Bulletin

July, 2014 3 Tammuz - 4 Av 5774 Vol. 7 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 July 17th. Please have all items to BAS office no later than July 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 Marna Simon Membership 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…

This past month, I began a year–long training course in learning differences in Jewish education. The program, run by an organization called Matan, focuses inclusion of all types of learners in Jewish settings, and focuses especially on special needs students. While the sessions focused on particular challenges students might face, the most important lesson I took away from the program is that all of us are unique and different as learners. The ways we engage, participate, retain information, and derive benefit from experiences are different for each of us. While obvious, this point has been deeply thought provoking for me.

As a synagogue, we provide very particular kinds of experiences. Our services tend to be frontal, in a foreign language, and—because of particular religious obligations—occasionally very long. These kinds of religious services are deeply meaningful to some people in our community. I would imagine, though, that there are an equal number of people for whom services are challenging. Perhaps sitting still for two hours is difficult. Maybe Hebrew is a barrier for others. Perhaps others find our seats uncomfortable, cannot hear our music or my remarks, or need special assistance coming into our building. As an institution, we need to be responsive to these needs.

A second thought that emerged—related to this— is the question of religious education. Right now, our religious school is geared towards preparing students for a particular kind of Bat Mitzvah or Bar Mitzvah--one where they perform large portions of the service in Hebrew. On the one hand, this shows great commitment, but I wonder if in today’s world, the ability to memorize a Torah portion is the best indication that someone is a mature Jewish adult. Today, we expect Jewish adults to participate in Jewish communal life, to make philanthropic choices that benefit the larger Jewish community, to forward the value of tikkun olam, and to engage with the larger concerns of Jews around the world. If a student left our religious school committed to these values, but could only read a small Torah portion, would she not be a valued member of our community? There is a need, I think, to reconsider what we are trying to achieve with the ceremony. That does not mean that our demands should be less rigorous, but it does mean that they might need to be redirected. What does it mean to be a Jewish adult? How can a child mark that transition in serious way? What do we expect of them now that they are full-fledged members of our community?

If we treat every child as special and unique--with unique talents and treasures to give to our community, we destigmatize learning difference. Instead, we learn to value each member of our community for their strengths, and what they bring to our communal table.

Best Wishes for a meaningful month, Rabbi Stein

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE …

Shalom,

On behalf of the Board I want to wish you all a happy and safe summer season.

We will be sponsoring programs throughout the summer and hope you will join us.

Our major program, the 180 Club will take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. We need the assistance and participation of each family in order to make our largest fundraising program successful. Please plan on attending, and contacting friends, and businesses to support this program, especially by purchasing ads as well as attending the event.

Have a great summer.

Jerry Weisberger, President

WHEN Friday, Aug. 8th at 6:00 pm

WHERE 1545 Bushkill Street Easton, PA

Join Bnai Abraham for our third annual BBQ Shabbat Dinner. Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Services will be followed by a social hour and then dinner. Enjoy our community, great food, and our beautiful patio! To reserve your spot, fill out the form below, include your check, and mail it to the office. You can also call our office at (610) 258-5343, or email office@bnaiabraham.org.

Cost is $15 for adults, children 12 and under are free!

RESERVATION INFORMATION

Name ______________________________________________

No. of Attending: _____ Adults (@$15) ________ Children (12 and under are free)

Payment Enclosed __________

Will Pay by Credit Card: _________________________

SEATING IS LIMITED TO 50 PEOPLE

Kabbalat Shabbat and BBQ Dinner

BNAI ABRAHAM/TEMPLE COVENANT OF PEACE KNITTING GROUP WEDNESDAY MORNING – JULY 16, 2014– TIME 10:30 A.M.

At the home of Cindy Daniels, 12 Kent Lane, Easton, PA 18045 Please RSVP Cindy by phone at (610) 559-5536.

JAVA AND JEANS SHABBAT SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2014 – 10:00 A.M.

Join us on Saturday, July 26th, at 10:00 a.m. for our monthly Shabbat service designed to discuss current topics of interest as they relate to Jewish laws and practices.

SAVE THE DATE FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2014 – TIME 2:15 P.M.

TEMPLE COVENANT OF PEACE AND BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE NEW YORK CITY TRIP

Friday, August 15 - TCP and BAS are planning a joint trip to NY City. We plan to have a kosher deli dinner at Fine And Schapiro, then attend a fantastic musical Kabbalat Shabbat experience together with B’nai Jeshurun Synagogue. Snacks will be provided on the trip and desserts for the trip home. The only expense to you is dinner! We will be leaving BAS parking lot at 2:15 pm. Please RSVP Rabbi Melody, at 610-253-2031 or e-mail tcp.rcn.com ASAP if you are interested in attending this trip so that we know how large a bus to hire.

BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE 180 CLUB RAFFLE & DINNER EVENT

AUGUST 27, 2014 – TIME 6:00 P.M.

Keep an eye out for your invitation and be sure to RSVP to Bnai Abraham Synagogue as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you.

The letter on the following page gives the details of this annual event.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CLEANUP DAY AUGUST 10th and 17th – TIME 10:00 A.M.

This August, we will have two cleanup days to prepare for religious school and the high holidays. We will be meeting on Sunday, August 10th and 17th at 10:00 a.m. to cleanup. A light breakfast and snacks will be provided both days. Please email Rabbi Stein if you will be able to attend.

BNAI ABRAHAM 180 CLUB SPONSORSHIP FORM

Y a h r z e i t L i s t I n t h e B o n d o f L i f e

July 2014

Contact Irwin Lewis, Ritual Chairman

July 2 Joseph Aaron Mayer, beloved father of Loretta Brickman July 5 Louis Singer, beloved grandfather of Eugene Goldman July 5 Harry Pestka, beloved father of Doris Goldman July 7 Blanche Sandler, beloved mother of Jeff Sandler July 9 Harold Aaron Drill, beloved father of David Drill July 10 Julius Cohen, beloved father of Martye Cohen July 10 Sy Jacowitz, beloved husband of Selma Jacowitz July 10 Frances Abramowitz, beloved mother of Sally Brau July 12 Lillian Silverman Hirschman, beloved mother of Art

Silverman July 12 Celia Soroker Cohen, beloved mother of Marilyn Herschler July 15 Wolf Ginsburg, beloved of Frances Yonkelowitz July 17 Samuel Abeshaus, beloved father of Alan Abeshaus July 18 Marsha Singer, beloved grandmother of Eugene Goldman July 19 Coleman Cohen, beloved brother of Debby Ziev July 22 Alex Abo, beloved father of Marc Abo July 25 Laurie Shainker, beloved sister of Linda Lewis July 26 Sandy Reiter, beloved son of Ruth Reiter and husband

of Rita Reiter. July 26 Samuel Fingeroff, beloved father of Sandy Abeshaus July 28 Irene Cohen, beloved mother of Barbara Yones July 28 Muriel Mitchell, beloved mother of Mitch Rabinowitz July 29 Stanley William Wolf, beloved father of Melaine

Wolf-Greenberg July 29 Sonia Schneigeiger, beloved mother of Aliette Abo July 31 Abe Forman, beloved father of Ellen Hof

BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE General operating expenses

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

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

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

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

SISTERHOOD CAMP RAMAH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

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

GOLDMAN/MERBAUM TORAH FUND

HERB SNYDER GARDEN FUND

JESSE & TAYLOR COOPER FUND

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

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

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

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

ROBERT KUTNER LIBRARY FUND

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

SILVERMAN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Religious School Scholarships, Shofars

SISTERHOOD BUILDING FUND

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

SY JACOWITZ TOT SHABBAT FUND Boker Tov Scholarships

THEATER FUND Supports a wide variety of synagogue projects and functions

Bnai Abraham Synagogue Linda Adler in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Sally Brau in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Sally Brau in honor of Ruth Reiter’s special birthday. Linda and Elmer Brown in honor of Bob and Sandy Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Berta and Charlie Davila in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Gwen Jacobs in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Stewart Hochhauser in honor of Torah Reading on June 14, 2014. Ellen and Phil Hof in honor of Shirley Falk’s special birthday. Ellen and Phil Hof in honor of Doris Lifland’s special birthday. Ellen and Phil Hof – Mazel Tov to Mitch and Carol Rabinowitz, and Daniel and Adrienne Rabinowitz on the birth of their granddaughter/daughter. Selma Jacowitz in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Helene Kaplan with much appreciation to Doris Asteak, Sally Brau, Selma Jacowitz, Lothar Gumberich, Sally and Dexter Neadle, Nan Ronis, Marna Simon and Herman and Jessica Ytkin. Sid and Helene Kaplan in honor of Ruth Reiter’s special birthday. Sid and Helene Kaplan in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Sid and Helene Kaplan – Mazel Tov to Phil and Ellen Hof on the marriage of their son, Isaac to Samantha Camoni. Stephen and Noel Lammers in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Doris Lifland in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Doris Lifland in honor of Shirley Falk’s special birthday. Doris Lifland – Mazel Tov to Shirley and Howard Falk on the marriage of their grandson, Mitchell Stern, to Abby Russell. Doris Lifland in honor of Ruth Reiter’s 90th birthday. Sally and Dexter Neadle in honor of Ruth Reiter’s special birthday. Mr. & Mrs. Joe Scaduto in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Mercedes Benitez Sharpless in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Roger and Marna Simon in honor of Ruth Reiter’s special birthday. Roger and Marna Simon in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Roz Smolow in honor of Ruth Reiter’s 90th birthday. Roz Smolow in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Jessica and Herman Ytkin in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary. Jessica and Herman Ytkin in honor of Ruth Reiter’s special birthday. Jessica and Herman Ytkin - Mazel Tov to Phil and Ellen Hof on the marriage of their son, Isaac to Samantha Camoni.

Goldman/Merbaum Torah Fund Bernice Merbaum in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary.

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Alan and Sandy Abeshaus in honor of Doris Lifland’s 90th birthday.

Theater Fund Marc and Aliette Abo - Mazel Tov to Mitch and Carol Rabinowitz, and Daniel and Adrienne Rabinowitz on the birth of their granddaughter/daughter Mira. Marc and Aliette Abo in honor of Ruth Reiter’s special birthday. Marc and Aliette Abo in honor of Nancy and Danny Cohen’s special birthdays. Marc and Aliette Abo in honor of Sandy and Bob Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary Marc and Aliette Abo in memory of Ken Cohen’s father Abraham Cohen.

Yahrzeit Phoebe Altman in memory of her mother, Ida Meirowitz. Barbara Asteak in memory of her father, Myer Shleifer. Robert Bloch in memory of his mother, Doris Bloch. Sherry Brooks in memory of her father, Sidney Margolis. Miriam Cassel in memory of her sister, Jeanette Ziev. Ellen Hof in memory of her mother, Lorraine Forman. Judy Walker in memory of her father, Seymour Gast.

Todah Rabah

Thank you to Bob and Sandy Weiner for sponsoring the Kiddush on June 7th.

Thank you to Lothar and Wendy Gumberich for purchasing a leaf for our Tree of Life in honor of Bob and Sandy Weiner’s 50th wedding anniversary.

Thank you to Doris Lifland’s family and friends who purchased a leaf for our Tree of Life in honor of her 90th birthday.

A special thank you to Bruce and Donna Bysher for all their hard work in keeping the Synagogue in tip-top shape.

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

R e f u a h S h ’ l e m a (A Full and Complete Healing) To all who were sick or hospitalized, we wish a return to good health.

I n m e m o r i a m May God in His Kindness Grant Comfort and Solace to the Mourners

Phoebe Altman Deborah bas Briendel

David Denenberg Sheila Goldberg

Susan Jones Diane Silverman

Andrew Shaw Sharon Stein

Jack Stein Stanley Walker

Abraham Cohen

S i s t e r h o o d N e w s

T h e R i t u a l C o r n e r For July Submitted by Irwin Lewis

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

Tabernacle in the Wilderness

At 2209 Millstream Road in Lancaster, there is a Mennonite Information Center that maintains a replica of the Tabernacle of Exodus. It was constructed according to all historical information in the Scriptures. A docent explains the Tabernacle cubit by cubit and item by item. It’s worth a look if you find yourself in Lancaster this summer.

"And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst”.

[Exodus 25: 8]

General announcements

YIZKOR BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

Dear Friend,

Each year at Bnai Abraham we compile our annual “Yizkor Book of Remembrance.” This book memorializes the names of those remembered during the Yizkor service of our holiest day, Yom Kippur.

Your recording of these names in the “Book of Remembrance” is an expression of your love and an affirmation that they will not be forgotten. Our intention is to use the Book of Remembrance at all Yizkor services throughout the year.

Please complete the form below (kindly print) and mail it with your Yizkor contribution in the enclosed envelope no later than Tuesday, September 9, 2014, directly to the Synagogue’s office. Please make your tax-deductible contribution check payable to Bnai Abraham Synagogue.

The Committee would appreciate receiving your contribution as soon as possible!

Sincerely,

Ellen Hof Sande Phillips

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enclosed please find a Yizkor contribution of $_________________

in memory of __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Remembered by ________________________________________

ADULT EDUCATION

Our successful Torah Study group will continue to meet Thursday mornings, 10:15 to 11:15. No prior experience is necessary. We are charging a low materials fee of $10 per semester to defray the cost of copying and coffee.

MEN'S CLUB TOPICS FOR 2014

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

PROFESSIONSALS 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 the Membership Chair, Marna Simon, or to Elaine Morrow. You may also call and give the information to the synagogue office staff.

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…

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!

T r e e o f L i f e

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 Services of the Lehigh Valley

F o o d P a n t r y

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.

Our Advertisers… we thank you for your patronage

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Our Advertisers… we thank you for your patronage

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Cost: $36/year

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“Our Quality is Etched In Stone”

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