ב״ה WellspringsWinter 2017/ Chanukah 5778 CHANUKAH GUIDE 2017 All you need to know on the Festival of Lights WERE THE MACCABEES ARE YOU AFRAID BARBARIANS? OF THE DARK? LIGHT UP THE NIGHT SEE PAGE 15 A Little Nosh for the Soul Compliments of Chabad of the Lehigh Valley Jeffrey Gevirtz, MD Dr. Jeffrey Gevirtz, MD, exudes the quiet confidence that comes from a laser-sharp About Dr. Gevirtz focus on his priorities. When describing his perfect day, he keeps it simple: “First, I’d wake up; that’s always a good thing,” he quips, “have coffee and read the paper; then, Dr. Gevirtz is board certified in I’d get some exercise. I’d see my kids, and my friends. I have a rather modest lifestyle.” urology and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. After earning But, soon you realize that this unassuming doctor has accomplished much and his bachelor’s degree in the biologic contributed a great deal to the community. Wanting to help others, Dr. Gevirtz basis of behavior from the University followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle and became a physician. of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, He chose urology because of its diversity and its positive impact on people and he graduated from the University families. On any given day, a physician might treat one person for cancer and another of Medicine and Dentistry of New for fertility. Urology also allowed him to work with both men and women and to Jersey-Rutgers Medical School, perform procedures, which he enjoys. What he finds most rewarding, however, is Piscataway, NJ. He completed seeing his patients respond to treatment, often in a short amount of time. residencies in general surgery and urology at Rhode Island Hospital/ Dr. Gevirtz came to the Lehigh Valley in 1991 following his surgical residency in Brown University in Providence, RI. urology at Brown University in Providence, RI, and has remained with the same practice since. During the past year, he and his partners, urologists Paul Berger, MD; To contact Dr. Gevirtz or make an Richard M. Lieberman, MD; Brian P. Murphy, MD; Daniel M. Silverberg, MD; Joseph appointment, call 484-876-5649. G. Trapasso, MD, and radiation oncologist Mark E. Alden, MD, decided to join St. Luke’s University Health Network, affiliating with St. Luke’s Center for Urology. “We looked for a partner who shared our vision of growth and commitment to diagnosing and treating men with prostate cancer,” he said. “We met with physicians and administrators of St. Luke’s and had a good feeling about the relationship from the first day we met.” Outside of work, Dr. Gevirtz has been active in the Scleroderma Research Foundation. His wife, who passed away nine years ago, suffered from scleroderma, an autoimmune condition. He serves on the Dinner Committee for the Foundation’s December fundraiser, “Cool Comedy–Hot Cuisine” in New York City, a celebrity-packed event that raises nearly $700,000 in one night. He is a past president of the Maimonides Society, through which he has participated in a medical exchange with physicians of Western Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. He spent a week at the hospital and has arranged for both Jewish and Arab physicians of Western Galilee to visit the Lehigh Valley and spend time in area hospitals. In addition, he has been on the Board of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and Temple Beth El. Despite all of these accomplishments, he considers the raising of his two children, Rachel, 22, a senior majoring in business at Lehigh University, and Samuel, 25, an MBA student at Duke University, to be his greatest success. “They turned out OK,” he says humbly and then correcting himself, “well actually better than OK. They’re doing very well.” Jeffrey Gevirtz, MD NOTE FROM THE RABBI Wellsprings Magazine Dear Friend, Dedicated to the Love and Looking at the events today, you start to won- Inspiration der. The story of a little candle pushing away of the the monster of frightening darkness, of human Lubavitcher sensibility overcoming terror and brute force, Rebbe of life and growth overcoming destruction the OB”M battle is very much alive within each of us, and in the world outside of us. It reoccurs at every winter, at every dawn of each day, with every photon of sunlight that Wellsprings breaks through the earth’s atmosphere bringing it warmth and life-nurtur- ing energy. With every breath of life, every cry of a newborn child, every blade of grass that breaks out from under the soil, every decision to do good in the face of evil, to be kind where there is cruelty, to build where others destroy, to move humanity forward when others pull us toward chaos. And that is Chanukah. Chanukah is an eight-day spiritual journey. Many people know the story of Chanukah but only as a historical pretext to give gifts and eat latkes. We can call that the body of Chanukah. The soul of Chanukah is its meditation, joy, warmth and light. Not only in our homes with our loved ones, but with the entire world. In this tradition, Chabad presents this historic Menorah Editor Lighting. Our hope is that by igniting our souls, everybody will follow and Rabbi Yaacov Halperin light the world, one candle at a time. We look forward to having you join us at one of our Public Menorah Contributing Writers Lighting Ceremonies or another of our Chanukah events, making this Rahmiel Hayyim Drizin, Devorah Halp- Chanukah very special. erin, Tzvi Freeman, Chaya Shuchat, Dov Bloom, Jacob Sussman, Yvette Wishing you and your family a Happy Chanukah Miller Rabbi Yaacov Halperin Design Sara Puza P.S Please take a moment to send your tax deductible contribution in the enclosed envelope to help us continue our vital work of social services and Advertising educational programs. [email protected] Distributed by Chabad Lubavitch of the Lehigh Valley 4457 Crackersport Rd Allentown PA 18104 This Wellsprings Magazine is Published by Chabad of the Lehigh Valley. 4457 Crackersport Road- Allentown, PA 18104 and is sent free to our Members and Friends infrequently throughout the year. Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Issue #53 POPULARTHE NAMES From the writings & talks of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch oshe Shlomo, a village merchant, “It may be so,” they both answered, “but we was a simple, good-hearted person, have no children. What do we need all of this as was his wife Rivkah. They always wealth for?” They burst into tears. “After 120, Mgave generously to worthy charitable causes. we shall have no namesake, and no one to re- One thing only distressed them. Although member us.” they had been married for fifteen years they didn’t have any children. Instead of replying, the Baal Shem Tov said: “Tomorrow I’m leaving on a little journey with Many times Moshe Shlomo had gone to Rab- a few of my students. Why don’t you two come bi Israel Baal Shem Tov and entreated him to along also?” The couple were surprised by the pray for them to have children. The Baal Shem invitation but quickly agreed. Tov always showered him with blessings -- for wealth, for long life, for health, for happiness The travelers set out the next morning. For two -- but never for what he so dearly hoped to days they were on the road, until finally they hear. arrived at a certain town. After a short rest, the Baal Shem Tov suggested that they all go out The Baal Shem Tov’s close disciples also asked and have a look around. their master for this blessing for the popular Moshe Shlomo, but he never responded to As they walked, they came across a group of them. children playing in the sand. The Baal Shem Tov went over to them and said to the nearest Ten more years went by. The Baal Shem Tov’s one, “What’s your name?” blessings all came to fruition. Moshe Shlomo’s business affairs prospered and expanded. The “Baruch Moshe,” the boy answered. couple, however, grew even more unhappy. They still had no children, and no encourage- The Baal Shem Tov then asked another boy, ment from the Rebbe. and his name was also Baruch Moshe. The third one was Moshe Avraham, the fourth, Ba- One day, they both went to see him. “Why do ruch Mordechai, and the fifth Baruch Moshe you two look so sad?” asked the Baal Shem Tov. again. A little girl piped up, “And my name is “Hasn’t G-d blessed you with great prosperity, Brachah Leah.” good health, and pleasant dispositions? And you have made the most of these blessings to As they walked on, they came across a group do many mitzvot and good deeds.” of little girls. The Shem Tov asked them their names, and most of them turned out to be Brachah Leah, asked one of the local men why all the children of the town too. had the same names. The man answered obligingly that he would be happy to tell them the whole story. The disciples Next they entered a cheder school. Six of the little boys craned their necks in eager anticipation, expecting to hear were named Baruch Moshe, while most of the rest were about a great tzaddik or outstanding scholar who had lived Baruch or Moshe or one of those in these parts. two names in combination with “expecting to hear about another. They went into a few more “Baruch Moshe was born in this schools, and also a yeshiva that had a great tzaddik or out- town nearly one hundred years students from all the surrounding ago,” their informant began.