Executive from Ohio Tapped to Lead Federation
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Jewish Federation of Reading Non-Profit Organization Jewish Cultural Center U.S. Postage PAID PO Box 14925, Reading, PA 19612-4925 Permit No. 2 www.ReadingJewishCommunity.org Reading, PA Change Service Requested SHALOM TThehe JJournalournal ofof the Reading Jewish Community.Community Published Published as as a a community community service service by by the the Jewish Jewish Federation Federation of of Reading, Reading, Pa. Pa. Volume 40 No. 5 SUMMERMAY 2010 2014 Iyar-Sivan 5770 ExecutiveINSIDE from Ohio tapped to lead Federation By Mark Nemirow from the University of Michigan and a professional, serving as a vice president The Berks County Jewish community master’s degree from the Massachusetts of the Jewish Federation of Columbus, has a new president. Institute of Technology, both in chemical Ohio. We believe that Bill will lead us well William D. Franklin comes to us from engineering. and be a valued part of JFR. Columbus, Ohio, where he served as He succeeds Tammy K. Mitgang, “As co-chairs of the JFR Search vice president of community services who elected not to renew her contract as Committee, we feel that we can speak and finance for the Jewish Federation president after six years of tremendous for the entire committee in expressing of Columbus.Free Jewish dedication leading the Jewish Federation our excitement at having Bill and his wife, Priorbooks to working for for theEllen Columbus Azrael, Larry of RotenbergReading. and Hilde Gernsheimer Andi, join our community.” Federation,kids available he spent 17 years as FranklinPhoto was by hiredJeremy after Drey: an Courtesy extensive of Reading Eagle Franklin said he is eager to get started presidentthrough of Mazer Corp., a Dayton, Ohio- search led by a committee co-chaired by in his new post. basedFederation printer and content developer for Jim Rothstein and Bob Caster. “My wife and I are looking forward educational publishers. MakingDuring that sureRothstein and we Caster never said they are forget to becoming active members of time he Pageserved 3 as an officer and board excited about the considerable talent the Reading Jewish and general member of the Jewish FederationBy Paul D. of Cohn and experience Franklinand political is bringing context, to nothing can communities,” he said. “I welcome Greater Dayton. Federation Chairmanthe Reading Jewishmask community. the darkest They side of human the opportunity to continue the Jewish In Dayton he spearheaded Asefforts I write to issued the followingbehavior.Could statement about one view our ability Federation of Reading¹s fine work to improveGuitarist senior services, developthis column a long it the hiring: and responsibility to “never forget” as ensure a vibrant, healthy community rangeto strategic perform plan and raiseis the funds day forafter “Bill Franklin comesan obligation? to us with I think a so. No matter with strong ties to Israel, world Jewry someat major annual Federation initiatives.your Federation strong background inhow the hard private it is sector to recall Federationthe horrific world as a lay leader for many and the non-Jews of Reading and Berks Franklinmeeting has a bachelor’ssponsored degree our as a businessman eventsand in of the the JewishHolocaust, years those inwho Dayton, Ohio, and then as a County.” Holocaust survived, and the generations that Page 2 Remembrance followed, have to remember and Day, which continue to put the events of the was held at StopHolocaust intothe modern-day context.Sirens Celebrating Kesher Zion Survivors need to continue to talk withFederation Ethiopian announcesSynagogue. I want toemergency thank about their experiences campaign and educate to aid Israel’sPhoto by Jeremymost Drey: vulnerableCourtesy of Reading Eagle Jews Kesher Zion Synagogue for Jews and non-Jews alike. hosting this event, as well Jewishas FederationJews around theof worldReading continue asked to to raise $13 million toward constant barrage of attacks. Page 4 thank Dr. Minna Bromberglaunched for be an victims emergency of anti-Semitism. campaign, In addition, immediate needs. Those needs may For most people, the damage her spiritual leadership. TammyStop the Israel Sirens, faces innew solidarity and existing with enemies. change, but every day brings greater is not physical. It is impossible to Mitgang did an excellentJewish job FederationsHowever, with of eachNorth passing America year urgency.we JFNA has already forwarded know the extent of the psychological Holocaust of facilitating the afternoon’sand Federations are losing our across Holocaust the survivors U.S. and$5 million, the first stage, to Israel to impact on residents of the south education session. My thanks also go toand Dan Canada their families,in support along of withthe Statethe valuable support this important effort. who have lived through 8,000 rocket spreading in Tannenbaum, coordinator of theIsrael. stories Shortly and aftermemories the Israelithey have to Reading’s Federation leadership attacks over the last 13 years. And Berks Holocaust Library and Resourcegovernment pass announced to future generations. the necessity Venues is challenging YOU, our community, now, because of the expanding Center, a partnership betweento beginthe suchOperation as the ProtectiveUnited States Edge Memorial with a match campaign, Stop the geographic scope of affected areas, Page 7 Federation and Albright College.to protect Holocaust its citizens Museum, from attack, the Holocaustthe Sirens, to raise $18,000. For every people living in the center of the Esther Bratt Larry Rotenberg with grandchildren Talya and Eli I also want to thank devastatingHilde Center effects at Albright, of the the months Anne Frankdollar you give, JFR will match country are also facing this extreme Gernsheimer, Ellen Azraelof andescalating House rocket in Amsterdam, attacks acrossand the Yadit dollar for dollar up to $9,000. stress. Larry Rotenberg for sharingIsraelis their becameVashem Holocaustmore evident. memorial in IsraelTogether, the community will send Federation’s partners on the An Israeli family takes cover as a siren sounds warning of incoming rockets. Hospitals, emergency centers, life — chai to Israel’s most vulnerable ground in Israel will perform the 2014/The Jewish Federation of North personalAmerica. All stories.other rights Each reserved. story had its serve as valuable educational and Jewish Family own sense of sadness, fear andschools (at historicaland neighborhood repositories. centers populations – children, elderly and first level of triage for the needs of Service times) renewed hope and resolve.were floodedAll of with us have children a responsibility and the to sick. They are our responsibility. individual communities. Federations Still, it was difficult to listen familiesto and “neverexhausted, forget” and traumatized to stand up for Moniesour will be sent as collected due have a long history and deep Page 6 comprehend their stories. If anyoneand weary rights from and beliefs the monthsas Jews. Weof mustto the urgency of the situation. connections with communities and has any doubt about the Jewishindiscriminate continue and to terrifying educate attacks.those who do When a Hamas missile hit Haifa people who have borne the brunt people’s will to survive, oneThe only escalations not believe of the in therocket Holocaust attacks or whothis summer, we were reminded of terror attacks. With this new needs to study the Holocaust.were devastating.attempt to twistIt was the the truth breaking of what actually that virtually all Israelis are in range outburst of violence they are facing Although one can studypoint the forhappened. many. For Again, the a specialsick and thank youof rocket fire. For more than 37,000 dramatically increased needs. events leading up the Holocaustelderly, and manyto Hilde, had Ellen to and be Larry treated for sharing in theirchildren Trudy who Katz live and within Ellen Azrael25 miles of David,Bill Larry Franklin, and Alison the Federation’s Rotenberg new try to put these events into historicalthe bomb thoughts shelters and memoriesbecause with they us. Gaza, the current situationPhotos by is Barbara not a Nazimovpresident, except reinforced as noted the importance were unable to return within the 15 flare-up. They have spent the last 13 of the Stop the Sirens campaign. seconds needed to find safety from years under fire. “The money we send not only Yashek lectureincoming to missiles. focus on FranceToday even more children are provides humanitarian aid but shows The government of Israel reached traumatized, as other areas of the our Israeli family that we care and An Israeli policeman inspects a kibbutz building damaged by a rocket 2014/The Jewish Federation of North America.This All other year’s rights reserved. Richard outJ. Yashekto Jewish effortsFederations to better of North understand country these have to adjust to a new daily that they are not alone. The Talmud lecture will be held Thursday,America May and askedterrible for events its collective actually accomplishedreality — missiles with increased reminds us — all Israel is responsible 6, at 8 p.m. in Memorialemergency Chapel at assistance.their aims? Or have theyrange actually and accuracy. Israel’s children one for another. Please help us in Albright College. The speakerJFR will Developmentbe distorted Director historical Paul understanding need relief — a day in a quieter region sending this important message” Richard J. Golsan, Ph.D., Landrya professor said, “Federationand challenged was asked the notionof the of country the including specialized Contributions