Bulletin

April, 2015 12 Nisan – 11 Iyar 5775 Vol. 4 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 April 17th. Please have all items to BAS office no later than April 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…

Late in March, I attended the J Street Conference; J Street is a political lobby that identifies itself as being both pro-Israel and pro-peace. Shortly after a session in which former Secretary of State James Baker reiterated the need for a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, neoconservative Bill Kristol tweeted, “James Baker & J Street. The anti-Israel pre-Reaganite GOP meets the anti-Israel post-Clinton left.” After three days of learning and lobbying with J Street, I can say with confidence that Kristol’s tweet is an unfair characterization of both Secretary Baker and J Street. While I’ve supported J Street tacitly for many years as a member of their Rabbinic Cabinet, this was my first year participating in their conference. I left Washington convinced that J Street’s political activities were not only essential for Israel’s security, but also necessary for continued engagement between America, America’s Jewish community, and the state of Israel.

Two anecdotes stood out for me as representative of J Street’s essential role in pro-Israel advocacy. During one of the opening sessions, I was seated with a group of young women from Oberlin College. Famously liberal, in recent years, Oberlin has come to serve as a kind of stand–in for every (ultra?) liberal campus in America; its most famous alumna these days is Lena Dunham, creator of HBO’s Girls. J Street’s pro-peace, anti-occupation stance might be considered liberal at a college like the University of Pennsylvania. At Oberlin, though, because they oppose the BDS movement while supporting peace, J Street U students are considered right wing. Yet, in Washington, 33 Oberlin students (out of a college of 3000) came to learn about Pro-Israel advocacy. On their campus, these students fill a void where organizations further to the right struggle. J Street U’s sincerity about a two state solution allows them to engage in dialogue with other young Jews who might not appreciate why, even though Israel is sometimes flawed, it has a right to national self determination as a Jewish and democratic state.

Later, I heard American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten speak about her relationship with J Street. Over the last several years, academic unions and professional organizations have actively engaged in debate about boycotting Israel; Weingarten--a progressive Zionist--wanted to guide her union on a path away from boycotts and towards deeper engagement. With J Street, she led a mission of AFT local presidents to Israel and the Palestinian Territories. With J Street, they met the heads of Israeli and Palestinian unions, and visited dual language schools where Jewish Israelis and Arab Israelis study and play together. The AFT leaders left their tour inspired--but without a desire to boycott. Instead, they realized that though Israel was not entirely perfect, and that the peace process with the Palestinians was fraught with challenges, the path towards peace required engagement--not boycotts. The union created an initiative to partner with schools promoting peace and coexistence. Instead of divesting from Israel, by partnering with J Street, the union actually reinvested in the Jewish state. By being a strong pro-Israel voice on the left, J Street creates an essential space for discussion.

The majority of American Jews love Israel--we want to see it safe and secure.. I want my daughter to have the same opportunities I had--to learn and study in our ancestral home. Well-intentioned people, though, can disagree on the path that will lead Israel to greater stability. My belief is that the greatest threat to such security is the prolonged conflict with the Palestinian people--a conflict that can only be resolved by two states for two people. I am grateful that J Street has taken up the banner for advocating for Israel by advocating for peace.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE …

Time seems to pass every so quickly, it’s hard to believe that we are preparing for Passover and at the same time working on preparations for our Golden Anniversary of the building on Sunday, April 26th at 5:00 p.m.

This year again with the help the JFL and ELC we partner for the 2nd Seder with Temple Covenant of Peace. Passover is a wonderful holiday in that it brings together the entire Easton Jewish Community.

Gail and I wish you all a joyous time with family and friends.

Jerry Weisberger, President

UPCOMING EVENTS

PASSOVER SERVICE SCHEDULE

Friday, April 3 - No Service

First Day of Passover, Saturday April 4th – 9:30 a.m.

Second Day of Passover, Sunday, April 5th – 9:30 a.m.

Final Day of Passover Sunday, April 11th – 9:30 a.m.

Yizkor – 11:00 a.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

BETHLEHEM/EASTON HADASSAH BOOK AND FILM CLUB THURSDAY, ARPIL 16th, at 1:30 P.M.

BOOK: A Guide for the Perplexed

by Dara Horn

At the home of Reba Marblestone, 4503 Harriet Lane, Bethlehem, PA Please RSVP Reba at 610-419-3163

BNAI ABRAHAM/TEMPLE COVENANT OF PEACE KNITTING GROUP WEDNESDAY MORNING – APRIL 15th, at 10:30 A.M.

Please note the knitting group will be meeting at the home at the home of Diane Silverman

5 Lantern Place, Easton, PA Please RSVP to Sheila at 610-258-5389

JEWISH FEDERATION ISRAEL’S 67TH BIRTHDAY PICNIC

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 – TIME 4:30 TO 6:30 P.M.

Bring your own kosher-style dinner or falafel is available for purchase.

Moon Bounce Gaga

Festive Music Israeli pride march

Israeli-themed activities Visit the Western Wall

Free and open to the community. Rain or Shine

Contact the Jewish Federation at 610-821-5500, for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mark your calendar and RSVP (610-258-5343)

This spring marks the 50th anniversary of our building in Wilson Borough. To commemorate this momentous occasion in our history, the Bnai Abraham Sisterhood is planning an evening to honor all our achievements over the last five decades and to look forward toward our future.

We are aiming for 100% attendance from our congregation. Please invite family and friends who have celebrated special moments here at Bnai Abraham. Get the word out for a great reunion celebration.

Finally, we are gathering photos from significant events in our congregation's history. If you have family photos of your simchas, please bring them or send then to Irene in our office to have them scanned. They will be returned.

SAVE THE DATE and RSVP!! Delicious food, great music, a chance to share and reconnect.

$50 per person.

Please Note: This event is being underwritten by generous grants from the Bnai Abraham Sisterhood, the Easton Leadership Council of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and the Theater Fund. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available; 100% of the proceeds will support our program expenses.

SPECIAL JAVA AND JEANS SHABBAT SATURDAY, APRIL 25th, at 10:00 A.M.

Join us on Saturday, April 25th, at 10:00 a.m. for our

Special Service celebrating Bnai Abraham’s 50th anniversary.

JAVA &

JEANS

UPCOMING EVENTS

JEWISH HERITAGE NIGHT THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015– GAME TIME: 7:05 P.M.

Please see the announcement below about Jewish Heritage Day at the Iron Pigs. We have set aside a block of tickets for Bnai Abraham. Please contact the office to reserve your spot.

RABBI MARK SHRAGER UNVEILING SUNDAY, MAY 3rd, at 12:00 P.M.

The unveiling for Rabbi Mark Shrager will be held on Sunday, May 3rd at the Har Jehuda Cemetery at 12:00 p.m.

A luncheon will follow at 1:00 p.m. at 1900 JFK Blvd., 2nd Floor Lounge in Philadelphia, PA.

Please RSVP to Bnai Abraham Office

Yahrzeit List In the Bond of Life

April 2015

Contact Irwin Lewis, Ritual Chairman

April 4 Joseph Goldman, beloved father of Eugene Goldman April 8 Jacob Grollman, beloved father of Joseph Grollman April 8 Allen Trinker, beloved father of Gary Trinker April 9 Irving Krasner, beloved father of Shirley Falk April 14 Stanley Gross, beloved father of Robin Smith April 17 Marilyn Margolis, beloved mother of Sherry Brooks April 17 Jesse Cooper, beloved son of Peter Cooper and

Meryl Kelechava April 19 Ada Anglenik, beloved grandmother of Frances

Yonkelowitz April 21 Beatrice Hochhauser, beloved mother of Les Hochhauser,

grandmother of Aron Hochhauser and mother-in-law of Ricky Hochhauser

April 21 Robert Kutner, beloved husband of Miriam Cassel April 22 Taylor Cooper, beloved daughter of Peter Cooper and

Meryl Kelechava April 23 Ruth Blechman, beloved sister of Lydia Zibulewsky April 29 Fa Gast, beloved mother of Judy Walker

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 Wendy and Lothar Gumberich sending happy birthday wishes to Sheila Goldberg on her 91st birthday. Wendy and Lothar Gumberich sending happy anniversary wishes to Sid and Helene Kaplan on their 55th wedding anniversary. Doris Lifland sending get well wishes to Dexter Neadle for a speedy and compete recovery. Doris Lifland sending happy birthday wishes to Sheila Goldberg on her 91st birthday and wishing her continued good health. Doris Lifland sending happy anniversary wishes to Sid and Helene Kaplan on their 55th wedding anniversary. Stephen and Lynn Auerbach Kaplan in memory of Norman Seidel. Sally Brau sending get well wishes to Dexter Neadle. René Moskowitz in memory of Sharon Moskowitz Heninger, daughter of Ruth Goldberg Moskowitz and William Moskowitz, sister of Fredrick, Daniel and Robb Moskowitz. René Moskowitz in memory of Stanley Sobelson.

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

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Anne and Dan Kaye in appreciation of Rabbi Stein’s officiating at our grandson’s naming ceremony.

Theater Fund Sally and Dexter Neadle sending condolences to Melvin and Sybil Nimoy in memory of Melvin’s brother, Leonard Nimoy.

Yahrzeit Sandy Abeshaus in memory of her mother, Bertha Fingeroff. Barbara Asteak in memory of her mother, Shirley Shleifer. Sally Brau in memory of her father, Samuel Abramowitz. Norman Falk in memory of hi father, Oscar Falk, and his brother, Arnold Falk. Shirley Falk in memory of her father, Irving Krasner. Faye Goldberg in memory of her father, Adolph Gross. Doris Goldman in memory of her mother, Bernice Pestka. Helene Kaplan in memory of her father, Abe Feuerman. Shirley Kimball Hausen in memory of her husband, Stanley A. Kimball. Ricky Hochhauser in memory of her mother, Rose Cohen. Les Hochhauser in memory of his mother, Beatrice Hochhauser. David Kaplan in memory of Cantor Morris Siegel. Margaret Kaplan in memory of her mother, Margaret Spaziani and her grandmother, Alice Johnson. Anne Snyder-Lyons in memory of her sister, Julia Skirving. Diane Silverman in memory of her mother, Doris Bloomberg.

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 Dexter Neadle Andrew Shaw

Jack Stein

Todah Rabah

Thank you to David and Snookie Kaplan for sponsoring the Kiddush on March 7th.

Thank you to Sheila and Julia Goldberg for sponsoring a Kiddush luncheon on Saturday, March 14th .

Thank you to Sid and Helene Kaplan for sponsoring a Kiddush on Saturday, March 21st.

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

Sisterhood News

Be Part of Sisterhood

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

If you have not yet sent in your annual dues -- just $20, please make check payable to Bnai

Abraham Sisterhood and send to the office.

Contact Elaine Morrow with any questions or to get involved.

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

The Ritual Corner For April Submitted by Irwin Lewis

The Chuppah

At a wedding the chuppah or canopy is a decorated piece of cloth held aloft as a symbolic home for the new couple. While the bride comes to the chuppah with her parents, a cantor sings a selection from the Song of Songs, and the groom prays that his unmarried friends find their true partners in life.

When the bride arrives at the chuppah, she circles the groom seven times with her mother and future mother-in-law, while the groom continues to pray. This symbolizes the idea of the women being the protective, surrounding light of the household that illuminates it with understanding and love from within and protects it from harm from the outside. The number seven parallels the seven days of creation, and symbolizes the fact that the bride and the groom are about to create their own "new world" together.

Rabbi Hesher, The Jewish Wedding Ceremony.

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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