Bulletin

January, 2015 10 Tevet – 11 Shevat 5775 Vol. 1 Published Monthly

BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE

DANIEL STEIN, RABBI ROBERT WEINER, PhD, CANTOR MARK SHRAGER, RABBI EMERITUS, ZT”L MORRIS SIEGEL, CANTOR EMERITUS, ZT”L

1545 BUSHKILL STREET • EASTON, PA 18042-3118 (610) 258-5343 • Fax: (610) 330-9100

www.bnaiabraham.org • email: office@bnaiabraham.org

THE

UNITED

SYNAGOGUE OF

CONSERVATIVE

JUDAISM

DISTRIBUTION NOTICE If you would like family members or others to receive a copy of the bulletin, please send name, address and $15 payment to Bnai Abraham.

If you have not sent your email address to Bnai Abraham office staff, please do so as soon as possible. We will be notifying congregants of emergencies and special events through email.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS The deadline for submitting items is January 17th. Please have all items to BAS office no later than January 17th. Any items received after that date will be published in the next month’s bulletin.

C O N T A C T S

Gerald Weisberger President & Programming Committee Chair

Howard Nathanson Youth Chair Shelly Blumenthal Gift Shop Chair Howard Nathanson Kadima Advisor Irwin Lewis, M.D. Men’s Club President &

Ritual Committee Chair Elaine Morrow Sisterhood President Ellen Lifschutz Choir Director Aliette and Marc Abo, MD Theatre Club Gerald Weisberger House Chair Lothar Gumberich Memorials & Torah

Restoration Committee

O F F I C E H O U R S:

Closed on Mondays and Fridays. Hours open: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Services/Minyan Schedule

Thursday: 7:25 AM Friday Night Services – 8:00 PM First Friday of Each Month – Simcha Shabbat: 6:30 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM Kiddush follows

If you require a special minyan, please notify the office at 610-258-5343.

A MESSAGE FROM RABBI DANIEL STEIN…

Towards the end of December, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency carried an amazing story: Argentina’s President, Christina Fernandez, had adopted Yair Tawil, the adult rabbi of a Chabad rabbi as her godson. Why? Because of an old Argentinean legend, which believed that the seventh–born son, provided he had no sisters, was bound to grow up to become el lobizon: the werewolf.

Until the 1920s, this superstition presented a terrible problem for Argentina: parents--terrified that their child would grow to be a demon--would practice infanticide rather than allowing the seventh child to mature. To counteract this problem, the president of Argentina, Dr. Juan Hipolito Yrigoyen, made every effort to de-stigmatize the seventh male son. He declared that every seventh male child would become his godson; he presented them with a special gold medal, and provided for all of their financial needs and education.

The idea worked: parents began to treasure their seventh child, and today it is considered an honor in Argentina for that child to be adopted by the president. They visit the presidential palace, receive a medal, and until this day, receive financial assistance for their education.

Until 2009, this honor was only given to Catholics in Argentina. But, in that year, the policy was changed and this year, Yair Tawil became the first Jewish werewolf to be redeemed by the president. Although he has already received his education, he did receive a medal, and with his family, visited the president’s residence, where he lit a menorah.

This story amazes me because it shows how even the worst curses in life can be transformed into blessings with creativity and ingenuity. Have you ever transformed an awful situation into a success? Email me, and we’ll share it here next month--and the best story will receive a special prize!

All the best,

Rabbi Stein

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE …

Shalom,

As we look forward to the winter months we hope to have a continuous stream of programming that will include speakers, movies, musical entertainment as well as normal and holiday services.

We will also be completing our plans to celebrate our 125 year anniversary which we hope will include participation of all of our members. Further information regarding this program will be forthcoming.

Have a healthy and safe winter season.

Best Regards, Jerry Weisberger President

KNITTING CLUB NEWS

BNAI ABRAHAM/TEMPLE COVENANT OF PEACE KNITTING CLUB

The Bnai Abraham/Temple Covenant of Peace Knitting Club has donated 25 hand-knitted and/or crocheted blankets to the 3rd St. Alliance’s Adult Day Services program and learning center, located in Easton. Please read more about this

amazing group in a letter from Gwen Jacobs found on the next page.

Thank you for all that you do.

KNITTING CLUB NEWS

Gwen A. Jacobs 511 Fairbanks Avenue Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 (908) 859-6509

December 1, 2014

Lap blankets donated to 3rd St. Alliance

The ladies of the joint Knitting club of B’nai Abraham Synagogue and Temple Covenant of Peace have just made a donation of 25 hand-knitted and/or crocheted blankets to the 3rd St. Alliance’s Adult Day Services program learning center. The shelter, located in Easton, provides safe accommodations for battered and/or homeless adults, and in some cases, their children.

The Knitting club has been in existence since 2006 and has contributed over 700 blankets to the following organizations: St. Luke’s Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, Meals on Wheels in Easton, Jewish Family Service of Allentown, and now to the 3rd St. Alliance. Several sets of scarves and hats were also knitted and donated to the Alliance. They were delighted to receive all the items, especially since the weather has turned cold.

Although it is difficult to accurately calculate the exact number of members we have, we estimate about 12-15 active members. We knit and/or crochet at different rates of speed. Some of our members are still working on their first blanket, while still another individual has already done more than 140. Other members do not knit or crochet at all, but provide yarn for those who do. Some of our members are housebound, others have profound difficulty with vision, but all have committed loving hearts. We range in age from young 90 to mature middle 40’s. Not all of our members are local or even members of the above organizations; some are totally independent and have no affiliation to any religious entity. Some send us blankets for our project from as far as California, Florida, and Arizona. We welcome all, of all faiths and all areas (yes, and even males), who have a desire to share their talent and bounty with those who are less fortunate. We gather once a month, usually on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 (G-d and weather permitting) in each other’s homes. We nosh a little with tea and coffee, tell marvelous jokes, keep each other abreast of news in town, people who need a little TLC, voice our opinions on everything from local politics to how G-d is running the world, and whether or not She needs help! If this appeals to you, come join us! We also accept yarn (not wool – must be acrylic and machine washable, worsted weight) and/or donations for purchase of yarns.

We have but 2 criteria for organizations who wish to receive our handicraft. They are: 1. Need 2. Non-profit. If there are any organizations which fit the criteria and wish to be included in our project, please contact either:

Gwen Jacobs Jessica Ytkin 511 Fairbanks Ave. 2321 Woodbridge Ter. Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 Easton, PA 18042 (908) 859-6509 (610) 253-8251

SIMCHA SHABBAT FRIDAY, JANUARY 2nd - TIME: 6:30 P.M.

Please join us for our musical Simcha Shabbat on Friday, January 2nd and stay for a special oneg to follow.

BETHLEHEM/EASTON HADASSAH BOOK AND FILM CLUB THURSDAY, JANUARY 15th, at 1:30 P.M.

FILM: Orchestra of Exiles

At the home of Judy Aronson 1804 Jennings St. Bethlehem, PA Phone: 610-867-7624

BNAI ABRAHAM SUNDAY FILM/DINNER SERIES SUNDAY, JANUARY 25th, – TIME 4:00 P.M.

Join us at Bnai Abraham on Sunday, January 25th at 4:00 pm.

Movie and (Italian) Restaurant – To Be Determined – Details will follow.

Come to one or come to both! We look forward to seeing you there!

The film is free – Dinner is Dutch Treat

JAVA AND JEANS SHABBAT SATURDAY, JANUARY 31st – 10:00 A.M.

Join us on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. for our monthly Shabbat service. This month Professor Bob Weiner will be discussing

European Anti-Semitism.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Yahrzeit List In the Bond of Life

January 2015

Contact Irwin Lewis, Ritual Chairman

January 2 Stanley Julian Richmond, beloved brother of Sheila Goldberg January 2 Cheryl Roscuk, beloved mother of Traci Marcus January 3 Hyman Zippel, beloved father of Marty Zippel January 4 Morris Yonkelowitz, beloved father-in-law of Frances

Yonkelowitz January 4 Gertrude Grollman, beloved mother of Joe Grollman January 6 Alice Phillips, beloved mother of David Phillips January 6 Edna Abeshaus, beloved mother of Alan Abeshaus January 7 Leonard Miller, beloved father of Linda Scheer January 9 Jay Scherline, beloved husband of Lorrie Scherline January 9 Irving Kaye, beloved father of Dan Kaye January 9 Ida Stein, beloved mother of Sanford Stein and beloved

grandmother of Daniel Stein January 12 Julius Gumberich, beloved father of Lothar Gumberich January 13 Jerome Lehman, beloved father of Ginger Schocker January 13 Trudy Braffman, beloved mother of Marsha Abraham January 14 Paul Cohen, beloved father of Marilyn Herschler January 15 Gordon Solomon, beloved father of Rita Reiter January 17 Pearl Zeitz, beloved mother of Jessica Ytkin January 18 Jennie Cravits, beloved mother of Doris Lifland January 20 Fred Geller, beloved father of Linda Bloch January 21 Jack H. Scheer, beloved father of Joel Scheer January 22 Arnold Falk, beloved brother of Howard and Norman Falk January 27 Eva Rubin Seidel, beloved mother of Norman Seidel January 27 Louis Cohen, beloved father of René Moskowitz January 28 Nachman Naftali Hertz, beloved grandfather of Herman

Ytkin January 29 Charlotte Cohen, beloved mother of René Moskowitz

BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE General operating expenses

Please consider a donation to Bnai Abraham Synagogue to cover “General Operating Expenses”. Your donations support our Congregation and strengthen our Jewish community here in Easton.

BEATRICE & LEON FRIEDMAN FUND 1.  Support organizations that benefit minor children whose parents are unable to

provide for their health, maintenance, support and education 2.  Needy, elderly 3.  Shelter for the homeless

BUILDING FUND Extraordinary maintenance and repair of the buildings and property of the synagogue and parsonage

SISTERHOOD CAMP RAMAH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND Interest only used to subsidize Bnai Abraham’s operating expenses

GOLDMAN/MERBAUM TORAH FUND

HERB SNYDER GARDEN FUND

JESSE & TAYLOR COOPER FUND

DR. JOEL LEWIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutoring stipends

JULIUS COHEN MEMORIAL FUND 1.  Religious School Scholarships 2.  Assisting needy congregational youth in Jewish-oriented education,

programming and activities (e.g. Yeshiva or Jewish Day School, trips, USY)

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

ROBERT KUTNER LIBRARY FUND

SHEILA GOLDBERG FUND To pay High Holiday fees for anyone who cannot afford to attend

SILVERMAN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Religious School Scholarships, Shofars

SISTERHOOD BUILDING FUND

SUE SEIGEL SHABBAT FUND 1.  Shabbat programming, including kiddush lunches 2.  Bagels and Books

SY JACOWITZ TOT SHABBAT FUND Boker Tov Scholarships

THEATER FUND Supports a wide variety of synagogue projects and functions

Bnai Abraham Synagogue Linda Adler in honor of Wendy and Lothar Gumberich’s 45th wedding anniversary. Paul Goldenberg has made a generous donation to Bnai Abraham Synagogue. Sid and Helene Kaplan in memory of Arnold Goldberg, brother of Miriam Cassel. Sid and Helene Kaplan wishing Sally and Dexter Neadle happiness and a good life in their new home. We will miss you. Doris Lifland wishing Sally and Dexter Neadle good luck and much happiness in their new home. I will miss you. Ruth Reiter wishing Sally and Dexter Neadle good health and happiness in their new location. They will be missed.

Goldman/Merbaum Torah Fund Sid and Helene Kaplan sending happy birthday wishes to Bernice Merbaum.

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund David Denenberg honoring all those who sponsor the Onegs. Sid and Helene Kaplan sending Happy Birthday wishes to Rabbi Stein. Herman and Jessica Ytkin in honor of Paul Strikwerda’s conversion. Herman and Jessica Ytkin in memory of Jack Stein’s wife, Mary Stein.

Sue Seigel Shabbat Fund Selma Jacowitz wishing Sally and Dexter Neadle good luck in their new home. Roger and Marna Simon in honor of Sally and Dexter Neadle’s move to their new home.

Yahrzeit Alan Abeshaus in memory of his aunt, Mollie Abeshaus. Marc Abo in memory of his mother, Bessie Abo. Marsha Abraham in memory of her father and mother, Harold and Trudy Braffman. Arthur Altman in memory of his father and his mother, Jacob and Ida Altman. Linda Bloch in memory of her mother and father, Annette and Fred Geller. Sally Brau in memory of her husband, Joseph Brau. Danny Cohen in memory of his mother, Freida Cohen. Nancy Cohen in memory of her father, Frank Aufrecht. Howard Falk in memory of his father, Joseph Falk. Shirley Falk in memory of her stepmother, Pearl Krasner. Ricky Hochhauser in memory of her father, Abraham Cohen. Les Hochhauser in memory of his father, Abner William Hochhauser. Sid Kaplan in memory of his sister, Dorothy Kaplan. Margaret Kaplan in memory of her father, Robert Wise. David Kaplan in memory of his uncle, Joseph Kaplan. Doris Lifland in memory of her husband, Elmer Lifland, her sister, Shirley Ytkin, and her mother, Jennie Cravits. René Moskowitz in memory of her father and mother, Louis and Charlotte Cohen. Sally Neadle in memory of her father, Arthur Kalb. Carol Rabinowitz in memory of her brother, John Schiavone. Helaine Sigal in memory of her father and mother, Morry and Dorothy Mermelstein. Sandy Weiner in memory of her father, Abe Greenberg. Gail Weisberger in memory of her father, Jules Zarchin.

Refuah Sh’lma (A Full and Complete Healing) To all who were sick or hospitalized, we wish a return to good health.

In memoriam May God in His Kindness Grant Comfort and Solace to the Mourners

Phoebe Altman David Denenberg

Ilya Gabriel Joe Grollman Andrew Shaw

Jack Stein

Todah Rabah

On Saturday, December 6th, we had a lovely kiddush in honor of two very special members, Sally and Dexter Neadle, who are leaving our community after fourteen years and moving to a new

home in northern New Jersey. We will miss them! Special thanks go to Sally Brau, Wendy and Lothar Gumberich, Sara Levin, Diane and Art Silverman, Marna Simon, Jessica and Herman

Ytkin, and Donna Stamets for helping to make the event memorable.

Thank you to Sally Brau for sponsoring the Kiddush on December 13th.

Kiddush is a perfect way to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary, and it allows you the opportunity to celebrate with our community. To sponsor a Kiddush for $36, please contact the synagogue office.

Do you have a celebration we should know about? Email office@bnaiabraham.org

Norman Seidel

Sisterhood News

It’s a New Year -- Be Part of Sisterhood

Join an extraordinary group of women to support the synagogue and have fun while doing it.

It’s the New Year – Send in your annual dues -- just $20

(Make check payable to Bnai Abraham Sisterhood and send to the office.)

Sisterhood members will be calling all the women in our congregation with the goal of making every

member feel part of our Jewish community.

Mitzvah Committee Let’s reach out to our members in times of

consolation or illness, celebrate happy events, and welcome new members. Let’s especially reach

out to Jewish residents (in and out of our congregation) at local facilities.

We can make a difference.

Contact Elaine Morrow with any questions or to get involved.

Call 484-515-3475 or email emorrow2542@gmail.com

The Ritual Corner For January Submitted by Irwin Lewis

The Shamash

The typical menorah consists of eight branches with an additional visually distinct branch - a Shamash or Attendant.

The Shamash is given a distinct location usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the Shamash is to have light available for practical use as using the Hanukkah lights themselves for purposes other than publicizing and meditating upon Hanukkah is forbidden.

General Announcements

Please notify Bnai Abraham Office in

writing if you move, if there is a marriage, children, family member entering a nursing home, or change in membership status. We do need to keep your records up to date.

Thank you.

MEN'S CLUB TOPICS FOR 2015

WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SPEAKERS! TOPIC NEED NOT BE JEWISH-RELATED AND CAN BE VERY

INFORMAL. PROFESSIONALS ARE WELCOME WITH EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION. PLEASE NO SOLICITATIONS.

CAMPAIGN FOR NEW MEMBERS - HELP WANTED!

We are asking every member of our congregation to help us locate prospective new members. They may be your neighbors, friends, vet, or whoever. Please relay the name and any pertinent information to Elaine Morrow, or the office staff at Bnai Abraham Synagogue.

AL’S CLEANERS - FUNDRAISER FOR BAS!

Bnai Abraham has been signed up at Al’s Cleaners, 1132 Northampton Street, to enable the synagogue to collect 10% of all sales of dry cleaning and laundry services that our congregants spend there. It’s easy. Just mention that you are a member of Bnai Abraham Synagogue, and they will credit the synagogue and send the proceeds periodically. Al’s is only about seven blocks from the synagogue, has very convenient hours, and does excellent work.

MOVING

Please notify the Bnai Abraham Synagogue office of any address changes to enable us to avoid charges for returned and undeliverable mail and to insure that you receive all mail being sent to you from the synagogue.

General announcements continued.......

SHOPPING AT AMAZON…A FUNDRAISER FOR BNAI ABRAHAM!

Click on the Amazon search link on the “Donations” page on the BAS website, and for any purchases made during your visit on Amazon.com, Amazon will contribute 4% to 15% of the purchase price to Bnai Abraham!

How it works:

Navigate to the BAS Donations webpage at http://www.bnaiabraham.org/donations.html and type any item keyword in the Amazon search box, and you will be transferred to Amazon.com. (You must use this link or purchases will not be traced to BAS). If you place items in your shopping cart and complete a purchase during your visit, Amazon will pay us a portion of the purchase price (not including shipping), that portion to range from 4% to 15% depending on the item category.

Rates for categories are posted on our website.

We encourage all of our members to shop on Amazon.com – but remember to only access Amazon.com through the BAS link at the below url or we will not get the purchase credit:

http://www.bnaiabraham.org/donations.html

Thank you for your continued support of BAS and HAPPY SHOPPING!

General announcements continued.......

Tree of Life

Permanently commemorate your simcha or celebrate a person!

The “Tree of Life” sculpture is on display in the BAS Main lobby known as Founders Hall.

It is used to honor and remember special events such as:

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

Birthdays

Anniversaries

Memorials

Engagements

Namings

Weddings

and any other special milestone or celebration!

Leaf: $140 Apple: $800

Or memorialize your loved one:

Stone at base of tree: $1,100

Dedicate a memorial plaque to be located on the

walls of the Sanctuary: $300

To honor your friends on the Walk of Life: $350

Lothar Gumberich, Chairman: 610-253-5263 BAS office: 610-258-5343

Jewish Family Service is committed to alleviating hunger in our community. Please join us in our efforts to accomplish this.

Thank you to everyone who has so generously contributed to our food pantry with non-perishable items or financial support. We are supported in the Lehigh Valley by Second Harvest, as well as by the contributions of food drives and individuals. We are looking to expand into the entire Lehigh Valley to our Jewish community, and we ask for your support.

If you have non-perishable items to donate, please either drop them at JFS or call and we will pick them up. Financial donations can be sent directly to JFS.

In our outreach, we need everyone to spread the word. If you know someone, either affiliated or not, who could benefit from any JFS service, tell them about us and have them call. JFS maintains confidentiality and professionalism. We will deliver emergency food packages or supplemental food boxes anywhere in the Lehigh Valley. In addition to providing food, our Benefits Checkup Program (BCU) is designed to assist low-income persons of retirement age and younger adults with disabilities to find and apply for federal, state and local benefits. JFS seeks to help individuals and families live healthier, more stable lives by providing professional counseling, education and community programs.

JFS would love to assist you in scheduling a food drive or creating a project that can help benefit persons in need. Please call JFS at (610) 821-8722 or go on our website for further information.

Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley

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