june 2017 cantor franzel’s new harp-guitar elevates … i love about being jewish ... into a...

that was a great idea. I didn’t know you could do that. So I sent him my name in a special font and he reproduced it exactly on the guitar in abalone. As he was building it, he put pictures up on his Facebook page, which documented the process. I didn’t realize until recently that he was doing that. He said he loved working with me because of all the special unique details,” he added.

How will the sound of the harp combined with that of the guitar affect what we will hear during services? “The harp part deepens the sound. I think the sound will resonate with congregants, that they will feel it,” Cantor Franzel said. A self-taught guitarist, he spends a few hours a day learning and practicing his new harp-guitar, so hopefully we will get to hear it soon.

“King David played the harp. If the guitar was around at his time, I believe he would have played that, too,” he concluded.

JUNE 2017

More of the Rabbi’s Favorite ThingsRabbi Ettman continues to provide us with “teasers” designed to enhance our interest in each week’s Torah portion. • June3 Naso- A Tale and a Blessing as old as time: The Oldest Blessing we know.• June10 Behaalotecha-“Watching it burn” and other important reasons to light the lights.• June17 BShelah-Lecha-“I spy with my little eye”: The biblical version of the game. You won’t believe what

happens next.• June24 Korah–RoshHodeshTammuz:Imagine a Rebellion not built on hope. Be careful what you fight for.

Cantor Franzel’s New Harp-Guitar Elevates the Sound of MusicBy Carole VeronaPsalm 147:7 - Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp.

Shortly after Cantor Jordan Franzel’s father, Rabbi Daniel Franzel, passed away on January 27, 2017, his sister sent him a Facebook video of a man playing a harp-guitar. “She said, ‘You have to get

this!’ So I started to research it. It’s the first time I ever saw or heard one and I immediately realized that I needed one, in some way to deal with my grief,” Cantor Franzel said.

“I knew that I was going to name the harp-guitar in memory of my father. My name in Hebrew is Yardein, derived from the words Yoreid Dan which means ‘descending from Dan.’ My father’s name was Dan,” he explained, adding that the Dan River flows into the Jordan River.

So, exactly what is a harp-guitar? According to Wikipedia, the most common definition of this exotic instrument is “a guitar, in any of its accepted forms, with any number of additional unstopped strings that can accommodate individual plucking.” In other words, harp strings, which can be plucked, are added to guitar strings, which can be strummed or plucked. The harp-guitar has been in existence for centuries but, according to Cantor Franzel, had a renaissance in the early 1900s with a revival going on right now.

To get started on the process, Cantor Franzel was referred to Tonedevil Guitars, a company in Sandpoint, Idaho. “Each harp-guitar is custom built. Working with Tonedevil Guitars, I was able to add a lot of aesthetic features and personal touches to mine. The fret board features a design of “the vine of life” inlaid in abalone. I also have my Hebrew name on there. It’s a beautiful instrument,” he explained.

“When I first contacted Tonedevil Guitars, I told them that I was a cantor and wanted to use the instrument during services as a way to enhance the sound of the music. Even though the luthier wasn’t Jewish, we had a very spiritual connection. He is the one who suggested putting something in Hebrew on the instrument. I thought

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Clergy and StaffRabbi��Glenn Ettman

[email protected]��Jordan S. Franzel

[email protected]��Seymour Prystowsky

[email protected]��Lori Dafilou 610-828-9066 x200

[email protected]��Nick Johnson 610-828-9066 x201

[email protected]��Michelle Ruder 610-828-1086 x400

[email protected] ECECenterAssistantDirector��Bree Linder 610-828-1086 x401

[email protected]��Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg

610-828-4443 x301 [email protected]

AdministrativeSupport��610-828-4443 x300 [email protected]

SynagogueOffice��610-828-9066 [email protected]

ReligiousSchool��610-828-4443 610-828-8689 Fax [email protected]

ECECenter��610-828-1086

Officers and TrusteesExecutive OfficersCo-President .......................................Larry PaulCo-President .......................................Terri WolfheimerVicePresident.....................................Simi Kaplan BaerVicePresident.....................................Hillary IsraeliVicePresident.....................................Danny SchwartzTreasurer ..............................................Joshua DunoffTrusteesDeb Brenner, COATz ChairTamara DavisHeather FrittsBarb Hoffman, Membership ChairJackie KaneAndrew Kasmen, Immediate Past PresidentBill Koeleywn, House Committee ChairHelene Levinson, Spiritual Life ChairJeff MichaelsDavid NasatirJen Segal, ECEC Committee ChairLarry SegalCurt TollJenn Weiner, Religious School Chair

Oracle StaffEditor��Carole Verona

[email protected] of the month before publication of issue. We reserve the discretion to edit for space limitations.

Congregation Or Ami is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.

Our MissionCongregation Or Ami strives to be a warm and welcoming

center of Jewish life built on the foundation of Torah (Jewish

Text and Tradition), Avodah (Spiritual Fulfillment), and G’milut

Chasadim (Acts of Lovingkindness). We embrace the varied needs

and rich diversity of our congregants, our community, and the

Jewish people. We endeavor to create an inviting and inclusive

community that promotes spiritual fulfillment for our congregants

and supports their search for God. We take pride in the strong

partnership among our clergy, professional staff, lay leaders, and

congregants. Guided by Jewish values, we are strengthened by our

active volunteerism and informed decision-making. We uphold

the principles and ideals of the Reform movement and are a

member of the Union for Reform Judaism.

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June Worship SchedulePlease note the new, earlier Summer Service start time!

Friday, June 26:15pm ..........................Tot Shabbat 6:30pm ..........................First Friday Wine and Cheese “Pre-Neg”7:00pm ..........................Erev Shabbat Service

Saturday, June 39:00am ..........................Torah Study

Friday, June 96:30pm ..........................Erev Shabbat Service


Friday, June 166:30pm ..........................Erev Shabbat


Friday, June 236:30pm ..........................Erev Shabbat Service


Friday, June 306:30pm ..........................Erev Shabbat

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Thoughtful Words from the Confirmation Class of 5777On May 19, Eric Archinow, Eric Banks, and Brooke Dunoff celebrated their confirmations. We are sharing some of their original writing and thoughts on what it means to be a Jewish adult in the 21st century. Their words are inspiring and remind us that there is hope for the Jewish community.

What I Love About Being JewishEric Archinow

Rabbi Ettman asked us to find a quote that meant something meaningful to us. After scrolling through pages and pages of different peoples’ quotes, I finally found one that hit me. It

says: “You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself.” We learned in class that the Torah teaches us “to Love your neighbor as yourself.” To me this means to love yourself as you love God. I believe that self-confidence is imperative for being happy. For one thing, you cannot be happy with someone else if you’re not happy with yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, it is impossible to believe in God.

While discussing important events, issues, and conflicts in class, the thought of God has never been more prevalent in my thoughts. Why do bad things happen in the world, and what makes the world go around? I believe in God now; when I was younger, I couldn’t say the same. There was never any proof besides what people showed me in a book that was 3000 plus years old. I had never seen God, so I wondered why I should believe in God. I have always been that kid that needed proof to really believe. When I was younger, I didn’t believe in myself because I did nothing for myself. My parents bought my clothes and tied my shoes. I had no responsibilities. This was the situation until I grew older, when I began to gain knowledge, and to experience the good and the bad in the world. I perceive things much differently than when I was nine. I believe in myself. I’m the only one that gets myself out of bed in the morning. I prepare for tests and finals on my own. What I’m trying to say is, as you believe in yourself, you will believe in God. The two go hand in hand, and they fail without each other there to help one another. God needs us to believe in ourselves, so that we can believe in God.

What Being Jewish Means To MeEric Banks

I love being Jewish because I have found that embracing my Judaism means that I can share my opinion and be heard and realize that this is part of the history of our community. In

confirmation class with Rabbi, we openly discussed our opinions and challenged each other to find our truth about whatever contemporary issue we were discussing to see how it related to being Jewish. It helped me realize that essentially what I love the most about being Jewish is that we, as a community, are committed to sharing opinions in the hopes of making a change.

The idea of change is what I associate most with Judaism, as all throughout history the Jewish people have been associated with change, whether it was through aiding African Americans in the civil rights movement or more recently when our synagogue held a service to speak out against anti-Semitism in our area. I believe another important way the Jewish community has accomplished change is through entertainment. Throughout most of my life,

I have looked up to Jewish entertainers such as Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams. I especially have admired comedians such as Larry David and Mel Brooks. These people have influenced me because I learn better through dialogue in movies or content in books than from lectures and papers. Watching Jon Stewart’s comedy inspired me to take an interest in politics. When Mel Brooks made the film The Producers, he used humor to help heal the wounds of one the world’s greatest tragedies, and changed the way we looked at the Nazis and Hitler. He turned one of the most feared people of all time into a laughing stock, all through the medium of entertainment. No big speeches, no sermons, just pure silliness. That spoke to me, it was through humor that I connected a meaning to Judaism that felt personal, and has inspired me to want to make the world a better place. For me, being Jewish is the freedom to openly discuss issues that have no right answers, and always strive for change, through any means possible.

Tonight, I ConfirmBrooke Dunoff

I am Nachshon. I walk into the Red Sea knowing that I will face enmity but I proceed with my journey. I don’t know what is coming in my future, but I know it will all work out in some way. I

have faith. Only nine months ago, I was anything but Nachshon, and I wouldn’t even get near that Red Sea. I was afraid of opposition.

Before confirmation, I didn’t want my opinions to differ from those of my friends and my family. Before this class I used to depend on my parents for my beliefs and opinions, but now that I’ve been able to develop my own opinions here, I can confirm that I am an individual and that I can defend my opinions. Whether I was with my camp friends, my family, or my classmates, I would always agree with the majority, even if I didn’t feel that way. Just in this class alone, I have become content with my doubt in God. In fifth grade, I started to doubt God’s actions and whether or not God exists. For years I would try to convince myself and others that I believed in God. Why couldn’t I believe in my own truth? In the beginning of confirmation, I would choose between one side and the other, but towards the end, I created my own side because I have my own perspective. Even those with the smallest voices have their own voice, their own perspective, and their own truths.

I don’t care about how other people feel about my opinions, and I am willing to disagree with a group of people. Having conversations with this class, I gained a sense of pride in my opinions; as someone who can come off as shy, this was very difficult for me to do.

(Ed. Note: Nachshon was the first Israelite to enter the sea when we fled Egypt; everyone else was afraid to do that.)

Confirmation class: Eric Archinow, left; Brooke Dunoff, center; Eric Banks, right; and dedicated teachers Cantor Franzel, Rabbi Ettman, and Rabbi Tornberg.

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Your Connections Build Our Future



Your personal connections are important to our growth. When you refer friendsand family, we'll roll out the Welcome Wagon and will deliver a gift bag with

a fresh challah and an invitation to join Or Ami.

You'll get a $100 gift shop certificate as a thank you if your referral becomes a member!

Please contact Barb Hoffman today at 610-574-2278 or [email protected]

We are always eager to grow our community and to share what makes Or Ami such a special place.

DO YOU have family or friends in our area who might consider joining Or Ami?

DO YOU know former members who would consider returning?

The Membership Committee would love to hear from YOU!

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Havdalah with a Purpose

Congregants and pets celebrated Havdalah together at Miles Park on Saturday, April 29. We collected dog food that we contributed to the SPCA on Ridge Pike.

Help Beautify our Synagogue with a Fine Arts Stained Glass

Window Gift CardFor a $10 minimum contribution, the Fine Arts Committee will

send a beautiful card for you, In Honor or In MemoryThe card depicts one of the large stained glass windows

(designed by Benoit Gilsoul) on either side of the Beit K’nessetJust call the office at 610-828-9066

Card will be inscribed with your personal message. Proceeds go toward beautification of our synagogue

Education ShabbatOn May 5, Or Ami had a special shabbat service honoring our religious school teachers. Below are pictures from the service.

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DonationsCantor’s Discretionary FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Joel and Carole Lukoff

Helene and Alex Levinson Michele and Jack Berman Joel and Carole Lukoff Lisa and Andrew Casel

Early Childhood Education FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Ellen and Michael PriesEducation FundToAlexandDanaRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Crescent Elementary SchoolFine Arts FundToPaulaandDanielLederIn memory of Meryl Much......................Josh and Lauren Dunoff

Marlyn and Larry Stern Jackie and David Kane Sandra and Matthew Bennett Terri and Mark Wolfheimer Marvin and Lorie Balistocky Bob and Carol Klein Henry and Fredelle Menin

Jeff Kedson Youth FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian ..................................Marlyn, Larry, Lauren and Rachel

SternJoseph Goldblum Library FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Lois and Leon Fox

Robert and Barbara GoldblumLight of Our PeopleToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Susan and Hal Michels

Beth and Bob Waks Jackie and David Kane Terri and Mark Wolfheimer

ToDebbiSchwabandfamilyIn memory of Howard Bolotin ...............Karen and Alan FishmanToDebbiandPeterWeidmanCongratulations on the birth of your granddaughter ..............................Karen and Alan FishmanMichael Salkoff Endowment FundToJudyBolotinIn memory of Howard Bolotin ...............Reba and Bob SalkoffMitzvah FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian...................................Deb and Randy BrennerNancy Roomberg Memorial FundToPaulaandDanielLederIn memory of Meryl Much......................Joel and Carole LukoffToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Carol and Alan RoombergRabbi Prystowsky’s Discretionary FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Arlene and Victor AdlinRabbi’s Discretionary FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Kal and Lucille RudmanRemembrance FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Jennifer Wolff

Dan Neumann

Rona Rosner Memorial FundToMandyKrokerIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Kathy and Mark GordonSynagogue Operating FundToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian...................................Susan (Gonen) Neidich

Karen and Nik FrankelTorah Card FundToMicheleShubinWishing you a smooth and quick recovery ............................................Randi and Mitch ZimmerToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Randi and Mitch Zimmer

Phyllis and Stanley Warchaizer Jane and Lowell Raeder Brian Kroker and Brooke Stolper Lisa and Howard Weinstock Maris Delano Debby and Irv Askow Susan and Larry Paul Susan Rubin Kathleen and Frank Seidman Janice and Len Freed Peggy and Joel Sloane Marty and Susan Freed Susan and Charles Klein

ToHowardandSandiSalasinIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Brian Kroker and Brooke StolperToSteveBerrGet well soon ..............................................Maris DelanoMr�andMrs�JeffRapoportIn honor of the marriage of your son Daniel .....................................Debby and Irv AskowToMicheleShubinRefuah Shleymah .......................................Susan RubinToSandraandDavidGrunfeldIn honor of Jordyn’s bat mitzvah, Mazel Tov! ...........................Susan RubinToJackandMicheleBermanIn honor of Melissa’s graduation.............Susan RubinToMerylandRayRaskinIn honor of the birth of Frances Lillian ........................................Susan RubinToJudyBolotinIn memory of Howard Bolotin ...............Susan RubinToFredPesinandfamilyIn memory of your father ........................Ilene and Michelle BuchertTotheWeinsteinfamilyIn honor of Chelsea and Rob’s wedding .............................................Susan and Hal MichelsToBlairandJasonManusCongratulations on the birth of your daughter .........................................Ilene BuchertToNancyAaronCongratulations on the birth of your granddaughter ..................................Ilene BuchertToStephanieFelgoiseIn memory of Jerald Friedman ...............Larry Paul and Terri WolfheimerToAmyVeloricMazel Tov on the marriage of Stacy and Lance ..........................................Susan RubinToLindaandRussellPeltzIn memory of your son, Matthew Erik ..............................................Susan RubinTree of LifeToAmyJoRosenthalIn memory of Brian...................................Randy and Chris Cherkas

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Shopping at Or Ami’s Gift Shop is easy and convenient.

And all proceeds go to Or Ami.We have a “we trust you” policy. If no one is in the shop, go to the office and someone

will help you. Or leave a note with your name, phone number and a description of what

you took and Rachel will contact you for payment.

Mention this ad and

get $5.00 off your purchase

of $25 or more.

Our Hours:Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunday: 9 a.m. to noonOr call Rachel at 610-724-4188 for an appointment

Wilma Clauson Adult Education FundToAmyJoRosenthalin memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Es and David Nash

Marilyn and Gene MillerYahrzeit FundIn memory of Jack Zove ...........................Sydelle ZoveIn memory of Shirley Paul Zove.............Sydelle ZoveIn memory of Shirley Cooperman ........Joel and Gail CoopermanIn memory of Mary Snyder .....................Joel and Gail CoopermanIn memory of Irving Weiner ...................Perry WeinerIn memory of Minnie Simon ..................Rick SimonIn memory of Nathan Bree ......................Ann LevittIn memory of Lillian Bree ........................Ann LevittIn memory of Jerome Berger ..................Laurence and Debra BergerIn memory of Brian Rosenthal ...............Bernice SchwartzIn memory of Rachel Corcos ..................Cochava and Seymour PrystowskyIn memory of Irwin Axelrod ..................Jeffrey ErlbaumIn memory of Hank Fenichel ..................Ben & Elyse LeaceIn memory of Mark Dubow ....................Bryn & Jeffrey MichaelsIn memory of Marvin Dichter ................Gail & Jonathan DichterIn memory of Julius Katz .........................Gail & Steve KatzIn memory of Abraham and Ruth ........Jay GoldslegerIn memory of Vera Lee .............................Jeanette & Ray BawerIn memory of Edward Bard ....................Marilyn & Jerry BardIn memory of Estelle Linenberg .............Marsha & Steve RubinIn memory of Jacob Polen .......................Phyllis PolenIn memory of Morris Salkoff ..................Reba & Bob SalkoffIn memory of Max Strongin ...................Rick & Jane SimonIn memory of Theodore Schattner ........Sue & Richard AcklandIn memory of William Hendler .............Susan & Robert Rose

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Commemorate, Celebrate, Honor

Your Loved Ones Forever

With an Engraved Copper Leaf on the Tree of Life

The Or Ami Tree of Life is a tree of simchas, celebration and honor that continues to flourish with the names, events and dates of our milestones, achievements and acknowledgements. What a wonderful way to commemorate a birth, an adoption, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, confirmation, wedding, anniversary, conversion, accomplishment or award, while contributing to our synagogue’s beautification and sustainability. For only $118 per leaf, you can give a beautiful, meaningful gift that will last a lifetime. To order, please use the form below or call the Or Ami office at 610-828-9066, or order online at: www.or-ami.org and click through the Tree of Life Order Form .

Place your order now! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tree of Life Order Form (Please print) In Honor of: ___________________________ Date of Event: ________________ Event (i.e., Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, etc.) Greeting (Love, From, etc.) ____________________________________ _____________________ Purchased by: Name________________________________ Address_____________________________ City___________________State_____ Number of leaves*______ Amount enclosed ($118/leaf )____________ * For additional leaves, please fill out the above information on the reverse side of this form.

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Burns & Kasmen

Two Bala PlazaSuite 718

Bala Cynwyd, PA [email protected]

215.517.5800 office 267.287.1036 direct 610.517.5800 cell267.287.1076 fax

Andrew S. KasmenAT TORNEY AT LAW

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Like us on Facebook and check in often to keep up-to-date on what’s going on.

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The One Salon for all your Beauty & Relaxation Needs

505 1/2 Germantown Pike • Lafayette Hill610.828.0211 • www.heavenearthsalon.com

Heaven & Earth Salon

June 2017 Sunday Monday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday SaTurday

June 2017Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 7th of Sivan 5777

6:00 pm ECE CenterPTO End of Year Picnic

2 8th of Sivan 5777

6:15 pm Tot Shabbatfeaturing the 2 and 3year old classes

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm FirstFridays Wine and Cheese"Pre-Neg" @ Lobby

7:00 pm Erev ShabbatService

3 9th of Sivan 5777

9:00 am - 10:30 amTorah Study

4 10th of Sivan 5777

9:00 am - 11:00 amCalendar Meeting @Oneg Room

5 11th of Sivan 5777 6 12th of Sivan 5777

6:00 pm - 9:00 pmAnnual CongregationalDinner and Meeting @Social Hall


7:00 pm - 9:00 pm RSCMeeting @ Lobby


ECE Center NoonDismissal - TraditionalSchool Year Students

9:30 am - 9:00 pm ECECenter Pre-K ClosingExercises


9:00 am - 9:00 pm ECECenter Open - Full TimeStudents Only




11 17th of Sivan 5777 12 18th of Sivan 5777






15 21st of Sivan 5777


7:00 pm - 9:00 pmFinance Meeting @Conference Room

16 22nd of Sivan 5777



17 23rd of Sivan 5777


18 24th of Sivan 5777 Father's Day


9:00 am - 9:00 pmCamp Or Ami 1st Day

20 26th of Sivan 5777 21 27th of Sivan 5777 22 28th of Sivan 5777 23 29th of Sivan 5777




25 1st of Tammuz 5777 26 2nd of Tammuz 5777 27 3rd of Tammuz 5777 28 4th of Tammuz 5777 29 5th of Tammuz 5777 30 6th of Tammuz 5777


june 2017 cantor franzel’s new harp-guitar elevates … i love about being jewish ... into a...

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