Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks Non-Profit Organization Jewish Cultural Center, PO Box 14925 U.S. Postage PAID Reading, PA 19612-4925 Permit No. 2 readingjewishcommunity.org Reading, PA Change Service Requested

Enriching Lives Volume 50, No.6 June 2020 Sivan-Tammuz 5780

ShaloThe Journal of the Reading Jewish Communitym published by0 the Jewish6 Federation2 of Reading/Berks0

Your Federation Supports: Executive Committee thankful Jewish Education Food Pantry for work by Federation staff Friendship Circle Federation Executive Committee exemplary level of dedicated service staff to the overall community. Chevra The Executive Committee of the and continuously highly innovative Thank you. Board of Directors of the Jewish programming provided to the Reading/ Robert M. Caster, Chair Community Shabbat Federation of Reading, Pennsylvania, Berks Jewish Community during these Sheila Bornstein, First VP Reading Jewish Film Series on behalf of the entire Board of Directors difficult times due to the current virus Traci Rossi, Second VP wishes to publicly recognize and express environment. Radene Gordon Beck, Treasurer PJ Library its gratitude to the entire professional The Executive Board does not take Debbie Goldberg, Secretary staff of the Federation for their lightly the benefits provided by the entire Jewish Family Service

Jewish Cultural Center Lakin Holocaust Library Summer FUN for kids & Resource Center By Amanda J. Hornberger rabbis. Dates are June 12 and 19. FREE and open to entire youth of all ages during this Israel & Overseas Virtual learning is over, and 26, July 10 and 24 and Aug, community. unique summer. now it’s time to enjoy summer! 7 and 21. FREE and open to • Chabad Summer Camp— We know this period Camp Scholarships While this summer may look entire community. see Centerpiece for more details of social distancing is a Israel Trips different than past summers, Ages 6-12 on this daily camp offered by challenge for both kids and something that will remain is • Summer FUN hosted by Chabad. parents, and we hope to Jewish Community fun, engaging connection for JCC — Join us on Wednesdays • Harlam at Home— provide some ideas and Jewish youth in Reading. at 10 a.m. LIVE on Zoom with resources from the Union for projects to make the summer High School The JCC in collaboration with your friends from across Berks. Reform Judaism (URJ) Camp more fun and enjoyable for Emergency Support our synagogues and Chabad Adi and Amanda will lead Harlam will be posted and everyone! is offering a wide variety of interactive, age-appropriate distributed to families throughout JCC programs are free, but Lakin Preschool options for children in Berks this activities to engage youth this the summer. donations are appreciated. Richard J. Yashek Lecture summer. summer. In addition, every Teens We welcome any ideas or 5 and under other week, Camp in a Box • Adi is working on creating suggestions you may have for Transportation • Join us on Fridays at 10 materials will be delivered a youth group and opportunities programs for our youth this a.m. LIVE on Zoom (or watch to participants. In these five for connection for teens this summer. Maimonides Society recording later at a time that boxes will be supplies for summer. If you have any questions Your Jewish Legacy works for you) for a musical, special projects, crafts and Our goal is to work or suggestions, please reach fun kickoff to Shabbat. We will cooking classes held during together as a community out to Amanda at amandah@ 92ND ST Y Programs sing songs with teachers from the live sessions. Starts June to provide opportunities jfreading.org or Adi at adis@ Lakin Preschool and our local 17 and runs through Aug. for Jewish engagement for jfreading.org Joint Distribution Committee Meir Panim Community joins in effort to mark Memorial Day Annual Campaign

Jewish Agency for Israel

Yemin Orde

School Education Programs

Interfaith Unity Council

Israel Advocacy

Youth Events

Great Decisions Series

Jewish Community

Relations Council

Community Holiday Programs

Women’s Philanthropy

Jewish Federations

of North America

Counseling Services

Leo Camp Lecture

Shabbat B’Yachad

Members of the Jewish community join with members of Immanuel UCC in Shillington to lay flags on 260 graves at Shomrei Habrith and Kesher Zion cemeteries in preparation for Memorial Day. From left are Andrew Huesgen; the Rev. Megan Huesgen, pastor of Immanuel UCC ; Melissa, Jonathan, Stella and Jack Belinski, members of Immanuel; Dr. Neil Hoffman; Sen. Judy Schwank and Amanda Hornberger Page 2 SHALOM June 2020 Great generosity during a pandemic

By Richard Nassau heard from more members of my extended create bonds and strengthen relationships, Development Director family in the last two months than I did over between people and between organizations. Your generosity and the last two years. I expect you, like mine, We work to make a difference, for each the generosity of the have extended family who disagree about other and in new ways. We act together. Our Jewish community is many things. values, as a Federation and a community, something incredible. It I have family members who wipe down are rooted in protecting our community’s is heartfelt and is never their mail every day and members who most vulnerable and taking care of people taken for granted. No have been to the beach and are ready to in need. one should be surprised go back. The issues of going to the beach We don’t wait. We take action. We look by the generosity of the or opening mail are not why I’ve heard from at where there are gaps and needs and n t Jewish community. so many family members. My family, much ways to join together. We know, as a community, that this like yours and our community, understand Every dollar Federation receives makes pandemic has changed things. No one is the importance of checking in and taking a difference. Your support added to the sure when things will return to “normal.” care of each other. contributions of others funds our response e There are people out of work. People who We are a communal people. Rabbi to this crisis. Food, transportation and are not used to needing help. Harold Kushner has taught, “Jews don’t outreach. Virtual gatherings, games and One constant is the outpouring of help. pray for, Jews pray with.” More than ever, community connections. We are finding our way together as a these last few months have shown the We’re all ready to get back to normal. community. People have stepped up and truth in that statement. How taking care of I’m looking forward to connecting in

m given of their time, dollars and resources. each other and being part of a community person. Till then, your support and the Federation continues to provide services, all is a value fundamental to who we are as a work of Federation have kept us all due to your generosity. Thank you. Jewish community. connected. If you wish to make a gift, you can do Here in Berks County we, as a Please if you can, consider making a

p so at ReadingJewishCommunity.org, or you Federation and a people, have worked hard gift at ReadingJewishCommunity.org. If can mail it in — we’re still open. to create a culture of belonging. Federation you or someone you know needs help, call Still, things are different. I think I’ve is a facilitator. Our work continues to Federation – 610-921-0624.Stay connected. o

l Be remembered forever in our Jewish community

By Rebecca Robinson outcome), not all those memories are especially during this current financial Life & Legacy Program heartwarming as I can still feel the anxiety tsunami. I am more comfortable leaving a e I am a millennial, and despite any of attending those Monday and Wednesday legacy gift than making a sizable monetary sweeping generalizations you may have classes. (My teachers could attest that I donation today. Not needing to give any heard about my generation, I care. My wasn’t the best student.) That feeling of money today to be part of this legacy society

v energy, my time and yes, even my money anxiousness is similar to what I feel now has taken away my financial constraints, go to support issues that are directly as I think about the shifting Jewish future. especially given the instability of our meaningful to me. There is so much uncertainty within the present. I know that when my legacy comes While it is easier to give back via my Jewish community right now, especially as to fruition, I am leaving a meaningful gift to e time (especially as I’m living through my we all try to muddle our way through this my community. My commitment ensures second “once in a lifetime recession”), I unplannable future. that there will continue to be a strong still try to find ways to financially support The generations that came before me Jewish community. Even small legacy gifts causes I care about. One of those causes had the insight to build a safe place for Jews are important because every “drop” in the

D is the Reading Jewish Community. to learn, grow, and connect that allowed my tzedakah bucket leads to a more financially We are all living through history as we generation to flourish, inspiring me to give secure Jewish future. figure out our new normal in the eraof back to the community. My generation is We all need to work together to build Annual Campaign COVID-19. No one knows what our future learning the hard way that no one will bail us a strong community, ensuring that the Women’s Philanthropy will look like, and that is terrifying. Why am out and we need to take care of ourselves next generations will have opportunities to I — a young woman living in an uncertain and our communities. connect to their Jewish community. Please Maimonides Society time — still finding ways to give back? No matter how fragile we are at the consider joining me and leave your Jewish During this pandemic, I have been given current moment, it is critical that we find legacy too! Your Jewish Legacy the gift of extra down time and have used ways to financially secure our Jewish For information about Creating Your Chai Circle this opportunity to reflect on the things that community’s future. By building strong Jewish Legacy, contact Richard Nassau are important to me. I was lucky enough to community endowment funds, we are Jewish Federation Reading/Berks. L’Chaim Society grow up in this small but vibrant Reading providing our Jewish future and generations [email protected] 610 921 0624. Jewish community, and that helped shape to come opportunities to explore their Book of Life who I am as an adult. I have “survived” connection to Judaism in this ever changing Rebecca Robinson is director of Letter of Intent attending Hebrew school and was Bat world. Community Relations for the Jewish Mitzvahed. Deciding to leave my legacy to my Community Foundation of Central Candidly (and despite an overall positive Jewish community was a no-brainer, Pennsylvania’s Life & Legacy Program.

DONATE NOW TO OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN Please visit ReadingJewishCommunity. org Make your gift today! June 2020 SHALOM Page 3 From the President’s Desk Making the most of our interesting times

By William D. Franklin One of the problems we had been for you to see and connect with the many our community is how we move into the President wrestling with was our inability to programs our community is offering. future with strength and vitality. I used to think “May engage all of the many segments of All our seniors are now homebound. To support an enduring community, you live in interesting our community with interesting, relevant We have learned that there are many who we need to improve and sustain our times” was a blessing. programs. Logistics and costs were are mobility challenged and therefore environment. To this end, we are including I have been corrected. hindrances. Going virtual has expanded always homebound. Sari and Carole are a column with steps you can take to Yet, I still believe inclusiveness and reduced costs, allowing delivering meals to our seniors, allowing protect you and our environment. Since interesting times, as us to meet increased pressing needs. us to connect to and include, in some disinfecting is currently a high priority, we are surely in, can For example, with respect to summer way, all of those who couldn’t enjoy the the first article provides suggestions lead to new ways of camp, many children are uncomfortable togetherness of Friendship Circle. This and products to minimize environmental shaping our future. leaving home, and some families found allows us to reach seniors who were damage while disinfecting your homes. And that may be a blessing. it financially difficult. We recently had a unable to attend due to mobility or other Rabbi Jonathan Sachs writes: “The This time has given me the opportunity meeting with our community’s rabbis and issues. secret of Jewish continuity is that no to reflect more deeply on the importance Jewish educators to plan virtual summer Richard is working with our board people has ever devoted more of its of Jewish community. I realized that camp programs. And we have developed members to reach out, thank our energies to continuity. The focal point working for its continuity is paramount. a robust and exciting summer for our community and to discuss the work of of Jewish life is the transmission of This is noted in our mission statement children. the Federation to learn of everyone’s a heritage across the generations.” — “To cultivate a vibrant, healthy Jewish A long-term problem we faced was that interests and concerns. We are working to Thus, despite the tsuris of COVID-19, community, inspire greater Jewish identity, without a complete community calendar maintain our current level of community it is rewarding to be in a position of and promote deeper understanding and we had many scheduling conflicts and services, programs and engagement supporting, sustaining, and continuing stronger connections.” And Kehilah’ — ineffective program communications. and to find new ways to reach out and our Reading Jewish community. May Building Community — is one of our four Amanda and Adi have worked to develop include new people. Weaving together we live in a less interesting but more key values. our community calendar to make it easier the widespread and diverse members of rewarding time. Contact information requested from community members By Amanda J. Hornberger some disconnected phone numbers. at 610-921-0624 to provide us with the Our goal is to create connections This unique situation has In addition, we know many community new number. during this unprecedented time. emphasized the importance of members are not receiving any emails In addition, given the fast changes If you are struggling please do not connecting to one another during social from Federation. during this time, the best way to stay hesitate to reach out to Jewish Family distancing. Jewish Family Service We’d like to keep everyone connected, connected is to join our email list. Please Service at 610-921-0624 or email Sari has been trying to contact community so if your number has changed or you no email [email protected] to be added to ([email protected] ) or Carole (caroler@ members to check in and have found longer have a land line, please call us the list. jfreading.org). Time away from regular routine offers us an opportunity

By Rabbi David Sislen To varying degrees, synagogues But here’s the ironic part: our We will heal. We will continue. We Page  ShalomKesher Zion Synagogue and Jewish institutions Marchhave moved 2010 tradition constantly gives us the ability will persevere. But let’s also grow. Three months their operations online. What a to make that connection on a regular Let’s remember that our roots give us ago, who could have blessing for those who would have basis. Shabbat and holidays all involve nourishment, as much as our leaves Jewish Familypredicted Service how our found it challenging to attend an in- a furious flurry of activity which ends reach to the sky. Since our air is far lives would have been person event to be able to participate abruptly at the moment we light the cleaner than it was a few months ago, turned upside down as fully as possible. candles. From that minute on, it’s all let’s remember to breathe. Wouldn’t Discussion of addiction importantby a tomicroorganism all We’ve all been forced to accept about rest, enjoyment, family, and it be wonderful if we all emerged none of us can even and master new technologies and new tradition. Why should we let the stress from this most unique time with our By Sari Incledon, M. Ed. will not be limited to issues dealing with see.Others) provided the following statistics. procedures,For every all ofperson which willwho enable has usa of the week intrude on the holy “oasis spirituality and connection to G-d and We invite the entire adolescents. Drug and alcohol abuse is AccordingAs I write to Dr. thisJay Holder, Medical tosubstance be better abuse connected, problem, more several fluent, in time?” our tradition not only restored, but community to attend a a problem for all age groups, and we all (overDirector a month and founderbefore of the Exodus andothers certainly are affected. healthier, Those in the affectedfuture. For a Jew, study is an imperative. renewed? program Jewish Family need to know more about it. publication),Treatment Center I pray inthat Miami, there chemicalis a little mayAnd be the spouses, time spent parents, focusing children, on the How can we let our daily distractions I hope to see you in the shul of your Service is sponsoring: In a recent article, “Overcoming bitdependency of “normal” is creepingthe number back one into secret our fundamentalssiblings, grandparents can only serve– all toare better hurt keep us from delving into the wisdom choice as soon as we can. I pray that “What Every Family Denial” (Na’amat Woman Winter 2009/10) lives.in the Jewish community. Reportedly, directin different and inform ways. us What for years can towe come. as a and insight of our tradition? this extended Shabbos will give you Needs to Know about Barbara Trainin Blank wrote: “Alcohol and up Ito hope 50 percent that we’ve of patient been ablepopulations to see communalI must confess.organization There do toare address some And how can we forget that our the energy and resolve to make your Alcohol and Drug chemical dependency don’t discriminate, eachin some other residential in person treatment instead centers of in thingsthe problem? about Awareness these past is anweeks important and responsibility to recite 100 blessings normal weekday be more meaningful Abuse & Addiction: An affecting Jews and non-Jews alike, and thoseare Jews little – asZoom are boxes.20 percent I hope of those that monthsfirst step that and I greatlywe invite enjoyed everyone and in that the daily doesn’t mean that we can’t and special going forward. I hope that Interactive Dialogue women as much as men. Addiction wecalling are national starting drug to talk hot to lines the (yetAlmighty Jews taughtcommunity me a lot,to share as I’m questionssure they have and recite 101, or 200, or however many our new normal will be a better normal with David Rotenberg.” and alcoholism can be found in every —comprise and listening less than to 3what percent we ofhear the back U.S. forconcerns you, as at well. our I abovehave reconnected mentioned we need to truly appreciate the world for us, our community, and our world.

This program will be held Wednesday, socioeconomic and religious segment of —population). in person Chemical as a community dependency rather is the withprogram Shabbat on April and28. the holidays, around us, its beauty, andJewish evenFederation of Reading/Berks its And if you do make Non-Profitit better, Organization tell me Jewish Cultural Center, PO Box 14925 U.S. Postage PAID Reading, PA 19612-4925 Permit No. 2 April 28 at 7 p.m. at the JCC. the Jewish community”. thanthird leadingin the killerconfines in the of U.S. our It homes.is also an I rediscoveredOur program the joy is offree, reading though and mere existence. readingjewishcommunity.org about it in a letter. A realReading, PAletter. Change Service Requested David is the executive director of An article on the JACS Web hopeunreported that we and/or are startingunknown to contributor study our studyingreservations for itsare own requested. sake rather For morethan Adolescent Youth Services at Caron site (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically sacredto deaths texts caused together, by car aroundaccidents, a table, heart toinformation, complete an call overdue Sari project, at 610-921- gotten Enriching Lives Volume 47, No. 9 September 2017 Elul 5777-Tishri 5778 Foundation, however his presentation Dependent Persons and Significant andattacks, no longersuicides virtually. and strokes. into0624. the habit of opening the blinds to There was a joke that circulated look at the trees and the sky instead Volunteer Opportunities Available – BERKS ENCORE PROVIDES FREE TAX PREPARATION around the beginning of this pandemic. of a computer screen, and I’ve added ShaloThe Journal of the Reading Jewish Communitym published by0 the Jewish9 Federation1 of Reading/Berks7 The Hebrew word for honor or respect some really good recipes to my arsenal A newspaper serving the Jewish community of Berks County, FROM TRAINED VOLUNTEERS Jewish Family Service seeks volunteers to help our seniors Your Federation Supports: is kavod. The line was: there is no (especially for Pesach), without putting Pennsylvania, andJewish published Education monthly, September through June, under with grocery shopping and other errands. Food Pantry KAVOD in COVID. on too much extra weight. the Jewish FederationFriendship Circle of Reading/Berks. Funded by the Annual Jewish Was your household income less than $50,000 in 2009? If you have some time, call Sari or Carole at 610-921-0624. Community Campaign.Chevra But I beg to differ. With all of My daughter got a letter today, an Community Shabbat Household income may be higher in some cases, Reading Jewish Film Series the inconveniences, difficulties and actual written letter, from her college PJ Library but call 610-374-3195 for more details. adjustments we’ve had to make, this roommate, just to say “hi” and that she General Offices:Jewish Family Service 1100 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 125 Jewish Family Service thanks Jewish Cultural Center Call today to schedule an appointment from now until April 15. time out from real life has given us an missed her. Our vacation from normal Lakin Holocaust Library Wyomissing, PA 19610 & Resource Center opportunity to refocusDr. and Jeffrey reassess Blank has certainly D.D.S. given us the opportunity Phone: Israel & Overseas 610-921-0624 FAX: 610-929-0886 Web site: Camp Scholarships www.ReadingJewishCommunity.org where and who we are. to reaffirm our connection to reality. Israel Trips Berks Encore, 40 N. Ninth St., 610-374-3195 for providing professional services to our client. Jewish Community Jewish Federation Highof School Reading Emergency Support Chair: Lakin Preschool Robert M. Caster, CPA Enjoy Tax Benefits While Contributing to Richard J. Yashek Lecture President: Transportation William D. Franklin BERKS ENCORE RECEIVES AWARDS Maimonides Society Communications YourDirector: Jewish Legacy Mark Nemirow, Editor Jewish Family Service Vehicle Donation Program 92ND ST Y Programs Proofreaders: Joint Distribution Committee Federation staff

Congratulations to Berks Encore employees Carolyn Krebs Meir Panim

Annual Campaign and Martha Sitler for receiving one of the Social Security Jewish Agency for Israel Yemin Orde Administrations highest awards for their providing the public with Call Sari at 610-921-0624, School Education Programs Call Sari at Interfaith Unity Council information covering Social Security issues. e-mail [email protected] Israel Advocacy Youth Events 610-921-0624or go to Great Decisions Series Berks Encore enables older adults to achieve a better quality of Jewish Community www.charitableautoresources.com Relations Council life by providing a comprehensive program of services, referrals, Community Holiday Programs or email Women’s Philanthropy Jewish Federations education and advocacy. For more information call Berks Encore [email protected] of North America Counseling Services at 610-374-3195 or visit them at www.Berksencorepa.org Leo Camp Lecture Shabbat B’Yachad

 Living with Loss  formerly Bereavement Group Mondays, March  and 22, 3:00- 4:30 p.m. 2131_Shalom_ad:LayoutFor more information1 9/8/09 11:57 AM Pagecall 1 Sari at 610-921-0624

A f f i n i t y B a n k P A . c o m

  Banking the Way It Should Be. Now open in Exeter.

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610.898.7700 Page 4 SHALOM June 2020 Our graduates

Alexa Chronister graduated from the Rachel Eidson, daughter of Kurt and Scott Goldberg, son of Debbie and David Perry Levine, daughter of Lisa and Alan University of Delaware’s honors program Diane Hollis, Douglassville, graduated Goldberg of Wyomissing, graduated with Levine, is graduating from Gov. Mifflin High with a major in Public Policy and a minor in from East Stroudsburg University with a Master’s Degree in Marine Biology School. She plans to attend Penn State Social Entrepreneurship. While in college, a degree in biology and a minor in from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Berks to major in environmental science or Alexa founded Fight Like a Warrior, a chemistry. She plans to work as a in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi on May 16. He plans horticulture. nonprofit that works to unite, empower and microbiologist and attend medical school to attend the University of Delaware, advocate for those battling a chronic health to pursue a career as a dermatologist. where he will begin his Ph.D. in Marine condition. Alexa is completing an internship She was a competitive runner in college. Studies with a concentration in Marine with United States of Care and plans to Biosciences. attend law school focusing on health policy.

Megan McIntosh of Mount Penn, Rachel Pleet, daughter of Jesse Pleet Rachel Radosh, daughter of Jodi and Lee Eli Rotenberg, son of David Rotenberg daughter of Mindy McIntosh and Dwight and Elaine Mendelsohn, graduated Radosh, is graduating from Wilson High and Stephanie Rotenberg and grandson McIntosh, recently graduated from the from Designlab’s online “UX Academy” School. Rachel was president of National of Larry Rotenberg and the late Alison Culinary Institute of America in Hyde certificate program in Fall 2019. She’s Honor Society and Clean Teens, served as Rotenberg, is graduating from Wilson Park, N.Y. with a Bachelor of Professional currently working as a “UX/UI” Designer a leader in student government and Mini- High School. He played on the Bulldogs Studies in Culinary Science. Megan also (specializing in website/mobile design) at THON and was a West Reading-Wyomissing football team. He plans to attend West holds an Associate Degree from the CIA. a Performance Marketing company called Rotary Club Student of the Month. She will Chester University this fall. She plans to pursue a career in food Seperia in Herzliya, Israel. Rachel made be attending Penn State Main Campus in research and development. Aliyah in 2017 and lives in Tel Aviv. the fall, majoring in elementary education.

Zach Simon, son of Jonathan and Ari Benjamin Spillerman, son of David Talia Nadine Spillerman, daughter of David Jan Simon, is graduating in June with and Ruth Spillerman and grandson of and Ruth Spillerman and granddaughter of honors from the University of Chicago Cheryl Spillerman and Nelly Massuda, Cheryl Spillerman and Nelly Massuda, is Law School. He was a participant in Law has completed the required courses to graduating from Wilson High School. She Review and will begin his law career in earn a Bachelor of Science in Business was vice president of Student Council and September at Kirkland & Ellis LLC in the Administration from the University of National Honor Society, a Mini-Thon captain Mergers & Acquisitions department in Pittsburgh. This fall, Ari will begin attending and captain of the cross-country team. She their Chicago headquarters. Zach and his the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. will attend the University of Pittsburgh, where wife, Katherine, live in Chicago. she will run competitively for the Panthers.

Bryce Gregory Weizer, son of Ilene and Easton Scott Weizer, son of Ilene and Jeffrey Jeffrey Weizer of Orwigsburg, is graduating Weizer of Orwisburg, is graduating from Blue from Drew University with a Bachelor’s Mountain High School with high honors as in Psychology. He was a member of the class Salutatorian. Easton was captain of the tennis team all four years. He plans to varsity tennis team and member of all honor pursue a Master’s degree in Institutional societies. He spent last summer studying and Organizational Psychology. language in China. He will be attending the George Washington University in the Honors program in International Business. June 2020 SHALOM Page 5 B’nai Mitzvot

Mia and Marissa Jacobs, daughters of Matthew and Samara Jacobs and Jennifer Kayla Kraft, daughter of Jason and Ari Benjamin Levin, son of Margo and Jacobs Hornberger, celebrated their Bat Mitzvah on June 22, 2019, at Reform Wendy Kraft, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah Adam Levin, will be called to the Torah Congregation Oheb Sholom. They are in eighth grade at the Lancaster Country Day Nov. 16 at Reform Congregation Oheb as a Bar Mitzvah on Sept. 5 at Reform School. In August Mia will be a boarding student at The Hill School in Pottstown while Sholom. Kayla is finishing seventh Congregation Oheb Sholom. The family Marissa enters ninth grade at Lancaster Country Day School. Mia plays basketball grade at Gov. Mifflin Middle School. Her had intended to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah and lacrosse and loves Snapchat. Marissa plays tennis, lacrosse, field hockey and passion for animals inspired her Mitzvah in May but it had to be rescheduled due squash. Project of collecting donations for a cat to the COVID-19 situation. Ari is finishing rescue. She also enjoys volunteering at seventh grade at Wyomissing Junior High Meals on Wheels as well as at St. Francis School, where he is a member of the House, a hospice center. She plays cross-country and basketball teams. He clarinet in school band and Woodwind plays lacrosse year-round for Team Mesa Choir. Kayla also loves playing tennis. and the Wyomissing Lacrosse Club.

Sam Schneider, son of Boris and Tatiana Andi Wallach of Exeter Township Maxwell Walker Weiss, son of Mark Schneider, had his Bar Mitzvah Nov. 23 celebrated her Bat Mitzvah while touring and Tracy Weiss and grandson of Jack at Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom. Israel in 2017. Growing up in a mostly and Teri Lefkowith, celebrated his Bar Sam is finishing seventh grade at Gov. secular family, she did not have a Bat Mitzvah on March 21. Max is finishing Mifflin Middle School. He enjoys playing Mitzvah ceremony before. While in Israel, seventh grade at Wyomissing Junior soccer, chess, reading and spending time her tour leader organized a group Bat High School. He loves soccer, tennis with his sister and grandfather Moisey. Mitzvah at Masada for women hadn’t and playing video games with his friends. Sam loves helping people in need. For experienced this rite of passage. She Due to the global pandemic, the day his Mitzvah Project he is helping elderly cherished the experience, saying, “Here we looked a lot different than expected, but families around the neighborhood with were, at Masada, a historic site of Jewish Max is grateful for the friends and family yard work and home errands. identity, resistance, and rebirth affirming who were able to attend online and cheer our own place as part of the Jewish family.” him on virtually.

S’mores for Lag B’Omer

Federation and its Jewish community partners distributed s’mores kits to the area’s children to celebrate Lag B’Omer in May. Page 6 SHALOM June 2020 ‘A light unto the nations’ From Federation staff Tammy White, president of the services. Victor and Dena Hammel have United Way, said, ”This challenge For more information about the funded a $100,000 challenge match match provides individual donors with Berks COVID-19 Response Fund and for the United Way of Berks County’s’ an amazing opportunity to double grant recipients or to donate, visit COVID-19 Response Fund. their gift and help our most vulnerable uwberks. org or text UWBCGIVE to The fund provides immediate citizens.” 85511. assistance to county residents impacted The Hammels’ generous philanthropy All donations, minus any credit card by the coronavirus crisis. It supports supports our Jewish Federation of fees, are directed to the fund. basic and other needs such as food, Reading and many local, national and We hope you will help the Hammels emergency housing and shelter, infant/ international non-profits’ efforts. Your and the United Way meet their worthy family supplies, child care for essential Federation also benefits from United goal by contributing. workers and more. Way’s support of our Jewish Family Thank you. Victor and Dena Hammel. Photo courtesy of Reading Eagle Remember that not everything must be live

By Adi Shalev find a matching game, true & false questions, lectures we had, games and crafts you adi_Shlicha). Shalom Kolam, escape rooms, finding the character and two can do at home, different Israeli recipes I’ve provided some other activities that First of all, I would like to share with interactive ways for you to see and learn and videos of how to make them, Israeli can be found on Page 15 of this Shalom. you that I miss you all, miss being part of about Israel! One is a game in which you can playlists and recommendations on Israeli I’ll be happy to hear from you what this amazing community, and I’m looking earn a coin for every correct answer, and in movies & TV shows. other things you wish me to do that will forward to coming back and hopefully the other you can watch videos from different All these programs are on the Jewish interest you and make this time more fun even seeing you in person! beautiful places in Israel (and if you want, Federation of Reading/Berks website and interesting. While I was in Israel, I did a variety of you can also create VR glasses for that). (Home page -> virtual community -> Miss you all. Stay safe and healthy, programs and created interactive games Besides the online and interactive Adi’s events and programs) and on my Adi, your Shlicha and activities for you and your kids! You can games, you can enjoy recordings of online social media (FB: Adi Shalev Shlicha, IG: [email protected] Israel Book Club: ‘Right to Exist’ by Yaacov Lozowick

By Moisey Schneider Through this he determined that Zionism European culture. The crucial question in a world that is quite willing to live and Andi Franklin has tried to be moral and with a few today is whether the conflict in the Middle without them. The author writes,” Zionism For more than 70 years Israel has exceptions has succeeded. To date, the East is a long war that will have an end is not a plot against the Arabs but the been forced to defend her existence and American-sponsored peace negotiations or is a permanent hatred. most recent chapter in an ancient story, her citizens against terrorist violence and have centered on the need for Israel The failure of the Oslo Accords an attempt by the Jews to define their international disapproval. Nations have to return land won in defensive wars, destroyed the naiveté of Israelis. The place in the modern world and a refusal always had to defend their moral, political, even though the Arab total rejection of peace camp knows that the true enemies of the Jews to cease being, to die out, to and economic actions. Israel, however, is Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state are those who celebrate the deaths of fade away. Zionism has succeeded far in the unique position of having to defend continues. Furthermore, he writes that Israeli children, not Israelis who disagree beyond the dreams of its inventors and … her very right to exist. Yaacov Lozowick is the frightening truth may be that while a with them about having a Jewish state. there has been less murder than in most a lifelong liberal and peace activist. In this large majority of the Arabs have reconciled The collapse of Oslo focused many on other nation-building projects. Imperfect book, he explores Israel’s national and themselves to their inability to destroy the fundamental facts. This is not a war as it is, is Zionism worth fighting and regional, social and moral obligations as Israel militarily, they intend to submerge for settlements or an attempt to deprive dying for unto our children’s children’s well as her right to defend herself. her demographically with millions of Palestinians of their own state. It is a war children?” Yaacov Lokowitz concludes, He begins with the sad fact that the Palestinians. This strategy is cheered on for the right of Jews to self-determination “Of course it is. war against Jews continues. Jewish by many Europeans, some Americans, children are blown up and the mothers of and even some Jews. The author notes their murderers exult and are financially that Europeans hatred of Jews (enough rewarded. Elderly Jews are burned to to periodically murder them until the 20th death and their killers gloat on websites century) only went underground after across the Arab world. If there is one thing most of the Jews were dead or gone. to be learned from the 20th century’s Returning to negotiations, so as to put an record of anti-Semitism, it is when people end to violence, willfully ignores the fact say and act as if they want Jews dead, that there is nothing left to offer that has they mean it. And, when the rest of the not already been offered … and rejected. world looks away, the murderers take the Lozowick writes that the Israeli world’s silence for support. demand that Palestinians recognize On Dec. 1, 2001, two suicide Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and murderers with a car bomb killed 11 agree on rules of conflict resolution is not Israeli teenagers at a discotheque. The the arrogant dictate of a colonial power international press was muted. The trying to control its weaker neighbor, but author’s 17-year-old son was standing a commonsense requirement for living around the corner. He was not injured, alongside each other in peace. Peace but many of his friends were. When the will not be possible until the Palestinians author finally reached him, his son said decide to work for it and Israel must that he had held up a boy with a torn remain open-minded to the possibility leg until a medic arrived. “My son had that this might happen. encountered evil, in its pure form … and Unfortunately, the centrality of anti- saw things that one should live an entire Semitism in the Muslim world is growing life without seeing. His contemporaries and spreading. Lozowick argues that in the West, their parents and politicians, the belief that the anti-Semitic non- the journalists and academics never have acceptance of Israel as a Jewish state will and never will understand what my son somehow vanish on the day a Palestinian saw and understood at the age of 17.” state is established is not morally or In March 2002, a suicide murderer killed intellectually rational. If peace between 29 Israelis in Netanya as they sat down to Israel and Palestinians would result in their Passover Seder. To minimize Arab the end of the world’s anti-Semitism, civilian deaths in Jenin, which sponsored the Israel would not have experienced a Netanya murderer and other terrorists, Israel tremendous rise in terrorist attacks went door-to-door rather than annihilating against its citizens during the seven years the Jenin terrorist cell from the air. In the of the Oslo peace process. process of finding and killing 52 terrorists, Lozowick posits that given the volume Israel lost 32 of its soldiers. This restrained of hatred toward Israel, one would think act of self-defense started a tidal wave of that Israel threatens world peace and hatred directed at Israel by most of the stability. To argue against that view, world, which conveniently forgot the real he focuses on the consistency of anti- massacre in Netanya. The world’s refusal to Israel bias in Western media today. listen to the Israeli side indicates an irrational Journalists and political leaders are depth of animosity that has been a hallmark comfortable publicly taking anti-Semitic of anti-Semitism for centuries. positions against Israel. This is one of the The author uses most of the book consequences of the longevity, potency to carefully analyze all of Israel’s wars. and centrality of anti-Semitism in Western June 2020 SHALOM Page 7 Lishmor Al HaOlam: Guarding the planet

By Solange Israel-Mintz sustainable ways to disinfect. which will reduce plastic waste. splashless variety. Leave on surfaces 8-10 & Andi Franklin Disinfecting is really a two-step • Three dissolvable cleaning minutes, then rinse. Wear gloves and make Not too long ago we read the process. First, clean. There is no sense tablets (multi-surface, bath, and glass) in sure there is good ventilation. Torah portion Metzorah. That’s the in disinfecting schmutz — the technical biodegradable packaging. This will further Better news is that a 70-80% (neither one NOBODY wants for their Bar/Bat term for dust, dirt and grime. Then Pagereduce  waste and save transportation less nor more) ethanol or isopropylShalom March 2010 Mitzvah because it talks about leprosy. disinfect. Both of these steps can be costs. rubbing alcohol is as good at disinfecting. We know you don’t have leprosy, but dangerous and damaging to you and These products are made with This is a safer option, but it may be harder cleaning, disinfecting and quarantining our environment. Cleaning products ingredients that are nontoxic, non- to find. Make sureCommunity the surface stays wet News are at least as old as the Torah. You are packaged in non-reusable plastic allergenic and child- and pet-friendly. for about five minutes. There is no need can check out our ancient protocol at that is building up and choking our land, AND, we are giving away a Blueland to rinse. Vodka, at 140-160 proof, works Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33. Spoiler alert, it waters, and animals. Transporting these Starter Kit to the first 10 people who too but we don’t recommend wasting it Obituaries wasn’t really leprosy. products, which are often 90% water, agree to test and provide a review of on a doorknob. We need and have something is economically costly and a carbon these products. Email Solange Israel- In all cases, test a small area to Lucy Suzanne Knoblauch L. (Sulman) Moyer. He is also survived better. This is a new monthly column emissions nightmare. We haven’t even Mintz at [email protected] or make sure you are not going to damage Zeidman, 96, Wyomissing. by his daughters, Aileen D., widow to give you suggestions and ideas (and touched the toxicity of the product itself. call Andi Franklin at 610-927-6224. We the surface. More good news is that Surviving are a son, Bruce F., of Neal H. Endy, of Pennside, and E. sometimes free gifts) to keep you safe Most are just bad news. will deliver. ammonia won’t do the job, so shelve that husband of Geraldine L. Zeidman, of Roxanne, wife of Les Walker, of Batavia while protecting and healing our world. So, our first suggestion is a Blueland Step two is disinfecting. Things get a bottle for another day. Shillington; a brother, Harry Knoblauch, Ohio; sons, Stan B. , husband of Kristine With our current pandemic — COVID Starter Kit — https://www.blueland.com/ little dicier here. Because of the matzav, If you have any questions or want husband of Edith Knoblauch, of Reading; K. Moyer, of Sinking Spring and Jay 19 — cleaning and disinfecting is our products/the-clean-up-kit. Hebrew for situation, people have been more of the gritty (and we do mean gritty) a sister, Ruth Balis of Wyomissing; and H., husband of Margaret R. Moyer, of new norm. Since disinfecting is a priority, In it there are: using chlorine bleach and ammonia a lot. details you can call Andi at 610-927-6224 several nieces and nephews. Muhlenberg Township. Other survivors we have some great suggestions for • Three ‘forever’ acrylic bottles, Given the corrosive fumes these give off, or email Solange at solangeim20@ --- are grandchildren: Brett A. Endy, Chad there has been a small uptick in respiratory yahoo.com. Irene S. Zeidman, 62, Wyomissing. M. Endy and Elizabeth K. Moyer; and problems, and we don’t need that. Special thanks to: Tally Kossovsky She is survived by her brother Bruce great-grandchildren, Carson N., Logan Unfortunately, for disinfecting a 10% Ph.D. ManagerImages of E.M. fromLab Dept. of F., husband of Geraldine L. Zeidman C., Ardyn N. and Ava L. Endy sodium hypochlorite solution is the gold Pathology Hadassah Medical Center- of Shillington. --- standard. It is strong and effective at Jerusalem,Yemin for her expertiseOrde and --- Shirley Robinson of B’nai B’rith Area resident and recent college Robert Berger, 54, Reading. Apartments. Survived by her Friendship Zoom with us for our last Tot Shabbat killing bacteria, fungi ,and viruses. It is guidance on effective disinfecting; and the disinfecting ingredient, at 5-6%, in to Adi Shalev,graduate our Jessica wonderful Flamholz Shlicha, sent us for He was the former spouse of Lea Circle friends. of the season on June 13th at 10:00 am supermarket chlorine bleach. To disinfect, helpingthese us sneak pictures in afrom few her Hebrew recent words. visit Berger, Reading. He is survived by --- make a solution of one part chlorine Stayto safe, Yemin washOrde, anyour Israeli hands, village and two daughters, Molly R. Berger, State Louis Malamud, 95, formerly bleach to nine parts water. Do not use the thank thefor Eternalchildren that and thisyouth isn’t supported leprosy. College, and Bethany S. Berger, of Temple. He is survived by a son, by our Federation. Reading; and one brother, Dr. Barry M. Mitchel, husband of Laura Malamud, Berger, husband of Kathleen A. Vieweg, of Las Vegas; grandchildren Barry Boston, Mass. husband of Johna Malamud, Deborah bbat All Around the Town______--- Babbit-Malamud and Sheri Malamud; Sha David Moyer, 85, Reading. and great-grandchildren: Jessy Babbit, t , who has received the honor of He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Carly Malmud and Ian Malamud. o By Joan G. Friedman Badal T Mazel tov to Jonathan and Jan We love good news about members A musical, story-filled hour for children through grade 2. Congratulations to being chosen as the Child Advocate of Simon on the birth of theirKorey first grandson,Blanck of our community! Please share it by Zoom with your family to celebrate with Rabbi Michelson. andMaxwell to Edith Levi Brown,Blanck toon Sarah the birth Simon of theemailing Year [email protected] the State of Pennsylvania. or calling Details to follow in RCOS emails or contact the office theirBrown new and Adamgranddaughter Brown of Rockville, and great- Md. the JCC office at ***610-921-0624. Plan for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Wedding Guests! for the Zoom link. granddaughter! Best wishes to our Berks County *** athletes competing in the 2010 Maccabi Mazel Tov to the Bluestone Family: Games: Shalom Newspaper (Joan Friedman) ToObituary David and Marianna on their new Emily & Jared Baksic, swimming daughter and to grandparents Eric and Andrew Blickle, basketball 5” (2 col.) x 7” Jeraldine “Jeri” D. Kozloff, 77 of Wyomissing. Jeri was a graduate Marissa. Matthew Eisenberg, swimming Questions? of Wellesley College and received a J.D. degree from the University of *** Hannah and Alexis Glassmire, Pennsylvania Law School. After working in the legal field in a number of Contact Jodi Gibble, Marketing Director Congratulations to Charles and swimming Pediatric and Adult Patients capacities, she began a career in education, teaching at Wilson and then Brenda Diamond on the engagement Brandon Missan, soccer The Highlands at Wyomissing Wyomissing High School. She was a member of the board of directors READING Treating Ear, Nose, Throat Problems of their son Brett and to grandfather Al for the Berks Opera Company and a member of Reform Congregation 2801 Papermill Road 2000 Cambridge Ave., Wyomissing, PA 1910 Diamond. Thyroid Nodules, Neck Masses & Sinusitis Oheb Sholom,. where she was a trustee, sang in the choir and was active Wyomissing, Pennsylvania *** 10-288-3405 in many congregation activities. Jeri is survivedUntil next by her time: husband, Shalom! David, Mazel Tov to Rosalind Hyman and [Email all your simcha news to joan@ GROUP RATES AVAILABLE her son Louis Kozloff and his wife, Jeannette; and her daughter Deborah her daughter, Attorney.Cathy Hyman friedman.net] Physicians: and her husband, Raymond Hearey. There are also six grandchildren. Call Alice for a Site Tour James P. Restrepo, M.D., FACS, ECNU She was precededKEEP in UP death WITH by her THE son COMMUNITYSamuel. (610) 736-2082 ✦ www.reading.homewoodsuites.com Charles K. Lutz, M.D., FACS Visit www.readingjewishcommunity.org Jeffrey S. Driben, M.D., FACS, ECNU Scott J. Cronin, M.D. Adam P. Vasconcellos, M.D. Nurse Practitioner: II hadhad nono idea!idea! ou’ve worked hard to accumulate your wealth. We hear this again and again from residents of The Highlands. Rosemarie Montgomery Independent Living, Personal Care & Memory Care with No Buy-In Fee! MS, CRNP, FNP-C YTrust it to someone who will work even harder to • People are so friendly. grow your assets and provide you with peace of mind • There’s so much for me to do. • I love the independence and as you plan for the future. From financial planning and More than you expect! privacy at The Highlands. investment management to custom credit solutions, • I don’t worry about my future. Largedeposit apartments products and more. Clermont Wealth Strategies • Dining is like a fine restaurant. • My kids are so glad I’m here. 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EQUAL HOUSING www.thehighlands.org OPPORTUNITY +++++ Page 8 SHALOM June 2020 A new Chabad House is taking shape From Federation staff would open, and new relationships would With all the bad news, it is a pleasure develop expanding camaraderie, which in to bring good news. An essential Chabad turn helps people grow spiritually. value is Ahavat Yisrael — “love for the The project got off the ground (pun children of Israel.” The obligation to love all intended) at a dinner meeting in 2017 Jews extends to everyone irrespective of where the important role of Chabad and their personal status. Since 1999, Rabbi Caron was recognized by several significant Yosef Lipsker has been working with Caron local Jewish and non-Jewish donors. Treatment Centers’ Jewish and other patients Subsequent financial support came from and their families to support their recovery. local, national and international donors. Although the Lipsker family regularly Despite the COVID-19 delays, the hosted many of them for Shabbat dinners building is scheduled to be complete in and services, the lack of space limited the mid- to late June. When social distancing number of participants and the Lipskers’ requirements ease, a grand opening ability to host for the entire Shabbat.The lack celebration will be held. The building will of space and cooking quarters also hindered have a wonderful impact on our local Jewish the engagement of children. community as a gathering place on Shabbat They envisioned a Chabad House and a home away from home for locals and where people can come into a home rather out-of-town visitors. an institutional building. Here new doors Stay tuned for the celebration! Rabbi Yosef and Chana Lipsker at the new Chabad House, which is nearing completion. Jewish Family Service director moving to part-time role

By Bill Franklin who move to our community to be near It is with some sadness that we their adult children. It helps them meet announce the semi-retirement of Sari and make friends and quickly make Incledon. She will be switching roles Reading their new home. with Carole Robinson to continue in a She has been instrumental in part-time supporting position. developing our JFS Food Pantry. Sari joined our Federation’s It began in 1994, serving about 20 Jewish Family Service in 1994 and Jewish community families a month. six years later became the JFS The program has grown to now serving director of social services. Our 120-170 families of diverse ethnicity community has benefited greatly each month at the Olivet Pendora Boys from the many programs she has and Girls Club. managed. She oversaw our taxi Her many services to our transportation service, which allows community also include teaching at seniors and disabled to maintain the JCC preschool and Kesher Zion’s their independence. She provided religious school, being active as a counseling, information and referral member of the JCC Board, the B’Nai services for many in our Jewish Brith Apartment Board, and a member community. And she arranged of the KZ sisterhood and KZ choir emergency financial assistance for and Hadassah. individuals and families in need. With her newfound time, she and In addition, she helped develop her husband, John are looking forward Friendship Circle, which is a weekly to spending more time with their three cooking, traveling and going to the gym. working to our Jewish Family Services program of lunches and events for grandchildren, family and friends. They Please join us in recognizing Sari and community. seniors. Friendship Circle serves the are also looking forward to attending Incledon for her 26 years of valuable You can thank her at sarii@jfreading. further benefit of acclimating seniors theater and concerts, visiting museums, work and wonderful contributions org or 610-921-0624. 2 teachers retiring from Lakin Preschool From Federation staff Good luck to Beth Caster and Carole Robinson. They will both be retiring from Lakin Preschool in June. Both have worked at the school for 30 years. Each started when their children started preschool and never left. Beth will be spending her time at home with her husband, Bob, and will serve as a substitute in the preschool. Beth Caster and Carole Robinson Carole has been offered and accepted a full-time Social Work position at the working part-time. Jewish Federation of Reading’s Jewish Beth and Carole will both be missed by xtraordinar Family Service, where she had been the children and staff at Lakin Preschool.. BEAUTY y E LOCAL CONGREGATIONS REFORM CONGREGATION OHEB SHOLOM (610) 375-6034 CHABAD CENTER OF BERKS COUNTY (610) 921-0881 KESHER ZION SYNAGOGUE (610) 374-1763 The Highlands at Wyomissing represents an ideal – and trusted – model of inspired, engaging, extraordinary living for seniors. You’ll see and feel it the moment you arrive on our beautiful campus. When

you walk through our doors, you’ll feel the excitement, camaraderie June � Sivan-Tammuz and vitality. Most importantly, you’ll feel a real sense of community.

Shabbat Candle Lightings Torah Portions

Visit Our Campus. June 5 June 6/14 Sivan 8:12 p.m. Nasso (Numbers 4:21-7:89) EXPERIENCE xtraordinar June 12 June 7/21 Sivan E y 8:16 p.m. Beha’alotcha (Numbers 8:1-12:15) 610.775.2300 • TheHighlands.org June 19 June 20 / 2 8 Sivan 8:19 p.m. Shelach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)

June26 June 27/5 Tammuz 2000 Cambridge Avenue • Wyomissing, PA 19610 8:19 p.m. Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32)

June 2020 SHALOM Page 9 Join us for virtual Federation annual meeting and a treat!

By Amanda J. Hornberger The meeting provices a chance to Guests at the annual meeting will We hope community members The community is invited to join Jewish learn about all the various programs learn about a special ice cream treat of all ages will join us for this annual Federation of Reading for its annual and services offered by Federation and for the community available for free gathering. meeting on Sunday, June 14, at 11:30 the great things occurring right here in after the meeting. You won’t want to To register please email info@ a.m. LIVE on Zoom. Berks! miss it! jfreading.org Literatour Berks concludes with Torah examination By Amanda J. Hornberger our weekly email, website and Facebook. from A Transgender Perspective,” Ladin continue to support our local independent Literatour Berks inaugural season Dr. Joy Ladin is a professor of English explores fundamental questions about bookstore. will conclude in June with author Joy and holds the David and Ruth Gottesman how religious texts, traditions, and the Ladin’s appearance in Literatour Ladin. Similar to our May Literatour Chair in English at Stern College. A understanding of God can be enriched Berks is presented by Jewish Federation Berks event with Elyssa Friedland, nationally recognized speaker on gender by transgender perspectives, and how of Reading/Berks in partnership with Ladin will be joining us virtually from and Jewish identity, she has spoken the Torah and trans lives can illuminate Exeter Community Library, Sinking Boston. around the country. one another. Spring Public Library and the LGBT Participants are asked to preregister Reading some of the best-known Copies of Ladin’s book can be Center of Reading. for the Zoom discussion, which is Torah stories through the lens of purchased from Reads & Company, Thank you to the sponsors and scheduled for Tuesday, June 23 at 7 transgender experience, in “The Soul the official book vendor of Literatour patrons of Literatour Berks for making p.m. Online registration is available in of A Stranger: Read­ing God and Torah Berks. During this time, we are proud to this event possible.

Learning goes on at Chabad Meet the first woman to win Israel Prize for Talmud

Israel21c.com sages and Jewish history on the other. When Professor Vered Noam, 59, What is your research focused on? was in high school in Jerusalem, her I’m most curious about the world of school did not teach girls Talmud. So the sages (of the Mishnah and Talmud), twice a week, she sneaked out of school because it’s such a different world than and went to the newly opened Pelech the biblical world which preceded it. The school for girls in Jerusalem to study sages make major changes that seem Talmud. Today she is the first woman so far from the literal interpretation of the to win the Israel Prize for Talmud. She text. The central Jewish values of studying heads the Chaim Rosenberg School of Torah, the creation of a huge multifaceted Jewish Studies and Archaeology at Tel halachic edifice and a new, fascinating Aviv University. When she talks about hermeneutical system are among the Talmud, her face lights up.: rabbinic phenomena that don’t exist in “I can’t remember a time I wasn’t the actual Bible. In many ways, the sages interested in Talmud,” she said. “I grew up constructed a whole new religious culture in a house filled with Torah conversations which molded Jewish practice, values and at the table. As a child I felt that Talmud is a unique identity to this very day. conversation that links people and creates Does your research influence your joy and also has something different own religious practice? from everyday life, something higher and I really try to keep it purely academic. beautiful, so it was very clear to me that I It is impossible to sever one’s intellectual wanted to be part of that. interest from one’s biography and social Tell me about your family growing up. circumstances. Still, I think it’s crucial that I grew up in Jerusalem. My father when you deal with research you do it was a Bible scholar at Bar Ilan University for research’s sake, as pure as possible. ­— Professor Yehuda Elitzur, and my Do you define yourself as Orthodox? mother, Rivka Elitzur, was a children’s I grew up in an Orthodox world book author. She wrote several books and I consider myself committed to that went on to become iconic, at least halacha. On the other hand, I think the within the religious community. labels “Orthodox,” “Conservative” [and] I grew up with four siblings. I have an “Reform” are anachronistic. They aren’t older sister and three brothers; one of my intra-Jewish definitions, but rather arose brothers, Uri Elitzur, a shrewd thinker and in the 19th century, based on changes in journalist and the founder of the Makor the Christian world. So, I think it would be Rishon newspaper, passed away five best if we abandoned them entirely, and years ago. I was the youngest, by far, so instead looked at halachic challenges on maybe part of my desire to study was to a case-by-case basis, according to the join in, to be part of the conversation. It was intrinsic rules of halacha. For example, really a beautiful, happy religious-Zionist if a woman wears a tallit (prayer shawl), home with an emphasis on the importance we shouldn’t react with alarm simply of life in Israel and in Jerusalem and being because it reminds us of Reform politics, thankful we have a state of our own. but we should debate the question on its Passover Seder was a very formative own halachic merits. I’m very interested experience for me. I think part of my love in the questions of the extent of freedom for the world of the Talmud was born there, the halachic framework enables. I believe at the Seder table, which, as I intuitively we have a lot more options of change felt as a child, connected me to my parents and renewal than what is granted by the and siblings on one hand and back to the religious establishment today.

CHS - Chabad Hebrew School just finished a virtual lesson that centered around the Jewish Come se the Barer & Wie dffeence! people’s historical and spiritual connection to Israel. The students virtually visited places and people in our history, beginning with Abraham and Sarah. The stories from the Torah came 311 Penn Avenue, West Reading, 19611 BarrerAndWhite.com 610-376-3956 alive through a variety of mediums, including animation, sand art storytelling and video. James G. Barrer, DMD Douglas W. White, DMD They baked Pita with Sarah (Abraham’s wife) and crafted a beautiful watercolor of the Kotel, using coffee! Page 10 SHALOM June 2020 ‘Unorthodox’ in conversation

By Nancy Russo Ms. Korolinski noted that there was a After reading Deborah Feldman’s tradition in Germany of making shows 2012 memoir, “Unorthodox: The about Jews casting non-Jewish actors. Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic This seemed very wrong to them. Roots,” which tells the story of fleeing Fortunately Wilbusch, a native her Satmar community in Williamsburg, Yiddish speaker, auditioned and they Brooklyn, I was eager to watch the were so impressed with him that they Netflix series “Unorthodox,” which created the role of Moishe, which was is based on that book. The star, the inspired by his real-life story. He left luminous Shira Haas, is well-known his Satmar community the day after to most of us from the Netflix hit his Bar Mitzvah and lost all contact “Shtisel.” Recently I joined “AJFF in with his family. Indeed, the actor Conversation,” a Zoom program run said that when he started filming the by the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. show, it had been 19 years since he Although Haas was not part of the wore tefillin, and he did not remember panel, the featured speakers were how to put it on. The trauma of his Jeff Wilbusch, who plays Moishe upbringing, realization that he could Lefkovitch; and co-creator and writer not live in that community anymore and Alexa Korolinski. Judy Marx, the abrupt exit at such a young age is still founding director of AJFF, was the with him today. moderator. The Satmar world works for a lot Korolinski discussed how the book of people, he and Korolinski maintain, ended up in her hands. Her friend (and but for those who cannot find their ultimately, co-creator of “Unorthodox”) place or who question their identity, knew Feldman from their children’s their only option is to leave. Wilbusch school in Berlin, and when they read said that although members of the the book they knew they had to bring ultra-Orthodox sect seem happier the story to the screen in some way. than others, they are taught no skills, The series is almost entirely have little education and therefore female-driven. This was important have few alternatives once they leave to Korolinski and Anna Winger, the the community. Sadly, some former other series creator. They also were members commit suicide because of want to find our place. The message “Unorthodox,” the series, is committed to using Jewish actors this. is that you can leave one community streaming on Netflix and the book by since most of the series takes place in Ultimately, to me, what makes the and find another whether it is over a Deborah Feldman is available through Berlin, as Esty, played by Ms. Haas, book and series work is that the need love of art, or books, or learning, or a our preferred bookseller, Reads & flees there from her unhappy marriage. for community is universal. We all shared experience. Company on its website. Israeli researchers reveal secrets of ‘world’s oldest temple’

From online news sources For the last quarter of a century, the Neolithic site of Göbekli Tepe in southeast Turkey has been intriguing researchers for the size and complexity of its structure, which dates back about 11,500 years, and has been called the “world’s oldest temple.” Two archaeologists from Tel Aviv University, PhD candidate Gil Haklay and his supervisor, Professor Avi Gopher, have unveiled new secrets of its sophisticated architecture, highlighting an intricate geometrical pattern that was conceived before humans had even discovered agriculture or pottery. “It might be surprising but architectural planning started to develop already 15,000 years ago,” Haklay told The Jerusalem Post. “In the early Neolithic they were already able to plan and accurately build very large and complex projects.” Göbekli Tepe, however, is different and unparalleled compared with any other site of the period because of its colossal size, he highlighted. “We actually have another example of a large scale construction from this period and it is located in Jericho where a large tower is preserved in its full height with an internal staircase, but is not as monumental as Göbekli Tepe and required much less effort,” the archaeologist pointed out. Discovered for the first time in the 1960s, forgotten and rediscovered in the 1990s, Göbekli Tepe features dozens of monolithic pillars 4 to initial phase of the planning and the construction. Haklay highlighted that they went on to verify 5 meters tall placed along at least 20 concentric From there, there is a very long history of enclosures whether the geometric pattern was confirmed by rings, which archaeologists refer to as “enclosures.” that continued to develop and change through time.” further observations, for example the orientation of The pillars are decorated with remarkable reliefs As explained in a paper recently published by the central pillars. They found many other elements depicting animals including gazelles, jaguars, the Cambridge Archaeological Journal, the Israeli supporting it. Among others, the main access to the Asiatic wild donkeys and wild sheep. It was a place researchers manage to unveil a specific geometrical structure was located between the only two pillars of worship where many people, likely belonging to pattern between several enclosures. carrying anthropomorphic as opposed to animal different communities, would convene and perform “We found that there is a center point in each reliefs. rituals. enclosure, which we identified not only in the three This discovery also overcame a previous theory The structure and size of the site also help to in the main excavation area, but also in others common among researchers that the enclosures shed light about the life of those who built it and located outside it,” Haklay explained. “We also found were conceived and built in unrelated stages. used it.“We are talking about hunter-gatherers, but out that the center of these enclosures was always But how could such a complex design be at the same time we see signs of a very complex located between the two large central pillars aligned envisioned by people who did not even know how social structure,” Haklay said, adding that it is not with the front side. These pillars also presented an to create a simple pottery vessel? The archaeologist clear how long its construction took but it might have anthropomorphic structure and they have a front explained that while hundreds of people contributed been centuries if not more, with different people side. In each enclosure based on the surrounding to the building of Göbekli Tepe, the planning was initiating it and adding to it. peripheral pillars was found an alignment with the probably carried out by a single person or a small “The findings that we have suggest that the narrow front side. This was our first observation: group. “In order to do it, they had to conceptualize construction started at some point in the Pre- an abstract design rule. “We later noticed that the architectural planning tools like the formulation of Pottery-Neolithic-A, about 11,500 years ago, but a role of those center points extended beyond an a floor plan, basic geometry and measurements,” second layer dates back to Pre-Pottery-Neolithic-B individual enclosure, because the three center points he concluded. These measurements were not which probably lasted until 9,000 years ago,” he of enclosures B, C and D form an almost perfect standardized but allowed them to build the exact explained. “However, we are talking about the very equilateral triangle,” he added. form that they had previously planned. June 2020 SHALOM Page 11 Webinar on managing COVID-19 stress available

By Sari Incledon, M.Ed. Horowitz listed many symptoms that JFS staff change I recently viewed people may be experiencing right now, In July it will be my 26th anniversary at “Mindfulness and from feeling on edge, anxious, angry, Jewish Family Service. I have been fortunate Stress Reduction numb, helpless or re-experiencing earlier to have a job that has been enjoyable and during Covid-19,” a traumatic events to changes in sleeping rewarding, and I am grateful for having webinar sponsored or eating patterns, difficulty sleeping or the pleasure of working with supportive by Jewish Family concentrating, worsening of mental health colleagues, board and community. This Service of the Lehigh conditions and increased use of alcohol, July my role will be changing. I will be e Valley, and I want to tobacco or other drugs. It is common in an moving from director of social services recommend it to you. abnormal situation to have these symptoms to part-time social worker. I am excited

It offers information on and behaviors. to make the change to have more time to c about how to better Horowitz recommends using spend with my family and pursue leisure handle the stress brought on by living mindfulness techniques to combat these activities. I am pleased to continue to work i through a pandemic. It can be viewed at feelings. He led the viewers in a short with Carole Robinson, who will assume the jfslv.org/coronavirushelp. mindfulness practice and encouraged the role of director. Carole, a Reading native,

The webinar was led by social worker use of positive imagery. He also addressed will be a committed and enthusiastic leader. v Stuart Horowitz, who led seminars on issues for parents of all ages to help Many of you already know Carole from her post-traumatic stress disorder after 9/11, families reassure their children and teens. years teaching at the Lakin Preschool and and has decades of practice with clients of This seminar was slow in starting, the Kesher Zion religious school, and as an r all ages. Horowitz emphasized throughout with music playing as participants joining, active member of our Jewish community. I his talk that it is important to take care of and with an intro from the JFS Executive wish her all the best in this new role and ourselves during this time, and then in turn Director. However it was well organized with am delighted that we will continue to work e we can care for our communities. helpful slides and I recommend it. together at Jewish Family Service.

JFS News: Donation of masks gets great response S

By Carole Robinson JFS received a generous donation of 300 sterile disposable face masks from

Marc Goldstein, Founder and President l y of Blankets of Hope. We distributed packages of masks to community i members on Friday, May 1, handing out five masks per individual and 10 masks per family in a curbside delivery. We had a great response from the Jewish community and were able to help more m than 40 households. JFS plans to hold another Face Mask Distribution in a few weeks when we receive more masks. Please check your a email for details or call the JCC at 610- 921-0624. Many thanks to Marc Goldstein The generosity of donors and volunteers makes possible JFS work distributing food and face masks. and Blankets of Hope for enabling us to F help others! boxes of prepacked canned goods and would not be able to assist the community JFS would also like to thank Sharon nonperishables, bags of produce, and without your help! Berman, Sue Farrara, Karen Kabakoff, bags of frozen items. People drove to the I am pleased to announce that I will be

Judith Kraines and Solange Mintz for front of the building, where we loaded their assuming a new role in July as director h donating time and materials to make trunks or back seats. The clients were not of social services. I have worked closely reusable cloth face masks for use at able to select what food they wanted, as with Sari as the part-time social worker JFS Food Pantry and other occasions. they normally do. Helping Harvest also for the past 15 years and have benefited There are a limited number of cloth waived the need for signatures. All staff and greatly from her knowledge of the Jewish masks available to the community. Please volunteers wore masks and gloves. These community and her guidance. We are contact the JCC at 610-921-0624 if you measures eliminated extra contact with fortunate that she will continue her work need one. Don’t forget to give us your recipients to keep everyone safer. for Jewish Family Service in a part-time email address so you can be advised of In May, we distributed 5,400 pounds capacity. our ongoing activities. of food to 161 households consisting of I am eager to take on my new JFS Food Pantry continues to operate 550 people. We anticipate another drive- responsibilities and meet those of you during the COVID19 pandemic as we up Food Pantry in June. Thank you to whom I have not yet encountered. Please have for over 25 years. In April, we volunteers Raymond Gehring, Aidan and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have switched our monthly operation to a drive- John Incledon, Victor Lugo, Mike Robinson, any concerns, suggestions or would like

up Food Pantry outside the Olivet Boys Ellen and Paul Schwartz and Oleg Umanov to volunteer. [email protected] or ewi s and Girls Club, Pendora Unit. We ordered for your dedication and hard work. We 610-921-0624.

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Mae Levy and Tootie Moyer receive lunch deliveries courtesy of Jewish Family Service. Kosher-style meals were delivered to 25 Friendship Circle participants. Page 12 SHALOM June 2020 Anti-Semitism is the root of ignorance By Howard Blanck change it to one of the three channels you make sure if it happened again to beat have lived under an all powerful ruler With the cooronavirus, if nothing could get. Unless, of course, there was the guy up if I could and ask questions such as a king, dictator, caesar or group else, I at least thought this is one thing inclement weather, in which case it would later. In those more innocent times a fight of rulers, etc. in which freedoms, if they Jews cannot be blamed for. That quickly likely be one channel with some “snow” in it. usually settled it instead of guns. existed at all, were limited or dictated by changed when I came across another My friends were a mix of Christians Not long after I started to hear racial the ruler or ruling class. “Jewish conspiracy plot” that claimed the and Jews, and we were too busy playing slurs about African-Americans who were This country, however, was founded Jews were behind this one too. sports or army to pay much attention to struggling for civil rights at the time. with guaranteed freedoms that cannot be We have all seen and heard the the changing world going on around us, Reflecting on my history teaching taken away. In other words, the individual violent acts of hatred against Jews, and much less anti-Semitism, which frankly career, I can’t even count the number is the center of attention instead of the of course this is nothing new. In fact, it at the time I had not heard of. of times I was asked questions like how government which had its power and has been happening all over the world for During one football game in the come the Germans didn’t stop Hitler and reach limited in our Constitution. One of centuries. The causes and circumstances neighborhood, I caught a pass and was how come our founders owned slaves those guaranteed freedoms was the right are far beyond the scope of this article. running for the end zone but could not hold and some even worse than that. to worship freely (or not worship at all) and Watching all this, I was reminded of a the ball. This infuriated one of my older With all the persecutions Jews have this was, and this is a huge attraction to personal incident that happened right here teammates, whom I will call Timmy. He endured through the centuries, a strong persecution-weary Jews the world over. at the age of 9. It is necessary to set the yelled out “You dumb Jew!” I had not heard case can be made that their experience If only our real and balanced history stage. Growing up in the 1960s, it was a the expression before, but the next thing I in America has overall been quite good. was taught in our schools, I can’t help different world than today and much more knew one of my other teammates, whom I For sure there has anti-Semitism: There but wonder how much less anti-Semitism innocent (some of you oldtimers may will call Larry, called him a “dumb Catholic”. were real anti-Semitic acts and real anti- would exist. remember). There were no cellphones, Timmy told him to come closer and say Semites such as Henry Ford, Charles Howard Blanck is a community no internet and no instant cable news, etc. it again, but by some miracle, a fight was Lindbergh and others, but the key is in member who writes periodic opinion Nearly everyone had a black and white TV avoided as others on both teams intervened. our founding documents. pieces in Shalom, often focused on that you had to turn the dial on the set to As the game ended, Larry told me to Most people throughout world history history.

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Call Ehrlich at (855) 226-0075 or visit jcehrlich.com June 2020 SHALOM Page 13 Using Israeli technology to live in a water-stressed world

Israel21c invest in Israeli startup companies and How does Israel, with its extremely is working to position itself as the world’s limited water resources, arid climate, “go-to” water technology company, both and largely desert landmass, maintain in terms of its own internal development, a water surplus? The answer can be and its work with other companies. explained in one word — innovation, Today, Mekorot is increasing its according to David Balsar, general innovation beyond water management manager of innovation and ventures at in numerous ways that will make it Mekorot, Israel’s national water company. more efficient – saving both money and Israel’s innovative water management water – and enabling consumers to have techniques have reduced its dependence a greater understanding of the water on the climate. Five water desalination quality that flows into their homes. plants that dot the Mediterranean cost One result of these changes is greater provide almost 80% of the country’s energy efficiency. Mekorot is the biggest drinking water. In addition, almost 90% energy consumer in Israel, spending of the treated wastewater in Israel is almost NIS 1 billion per year, and “any used for agriculture. Further illustrating efficiency in the usage of energy has a its creative abilities, Mekorot has recently dramatic effect,” says Balsar. completed the largest water tunnel In addition, the company’s digital in Israel — almost 14 kilometers — operations are important in its protection from Sorek to Jerusalem, that brings of the country’s critical water supply desalinated drinking water to Jerusalem. Further expanding its reach into the Mekorot is undergoing a digital digital and high-tech world, Mekorot is Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Plant transformation, centralizing its operations partnering with Microsoft for Startups Israel activates the wastewater plant. We then Beyond savings and water quality, to one main command and control center, to identify new technology ventures that can deconstruct the sludge, which means that Mekorot is also turning its attention to the using machine learning and deploying be utilized in water technology. The Microsoft we are entering a zero-waste economy.” customer, with innovative solutions designed smart meters that measure data and and Mekorot startup program will help Almost 100% of the sewage is treated, to provide important information about water information. Establishing a unified ventures in Israel promote their solutions to of which close to 90% is reclaimed and quality. Mekorot is currently developing a national command and control center will revolutionize the water ecosystem. used for agriculture. Israel is today the smart “lab-on-a-chip’’ that can be installed enable coordination and synchronization One of the main philosophies of leading country in the world in terms of on water taps, that will monitor, track and of all of the regional control rooms and Mekorot’s water management strategy usage of recycled or treated reclaimed assess the water quality that comes to private strengthen the stability of the water is what Balsar calls the “circular water water.“Mekorot is responsible for homes. The chip will notify users if the water economy. Moti Shiri, Mekorot’s vice economy,’’ in which water is consumed, transmitting the treated water to the is of sufficient quality, or if there are impurities president of technology, explains that recycled and used yet again. Sea water Negev,” adds Balsar, “which then produces that need to be removed. When customers the constantly changing nature of water is first desalinated at one of Mekorot’s billions of dollars in fruits and vegetables know that their water is of sufficient quality, handling today requires a national center desalination plants on the coast, before that are exported around the world.” they will not need to purchase bottled water, to coordinate the supply. Construction arriving at the customer’s home water tap. Balsar notes that Mekorot, which has which will then reduce the amount of plastics on the national water command and “After you drink the water,” explains a very low percentage of water leakage, in the environment. control center will begin this year in Rosh Balsar, “the waste that is produced is manages to get the most out of its water Balsar calls the “lab-on-a-chip” a type Ha’ayin, and is expected to be completed flushed down the toilet. We take the supply. Mekorot’s leakage rate is just of “disruptive technology,” adding, “There in the next year and a half. sewage, treat it in a wastewater facility and 2.5%, which is one of the lowest rates is no other existing technology in the world As the result of a recent government while treating it, make energy out of it from in the world today. Many countries lose that can predict and analyze the water resolution, Mekorot is now permitted to the sludge, producing biogas which then as much as 30% or 40% of their water. quality of your tap at a reasonable price.” Overseas students prefer to be in Israel during pandemic

Israel21c countries. It was amazing.” enrollment of overseas students. And stuck abroad when borders closed during Joanna Pluta of Poznan, Poland, Now, with restrictions relaxing in registration for some TAU international semester break,” Yarm said. arrived at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Israel, Pluta can finally get to the lab and degree programs increased more than “Hopefully, the [coronavirus] situation Gan on March 8 — her 24th birthday do some weekend sightseeing. 50% over last year. will continue to remain stable or even — for a semester of graduate studies in “I will always remember diving on the “The discourse here in Israel is much get better. For now, the universities chemical technology. She was excited coral reef in Eilat and floating on the Dead more positive,” said Marissa Gross Yarm, are preparing to welcome international to experience a different landscape and Sea,” she says. “That was my dream.” head of international student affairs at the students and conduct courses.” culture. Instead, Pluta and thousands of As of October 2019, 11,853 Council for Higher Education in Israel. As founding director of BGU’s other international students at Israel’s international students were studying in “Israelis are good at crisis management Prepared Center for Emergency nine public universities spent spring Israel, primarily from the U.S., Canada, and therefore understood how to put Response Research, Aharonson-Daniel semester on lockdown, courtesy of the Germany, France, China, India and South support systems in place. People will see was responsible for establishing a hotline coronavirus pandemic. Korea. Israel as a good place to study because and a COVID-19 research taskforce. “After just one class, everything went Though many North American and we were able to tackle the pandemic and In her global engagement capacity, to Zoom. I said, ‘Oh no, I can’t go to a semester-abroad students were recalled support our international students.” she stayed in contact with the international lab!’ Everything is formal lectures online,” by their home universities, many decided “People have a craving to travel,” students on campus, updating them on says the future scientist. to stay — particularly those among the said Prof. Limor Aharonson-Daniel, vice the government’s frequently changing Her first reaction was to try to go home. 5,000 enrolled in full degree programs. president for global engagement at Ben- coronavirus restrictions. But she and other Polish students were Hebrew University of Jerusalem, for Gurion University. “There is a perception Her staff organized online movie told they’d have to leave immediately as instance, reported that 80% of current that Israel has been handling the pandemic and discussion nights, Kahoot games, the borders were closing. students in the Rothberg International well, that the curve stayed flatter than in cooking demos and virtual tours of Israeli “We didn’t want to do that,” she said. School stayed in Israel during the other countries. It is possible that we’ll have sites. “So we calmed down and saw it could outbreak. At Ben-Gurion University in a second wave, or the skies won’t open Cornell University PhD student Alap be very nice to stay here on our beautiful Beersheva, 700 overseas students chose completely. For now, we’re behaving as if Kshirsagar, 27, came to BGU in October campus together.” to wait the virus out in Israel. the fall semester will be normal.” as a visiting researcher in robotics. When The staff of Bar-Ilan’s International At Tel Aviv University, or TAU, about 700 Also appealing is that because the pandemic began spreading, he could School kept in constant touch with the of its roughly 1,300 international students Israeli higher education always starts have gone back to the New York campus overseas students. remained on campus during the lockdown in October after the Jewish holidays, a or home to India. He chose to stay. “I was shocked that they gave us free While international summer programs regular fall semester is planned. Many He led an online yoga session joined food before Easter,” Pluta said. “It was and student exchange programs in college campuses in other countries by BGU students from half a dozen really helpful. We managed an Easter the fall are off the agenda at Israel’s won’t reopen until spring. countries. celebration with friends in the International universities, many of the institutions are “We are working with different Now he’s back in the lab and enjoying School from Latvia, Lithuania, Germany reporting a rise in overseas demand. government ministries about how to weekend trips again before returning to and Poland, and even one from New York. At Bar-Ilan’s International School proceed for the fall semester and bring Cornell – whenever travel to New York We each made loads of dishes from our there has been a 50% increase in back international students who were will be possible. Page 14 SHALOM June 2020 Community event at Chabad gets Shavuot off to a sweet start

A crowd of 130 people from across the community took part in a pre-Shavuot celebration at Chabad. The event offered an opportunity for an event that brought people together for dairy treats while adhering to social distancing guidelines. The community’s three spiritual leaders — Rabbi Yosef Lipsker, Rabbi Brian Michelson and Rabbi-Hazzan David Sislen — gave out pizza. Guests also got to enjoy a visit to an ice cream truck and some cheese danish.

Poetry corner “The Majestic Mikey” “Inferno” COVID-19 20 Amidst all the terrible tumultuous times, This terrible scourge of this disease Noah was a serious, quiet man We lose all perception how to deviate our thought It has altered people’s lives in so many ways! Which is probably why processes, God chose him to build an ark And wonder how can we conquer this sudden and It doesn’t matter who you are. from gopher wood before grave situation? This horrific Beast hits everyone, both near and far. the flood It has no prejudice. A bird!! Yes, Mikey, a handsome little fellow of We’re here in an insidious dilemma great distinction Turned deadly beyond comprehension! When the waters were dried up As well as distraction, above all! Noah, with his family When in flight, he majestically thwarts sorrow We’ve become truant with our destination. walked out of the ark onto And illuminates a ray of sunshine. It’s taken everyone’s dreams. the dry land, and Noah said, Will we ever get to see another Rainbow? “We tred on the graves of those You see, he has magic powers to bring strength to Yes! Because if we follow the rules to abandon our who had been our neighbors, all, actions, tred gently … To feel a new day is coming, We might get to see its exit, sooner than later!! Bringing about a myriad of greatness again! “We must make an altar to offer Let’s bond together as one to win thanks and praise and to remember Yes! Birds can perform wondrous magic. This hideous intolerable scourge of unknown ori- Mikey, we love you. gins!! them, as we are yet alive.” By Ethel Engel By Ethel Engel By Nancy J. Knoblauch June 2020 SHALOM Page 15 Stay-at-home activities with Adi Page 16 SHALOM June 2020 ADL finds U.S. anti-Semitic incidents at an all-time high

From online news sources N.J., in December in which four Anti-Semitism hit a new all-time people were killed, and a brutal high in the U.S. in 2019, according stabbing attack in Monsey, N.Y.,in to the Anti-Defamation League’s the same month in which one man annual report and continued an eventually died from his wounds and upward trajectory for a sixth straight four were injured. year. In April 2019, one woman was In total, there were 2,107 incidents killed in a shooting attack at Poway of anti-Semitism in 2019, a 12% rise Synagogue in San Diego. over 2018 figures, which themselves The spate of anti-Semitic were the second highest on record harassment and assault continued this century after the 1,986 recorded in Jewish neighborhoods of New in 2017. York City, including Borough Park, The number of anti-Semitic Crown Heights and Williamsburg. incidents in 2019 has now eclipsed New York state alone recorded figures for both those years. 430 antisemitic incidents in 2019, the The year witnessed several highest in any state, followed by New hate-inspired murders of U.S. Jews, Jersey with 345 incidents, California including the shooting attack on with 330, and Pennsylvania with ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jersey City, 109.

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DOUBLETREE BY HILTON READING 701 Penn St., Reading PA 19601 T (610) 375-8000 • F (610) 375-8001 DoubleTreeReading.com MayJune 2010 2020 SHALOMShalom PagePage 17 10 Federation Honorial - Memorial Card Information HonorialsHonorials and and Memorials Memorials ContributionsContributions may may be be made made to to the the following following Funds: Funds: Please mail your payment with complete information to the Jewish UJA-Federation Campaign $10 Federation, PO Box 14925, Reading, PA 19612-4925 or bring to the Jewish Federation Jewish Community Campaign Cultural Center, 1100 Berkshire Blvd, Suite 125, Wyomissing. You may set up Jewish Family Service $10 a “savings account” for the purpose of sending cards. Please contact the Leo Camp LectureLecture FundFund $10 Jewish Federation at 610-921-0624 for further information. JFS FoodFood BankBank $25 JFS Taxi TransportationTransportation ProgramProgram $20 Contributions as of May 22 Contributions as of April 16 Holocaust Library & Resource CenterCenter $18 Doris Levin Fund UJA-FederationEdwin & Alma N.’51 Campaign Lakin Holocaust Library & Resource Center Doris Levin Fund $10 In memory of: In honor of: PJ Library Fund Douglas Lockhart (Kim Yashek’s husband) – Andy and Corinne Wernick, Sarah Simon’s engagement – Vic and Dena Hammel Michael ClyminHarry (Ellen & Abramson’sRose Sack father) Fund – Susan and Richard D’Angelo Esther and Sid Bratt, Jay and Evelyn Lipschutz, Ernestine Urken Alma and Ed Lakin’s new home – Vic and Dena Hammel, Mildred & Ivan Frank MehringerEvelyn – Edith Thompson Mendelsohn Fund Fran Mendelsohn – Esther and Sid Bratt Gordon Sam Goodman’s engagement – Alma and Ed Lakin FederationAlyse Corbin’s Community marriage – CarolCampaign and Bernie Gerber, Alma and Ed Lakin Doris Levin Fund In honorSue Viener’s of: Birthday – Yvonne & Rob Oppenheimer InSue memory B. Viener of: Memorial Fund (PJ Library) Birth of of Selma Jan andCutler’s Jonathan great-grandson Simon’s Jacob first - grandsonDebbie Goodman– Rob and and Yvonne John In honorDr. Walter of: Gershenfeld – Stephanie and Dennis Arbige, Carole and Mike MoyerOppenheimer, Debbie Goodman and John Moyer, Anzie and Edward Golden RobinsonRuby Viener’s college graduation – Sue Wachs Birth of Carol and Gordon Perlmutter’s new grandson – Debbie Goodman and BirthShoshana of Jan Tannenbaum and Jonathan – Carole Simon’s and grandsonMike Robinson – Carol Greenberg JohnIn memory Moyer of: Birth of Arlene and Irv Ehrlich’s grandson – Carol Greenberg Fran Mendelsohn – Rob and Yvonne Oppenheimer Holocaust Library and Resource Center GetDouglas well: Lockhart (Kim Yashek’s husband) – Rob and Yvonne Oppenheimer In memory of: HaroldJeri Kozloff Leifer –– RobRob andand YvonneYvonne OppenheimerOppenheimer JeffreyShoshana Frank Tannenbaum – George Viener– Ken and Mary Holt, George and Sue Viener, Sue Schlanger, Gordon and Carol Perlmutter, Leah Kanter-Salis, Rosemary and John EvelynJewish ThompsonFamily Service Nursery School Fund Deegan,Friendship Naum Circle and Lyudmila Fund Ger, Louis and Katherine Danzico, Florence and In memoryhonor of: of: MarvinIn honor Segal, of: Vic and Dena Hammel, Emma Holder, Susan Gallagher, Mildred & ShoshanaBirth of Jan Tannenbaum and Jonathan – Beth Simon’s and Bob grandson Caster – Andy and Corinne Wernick, IvanBirth Gordon, of Sylvia Carrie Wenger’s & Stephen great-granddaughter Latman, Judy, Bob & Susan – Louise Pollack, Zeidman Anna & Moisey Ellen and Don Abramson, Jackye and Jim Barrer Schneider, Norman & Rita Wilikofsky, Audrey Williams, Alan and Esther Strauss, Jewish Family Service JayIn memory and Evelyn of: Lipschutz, Carol and Bernie Gerber, Barbara and Seth Rosenzweig, In honormemory of: of: JohnHedy Castrege Miller and(Lynn family, Driben’s Michael mother) Geraci, – GlennMaxine and & DickGaye Henry, Corbin Piekara Family, BirthFran ofMendelsohn Carol and Gordon – Ruth Perlmutter’s Isenberg, Sharon new grandson and Julian – Sue Syret and George Viener, LauraMildred Higgins Blask (Jessica Neuhs-Endy’s grandmother) – Uncle Jay, Uncle Stan, BetsyDonald and Al Spang Katz (Debbie Zelnick’s father) – Sharon and Julian Syret, Al and Uncle Les & Aunt Roxy and Bubbe (Tootie Moyer and family) BetsyBat Katz Mitzvah of Fran Mendelsohn’s granddaughter – Rosalye Yashek Mildred Blask (Wendy Neuhs’ mother) – Barbara Nazimov EvelynFriendship Thompson Circle Nursery School Fund In memoryJeri Kozloff of: – Ellen and Don Abramson In honorGet well: of: Shoshana Tannenbaum – Jill and Gladys Skaist BirthHarold of Leifer Debbie – Glenn Cieplinski’s and Gaye grandson Corbin – Beth and Bob Caster JFS Food Pantry Birth of Irv and Arlene Ehlich’s grandson – Beth and Bob Caster In honor of: Birth of Sylvia Wenger’s great-granddaughter – Beth and Bob Caster HolocaustBirth of Jan and Jonathan education Simon’s grandson – Sue spreading Schlanger inBirth Berks of Jan and JonathanCounty Simon’s first grandson – Beth and Bob Caster

ContinuedIn memory fromof: Page 5 also that the students are genuinely In memoryOn a wider of: note, there have justice and Holocaust remembrance today. silenceFran is Mendelsohn not the reason – Rosalye why survivors Yashek interested in hearing their stories. I know beenFran many Mendelsohn recent developments – Beth and Bob in Caster I am heartened to hear that three additional areJeri invited Kozloff in. Instead,– Annette that and factorSean Peppard, is my students Sue Schlanger were genuinely interested in HolocaustJeri Kozloff education – Beth in and Berks Bob CountyCaster schools in Berks County will be offering present because of the immense respect hearing Hilde’s story and many still talk and the surrounding areas. Within these courses for their students. students have for these individuals and about it now, several weeks later. the past month I have met with two Though the fourth quarter of the individuals who are in the process school year has begun, there are still of developing a Holocaust course to many additional opportunities that  be offered at their local high school. remain. I just spoke to an undergraduate  One gentleman was from Lancaster ethics class at Penn State Berks County. The other, Gerry Evans, is a regarding the ethical/moral implications teacher at Hamburg High School. I of the Holocaust. I found the students  have been in contact with two other to be receptive and inquisitive and local teachers, Pete Ruckelshaus at have been asked to deliver a similar  Twin Valley and Jim Konecke at Wilson program in the classes that the same  High School. Pete has resurrected a professor also teaches at Reading Area course on Holocaust Literature at Twin Community College.  Valley, and its first offering is during As mentioned above, Kim Yashek, the current fourth quarter. He is very daughter of the late local Holocaust excited about offering this course to survivor Richard Yashek, is speaking at  his students and has even lined up Twin Valley, Hamburg and Fleetwood.  several guest speakers including Rabbi Right now Albright College is hosting Brian Michelson, Kim Yashek and Hilde an exhibit titled, “Stories Among Us: Gernsheimer. Washington State Connections to the Jim Konecke is teaching at Wilson Holocaust, Lessons in Genocide.” The Central Junior High but will be moving up exhibit includes the stories of five Holocaust to Wilson High School at the beginning survivors and one liberator and has of next school year. He will be offering a received good reviews. It is definitely course on Nazi Germany. His students worth a visit! It will be at Albright’s Gingrich will be studying this period of German Library through May 10. history in depth, including a study of the *** rise of anti-Semitism, the initial period of Jennifer Goss teaches social studies the Holocaust and the Final Solution. The in the Fleetwood School District and latter part of the course will look at post-war specializes in Holocaust education. Plan for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Wedding Guests!

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(610) 736-2082 ✦ www.reading.homewoodsuites.com Page 18 SHALOM June 2020 A Zoom conversation with ‘Fauda’ cast members By Nancy Russo Israeli television series on Netflix are all the rage, and recently I watched a Zoom conversation with three stars of “Fauda” Season 3: Boaz Konforty, who plays Avichay; Yaakov Zada Daniel, who plays Eli; and Marina Maximilian Blumin, who plays Hila. Many of you are also fans of this hit show, which tells the story of an elite undercover unit in the Israeli Defense Forces. The show is presented in Hebrew and Arabic with subtitles. Boaz mentioned that he believes many more Israelis are showing an interest in learning Arabic because of the show, saying, “Most Arabs living in Israel know Hebrew, but most Israelis don’t know Arabic.” The cast members are happy to see this interest among Israeli fans as well as an interest in the Hebrew language among the countless “Fauda” fans around the world. Fauda is a very gritty show co- created by Lior Raz, who plays Doron Kavillio. The cast joked that the show started out filming on a shoestring budget, and even though it is one of the top shows on Netflix and a commercial success, the budget hasn’t increased! Yaakov praised Lior for still being a down- to-earth guy despite his success in Western films such as “Operation Finale.” There are no fancy sets in Israel and in some IDF training been and embraced their tradition of everyone around the world as we or wardrobes. While the first two zones. gathering at an actor’s home each face the COVID-19 crisis. They look seasons took place primarily in The newest member of the cast week to watch the premiere of the forward to hearing about Season 4 the West Bank, the third season is Marina, who is well-known in episodes in real time. (as do I!). is focused on Gaza. The show is Israel as a singer-songwriter. She Each actor wished blessings to All three seasons of “Fauda” are filmed in mostly Israeli-Arab villages noted how welcoming the cast has Israel on its 72nd birthday and to streaming on Netflix.