Temple Beth El Bulletin - FEBRUARY 2021 - SHEVAT/ADAR ALLENTOWN, PA - ShulCloud
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Temple Beth El Bulletin FEBRUARY 2021 - SHEVAT/ADAR ALLENTOWN, PA VOLUME 93, ISSUE #2
FEBRUARY 2021 VIRTUAL SERVICE SCHEDULE
*Information and links will be provided via our website www.bethelallentown.org
on the Home Page under “News and Notes”
Saturday, February 6, 10:00 AM Saturday, February 13th, 10:00 AM Friday, February 26th, 6:00 PM
Torah portion Yitro SHABBAT SHEKALIM/ROSH PURIM
*Live Streaming from the Sanctuary CHODESH Youth Led Kabbalat Shabbat
Havdalah Service 6:30 PM Torah portion Mishpatim *Streaming on Facebook
*Live Streaming on Facebook *Live Streaming from the Sanctuary Light Candles 5:32 PM
Havdalah Service 6:30 PM
Friday, February 12 , 6:00 PM
th *Live Streaming on Facebook Saturday, February 27th, 10:00 AM
Kabbalat Shabbat Led by Youth SHUSHAN PURIM
*Streaming on Facebook Friday, February 19th, 6:00 PM Torah portion T’tzavveh
Light Candles 5:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat *Live Streaming from the Sanctuary
*Streaming on Facebook Havdalah Service 6:30 PM
Light Candles 5:24 PM *Live Streaming on Facebook
Saturday, February 20th, 10:00 AM
SHABBAT ZACHOR
Torah portion T’rumah
*Live Streaming from the Sanctuary
Family Havdalah Service 6:30 PM
*Live streaming on ZOOM
We Need Your Help!
Rabbi Re’em will visit or contact the
members of Temple Beth El who are
in the local hospitals. HIPPA laws
prevent hospitals from releasing
medical information. Upon routine
admission, please use our Temple
Code 17: for all the locations for
Thursday, February 25th, 6:00 pm
Lehigh Valley Hospital and for all
EREV PURIM locations at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Congregational Purim Program with Congregation Brith Sholom
Congregational Megillah Reading 6:30 pm When admitted through Emergency
Room, please have your family
Friday, February 26th, 8:00 am member or friend notify the Temple
PURIM Minyan Beth El office.
Shacharit and Megillah Reading
2
Message From The Rabbi:
Among the last books to be included in the
Hebrew biblical canon in the 2nd century CE are the
Books of Esther, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes.
The Rabbis debated whether each of these were to be
considered “holy.” Song of Songs it was argued was
essentially love poetry and had no place in a holy
canon. The Book of Ecclesiastes was considered too
depressing to be included. And the Book of Esther
was seen as too secular since it did not mention any
divine intervention. Ultimately, of course, each one
of these books was included.
It is the secular nature of the Book of Esther
which I find most intriguing. Toward the end of
the Megillah, we read that the Jews of Shushan
“fulfilled and received” (Esther 9:23, 27) all that
Esther had instructed them. The repetition of this
phrase was seen by the Rabbis as the Jewish people
fulfilling “what they had already received.” That is, “Megillah” artist Yaeli Vogel
from the rabbinic perspective, when Israel received
the Torah at Mt. Sinai G-d held the mountain over
them threateningly and said, “If you accept My
Torah, well and good, but if you don’t, here you
will be buried!” What kind of covenant is that? If
CHAI SOCIETY
the Torah was accepted by the Jewish people under
duress, and not freely, could it really be legally Temple Beth El Chai’ly Chai’er Level
binding? Given that problem, the Jewish people had appreciates the support of Bonnie & Bobby Hammel
to voluntarily accept their legal obligation to Torah our Chai Society Members
L’Chaim Level
later, during the time of Achashverosh. Hence, for 2021:
Jean Wiener
their understanding of the repetition of the phrase Your generosity and participation
“fulfilled and received” in the Book of Esther refers in this program subsidizes school Double Chai Level
to their voluntary acceptance of Torah. scholarships and programs, adult
education programs, and Jewish
I like to view this rabbinic teaching in the Talmud Family Life Education programs.
in a modern sense. Given the secular nature of the
Book of Esther and the secular times in which we
live today, for all of us the Jewish Tradition is one of
“fulfilled and received.” Each of us has to voluntarily Temple Beth El
take it upon ourselves to observe not only Purim, 1305 Springhouse Road
Allentown, PA 18104
but any Jewish holiday or ritual. The willingness to (610) 435-3521
Website address: bethelallentown.org
voluntarily observe Judaism and keep it alive is just Affiliated with the
as important as the physical survival of the Jewish United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
people. Without that will and determination, given Moshe Re’em............................................................. Rabbi
our long history of diaspora living, it is doubtful that Kevin D. Wartell ........................................................ Cantor-Educator Emeritus
Marc Fisher ................................................................ President
Judaism would have survived. That, for me, is the Michelle Rohrbach .................................................... Executive Director
Alicia Zahn ................................................................ Religious School Director
true miracle of Purim. Shari Spark ................................................................ Coordinator of Ritual & Services
Greg Harris ................................................................ Chairman of the Board
Wishing all of you a very joyous Purim! Marla Melman ........................................................... Vice Chair of the Board
Morgan Godorov ....................................................... Senior Vice President
Roy Benasaraf & Greg Harris ................................... Fundraising Co Vice Presidents
Rabbi Moshe Re’em Michael Finley ........................................................... School Vice President
................................................................................... Membership Vice Presidents
Ruth Nathanson ......................................................... Secretary
Morgan Godorov ....................................................... Treasurer
Elizabeth Lischner ..................................................... Financial Secretary
Amy Jaffe, Chelsea Karp & Rachel Shurman ........... Sisterhood Co-Presidents
Roy Benasaraf ........................................................... Men’s Club President
3
4
President’s Message
Some 18 months ago I became President of Temple dedicated volunteers, the Board of Directors and the
Beth El. For nearly half of that time we have been Membership Committee for periodically phoning you
living under the umbrella of COVID-19. To say that to check in on you and make sure that your needs are
period has been anything but a whirlwind would be met, and to verify that everyone else’s needs are met as
an understatement. Yet, we have managed to not only well.
persevere, but to thrive as well. I thought it would
Thirdly, the Rabbi and Shari deserve much credit
be timely for me to share with you some of those
as well for their adaptability and creative ingenuity.
accomplishments.
Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah services have become
Firstly, when the pandemic became known, we staples in many of our homes. And when the Religious
formed a COVID-19 Response Team to guide us through School students participate, it has become a must-
new and challenging situations. With their leadership see event. We have held outdoor Shofar blowing and
and the commitment of our staff, we have been able to Hanukkah lighting services. And who can forget the
keep our building and staff functioning as smoothly as well-received virtual High Holiday Services, some of
ever. We have not had any known exposures within which had over 600 views. Our Ritual and Services
our building, and we have not had the need to perform Committee has been examining the issue of virtual
a deep cleaning of it. Our Team continues to meet as services and is analyzing what lessons we can learn and
needed. With vaccinations now beginning, the focus of apply once in-person gatherings occur.
the Team will now shift to how and when we can safely
And lastly and most importantly, on behalf of the
reopen.
Board of Directors, I want to thank you. Our membership
Secondly, our Programming Committee, in level has remained steady throughout COVID-19.
conjunction with the Rabbi, Shari and staff, have strived You responded to our High Holiday security appeal.
to find creative methods for keeping membership You helped raise nearly $12,000.00 from the Pakapoo
engaged. Among other activities, there have been tours 2 event which was needed to sustain our school and
of Israel, a movie, bingo, a magic show, museum tours, beautiful building. You have reaffirmed the significance
etc. It is critically important that we remain engaged, and mission of Temple Beth El.
so that if you have an idea for an upcoming program
Stay Safe
or would like to sponsor a program, please contact the
office staff. In fact, I want to thank the office staff, our Marc
JEWISH MUSIC AND MORE EVERY FRIDAY
Hosted by
Cantor Kevin Wartell
8 AM – 9:30 am
WMUH 91.7
Jewish music,
along with messages
of spiritual wisdom
www.muhlenberg.edu/wmuh/stream.html
5
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The Masks We Wear
Shari Spark, Ritual and Service Coordinator
January 6th, 2021, the day of the Capitol riots, will unsure how they should react, and were embarrassed
go on to “live as a day of infamy”. We’ve had far too for their country and its standing as the empire of the
many of these infamous days of late. Too many days world.
where we speak what we think without thinking first;
How, according to the story, do they act upon this
too many days where we close our ears because we
feeling of embarrassment? According to the text, they
cannot muster the strength to hear the words of others;
are more inclined to take a wait-and-see approach. They
too many days where, unfathomably, it feels better
seem to hide behind the decree, as if they have no other
to lash out by fighting than to reach out with loving
choice; perhaps they truly have none.
intentions; many, many days of hiding behind what we
say we stand for, but not really taking that stand. When thinking about Purim celebrations this year,
remember that we don’t need to wait and see what the
As of the writing of this article, the United States
evil decree will bring. Can we challenge ourselves to
stands on the precipice with no clear answers in sight.
remove our masks? Can we see more clearly without
The Purim story offers more about infamous times them, sharing our real thoughts and fears, admitting
than it does about happily donning a mask and twirling that we are embarrassed and confused? I for one am
a gragger. The Jews, scheduled for slaughter in the exhausted from all the [virtual] shouting, engaging in
city of Shushan and the 127 provinces under the reign arguments with people I don’t even know, trying to
of a dotty king and his evil minister, keenly felt their have conversations with people I do and having those
dire situation. But, imagine you’re an average citizen conversations hijacked by others. Maybe the answer, as
of Shusan. Or why imagine? The Megillah gives us someone posted, is to “just scroll on by.”
the answer as to what they were experiencing: “And
I know I can’t engage everyone I disagree with in a
the citizens of Shushan were confused.” The word for
meaningful dialogue, but I’d really like to try. I’d really
confused, הכובנ, can also mean embarrassed, which
like to stop feeling confused and hope you’ll join me in
might signal a clearer idea as to their state of mind. The
taking off our masks this Purim.
Jews among them were suddenly being picked out for
extermination! The non-Jewish citizens were certainly
Please join us
Thursdays at 10 am
Join us for weekly Parashat Study Group. Learn
about the Weekly Torah portion. Our dynamic
and interactive study group with members of the
Congregation, helps prepare us for Shabbat!
If you are interested in joining with us, please contact
Shari Spark at shari@bethelallentown.org
7
SOUP KITCHEN DONATIONS
Clementine and/or Brownies
Next Drop OFF date ....
Monday, February 22nd
Please drop off a bag of CLEMENTINE or a
disposable tray of BROWNIES to
Amy Morrison’s house,
1493 Buck Trail Road, Allentown.
There is a large plastic covered container
on the porch, for your donations.
Monday afternoons before the fourth Tuesday
of each month, Amy Morrison will deliver
your Clementine, and or Brownies to the Soup
Kitchen. If you would like an email reminder, or
with any questions please email Joanne Palumbo
at DocRobP@aol.com.
Thank you from the
Chesed Committee of Temple Beth El.
8
Sisterhood Message:
We started the New Year bonding with Sisterhood Thanks to our dynamic duo - Erica Stein and Alli
members near and far as Gail Eisenberg shared her Lipson for organizing the sale and purchase of the
presentation, The History that Speaks for Itself - The many gift cards sold through Sisterhood these past two
Women’s Stories. This Brunch & Learn highlighted years. If you are in need of a gift card, simply reach out
pillars of our community who have given the Lehigh to either Erica or Alli and they can offer a contactless
Valley the reputation of having strong female shopping experience. We are looking for one to two
philanthropic leaders. As wives, Hadassah volunteers, people to coordinate the gift card program for the 2021-
and professionals, these women of strong Jewish values 2022 program year. You can do it all from the comfort
and action were instrumental in creating a community of your couch! If you are interested please contact one
that empowered women to effect change. With over 40 of us for more details.
people in attendance, including some of the featured
Planning is underway for our first ever Virtual
women, we were thrilled to spend the morning with
Woman’s Passover event. The tentative date is Thursday
so many of you. Thank you Gail for sharing this oral
evening, March 18th. If you would like to be involved
history with us.
with this special program, let us know.
The annual Sisterhood Shabbat was a Sisterhood
As always, if you are interested in becoming a part
Havdalah this year, organized by Miriam Pitkoff,
of one of our committees, please don’t be shy. It’s a
Alison Post, and Shari Spark on January 23rd. The entire
great way to get connected to our synagogue and our
Temple Beth El family was invited to close out Shabbat
Sisterhood members, and it’s a lot of fun too! We have
as we sang songs with Rabbi Noah Diamondstein of
something for everyone.
Temple Sinai in Washington DC, followed by the
Havdalah service. The besamin (spice bags) created by We have a lot more in store for Sisterhood during
Miriam Pitkoff made the evening even more special. the early part of 2021. Watch your emails for updates
Thank you to our committee and to our community for and check out our Facebook page for information on
coming together for a wonderful evening filled with upcoming programs. We hope to “see” many of you at
prayer, friendship, laughter and singing. some of our upcoming virtual programs. As soon as it
is safe (which we hope will be very soon), we will start
January was jewelry month at the Sisterhood Gift
offering some in person programs again.
Shop! Visit www.bethelallentown.org and click on the
pink gift shop button located in the bottom left corner Stay warm and stay safe!
of the home page to view our inventory and monthly L’Shalom,
specials. A special thank you goes out to Jill Steigerwald
and Andy Kopyt for making the shopping contactless Amy Jaffe, Chelsea Karp and Rachel Shurman
and to Laurie Eisenberg for creating the beautiful Sisterhood Co-Presidents
marketing to help advertise. Check-in regularly as new
specials are announced each month.
Stationery, Invitations, Personalized Gifts
Business Cards & Stationery,
Custom Coloring & Calligraphy...quick and discounted!
Lori Wiener 610 - 398 - 8599
9
February Yahrzeits
The following are the names of our beloved departed whose Yahrzeits will be observed this month
2/1/2021 2/7/2021 2/12/2021 2/16/2021 2/20/2021
Jeannette S. Cohen Ida Erlich Mazaltov Cabessa Cohen Minna Bandler Arthur Anson
Rosalie F. Coleman Herman Gellar Edward H. Coleman Saadia Cohen Mahin Davidi
Harry Aaron Glazier Jean Glickstein Belle Garfinkel Howard Stephen Epstein Sadie Denitz
Bess E. Gross Jacob D. Goldstone Bernard Kobrovsky Fannie Frank Muriel Frank
Sadie Bertha Karess Herman Klein Jacob Krull Robert Kopyt Lois Gertner
Samuel Kobrovsky Ann Marcus Adele H. Landau David Kreindel Leonard Glickman
Isadore Max Claire Rosencrantz Mildred Lockspeiser Myra D. Levy Shokrolah Mabourakh
Ida Edith Max Mary Shabrinsky Mildred Needle Lillian Post Stanley E. Rosenbloom
Anna Morganstein Murray Wax Howard Plessner James Schwab Lillian Roth
Minnie Perlman 2/8/2021 Norman Shubinsky Elliot Smith Anna Schiff
Henry J. Ross Mark Beck Meyer Stein 2/17/2021 Theresa Somach
Neil Schwab Leonore “Lee” Berkowitz 2/13/2021 Bernard Bergstein Frieda Weinzimer
Karl Teger Henrietta Berkwits Jacob Cohen David M. Greenberg 2/21/2021
2/2/2021 Benjamin Diamond Sara Coleman Mildred Hirsch Eleanor Diamond
Joseph Abrams Rae Kline Rose Dobnoff Jules Jaspan Morris Dicker
Maurice Bloom Ruth Miller Harry Eckert Charlotte Roth Herman Fershtman
Beatrice Coleman Esther Schneider David Joel Forgosh Richard Roth Leonard German
Louis Goldstein Jennie Snyderman Samuel Hymowitz Harry Shabrinsky Marion Gershman
2/3/2021 Fannie Sullum Allan Lichtenthal Harry A. Smith Beatrice G. Lichter
Sarah Katz David Wolensky Helen Listwa Max Waitz Anna Melamut
Bessie Molovinsky Jennie Wolfe David Phillips 2/18/2021 Louis Saltzman
Eva Neiditch Morton Zelickson Saul A. Riback Louis Blinderman Harry Schiffer
Yetta Newberg 2/9/2021 Emanuel G. Scoblionko Bertha Braunstein Ruth E. Scholick
Sidney Shabrin Sarah Getz Harry Simkowitz Lewis Brenner 2/22/2021
Benno Westheim Molly Levy Louis Snyderman Rita Comer Evelyn Anson
Florence Litwak Larry Stempel Wilma Feldman Sadie M. Cohen
2/4/2021 Louis Strauss
Richard B. Bandler Fredric R. Mann Rebecca Fisher Ira Cohen
Arnold Miller Marion Sussman Harry Goldstein Stanley Cylinder
Isadore Baringoldz Mollie Wasserman
Albert I. Goldstein Martha Oberson Sarah Levenson Harriet Dorman
Louis Rudman Joseph Yarus Edith Mellner Linda Goodstein
Henry Marcus Louis Zales
Frieda Oster 2/10/2021 Ileane Schwartz Minnie Kessler
David Seiden Sara Abrams 2/14/2021 Florence Volk Ruth Langsam
Betty Artzt Edith Beeten Lorraine Lesavoy Weisberger Henry Lowy
2/5/2021 Charles Fletcher Albert Weiner
Benjamin Abramowitz Yuri Ayzman 2/19/2021
Clara Violet Finkel Nan S. Havsy Stephen Anson Simon Zoslovsky
Sarah Bell Marvin Holtz
Herman Field Isadore Helper Minna Finkelstein 2/23/2021
Harry Katz Marilyn Linn Linda Sue Forman David Bank
Jerome Goodstein Elaine Pinhas
Blanka Knie Lena Kottek Don Harris Lida Feig
Abraham Malenovsky Harry A. Rudman Rose Kaiser Celia Gahuse
Ben Salitsky
Morris Seiff Lewis Mellner 2/15/2021 Jacob Malenovsky Albert Goldfarb
Allen H. Nowak Jack Avrich Jerome Morse Irvin Haas
2/6/2021 Margery A. Rubel Hilda Bellow Samuel Pomerantz Dr. A. Alfred Kricun
Alfred Beck Dyna Gorfinkel Clara Rickel Issac Praid
Rose Cohen 2/11/2021
Gussie Forman Resha Heber Leonard Rosenfield Harold Schonfeld
Reverend William Flax Mark Kennedy Larry Roth Paula Shaw
Eva B. Frank Harold Glantz
Mordechai Kiwalewich Julian Levin Reba Scoblionko Adolph Wiener
Harry Gotthelf Max London Barbara Solowey Max Wruble
Ann Harrison I. Lawrence Lesavoy
Edward I. Linchuk William L. Lurie Monroe Wimmer Maly Zighelboim
James Lustig Gwen B. Neff
Louis Miller Ben Lipsky
Jerome Markowitz Gittel Nemetz
David Ira Schobel Ida Rosen
Jennie Sheinen Sidney Mehrman
Yisroail Dovid Miller Sophie Savod
Barney Snyder
Frances Willner
Honor or Memorialize your loved ones by endowing a tree for $1,000 at Beth El Memorial Park
The tree chosen will be marked by a permanent Memorial Plaque. Other items are also available to endow.
Contact: Ivan Schonfeld 610-395-8770
10February Yahrzeits continued It’s A Simcha... Mazel Tov
2/24/2021 2/26/2021
Myer Balis Marilyn Bonfeld Laurie & Marc Berson on the birth of their grandson,
Elena S. Berg Arlene Feingertz
Noah Grant Berson, son of Drs. Kourtney & Andrew
Freda Block Khava Gelfer
Nellie Helper Gertrude Kahan Berson.
Sarah Lebovitz Marvin Kushnick Vicki & Richard Schiff on the birth of their grandson,
Morris Rubenstein Jared Lichtenthal
Samuel Patrick Watters.
Dr. Edward Weiner Alvin Luftman
Samuel A. Weiss Helen Lynn Vicki & Richard Schiff in honor of their grandson, Ari’s
2/25/2021 Florence Magida Bar Mitzvah.
Pauline Gotthelf Marc Mintzer
Helen Nemetz Barbara & Fred Sussman in honor of their
Philip Gross
David Karess Sydell Schlosser granddaughter Dahlia’s Bat Mitzvah.
Abraham Katz Dr. Leonard Schonberger
Dr. Edward Shapiro Marlene & Arnan Finklestein on the Bat Mitzvah of
Nathan Lischner
their granddaughter.
Audrey Perskie 2/27/2021
Marion Praid Jack Ansell Jerry Farris on the marriage of her grandson, Justin Lee
Fruma Ratsprecher Lester Mendelsohn Ballew to Cat Fraizer.
George Scoblionko 2/28/2021
Marshall Silverstein Lota & Bob Post on their 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Louis Kaplan
Martin Spiro Paul H. Langer Sam Oxfeld, son of Jennifer & Gary Oxfeld on his
Mollie Miller becoming a National Merit Semi Finalist.
Tillie Pollack
Mildred Sher Lauren Knafo, daughter of Heidi & Jerry Kanfo, on her
Berta Szechy passing the Pennsylvania Bar Examination. A Mazel Tov
to her grandmothers, Rosine Knafo and Manya Stein.
Bonnie & Bobby Hammel in honor of receiving the JCC
Extraordinary Service Award.
Memorial Plaques
have been lovingly dedicated in the memory of
Robert M. Mendelson
In Memoriam
The congregation extends its heartfelt sympathy to
the family of …
Ernestine Urken
Beloved Mother of our Congregant, Robert Hammel
11TEMPLE BETH EL TRIBUTE FUNDS
Remembering a loved one or marking a special occasion is often done with Tzedakah,
making a donation in honor or memory of a special person or event.
Reminder: Minimum Contribution To All Temple Funds is $10.00.
DR. STANLEY STEIN LIBRARY FUND TEMPLE FUND
MEMORIAL FUND Provides funds to purchase books & resource Supports the general operating budget of our
In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of: materials synagogue.
Stanley Stein – Jerry & Heidi Knafo & Family In Honor Of: In Honor Of:
Arnan & Marlene Finkelstein on the Bat Mitzvah of Rance & Sheryl Block on the birth of their grandson,
CAMP RAMAH FUND their granddaughter – Ben & Ellen Weinberger Austin – Mark & Deena Scoblionko; Vicki Wax;
Provides scholarships for children attending Camp In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of: Jerry & Ethel Melamut
Ramah summer programs. Margaret Beneman – Ben & Ellen Weinberger Rob & Amy Morrison on the birth of their
In Appreciation Of: granddaughter, Madison – Marc & Laurie Berson
Rabbi & Adina Re’em; Shari Spark; Marcia MINYAN FUND Eugene & Inna Vishnevetsky on the marriage of their
Linebarger; Howard & Nancy Amols; John & Provides resources for Minyan expenses. daughter, Anna to Josh Paul – Michael & Carole
Miriam Botzum for your participation & leadership In Memory Of: Langsam
in our Chavurat Torah Group – Jeannie Miller Martha Segel – Herb & Linda Levy Jim & Michelle Rohrbach on the engagement of their
Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr for your prayers In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of: son, Matthew – Jerry & Ethel Melamut
during challah baking and participation in our Lena Ginsburg – Jerry & Gloria Ginsburg Bob & Laura Black on the marriage of their daughter,
Chavurat Torah Group – Jeannie Miller MORTON R. LEVY USY Stefanie to Alex Alcheh – Herb & Linda Levy
In Memory Of: In Memory Of:
Elwood Kolb – Jay & Evelyn Lipschutz SCHOLARSHIP FUND Elwood Kolb – Marc & Laurie Berson; The Terrace
In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of: Provides scholarships to youth group members of our
at Phoebe Residents; Richard & Barbara Buehler;
Lisa Bratt; Shirley Lipschutz – Jay & Evelyn chapter to participate in USY conventions.
Paul Terman
Lipschutz In Honor Of:
In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of:
Jay & Bobbi Needle on the birth of their grandson –
Martin Goldstein – Jerry & Gloria Ginsburg
CULTURAL ARTS FUND Bruce & Jill Steigerwald
Blake Golding – Amy Golding
Provides funding to support musical & artistic In Memory Of:
Philip Hindin – Robert Cohen
programs embracing cultural content. Elwood Kolb – Jay & Bobbi Needle
Eva Shubinsky – Shirley Furmansky
In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of: In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of:
Mildred Glickman – Nancy Passione
Myrtle Corbman – Ellen Varenhorst Kenneth Bernhard – Carol Bernhard
Abraham Aaron Mandel – Jean Mandel
E. G. SCOBLIONKO RELIGIOUS RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Esther Sacks – Rosalie Sacks Levine
Abraham Sussman – Lillian Kobrovsky
SCHOOL FUND For charitable purposes at the discretion of the
Bernard Halperin – Esther Halperin
Provides assistance for religious school tuition for Rabbi.
Eva Rosenthal; Marjorie Stillman; Eva Bartenow –
families in need & non-budgeted items for the school. In Honor Of:
Sandi Teplitz on her new home – Homes & Jeannie Betty Mendelson
In Honor Of:
Irvin Dantsker – Judith Tamaroff
Rance & Sheryl Block on the birth of their grandson, Miller
In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of: Jerry Duckett – June Duckett
Austin & the marriage of their son, Josh – Bruce &
Antoinette Roman –Steve & Nancy Oberlender Pauline Warshaw – Susan Berman
Jill Steigerwald
Max Stettner – Shelley Stettner Stan Wax; Carole Koved – Vicki Wax
In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of:
Michelle Hindin-Cohen – Robert Cohen Sid Levy – Herb & Linda Levy
David Langer – Elaine Langer
Harold Mindler – Linda Levy Complete Recovery Of:
FLORAL FUND Complete Recovery Of: Roy Benasaraf – Doug & Ruth Nathanson
Provides floral arrangements for the High Holidays, Marvin Hoffman – Diane Laubach
Sukkah decorations, & Bimah arrangements as
needed.
ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION
In Honor Of: FUNDS
Shari Spark – Gary & Jennifer Oxfeld Provides long term funding for our Temple.
In Memory Of:
Elwood Kolb – Carol Robins
ENDOWMENT PHILANTHROPIC
KIDDUSH FUND FUNDS
Assists with costs associated with providing weekly
Onegs and Kiddushim after Shabbat services.
In Observance Of The Yahrzeit Of: IRWIN & ELLEN SCHNEIDER
Suzanne May – Rick & Melanie May PHILANTHROPIC FUND
Lawrence Schiff – Rosalie Schiff In Honor Of:
Rance & Sheryl Block on the birth of their grandson,
Austin – Irwin & Ellen Schnedier
In Memory Of:
Stuart Crames – Irwin & Ellen Schneider
12School Shmooze... by Alicia Zahn, Religious School Director
I am really looking forward to Purim when we get to don a mask – for fun! As with every holiday, there is so
much to learn about our history (what were we doing in Persia anyway?), about our customs (why the dressing
up?), and with our mitzvot (the commandments associated with this holiday). Each and every holiday also helps us
to clarify our values. In hearing the Book of Esther, notice which characters grow and learn and which ones remain
stagnant. Vashti decides to assert herself. Esther, at first not sure she should risk her life, chooses bravery. Mordechai,
a proud Jew, suggests to Esther that she take a different path and hide her identity at first. Even King Achashveros,
who once believed all Haman said, changed his mind upon hearing what Esther had to say. It is only Haman who
remains stubborn throughout the story – BOO! It is the villainous one who has a closed mind. This is a powerful value
to teach our children. Every biblical hero is flawed because perfection is not what we strive for. Instead, look at the
growth in our heroes. Notice how they listen and really hear and how they allow new information and circumstances
to change themselves. Who are the real heroes and what can we learn from them?
If you can answer YES to the
FEBRUARY SCHOOL CALENDAR questions below, then YOU
(All Virtual) are just the mensch we are
looking for!
Feb 3 (Wed) Parent Mindfulness (part 1)
Feb 7 (Sun) Grade 6 Family Program Do you have at least TWO hours to spare each week?
Feb 10 (Wed) Parent Mindfulness (part 2) Can you read Hebrew?
Feb 12 (Fri) Youth Service (Facebook Live 6:00pm) Are you familiar with the tunes of prayers at Beth El?
Feb 14 (Sun) NO SCHOOL Do you enjoy helping children learn?
Feb 15 (Mon) No Midrasha Do you know how to join a Zoom meeting?
Feb 20 (Sat) Family Havdalah (Zoom 5:30pm) We need a few more people to work one-on-one
Feb 21 (Sun) School Family Purim Event! with our students each week. You can get to know a
student and help them learn at their individual pace.
Feb 25 (Thurs eve) Purim SAMEACH! Join in the fun!
Training and mentorship provided. This can be a
paid or a volunteer position. Please contact Alicia at
school@bethelallentown.org to help our Jewish
future thrive!
PARENTS:
SAVE THE DATE FOR PURIM FUN! We can all use a little self-care right now. Join us
February 21st will start with virtual fun with the Bible for an hour of mindfulness just for you on Feb 3rd.
Players followed by a drive around the town CARnival! Then join us on Feb 10th for tips on how to use these
calming techniques with your children. For more
information, see flyer or contact the school office.
Last year’s
faculty at Purim
time and this
year’s faculty
meeting to plan
for Purim. What
a difference a
year makes but
WE ARE STILL
SMILING!
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