December2013 The Israelight

RPC News 4,5Latkes, The Lorax, Jewish CubaInvitation to help plan services

Social Action News 6MLK Day of Service

Adult Education 7Torah Treks, Book Club

Yahrzeits 8We remember them

Donations 9Thank you!

The Library 10Old and new children’s books

Calendar 11Something for everyone

Table of Contents

December 2013Kislev/Tevet 5774

1Volume 37 No. 5

The IsraelightCongregation Beth Israel of Media

A Reconstructionist Jewish Community

Sunday December 15 10:00 a.m.

Semi-Annual Congregation Meeting and Program

Gather with our board of directors and other BI members to learn about issues facing the community, ask questions,meet the current leadership, suggest ideas, and share in the governing of the congregation.

BI member Professor Scott Gilbert will talk about WONDER and the necessity of bringing science andreligion together for protecting the environment. (This talk is part of our participation in the Greenfaith Certification Program)

Both science and religion claim descent from wonder. Scott analyzes these paths of descent and uses thiscommon origin to model how science and religion could creatively act in concert. He'll show how new concepts of evolution (coming from developmental biology and symbiosis research) can strengthen the links betweenscience and religion.

These concepts place the competitive model of evolution within a larger non-‐competitive, and even cooperative,framework. This new view of evolution shows how new things can be generated by interactions between differententities that share underlying similarity.

Finally, he'll show the need for concerted action of science with religion in the conflicts and alliances betweenthree great centers of social power: science, religion, and corporate interest.


2Volume 37 No. 5

Thoughts for the ConcludingNights of Chanukah

We’re lighting candles, makinglatkes and exchanging gifts. Andwe’re celebrating the victory of thereclamation of the Temple & theright to engage in Jewish practices.And we’re celebrating the miracle ofthe oil that was used to light the lampstand and lastedeight days rather than the expected one day. Themeaning of Chanukah and the significance of the ritualshas changed shape over the years. As we light eachnight it's worth the effort to explore the many meaningsof this festival. Here are a few possibilities:

The dreidl, with which we gamble on Chanukkah, hascome to have a central, playful, connotation in our cele-‐bration of the holiday. But in fact it is a reminder of howour ancestors so desperately wanted to be Jewishly liter-‐ate that they were going to study despite the ruling thatthe study of Torah was forbidden, and that they studiedat their own peril. Jews used gambling as a front, tofool the Greek police who roamed throughoutJerusalem and its outlying areas. Behind the screen ofgambling, they shared words of Torahnand passed onJewish traditions with deep moral and spiritual mean-‐ing. Perhaps at Chanukah we might dedicate ourselvesto moral courage, to spiritual nourishment and to Jewishlearning.

In the 19th century in Philadelphia and in other cities inthe U.S., Jewish leaders consciously raised up Chanukahas a time of celebration, to help Jews cope with theoverwhelming glitz of Christmas. Since this year,Chanukah concludes three weeks before Christmas be-‐gins, we might think about raising up other Jewish prac-‐tices toward the end of December, like the weekly treatof Shabbat.

In our own time Chanukah is a time for raising up the is-‐sues of energy conservation & sustainability. Somehouseholds and communities are taking the opportunityto celebrate Chanukah by educating themselves aboutenvironmental issues and taking steps to become morejudicious in their use of natural resources. As our com-‐munity delves more deeply into our Greenfaith commit-‐ments, this might be a particularly meaningful step foreach household to take as we pursue this focus as acommunity.

Rabbi’s Message:

Changing TimesThere is a chill in the air, and I findthat I am now reaching for that extralayer of clothing and wondering ifthere is still time to get my bulbsinto the ground before the first hardfreeze. To my amazement I turnedon the heat in the house prior to thelong standing agreed upon startdate of November 1. My children wondered if I had gonesoft. It was, however, nice to know that I just could turnthe dial and the furnace would “click” on and I would in-‐stantly feel the heat. Many of you can remember thatwe all struggled with the environmental systems at BethIsrael, and simply being comfortable was often a chal-‐lenge.

Delivering heat to the right spaces at the right times wastraditionally a struggle at Beth Israel, a structurallyunique building. The gas conversion and all of the sub-‐components of the project solved many of those prob-‐lems. By the time you receive this newsletter our newheating system will be almost one year old. During thisyear I have not heard the typical complaints that theaging heating system used to generate. For this I amgrateful. In addition I would once again like to publicallythank all the donors for participating in one of the mostsuccessful endeavors at BI in recent history. The GasConversion project has resulted in savings, and improve-‐ments in the environment as well as comfort of our con-‐gregants.

The gas conversion is one in a series of new endeavorsthat Beth Israel has taken on within the past three years.Our new website allows Beth Israel to have a wider pres-‐ence in the broader community; it enhances our mem-‐bers’ ability to access congregational information andpay dues online without the hassle of finding both an en-‐velope and a stamp. In addition, Beth Israel recentlyjoined GreenFaith, an interfaith program for environ-‐mental leadership that will forever change some of ourspiritual, educational, and overall stewardship practices.

According to our Reconstructionist tradition, the Boardof Directors of Beth Israel embraces dynamic change.Rather than remaining static we continue to change,morph and experiment with our programs and servicesto best serve our community. As always should you haveany ideas for the future direction of Beth Israel please donot hesitate to contact me at [email protected] .

President’s Message:

continued p. 3


3Volume 37 No. 5

2014 JONATHAN RAZ MEMORIAL LUNCHEON & LECTURETRANSGENDER JEWS: Moving Toward The Blessing of Inclusion

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2014SERVICES: 9:45 a.m.

Followed by Kiddush LunchSpeakers at 12:30

SPEAKERS:Jacob Lieberman, rabbinical student at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, will speak personallyNurit Shein, Executive Director, Mazzoni Center; Mazzoni Center is Philadelphia's LGBT health care & wellness center offering a full continuum of services and staffed by dedicated, compassionate professionals.Rabbi Linda Potemkenwill speak on the ethical issues involved from a Jewish perspective.

The Raz Memorial Lecturewas established to honor the memory of Beth Israel member Jonathan A. Raz, whopassed away in February of 2000. Jonathan joined BI with his wife Jennifer Lenway and their daughters, Amelie andAbigail, shortly after their move to Swarthmore. Dr. Raz was a devoted husband and father and was renowned inthe field of biostatistics. He was also an award-‐winning poet, science fiction writer, amateur astronomer, gourmetcook and art collector. Jonathan Raz was to begin studying for adult Bar Mitzvah the week he died. We honor hismemory through ongoing learning and celebration.

Rabbi’s Message continued from p. 2

As we light the candles each night, we might take the opportunity to explore our values and our lives and to dedicate orrededicate ourselves to that which will bring about salvation in the Reconstructionist sense of the word -‐ self-‐actualiza-‐tion of the individual and the healing and repair of the wider world..

When our ancestors rededicated the desecrated Temple, making it a place pure enough to be a dwelling place for God,they taught a lesson that can be re-‐enacted in our day. We can dedicate our inner Temple, our own hearts and souls tobecome places of goodness & holiness.

And enjoy candles, parties, latkes and gifts. They all go together. Happy Chanukah!


4Volume 37 No. 5 Religious Practice Committee

Chanukah Chavurah: Celebrate with BI members, Light menorahs. Sing Chanukah songs. Schmooze with BIfriends, old and new. Thank you to our hosting members and RSVP directly to them. (including any food allergies,please.) Get phone numbers, emails & addresses from the BI directory. For more details, please go to:

http://bethisraelmedia.org/sites/default/files/images/Chanukah%20chavurah%202013.pdf

Wednesday November 27 -‐ Wednesday December 41pq Night: At Home

2ⁿs Night: 4:oo PM Tofurkey & Latkes at Meira Ptikapaasi (Drexel Hill)

3rd Night 6:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat & Candlelighting. BIMAS & ChorusPotluck Dinner, Latkes Provided. RSVP to office

4th Night 4:00 PM Potluck at MIriam Siglers. (Wilmington w. cats & steps)

5th Night 6:00 pm Turkey Soup & Latkes. Bring potluck -‐ T’giving leftovers OKDeb Wile/Karen Giglio’s in Wallingford. Dog. Cats. Steps.

6th Night 6:30 pm Soup & latkes. BYOBowl! Cats. Dogs. Steps.Lynne and David Cashell’s in Springfield

7th Night 6:30 pm Potluck desserts. No pets. Some steps. Split levlAlex and Kim Dresner’s in Springfield.

8th Night At Home


5Volume 37 No. 5

On Friday, December 20 as part of our 8:00 PM service, Bob and Bobbie Colman will give an illustrated talk based ontheir experiences in Jewish Cuba. When Cuba was supported by Communist Russia, religion was strongly discouraged.However, after 1991 when Russia withdrew support from Cuba, religion was allowed to return to the island. In January2013, the Colemans toured Cuba as part of an educational experience with Road Scholar featuring "Jewish Cuba." Theyvisited 3 of the 4 congregations in Cuba and their associated religious schools meeting with many individuals of all agesand joining them for discussions and/or dinners. They were very impressed with the people and country, and are happyto share their experiences with everyone at B.I.

**** Please note: Photos will be projected during this presentation. This is part of the RPC exploration of how we usetechnology on Shabbat. If you have any feedback about the use of this technology during the service, please let RabbiLinda or Laura Lee Blechner know

About Jewish Cuba

Wanted: Your Perspective: Bringing Greenfaith Themes Into Shabbat/Holiday ServicesHow would you like to see Greenfaith themes incorporated into Shabbat and Holiday services?On Sunday, December 8th, the Religious Practice Committee will explore different ways to raise up nature and envi-‐ronmental themes at Shabbat evening, morning and holiday services. Feel free to bring poetry and/or texts that youmight like to see incorporated. Come join in the conversation and share your reactions to several possibilities. We en-‐courage thinking both inside and outside the box. This will be fun and creative spiritual work. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and food will be provided. All are encouraged to attend.


6Volume 37 No. 5

The Second Harvest Food Bank in Media, that we generously support during our High Holy Day and Passover food col-‐lections, has severe food shortages. When you come to BI, please bring canned and boxed foods and leave them underthe table in the lobby so they can be donated by the Social Action Committee. As the director of the bank said, "Evenone can of tuna would help." Let's make this an ongoing BI community service, not just a twice a year event.

Please remember to donate toiletries, etc. for the Community Action Agency of Delaware County. The collection box isthe blue bin in the lobby. Harrison Fink will deliver donations.Thank you –

The next food service is Monday, December 30 at the Upper Darby Life Center. If you have not already contacted JohnGreenstine or Lynn Cashell to let them know what you are bringing, there is still time! Thank you in advance for yourcontinued generosity in serving those in need with nutritious food throughout the year.

MLK Day of Service Monday, Jan. 20, 2013Hats for HopeKnit or crochet a fun way to serve on MLK Day : ) at Congregation Beth Israel, For anyone who can knit or crochet (orwho would like to learn), come join us at BI from 1PM to 3PM on MLK Day to make hats or gloves/ mittens to be do-‐nated to local individuals or groups in need from Delaware County. Easy patterns & basic instruction will be available,snacks too. Contributions of yarn would be appreciated.

For more information about the knitters/crocheters group,please contact: Elaine [email protected] 610-‐237-‐8269 Or you can register to volunteer at www.mlkdayofservice.org

Social Action Committee

Rabbi Tarfon said,

It is not for you to completethe work, but neither areyou free to desist from it; ifyou have studied muchTorah, much reward will begiven you;

Pirkei Avot 2:21


7Volume 37 No. 5

Torah Treks continues on Saturday December 14with R. Michael Ross leading our dscussion of Amos.

ADULT ED

Hosea, Joel,Amos, Obadiah,Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,

Zephaniah, Haggai,Zechariah, Malachi

Opening Judaism December 14 10:00 – 11:30(Afterwards join the ongoing Shabbat service if you’dlike and stay for pot luck lunch and Torah Treks) Crack open the texts, practices, and ideas that are thefoundation of Judaism. Taste the way study works as asustaining element of Jewish life. This study group isgeared toward a broad range of backgrounds.Change your life! http://mekomtorah.org/studygroup/opening

Lunch and LearnThursday December 12 12:00 – 1:30Hang out in the Rabbi’s study and learn with her –topics vary.

See page 5 for information about the Colman’s talk about Jewish Cuba

Please join us for the next meeting of Beth Israel's Book Club. Book: Margot by Jillian Cantor Date: Sunday, December 8, at 10:30 AM Host: Jenny Stiller Please RSVP to Jenny and get directions, if needed.

A Short Review of Margot From BooklistEveryone who's read The Diary of Anne Frank knows that Anne and her sister, Margot, died of typhus in the Bergen-‐Belsen concentration camp. But what if Margot didn't die? What if she somehow survived and immigrated to Philadel-‐phia? What if she continued to hide? That's the premise of Cantors (The Transformation of Things, 2010) daring newnovel. It’s 1959, after Anne’s diary has been published, and the movie made. Margot—morphed into Margie Franklin, aChristian from Poland—works for a law firm, where she pines for her altruistic Jewish boss as they take on a Jewish dis-‐crimination case. Guilt-‐ridden Margie’s life mirrors her attic days. She lives in a studio, eats minimally, and secretlykeeps Shabbat. She covers her camp tattoo with sweaters. Throughout the book, Cantor drops a breadcrumb trail ofMargot’s life outside Anne’s diary that leads to the reason why Margie covers her past. These morsels make the storybelievable. While Cantor occasionally overplays the drama (Margie is always tugging down her sweater sleeves), ulti-‐mately this story of sisterly rivalry, sacrifice, and love survives and thrives. -‐-‐Laurie D. Borman

The earlier "second book", Jacob's Follywill not be available until next year and is therefore on hold. Our tentative third book is THE PITY OF IT ALL A History of Jews in Germany, 1743-‐1933.Everyone is welcome to join our lively discussions.


8Volume 37 No. 5

*after a name indicates that there is a plaque.

November Yahrzeits

Mourner Mourned Relationship Yahrzeit 2013/14 Yahrzeit 5774

Deborah Erie Elsie Magnus Grandmother December 07 4 TevetDeborah Erie Samuel D. Erie Father December 08 5 TevetStephen Plotkin Murray Plotkin Father December 09 6 TevetRonald Levine Morton Levine Father December 10 7 TevetSuzanne Simenhoff William Deitch* Grandfather December 11 8 TevetJohn Greenstine Morris Greenstine* Father December 12 9 TevetSusan Meyer Lois Sauve Mother December 12 9 TevetJoyce Romoff Jessica Miriam Weizer Niece December 13 10 TevetSylva Baker Benjamin Cann* Father December 14 11 TevetRichard Block Jack Block Father December 15 12 TevetRandee O'Donnell Ed O'Donnell Husband December 15 12 TevetSuzanne Simenhoff Leon Simenhoff* Grandfather December 15 12 TevetAndrea Bruno Rita Pollinger Mother December 16 13 TevetPhilip Mansky Joseph Mansky Father December 16 13 TevetLeslie Ann Alpert Lena Alpert Grandmother December 20 17 TevetJoshua Waterston Warren Reier Uncle December 22 19 TevetLeslie Ann Alpert Edwin Freed Father December 23 20 TevetSteven Blum Tonia Spiro* Grandmother December 23 20 TevetJacqueline Northime Josephine Scibilia Mother December 23 21 TevetRandi Raskin Nash Abraham Belsky* Grandfather December 24 21 TevetRuth Gottlieb Charles Gottlieb Son-‐in-‐law December 26 23 TevetMiriam Sigler Paul Sigler Uncle December 26 23 TevetMoriah Gornstein Ebba Spector Grandmother December 27 24 TevetRuth Gottlieb Julius Panzer Father December 27 24 TevetJoshua Waterston Irving Reier Grandfather December 28 25 TevetWendy Waterston Irving Reier Father December 28 25 TevetLouis Friedler Saul Friedler Father December 31 28 TevetMark Schlam Harry Schlam Father December 31 28 TevetArnie Schwartz Esther Schwartz Mother December 31 28 TevetEleanor Strauss Esther Braus Mother December 31 28 TevetMel Drukin Samuel Drukin* Father January 02 1 ShevatJudy Ritter Frances Ritter Mother January 02 1 Shevat

Thank you to our December Oneg and Kiddush HostsIf you would like to choose a date to host. please contact Laura Lee Blechner ([email protected])

Friday, December 6 Dymond -‐ Markman & Ritter -‐ Wiseman familiesSaturday, December 7 Fishkow -‐ Stein familyFriday, December 13 Robinson -‐ Weiner familySaturday, December 14 TBA (feel free to sign up!)Friday, December 20 Mansky familySaturday, December 21 Religious Practice Committee Friday, December 27 Shabbat At HomeSaturday, December 28 TBA (feel free to sign up!)

Contact Laura Lee Blechner ([email protected]) if you would like to choose a date to host.


9Volume 37 No. 5 October Donations

Thank you!The Golden BookDeenie and Rich BlockTo: Jackie Northime and familyCondolences to you and your family. Wishing you peaceand comfort at this difficult timeRabbi LindaTo: Jackie NorthimeIn memory of your husband, Henry. Wishing you strengthand solace as you mourn and absorb the losses of the year.May you always feel the support of our community.To: Judy GoodrobbIn memory of your beloved mother, Beatrice. May hermemory continue to be a source of blessing and strength.

Rabbi’s Discretionary FundRandee O’DonnellTo: Joe DeutschKeep looking up!To: Jane and Ken LaffendWishing you good healthTo: Rabbi Linda and RPCAnother wonderful year of High Holiday ServicesTo: Jackie NorthimeIn memory of your beloved husband, HenryRandi Raskin, Kevin and Elan NashTo: Jackie NorthimeIn memory of your beloved husband, Henry, may his memory be a blessing.

BIMASJackie Gelman and Samuel HaberIn appreciation for the music played at Alana’s Bat Mitzvah

Endowment FundDr. Albert S. Kroser

The Eliana Andersen FundReisa Mukamal and Steven ArnoldTo: Jackie and Stephanie NorthimeIn memory of Henry Northime, beloved husband and father

The General FundMr. and Mrs. Gary JacobsTo: Rabbi Linda and Rabbi MargotIn thanks to Rabbi Linda and Rabbi Margot for assistingJared Jacobs with his Bar MitzahTo: Jared, Guy, Randy and FranIn honor of Jared’s Bar Mitzvah

Condolences from the Congregation:Jackie Northime on the passing of her husband, HenryJudy Goodrobb on the loss of her mother, Beatrice Pollack

Sending you blessings for healing: Naomi Sav, Dottie Jenkins, Jane Laffend, Ken Laffend, Ron Romoff, Andrew Kelly, Larry Green, Meira Pitkapaasi,Gama Pitkapaasi, Ray Rosenberg, Burt Cohen, LouiseGilbert, Barb Kaplan

Mission Statement

The GreenFaith Committee adopted the following mission statement at its October meeting:We, the members of Congregation Beth Israel of Media, believe that it is our duty to strive to make our world a better placefor future generations of our own community as well as the community at large. Because we believe in these values, wecommit to reducing the impact of our synagogue on the environment and educating our members on how to continue thesepractices in their own homes. Our belief that all individuals deserve to live in a safe, clean and sustainable world calls us tocarry out this mission.

Waste ReductionTo continue reducing BI’s own environmental footprint, the committee reviewed alternatives to foam plates and cups.We will be taking several actions:-‐ Purchase paper plates instead of foam, which will increase annual costs by under $500. -‐ Encourage congregants to use paper napkins instead of plates when possible, and to use one plate at a time.-‐ For now, we’ll continue to purchase foam coffee cups. People are encouraged to bring their own non-‐disposable cupsfrom home and use them instead.

ProgramThe first GreenFaith program for the entire congregation was held on October 27 after the new member orientation.There was a mixture of Torah study and further explanation of the certification program.


10Volume 37 No. 5

From the Beth Israel library: By Judy Kinman

For those whose childhood reading did not include Jewish books, you would have missed:

Ruth and Debbie and their holiday experiences in What the Moon Brought (a classic. Perhaps dated, but still charming)

The adventures of K’tonton, the Jewish Tom Thumb. Some titles are: K'tonton's Yom Kippur Kitten, K'tonton in Israel,The Best of K'tonton.

Stories of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, as told in The Aleph-‐Bet Story Book. (Poor Yod, he was the Tom Thumb ofthe Hebrew alphabet. He complained that he was “no bigger than a dot with a tail stuck on.” But all the letters lookedup to Lamed as the tallest letter of the alphabet.)

The stories of the people of Chelm. An actual city in Eastern Poland, Jewish folklore describes the residents as fools;multiple authors have described their antics, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations in delightful stories.

One such tale is Yossel Zissel and the Wisdom of Chelm, by Amy Schwartz. It tells how Yossel Zissel goes to Warsaw tocollect an inheritance from his uncle, and how he gets back to Chelm empty-‐handed. And how we all may be related tothese residents of Chelm!

Other Chelm stories in our library include The Children of Chelm by David Adler; The Wise Men of Chelm by SamuelTenenbaum; and The Wise Men of Chelm and their Merry Tales by Simon Solomon.

A new acquisition of the Beth Israel library is another Chelm story titled A Confused Hanukkah, by Jon Koons. Hanukkahis approaching, the Rabbi is away, and no one in the town remembers how to celebrate the holiday. So the residentssend Yossel to the nearby town of Tevka to find out. Yossel sets off – in the wrong direction, travelling a great distance –and reaches the largest town he has ever seen. (My, how Tevka has grown!) He asks how to celebrate the “coming holi-‐day” and takes what he learns back home. The resulting holiday celebration is really quite creative. Luckily, the rabbi re-‐turns just in time.

It is never too late to catch up with these delightful stories. Read them to cheer yourself on a “down” day, or to familiar-‐ize yourself with some of our folklore; enjoy them with your children or grandchildren.

These books can be found in the Beth Israel library, located on the upper level. A file of the library holdings can befound on the website, under ‘Education’.


11Volume 37 No. 5


12Volume 37 No. 5

Unplug energy vampires that draw electricity evenwhen unused, such as large-plugged cell phonechargers, or use a “smart” power strip.

For more information, check out aFewSteps.org.

Congregation Beth Israel of MediaA Reconstructionist Jewish Community542 South New Middletown RoadMedia, Pennsylvania 19063-‐2240Ph 610-‐566-‐4645 Fax 610-‐566-‐2240http://www.bethisraelmedia.org

PresidentRabbiEditor, ContentEditor, ProductionEditor, Yahrzeit List Editor Contributions List

Jennifer LenwayLinda PotemkenSharon KlebanMarion HamermeshSuzanne DavisArlene Benz

The Israelight is published on the first of each secular month. All submissions must be received bythe editor by the 1st of the preceding month to guar-‐antee inclusion. Articles may be submitted by mail tothe synagogue office or by email to:

[email protected]

Next Issue January 2014

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December2013 The Israelight

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