congregation brit shalom the centre scroll | july–august 2021 | tammuz–elul 5781

Rabbi’s Message | Bet Hasdai david e. ostrich

In many ways, we Jews are in the history for many bagel shops—since Saturdays are business. We see ourselves as participants in busy days. Some shops continued to operate an ancient and long-term endeavor—the on and lost their hechshers, while eternal covenant between the Lord God and others focused their attention on the Ortho- the Jewish people. We certainly strive to make dox community and closed on Shabbat. The our religion current, but we strive just as point, however, is that a very strict Orthodox much to make our religion authentic: tied to rabbi made exceptions and accommodations and continuing the practices and thinking of to help make Orthodox Jewish life possible in our ancestral history. a less-than-ideal situation.

Courtesy of London Wolfe Photography Sometimes, these two goals result in a cre- In a similar vein, Orthodox in early ative tension. A little over thirty years ago, 19th Century America made accommoda- the bagel eaters in , , got some tions for repurposing old church buildings surprising news when the head Orthodox as synagogues. While there are certainly rabbi announced that, as of a particular date, traditional opinions prohibiting such a kosher bagels would have to be made at shops use, the fact that synagogue buildings were that were closed on Shabbat. Previously, bagel unavailable and practically unbuildable (for shops that conducted business on Saturdays small congregations) induced some poskim could get a hechsher (Kosher certification) as (Halachic deciders) to bend the Tradition and long as the ingredients, equipment, and tech- help early American along. niques were kosher. However, at this point, A much earlier adaptation can be found in the rabbi decided that it was time to enforce the rules for the Tzitzit on the Tallit. Though Shabbat closing as a condition for a hechsher. the Torah is very clear that one of the threads INSIDE THIS ISSUE Why the change? As Rabbi Emanuel Feldman must be the color Techelet, when the small explained, when he first came to Atlanta, Rabbi’s Message 1 aquatic creature used for the special color there were very few Shomer Shabbos Jews— became extinct, the ancient Rabbis decided Schedule of Events 4 certainly not enough to support Shomer Shab- to keep all the threads white until Techelet bos bagel shops. So, he made a compromise Gift Funds 7 became available again. They were clearly and allowed non-Sabbath observing shops to Yahrzeits 8 bending the Torah’s dictates but working make kosher bagels. Over the several decades with the practical realities of Jewish life. Scroll Sponsors 10 of his residence, however, the Jewish popula- tion had grown significantly, and the Ortho- Enter our post-pandemic situation. We are dox Jewish population had grown to what he all looking forward to returning to in-person considered a critical mass. At this point, there worship, but we must temper our enthusi- were enough Jews to keep Shomer Shabbos ba- asm—and love of Tradition—with various gel shops in business, and he could insist on safety considerations. Shabbat closing. It was a shock and challenge Continued on page 6

Congregation Brit Shalom | 620 E. Hamilton Ave., State College, PA 16801 | 814.238.4611 | [email protected] President’s Column esther siegfried

Greetings Everyone! I am honored to Barry Ruback, our outgoing President, who are not vaccinated. For this reason, be the new President of the Congrega- for his excellent leadership during a we will continue to provide Zoom ac- tion Brit Shalom Board. I look forward difficult time and his willingness to cess to Friday night and holiday services to working with Rabbi Ostrich, the extend his term for an extra year. The for these and other congregants who Board members and the many com- creativity and hard work shown by both will not be able to attend in-person. We mitted members of this congregation our religious school director Marjorie hope that these efforts allow us to bal- who contribute their time, creativity, Stromberg Miller and our Vice Presi- ance the need to come back in-person wisdom and financial support to our dent for Education Rebecca Pangborn with the health and well-being of our cause. For those of you who don’t know Thorsen has been exceptional, as they congregation. me, I will make a short introduction: I continue to provide meaningful experi- Along with the Board, I believe that a was born in but came to the US ences for our religious school families. major goal for the future viability of when I was 3, and grew up in New York The Building Our Future campaign our congregation must be to retain and City attending Temple Gates of Prayer, has been very successful, and we have increase our membership, particularly a Conservative Synagogue in Flushing, exceeded our initial goal of $600,000, of younger families. While the finan- Queens. My wife, Claire Thomas, and I and are close to our projected need of cial contributions derived from mem- have lived in State College since 1994, $800,000. Scott Daggs has been over- bership are important, money is not and have been members of this congre- seeing much needed renovations to our enough to make a viable and vibrant gation for many years. Our son, Daniel, building and grounds, enhancing the congregation: We also need to sustain attended the religious school and was safety, functionality and appearance of and seek the involvement and engage- Bar at Congregation Brit the building. We have also had several ment of our current and future mem- Shalom. I have served on the Religious new families join CBS in the last year bers. I am very pleased that several Affairs committee, the Congregation and look forward to welcoming them younger members of the congregation Board and been chair of the Social Ac- in-person in the future. Last, but most have joined the Board and I look for- tion committee for several years. I am a definitely not least, our indispensable ward to working with them. Together, I faculty member at Penn State Altoona Rabbi Ostrich has continued to provide hope that we can find ways through our in Biology. Interesting fact about me, I spiritual guidance and other meaning- religious school events, programming, did not learn to drive until I was 42—at ful religious experiences through Zoom and social action activities to offer a heart I am still a NYC girl! services and other programming such variety of opportunities to engage with as Torah Luncheons and “Vacation As I begin my tenure as President, it the congregation and the community Bible School for Grown-Ups.” feels that we are at a significant turn- to help achieve this goal. As part of our ing point in the pandemic as many I am looking forward to many things effort to encourage new memberships, COVD19 restrictions are lifted and in the upcoming months, including the Board recently approved a restruc- more and more people become vac- a move to in-person services. The tured fee schedule for first time mem- cinated. As a congregation we have Rabbi has outlined our plan to restore bers, details on which will be presented weathered the challenges of COVID19 in-person services in July and August, at the next Congregational meeting. remarkably well. I have been so im- starting with outdoor gatherings for Please feel free to contact me if you pressed at how our congregation July, and the tentative plans for the have any constructive ideas to share on has managed to maintain a sense of High Holidays. However, we will move how to sustain, expand or improve our community by using Zoom for our cautiously because there are families in congregation and its activities. services, seders, and a variety of inter- the congregation with young children, esting programming. I want to thank or who have other household members Shalom.

2 | congregation brit shalom JCC Nursery School Kid’s Korner dara lavallee

Well we wrapped up our 2020/2021 school 6 weeks and have many different themed year. What an odd year for all of us. But at weeks. Everything from dinosaur week to sci- yahrzeit least we can say we did it and got through ence week. Looking forward to getting back (memorial) it! We are looking forward to starting our in the classroom for a fun filled summer! plaques in time summer camps starting July 5. We will go for the high holidays Obtaining a brass plaque for the memorial board in the Sanctuary can require more than a month from the time of ordering. Keep this in mind if you want to have a new plaque mount- ed in time for the High Holidays. Please contact Jim Ultman by phone (814.237.6335) or email ([email protected]) for more information.

july–august, 2021 | 3 Upcoming Schedule

shabbat worship services upcoming b’nai mitzvah Friday night services Important Note October 9, 2021 every week at 7:00 P.M. In order for Rabbi Ostrich to have some Lauren Krentzman To join our Livestream (on Zoom), go to our well-earned vacation time, we are changing congregational website, britshalomstate- the Zoom Link for our services in July and November 6, 2021 college.org, and look on the home page for August. New link is: Scarlet Gitelson “Worship.” Click that and you’ll be taken to • Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ a page with three boxes. Click “Join Lives- 82111483280 January 15, 2022 tream” to join our Zoom meeting. Click Lucy & Eliza Krasowitz “Shabbat Evening Prayers” to get a copy of • Meeting ID: 821 1148 3280 our worship service—to be read on a tablet April 30, 2022 The link will be changed on our website or printed. Tegan White (britshalomstatecollege.org), so you can just Children are welcome at all of our worship go to the website and click the box to join the May 14, 2022 services. Join us and make worship a family livestream. Ruby Kaufman practice.

June 4, 2022 Hudson Pell-Gibson

June 18, 2022 Evan Zorn High Holy Days 5782/2021 June 25, 2022 with tentative service times Erik Sulman yom kippur Monday, September 6 Wednesday, September 15 Evening Service I 6:00–7:15 P.M. End Civil Twilight 8:20 P.M. Evening Service II 8:00–9:15 P.M. Kol Nidre Service I 6:00–7:15 P.M. Kol Nidre Service II 8:00–9:15 P.M. Tuesday, September 7 Morning Service I 9:00–10:30 A.M. Thursday, September 16 Morning Service II 11:15 A.M.–12:45 P.M. Morning Service I 9:00–10:30 A.M. Morning Service II 11:15 A.M.–12:45 P.M. Wednesday, September 8 Discussion Group 4:00 P.M. Second Day Rosh Hashanah on Zoom Morning Service 10:00–11:30 A.M. Afternoon Service 5:30 P.M. one “seating” only one “seating” only Neilah Service 7:00 P.M. one “seating” only

No public break-the-fast

4 | congregation brit shalom Hadassah Happenings deena ultman membership is there a simcha in your future? upcoming event Consider becoming a member of Hadassah hate crimes and helping us keep a strong voice when it Planting trees in Israel makes a tremendous comes to women’s health, youth programs impact on the landscape and agricultural in our midst and funding the Hadassah Medical Organi- base. The cost is $18 and is a wonderful way July 20, 7:00–8:30 P.M. zation (HMO) which is a bridge to peace. It to recognize a special event in honor of or in (via livestream) forges links between patients of all nationali- memory of a loved one. If you would like to Recognizing the multiple ties, races and religion who come to its doors plant a tree in Israel through Hadassah, in recent incidents of racial for healing. conjunction with the Jewish National Fund violence and hate crimes (JNF) , please contact our new Hadassah If you are interested in finding out more about in our country and abroad, Tree Certificate person: our organization, call: we will convene a panel of Karen Scherba local community leaders to • Carol Shapiro, 814-237-2010; 131 Aberdeen Lane discuss the issues of hate [email protected] or State College, 16801 crimes and discriminato- • Bonnie Eckstut, 814-883-2192; pH: 814-574-5294 ry behaviors in the State [email protected] email: [email protected] College area. Please join us in this conversation to Hadassah Greeting Cards for all occasions share your views on these are available by calling Joni Ostrich, pH: 235- important issues as well as 5359 or emailing [email protected] learn from other members of the community. Panelists are:

Barry Ruback, Professor of Criminology and Sociology

John Gardner, Chief of Police, State College

Charima Young, Penn State Director for Local Gov- ernment and Community Relations

Seria Chatters, SCASD Chief Diversity Officer

july–august, 2021 | 5 Rabbi’s Message | Bet Hasdai Continued from page 1

First, though many feel comfortable gath- that, in addition to sending forth glorious congregational ering in person, some do not, and their sounds, our wonderful Shofar team may also e-mail precious spiritual needs are paramount in be sending forth exhalations. One solution our planning. So, whatever physically present is to cover the shofar openings with filters. We send out a weekly worship we arrange, we will also be sure to Another would be to have the Shofar team newsletter with a sched- have Zoom broadcasting available. outside the building, greeting us as we enter ule of events, yahrzeits, the synagogue—and sending us forth as we AND a Torah commentary Second, though we yearn for in-person ser- leave. It would certainly be different from by Rabbi Ostrich. If you vices, the large crowds we usually attract at modern Shofar practice, but closer to the an- have not been getting this the High Holy Days would push the limits of cient announcement of the New Year, where weekly e-newsletter, please health prudence. So, we are planning to have all heard the Shofar calling from contact Michelle Davis two “seatings” of most Rosh Hashanah and the top of the Temple Mount. in the office: admin@ Yom Kippur services and to limit the atten- britshalomstatecollege.org dance at each. This may require some adjust- In short, Tradition and modern accommo- or (814) 238-4611. ing and shortening of our Traditional liturgy, dation will meet in a creative tension as we but we will endeavor to make sure all the gather to greet our God and each other and main and inspiring traditions are there. (For continue our sacred work. these limited “seatings,” we shall arrange an The synagogue leadership is working on the congregational online reservation system—available for con- details; stay tuned as our holy practicality is website gregational members only. Visitors will be lovingly crafted. welcome to attend our services via Zoom.) If you need information about the congregation One possible adaptation would be a change in or our programming, the Shofar service. Some may be concerned remember our website: britshalomstatecollege.org. If you have any suggestions (or excellent photos to share), please contact our webmaster, Jim Ultman ([email protected]) or Rabbi Ostrich (rabbiostrich@ britshalomstatecollege.org).

6 | congregation brit shalom Gift Funds

rabbi’s discretionary fund | general fund | all undesignated used by the Rabbi for books, donations, gifts to Brit Shalom. is congregation scholarships, etc. brit shalom in In honor of Saula and Harry Kamerow’s In memory of Trudy Levine | from Bob wedding | from Lynn Petnick your will? and Vivian Levy An important part of our In honor of Lisa Rives Collens, the future is represented by In memory of David Eissenstat’s moth- new director of Schlow Centre Region bequests made by mem- er Judi Eissenstat | from Cynthia Berger Library | from Lynn and Evan Myers bers. Thoughtful bequests and Bill Carlsen In memory of Kay Reid, mother of Joy enable Congregation Brit In memory of Alfred Levy, father of Vincent Killian | from the Killian Family Shalom to retain a future Robert Levy | from Robert and Vivian of Jewish life for gener- In memory of Trudy Levine | from Mimi Levy ations to come. From Coppersmith funding our Rabbi to schol- In memory of my mother Thomazine In memory of Anne Cenziper | from arships at our religious Curtin Weinstein | from Thomazine Lynn and Evan Myers school, your generous gift Shanahan maintains our financial In memory of Trudy Levine | from Ron In memory of Grace Allis Schiff | from health. and Carol Hodes Steven and Eleanor Schiff A simple codicil can be In memory of Irene Schor | from added to your existing will, Stanley Schor building fund if you wish to make a be- quest, such as “I give and In memory of William Sacks | from In memory of my mother | from Susan bequest to Congregation Shirley Sacks Mann Brit Shalom, located in In memory of Trudy Levine | from In memory of Trudy Levine | from State College, Pennsylva- Diane and Steve Krentzman Nancy Gordon nia, the sum of $____ [or “____ percentage of my es- In memory of my husband Daniel tate as finally determined Frankl | from Estelle Frankl programming fund for federal (or Pennsylva- In memory of my loving husband nia) estate tax purposes]. In memory of my father Soloman Heyn David Geselowitz | from Lola Geselowitz | from Pinhas Heyn A will or codicil should be In memory of Beverly Finkel | from prepared by an attorney. Lynn Petnick Please call the congrega- sue tygel scholarship fund | tion office at 238-4611 to used to assist children in their pursuit of discuss including Congre- Jewish enrichment and educational oppor- how to contribute gation Brit Shalom in your tunities at Brit Shalom and elsewhere. To make a contribution to any of the Brit estate. In memory of Judith Eissenstat | from Shalom funds, please mail or drop off a Annie Rose check payable to Congregation Brit Shalom, 620 East Hamilton Avenue, State College, PA 16801. Contributions of $18 or more will be listed in the Scroll following the date the contribution is made. If you have any ques- tions, please contact Michelle Davis, Office Manager, at 814-238-4611.

july–august, 2021 | 7 week of july 2, 2021 Yahrzeits Gertrude Koff Mother of Nancy Jacobson 17 Tammuz Mendel Siegfried Father of Esther Siegfried 17 Tammuz Edythe Yukelson 17 Tammuz Harold M. Brown Father of Theresa Lafer 18 Tammuz Maurice Hoffman Brother-in-Law of Janice Hoffman 18 Tammuz Meyer Small Brother of Sylvia Levine 18 Tammuz Freda Jaffe Mother of William Jaffe 19 Tammuz Sadie Shur Mother of Deena Ultman 20 Tammuz Muriel Feigelson Mother of Eric Feigelson 20 Tammuz Sydney Schiff Father of Steven Schiff 21 Tammuz Belle Alperin Stein Grandmother of David Ostrich 21 Tammuz Morris Thaler Grandfather of Renee Marks 21 Tammuz Ida Zuskin Novey 23 Tammuz week of july 9, 2021 Frances Frankl Mother-in-Law of Estelle Frankl 26 Tammuz Dora Francis Salkin Friend of the Ostrich Family 26 Tammuz Sylvan Seidman Father of Stephen Seidman 26 Tammuz Henry Small Father of Sylvia Levine 27 Tammuz Paul Keller Husband of Ruth Keller 28 Tammuz Ruth Tygel Mother of Mark Tygel 29 Tammuz Irving Theodore Rosen Grandfather of Emily Fogel Conway 1 Av Eleanor I. Proksa Grandmother of Maggie Patt Biddle July 3 week of july 16, 2021 Norman Ruback Father of Barry Ruback 5 Av Abraham Dembowski Grandfather of Sean Miller 6 Av Dolores Princz Sister of Gail Kamon 7 Elul Philip H. Harris Father-in-Law of Selma Harris 8 Av week of july 23, 2021 Arthur Fishbaine Father of Steven Fishbaine 9 Av Carol Cohen Sister of Ellen Stein 10 Av Jacob Hodes Uncle of Ron Hodes 10 Av Barbara Perlmutter Marder Mother of Susanne Marder 10 Av Dora Foner Mother of Trudy Levine 11 Av Howard Castle Father of Lynn Abramson 11 Av Michael Steinberg Son of Susan and Lewis Steinberg 12 Av Martin Marder Father of Susanne Marder-Pincus 13 Av Reba Galley Mother of Kirk Galley 13 Av Mary Apfelbaum 13 Av Henri Anna Ostrich Grandmother of David Ostrich 14 Av Minna B. Kantar 14 Av Rosadelle Spanier Mother of Graham Spanier 14 Av Ida Bishoff 15 Av Shaun Hoffman Grandson of Janice Hoffman 15 Av week of july 30, 2021 Ernest Ultman Father of James Ultman 17 Av David Felkoff Father of Bonnie Abrams 18 Av Miriam Kalin Grandmother of Richard Kalin 18 Av Jacob Rose 19 Av Leonard Kantar 19 Av Anita Fogel 22 Av Joanne Goldberg Levine Mother of Joni Ostrich July 28

8 | congregation brit shalom week of august 6, 2021 Richard Levy Father of Ellen Stein 23 Av Reba Wood Mother of Lola Geselowitz 23 Av L.B. Stein Cousin of David Ostrich 24 Av Joan Hassol Sister of Wilma Stern 25 Av Ernie Bergman 25 Av Michael Schoenholtz Father of Murray Schoenholtz 26 Av Gertrude Thaler Grandmother of Renee Marks 26 Av Mayya Berlyand Mother of Leonid Berlyand 26 Av Albert Ziff Brother of Phil Ziff 27 Av Charles Gilbert Father of Harvey Gilbert 27 Av Ruth Ellen Schwartz Mother of Susie Sherlock 28 Av week of august 13, 2021 Trudie Engel 1 Elul Eugene Boardman Father of Susan Boardman 2 Elul Ed Friedman Husband of Charlene Friedman, Brother of Ron Friedman 2 Elul David Geselowitz Husband of Lola Geselowitz 2 Elul Murray Fischer Father of Cindy Herbst 3 Elul Bessie Goldstein Rubinstein Grandmother of Bessie Rubinstein 5 Elul Dr. Marion Karen Abrams Kessler Daughter of Marsha and Al Abrams 6 Elul week of august 20, 2021 Ethel Schoenholtz Mother of Murray Schoenholtz 9 Elul Seymour Schoenholtz Brother of Murray Schoenholtz 9 Elul Dorothy Schor Mother of Stanley Schor 9 Elul Emil Hoffman 10 Elul Carrie Quimby Late Partner of Susan Boardman 10 Elul Robert Leinbach Father of Carol Hodes 11 Elul Honey Jaffe Wife of Bill Jaffe 12 Elul Fay Siegfried Mother of Esther Siegfried 13 Elul week of august 27, 2021 Joseph Glass Grandfather of Steve Krentzman 14 Elul Phyllis Caplan Mother of Sharon Price 14 Elul Irving Schoenholtz Brother of Murray Schoenholtz 15 Elul Shirley Laiken Mother of Lynn Jaffe 15 Elul Trudy Brinen Sister of Sam Levine 16 Elul Edith G. Malyn 16 Elul Joan Marcus Mother of Andrew Marcus 16 Elul Rebecca Levine Mother of Sam Levine 17 Elul Anna Foner Cohen Sister of Trudy Levine 17 Elul Bernice Abrams Mother of Elliot Abrams 20 Elul week of september 3, 2021 Steward Copeland Brother of Janice Hoffman 22 Elul Morris Hodes Uncle of Ron Hodes 23 Elul Emanuel Ostrich Grandfather of David Ostrich 23 Elul Norman Davids 24 Elul Jeannette Brinch Niece of Wilma Stern 24 Elul Phillip J. Levine 26 Elul Dr. William Boniface Father of Zoe Boniface 26 Elul Durmot Elmo Killian Father of Richard Killian 26 Elul Muriel Stein Mother of Barry Stein 26 Elul Max Schulman Grandfather of Aileen Galley 27 Elul Yaakov Landowska Father of Marie Cameron September 1 Ruth Landowska Mother of Marie Cameron September 1

july–august, 2021 | 9 Thank you to our Sponsors!

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10 | congregation brit shalom We understand tradition. We also know how to celebrate. For more information contact Joy Vincent-Killian

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brit shalom board officers directors at large Esther Siegfried | President Emily Fogel Conway Barry Ruback | Past President Scott Daggs Deena Ultman | President Elect Josh Gitelson Eleanor Schiff | Secretary Sean Miller Mark Lafer | Treasurer Jennifer Norton Becca Thorsen | VP, Education Ross Weinreb Ron Hodes | VP, Finance Debbie Krentzman | VP, Membership brit shalom staff Zaryab Iqbal | VP, Programming David E. Ostrich | Rabbi Lauren Gluckman | VP, Religious Affairs Marjorie Miller | Director of Religious David Post | VP, Social Action Education and Youth Engagement Michelle Davis | Office Manager building trustees Nancy Chiswick the centre scroll Carey Eckhardt Michelle Katz | Editor Herb Lipowsky Johanna Ostrich | Layout Renee Marks