Congregation B’nai Harim Children of the Mountains Congregation B’nai Harim, P.O. Box 757, Pocono Pines, PA 18350/ (570) 646-0100 http://www.bnaiharimpoconos.org

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2018/ VOLUME 24, ISSUE 10 RABBI’S MESSAGE - OCTOBER 2018

The Sukkot season that just passed is one during which we reflect on the fragility of life and on its bounty. Watching the sukkah construction crew at work made me think of Abraham Lincoln’s saying, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” We were a house-committee united and our sukkah withstood wind and rain and stayed reasonably intact. It didn’t take a village, just a good-sized group of people with a goal. Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum I recently read a wonderful tribute to a family group that had a goal. Our Weinberger family and the rest of their “clan” share a love of Israel and a deep motivation to honor the memory of Ruth and Saul Weinberger. (You may recall that our sanctuary is named after Saul Weinberger). They decided to pool their resources in order to donate an ambucycle to . An ambucycle, as the name suggests, is a motorcycle equipped with life-saving equipment that can be used very effectively to get to the site of an emergency despite road congestion. I’m sharing the trib- ute with permission of Larry Weinberger as spokesperson for his whole family. But I’m doing this to entice others to think what they might be able to accomplish along with families or friends. We are, after all, part of something bigger than ourselves. “Your ambucycle, donated in loving memory of Ruth & Saul Weinberger, is on the road and racing to people's aid in the fastest time possible. It has been assigned to Moshe Fromm of Ganei Tikva, a veteran United Hatzalah medic. “Just yesterday at about 6:30 PM, Moshe had left work and was on his way to do some shop- ping when he was alerted to a man with severe shortness of breath. Already on your ambucycle, Moshe flicked on the red lights and siren and raced through the rush hour traffic to arrive at the ad- dress in an incredible 60 seconds! Grabbing his medical kit from the compartment, he ran into the home and found a 91 year-old man struggling to breathe. The agitated family members were astounded and relieved at the medic's rapid response. “Although administering oxygen to the gasping patient may have seemed the obvious thing to do, the experienced medic was well aware that unnecessary O2 can actually cause harm. Moshe swiftly checked the man's blood oxygen level first, finding it within normal range. The volunteer then took a full set of vital signs, reassured the gentleman and inquired of the man's medical history from the family. As Moshe found no indications of serious illness, the seasoned medic surmised that the man's general unwell feeling had apparently caused him physical distress which had then snow- balled into a full-blown panic attack. “Moshe spoke in a calm yet confident manner, explaining to the elderly gentleman that his self-induced hyperventilation was probably the cause of his acute symptoms. The medic gently guid- ed the man in relaxation breathing techniques which slowly improved his condition. Although the man was feeling much better by the time the ambulance arrived, the anxious patient insisted on be- ing taken to the hospital. Moshe briefed the crew, helped transfer the man to the ambulance and wished him a full recovery. “The family profusely thanked the volunteer medic for his swift arrival and professional, car- ing treatment. Moshe bid them a good evening, hopped back on your ambucycle and drove off to begin his delayed shopping. “May the wonderful lifesaving activities performed by this ambucycle be a great merit for Ruth & Saul Weinberger, as well as for the entire Weinberger family.” And may this example inspire others to build something that will last.

PAGE ONE/B’NAI HARIM PRESIDENT’S2 MESSAGE - OCTOBER 2018 by Meredith Stempel

I would like to thank all past presidents for the superb job they have done. Having been a member of Con- gregation B’nai Harim almost from the very beginning I’ve witnessed the hardships and adversity you have endured and overcome. I know that at times it seemed like a thankless, frustrating position but know that you were and continue to be greatly appreciated. The building of the temple began with very modest plans: a donation of land and a relatively small budg- et. Thereafter it ballooned to several times the original budgeted amount with land that we had to pur- chase. One mortgage became two when it was learned that the rules changed and that commercial property had to have a paved parking lot. Despite what at times seemed like insurmountable obstacles, B’nai Harim persevered and grew. There were attempts to block the building of the temple. The township declared that there was an endangered spe- cies on B’nai Harim’s land. Just as we were about to hold our first High Holiday services the certificate of occupancy was delayed. You may ask -- and I’ve asked myself -- how I became president of Congregation B’nai Harim. The an- swer is very reminiscent of a childhood game: Tag, you’re it. RABBI GERSHOM SIZOMU’S VISIT

Rabbi Gershom Sizomu spoke to members of Congregation B’nai Ha- rim and the community at 7 p.m. on August 22, 2018. He is the first native -born black rabbi in Sub-Saharan Af- rica, the chief Rabbi of Uganda and the first Jewish member of the Ugan- dan Parliament. He is the leader of the Abayudaya Jewish community, a 100-year-old community of approxi- mately 2,000 Jews who live among their Christian and Muslim neighbors in scattered villages in Eastern Uganda. He is a Senior Rabbinic associate at Be’chol Lashon, an American NGO that partners with the Abayudaya to improve health and economic devel- opment. Improved healthcare and community development provided by Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum and Mark Silverberg. the Abayudaya Jews to their Christian and Muslim neighbors fosters good- will and helps combat anti-Semitism. A focus on interfaith cooperation paved the way for Rabbi Sizomu’s election to the Ugandan Parliament. Dr. David Abramowitz, founder of the Dental Clinic in Nabugoye Village, met Rabbi Sizomu when he established the clinic and they became friends. When Rabbi Sizomu visits the U.S. he sometimes visits Dr. Abramowitz and this time when he visited David and Lori he said he would be happy to meet with all of us. We all enjoyed meeting him and hearing about his congregation.

CALLING ALL WHO LIKE TO SING OUR CHOIR NEEDS YOU!

You don't have to know the words or the music. All you have to know is that your voice is im- portant. We rehearse once a month and sing during the next service. Even if you don't want to sing in a group during services, come sing together at practice!

Choir Practice: Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15th

Choir Warm-Up: Oct. 13 and Oct. 27th

PAGE TWO/B’NAI HARIM HAVE WE MADE IT? by George Novick Listening to Joe Lieberman’s eulogy for John McCain, I was struck by a strange feeling. Was the former Senator, Vice Presidential candidate in 2000 and potential candidate in 2008 telling us that it was possible to be an Orthodox Jew and hold high political office at the same time? Can these two seeming- ly divergent items be one? Evidently yes. Following Senator Lieberman was Henry Kissinger, a wielder of great power as Secretary of State in the Nixon and Ford cabinet. Kissinger is a non-religious Jew but still a Jew. Evidently it was okay for Jews to have extraordinary governmental and international power. Does this mean we have finally made it? Most born after the 1950s would answer that they are fully assimilated into our soci- ety. No position of power and trust is unattainable to them. I want to believe that my children and grand- children are and will continue to be an accepted part of society. I hope that our nearly 250 year experi- ment in democracy has done for us what we hoped it would. I want to believe it. HOW ABOUT YOU?

TIKKUN OLAM by Steven Levine A special “thank you” to all our Temple members who schlepped shopping bags filled with food for our Kosher Food Pantry. I personally want to thank Jerry Goodstein for all his efforts in gleaning the shopping bags and delivering the foodstuff to the Food Bank in Scranton. The latest statistics show that unfortunately, the amount of homeless, vets, and needy in Monroe County has increased again this year. There is a desperate need for warm sweaters, pants, jackets and socks, especially for children since their numbers have grown substantially. B’nai Harim is a station for RSVP’s HUGS (hats, clean underwear, gloves and scarves) Program and for the Mat Makers Program. Now it is most important that you add clothing to your plastic bag donations. Operation Chillout works diligently, dispersing these items to all those in need here in Monroe County and at Federation. Remember, as the weather gets colder the need gets greater.

NETTING IT OUT by Honi Gruenberg Rabbi discussed our connections to Jews worldwide in one of her many wonderful ser- mons over the holidays. I’ll bet that you don’t know that you have a connection to the oldest continuously used synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. My Stepmother, Nina Henriquez Gruenberg, is the descendant of Levy Maduro one of Curacao’s first Jewish families. Curacao’s first Jews, 12 Sephardic families from Holland, arrived in 1651. New Jersey Jewish News had a wonderful article on Curaçao’s Jewish History and Mikve’ Israel. https://njjewishnews.timesofisrael.com/writers/lori-silberman-brauner/ Mikve’ Israel (MIE) has a sand floor. There are several explanations for the sand floor. One is that it symbolizes the Jews’ wandering 40 years through the desert from Egypt to the Promised Land. An- other explanation is that the sand represents God’s prophecy to Abraham: “I will multiply your seed as the sands of the seashore and the stars in the heavens (Genesis 13:16).” Levy Maduro, who is quoted in the article, says, “Just like the descendants of Abraham, we are still here.” The last explanation comes from the fact that MIE, like other Sephardic temples, was founded by Sephardic Jews. During the Spanish Inquisition, Jews living in Spain and Portugal who remained were referred to as “Conversos” or secret Jews. They covered their synagogue floors to muffle the noise of prayer and avoid detection. So your connection… Every Passover I make Nina’s Garoza (Sephardic Charoses). It’s from MIE’s recipe book and it has been included in our Memories from Our Kitchen Cookbook. As they say in Curacao, “Escrito y sellado” - Written and Sealed – for a good year.

PAGE THREE/B’NAI HARIM GOLF OUTING AUGUST 2018

PAGE FOUR/B’NAI HARIM DONATIONS . YAHRZEIT FUND BEAUTIFICATION FUND

From: Stacy & Harvey Mitgang From: Jim & Peggie Hannan In memory of Stacy’s Father, To Ellen and Al Kagan - “We are Michael Bayer. thrilled for you at your beautiful new

From: Al & Dorothy Schips home. May every moment there be In memory of: joyous. Congratulations!!" 1. Al’s Mother, Lena Schips. 2. Dot’s Father, Samuel Strauss. New Members 3. Dot’s Mother, Bessie Strauss.

From: Florence Sweifach William & Elizabeth Shaid In memory of: 1. Her Father, Israel B. Fisch. 2. Her Brother, David B. Fisch. TEMPLE JUDAICA SHOP by Norma Krasne-Levine From: Marian Tabak In memory of her Mother, Lillian Blum. The Temple Judaica Shop is bursting with holi- day gift items. Come check out all the new good- From: Stanley Kapitansky ies we have to offer. Remember Jewish Book In memory of his Father, Harry nd Kapitansky. Month is here and Chanukah begins December 2

From: Barbara Kapitansky this year. We have a wonderful selection of holi- In memory of her Father, Abraham day gift ideas. Save yourself the hassle of bucking Thaler. the crowds in the mall. If you don’t see what you

From: Dorothy Jablonka want, contact me and I will make every effort to In memory of her Brother, David get what you want. Bernard Fisch. The High Holiday gift items were sold before I even had a chance

From: Meredith Stempel & Mikhail to put them into the Gift Shop. Thanks to everyone who worked so Levitin. hard to make the High Holiday Services such a great success and so In memory of Meredith’s Mother, Annette Stempel. meaningful. I will order roller skates for Honi for next year.

From: Shelly Wismer KIDDUSH HOSTS In memory of her Grandmother, Becky Horn. Kiddushes are such a delightful part of social- From: Ira & Phyllis Miller izing after a Saturday Morning service. We al- In memory of Phyllis’ Father, Bion Fuller Paver. ways welcome hosts for our Kiddushes. The cost of sponsoring is $65.00 and includes bagels, From: Lorraine & Stephen Schur & cream cheese, coffee, tea, orange juice, milk and Family In memory of Lorraine’s Mother, all needed paper goods. Sponsors are welcome to supplement Sally Wrubel. the Kiddush. To host a Kiddush, call Roberta Pineiro (570) 839-0107. From: Dorothy Jablonka In memory of her Uncle, Samuel Spielvogel. October 13th - Rabbi Peg & Aaron Kershenbaum - In honor of Aaron’s birthday From: Mikhail Zazovskiy October 27th - Maddy & Mel Mogel - Their farewell to B’nai In memory of his Mother, Roza Zazovskaya. Harim as they move to Florida.

From: Sam Neulinger SAVE THE DATES In memory of his Mother, Netta Neulinger. Mon., Oct. 1 - 10:15 AM - Shmini Atzeret & Simchat Torah Serv. Wed., Oct. 3 - 10:30 AM - Take down Sukkah Sat., Oct. 13 - 9:00 AM - Religious School - 9:30 AM - Choir Warm Up 10:l5 AM - Services Birthdays/Anniversaries/Yahrzeit Sat., Oct. 20 - 10:30 AM - Choir Practice - 12:30 PM - Women’s Torah Rememberances/Shabbat Dates Sun., Oct. 21 - 10:30 - 1:15 - Engage Class and Film Festival information Sun.,Oct. 27 - 9:00 AM Religious School - 9:30 AM Choir Warm Up - On page 6 10:15 AM - Services

PAGE FIVE/B’NAI HARIM CELEBRATIONS YAHRZEIT REMEMBRANCE

OCTOBER

4 Barbara Glazier

5 Samuel Spielvogel 26 TISHRI

7 Etta Kershenbaum 28 TISHRI Last First Birthday Birthday Name Name Month Day 11 Sharyn Dockswell Etta Thaler 2 CHESHVAN

Dottie Schips Oct. 6 17 Sol Brown Aaron Kershenbaum Oct. 9 Louis Seger Ira Miller Oct. 9 Harvey Mitgang Oct. 15 19 Louis Detkin Joseph Bedrick Oct. 17 20 Ann Heideband Ellen Kagan Oct. 26 Richard Miller Oct. 28 24 Betty May Sunny Goldfinger Oct. 29 William Shaid Nov. 2 25 Sidney Goldman Rose Landau Christina C. Rachlin Nov. 12

27 Harry Mustokoff ANNIVERSARIES 31 Gertrude Kelmans

UPCUPCOMING SHABBAT DINNNERS

Allen & Phyllis Rubel Oct. 16 Friday, October 19th at 6:30 PM Friday, November 16th at 6:30 PM TREE OF LIFE Friday, December 14th at 6:30 PM Dear friends! Every leaf on our beauti- ful Tree of Life is filled with your good ADD’L GOLF OUTING - 2018 news and events. It’s time to order a new batch! I am ready to take your orders. Each leaf costs just triple Chai ($54.00) and will be engraved to your specifications. Please call Julia Shaykevich at (570) 620-0104 or contact her by e-mail at [email protected] to place your order. MEMORIAL BOARD

REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES BY ADDING THEIR NAMES TO OUR MEMORIAL BOARD— The cost for each plaque (one name per plaque) is $236. A minimum of $50 must accompany each request. The IF YOU TAKE PHOTOS balance can be paid over one year for 1 or 2 plaques and/or two years for more than 2 plaques. For further information, please contact Stan Kapitansky, (718) 428- If you take photos at any Temple func- 2140 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Copies of the tion, PLEASE send them to my e-mail order form will be available at the temple, or you may [email protected] and identify the occa- download a copy directly from the web site. sion and the faces. These photos make our publicity more interesting to the community. Stan Kapitansky, Thanks, Lee Emerson Yahrzeit Committee Chairperson

PAGE SIX/ B’NAI HARIM PATRONIZE B’NAI HARIM’S ADVERTISERS YOUR PRINT PROJECTS ARE OUR PRIORITY Let The UPS Store print your next project. No job too large or small - Newsletters, flyers, manuals -A variety of finish options-

413 ROUTE 940, MT. POCONO, PA 18344 (570) 839-8010 (570) 839-8020 Store [email protected]

The Area’s Only Jewish Assisted Senior Living So Much Comfort So Close to Home

465 Venard Rd. Clarks Summit, PA 18411 Phone: 50-585-4400 Fax: 570-585-4500

Website: www.elangardens.org

JEWISH FAMILYSERVICES Jewish Family Service is in need of Kosher food and toiletries marked with a recognized symbol. Please remember to bring a donation of at least one item when you visit the synagogue. All items must be kosher, unopened and within the expiration date on the packaging. If each one of us brings one can or box of food each time we come to the Temple, it will make a real difference to the needy in our commu- nity. You can also write a check to “Jewish Family Service of Northeast Pennsylvania” and it will be delivered. It is also tax deductible. Thank you and keep up the great work. We hope you will continue to be generous throughout the year. MISHEBEIRACH LIST Jerry Goodstein When putting a person onto the Mishebeirach List, it should be with person’s permission. YAHRZEIT NOTIFICATION Would the person like to be listed with their Eng- lish or Hebrew name? Please include a contact name and telephone number so that Rabbi Peg Our Yahrzeit list is open not only to those may follow up with the person or with the member who who have plaques, but to the entire congre- placed the name on the list. Our policy now states that the gation. This will allow you to remember list will be limited to members and their immediate family your loved ones on their anniversary date. (parents, grandparents, siblings and their spouses, children The forms available at the Temple can be completed and and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses). Con- returned directly to me. With this information, a reminder gregants are strongly encouraged to mention any person will be sent to you at the appropriate time, and the name of aloud at the appropriate time during the service, so we can your loved one will be added to our kaddish list for that date. pray for their improved health. REMEMBER TO HAVE THE PERSON’S NAME REMOVED, IF THE PERSON NO If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me LONGER NEEDS TO BE ON THE LIST. directly at [email protected], 718-428-2140 or 570-646- 4668. WEEKLY ONLINE ANNOUNCEMENTS Sincerely, In addition to the monthly newsletter, we publish a Stan Kapitansky weekly online newsletter for all members with e-mail Yahrzeit Committee Chairperson addresses and Internet access. If you do not want to re- ceive email announcements or cannot access the Internet, please call Richard Feman 570-355-5124 or 516-481-6114.

PAGE SEVEN/B’NAI HARIM Congregation NEED SOME CHICKEN ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER SOUP B’nai Harim NEED A CALL FROM This is your newsletter, and we want your input. When PO Box 757 RABBI? you have any news to share, please let us know so we 5349 Pocono Crest Road KNOW SOMEONE WHO can publish it. Pocono Pines, PA, 18350 DOES? th http://www.bnaiharimpoconos.org Deadline is the 20 of the month. News can be sent PHONE: (using WORD) to Paula Guenst at [email protected]. Message Center The newsletter is published each month. Newsletter (570) 646-0100 The members of B’nai Harim subscriptions are available for $18 per year to non- are a very caring, close group E-Mail: but sometimes a member needs members of Congregation B’nai Harim. Please contact [email protected] a little extra help. If you Barbara Feman. DIRECTIONS know of someone who needs a In addition to the monthly newsletter, we distribute Driving East on Route 940, turn right phone call or a visit, please weekly online announcements to all members with at the Pocono Pines traffic light at Route either encourage them to call e-mail addresses and Internet access. If you have not 423, continue on Pocono Crest road the Rabbi directly or email her (formerly Sullivan Road) about 1&1/2 been receiving this please contact Richard Feman at miles. Synagogue on left (before reach- yourself to let her know one of ing 940). her congregants needs help. 570-355-5124 or 516-481-6114. Driving West on Route 940, turn left at intersection of Pocono Crest Road (formerly Sullivan Road), and the Syna- gogue will be on the right.(approx. 1/10th of a mile). NEW ADDRESS? If you have recently moved, please send your new information to Honi Rabbi: Peg Kershenbaum Pres.: Meredith Stempel Gruenberg at [email protected]. She will update the Membership VP: Al Wismer list and generate a new list. Sec.: Carol Yates Treas.: Steve Bram Editor: Honi Gruenberg DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES FOR THE NOV. NEWSLETTER IS OCT. 20TH. Member of the URJ - Next Board Meeting date: Sunday, October 21st at 9:30 AM. To be RECURRING SCHEDULES put on the agenda, contact Meredith Stempel at (570) 242-6244 no later

Services Sat. 10:15 AM than five days prior to the meeting. Shabbat Dinner Fri. 6:30 PM Religious School Sat. 9:00AM

CONGREGATION B’NAI HARIM PO Box 757 5349 Pocono Crest Road Pocono Pines, PA 18350

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PAGE EIGHT/B’NAI HARIM