Congregation brith sholom President: EDWARD K. LEVY rabbi: Michael singer Rabbi emeritus: rabbi Allen juda Volume XXViI No. 11 ~ November 2016 Tishri 5777 ~ Heshvan PUBLISHED MONTHLY CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 Tel: 610-866-8009 Fax: 610-866-8000 Email – info@brithsholom.net [email protected]SUBMISSION DEADLINE: All information must be received in writing or copy ready by the 15 th of each month. Any article received after the deadline will be published in the next Bulletin. Visit our website at www.brithsholom.net
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Congregation brith sholom of Villa-Lobos, Tom Jobim and Luiz Bonfa. He worked as a professional musician ... At Congregation Brith Sholom, 1190 W. Macada Rd, Bethlehem
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Some things just go together. Peanut butter & jelly, bagels & cream cheese, and chocolate and … Okay, chocolate and almost anything! Jews & food…..ah where to begin. It may be an understatement that our people and food have a long,
delicious, and rich history. From special holiday foods like matza balls, hamentaschen, challah bread, blintzes, and Bubbie’s brisket we know that part of what makes a holiday a holiday, is the food asso-ciated with it. We go that extra mile (or many miles) on a holiday because we recognize that family, friends, and assorted guests will take in the delicious food, the rich social atmosphere, and the stom-ach memory, if you will, of this unique and special day. Many times the smells alone foretell of what joy is waiting in store for the celebration of a holiday. Yet, it doesn’t stop there. Oh, no! Can you think of any Jewish life-cycle event or simcha where there isn’t a seudah mitzvah, a meal of com-mandment. From a brit milah, pidyon ha-ben, bat mitzvah to a wedding celebration, we mark signifi-cant moments in our lives by sharing food as a community. In fact, no formal invitation is needed. If there is a simcha, everyone in the community is invited. In small towns and villages throughout the Jewish world, historically the entire community would come out to share in the blessings of these sacred moments. Even facing the sadness of death, a seduah havra’ah, a meal of consolation brings us together. Food is life. Eating is a deeply intimate, sacred, and spiritual experience where God’s nourish-ing world and sustaining blessings come together with our human hard work and culinary creativity. There is no part of a meal that does not contain God’s handiwork, the raw materials of the universe which we both did not create and which exists precariously often beyond our control. (As the saying goes, “Ein Mayyim, Ein Chaim - No water, no life”) Tradition teaches that before we eat, we recite a blessing to sensitize us into remembering that this is really God’s stuff, and when we conclude a meal (usually one with bread), we then thank God (Birkat HaMazon) for sustaining us with this nourishing and satisfying culinary experience. At the core of all of these blessings lie two important Jewish values: 1) that we should recognize and be thankful to God, and 2) that we concretize our gratitude to God for all of the blessings we have received by sharing those blessings with others. In essence, in order to show thanks to God, we must share with others. Yet, sadly on a recur-ring basis day after day in a country that is the wealthiest in the world, and in a community that has isles and isles of food in your choice of supermarkets, there are many in our community that go to bed hungry wondering where and when they will eat. According to a study from six years ago, the Food Hardship Data for 2008-2009 shows: 16% of respondents in Pennsylvania experienced food hardship in 2009. Roughly 1 in 5 households with children experience food hardship in Pennsylvania. This is equal to 22.4% of Pennsylvania households with children. In the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, 16.7% of respondents reported food hardship in 2008-2009. In the 15th Congressional District (Lehigh and Northampton Counties): 15.4% of respondents experienced food hardship. Food Hardship is defined as the lack of sufficient funds within the past twelve months to buy food for themselves or their families. I believe this is a continuing human and spiritual crisis. Thank God, the vast majority of Brith Sholom families have been blessed with enough income to put food on the table day in and day out. Yet, if we are truly thankful and count ourselves blessed we need to make it a religious ritual to support our local JFS food pantry on a regular basis. To continue to support New Bethany Ministries Soup Kitchen, and to renew our commitment to the Monocacy Farm Project, our partnership farm with the School Sisters of St. Francis, which I am happy to report produced a full and bountiful season of fresh organic produce to the JFS food pantry and other local hunger initiatives. Some things do go perfect together. Popcorn & a movie, hugs & kisses, Mike & Ike, and according to our Jewish tradition - Thankfulness & Sharing.
Thank you to all who brought food for Operation Isaiah, contributed to Mazon, worked on the farm this summer, and cook each month at New Bethany. Your generosity of time, resources, and spirit make all the difference!
Yom Hodu Sameach! - Happy Thanksgiving!
Rabbi Michael Singer
Thankfulness & Sharing—Perfect Together
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FROM THE RABBI
With Deep Appreciation and Todah Rabbah from Rabbi Singer
Another wonderful High Holiday & Sukkot season has come to a close. I hope each of you felt a special
moment or two during the services, sermons, and learning that will keep you uplifted, inspired, and
excited about this New Year. I want to take a moment to thank all of the people who made it such a
wonderful and meaningful experience for me and our whole community.
Hearty Mazel Tovs go out to:
• Irving Kaplan and the Ritual Committee, (David Caine, Michael Berman, Paul Kottler) who organized
all of the honors, served as Gabbaim, and made the services run smoothly.
• Sam Guncler, our Ba’al Musaf on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, our Ba’al Te0illah for Kol Nidre
and Ne’ilah, and who leyned Torah on Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur day. Sam is truly a treasure!
Inspiring us throughout the holiday season with his great passion, beautiful voice, and kavana!
Yasher Koach!
• Gary Lader who assisted by some of our recent bnai mitzvah, for leading our intrepid Junior Congre-
gation Services.
• Steve Bergstein and Alan Cohen, for leading Birchot HaShachar and Pesukei D’Zimra on Rosh Hasha-
nah and to Ron Ticho for Yom Kippur.
• Alan Cohen for a beautiful and spirited leading of Yom Kippur mincha.
• Rabbi Juda, Miriam Singer (one proud Abba), and Joe Appel for chanting Haftarah. And for Gary
Lader for chanting the long but riveting Maftir Yonah!
• To some outstanding young Torah readers - Mordechai Singer, Daniel Caine, and Gabe Miller for
leyning Torah on Yom Kippur afternoon.
• Daniel Caine and Daniel Lader for their awesome blowing of the Shofar!!! (And David Caine for
calling)
• Steve Weiner and all of the ushers who welcomed members and guests alike.
• Tammy, Bill, and Tim who worked hard behind the scenes, and who once again had everything just
right.
• Florence Hausman, Nan Bratspies, and Marilyn Doluisio who made the Torah silver sparkle.
• Judith Rodwin, Jannie Kay, Stef0i Miller-Berman, Judy Aronson, Nancy Levy, Sandy Wruble, and Tim
who made the Break-the-Fast worth the wait!
• And 0inally, to all of the congregants who led English readings, had aliyot, lit candles, opened the ark,
and lifted & carried Torahs. YASHER KOACH!
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Friday, November 4 ~ Candle Lighting: 5:35 pm ~ SATURDAY, November 5
Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the beauty of the Shabbat Services and the Kiddush that follows.
Services begin Shabbat morning at 9:00 AM.
MINYAN—is held in the Chapel
Monday and Thursday mornings……….7:45 AM
Holiday mornings……………...9:00 AM
Aaron, Zachary and Ilana Goldstein
Children of David and Tova Goldstein will celebrate their
B’nai Mitzvah at this service.
Mazel Tov to Aaron, Zachary, Ilana, their family and friends.
Junior Congregation Services
November date for both age groups:
Ages 3 ~ 7
Ages 8 ~ 12
Saturday, November 5, 2016
10:30 A.M.
IN SYMPATHY
Our sympathy and condolences are extended to
Mrs. Isabel Schiff, Jeffrey, Gary and the entire Schiff
family on the recent passing of beloved husband,
father and grandfather, Henry Schiff.
May the All Merciful give the bereaved strength to
endure their grief and may they be comforted amongst
the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
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HEADS UP EVERYONE!
Brith Sholom now has a Security Committee to evaluate and strengthen our emergency preparedness. As congregants, we each have an important role in this.
The committee will seek input from the congregation and will keep you informed. Stay tuned. If you would like to get more involved in this important area, contact Tammy at the Brith Sholom office.
Lehigh Valley native Ted Falcon is a
violinist, mandolinist, teacher and composer.
He grew up listening to jazz and the Brazilian
music of Villa-Lobos, Tom Jobim and Luiz
Bonfa. He worked as a professional musician
in N.Y. City, Los Angeles & Sao Paulo, and
lived in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. Eduard
Souza is a renowned guitarist. They will
perform Brazilian choro and Gypsy Jazz.
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Brith Sholom would like to extend a sincere welcome to all those who joined our CBS family from 2015 to 2016. We plan to celebrate a New Member Shabbat weekend
Friday, Nov.4th - Our first Shabbat dinner. New members will come as our guests.
Saturday, Nov. 5th - New members will participate and be recognized at our Shabbat service and Kiddush/luncheon.
Please "save the dates" and plan to attend these important community events!
Thanks for your support.
Our Membership Committee
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Sponsor:
♦ Dr. Harry Berger and Lisa in honor of their Aufruf
BLOOD DONORS NEEDED
Keep Brith Sholom in good standing.
Call Miller-Keystone Blood Center at
(610) 691-5850 and make an appointment.
“Give the Gift of Life.”
Call today to schedule your
appointment to donate blood on behalf
of Brith Sholom
Mazel Tov to
Brith Sholom
Members
Maur and Doe Levan
From Jewish Family Service
8(ish) Over 80 Honorees
ELECTION 2016: Certainty vs. Uncertainty Wednesday November 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
At Congregation Brith Sholom, 1190 W. Macada Rd, Bethlehem
Are you excited about the current presidential race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump? The struggle for control of the United States Senate and House of Representatives will also be addressed. Do you want to know more about what issues will have the greatest impact on determining the outcome of this heated election? How Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state, will go?
Will Dent and Toomey win reelection? If so, please plan to attend what should be, based on past experience, a very interesting and informative program.
Dr. Chris Borick, Director of the Institute of Public Opinion at Muhlenberg College a political scientist and leading pollster, will share his insights on the heated presidential race and the national political scene. In addition, Dr. Gordon Goldberg, Professor Emeritus of History at Kutztown University, the author of a biography about Meyer London, the New York Socialist Congressman, will discuss the issue of continuity and
discontinuity in American history. He will also conduct a poll of the audience. Similar polls in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 proved very accurate in predicting the results. So please join us and bring your friends. The event is sponsored by Congregation Brith Sholom and the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. It will be held at Congregation Brith Sholom, on Wednesday, November 2, at 7:30 p.m. For additional information call (610) 866-8009.
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GOLDEN DONATION Welcome Alexia Logan Rodwin, daughter of Scott & Marsha Rodwin
Judith Rodwin
DOUBLE CHAI DONATION
In honor of our aliyahs
Stan & Lora Geftic
In loving memory of parents and grandparents, Ernest & Freda Grotsky
Norm & Sandy Wruble
In honor of Owen, Ella, Evie & Grace from Zadie
Leonard Kornit In honor of Gina Vega’s birthday
Rabbi, Alexis, Miriam & Mordy Singer In loving memory of Steven Goldblat Casey Goldblat In memory of William Rosenzweig
Michael, Frances, Wendy & Norman Kaufmann
In honor of Ruthie chanting the Haftarah
Harry & Ruthie Shleifer In celebration of the birth of Alexia Logan, granddaughter of Judith Rodwin
Ed & Jannie Kay
In appreciation of our honors on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Eugene & Lisa Meyer
SILVER DONATION In appreciation of our High Holiday honors Andrew & Flora Pestcoe
In loving memory of Harold Hirsh-berg and June Hirshberg
Alan & June Koss Mazel tov to Aaron, Danielle, Toby and Rabbi Juda on the birth of Juliette Ella Juda
Jay & Fran Fisher
In honor of Rabbi Juda’s Wallen-berg Tribute
Jay & Fran Fisher In memory of Leo Pozefsky
Jay & Fran Fisher In honor of the birth of a new grandson to Sandy & Bunnie Piltch
Ed & Ursla Levy
In honor of the birth of a new granddaughter to Judith Rodwin
Ed & Ursla Levy
Best wishes for a complete recov-ery to Marilyn Kalnitsky
Ed & Ursla Levy
In loving memory of grandfather, Nathan P. Kroope
Richard Kroope & Family
In honor of Rabbi Juda receiving the Wallenberg Tribute award
Betsy Glazier
CHAI DONATION In honor of the birth of a new grandson to Sandy & Bunnie Piltch
Irving Kaplan
In memory of Jack Green, brother of Helen Cook
Elaine Rothfeld
Best wishes for a complete recov-ery to Marilyn Kalnitsky
Steve Bergstein & Nanci Goldman
Best wishes for a complete recov-ery to Marilyn Kalnitsky
Richard & Maria Ain
In appreciation for my honor on Kol Nidre
Ann Stehney
In appreciation of receiving the maftir Aliyah on the first day of Rosh Hashanah
Rabbi Allen Juda
In gratitude to Rabbi Michael Singer, President Ed Levy, the Brith Sholom Board and Congrega-tion for their support of the Wallenberg Tribute
Rabbi Allen Juda
TEMPLE DONATION Best wishes for a complete recov-ery to Jackie Herzon
Renee Gittler In honor of a new grandson to Sandy & Bunnie Piltch
Renee Gittler In honor of a new granddaughter to Rabbi & Toby Juda
Renee Gittler In honor of a new granddaughter to Leo & Marilyn Heitlinger Renee Gittler In honor of the birth of Sandy & Bunnie Piltch’s new grandson
Norm & Sandy Wruble
In loving memory of grandmother, Sarah Boganavitz
Norm & Sandy Wruble
In memory of Lew Saunders
Herb & Julia Saunders In memory of Peter Weinberg
Norm & Sandy Wruble
In honor of the birth of grandson, Axel to Sandy & Bunnie Piltch
Casey Goldblat In memory of Bienna Goldman
Steve Bergstein & Nanci Goldman
In memory of Sam Gould
Ron & Ann Gould
In honor of the birth of grand-daughter, Alexia to Judith Rodwin
Casey Goldblat
“Bring a gift to the Sanctuary And carry a blessing from the House
of God”
It is with gratitude that we acknowledge the following gifts given to the synagogue in
memory of or to honor and commemorate the people or events mentioned. It is a sacred
obligation and a unique privilege for each of us to be able to show such traditional support
and respect for our heritage and loved ones.
(Minimum contributions to each of the donation levels are: Temple/$10; Chai/$18;