June 2020/ Volume 26 Issue 6 Rabbi’S Message - June 2020

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 JUNE 2020/ VOLUME 26 ISSUE 6 RABBI’S MESSAGE - JUNE 2020

“Zoom is bustin’ out all over,” to paraphrase the old Broadway song. We’ve now met for services since early March, studied together, held a board meeting and a book club session or two. Soon there will be a Ladies’ Lunch and a session on how to make challeh. On June 14 the LOX Academy will make its debut. It’s beginning to seem almost normal. How amazing is the human ability to adapt and flourish! We also have an innate ability to find “what’s wrong with this picture.” While we’ve been putting on our masks to protect ourselves and our neighbors, some terrible inequities have been un- masked. Perhaps we see the more clearly how our work force has been mistreated. Whether the issue is better pay or better health care, perhaps we’re beginning to think that those whom we now call “essential workers” deserve to be valued and respected more. It is alarming that it will take a serious shortage of meat as barbecue season begins to open our eyes to the dangerous conditions imposed on people we didn’t even think about before. Until this virus, we could pretend that the system was working. Now, as we sanitize our hands, we can no longer sanitize the facts. As the restrictions are lifted, what will we do to prevent ourselves from slipping back into social unconsciousness? We took pride in doing our civic part with masks and gloves and keeping our dis- tance. What will give us that sense of pride afterwards? Keep your eye on the Reform Movement’s Religious Action Center. They bring to light issues and things you can do about them. Read the facts and weigh the moral consequences of action vs. inaction. Use the resources now available through Zoom and social media to prepare yourself for letter writing campaigns or working for candidates who represent your values or getting out the ab- sentee-ballot vote. We’ll all be better for it. Chazak! Chazak! V’Nitchazeik! Be strong! Be strong! And let us strengthen one another!

KIDDUSH HOSTS

Kiddushes are such a delightful part of socializing after a Saturday Morning service. We always welcome hosts for our Kiddushes. The cost of sponsoring is $65.00 and includes bagels, cream cheese, coffee, tea, orange juice, milk and all needed paper goods. Sponsors are welcome to supplement the Kiddush.

To host a Kiddush, call Roberta Pineiro (570) 839-0107.

From the Kiddush Fund

MEMBERSHIP MEETING JULY 2020

Elections for the Executive Board of B’nai Harim will take place at the Congrega- tional Membership Meeting in July 2020. There are three board positions to be filled. Anyone interested in joining the board should submit their name . Each board member

serves a minimum of three years. Board meetings are once a month on Sundays.

PAGE ONE/B’NAI HARIM PRESIDENT’S2 MESSAGE JUNE 2020 by Meredith Stempel

Please Tell Me Doctor by Meredith Stempel

Doctor, please tell me doctor, how’s my pressure, sugar, heart, cholesterol? And the weight gain, is it thyroid? I’m hardly eating much of anything at all. A cookie here, a soda there, a double burger, with some chips really does hit the spot. I round it off with a chocolate fudge sundae with whipped cream, barely even a shot. Buttered popcorn with a movie can’t kill me. It’s so rare that I needn’t give it up. A little beer with my meals shouldn’t hurt me. It comes to somewhat less than a cup. Taking vitamins A through E builds stamina and immunity. Fish oils, chocolate, and green tea keep up my vitality. Gingko for the memory. Gastric bypass for obesity. Do you think I’ll live to see another day? I’m weak and dizzy, but not very often, now that my intake of fluids has increased. But the night- time voiding has me quite worried. Are my kidneys, bladder, prostate diseased? The hot flashes, night sweats, and palpitations cause the panic and are bad for the heart. I need my depression and nerve pills so badly; my coping skills are falling apart. Cycling, jogging, meditation for tone and bones, and salvation. Weight-lifting, endurance train- ing keep the heart muscle from waning. Do you think I might survive another day? The lumbago every morning, I can’t straighten. The arthritis has attacked me neck to feet. At night I’m snoring, gasping, and choking. The sleep apnea aggravates my heartbeat. A pain pill in the morning with my coffee keeps me going and off to a good start. When all is said and over, I hope my brain and body aren’t falling apart.

TIKKUN OLAM by Steven Levine

A few months ago I shared some information from the report: “The New Antisemites” As we continue to self-quarantine during this Covid-19 Pandemic the traditional anti- Semitic conspiracies that Jews cause the plagues of the world has never gone away; rather they were dormant for a while but now they are back full blown. These days hate groups use social media outlets to promote Jew hatred by accusing Jews of deliberately creating the Covid- 19 pandemic. Yehuda Bauer, a professor emeritus at Hebrew University warns that anti-Semitism also provides danger to non-Jews as well. He suggests that social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram,“…should be used to create a stable of websites to call out anti-Semites as enemies of mankind. Thus, we need intelligent planning for an aggressive anti-anti-Semitism response on the internet, based on defining anti-Semites as a threat to the very survival of non-Jewish societies.” Today, just as the Covid-19 virus does not discriminate who it attacks, anti-Semitism affects Jews and non-Jews alike. We must work together to fight the plague of anti-Semitism.

TEMPLE JUDAICA by Norma Krasne-Levine

I cite the Broadway musical Carousel and I am singing June is Busting Out All Over as I write this article for our Temple Newsletter. The sun is shining, buds are blooming, and the bees are buzzing while we are still stuck at home in self quarantine due to the Covid-19 virus. Our Temple building is still closed so I cannot entice you with the lovely items in our Judaica case. However, there is still a way that you can support B’nai Harim and provide a special gift for Dad, a High School or College Graduate, a New Baby or someone celebrating a Milestone Birthday or Anniversary. I suggest that you make a donation to our wonderful B’nai Harim in the honoree’s name. You have so many areas to pick from. You can choose from the General Fund, The Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, the Music Fund, the Tem- ple Beautification Fund, or order a leaf for our “Temple’s Tree of Life” or even host a Kiddush to celebrate. I am sure you can find one that will be “just right for that special person”. In the mean-

while, my wish is for all to stay healthy and stay safe while you Enjoy the Sunshine in Your Heart!

PAGE TWO/B’NAI HARIM BOOK CLUB NEWS - JUNE 2020 by Barbara Kapitansky

On Friday, May 1, the B'nai Harim Book Club met, thanks to Honi, who con- ducted a very good discussion of "The Girl From Berlin" by Ronald H Balson using the Zoom program. The program gave all of us the opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings regarding this very deep story line. With many good next book suggestions, we decided to read "The Color of Love" by Marra B. Gad. This is the story of a bi-racial Jewish girl whose biological mother was white and her biological father was black. At three days old, she was adopted by a white Jewish family who resided in Chicago. She and her parents quickly learned that the world wasn't ready for a family like theirs. Come join us on Saturday, June 13, 2020, for a most interesting discussion. The book club is open to all members of the congregation. DID YOU KNOW? by George Novick

We have female Reform and Conservative Rabbis and now, Orthodox Rabbis. Yes it is true. According to Religion Writer Julie Zauzmer of the Washington Post, there are a few female Orthodox Rabbis. They call themselves Rosh Kehilah (head of community), Maharat, Rabbanit, Rabba or Rabbi. They can be found in the Modern Orthodox and Open Orthodox movements. However, the Liberal and Open Orthodox Union, the umbrella organization that represents most of the Orthodox Synagogues, does not and will not sanction female Rabbis. They base their prohibition on their interpretation of the Talmud which forbids a woman from being a kosher butcher and believe the prohibition extends to all positions of religious authority. They also have modesty concerns of women preaching to men. The Orthodox female Rabbi, although she may not count herself for the minyan or lead most prayers, still takes on the duties of a teacher and pastoral caregiver and answers questions of Jewish law posed by all members of her congregation. This is a striking break for the Orthodox but it is a start. In the US the number of Orthodox make up about 10% of the Jewish congregations. The Reform and Conservative movements, who have embraced the idea of female Rabbis, far outnumber those who don’t. Maybe there will be an acceptance of female rabbis by the Orthodox in the future. Never say never.

Original article Washington Post 7/18/2018

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 important. 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!

NO ONE SAID HAPPY BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY TO YOU?

If you want good wishes and have not seen your name up in lights, please provide Honi Gruenberg with your birthday(s) and anniversary(s). Please send to: [email protected] or call (570) 620-9315.

PAGE THREE/B’NAI HARIM NETTING IT OUT by Honi Gruenberg

Gerald Isaac Stiller passed away on May 11 at 92 years of age. Kveller had a great tribute to him. https://tinyurl.com/yc8bg458 This talented comedian’s most notable role is that of father. He will always be remembered as George Costanza’s father, Frank, on Seinfeld — however he was most proud of his role as Amy and Ben’s Jewish Dad. Jerry grew up in Brooklyn and later the Lower East Side. His parents were Polish immigrants and his Dad had jobs as a taxi driver and later a bus driver. His father introduced him to vaudeville This article discusses Stiller’s parents’ contentious marriage, which, while great for providing Jerry with comedic material in the future life, often left him in stress. Judaism was an escape and his extend- ed family provided opportunities such as the experience he recalled of his uncle taking him to Hanuk- kah celebrations at a local synagogue, to escape his parent’s arguments and the feeling of happiness and beauty he found there. His rise to fame started as an act of love. Stiller and his unlikely girlfriend — and later wife of 60- plus years — Anne Meara, a tall, redheaded Irish woman, created a comedy act based upon their oppo- sites-attract relationship. Stiller and Meara, as the duo was known, became a household name in the 1960s. Their act which highlighted their different backgrounds and intermarriage not only validated their relationship but showed us with much humor how a loving relationship grows. Anne Meara, who passed away in 2015, kept her last name, but did convert to Judaism before their children Amy and Ben were born so “they would know where they came from.” The family wasn’t very religious, but they celebrated Jewish holidays and Ben was a bar mitzvah. Stiller and Meara retired their act by 1970. But Stiller experienced a resurgence of fame later in life when he was cast as Frank Costanza on Seinfeld. Jerry created a loud, argumentative dad which was truly iconic. Frank Cosanza’s “serenity now!” was inspired by Jerry’s own Jewish father. Following Seinfeld, Stiller landed a role as another popular TV dad: Leah Remini’s character’s Italian father on The King of Queens. Leah Remini wrote in a moving Instagram post: “I was lucky enough to work with Jerry Stiller, playing his daughter for 9 years on The King Of Queens, but even luckier to know him, the man, the husband, the father, the grandfather. I am only comforted knowing that Anne & Jerry, the great comedy duo of Stiller & Meara are back together. I will be forever grateful for the memories, the fatherly talks off-screen and for the many years of laughter, the kindness he had shown to me and my family…You will be so very missed Jerry.” Stiller always considered his role of a lifetime being a father. He always is the one laughing the loudest when one of his children is performing. While Stiller did not want his kids to go into entertainment because he feared the rejection, he became his children’s biggest fans. “Amy’s very funny,” Stiller told the New York Times. “She’s very much like Anne in a lot of ways, but better. Amy’s a natural. Nobody taught her to perform or gave her a cue. She went out and did it on her own.” Amy concurred in the same article: “My dad taught both me and Ben to be fearless. He said, ‘Find a stage, find an audience, and do it.’” The kind of adoration Stiller felt for his kids is palpable in every photograph of him with his children. He seems thrilled — in awe, even — every time he looks at them. “I asked myself, what’s my greatest enjoyment in this business,” Stiller said in an interview about his son’s 1997 movie, The Heartbreak Kid, in which he co-starred. “It’s what my kids have done on screen.” I think of all the fathers. The men who inspire us, the uncles who stand in their place. The greatest joy of parenting, to see your children succeed, be happy and become great parents and inspire the next generation. To all you dads, moms, grandparents, aunts. uncles, cousins, and friends, thank you for all you do to “father” all of us.

PAGE FOUR/B’NAI HARIM DONATIONS

YAHRZEIT FUND GENERAL FUND BEAUTIFICATION FUND

From: Jen Feldheim-Gray From: .Barbara & Rich Feman From: Arlyn & Dave Bialick In memory of her Father, Gerald Z. With much love to Norma Fisch and To Norma Fisch and Family - We Feldheim. her family - Joe is and will be greatly extend our deepest condolences on missed, but his warmth, kidness and the passing of your beloved hus- From: Sam Neulinger gentle spirit will be remembered for- band, Joseph. May his memory be In memory of: ever. His strong proud voice will blessed and may you and your en- 1. His Wife, Ellie Neulinger. always resonate during services in tire family be comforted with all who 2. His Aunt, Yvonne Lerner. our hearts. mourn in Zion and Jerusalem.

From: Gary Morris From: Alan & Ellen Kagan In memory of his Mother, Sophie RABBI’S DISCRETIOARY In memory of Joe Fisch. Biegeleisen Morris. FUND From: Arlyn & Dave Bialick From: Alan & Marjorie Seger From: Al & Dotty Schips 1. To Len Dinnerstein - Mazel tov In memory of Alan’s Mother, Irene For food for the homeless. on your son, Andrew’s engage- Seger. ment. 2. To Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin From: Stan Kapitansky Hershkowitz and Family - In memory of his Mother, Gertrude 3. Mazel tov on your daughter, Kapitansky. Birthdays/Anniversaries/Yahrzeit Rebecca’s upcoming High Remembrances - On page 6 School graduation. From: Alan & Ellen Kagan In memory of Ellen’s Mother, Beth A SPECIAL THANK YOU from Norma Fisch Steinhause.

From: Norma Fisch To my B’nai Harim Family: Your tributes, your notes and your spe- In memory of : cial words in honor of Joe have helped me and my family through 1. Joe’s Aunt, Minnie Konigsberg. this very trying time of our great loss Thanks to all of you. 2. Norma’s Sister-in-Law, Enid Potter. 3. Norma’s Father, Samuel Potter. SAVE THE DATES 4. Joe’s Mother, Esther Leah Fisch. Thurs. - June 4 - Discussion Group From: Sunny Goldfinger Thurs. - June 11 - Game Night In memory of her parents, Jack and Sat. - June 13 - Service 10:15 AM followed by Book Club Pauline Stearn. Sun. - June 14 - 11:00 AM Lox Academy on Zoom - see flyer enclosed. Thurs. - June 18 - Ladies Lunch - contact Dottie Schips From: Alan Wismer Sat. - June 20 - Woman’s Torah Study on Zoom - 12:00 Noon In memory of his Sister, Barbara Sun. - June 21 - Temple Board Meeting 9:30 AM - Also Father’s Day. Deschler. Fri. - June 26 - Kabbalat Shabbat on Zoom - 6:30 PM. Sat. - June 27 - Shabbat Service 10:15 AM on Zoom From: Madelyn Kane In memory of her Mother, Anne F. No events will be held at the Temple! Auslander. MISHEBEIRACH LIST From: Honi Gruenberg & Skip Spady When putting a person onto the Mishebeirach List, it should be In memory of Honi’s Grandfather, with person’s permission. Would the person like to be listed with Emmett Gruenberg. their English or Hebrew name? Please include a contact name and telephone number so that Rabbi Peg may follow up with the person or with the member who placed the name on the list. Our policy now states that the list will be limited to members and their immediate family (parents, grandparents, siblings and their spouses, children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses). Congregants are strongly encouraged to mention any person aloud at the appropriate time during the service, so we can pray for their improved health. REMEMBER TO HAVE THE PER- SON’S NAME REMOVED, IF THE PERSON NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE ON THE LIST. Please contact the Rabbi with the names of individuals you would like to be included in the new list. Remember to have the person's name removed if the person no longer needs to be on the list.

PAGE FIVE/B’NAI HARIM CELEBRATIONS YAHRZEIT REMEMBRANCE

JUNE

7 Susan Blum Thelma Isaacson 15 SIVAN

10 Meir Jablonka 18 SIVAN Gail Green June 3 David Kerdeman Rose Gelbard June 4 Leslie Stine June 13 11 Lillian Dockswell

Bornstein- Bonnie Fertel June 14 12 Helen Jablonka 20 SIVAN

Roberta Pineiro June 18 13 Bessie Heller Larry Chimerine June 22 15 Esther Leah Fisch 23 SIVAN Enid Sue Potter 23 SIVAN

16 Emmett Gruenberg ANNIVERSARIES 17 Jay Brown

Gertrude Kapitansky 25 SIVAN

18 Florita Cowan Harry Kane Marvin Katz Jill & Michael Posner June 6 Erica Eva Jean Schips Sara & Joe Bedrick June 19 Maddy & Mel Mogel June 28 19 Fayeann Gibbons Barbara & Richard Feman June 30 21 Mildred Horn 29 SIVAN

IF YOU TAKE PHOTOS 23 Morris Zudick 1 TAMUZ

If you take photos at any Temple function, 25 Blossom Heide PLEASE send them to my e-mail [email protected] and identify the 26 Jacob Singman 4 TAMUZ occasion and the faces. These photos make our publicity more interesting to the community.

Thanks, Leslie Stine

MEMORIAL BOARD

REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES BY ADDING THEIR TREE OF LIFE NAMES TO OUR MEMORIAL BOARD— The cost for each plaque (one name per plaque) is $236. Dear friends! Every leaf on our A minimum of $50 must accompany each request. The beautiful Tree of Life is filled with balance can be paid over one year for 1 or 2 plaques your good news and events. It’s time and/or two years for more than 2 plaques. For further to order a new batch! I am ready to information, please contact Stan Kapitansky, (718) 428- take your orders. Each leaf costs just triple Chai 2140 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Copies of the ($54.00) and will be engraved to your specifica- order form will be available at the temple, or you may tions. Please call Julia Shaykevich at (570) download a copy directly from the web site. 620-0104 or contact her by e-mail at Stan Kapitansky, [email protected] to place your order. 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-

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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 community. 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.

Jerry Goodstein YAHRZEIT NOTIFICATION

Our Yahrzeit list is open not only to those who have plaques, but to the entire congregation. This will allow you to remember your loved ones on their anniversary date. The forms available at the Temple can be completed and returned directly to me. With this information, a reminder will be sent to you at the appropriate time, and the name of DISCLAIMER your loved one will be added to our kaddish list for that date.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected], 718-428-2140 or 570-646- The opinions expressed in this publication are those 4668. of the respective author(s). They do not purport to Sincerely, reflect the opinions or views of Congregation B’nai Stan Kapitansky Harim or its members. Yahrzeit Committee Chairperson

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 do not 423, continue on Pocono Crest road the Rabbi directly or email her (formerly Sullivan Road) about 1&1/2 want to receive e-mail announcements or cannot miles. Synagogue on left (before reach- yourself to let her know one of ing 940). her congregants needs help. access the internet, please contact Richard Feman at Driving West on Route 940, turn left at intersection of Pocono Crest Road 570-355-5124 or 516-481-6114. (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: Stacy Mitgang list and generate a new list. Sec.: Carol Yates Treas.: Steve Bram Editor: Honi Gruenberg DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES FOR THE JULY NEWSLETTER IS JUNE 20TH. Member of the URJ - Union For Reform Judaism

RECURRING SCHEDULES Next Board Meeting date: Sunday, June 21st at 9:30 AM. To be put on the agenda, contact Meredith Stempel at (570) 242-6244 no later than Services Sat. 10:15 AM Shabbat Dinner Fri. 6:30 PM five days prior to the meeting. Monthly Shabbat Fri. Evening Service 7:30 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