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Enriching Lives Volume 50, No.9 October 2020 Tishrei - Cheshvan 5781

ShaloThe Journal of the Reading Jewish Communitym published by1 the Jewish0 Federation2 of Reading/Berks0

Your Federation Supports:

Jewish Education Find Your Voice program for tweens Food Pantry to hold session with noted author Friendship Circle By Amanda J. Hornberger in Cincinnati with relatives. Chevra Participants in the JCC’s new At first, everything in America seems Find Your Voice program gathered in too fast and too loud. The American movies Community Shabbat September for a morning of social action that Jude has always loved haven’t quite Reading Jewish Film Series — cleaning local cemeteries prior to prepared her for starting school in the U.S. Yom Kippur. — and her new label of “Middle Eastern,” PJ Library This month the program kicks off its first an identity she’s never known before. author session with Jasmine Warga, author But this life also brings unexpected Jewish Family Service of “Other Words for Home” on Sunday, Oct. surprises — there are new friends, a whole Jewish Cultural Center 25, at 4:30 p.m. new family, and a school musical that Jude Tweens ages 8-12 are invited to join might just try out for. Lakin Holocaust Library the intimate conversation with Jasmine Maybe America, too, is a place where Warga. Jude can be seen as she really is. & Resource Center Find Your Voice participants will meet Jasmine Warga’s lyrical, life- Israel & Overseas over the school year with authors of books affirming story is about losing and that tackle topics such as social justice, finding home, and most importantly, Camp Scholarships being Jewish and young adult life in finding yourself. America in 2020, all while creating action Jasmine Warga, a native of Israel Trips toward social justice through service and Cincinnati, is also the author of the Jewish Community learning. novels for teens “My Heart and Other Participants are encouraged, but not Jasmine Warga Black Holes”, and “Here We Are Now” High School required, to read the titles for Find Your which has been translated into more Young Readers, and a Charlotte Huck Emergency Support Voice. than 20 languages. Free copies of “Other Words for Home” Honor. Tweens are invited to join us for an Lakin Preschool are available for participants to pick up at About “Other Words For Home”: interactive virtual conversation with the JCC or Find Your Voice partner, Exeter Jude never thought she’d be leaving her Warga on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 4:30 p.m. Richard J. Yashek Lecture Community Library. beloved older brother and father behind her, on Zoom. all the way across the ocean in Syria. But Transportation “Other Words For Home” earned Registration required to Amanda at multiple awards, including a 2020 John when things in her hometown start becoming [email protected] or call 610-921- Maimonides Society Newbery Honor, a Walter Honor for volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live 0624.

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Jewish Family Service continues its vital work in the community, Clockwise from top left: Friendship Circle Lunch delivery being received with appreciation and smiles from Ethel Engel; Lin Langlois picks up sterile face masks at JFS monthly mask distribution; our Food Pantry at the Olivet Boys and Girls Club distributes food to 200 households. Page 2 SHALOM October 2020 Help us achieve a successful end to 2020

By Richard Nassau about the many changes the pandemic significant increase with 28 programs Development Director has had on communities. How some offered. PJ Library continues to deliver Last month I was communities seem to have retreated Jewish-themed books every month to invited to be one of and resigned themselves to raising less more than 60 families in Berks County. seven people to attend funds and cutting back on programs. How We continue to respond to anti-Semitic a Friday night service others, like ours here in Berks County, events. Our virtual leadership brunch in person. Two of the have stepped up and responded to the this month features Rabbi Joseph seven were conducting need for expanded programs. I readily Telushkin speaking on Jewish humor. the service, which was admit to bragging about our community Our work continues and the need grows being broadcast to the and the generosity of people during these as the pandemic wears on. n t congregation. That left past six months. Please visit ReadingJewishCommunity. five of us to select seats in a sanctuary that We now have three months to go to org and donate. These last three months was built 45 years ago to accommodate meet our 2020 campaign goals. This last are critical. 400 people. quarter of the year has always been when If you’ve already donated, thank you. e The service was no different from many the majority of campaign contributions Consider increasing your gift and having it other Friday nights. Except, we all wore are made. This year we cannot meet in- matched dollar-for-dollar. masks and used assigned prayer books. person across a table and speak about If you’ve never donated, please do so The echoes were a little louder, though they your contribution and charitable interests. now. Your entire gift will be matched. did not help my singing voice sound any How the entire amount of your gift increase If you have questions, know someone

m better. We all maintained social distances will be matched dollar-for-dollar due to who needs help or wish to talk about your before, during and after the service. It was generous donors who have established a Jewish legacy, please contact me, 610-921- good to be there and interact with people matching gift pool for 2020. 0624 or [email protected]. “face-to-face,” albeit from a distance of 20 In September, Jewish Family Service I’m glad to speak with you by phone,

p feet or more. food pantry served nearly 200 families, through a screen and when we can, in- Over the last six months, I’ve spoken a record number and no surprise. person. by phone and through a screen with the We started our Literatour program of As we start 5781, I wish you and your person who invited me. We’ve talked authors, which this year features a loved ones a healthy and safe year. o l Series on antisemitism: Ira Forman and ADL

e By Amanda J. Hornberger forms and groups promoting antisemitism the reference book “Jews In American Politics.” In September Dr. Jennifer Koosed, in the United States and around the world The series continues Tuesday, Oct. Kesher Zion Synagogue president and today. 27, at 7 p.m. The Anti-Defamation League

v religious studies professor at Albright Ira Forman is currently the Visiting will be leading a training on traditional College, started our antisemitism series Professor of Contemporary Antisemitism antisemitism and anti-Israel bias. with a historical overview of antisemitism. at Georgetown University and Senior This interactive workshop will provide It is important for context to understand Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Jewish real examples and tools for how to combat e the history behind antisemitism to better Civilization. He also serves as the Senior antisemitism you may encounter. Geared understand its existence today. Advisor for Combatting Antisemitism at toward teens and adults, this facilitated On Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. Ira Human Rights First and a Senior Fellow at workshop is a chance to gain skills to use Forman, adjunct professor on antisemitism the Moment Institute. in your daily life.

D at Georgetown University and former Forman spent four years in his State All events are free but require advance Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti- Department role fighting antisemitism. registration. You can register on our Semitism at the U.S. State Department, will Throughout his career he has spoken and website: ReadingJewishCommunity.org. Annual Campaign provide an overview of modern antisemitism. written extensively on Jewish history and Questions? Please contact Amanda at Women’s Philanthropy Forman will focus his talk on the various public policy. Forman co-edited and wrote for [email protected]

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DONATE NOW TO OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN Please visit ReadingJewishCommunity. org Make your gift today! October 2020 SHALOM Page 3 From the President’s Desk Many reasons for our community to be joyful

By William D. Franklin being homebound for six months, and to do things that we’ve been doing the busy at Jewish Family Service replacing President eating in the sukkah may be the only same way for a long time. in-person visits with hundreds of phone I want to wish place we can share meals with extended We can be joyful that in a time of calls, emails and cards. Many volunteers all of you a happy, family. disconnection, we have found ways have stepped forward to help our seniors healthy, sweet 5781. Jewish thought teaches us that to stay “connected” than ever. We by grocery shopping weekly for them The month of Tishrei is challenging experiences increase our have had opportunities to see one and providing transportation to doctor loaded with our Jewish awareness and often reveal the good in another in new ways and find new appointments. holidays. We celebrate people that previously was hidden. Rabbi opportunities for connection that we Social distancing will keep us Rosh Hashanah, Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote, “Show have taken for granted and overlooked physically well. And maintaining human Yom Kippur, Sukkot, me a person who has no problems, and before. Go to the JFR website and look contact will keep us emotionally well. We Shemini Atzeret and I’ll show you an idiot.” We must be getting at our community calendar (https:// can be joyful we have found new ways to Simchat Torah. Among them, Sukkot, the smart! readingjewishcommunity.org/home/ keep supporting one another, connecting only holiday where we are commanded We can be joyful, as the Federation, community-calendar). It is packed with each other and continuing the to be joyful. But given the craziness and our synagogues and the entire community with Torah study and Hebrew classes, community we are happy to be part of. difficulties of our time, how can we do have found new and innovative ways to Literatour book presentations, Israeli Hillel’s famous quote — “If I am not this? keep our community well, engaged cooking, Tot Shabbats and PJ Library for myself, who will be? If I am only for We build a sukkah to remind us of the and vibrant. We have stepped up to programs, and renowned speakers myself, what am I?” — teaches us both temporary dwellings that our forefathers the challenge. We have redefined discussing the important issues our individual and collective responsibility lived in as they traveled through the priorities, deliverables, and work, gone country and Israel face. So, paraphrasing Deuteronomy wilderness as we were brought them virtual to use new technologies and And we can be joyful that we are a (16:13-15), “May you and your family be out of slavery in Egypt. Many of us would alternative approaches for engagement community where no one falls through the altogether joyful during the Holidays and welcome the “hardships” of travel after and collaboration, and reimagined how cracks. Carole and Sari have remained in the New Year.” UAE deal likely to lead more Arab nations to recognize Israel By Qanta A. Ahmed been taken from the world much too As a Muslim, I know there soon. Sadat was a career military are no theological or historical officer, a patriot and a proud Muslim “It is in the self-interest of all Muslim nations reasons for Muslims and Jews to be who forged the path to peace with enemies. President Donald Trump’s Israel. The decision by leaders of the — including the 16 remaining Arab nations announcement of an agreement UAE to follow in Sadat’s footsteps is between Israel and the United Arab gratifying. Cooperation rather than that continue the boycott of Israel — to at long Emirates to normalize relations will confrontation between Israel and last accept the fact that the modern state of go down in history as a remarkable its neighbors — and between Jews turning point that I believe will lead and Muslims — makes sense on a Israel exists and is here to stay.” to normal relations between Israel practical and a moral level. and many more of its Arab neighbors. The UAE’s decision is a sure sign Mariam Al Mansouri the UAE’s first together in an intensely difficult time. The historic agreement that leaders of other Arab nations female fighter pilot, who led the The neighboring countries have establishing diplomatic relations and will come to the realization that it first airstrike her country launched together dealt with the rise of the cooperative relations between Israel makes no sense to allow Palestinian against ISIS. I’m sure she would get ISIS terrorist group; the deepening and the UAE is long overdue and opponents of peace with Israel to along well with Israeli military women hostilities and undeclared open will benefit both nations. Even more hold the future of the region hostage I know. conflict between Saudi Arabia and significantly, I think the agreement and require a perpetual state of All of us who are friends of peace Iran; the rise of the terrorist group will be a reset like no other and hostilities with the Jewish state. between Israel and the Arab and and Iranian proxy Hezbollah; the the dawn of a new era in not only Much credit for the Israel-UAE Muslim world should now hope that Syrian civil war; and the dangerous foreign relations and geopolitics in agreement and the earlier Israeli- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman threat they face from Iran itself. Israel the Middle East, but in establishing Palestinian peace plan goes to of Saudi Arabia follows the path of can be a natural ally to Arab nations a deepening understanding and Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior his neighbor and ally the UAE in against these threats. Let’s hope engagement between Muslims, Jews adviser and son-in-law. He and other establishing normalized relations and pray that the announcement and Christians everywhere. U.S. officials have worked hard to with Israel. by President Trump establishing I was one of the few Muslims establish personal friendships with It is in the self-interest of all ties between Israel and the UAE is in the White House in January Muslim leaders across the Middle Muslim nations — including the 16 followed by more such agreements when I witnessed Trump and Israeli East, which leads me to conclude that remaining Arab nations that continue with Arab and Muslim nations. That Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the agreement will be followed by the the boycott of Israel — to at long last would serve America’s best interests announce their agreement on a establishment of relations between accept the fact that the modern state and the best interests of all the vision for peace between Israel and Israel and more of its neighbors. of Israel exists and is here to stay. countries following the road to peace the Palestinians. Tragically for the Bahrain already has done so. Crown Prince Mohammed of the and cooperation. Palestinian people, their leaders It is no surprise that the seven- UAE has long been a behind-the- Qanta A. Ahmed, M.D., is a senior have refused to even discuss the member federation of the United scenes source of wisdom, guidance fellow at the Independent Women’s Trump plan for peace. This refusal Arab Emirates — now under the and strategic policymaking for Crown Forum and an Attending Critical Care Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks Non-Profit Organization causes grave harm to ordinary leadership of the crown prince of Abu Jewish Cultural Center, PO Box 14925 U.S. Postage PAID Prince Mohammed of SaudiReading, PAArabia, 19612-4925 Physician at New YorkPermit No. 2 University readingjewishcommunity.org Reading, PA Palestinians, whose lives would be Dhabi and commander in chief of and both nations haveChange worked Service Requested Langone. much improved under such a fair and the UAE’s formidable armed forces, Enriching Lives Volume 47, No. 9 September 2017 Elul 5777-Tishri 5778 just peace settlement. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed — has There are no theological or become the first Muslim nation to historical reasons for Muslims and normalize relations with Israel since ShaloThe Journal of the Reading Jewish Communitym published by0 the Jewish9 Federation1 of Reading/Berks7 Jews to be enemies. Throughout Egypt and Jordan did so. His courage A newspaper serving the Jewish community of Berks County, much of history Muslims and Jews and long-term vision mean Israel and Your Federation Supports: Pennsylvania, andJewish published Education monthly, September through June, under have lived together in peace in the UAE will have embassies in each Food Pantry the Jewish FederationFriendship Circle of Reading/Berks. Funded by the Annual Jewish many Muslim-majority nations, in other’s capitals. Muslims will be able Chevra Community Campaign.Community Shabbat what is now Israel, and in other to fly directly from the UAE to Israel to Reading Jewish Film Series nations. Cooperation rather than pray at the third-holiest site of Islam PJ Library General Offices: Jewish Family Service 1100 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 125 confrontation between Israel and its –- the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Jewish Cultural Center Lakin Holocaust Library Wyomissing, PA 19610 neighbors — and between Jews and Israelis will be able to visit, work and & Resource Center Phone: Israel & Overseas 610-921-0624 FAX: 610-929-0886 Muslims — makes sense on both a trade with the UAE — one of the most Camp Scholarships practical and a moral level. I know intensely forward-thinking regions in Web site: Israel Trips www.ReadingJewishCommunity.org Jewish Community that many Muslims feel the same the world. They will be able to admire High School Jewish FederationEmergency of Support Reading way as I do, though many stay silent the remarkable Shaykh Bin Zayed Lakin Preschool Chair: Richard J. Yashek Lecture Robert M. Caster, CPA about this to avoid criticism and Mosque, peruse the astonishing art President: Transportation William D. Franklin threats from some fellow Muslims. the region has amassed and see the Maimonides Society Communications Director:Your Jewish Legacy Mark Nemirow, Editor I still vividly recall my parents world’s preeminent Falcon hospital. 92ND ST Y Programs Proofreaders: Joint Distribution Committee Federation staff weeping in 1981 when they heard Israelis and residents of the Meir Panim Annual Campaign news of the assassination of Egyptian UAE will be able to get to meet Jewish Agency for Israel Yemin Orde President Anwar Sadat — the and know each other on a personal School Education Programs Interfaith Unity Council courageous statesman who signed basis, establishing both friendships Israel Advocacy the Camp David Peace Accords with and professional relationships. The Youth Events Great Decisions Series Israeli Prime Minister Menachem UAE is home to some of the most Jewish Community Relations Council Begin, brokered by President Jimmy educated and empowered Muslim Community Holiday Programs Women’s Philanthropy

Carter in 1978. A great man had women in the region, including Maj. Jewish Federations

of North Ameri