhood’s Accomplishments in 2018-2019 Tim Litman, President, Brotherhood [email protected]

s I conclude my first year as President of Brotherhood, I look back at our many accomplishments and look forward to the many plans we have for the future. I want to use this opportunity to thank those who have Ahelped us to move forward. Our board of directors has been a driving force in Generation” about Dr. Rabbi Walter Jacob, having helping us to achieve many goals. As Vice President, Brotherhood gatherings on the first Sunday of the Peter Rosenfeld has mentored me on my duties and month at 10 a.m. discussions of current topics and responsibilities and has helped me with the planning fun, the Herzog Breakfasts this year that featured of many successful events. Peter also graciously Corey O’Conner, Jeff Herzog, and Pulitzer Prize Winner volunteered this year, with the help of Amy Langham, David Shribman, the former executive editor and vice to get our financial reports for our board meetings. president of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, helping Our other vice president, Ed Mandell, has done the Richard Brok with the Race for the Cure on May 12, and important job of collecting the funds and sending out our first joint Shabbat service with the WRS in 25 years. reminders for our Yahrzeit Program. This is a large part of collecting the funds for supporting our Brotherhood I also want to thank our dedicated ushers who have endeavors and many activities. served us well for our Friday and Saturday services. We are always looking for more volunteers of any gender I also want to thank our recording secretary, Al to help us to greet congregants to the services and Rosenfeld, who has done a very accurate job in give out and collect the prayer books. Please consider the recording of the minutes of our meetings and joining us and feel free to email me to get involved! transmitting them by email to the members. Our board of directors and members have been a great help by My goal for next year is to grow our active participants, attending our meetings and making many suggestions and to make more new friends with interesting ideas. for current and future planning. Together as a team, we I’m proud to represent Brotherhood as its President have had many successes in the past year. I learned from and look forward to another successful year. Please my parents who were presidents of many organizations contact me if you have any questions at that there is no “I” in team. It takes the cooperation of [email protected] and I look forward to meeting you! many to succeed. In addition, having Barry Weisband, the outstanding and hard working executive director as a friend and consultant, has been a major part in my first successful year as president of Brotherhood.

Another contributing partner to our success this past year has been working with Women of Rodef Shalom and its president, Teri Cowan, and with Board of Trustees President Karen Brean. Each member of our collective team has been a blessing to me.

Some of our successful endeavors over the past year include supporting the East Wind Symphony performance, the Music with a Mission, John and Stan Spear with the Enjoy Books, Eric Lidji and Ruth Members of Brotherhood served their famous Westerman on the promotion of the book “The 17th hot dog lunch at this year’s Purim Carnival!

18 rodefshalom.org contributions Looking Back at Brotherhood’s donations and endowments Accomplishments in 2018-2019 thanks to the donors who support our congregation

BUILDING AND TEMPLE FUNDS Shirley Kurtz, Ruth Rubenstein, RABBINIC DISCRETIONARY FUND Lissa Geiger Shulman Donations Ramona Roth by Teresa and David Petrick St. Edmund’s Academy RODEF SHALOM CONGREGATION FUND Susie Wolf by Barbara Abraham, Marcella Apter, Carole S. Kaplan Donations Caryl and Irving Halpern, Goldie and Joel Katz, In appreciation Shaira Amin Marolee and Dr. Burton Pollock Laureen Seeger and David Cohen, Stacy Levin and Stewart Bleckman by Gwen Miller Dr. William Levin, Harold Roth, Amy Schlesinger, Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey ANNUAL FUND DONORS Sara and Ken Segel and family Phyllis and Phillip Feinert Barbara Abraham, Valerie and Paul Bacharach, In memory Seymoure and Corinne Krause Endowment Fund of Alice Backer, Harriet and Ray Baum, Adam Dr. Anthony Harrison, Judge Larry Kaplan and Fran the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Brustein, Sylvia and Sidney* Busis, Diane Lefkowitz by Mark Aronson The Cathy Dickman Mellott and Smudge Fund of Cohen, Arnold Davis, Edward Diamond, Jr., Scott Betty Jane Marcus by Craig Marcus and The Pittsburgh Foundation Donaldson, Garth Elias, Judith and Jonathon Erlen, Caren Sniderman Lee Weisberger Howard Feinberg, Mia Feinberg, Phyllis and Phil Richard Meritzer and Fran Lefkowitz by Ruth Yahr Honoring Feinert, Frederick Frank, Cyrus Girson, Michael Honoring Rabbi Sion David by Maxine and Stephen Fisher Golde, Joyce Goldmann, Nancy Hoffman, Brandy Rabbi Aaron Bisno by Michael Collura Barton Cowan by Barbara and Alan Ackerman Hollins, Carole and Dan Kamin, Kathy Krause, In memory Margie Landay, Robert Lang, Meryl Lazar, Sharon Nancy Angerman by Marolee and and Alan Lesgold, Marcia Levaur, Cecile Levenson, LEARNING Dr. Burton Pollock Frances Levin, Robert Levine, Carol Lewis, Mimsie Norman Cohen by Cindy and David Shapira/ Leyton, Joel Lichtenstul, Sally and Tim Litman, ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES The David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation, Marlene and Jim Marcus, Linda and Jeffrey Mates, Honoring Karen Wolk Feinstein and the Jewish Healthcare Denise and Benjamin McFerren, Linda and Dale The Honorable Kim Clark by Jeff Pollock Foundation McGary, Linda Melada and Dr. Arthur Levine, Ann Judge Larry Kaplan by Barbara Abraham, Barbara King and Eric Meltzer, Helen Orringer, Joan Ostrow, VIGDOR W. KAVALER SCHOLARSHIP FUND and Alan Ackerman, Nancy and Lester Berkowitz, Nancy and Bill Rackoff, Richard Rauh, Samuel Donations by Mina Kavaler Diane Berman, Joanna and Eli Berens, Diane Reich, Ramona* and Harold Roth, Ruth Rubenstein, Honoring Berman, Barbara Braunstein, Pearl K. Brostoff, Roslyn and Herschel Segall, David Gilinsky and Sandy and Patti Berman, Janet Ecker, Dr. Rabbi Marilyn and Bernard Caplan, Dean Damick, Debra Jeremy Shapira, Belle and Sam Shear, Eleanor Walter Jacob, Dr. Donald Kaiserman, Everett Kocar and Gerald Davidson, Harry Davidson, Siegal, Mardi Skeegan, Nancy Tapper Smith, Janet Kavaler, Sherri Knox, Janice Rosenberg, Dr. Mark Jonathan Finkel, Maxine and Dr. Stephen Fisher, Snyder, Laura and Harlan Stone, Cathy and Tom Staitman, Dr. Cyril Wecht, Valerie and Judge David Marcia Frumerman, Gerry Gondelman, Caryl and Tyma, Sheila Werner, Wendy Wertheimer, Susie Wecht, Debra Wysopol Irving Halpern, Blair and Lynne Jacobson, Elliott Wolf* In Memory and Bobbee Slotsky Kramer, Goldie and Joel Katz, Marcia Adelsheim, Nancy Angerman, Norman Susan and Eric Kruman, Eileen and Nicholas Lane, ROBERT H. AND SUSAN L. WOLF FUND Cohen, Dr. Morton Coleman, Dr. Anthony Harrison, Robert H. Lang, Audrey Lazar and family, Susan In memory Judge Larry Kaplan, Francine Lefkowitz, Richard and Thomas Lippard, Dr. Bernard Mallinger, Violet Susie Wolf by Barbara and Alan Ackerman, Lois Meritzer, Adena Strauss Marcus, Myrna and Mark Mason, Faye and Bill and Gerald Browdie, Edward Diamond, Gene Novick, Susan and Gregg Perelman, Marolee and Dickman, Laura and Elliot Dinkin, Saul A. Fern, RUTH AND BERNARD LEVAUR CONTEMPORARY Dr. Burton Pollock, Nancy and William Rackoff, Gerry Gondelman, Marjorie Gross, Phyl and Evelyn LECTURE FUND Lauren Rapheal, Barbara and Jerome Rosenberg, Grossman, Marcia and Gordy Kanofsky, Karl F. Donations by Mina Kavaler Ruth Rubenstein, Louisa and Jim Rudolph, Rabbi Krieger, Carolyn and Bob Lebovitz, In Memory Burt E. Schuman, Cindy and David Shapira/The Dr. Bernard Mallinger, Violet Marcus, Linda and Judge Larry Kaplan by Marcia Levaur, Barbara and David S. and Karen A. Shapira Foundation, JoAnne, Jeffrey Mates, Sandra and Stewart Metosky, Lois Donald Werner Ben and Zach Simon, Samantha and Mark Simon, and Dr. Milton Michaels, Marcia and Bob Netzer, Jill Wendy and Amy Solomon, Laura and Harlan Stone, and Mark Portland, Sally and Lanny Seed, Rhoda LIBRARY FUND Bonnie and Paul A. Titus, Iris Walker, Carole and Sikov, Audrey and Ralph Silverman, Flo and Art Donations Harvey Wolsh, Barbara Weizenbaum and Sonnenklar, Laurel Swartz, The Wednesday Book Jane and Dr. Richard Meltzer Robert Gorby Club, Nancy and Michael Weissman, Ilene and Fran Lefkowitz by Barbara and Alan Ackerman, Gilbert Wolf, Barnet Wolf, Toby Wolfe, Rita and PLAYGROUND FUND Nancy and Lester Berkowitz, Sandie and Bob Stuart Zolot Donations Brand, Karen and Richard Brean, Maxine and RSHIP Ruth and Jonathan Weisgall Stephen Fisher, Marcia Frumerman, Michael and PRAYERBOOKS In Memory by Linda and Alan Berk, Anne Ellen Teri Kaplan Goldstein, Joyce Penrose, Marolee In memory Norman Cohen and Dr. Burton Pollock, Ruth Rubenstein, Rosalyn Susie Wolf by Racelle and Dr. Morton Goldstein Molloy and Henry Posner III and family Sherman and Russ Orme Nancy Angerman by Carol and Richard Nathenson Judge Larry Kaplan by Margorie Landay Richard Meritzer by Barbara and Alan Ackerman, Fran Lefkowitz by Anne Molloy and Henry Posner Nancy and Lester Berkowitz, Linda Hershman, III, Roberta Needelman, Helen Orringer

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 19 contributions

Richard Meritzer by Anne Molloy and Henry RENIE AND WALTER ELLMAN SOCIAL ACTION FUND 20 − Benjamin Wedner by Lucille Wedner Posner III (Lovingly renamed in memory of Renie Ellman) and family Susie Wolf by Julie and Dan Berez, Peggy In memory April Lowenstein and Steve Berez, Joanie and Judge Larry Kaplan by Laura Ellman and 20 − Charles A. Lynch by Mrs. Beatrice L. Conn Buzzy Bloch, Annette Blum, Judith and Joseph Peter Ennis May Bonacorso, Sandie and Bob Brand, Barbara and 3 − Eleanor D. Benswanger by David Greenberg, Ina and Lawrence Gumberg, ALEX SEED MEMORIAL MENTAL HEALTH FUND Mr. and Mrs. William D. Benswanger Hannah and Marvin Kamin Foundation, Natalie Donation 9 − Sylvia W. Rosenzweig by Marjorie and Alan* Klein, Margie Landay, Eileen and Nicholas Lane, The Poker Gang Landay and family Audrey Lazar, Marcia Levaur, Amy Lowenstein, Donations by Jane, Barry and Lauren Kart 21 − David J. Levenson by late Edgar L. Levenson* Barbara Sachnoff Mendlowitz, Beverly In memory 23 − Julian Ruslander by Lee Ann Freeman Mermelstein, Heidi and David Moskowitz, Anne Judge Larry Kaplan, Fran Lefkowitz, Susie Wolf 24 − Jeffrey Hohenstein by Marion Hohenstein*, Molloy and Henry Posner III, New Hampshire Donations by Sally and Lanny Seed Leonard Robinson by Rochelle Sufrin Bureau of Infectious Disease Control/Sunshine In memory 25 − Rosella Broff by Barbara Broff Goldman Fund, Helen Orringer, Barbara and Lester Parker, Stewart Bleckman, Robert Geminder, Judge Larry 26 − Remembering Julian on our wedding Sabina and Peter Rosenfeld, Ruth Rubenstein, Kaplan, Fred Lehman, Richard Meritzer anniversary by Peggy Ruslander Abby and Reid Ruttenberg, Sue Shapira and Earl 27 − David R. Weil III by Billie Weil and Schaffer, Veronica and Jonathan Schmerling, IRVING and JACQUELIN WECHSLER GALLERY Lauren Lorenz Kathryn and Frederick Sherman, Marjorie Donations by Jacquelin Wechsler 28 − Helen “Goodie” and Bernard Roth by Silverman, Joanne and Ben Simon, Leslie Spiegel, In memory their children Dr. Barbara Solomon, Joni Ostrow and Leonard Nancy Angerman, Judge Larry Kaplan, Susie Wolf June Stern, Barbara Trdinich , Sarah and Richard 4 − Robert C. Pearlman by Doris, Jill and Wertheimer, Carol and Marc Wolkoff, Carol and WOMEN OF RODEF SHALOM PULPIT DECORATIONS Heidi Pearlman Michael Yahr Listings are in loving memory unless otherwise listed 7 − Dorothy Girard by Helen Falloon Shirley Rosen by Susan Rosen February 8 − Esther Bergman by Susan Gurrentz*, Goldie Ramona Roth by Mayda and Barry Roth 16 − Betty Lindenberg by Amy Lowenstein Horne and Samuel E. Horne by Martha and 28 − Marshall Charie by Dr. Lillian Charie Edwin Horne* SOLOMON B. FREEHOF ENDOWMENT FUND March 12 − Solomon B. Freehof by Lillian Freehof* In memory 2 − In honor of Miranda Larson by Jacqueline 16 − Bob Frumerman by Marcia Frumerman Judge Larry Kaplan by Melanie and Oren Spiegler Duane Larson 17 − Aaron Benjamin Loether by Susan and 8 − Abraham C. Frank and Frederick J. Newman by Richard Loether MUSIC FUND Frederick N. Frank 24 − Doris G. Robinson by Rochelle Sufrin In memory 21 − Jean Casselhoff by Mia Feinberg July Richard Meritzer by Marion and Dean Damick, 22 − In honor of Sophie Eve Samson and Amelia 1 − Hannah Pink by Edgar Levenson*, David B. Helen Orringer, Rabbi Burt E. Schuman Hope Smith by Iris and Philip Samson Ryave by Sharon and Gail* Ryave 23 − In honor of Jacob Michael Sindler from 3 − Dr. Hyman Pober by Melva Pober Sue Ellen Serbin Sindler and Ross Sindler 12 − Isadore and Bettie Jacobs by Lucille Wedner COMMUNITY 27 − Donation by Catherine Loevner and family 29 − In honor of her 95th birthday by 15 − Jack Bergman by Susan Gurrentz* BIBLICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN Janet Hirshberg 16 − Isadore and Bettie Jacobs by Lucille Wedner In Memory 30 − In honor of Zachary Silnutzer by and family, Abraham Schulman and sisters, Eva Susie Wolf by Froni and Daniel Campbell Lee H. Silnutzer Goodman, Zerna Myer and Reve Amstey Beatrice G. Lichter and Samuel A. Lichter by April Harlene Lichter Galen 11 − Lecia Paris from Janet Ocel TRIBUTES Judge Larry Kaplan, Betty Lindenberg and Fran 21 − Jean Casselhoff from Mia Feinberg Lefkowitz by Hanna Gruen May RODEF SHALOM BROTHERHOOD FUND Ruth Levi by Karen and Bill Heuber and 6 − Daniel Berger by Carol Berger In memory Jean Metzger 13 − Norwin and Virginia Brovitz by Stacy Brovitz Richard Meritzer by JoAnne Berman, Violet Ramona Roth by Lois and Dr. Milton Michaels 24 − Dr. Jodi Shensa Novick by Linda Shensa Marcus, Lois and Dr. Milton Michaels Judge Larry Kaplan by Marcia and Bob Netzer 30 − Dr. Leonard E. Laufe by Symoine Laufe Nancy Angerman and Judge Larry Kaplan by June BROTHERHOOD YAHRZEIT FUND Sue Shapira and Earl Schaffer 17 − Ethel Krokosky by Dana and Charles Berman and Edythe E. Berman by Patti Nancy Angerman by Ruth Rubenstein Benjamin Krokosky and Sandy Berman 20 − Evelyn Gotlieb and Rose Sadler by Helen Max Bluestone by Charlotte G. Bluestone JANET C. SPEAR ENDOWMENT FUND Azen and Linda de Jong Corinne Krause by Felice Brody Donations by John Spear Virginia Brovitz by Stacy Brovitz In memory WOMEN OF RODEF SHALOM FLORAL ENDOWMENT Craig Cuden by Steve Cuden Marcia Adelsheim, Nancy Angerman, Judge Larry FUND - Listings are in loving memory unless Stanford P. Davis by Ada Davis Kaplan, Fran Lefkowitz, Richard Meritzer, otherwise listed Anita Dubner and Sidney Dubner by Margie and Susie Wolf February Dr. Paul Dubner 9 − Seymoure and Corinne Krause by the Dr. E.B. Friedberg by Joan B. Friedberg Krause Family Anne Robin Friedland by Marilyn Friedland

20 rodefshalom.org contributions

Celia Hepner and Edwin S. Hepner by WOMEN OF RODEF SHALOM REMEMBRANCE FUND Barbara Hepner and the Hepner family In memory Valery Jonas Stadler by Hans Jonas Eleanor Blum by Gladys Maharam Marvin Kamin by the Hannah and Norman Cohen by Sandy and Larry Rosen Marvin Kamin Foundation Francine Lefkowitz by Jack Bergwerk, Marion and Helen Kamin by Joan and Samuel Kamin Dean Damick, Marla Perlman, Sandy and Larry Harvey J. Moen by Eileen Kaplan Rosen Mary John Augustine and Herman Clinton Augustine by Martha, C.W and Aaron Kreimer *z”l of blessed memory Milton P. Kreimer by C.W. Kreimer and Martha Kreimer Every effort is made to accurately recognize the Robert P. Lazar by Audrey Lazar generosity of our donors. Please contact Christine Louis Hantman by Carol Leaman Ranasinghe at 412.621.6566 x182 should you have Ruth L. Levaur by Marcia J. Levaur any changes. Andrew Steven Levine and Leslie Levine Bernard “Sonny” Levine by Robert M. Levine Be remembered forever by including the Congregation Stanley Medwin by Stacy Levin in your will, trust, retirement account or insurance Jeanette Goddy by Carol Tobin Lewis policy. You’ll become a member of our Rodef Shalom Isabelle Israel Loevner by Catherine and Legacy Society and part of The Grinspoon Foundation’s Mark H. Loevner Life and Legacy™ initiative. Contact Mayda Roth at Helaine Lowenstein by Amy Lowenstein 412.621.6566 x140 to learn more. Ruth Gold Sachnoff by Barbara Sachnoff Mendlowitz Melvin Meth by Jeanne Meth Dr. Lee J. Goldblum by Carol Goldblum Nathenson Claire Orringer and Frederick Orringer by Helen Orringer Martin S. Ost by Michael Ost HOW TO DONATE: Myra Askin by Ellen and Jeff Primis and family S. Raymond Rackoff by William Rackoff Claire Arnheim and Elaine Cohen by Nancy and Bob Rosenthal RSC ANNUAL FUND CARD TO [for any of the above]: Joseph Rubenstein by Mark Rubenstein • Minimum Contribution − $10 Mary Louise Gray by Cantor Michele Gray-Schaffer Bee Schaffer by Earl Schaffer • Prayerbook Fund* − $36 Name______Richard Meritzer by Rabbi Burt E. Schuman Make checks payable to RSC Dr. Bernard Shepman by Shirley Shepman Address______Louis C. Proviano and Walter Schwartz by SISTERHOOD REMEMBRANCE FUND ______Mr. and Mrs. Richard Silk • Library Fund − $5 Harvey Simon, David and Esther Busis by • Glick Children’s Library* − $15 BROTHERHOOD YAHRZEIT Jean Simon Complete this form to receive Lillian May McQuiston by Terry J. Starett • Lippman Library − $25 Eva Aberman Gruber by Adeline Tabor • Restoration Fund − $10 annual Yahrzeit reminders. Pearl Wolf Weisfield by Cynthia and *Includes bookplate Dr. Michael Weisfield Name [Donor]______Milton L. Weiss by Robin Weiss SISTERHOOD PULPIT DECORATIONS Ruth Weitz by Harold Weitz Phone______Gertrude Kagan by Lee Wolf • Sponsor Shabbat pulpit flowers In honor of______Myra and Henry Wolk by Sheldon Wolk to celebrate a simcha or honor Joseph Rubenstein by Carol Yahr and family the memory of a loved one. In memory of ______• Minimum donation − $40 Date of death______DEAKTOR TERRACE BRICKS In memory Make checks payable to Stephanie Frank Mallinger by DONATE ONLINE Dr. Bernard Mallinger Women of Rodef Shalom. Rodefshalom.org: GIVE Barbara Rogal and Susie Wolf, Past Sisterhood Questions? Call Chana Brody Presidents, by Women of Rodef Shalom at 412.782.5806.

DONATION TO WOMEN OF RODEF SHALOM In appreciation Barbara Broff Goldman by Mayda and Barry Roth

Issue No. 110 Nissan–Tammuz 5779 | May - July 2019 haK esher the connection 21 4905 Fifth Avenue Periodical Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213–2953 Postage rodefshalom.org PAID Pittsburgh,PA

The Quarterly Bulletin of Rodef Shalom Congregation

Important Dates to Remember: • Join the Congregational Picnic! 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 10 • Rodef Shalom Annual Meeting: 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 5

Board of Trustees Now Accepting Nominations: Members of the Nominating Committee are seeking referrals for future leaders of Rodef Shalom: talented and committed members who want to see our congregation thrive. Please email Bill Klingensmith at [email protected] to nominate yourself or someone else to serve on the Board of Trustees no later than Friday, May 10.

24 rodefshalom.org