Bulletin

March, 2015 10 Adar - 11 Nisan 5775 Vol. 3 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 March 17th. Please have all items to BAS office no later than March 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…

In August of 1897, 200 Jews convened in Basel, Switzerland under the invitation and leadership of Theodore Herzl in what would become the inaugural meeting of the World Zionist Congress. This meeting of Diaspora Jews laid the foundation for what would become an autonomous Jewish democracy in the Land of Israel; Herzl later famously recorded in his diary:

“Were I to sum up the Basle Congress in a word - which I shall guard against pronouncing publicly - it would be this: At Basle I founded the Jewish State.”

In that first meeting, the Congress established Hatikvah as the future state’s anthem, and began a program to encourage aliyah. It also began to structure how funds from the Diaspora would be allocated in the land of Israel. In fact, since 1897, it has continued this task; today representatives from Israel and abroad are elected to govern the Congress and supervise the work of the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel.

So, who gets to elect these leaders? While it might be tempting to think that the decisions are made by a well-heeled elite, the truth is that every Jew can, for ten dollars, participate in the election. They are, in fact, going on right now until April 30th. And while I certainly have an opinion about whom I’d like to see elected, I think it is more important that every American Jew cast their vote. All you have do is visit: Myvoteourisrael.com.

Jews in North America can chose from 11 different parties; the JTA has prepared this non-partisan voting guide. I’d encourage everyone to read it, and to cast their vote before April 30.

Rabbi Stein

Zionist Spring: Restoring Vision to World Zionism Backed by the youth movement Young Judaea, among others, this group is focused in part on institutional reform. It wants to review the focus and structure of the congress and create direct elections for chairman, priorities and budget. It also wants to encourage the “cultural and political conditions under which secular & religious expressions of Jewish identity can flourish.”

Mercaz USA” The Zionist Arm of the Conservative Movement Promotes the Conservative movement’s interests, including advocating for state acceptance of all conversions and weddings performed by Conservative rabbis; state funding for non-Orthodox rabbis; and redeveloping the entire Western Wall plaza to allow for egalitarian prayer. Its slate includes movement leaders.

A MESSAGE FROM RABBI DANIEL STEIN… Continued

Alliance for New Zionist Vision With a slate limited to young activists, this party focuses on the battle for Israel’s legitimacy on college campuses.

American Forum for Israel Affiliated with the American Forum of Russian Speaking Jewry, this nationalist faction believes Israel is America’s only reliable ally, Jerusalem should never be divided and the Israel Defense Forces should be strengthened. Its slate includes a host of Russian-American Jewish community leaders.

World Sephardic Zionist Organization – Ohavei Zion Established four years ago at the request of the late Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, this group aims to strengthen the voice of Sephardi Jewry, with an emphasis on Jewish education.

ARZA: Representing Reform Judaism The Reform movement’s faction is focusing its campaign on promoting women’s rights, gender equality, religious equality and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The slate consists of Reform and Reconstructionist movement leaders.

Herut North America – The Jabotinsky Movement This group bearing the name of the late Revisionist Zionist and nationalist Zeev Jabotinsky is dedicated to “Jewish unity and the territorial integrity of the land of Israel.”

HATIKVAH – The Progressive Zionist Voice This group aligned with Ameinu in the United States and the Meretz party in Israel wants Israel to freeze all settlement activity until it reaches a negotiated two-state solution with the Palestinians. Hatikvah also promotes equal rights for all Israeli citizens, recognition of all religious streams and “refugee reform.” Its slate includes the leaders of Americans for Peace Now, the New Israel Fund, J Street U, Habonim Dror and other like-minded groups.

Green Israel: Aytzim/Green Zionist Alliance/Jewcology Focused on environmental issues, this factions wants to improve Israel’s air quality, address Israel’s “stray-animal situation,” and boost Israel’s recycling, organic agriculture and sustainable building practices. The slate is topped by the president of Aytzim: Ecological Judaism.

Religious Zionists: Vote Torah for the Soul of Israel This faction promotes Orthodox interests in Israel, is aligned with Israeli religious Zionists, and is backed by the central institutions of Orthodox Jewish life in America, including Yeshiva University, the Orthodox Union, the National Council of Young Israel and the Rabbinical Council of America. Its agenda includes securing funding for Orthodox educational and outreach programs, ensuring the security of a united Jerusalem and promoting aliyah.

Zionist Organization of America This faction promotes ZOA’s wish list: strengthening West Bank settlements, fighting the BDS movement and anti-Semitism worldwide, and freeing Jonathan Pollard.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE …

Shalom,

Maintaining the physical plant at Bnai is always a challenge. The new washer and dryer have been delivered but the Installation has not yet been completed.

We made some significant repairs to the heating system, but still have a considerable amount of work to do.

This month we have many interesting programs as you read through the bulletin, please note them and plan to attend. This weekends programs are:

VERONICA GRANT – YOGA BODY JEWISH MIND AT BNAI TRADITIONAL YOGA CLASS – SUNDAY, MARCH 1st, at 9:00 A.M.

BNAI ABRAHAM / JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL SUNDAY, MARCH 1st, at 11:00 A.M.

Thelma Reese, author of “The New Senior Woman,” will be our guest.

Both of these programs should be very enjoyable.

Please keep in mind our ongoing food and clothing drive. The boxes are located just inside the front doors – please help us fill them.

Thank you, Jerry Weisberger President

Bnai Abraham Synagogue 1545 Bushkill Street, Easton, PA 18042

L E A G R A M S Dear Member:

Below you will find the Leagram list for the second quarter of 2015. Leagrams costs $2.00 each. Indicate those people to who you want card sent. We would also appreciate if you would complete the form below.

Please mail the entire sheet with your check payable to BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE to the office

TOTAL NUMBER OF CARDS _______ AT $2.00 EACH = __________

TOTAL AMOUNT = ___________

YOUR NAME AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR ON THE CARDS:

___________________________________________________________________________

To bring the Leagram list up-to-date, please fill in the following with your anniversary, other anniversaries, you notice missing from the list, or scheduled Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and please return these changes/additions to us.

NAME:__________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ______________________________________________

PHONE: ________________________________________________

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: ________________________________

If you would like to be added to the Leagram listing, please complete the form with your name and wedding anniversary date and return to Bnai Abraham office.

a n n i v e r s a r y C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

May 6 Rabbi & Mrs. Max Hausen 1140 Calaway Lane Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 June 7 Dr. & Mrs. Mathew Pollack 3780 Tiffany Drive Easton, PA 18045 June 7 Dr. & Mrs. Robert Weiner 3230 Highfield Circle Bethlehem, PA 18020 June 17 Hon. & Mrs. Robert Freedberg 897 Vento Court Easton, PA 18040 June 19 Dr. & Mrs. Arthur Altman 175 W. North St. Apt. 401B Nazareth, PA 18064 June 19 Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Cohen 202 Taylor Avenue Easton, PA 18042 June 21 Dr. & Mrs. Mark Koshar 30 Inverness Circle Easton, PA 18042 June 22 Mr. & Mrs. Herman Ytkin 2321 Woodridge Terr. Easton, PA 18045 June 27 Mr. & Mrs. Gary Gordon 2550 Sandy Lane Easton, PA 18045

UPCOMING EVENTS

VERONICA GRANT – YOGA BODY JEWISH MIND TRADITIONAL YOGA CLASS – SUNDAY, MARCH 1st, at 9:00 A.M.

Join us on Sunday, March 1st, when Veronica Grant will lead a “traditional” yoga class, incorporating her Jewish approach to practice. Please wear workout clothes.

Thelma Reese, Ed. D., retired professor of English and of Education, is a graduate of Temple University, a confirmant of Adath Jeshurun in Philadelphia and attended Gratz College. As Director of the Mayor's Commission on Literacy for the City of Philadelphia, she appeared frequently on television and hosted a cable show. Together, she and Barbara Fleisher created and maintain the ElderChicks.com blog.

This is a free event and all are welcome.

BNAI ABRAHAM / JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL MARCH 1st, at 11:00 A.M.

Please join us on Sunday, March 1st, at 11:00 a.m. when Thelma Reese, author of “The New Senior Woman,” will be our guest.

EREV PURIM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4th - 6:00 - 8:15 P.M.

MEGILLAH, COSTUMES, HAMANTASCHEN, ICE CREAM SUNDAE BAR & SWING DANCING FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND FUN-

LOVING DANCERS OF CBS & BNAI ABRAHAM

Religious school will end an hour early at 5:30 p.m., so the children can have a pizza bagel and cruditee dinner. Then, they will get into their costumes and attend the Megillah reading at 6:00 PM. Parents should come along to get their children ready. Children of all ages and schools, affiliated or not, are welcome!

Groggers will be provided, or bring your own.

Volunteers for Wednesday’s Swing Dance from CBS and Bnai are needed and will be appreciated. Please contact JudithRodwin@gmail.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

SIMCHA SHABBAT FRIDAY, MARCH 6th, at 6:30 P.M.

Please join us for our musical Simcha Shabbat on Friday, March 6th, and stay for

a special oneg to follow.

UPCOMING EVENTS

BNAI ABRAHAM/JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL TUESDAY, MARCH 10th, at 7:00 P.M. AT LAFAYETTE COLLEGE

PARDEE AUDITOREUM

Please join us at Lafayette College on Tuesday, March 10th, at 7:00 p.m. when David Greene, author of “Midnight in Siberia,” will be our guest.

David Greene is host of NPR’s “Morning Edition”. For two years prior to taking on his current role in 2012, Greene was an NPR foreign correspondent based in Moscow, covering the region from Ukraine and the Baltics east to Siberia. He spent a month in Libya reporting riveting stories in the most difficult of circumstances as NATO bombs fell on Tripoli. He was honored with the 2011 Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize for that coverage.

The event is free and all are welcome.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fair Trade Products for Passover A Fundraiser to Support the Bnai Abraham Religious School Scholarship Fund All Products are Kosher For Passover according to the Rabbinical Assembly

Why Buy Fair Trade Food for Passover? Sanctifying these sacred times of the year by making ethical consumer choices is especially meaningful. The gift of freedom that our people received generations ago, and that we celebrate every Passover, bestows upon us the obligation and responsibility to work for the liberation of all people. We are each endowed with "a strong hand and outstretched arms.” Let us use them to extend freedom to others.

On Passover, we celebrate our freedom, and we often sweeten the celebration with chocolate. To eat chocolate on Passover knowing that it was likely produced with child labor is a bitter irony. In contrast, eating Fair Trade chocolate on Passover heightens our awareness and also allows us to take action – to vote with our pocketbooks – while also enjoying a treat.

Coffee “Proud Mama” Organic Coffee (Regular) Chocolate Full City Medium-Light Roast $4/3.5oz Bar Honoring proud mothers and families Organic Very Dark Chocolate (71% Cacao) everywhere, this blend lifts up women Organic Dark Chocolate with Almonds (55% Cacao) farmers who are becoming leaders Organic Orange Dark Chocolate (65% Cacao) and sending their children to school. Organic Chocolate w/ Espresso Beans Feel the pride when you savor this coffee’s Organic Mint Chocolate with a Delicate Crunch (67% Cacao) notes of fresh caramel, chocolate and To place your order, please contact the synagogue savory spice. Drip grind only. office. All order MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 25. $10/14oz, in a decorative tin. Orders will be available for pickup during regular office

hours the week prior to Passover. Organic French Roast French–Dark Roast This dark gem is full of chocolaty richness, with a subtle smoky flavor. It's our bestseller – you'll see why. Drip grind only. $10/10oz.

Tea $5/20 Bags Organic Black Tea Organic Green Tea Organic Chai Tea

UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY, MARCH 14th 8:15 P.M. AT THE ALLENTOWN JCC

UPCOMING EVENTS

BETHLEHEM/EASTON HADASSAH BOOK AND FILM CLUB THURSDAY, MARCH 19th, at 1:30 P.M.

FILM: The Governess

At the home of Maria Ain 3326 Margate Rd.,

Bethlehem, 610-694-0940.

BNAI ABRAHAM SUNDAY FILM/DINNER SERIES SUNDAY, MARCH 22nd, at 4:00 P.M.

Join us at Bnai Abraham Sunday, March 22nd at 4:00 pm to view

“Cast a Giant Shadow” Part fact, part fiction, “Cast a Giant Shadow” powerfully dramatizes Israel's

heroic 1947-48 struggle for independence. Both realistic war story and passionate romance, it features an all-star cast.

Followed by dinner (and discussion) at Pizza D'Oro restaurant, 208 Cattell St., Easton

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

The film is free – dinner is Dutch treat

BNAI ABRAHAM/TEMPLE COVENANT OF PEACE KNITTING GROUP WEDNESDAY MORNING – MARCH 18th, at 10:30 A.M.

Please note the knitting group will be meeting at the home at the home of Sheila Brown

2349 Westminster Dr. Emmaus, PA Please RSVP to Sheila at 610-966-3861

JAVA AND JEANS SHABBAT SATURDAY, MARCH 28th, at 10:00 A.M.

Join us on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. for our monthly Shabbat service. This month Ilan Peleg will be our speaker on understanding the Israeli Elections.

Ilan Peleg, Ph.D., has been the Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law at Lafayette College since 1990 and served as chairman of Lafayette’s Government and Law Department from 1985 to 1997. He has held appointments as a visiting scholar

at the Harvard Law School Human Rights Program, research fellow at Princeton University, fellow in residence at the University of Pennsylvania, Skirball Fellow at

the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies and associate member at St. Antony’s College at the University of Oxford.

A vegan oneg will follow.

JAVA &

JEANS

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUNDAY, MARCH 29th - PJ LIBRARY PASSOVER This event is co-sponsored by Bnai Abraham Synagogue, Congregation Sons of Israel,

Congregation Keneseth Israel, Temple Beth El and Temple Shirat Shalom.

This a FREE event and open to the public.

UPCOMING EVENTS

BAS / TCP JOINT SECOND NIGHT COMMUNITY SEDER

Saturday, April 4th Bnai Abraham Synagogue 6:00 pm (Doors Open 5:30 pm)

Songs, fun, inter-active. No one moans “When do we eat!” Led with joy and ru’ach (spirit!) by Rabbi Daniel Stein and Cantor Bob Weiner, Rabbi Melody Davis and Cantor Jill Pakman

All food will be gourmet KOSHER FOR PASSOVER!

$20.00 per adult. $10.00 per child Maximum per Nuclear Family - $60.00

RSVP by March 20th - (610) 258-5343 or drop off your check payable to B’nai Abraham Synagogue with the slip below.

(This program has been generously supported by the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, the Easton Leadership Council and the Rabbi’s Discretionary Funds.)

Name: ________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________

Phone #: _____________________________________________

Number of Adults ______________ @ $20:00 = __________

Number of Children under 12_____ @ $10:00 = __________

Nuclear Family Max: ____________ @ $60:00 ____________

Total Enclosed: ________________

Please seat me with: ____________________________________________

(We will endeavor to honor seating requests but cannot guarantee them due to space limitations.)

UPCOMING EVENTS

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.

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 towards 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Authorization for the Sale of Hametz, 5775/2015

Know all people by these presents that I, the undersigned, do hereby make and appoint Rabbi Daniel Stein my true and lawful representative to act in my place and stead, for me and in my name and in my behalf, to sell all hametz owned and possessed by me, knowingly or unknowingly, as stated in the Torah and defined by the Sages of Israel. This includes hametz that tends to harden and to adhere to the surface of pans, pots, or other cooking or eating utensils, of whatsoever nature, and to lease all places wherein the aforementioned hametz owned or possessed by me may be found, especially in the premises located at (please specify address):

________________________________________________________________ Address

_________________________________________________________________ City State Zip

Rabbi Stein has full authority and power to sell said hametz and to lease said place or places wherein said hametz may be found, upon such terms and conditions as discretion dictates. Rabbi Stein has the full power and authority to assign or appoint a substitute or substitutes to act in my behalf with all the same powers and authority that I have invested in the rabbi, and I do hereby ratify and confirm all that Rabbi Stein or a rabbinic substitute lawfully does or causes to be done by virtue of these presents.

I understand that the sale of the hametz will be effective beginning at 11:30 am, Friday, April 3rd.

To this I hereby affix my signature on this _____________ day of the month of __________, 2015.

______________________ ___________________________________________ Name Signature

________________________________________________________________ Address

_________________________________________________________________ City State Zip

_________________________________________________________________ Phone

Please return this form to the Bnai Abraham office no later than, April 1, 2015. It is traditional to make a donation to “maot chittim,” literally “wheat money,” before Passover. A contribution along with this form will be used to benefit Bnai Abraham Synagogue’s programming.

KASHRUT MANUAL FOR PASSOVER

A kashrut manual for Passover is available from the office.

Yahrzeit List In the Bond of Life

March 2015

Contact Irwin Lewis, Ritual Chairman

March 1 Julia Skirving, beloved sister of Anne Snyder-Lyons March 2 Doris Bloomberg, beloved mother of Diane Silverman March 3 Gladys Gordon, beloved mother of Gary Gordon March 3 Marcia Trinker, beloved mother of Gary Trinker March 4 Lillian Koplin, beloved mother of Ruth Reiter March 5 Bryan Marcus, beloved brother of Melanie Onesto March 7 Shirley Shleifer, beloved mother of Barbara Asteak March 10 Bertha Fingeroff, beloved mother of Sandy Abeshaus March 10 Edith Zuckerman, beloved mother of Anne Zuckerman March 11 Alice Johnson, beloved grandmother of Margaret Kaplan March 15 Shirley Drill, beloved mother of David Drill March 15 Ann Rosenshtein, beloved mother of Boris Lifschutz March 15 Harry Minsky, beloved father of Lillian Krim March 15 Louis Asch, beloved father of Cindie Drill March 18 Abe Feuerman, beloved father of Helene Kaplan March 18 Samuel Isaac Goldberg, beloved husband of Sheila Goldberg March 20 Ardienne J. Malvin, beloved mother of Ronald Malvin March 22 Edward T. Linker, beloved grandfather of Brett Bragin March 25 Charles Minsky, beloved brother of Lillian Krim March 25 Reubin S. Bragin, beloved father of Brett Bragin March 26 Rose Cohen, beloved mother of Ricky Hochhauser and

beloved grandmother of Aron Hochhauser March 28 Samuel Abramowitz, beloved father of Sally Brau March 29 Jean Greenberg, beloved mother of Sandy Weiner

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 Cheryl Black in memory of Norman Seidel. Robert and Linda Bloch in memory of Norman Seidel. Howard and Shirley Falk - Mazel Tov to Anne and Dan Kay on the birth of their grandson. Louis S. Minotti, Jr. in memory of Norman Seidel. Howard and Shirley Falk wishing Sally and Dexter Neadle good luck and much happiness in their new home. Howard and Shirley Falk sending get well wishes to Dexter Neadle for a speedy recovery. Philip and Ellen Hof in memory of Paul Strikwerda’s father, Folkert Strikwerda. René Moskowitz and family in memory of Deborah Rubenstein Lerner. Barbara Smolowitz in memory of Susie Aufrecht. Thomas E. Stover in memory of Norman Seidel.

Building Fund Sondra, Mitchell, Erica, Josh, Sarah and Ava Levinson in memory of our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Harold Karon.

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Alan and Marsha Abraham in appreciation of Rabbi Stein’s kindness. Danny and Nancy Cohen in memory of Paul Strikwerda’s father. Dexter and Sally Neadle in appreciation of Rabbi Stein’s kindness and visits to Dexter. Bruce and Judy Waldman memoryNorman Seidel. Herman and Jessica Ytkin in memory of Paul Strikwerda’s father. Herman and Jessica Ytkin wishing Dexter Neadle a speedy recovery.

Yahrzeit Gary Asteak in memory of his mother, Ruth Asteak. Robert Bloch in memory of his father, David Bloch. Joel Brooks in memory of his father, Leonard Brooks. Leopold Kaplan in memory of his sister, Ethel Kaplan Kahan. Sidney Kaplan in memory of his sister, Ethel Kaplan Kahan. Herb Litvin in memory of his father, Sherman Litvin.

Yahrzeit Howard Nathanson in memory of his father, Gerald Nathanson. Ruth Reiter in memory of her mother, Lillian Koplin. Linda Scheer in memory of her father, Leonard Miller. Joel Scheer in memory of his father, Jack Scheer. Anita Tish in memory of her husband, Harold Tish, and her father, Herbert Saalfeld. Stanley Walker in memory of his father, Robert Walker. Herman Ytkin in memory of his mother, Esther Ytkin.

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

Sally and Dexter Neadle would like to thank all those who sent cards and called to check on their welfare. It is deeply appreciated.

David and Snookie Kaplan will be sponsoring a Kiddush on March 7th, celebrating the anniversary of David’s Bar Mitzvah.

Sheila and Julia Goldberg will be sponsoring a Kiddush luncheon on Saturday, March 14th, in honor of Sheila’s 91st birthday and would like to extend an invitation

to the entire congregation to celebrate with them.

Sid and Helene Kaplan will be sponsoring a Kiddush on Saturday, March 21st, celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary, Helene’s birthday and son David’s birthday.

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

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 March Submitted by Irwin Lewis

Jacob had no desire to marry Leah. Rachel was the woman he loved. During the marriage ceremony, however, Leah's father, Laban, covered her face with a heavy veil, and, by the time Jacob realized he was with the wrong sister, he was already wed. [At Jewish weddings today, a procedure called the ba-deh-kin, in which the groom personally veils the bride before the ceremony, ensures that that a substitute has not been slipped in.]

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Jewish Literacy

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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