Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 Issue No. 107

the connection

Sunday, June 24 Rabbi Abraham Twerski and Gateway Rehab

also in this issue Israel at 70 rabbi henry, p. 13 The Seventh Generation rabbi bisno, p. 9 Summer Safety Tips family center, p. 15 Backbone of Our Team member engagement, p. 8

Check out our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/RodefShalomPgh Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 Contents issue no. 107

sustainability

We are a Reform Jewish congregation 3 A Look Back dedicated to melding the traditions of president’s message learning & practice our faith with contemporary life. Our congregation was chartered in 1856 and Nominations 13 Israel at 70 is one of five synagogues on the National executive director rabbi henry Register of Historic Landmarks. We are a diverse congregation engaged in social 4 Rabbi Abraham Twerski 14 Teen Tikkun for Shavuot issues, culture, and learning—made up pursuer of peace j-jep of multigenerational, multicultural, and interfaith families and individuals; our 6 Giving: Quick Facts 15 Summer Safety Tips doors are open to everyone. development family center 7 Future of Leadership 16 Our Charter Members: Staff Phone Extensions 412.621.6566 youth group The Jewish Pioneers of Pittsburgh Sherry Bell x137 caring archives Martha Berg x131 Rabbi Bisno x123 8 Admin Staff: The 17 Brotherhood Baseball Night Rachel Cohen x183 Backbone of brotherhood Yael Eads x130 Our Team Kate Kim x111 member engagement WRS Shabbat Carolyn Frischer x178 women of rodef shalom Rabbi Henry x126 9 The Seventh Generation Dr. Jacob x125 rabbi bisno Kristen Karsh x120 Marlena Keffer x112 10 Simchas & News 16 Contributions Amy Langham x117 member engagement Mimsie Leyton x127 Liron Lipinsky x116 Michael McHugh x144 Don Megahan x190 Hope Nearhood x122 Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno Barry D. Weisband Rodef Shalom Congregation is a member of the Frances F. & David R. Levin Murray Klein Union for . Helena Nichols x132 Senior Rabbinic Pulpit Executive Director Christine Ranasinghe x182 Rabbi Sharyn H. Henry Miriam Leyton Mayda Roth x140 Sidney & Shirley C. Rapport JoAnn Ruffing x110 Walter Jacob, DHL Family Center Director Rabbi Emeritus/Senior Dave Seskey x128 Scholar Liron Lipinsky Sam Siskind x179 J-JEP Religious School Director Barry Weisband x119 Don Megahan Lauren Wolcott x124 Music Director & Organist

The bulletin of Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, is published bimonthly, six times The Gift Corner x115 annually. Periodical postage paid at Pittsburgh, Pa. Lippman Library x180 Postmaster: Send address changes to: Hakesher, 4905 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. USPS 537–660 Rodef Shalom Congregation

Our mission: 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. sustainability A Look Back Nominations Harlan Stone, President Barry D. Weisband, Murray Klein Executive Director [email protected] [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x119 (412) 621–6566 hey say the sweetest three words to a arlier this year, the nominating committee was congregation president are immediate past constituted to identify and propose five new Tpresident. Writing this last message gives me Eboard members to fill open positions. The the chance to reflect on just a few accomplishments. committee’s chair was Meredith Strassburger, and the members included Adina Cohen, Bill Klingensmith, This year we completed an extensive renovation Jeff Herzog, Michael Yahr, Reid Roberts, and Helen of our sanctuary and undertook remedial work Orringer. We thank them for spectacularly fulfilling at our cemeteries. We brought on a wonderfully their charge. talented executive director. Our endowments have benefited from a robust market, the wisdom of our The nominating committee recommends the following investment and finance committees, and a culture individuals to serve as new members of the board of of philanthropy. Our development committee has trustees for a three-year term: David Kalson, Jan Shaw, launched a planned giving campaign known as the Hal Coffey, Simon Liederman, and Sarah Rosensen. Rodef Shalom Legacy Society. The board has begun to implement a strategic plan with new priorities The following board members are recommended for a for the congregation. Last but not least, our Joint second three-year term: Elinor Avigad, Adina Cohen, Jewish Education Program (J-JEP) has grown in size Jana Finder, Alexey Kharitonov. and influence and shows how working together with other Jewish organizations can yield enormous The nominated officers to serve the board of trustees benefits. for one year are as follows: Karen Brean – President We must, however, address the results of the David Kalson – Sr. Vice-President recent Pew and Federation studies involving the Alex Heit – Vice-President Pittsburgh Jewish Community. We must address Laura Swiss – Vice-President the fact that the number of families who choose to Joel Katz – Treasurer affiliate continues to dwindle even as the overall Peter Rosenfeld – Assistant Treasurer population of Jews is actually growing. If we are to Bob Rosenthal – Secretary sustain Rodef Shalom for future generations, we need to think differently about what congregation Congregants may nominate persons for these life will look like in the years ahead. This will require positions of board members or officers, with the imagination and creativity. exception of the president, within 10 days of receiving this notice. A petition must be signed by at least fifty We can all take pride in our recent accomplishments, (50) households of the Congregation for elected but it is just as important that we invest now in the trustees and at least one hundred (100) household of type of change and reform that will enable us to the Congregation for officers. At the annual meeting flourish today and in the future. on June 10, 2018, a formal vote will be taken.

Sunday, June 10, 2018 11 a.m. in Freehof Hall

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 3 Rabbi Abraham Twerski

Marian Allen, Steering Committee Co-Chair 2018 Pursuer of Peace n June 24, our Congregation will proudly hold its fifth Pursuer of Peace Award event. This year, the award will honor Rabbi Abraham Twerski, a leader and pioneer in our region’s efforts to treat addictive Odisorders, and support the work of Gateway Rehab.

Rabbi Twerski was chosen to receive this year’s and strength. Trained as both a rabbi and a physician, Pursuer of Peace award from among many deserving he founded Gateway Rehab in 1969. He envisioned women and men. He joins an esteemed group of a place where men and women could learn how to past honorees, including Bishop David Zubik, Fred confront the disease of addiction with dignity, where Rogers, William Strickland, Jr. and our own Rabbi a caring staff could provide the tools to help people Emeritus Walter Jacob. Each past awardee has made bring about lasting change, and where families could an immeasurable contribution in rodef shalom, the learn to rebuild trust and move toward peace. pursuit of peace. That pioneering vision became Gateway Rehab, The name of our congregation and the name for this our region’s largest treatment center for addictive award come from the teachings of the talmudic rabbi disorders. More than four decades later, Gateway Hillel, who quoted the Book of and instructed: continues to serve individuals in the battle against Seek peace and pursue it. As our own rabbis teach us, substance addiction, with a model emphasizing the word shalom in Hebrew means much more than respect for the individual, reverence for life, and an the absence of conflict. Its deeper meaning is that of unwavering belief in the promise of every human wholeness. being.

Rabbi Twerski has spent decades working with people Rabbi Twerski’s work has never been more important. on the road to recovery, fighting to achieve wholeness Last year in Allegheny County alone, over 700 of

4 rodefshalom.org Join The Celebration Pursuer of Peace Tribute

our neighbors and loved ones died from overdoses, Sunday, June 24, 2018 while thousands more struggle with addiction. Drug Rodef Shalom Congregation overdose now accounts for more deaths nationally 4905 Fifth Avenue than breast cancer. It is the leading cause of death Pittsburgh, Pa 15213 for Americans under 50.

In organizing this event, we aim to honor Rabbi Twerski’s years of work and leadership, and to contribute in a positive way to his mission going forward. Your support of our Pursuer of Peace event Tribute Dinner Award Presentation will go toward Gateway Rehab’s efforts on the front 6:00 pm 7:30 pm lines of the addiction epidemic. Proceeds from the Freehof Hall Sanctuary event, one of our major fundraisers, will be shared The award presentation is open to the public at with Gateway Rehab and Rodef Shalom. Gateway no cost. All are invited to the dessert reception Rehab plans to enhance its family education and immediately following in Freehof Hall hosted by counseling services and facilities. Our congregation Rodef Shalom Congregation. can make a difference, as we always have, in bringing peace to our world and making our community whole. Tribute Dinner Reservations We hope to see you at the 2018 Pursuer of Peace award Dinner: $250/person event. We are looking forward to a wonderful and meaningful evening. We thank you for your support. Patron sponsorship: $500/person Includes VIP reception at 5:00 PM, dinner and one-line greeting in the program book Here’s to all that is possible together, Reservation deadline: Friday, June 8, 2018 Marian Contact Mayda Roth at [email protected] or 412.621.6566 x140.

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 5 sustainability Giving: Quick Facts Mayda Roth, Director of Development [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x140 I’m a philanthropist? And, what’s all this about the Life The latest about IRA gifts: In my opinion, anyone who chooses and Legacy® program? Just a note to those of you who to give some of their treasure to an Our Pittsburgh Jewish community is are 70½ or older. The March issue organization is a philanthropist. the 46th site in Harold Grinspoon’s of AARP magazine has a reminder It takes hard work to earn money, ambitious national initiative to that you can transfer mandatory and giving it away is not something grow legacy gifts to organizations distributions from your IRA to Rodef done lightly. Your gift to Rodef dearest to them. Mr. Grinspoon, Shalom. Well, actually to any public Shalom can support activities in noted for creating the PJ Library, charity, but naturally I recommend our Berkman Family Center for began his career in real estate by Rodef Shalom! The money is young children to J-JEP to Women renovating and renting two and completely excluded from income of Rodef Shalom to Brotherhood to three-family houses in Western tax and is considered as part or the Biblical Botanical Garden to the Massachusetts. From this modest all of your minimum mandatory Pursuer of Peace...and more. beginning he grew his company into withdrawal for the year. You should one of the top fifty in the country. consult with your financial advisor Working collaboratively under or tax professional to learn the tax this program, Rodef Shalom and benefits for you. thirteen other local organizations are looking to grow legacy gifts to Thank you for YOUR support of our create a Jewish future. congregation.

Welcome to the newest members of our Rodef Shalom Legacy Society: Karen Brean, Amy Langham, Marcia Levaur, Mayda Roth, Harlan Stone, Bill Stein, and Barry Weisband. Thank you for making your commitment for the future our children, grandchildren, and their children.

Anonymous (1) Anna Greenberg* Richard E. Rauh Barbara and Alan Ackerman David Hammerstein Mildred Rogow Marcia and Richard Adelsheim Jacki and Jeffrey Herzog Bette and Howard Rom Lawrence Adler Martha and Edwin Horne* Mayda Roth Bette and Hal* Bigler Irene* and Walter Jacob Sol Ruben* Michelle and Aaron Bisno Lynne and Blair Jacobson Michelle Gray-Schafer and Rosella and Gilbert Broff* Evan Klein Eric Schafer Sylvia and Sidney Busis Audrey and Robert* Lazar Dottie Silberman Marion Cohen Francine and Alan Lefkowitz Richard Simon Marcia and Charles* Deaktor Sharon and Alan Lesgold Karla and Raymond Stept* Gene and Robert* Dickman Edgar Levenson* Meredith and David Strassburger Ruth and Emil Feldman* Frances F. and David R.* Levin Mona and E.J. Strassburger Sheila and Milton Fine Janet Markel and Barry Lhormer* Ruth Wintner* Sylvia Fischer Lois and Milton Michaels Susan and Robert* Wolf Frederick Frank Norma and Edgar Michaels* Leatrice and John* Wolf, Sr. Nachum Golan and Steven Hough Pauline and Bernard Michaels* Bette Jean Goldblum* Lynn and Gerald Ostrow* *Z”l, of blessed memory Jack Goldsmith* Jeffrey Pollock Juliette Grauer* Shirley and Sidney Rapport*

6 rodefshalom.org sustainability Future of Leadership Yael Eads, Director of Informal Jewish Life [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x130 ach year, as the school year comes to a close, we take some time to honor two young members of Rodef Shalom Congregation who have committed their time and energy to making themselves and the world a Ebetter place. Through the generosity of the Ellman and Kavaler families, we are able to offer two awards to high school juniors and senior.

Mina Kavaler presents a scholarship to one high school senior each year in memory of her husband, Vigdor W. Kavaler. This award is granted to a student who embodies Vigdor’s commitment to hard work and dedication, therefore the awardee must be a superior academic student who has also been a part of the Madrichim program and is hoping to pursue a career in economics, law, or political science.

Laura Ellman presents a scholarship to one high school senior each year in memory of her father, Walter Ellman. Walter was the definition of selflessness and spent many years volunteering in soup kitchens, food pantries, clothing drives, and anywhere else there was a need. This scholarship is awarded to the student with the highest number of volunteer hours over the course of their junior and senior years.

We hope to see you at the award ceremony for the Vigdor W. Kavaler and Walter Ellman scholarships this year. They will be presented to the youth recipients during our Erev Shabbat service. Save The Date: Friday, May 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Hi, My name is Abby Adelman, and I am a junior at North Allegheny Senior High School. For the past three years, I have been an active participant in both NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) PAR (Pa. Region) and in TheRSTY (The Rodef Shalom Temple Youth). I have served on both boards as the programming vice-president, and I have just been elected president of NFTY PAR.

To me, NFTY is the place where I am free to be myself and explore my own Judaism. In PAR we focus on values such as community, spirituality, and social justice, which have played such a big role in my own life. As president, my role is to plan various events with my fellow board members and to help teens form connections with each other and to Judaism. One of my goals is engaging Pittsburgh teens. I hope that I can expand Rodef Shalom’s active youth population to allow our teens to form these connections with other Jewish communities across the country and become more involved in activities within our own community. My Jewish leadership started here in Rodef Shalom and now has grown into a much bigger community. I hope this year I can do the same for many other teens.

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 7 caring Admin Staff: The Backbone of Our Team Carolyn Frischer, Member Engagement Director [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x178 Just like our congregants, the staff is a mixture of legacies and newer faces. We wanted to re-introduce you to our administrative staff. More likely than not, you’ve spoken to at least one of these fantastic folks.

JoAnn Ruffing almost needs no introduction. Having worked as the front desk reception for over 17 years, she feels more like family than anything else. Her favorite part of the job might just be the pre-schoolers and her daily high fives. If she could have coffee with any Jewish thinker, it’d be her pal, Dr. Walter Jacob.

Michael McHugh is Rodef Shalom’s secret weapon. He has been responsible for our mailings, printings, and databases for the past 20 years. Every year you can look forward to his channukah decorations in the copier room, and if he had to pick a song to describe his workday, it’s no surprise that it’s Happy by Pharrell Williams.

Hope Nearhood has spent four years as the Executive Assistant for the Rabbinic Office, but you might know her best as the heroine of the Rabbinic Office. When she’s not busy scheduling meetings with wedding couples, keeping the mi sheberiach list up to date, or trying to decipher the latest voicemail, you can find her enjoying the architecture of the building. Like JoAnn, she’d love to have coffee with Dr. Jacob.

Kate Kim works as the Assistant to Lifelong Jewish Learning, which is appropriate because she adores learning. In fact, it’s been her favorite part of working at Rodef Shalom for the last three years. Most recently, one of the best parts of her week is switching hats to student for the Melton for Jewish Professionals class. When asked which Jewish thinker she’d like to get coffee with, she responded with “Theodor Herzl. I mean... I think a coffee shop would really be his scene.”

Kristin Karsh is one of the newer faces in the building. She has been the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director for just over a year. She adores the variety of folks she gets to meet from the pre-schoolers who visit for a mint to the board members. One of her earliest and most cherished memories of working here was joining Georgia Davidson for dinner in the sukkah. The song that best represents a work day for Kristin: Here We Go Again by OKGO.

8 rodefshalom.org caring The Seventeenth Generation Rabbi Aaron B. Bisno, Frances F. & David R. Levin Senior Rabbinic Pulpit [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x122 ∧ @rabbibisno oon to be released is a new biography of an individual Swe all hold dear—Dr. Rabbi Walter Jacob. Many in our community have had the fortune to know Dr. Jacob personally, while others may not be aware of the rich life story of the person we greet on any given Shabbat morning; thanks to the beautiful storytelling of Eric Lidji, author and executive director of the Rauh Jewish Archives, many more will get to know the scholar, world-changer, and friend who walks the same halls of Rodef Shalom as you and I.

Walter Jacob was born into a rabbinic family that traces its roots in Germany back more than 400 years. Following the events of Kristallnacht on November 9, 1938, Walter, his parents, and his brother fled to London; they later immigrated to Springfield, Missouri.

After spending two years as a US Air Force chaplain in the Philippines, in 1966, Rabbi Jacob succeeded Dr. Solomon Freehof as Rodef Shalom’s senior rabbi, a career that spans seven decades. In his years as a pulpit rabbi, Rabbi Jacob introduced bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies, fostered a robust adult education program replete with scholarships and lectures, and established extensive arts and cultural events for the community. Avid gardeners, he and his wife, Irene (z”l), created our biblical garden which 30 years later is an important means of educating interfaith visitors on our shared biblical history, thereby fostering greater understanding among all faiths. Dr. Jacob’s familiarity with Jewish literature and law, coupled with a prolific publishing schedule, made him among the foremost experts in the realm of responsa literature and a progressive interpreter of Jewish tradition. In 1989, he founded the Freehof Institute for Progressive Halakah which publishes an annual volume of essays on Jewish law.

In the course of his rabbinate, Rabbi Jacob has written more than 1,300 articles, reviews, and essays and he is the author or editor of more than 45 books. In retirement, Rabbi Jacob returned to Germany to establish the Abraham Geiger College, the first rabbinical seminary to open in the heart of post-Holocaust-Europe.

For reestablishing rabbinic education and encouraging a renaissance of Jewish life in Europe, Dr. Jacob was made a Knight Commander of the Federal Republic of Germany; has been portrayed on an Austrian postage stamp; and received the rank of Commander of the Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great from His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

The seven-plus decades of Rabbi Jacob’s rabbinate have been prodigious and are marked by a constant willingness to accept the realities of the world without giving in to them; indeed, he has been a steady and respectful, yet unrelenting, source of progress, pride, and personal service to all who know him.

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 9 caring Laura Swiss is “On Board” Barry D. Weisband, Murray Klein Executive Director [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x119 aura Swiss, one of the vice-presidents of the board of trustees has been selected as a Fellow of the OnBoard Program. We are thrilled that Laura will be participating in this national program that concentrates on LJewish organizations through a focus on board leadership. Laura will be involved with a strong local and national cohort of peers who learn from, stimulate, and support one another through shared experiences.

Each fellow selects a specific project to work through the 16-month program. Laura’s project is to redesign Rodef Shalom’s board orientation program so that our new and current board members are provided with timely and accurate information regarding their responsibilities to help govern the congregation.

Births

Layla Mackenzie Goldfarb Ava Ruth Goldfarb Granddaughter of Marjorie and Larry Goldfarb Granddaughter of Marjorie and Larry Goldfarb

lippman library Friends of the Library Sam Siskind, Librarian [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x180

Do you love the Lippman Library? Interested in exchanging library program ideas and seeing the library move forward? Be a part of the Friends of the Library group! Contact Librarian Sam Siskind for more details: [email protected] 412-621-6566 x179

10 rodefshalom.org caring Anniversaries

May June July Bill & Allison Adelman Richard & Marcia Adelsheim Jeff Bonno & Erin Barr Bruce Pollock & Judy Arluk Ronald & Nancy Angerman Bernie & Marilyn Caplan Michael & Leslie Aronson Bill & Marti Battistone Alex Castillo & Dina Bilofsky John & Amy Bass Marc Bilder & Susie Konno Paul & Margery Dubner Michael & Helene Berman Sidney & Sylvia Busis Joshua & Julie Farber Bruce & Marian Block Steven & Nancy Cohen Phil & Phyllis Feinert Joel & Amy Dresbold Eric Cooper & Naomi Siegel Marty Gefsky & Toby Frank Joshua & Yael Eads Bart & Teri Cowan James & Sharon Goldberg Jim Epstein and Susan Sternburg Elliot & Laura Dinkin Larry & Majorie Goldfarb Adam & Jill Goetz Scott Fingal & Anne Immekus Marvin & Lynne Gross Jared Roach & Emilie Hammerstein Toren Finkel & Beth Rosner Jeff & Jacki Herzog Barry & Janie Kart Matt & Holly Goldman Matthew & Marina Joffe Larry King & Barbara Krause Dennis Grinberg & Sharyn Henry Alexey & Evgenia Kharitonov Curt & Joelle Krasik Anthony & Rosanne Harrison Marc Kimelman & Nancy Briskin Alan & Sharon Lesgold David and Susan Kalson Eric & Susan Kruman Noah & Stephanie Levin Howard & Janet Katcher Earl & Marilyn Latterman Anind Dey & Jen Mankoff Richard & Lauren Katz Steven & Sierra Lautman Mitch & Debbie McKenney Cary & Kathy Klein Charles & Barbara Lehman Scott & Mary Mervis Noah & Elaine Lesgold Seth & Deanna Lichtenstein Michael & Jessica Morowitz Lawrence & Claire Levine Lee Hammons & Emily Loeb Stephen & Zola Munter Brad & Allie Linsenmeyer Mark & Catherine Loevner Bob Myers & Ruth Westerman Dan & Heidi Magrish Herbert & Adrienne Mallet Michael Ost & Ulka Sachdev-Ost Chuck & Molly May Bob & Leslie Mitchell Peter & Sabina Rosenfeld Brad & Bernita Myers Thomas & Nancy Moeller Matthew Rosengart & Janet Lee Jon Nauhaus & Kaveri Subbarao AJ & Katie Parker Loren & Ellen Roth Barak & Lisa Naveh Bob & Donna Paul Bud & Ramona Roth Sanford and Roslyn Neiman Burkhardt Reiter & Leah Givelber Paul & Elaine Rybski Jerry Bitner & Judy Nesvisky Jay & Barbara Rogal Stephen & Fern Schwartz Richard & Suzanne Paul Colin & Jacqueline Rosenberg Arie & Mia Segall Gregg & Susan Perelman Bryan & Barbara Rosenberger Elijah & Stephanie Shropshire Henry Posner III & Anne Molloy Brad & Liron Salitrik Alex Shulkin & Lisa Kisler Jeffrey & Ellen Primis Ken & Sara Segel Pat & Alan Siger Larry & Sandy Rosen Don & Jan Shaw Dick & Mary Lou Silk Bob & Nancy Rosenthal Morris & Shirley Shratter Eric & Laurie Sloan Richard Roth & Ann Bass Roth Greg Siegle & Monica Barback Harlan & Laura Stone David & Alece Schreiber Justin & Megan Sigal Tom & Morgan Wilks Steve & Judy Sheffler James & Natalie Stillwagon Sam & Tenisha Yamron David & Carole Wallach E. J. & Mona Strassburger Lee & Judith Weinberg Gene Strassburger III & Stanley & Helene Weiner Phyllis Kitzerow Vera & Milton Weiss Andrew & Cindy Urbach Richard & Sarah Wertheimer Andrew & Jodi Weisfield Clodius & Maxine Willis Ira & Betty Weiss Michael & Carol Yahr

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 11 caring

B’nai Mitzvah

Abby Blank Gabriella Naveh May 28 June 2 Abby is a 7th grader at the Gabriella attends Community Environmental Charter School, Day School. Her interests include where her favorite subjects are political activism, reading, writing Math and Science. She loves to and spending time with family sing, read, and run with her Girls On and friends. For Gabriella’s mitzvah The Run/Heart and Sole team. Abby project, she is collecting books to be is an active volunteer with The Friendship Circle of donated to Children’s Hospital. She is the daughter Pittsburgh and plays softball and basketball. Above of Barak and Lisa Naveh, big sister to Abigail, and the anywhere in the world, Abby’s favorite place is Emma granddaughter of Jacob and Edie Naveh and Peter and Kaufmann Camp, where she escapes to each summer. Susan Gonsenheimer. She is currently raising money to support SCOPE, a non- profit organization that gives kids living in underserved communities life changing opportunities through the experience of overnight summer camp. Abby is a big sister to Landon and Nina, daughter of Craig and Lydia, and granddaughter of Myrna and (the late) Milton Blank, Lilly Robinson Paul and Naomi Herman, and Ben and Jan Caplan. June 30 Lilly just graduated from the seventh grade of Carson Middle Michael Ulis School in the North Allegheny June 9 School District. At Carson, Lilly is Michael attends Community Day a cheerleader, a library aid, is on School, and really enjoys reading, Student Council and sings in chorus. Lilly math, and science related projects. loves animals and plans on becoming a veterinarian. He has been a member of the Because of her love for animals, she chose to be a JCC Sailfish Swim Team since he volunteer for Animal Friends. Lilly also is excited to be was four years old and loves chess, part of the twinning program through the Pittsburgh fencing, and many other sports activities. Holocaust Center where she is paired with a Holocaust He is the son of Olga and Alex Ulis, and the grandson of survivor. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Jacqueline Vera and the late Mikhail Chernyakhovsky and the late Robinson, and the granddaughter of Dr. Morton and Isabella and Mikhail Ulis. Racelle Goldstein.

12 rodefshalom.org learning & practice Israel at 70 Rabbi Sharyn H. Henry [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x126

t is a fairly common thing for Jews to track our own lives against events that happened in Israel. ISome of us will remember the drama of November Learn Israeli Slang 29, 1947 when the United Nations General Assembly voted 33-13 in favor of partitioning Palestine between Achi Arabs and Jews. I, who was born a decade after Israel’s Literally, “my brother,” but used (talking independence, remember how afraid I was that Israel to males and females) as in “bro,” or could lose the Six Day War. Some of us will be able to “dude.” say where we were and at what stage in life we were when we learned about the Yom Kippur war (1973) or the Camp David Accords in 1978. Younger Jews will Hi-oosh remember the death of Ofra Haza in 2000 and their Like hello, plus oosh; a cutesy ‘hi,’ heard NFTY, or EKC, or Birthright trip. more and more among Israeli teens, but never in formal situations. A popular teaching from Pirke Avot lists the ages and stages of human life: at 5 we begin to study Torah... Sof Haderech at 13 we are responsible for the mitzvot; 30 is the age Literally “the end of the road,” this idiom of peak achievement, at 40 we acquire wisdom, at 50 means “excellent” or the absolute best. we are able to give counsel. Seventy represents the fullness of years. Hakol dvash The answer to “Mah Ha-inyamim—What’s As Israel turns 70 it enters an age of maturity and self- going on?” is “Hakol dvash—everything is awareness. Israelis and American Jews can together (honey) great.” celebrate all of Israel’s miraculous achievements even as we face her most delicate situations and important decisions. Yalla (Ya-la) While this word actually comes from Above all, however, we are ever aware of the presence Arabic, it is very commonly used in Hebrew and importance of Israel in our lives and of the deep as a common expression for “come on” connection we have with her. We stand alongside our or “hurry up.” Many Israelis say goodbye Israeli cousins and say with love, Mazel Tov! with “Yalla Bye.”

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 13 learning & practice Teen Tikkun for Shavuot Liron Lipinsky, J-JEP (Joint Jewish Education Program) Director [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x111

The dawn of the third day broke amid thunder and lightning that filled the air. Heavy clouds hung over the mountain, and steadily growing sound of the Shofar horn made the people shake and tremble with fear. Moses led the children of Israel out of the camp and placed them at the foot of Mount Sinai, which was all covered by smoke and was quaking, for G‑d had descended upon it in fire.

havuot is on the 6th day of Sivan which generally corresponds with sometime between mid-May and mid-June. Though it is usually after the religious school year is complete, any educator who appreciates Sthe theatrics that fill the story takes full advantage of teaching about the important historical event. Shavuot may also be referred to as Chag Matan Torah or “Rectification for Shavuot Night.” That might (holiday of giving of the Torah) and Chag ha’katzir not sound so thrilling on paper, but the Pittsburgh bikurei ma’asecha (the harvest holiday and first fruits Jewish community has taken on Leil Tikkun Shavuot of your work). Harvesting of grains in Israel begins and turned it into a very relevant, meaningful, multi- with the barley during Passover and ends with the denominational, inclusive, and engaging opportunity harvesting of the wheat at Shavuot. to study Torah and other works with brilliant local rabbis and educators. The event, which this year There are two specific customs of Shavuot that I came begins at 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the JCC, will to appreciate as an adult. The first is the (massive) also have a specific “Teen Tikkun” is open to students consumption of dairy products and baked goods. One in 6 through 12 grades. of the reasons for eating only dairy on Shavuot is to remind us that Israel is the land of milk and honey. I hope to see many of you at both the adult and the teen Tikkun for learning (and snacking). The second custom of Shavuot is to stay up all night and study the Torah we received, “Leil Tikkun Shavuot”

14 rodefshalom.org learning & practice Summer Safety Tips Mimsie Leyton, Family Center Director [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x127

ummer is a wonderful time of year. The weather is pleasant (we hope!), the pace is relaxed, and there are so many ways to have fun outdoors. Enjoy this season even more by taking a few precautions to protect Syour children from some of summer’s more dangerous aspects. Use sunscreen: Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least Water Safety: Whether swimming at a local pool, 15. Apply all over the body, even in places covered by boating in a lake, or vacationing at the beach, keep clothing, 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply your children safe by following a few simple guidelines. every two hours or after swimming or sweating, even • Always swim under adult and/ or lifeguard on overcast days. supervision. • Stay within arm’s reach of your baby or toddler Dress appropriately: Wear light weight, cotton in or near the pool or body of water at all times. clothing, preferably with a tight knit. Everyone, • Follow all posted rules. especially very young or very fair-haired children, • Avoid the use of inflatable swimming aids should wear a wide-brimmed hat. (“floaties”) which can provide a false sense of security. Stay hydrated: Children get fussy and cranky in the • On a boat, all children should wear properly heat. Don’t ignore crying, and respond promptly fitting life jackets at all times. for requests for water. Avoid sugary and caffeinated • Pay attention to weather conditions and forecasts beverages such as soft drinks. and take proper precautions. • Always drain wading pools, water buckets, and Car = Hot Zone: The car is like an oven and can reach tubs immediately after use. 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes on a summer day. NEVER leave children or pets alone in the car (even Have a great and safe summer. Visit our website and with the windows open) for even a quick errand. Don’t Face Book page to view our summer activities. We forget a sleeping child. Place an important item such look forward to seeing you! as a purse, phone, or briefcase on the back seat. Seat belt buckles and straps can burn skin. Check the temperature before placing a child in the seat. A cold wash cloth or ice pack can help cool things down. Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 15 from the archives Our Charter Members: The Jewish Martha Berg , Archivist [email protected] ∧ (412) 621–6566 x131 Pioneers of Pittsburgh few of the men who signed the official charter of Rodef Shalom in 1856—and, yes, they were all men— appear much later in dark suits in dignified portraits hung in obscure corners of the building, but who were A they in 1856? At a time when the population of Pittsburgh was under 50,000, these 24 men represented almost half of the earliest Jewish families who came to make their fortunes in a growing city on what was then the Western frontier. Because we have only a transcription made when the charter was registered with Allegheny County three years later and not the original document, we can’t even decipher the names of all of the original signers. Of those we can identify and trace back to the 1850s, more than half were younger than 40 in 1856, and only one was over 60. Many were married—and the women are even harder to trace—and had young children. Most were immigrants from German-speaking areas of Europe, though some had settled first in other American towns and then moved to Pittsburgh. Rodef Shalom charter member, Their occupations were varied, from the only Jewish Asher Guckenheimer ran a distillery shoemaker in Pittsburgh, to a distiller, a retail liquor store owner, a junk dealer, and a bookkeeper. The largest employment group consisted of clothing and Establishing a congregation was more challenging, dry goods shopkeepers, eight men who sold fabric, because there was disagreement over traditions, buttons, jewelry, and custom-made or off-the-rack practices, and prayer books, yet the community could clothes. Second were the drovers and livestock dealers, support only one congregation. After several starts, who ran cattle and sheep to the slaughterhouses along splits, and reunions beginning around 1848, the the Allegheny River. The few Jewish families were charter of Rodef Scholem (as it was then spelled) was frequently interconnected by marriage and business signed on November 9, 1856. Its first stated objective relationships. As some became successful, they was “the furtherance of the cause of religion,” moved into other businesses in step with Pittsburgh’s specifically “the formation of a German religious industrial development, such as glass manufacture society.” Second, out of concern for the education of and oil drilling and refining. the young children in these growing families, was “the establishment of a good school in which the young When we talk about Jewish flourishing in the 21st shall be instructed in the principles of the Hebrew century, we often think of shedding traditions and religion as well as general branches of knowledge.” developing less formal, often technology-assisted expressions of Jewish community. For these 19th- Rodef Shalom’s pioneering members laid the century Jewish pioneers in Pittsburgh, what allowed foundations of many of the institutions that developed them to flourish was the establishment of fundamental as the Jewish community of Pittsburgh grew, eventually institutions to sustain their tiny Jewish community. supporting congregations and organizations that The earliest of these was the Bes Almon Society, represent all the streams of Judaism, forming, founded in 1847 to care for family members who died; separating, and coming together as the needs of the the Society bought land on Troy Hill for the first Jewish community change. cemetery.

16 rodefshalom.org brotherhood Brotherhood Baseball Night! Tuesday, June 19 @ 7:05 p.m. Brewers vs. Pirates — Seats are in section 127 Cost is $22 per seat. ($8 discount from regular tickets)

Kids 14 and younger can receive a FREE ticket, compliments of Brotherhood. Please, one kid ticket max per paying adult.

Mail ticket request to Bob Rosenthal: 154 N. Bellefield Ave., Apt. 40, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Indicate number of adult tickets and kids tickets. Include a check payable to Rodef Shalom Brotherhood for the appropriate amount. Don’t delay... Past Brotherhood blocks of tickets have sold out! women of rodef shalom WRS Shabbat: Stand Up and Be Counted Rochelle R. Sufrin, Women of Rodef Shalom [email protected] May 19 at 10:30 a.m. ACCORDING TO the Torah, A Women’s Commentary, the Parachat B’midbar which is the fifth word of the Book of Numbers, means “In the desert,” ba midbar. B’midbar bridges the end of Exodus and the beginning of Numbers. It is said that encountering God without preparation is potentially lethal. So we ask, will you be prepared when it’s time to stand up and be counted?

We live in a time when it’s never been more important to be counted, and support the values that make our lives meaningful and safe, enriched and fruitful. We live in a time when the entire culture has reached the tipping point of standing up to support those who have long been ignored…women, the elderly, children, the poor, or the mentally challenged. In this biblical context standing up to be counted was about self-preservation, the military value of counting able bodied men over the age of 20, so that being in the desert meant being ready for a possible attack from outside or from within and being ready when they are facing an encounter with God.

The geometry of moving from the periphery to the center, the tribes encamp around the Levites, who encircle the high priestly family, who surround the tabernacle’s curtained walls that enclosed the court that buffers the Holy of Holies. This symmetry is a collective act of making order where there is chaos. Parshat B’midbar illustrates how hierarchies in a given society are spatialized, meaning that its power structures are evident in the physical spaces of the society, such as city plans or religious architecture.

The underlying idea of this parashah is that the special ordering of the community-and by extension, one’s life creates the space for encounters with the Divine. Perhaps the most interesting of this parashah is that the women who were not counted in the original census, stood up and made their case to the leaders about matters that were important to them. In the end, they affected real and lasting change in their community and in history! This brings us to question “Is being counted what makes us count? So who among us will stand up and be counted?

Hear more about census taking at the May 19 Women of Rodef Shalom Shabbat and think about how you might stand up and be counted.

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 17 contributions donations & endowments

thanks to the donors who support our congregation

BUILDING & TEMPLE FUNDS Marcia Stewart, Mona and SIDNEY & SYLVIA BUSIS FUND E.J. Strassburger, Mark and In memory BUILDING FUND Susan Warren, Melanie Warren, Dorothy Grinberg by Melanie and Donation Jeffrey Warren, Samro Solomon, Oren Spiegler Jane and Dr. Richard Meltzer Jim and Rosalee Wayman Audrey Kolenda by Susan Rosen ROBERT H. AND RODEF SHALOM Thelma Krasnopoler by SUSAN L. WOLF FUND CONGREGATION FUND Irving Krasnopoler Donations by Susan Wolf Donations Corinne Krause by Joni Ostrow and Speedy recovery Kathy Arnheim, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Stern Georgia Davidson Frederick Colen, Frederick Frank, Janet Spear by Emily Hutmacher Joyce Goldmann, Karl Kaufmann, Jr., Diane Reichblum by Marguerite and Honoring Marjorie Landay, Rajeev Singhal, Bruce Rice, Ruth Rubenstein, Natalie and Larry Kaplan, Nancy Tapper Smith, Lee Weisberger, Alice and David Schreiber Rebecca Lefkowitz Malcolm Weiss Philanthropic Fund, Ray Rosenblum by Violet Marcus The Pittsburgh Foundation Philip Teplitz by the Community and In memory Board of the Atrium, Carl Schiffman Ruth Bachman, Harold Bigler, Honoring Larry Yahr by Robert Whitehill Ruth Davidson, Dorothy Grinberg, Adam Jordan Bisno by Louise Friedman, Jeffrey Weiss by Edward and Corinne Krause, Son of Jim Rich, Amy and Ed Platt, Edith* Diamond, Ruth Love, Sister of Audrey Silverman, Marcia Stewart Joni Ostrow and Leonard Stern, Jeffrey Weiss Bernita Buncher by The Pittsburgh Ida Steinberg Foundation Marcia Frumerman by Ruth and Donations by Pearl Brostoff WORSHIP Marvin Reidbord In memory Arthur Cohen Isacco by William Stein Betty O. Abrams, Harold Bigler, PRAYERBOOKS Robert Rosenthal by Kathy Arnheim Dorothy Grinberg, Corrine Krause, Ray In memory Rosenblum Edith Diamond by Dr. and In memory Mrs. Morton Goldstein Betty Abrams by Sally and Alan Donations by Violet Marcus Janet Cohen Spear by Andrea, Douglas, Greenwald, Marian and Fred Orringer Honoring Natalie, Marni, and Charlotte Spear Rosalyn Arnowitz by Louise De Riso, Frances Levin, Bibe Schlesinger Michael Yahr In memory RABBINIC DISCRETIONARY FUND Ruth Bachman by Nancy and Dorothy Grinberg, Ray Rosenblum Donations Lester Berkowitz, Karl Kaufman, Jr., Louis and Sandra Berkman Foundation Ruth Rubenstein Donations by Marla Perlman Linda and Stephen Halpern Harold Bigler by Gwen Miller In memory Jane and Dr. Richard Meltzer Ben Brostoff and Ira Eichner by Dr. Bertram Dinman, Phyllis Kramer, Toby and Joe Wolfe and Ray Rosenblum In appreciation Edith Diamond by Vera and Family of Betty Abrams Milton Weiss Donations by John Spear Marcia Frumerman Renie Ellman by Jonathan Finkel In memory Barbara Krause Joyce Givner by Diane and Ruth Bachman, Harold Bigler, Frances Levin Robert Mandell Edith Diamond, Dorothy Grinberg, Roberta Needleman Dorothy Grinberg by Peggy and Linda Marcus, Ray Rosenblum Melanie and Oren Spiegler Bill Amdur, Gloria and Women of Rodef Shalom David Brewster, Gene Dickman, PURSUER OF PEACE 2018 Harold Yahr Betsy and Don Hershman, Honoring Janet Waisbrot Hirshberg, Valerie Bacharach by Marian and In memory Barbara and Elliott Kramer, Tom Allen, Mary Ann and Phil Dr. Leonard Merkow by Aline Lange, Rhoda Shear Neft, Bacharach, Mayda Roth Mark B. Aronson Marla Perlman, Anne Molloy and Scott Beigel by Marsha and Henry Posner III, Janet Ocel, Alan Bramowitz Rita Reese, Ivy and Fran Scricco, Barbara Rom Krum and Jack Lange by Aline Lange Marvin Tanzer by Joanne Bloom and

18 rodefshalom.org contributions

Thomas Tanzer, Peter Tanzer ISRAEL AND DORA MICHAELS FUTURE RICHARD A. FINEGOLD FAMILY TEACHERS Honoring PRESCHOOL FUND TRAINING FUND Adam Bisno by Cary and Kathy Klein, Donations by Marian Finegold Honoring Sally and Lanny Seed, Betty and In memory Lois and Milton Michaels by Ira Weiss Dr. Harry Binakonsky, Dorothy Marian Michaels Adam, Michelle, and Rabbi Aaron Grinberg, Ray Rosenblum Bisno by Dr. Bernard Mallinger PHYLLIS S. GOLDSTEIN & HAROLD Justin Berger by Marcia Frumerman GLICK CHILDREN’S LIBRARY S. SOLTMAN MEMORIAL YOUTH Susannah Glick and Brian Friedman by Donations by Sandy and Bob Brand ACTIVITIES FUND Debra Rubinstein Speedy recovery In memory Patrick Hilton by Chadford Hilton, Mr. Harry Adelsheimer Dorothy Grinberg by Herbert Soltman Lorraine, Patrick, and Aaron Mackler In memory Frances Levin by Louise Friedman Diane Reichblum Rabbi Burt Schuman by Richard Rubin and Nancy Dubar In memory COMMUNITY Griffin Thomas Kozminsky by Michelle PHILANTHROPIC YOUTH FUND Einstoss and family BIBLICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN Honoring Donations Adam Bisno by Rochelle Sufrin Honoring Rabbi Walter Jacob Adam Bisno by Joan Friedberg Rochelle Sufrin LEARNING VIGDOR W. KAVALER Honoring SCHOLARSHIP FUND Rabbi Aaron Bisno by Amy Minkoff ADULT EDUCATION CLASSSES Donations by Mina Kavaler Adam Bisno by Claire and In memory Speedy recovery Lawrence Levine, Marcia and Dorothy Grinberg by Shirley Tucker Roberta Granadier Robert Netzer Shirley Hafner Rosen by Susan Rosen Honoring Ruth Bachman by Charlotte Bluestone Cheryl Americus, Patti Berman, Frances Levin by Barbara and BERKMAN FAMILY CENTER Patti and Sandy Berman, Alan Ackerman Donations by Barbara and Annette Bloom, Richard Brean, Rebecca Lefkowitz by Hanna Gruen Alan Ackerman Jannett Ecker, Roz Holtzman, Lois and Dr. Milton Michaels by In memory Dr. Walter Jacob, Martha Jaffe, Marian Michaels Dorothy Grinberg Mr. and Mrs. Everett Kavaler, Marcia and Robert Netzer by Ruth Bachman Everett Kavaler, Dr. Donald Marjorie Landay Kaiserman, Mark Kaiserman, Charles Schwartz by Janet Hirshberg DAVID OPPENHEIMER Sheri Knox, Rebecca Lefkowitz, SCHOLARSHIP FUND Frances Levin, Lois Levy, In memory In memory Shirley Leyton, Bibe Schlesinger, Betty Abrams by Helen Orringer Dorothy Grinberg by Myrna Zelenitz Colin Rosenberg, Janice Rosenberg, Edith Diamond by Carol and Margie Shrinsky, Kim Walker, Beverly Richard Nathenson PLAYGROUND FUND and Dr. Ronald Wasserman, Anna Dorothy Grinberg by Nancy and Lester Donation Wecht, Dr. Cyril Wecht, Berkowitz, Amy Lowenstein, Kenneth Jamini Vincent Davies Valerie and Judge David Wecht, Kaplan, Lois and Milton Michaels, Constance Blank Sigrid Wecht, Shirley Weitz, Rhoda Shear Neft, Helen Orringer Oliver Wolfe, Debra Wysotol Joan Kaplan by the Wendy Spector In memory In memory Kaplan Philanthropic Fund of the Dorothy Grinberg by Ruth Bachman, Jeffrey Weiss Jewish Federation of Georgia Davidson, Marcia Levaur, Greater Pittsburgh Frances Levin Freda Silberman by Lynn and Beatrice G. Lichter and Dr. Arthur Moss by Children’s Hospital Steven Silberman Samuel A. Lichter by of Pittsburgh-Primary Care Center Harlene Lichter Galen LIPPMAN LIBRARY Linda Marcus by Patricia P. Jennings, Honoring In memory Marcia and Bob Netzer Rebecca Lefkowitz by Sandie and Bob Diane Reichblum by Sandra and Dr. Leonard Merkow by Brand, Amy, Aaron and Ian Leaman, Bob Brand Margaret Merkow Marla Perlman, Anne Molloy and Diane Reichblum by Gabrielle Dinman, Henry Posner III, Valerie Monaco and SOL RUBEN SCHOLARSHIP FUND Dr. Bernard Mallinger, Lois and Deb Polk, Monaco Helen Orringer, In memory Milton Michaels, Ruth and Sabina and Peter Rosenfeld Sol Ruben by Leib Kaminsky Marvin Reidbord, Adam Bisno and Leonard Stern by Barbara Myers Temkin and Marjorie Landay Benjamin Myers

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 haK esher the connection 19 contributions

Jeffrey Weiss by Caryl and Irv Halpern SISTERHOOD FLORAL ENDOWMENT 3–Rabbi Iwan Gruen by Hanna Gruen Ruth Wintner by Amy Miller, Beverly FUND 17–Shirley and Milton Bilder by Sabina and Ronald Wasserman Listings are in loving memory unless and Peter Rosenfeld otherwise listed April Donations by Marilyn and May 7–In honor of Adam Bisno’s Bar Brett Kranich 3–Eleanor D. Benswanger by Mitzvah by Rabbi Aaron and Michelle In memory Mr. and Mrs. William D. Benswanger Bisno Harold Bigler 9–Sylvia W. Rosenzweig by Marjorie 23 –Paula Ohringer by Margie and Irvin Raymond Rosenblum and Alan* Landay and family Ungar Honoring 21–David J. Levenson by late June Marjorie Greenberger Edgar L. Levenson* 30–Lilly Anastasia Robinson by 23–Julian Ruslander by Jacqueline and Jeffrey Robinson Donations by Amy Lowenstein Lee Ann Freeman In memory 24–Jeffrey Hohenstein by the late ARNOLD D., NORMA W., AND Renie Ellman, Edith Diamond Marion Hohenstein* IDA J. WILNER HUNGER FUND 25–Rosella Broff by In memory Donations by Lois and Barbara Broff Goldman* Norma W. Wilner by Mary Ann Wilner Dr. Milton Michaels 26–Wedding anniversary of Julian and In memory Peggy Ruslander by Peggy Ruslander Ruth Bachman, Dr. Arthur Moss 27–David R. Weil III by Billie and ARTS AND CULTURE Speedy recovery Lauren Weil Georgia Davidson 28–Helen “Goodie” Roth and SCHIFFMAN MUSIC FUND Bernard Roth by their children Honoring In memory June Molly May by Chadford Hilton Ruth Bachman and Grace Sweer by 4–Robert C. Pearlman by Doris, Earl Schaffer by Rita and Paul Glosser Susan Wolf Jill and Heidi Pearlman 6–Dorothy Girard by Helen Falloon RODEF SHALOM 8–Esther Bergman by Susan IRVING & JACQUELIN WECHSLER BROTHERHOOD FUND Gurrentz*, Goldie Horne and Samuel GALLERY Speedy recovery E. Horne by Edwin and Martha Horne In memory Richard Meritzer by Marla Perlman 12–Solomon B. Freehof by Kenny Ross and Edith Diamond by Lillian Freehof* Jacquelin Wechsler WALTER ELLMAN 16–Bob Frumerman by SOCIAL ACTION FUND Marcia Frumerman In memory 20–Aaron Benjamin Loether by HISTORY Betty Abrams by Sabina and Susan and Richard Loether Peter Rosenfeld July BROTHERHOOD YAHRZEIT FUND Irene Ellman by Nancy and 1–Hannah Pink by Edgar Levenson*, Evelyn Azen Gotlieb by Helen Azen Lester Berkowitz, Chris and David B. Ryave by Gail Ryave* and Joseph Balter by Alma Balter Kathleen Ennis, Janet Hirshberg, Sharon Ryave Brody Frances Beckerman, Samuel Marjorie Landay, Andrea and Michael 3–Dr. Hyman Pober by Melva Pober Beckerman and Leonard Beldman by Lowenstein, Michelle and 12–Isadore and Bettie Jacobs by Susan and Stuart Beckerman Muzz Meyers, Gwen Miller, Lucille Wedner and family Ruth Hohenstein by Joan Bergman Sabina and Peter Rosenfeld, 15–Jack Bergman by Susan Gurrentz* Edythe Berman, Charles Berman and Sally and Richard Sheinber and 16–Abraham Schulman, Phyllis B. Green by Patti and Sanford family, Benjamin Vatz, Claire and Eva Goodman, Zerna Meyer and Reva Berman Melvin Vatz Amstey by Ruth Wintner* Max Bluestone by Charlotte Bluestone Virginia Brovitz by Stacy Brovitz HUNGER ACTION FUND SISTERHOOD PULPIT DECORATIONS John Castelli by Sarah Castelli Donations by Jeff and Jacki Herzog Listings are in loving memory unless and Family Honoring otherwise listed Dr. David A. Coffey by Barbara and Frances Levin, Charles Schwartz January Charles Coffey In memory 6–Audrey Hilton by Chad Hilton Bessie Thomas by Teri and Ben Brostoff 26 –Gertrude Gruen by Hanna Gruen Barton Cowan 27–Frank G. Lowenstein by Amy ROGAL GENETIC TESTING FUND Lowenstein Honoring February Adam Bisno by Thomas Litman 17–William M. Lowenstein by Amy Lowenstein March 2–Claire L. Orringer by Helen Orringer

20 rodefshalom.org contributions

Stanford P. Davis by Ada Davis Genevieve Z. and James V. Molloy by In memory and family Anne Molloy and Henry Posner III Ruth Bachman and Dorothy Grinberg by Stuart and Clara Kline by Myra Askin by Ellen and Jeff Primis Jane and Barry Kart Debra Demchak S.R. Rackoff by Nancy and Sidney Dubner by Dr. and William Rackoff Donations by Mrs. Paul Dubner Claire Arnheim and Elaine R. Cohen by Phyllis and Philip Feinert Leo M. Fisher by Stephen and Nancy and Bob Rosenthal Honoring Maxine Fisher Gordon Rosenthal by Marcia Rosenthal Sophia Eve Samson, Eliza Grace Emanuel B. Friedberg, M.D. and Lillian Bee Schaffer by Earl Schaffer Steinsdoerfer Adlow Friedberg by Joan Friedberg Mary Louise Gray by In memory Anne Robin Friedland by Michele Gray-Schaffer Dr. Harry and Gladys Miller Marilyn Friedland Norman H. Schlesinger by Stanley H. Goldmann by Joyce Goldmann Beatrice W. Schlesinger In memory Cecile Z. Apter by Racelle Goldstein Maurice and Irma Schoenberger by Alex Seed by Izzy Chernoff, Mayda and Howard and Madlynne Harris by Ellie Schoenberger Barry Roth Malcolm Harris Harold Bigler by Rabbi Burt Schuman Sharon Steen by Sally and Lanny Seed, Celia and Edwin S. Hepner by Rae Brown by Beth Schwartz Amy Schlesinger Barbara Hepner and family Louis “Pete” Schwartz by Bernice Herzog and Marvin Herzog by Linda Schwartz Donations by Sally and Lanny Seed Jeffrey Herzog Irene Haber by Judy Sheffler In memory Eudice Berman by Hans Jonas Samuel Binstock by Linda Shensa Ruth Bachman, Dr. Phil Brostoff, Francis Harry Kamin by Joan and Samuel Kamin Dr. Bernard H. Shepman by Coyle, Dorothy Grinberg, Stanley Harvey Moen by Eileen Kaplan Shirley Shepman Goldman, Grandfather of Jill and Anna Kann, Nathaniel Kann and Dale Silverman by Paul Silverman David Spear Evelyn Kann by Richard Kann Louis C. Proviano and Walter Schwartz Honoring Vilya Kurtysh by Jiles Kurtysh by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Silk Stefanie Small Bernard Halpern by Eileen Lane Morton C. Katz and Sadie M. Katz by Bernard “Sonny” Levine by Marjorie Silverman Donations by Andrea and Doug Spear Robert Levine Harvey Simon by Jean B. Simon In memory Jeanette Goddy by Carol Tobin Lewis Sophia Snyder by Edward Snyder Alex Seed, Sharon Steen Leah and Louis Rosenfield by Sally and Eva Gruber and Rose Tabor by Tim Littman Adeline Tabor SISTERHOOD REMEMBRANCE FUND Frank Lowenstein by Amy Lowenstein Virginia and Allen Vatz by Richard Vatz Honoring Robert Lazar and Joseph Recht by Morton Verbit by Richard and Rebecca Lefkowitz by Phyllis and Audrey Lazar Olive Verbit Philip Feinert, Ruth Rubenstein Eve Hantman and Lou Hantman by Morris Gross by Sheila Werner Frances Levin by Stephen and Carol and Salem Leaman Milton Weiss by Marcia Weiss Maxine Fisher, Gladys Maharam, Ruth Lieberman Levaur by Marcia Levaur Ruth Weitz by Harold Weitz Loretta Sullivan Edwin Hirsch by Cecile Levenson Gertrude Kagan by Leatrice Wolf Andrew Levine by Leslie Levine Nancy Simon by Susan Wolf In memory Sidney Tobin by Carol Tobin Lewis Myrna and Henry Wolk by Sheldon Wolk Ruth Bachman by Anne Molloy and Dorothy Segall by Cynthia Lynch Milton Weiss by Robin Weiss Henry Posner III Samuel Marcus by Violet Marcus Betty Yamron by Lawrence Yamron Edith Diamond by Sandy and Nathan Stalinsky by Gladys Maharam Joseph Rubenstein by Carol Yahr Larry Rosen Ruth Sachnoff by and family Dorothy Grinberg by Nicole Hayes Barbara Sachnoff Mendlowitz Phyllis Kramer by Sandy and Melvin Meth by Jeanne Meth DEAKTOR TERRACE BRICKS Larry Rosen Joseph Tracht by Leslie and In memory Sylvia Landay by Barbara and Robert Mitchell Sandy and Summer Goodwin by Stephen Landay Harry Liebling, Sadie Liebling, Louis Susie Wolf Diane Westerman Reichblum by Marjorie Michaels and Rose Michaels by Silverman Pauline Michaels* ALEX SEED MEMORIAL Dr. Lee J. Goldblum by Carol Nathenson MENTAL HEALTH FUND Judy Nathenson and Max Nathenson by Honoring *Z”L~ of blessed memory Richard Nathenson Beatrice Schlesinger by Ernestine Hall Claire L. Orringer and Frederick M. Adam Bisno by Jane and Barry Kart Every effort is made to accurately Orringer by Helen Orringer Andrea Spear by Ilene and Joel Iskoe, recognize the generosity of our donors. Martin S. Ost by Michael C. Ost Amy and David Korman Barbara B. Lesser and Stanley Ostrow by Please contact Christine Ranasinghe at Joni Ostrow 412-621-6566 x182 should you have any changes.

Issue No. 107 Iyar–Av 5778 | May–July 2018 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, Pittsburgh, Pa

Tuesday, May 15 @ 7 p.m. Peter Gethers “My Mother’s Kitchen”

Free Admission ∙ Free Parking Book Available for Purchase

24 rodefshalom.org