Bulletin

September, 2014 6 Elul - 6 Tishre 5775 Vol. 9 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 September 17th. Please have all items to BAS office no later than September 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…

[A word about the players: Gershom Scholem was the foremost scholar of kabbalah and mysticism in the modern period; Saul Lieberman was a great, rational student of Talmud. Louis Finkelstein—recorded here as “grandpa” by his grandson Professor Ernest Davis—was the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary].

Gershom Sholem was once in substantial need of money because his wife needed an operation, so he made inquiries about teaching a course at the Seminary. Grandpa didn't really want him there, though, since there were no students to work with him and since he was not observant. So Grandpa suggested that, instead of having him teach, the Seminary would give him the same money — $10,000 — as a special prize for having created the field of the history of Jewish mysticism. Scholem realized what was behind the offer, and was somewhat annoyed. Lieberman, however, persuaded him that it would be a good thing. ‘If you teach the course,’ he pointed out, ‘you lose a third of it in taxes. Prizes are tax-exempt.’

At the presentation of this award, Lieberman began his speech, "Nonsense is nonsense. But the history of nonsense is scholarship.” Given this attitude, it is not surprising that scant research has been done into the field of Jewish superstition. What might surprise some is that one of the greatest books on the subject was written by Joshua Trachtenberg, once the rabbi of Temple Covenant of Peace here in Easton. As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah, it is worth looking at one of his insights, into the observance of Tashlich. In Jewish Magic and Superstition, he writes:

[T]he rite of Tashlich, observed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, [derives] its name from the words of Micah 7:19, "Thou wilt cast (tashlich) all their sins into the depths of the sea." The first direct reference to it in its modern form is by R. Jacob Mölln (Maharil, d. 1425), and the general impression has therefore been that it originated not earlier than the fourteenth century, with the German Jews. Professor Lauterbach, however, has shown that this ceremony represents merely the latest version of a complex of superstitious practices centering about the belief in the existence of spirits in bodies of water, which reaches back to remote antiquity....

Not infrequently, I am asked about the Jewish view of angels, demons, ghosts, ghouls, and the general world of supernatural spirits. Although there is a rich folk tradition filled with this material, much of it has been suppressed in the modern periods. Academics, influenced by the enlightenment, had little time for such superstitions. Their general attitude was famously summed up in the following (perhaps apocryphal) tale.

A MESSAGE FROM RABBI DANIEL STEIN…CONTINUED

Whatever its origin, the explanations varied widely. Maharil viewed it as a symbolic affirmation of faith: according to a Midrashic legend, when Abraham was on his way to fulfill God's demand that he sacrifice Isaac, Satan flung a swift-flowing stream across his path, but the patriarch pressed forward, confident that God would respond to his plea for aid. Mölln, then, stressed the mere act of visiting a river as paramount, and in fact, opposed the practice of throwing crumbs into it. Others suggested that since the limitless deep saw the beginning of Creation, visiting a body of water on New Year was the most impressive reminder of the Creator's might; or that man should emulate the river, endlessly renewing itself, forswear his evil ways and return home a new man; or that the fish which devour the crumbs illustrate the plight of man, who is "as the fishes that are taken in an evil net" (Eccl. 9:12), and arouse him to repentance; or, again, that the fish, whose eyes never close, symbolize the Guardian of Israel who slumbereth not. These explanations only too patently evade the main issue, the bread offering to the spirits. Under Kabbalistic influence an attempt was made to limit the rite to shaking one's clothes at the river-side ("to dislodge the kelippot," the clinging demons of sin) and reciting various prayers and Biblical selections "whose secret significance is very profound." What the popular conception of the purpose of this rite was may be gleaned from the rabbinic animadversions against "those men, with as little sense as a woman, who say, 'I am going to the river to shake off my sins,' and grasping the edges of their garments shake them violently and imagine that in this way they can slough off a whole year's transgressions." However, it is with this meaning for the masses that the ceremony has survived.

Dena, Miri, and I wish you all a Shana Tova--a sweet year filled with blessings and good health. We look forward to greeting you over the holiday season, whether you join us for Tashlich or any other service.

Gamar Chatimah Tovah--May you be inscribed for a good year!

Rabbi Stein

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE …

Shalom

We have just completed a very successful and productive year. Programming and activities exceeded our expectations and we look forward to even more interesting and diverse programs in the coming year.

Thank you to the Rabbi, Cantor, board, volunteers and everyone who participated and made last years events so successful.

The Rabbi and Cantor are preparing interesting and meaningful services for the High Holidays. I hope you will all join us.

Gail and I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Jerry Weisberger, President

On Saturday, August 23, we dedicated a memorial for Rabbi Shrager at Bnai Abraham. During that service Rabbi Stein shared words Rabbi Shrager had written in memory of Cantor Siegel. That column from January 24, 2000 is reproduced below for those who were not able to attend.

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 fourth quarter of 2014. 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

October 21 Mr. & Mrs. David Kaplan 103 S. 17th Street Easton, PA 18042 November 9 Mr. & Mrs. Alan Abeshaus 3740 S. Ocean Blvd., Apt. 1001 Highland Beach, FL 33487 November 9 Rabbi Daniel and Dena Stein 1458 Spring Garden Street Easton, PA 18042 December 13 Mr. & Mrs. Lothar Gumberich 3730 Timberlane Drive Easton, PA 18045 December 19 Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Goldman 63 Canterbury Road Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 December 22 Dr. & Mrs. Joel Brooks 251 Cobblestone Drive Bethlehem, PA 18040 December 24 Mr. & Mrs. David Drill 3762 Tiffany Drive Easton, PA 18045 December 26 Mr. & Mrs. Dexter Neadle 8 Hartung Way Belvidere, NJ 07823

BNAI ABRAHAM AND THE JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

REAKFAST 10:30 A.M. SPEAKER AT 11:00 A.M. AT TEMPLE COVENANT OF PEACE

Please join us on join us at Temple Covenant of Peace on Sunday, September 7th at 11:00 a.m. when Liana Finck, author of “A Bintel Brief: Love and Longing in Old New York” will be our guest speaker.

“Adorable... ‘A Bintel Brief’ makes you positively hungry to read comparable letters to American immigrant newspapers around the country right now.” – New York Times.

Liana Finck studied fine art and graphic design at Cooper Union College. A former Fulbright fellow and recipient of a Six Points Fellowship for Emerging Jewish Artists, her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Forward and Tablet, among other publications. She lives in New York City.

This is a FREE event and we look forward to seeing you.

THANK YOU FROM JUDY AND STAN WALKER

The 180 Club was a huge success on August 27, 2014. Over 160 people attended and 120 tickets were sold. The support from the community was overwhelming with positivity.

We want to thank the following for all of their help and support of the evening. Without everyone’s team effort this success would not be possible. Aliette Abo, Danny Cohen, Shirley Falk, Norman Falk, Becky Goldenberg, Lothar Gumberich, Snookie and David Kaplan, Danny Kaye, Howard Nathanson, Rabbi Stein, and Jerry Weisberger.

We also want to thank our wonderful staff: Irene, Ed, Bruce and Donna Bysher and Donna.

JAVA AND JEANS SHABBAT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 – 10:00 A.M.

Join us on Saturday, September 27th, 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.

JCC OF ALLENTOWN WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 CAMPAIGN LAUNCH 7:30 P.M.

Calling all volunteers: Get inspired! Campaign launch and dessert reception with David Saginaw of Philanthropic Strategies. Get a sneak peak of the 2015 campaign and learn how

you can motivate others to support the Jewish causes you believe in. New and seasoned volunteers welcome. RSVP to Judy Diamondstein, 610-821-5500 or judy@jflv.org.

BETHLEHEM/EASTON HADASSAH BOOK AND FILM CLUB THURSDAY, SPETEMBER 18, 2014 at 1:30 P.M.

Film: “The Jewish Cardinal”

At the home of Amy Cohen, 1804 Sycamore St. Bethlehem, PA Please RSVP by Phone: 610-867-5501

Saturday, October 4th, YOM KIPPUR 9:00 AM: Yom Kippur Services 11:40 AM: Yizkor (Memorial Services) 11:45 AM: Junior Congregation 5:15 PM Minha 6:15 PM Ne’ilah 7:00 PM Ma’ariv 7:20 PM Break-the-Fast (By RSVP Only) Babysitting Available at 10:30 AM

Wednesday, October 8th, EREV SUKKOT 6:46 PM – Candle lighting (at home)

Thursday, October 9th, 1st DAY SUKKOT 7:25 AM – Services Breakfast in the Sukkah to follow 7:44 PM – Candle lighting (at home)

Friday, October 10th, 2nd DAY SUKKOT 9:30 AM – Services Kiddush in the Sukkah 5:30 PM – Pizza in the Hut

Wednesday, October 15th, EREV SHEMINI YATZERET 6:34 PM – Candle lighting (at home)

Thursday, October 16th, SHEMINI ATZERET 9:30 AM – Services 10:45 AM – Yizkor Memorial Service 7:25 PM – Candle lighting (at home) 7:00 PM – Simhat Torah Family Service, Festive Dessert to Follow

Friday, October 17th, SIMHAT TORAH SERVICE 9:30 AM

Saturday, August 31st COMMUNITY SELICHOT SERVICE -

LOCATION AND TIME TBD

Wednesday, September 24th, EREV ROSH HASHANAH 6:36 PM – Candle lighting (at home) 7:00 PM – Services

Thursday, September 25th, 1st Day of ROSH HASHANAH 9:00 AM – Services 11:00 AM – Shofar Sounded 11:30 AM – Jr. Congregation Service 11:30 AM – 6 and under Service With

Dena Stein 4:00 PM – Tashlich, meet at Rabbi’s home 8:07 PM – Candle lighting (at home) Babysitting Available at 10:30 AM Please join us after services for a light dessert sponsored by Dena and Daniel Stein in honor of Miri’s 1st birthday.

Friday, September 26th, 2nd Day of ROSH HASHANAH

9:00 AM – Services 11:00 AM – Shofar Sounded Babysitting Available at 10:30 AM

Sunday, September 28th Congregational Memorial Services at the Cemeteries 1:00 PM – South Side 1:30 PM – Forks

Friday, October 3rd, KOL NIDRE MUSICAL PERFRMANCE 6:00 PM – (Performance of Max Bruch’s

Kol Nidre by Members of the Pennsylvania String Ensemble)

6:30 PM Sharp – Kol Nidre Begins

THE HIGH HOLIDAYS – 2014-5775

HIGH HOLIDAY FLOWERS

Last year the flowers did so much enhance the beauty of our High Holidays Services that we are once again asking for your help. Two containers are now used, one each side of the bema. We would like to encourage as many families that so desire to contribute towards these flowers.

If you so choose, you may contribute in honor of an event in your life, in memory of someone who has passed on, or just to wish happy holidays to your own family and friends.

Your name will be announced at every service during this holiday season and also listed in a special place in our upcoming bulletin.

We are suggesting donations of $50, $100 or $150. We would appreciate receiving your donations, by September 4, 2014.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO BNAI ABRAHAM SYNAGOGUE. You can also pay by telephone (610-258-5343), using your credit card.

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Name __________________________________________

Total Amount Enclosed ___________________

Special Wording

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Break – The – Fast

At Bnai Abraham

Saturday – October 4, 2014 Following Services – 7:20 pm

$12 Per Adult – No charge for Children

For Reservation and Payment, please send your check with the completed form below to:

Bnai Abraham 1545 Bushkill St. Easton, PA 18042

For Reservation and Payment, by credit card, please do one of the following:

Call 610-258-5343

E-mail office@bnaiabraham.org

Pay Online - bnaiabraham.org

Name: ___________________________________________

Number of Adults: _________ Children: _________

Address: __________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________

Total Amount Enclosed: __________________ Credit Card Number: ______________________________ Expiration Date: ____________________

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

September 2014

Contact Irwin Lewis, Ritual Chairman

September 2 Sheldon Oxenberg, beloved brother-in-law of Sid and Helene Kaplan

September 3 Barbara Cooperman, beloved sister of Herbert Litvin September 4 Louis Shapiro, beloved father of Selma Jacowitz September 6 Allen Levin, beloved father of Sara Levin September 6 Max Rosenblum, beloved father of Doris Asteak September 7 Benjamin Asteak, beloved father-in-law of Doris Asteak September 8 S. Maxwell Flitter, beloved father of Merle Grollman September 9 Thomas Bianco, beloved father of Sande Phillips September 9 William Sigal, beloved husband of Helaine Sigal September 9 Charlotte Kaye, beloved mother of Dan Kaye September 11 Ann Protass, beloved sister-in-law of Bernice Merbaum September 12 Aaron Ytkin, beloved father of Herman Ytkin September 13 Don Zuckerman, beloved father of Anne Zuckerman September 14 Susie Aufrecht, beloved mother of Nancy Cohen September 20 Bernice Brooks, beloved mother of Lori Lesser September 22 Barbara Nathanson, beloved mother of Howard Nathanson September 23 Dorothy Feuerman, beloved mother of Helene Kaplan September 24 Samuel David Zeidman, beloved father of Judy Cohen September 24 Douglas D. Cooper, beloved father of Peter Cooper September 25 Edith Wertheimer, beloved mother of Carol Maisel September 27 Martha Neadle, beloved mother of Dexter Neadle September 27 Benjamin Sulkin, beloved father of Ted Sulkin September 27 Benjamin Weisberger, beloved father of Jerry Weisberger

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 Ilya Alelov has made a generous donation to the Bnai Abraham Synagogue General Fund. Robert and Linda Bloch - Mazel Tov to Shelley and Neil Blumenthal on Lisa’s graduation from Syracuse Law School. Robert and Linda Bloch - Mazel Tov to Carol and Mitch Rabinowitz on the birth of their granddaughter. Robert and Linda Bloch - Mazel Tov to Marc and Aliette Abo on the birth of their granddaughter, Madison Pearl Lubitz. Shirley and Howard Falk – Mazel Tov to Marc and Aliette Abo on the birth of their granddaughter, Madison Pearl Lubitz. Selma Jacowitz in memory of Roger Simon’s mother, Deborah Weiss Simon. Sid and Helene Kaplan in memory of Deborah Weiss Simon, mother of Roger Simon. Ruth Kugelman in memory of Roger Simon’s mother, Deborah Weiss Simon. Judith Lasker in memory of Roger Simon’s mother, Deborah Weiss Simon. Irwin and Linda Lewis in honor of the birth of Marc and Aliette Abo’s granddaughter, Madison Pearl Lubitz. Irwin and Linda Lewis in memory of Deborah Weiss Simon, mother of Roger Simon. Doris Lifland in memory of Deborah Weiss Simon, mother of Roger Simon. Sally and Dexter Neadle – Mazel Tov to Shirley and Howard Falk on the marriage of the grandson. Sally and Dexter Neadle in memory of Deborah Weiss Simon, mother of Roger Simon. Roz Smolow in memory of Rosalyn Meltzer, mother of Ronnie Freedberg. Abraham A. Speiser has made a generous donation the the Bnai Abraham General Fund. Jerry and Gail Weisberger in memory of Deborah Weiss Simon, mother of Roger Simon.

Goldman/Merbaum Torah Fund Bernice Merbaum in memory of Roger Simon’s mother, Deborah Weiss Simon.

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Jay Neadle in memory of Ken Cohen’s father, Dr. Abraham L. Cohen, and Roger Simons mother, Deborah Weiss Simon. Bruce and Ardeth Smackey, in memory of Roger Simon’s mother, Deborah Weiss Simon. Wendy and Lothar Gumberich sending condolences to Roger Simon and family on the loss of Deborah Weiss Simon. Wendy and Lothar sending a hearty Mazel Tov to Marc and Aliette Abo on the birth of their granddaughter, Madison Pearl Lubitz. Sally and Dexter Neadle in honor of Miri’s first birthday.

Robert Kutner Library Fund Nan and Jeff Bratspies in memory of Roger Simon’s mother, Deborah Weiss Simon.

Sisterhood Building Fund Danny and Nancy Cohen in memory of Rosalyn Meltzer, mother of Ronnie Freedberg.

Sue Seigel Shabbat Fund Ruth Reiter in honor of Sally Brau’s birthday.

Theater Fund Marc and Aliette Abo in memory of Roger Simon’s mother, Deborah Weiss Simon, and in memory of Ronnie Freedberg’s mother, Rosalyn Meltzer. Danny and Nancy Cohen in honor of the birth of Marc and Aliette Abo’s granddaughter, Madison Pearl Lubitz. Phil and Ellen Hof – Mazel Tov to Marc and Aliette Abo and Alyssa and David Lubitz on the birth of Madison Pearl Lubitz. Doris Lifland – Mazel Tov to Marc and Aliette Abo on the birth of their granddaughter, Madison Pearl Lubitz, and also to the proud parents, Alyssa and David Lubitz. Sally and Dexter Neadle on the birth of their granddaughter, Madison Pearl Lubitz.

Yahrzeit Sid and Helene Kaplan in memory of their brother-in-law, Sheldon Oxenberg. Helene Kaplan in memory of her mother, Dorothy Feuerman. Herbert Litvin in memory of his mother, Anna Litvin Roger Simon in memory of his father, Sidney Simon. Marna Simon in memory of her father, Leonard Peres. Barbara Yones in memory of her father, Seymour Cohen.

Todah Rabah

Thank you to Jessica and Herman Ytkin for all her work organizing the third BBQ dinner.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the BBQ dinner a big success; Wendy Gumberich, Ellen Hof, Helene Kaplan, Snookie Kaplan, Elaine Morrow, Sally Neadle,

Karen Popkave, Art and Diane Silverman, Jerry Weisberger and Herman Ytkin. A special thank you to the staff, Bruce, Donna, Ed and Irene for all their help.

Thank you to Danny Cohen, Liz Edelman, The Lader Family, Sara Levin, Steve and Adam Molder, Jay Neadle and Annalise Shaffer for helping with our Religious School Cleanup.

A very special thank you to Judy and Stan Walker and all who helped to make the 180 Club event a memorable evening, a good time was had by all who attended.

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 David Denenberg Sheila Goldberg

Norm Seidel Diane Silverman

Andrew Shaw Sharon Stein

Jack Stein Stanley Walker

Rosalyn Meltzer Deborah Weiss Simon

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 September 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

NUMBERS 12

Aaron and Miriam were criticizing Moses because a wife was a Cushite woman. God grew angry against them, and Miriam suddenly became white with leprosy and Moses cried out to the Lord, “Heal her, O God I beg you!" This might represent one of the shortest prayers in the Torah.

THE DEAD SEA The sea is called "dead" because of its saline

content which means no fish or macroscopic organisms can live in it. Some minimal bacteria and microbial fungi are present. The shore is the lowest dry place in the world.

The human history of the Dead Sea dates to remote antiquity. Just north of the Dead Sea is Jericho, the oldest continually occupied town in the world.

The Greeks knew the Dead Sea as "Lake Asphaltites,” due to the naturally surfacing asphalt. Queen Cleopatra during the Egyptian conquest built cosmetic and pharmaceutical factories. Bitumen was also extracted from the Sea and used for embalming.

It is thought that the Essene settlement related to the settlers at Qumran was related to the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered there in the twentieth century.

Probably on the southeast shore the Biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and three other cities Admah, Zebim and Zoar were situated. King David hid in Ein Gedi near the Sea from King Saul.

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.

PLEASE NOTE

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.

General announcements

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

Denise Pollack, M.Ed. National Certified Counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor Adolescent and Adult Counseling

2925 William Penn Highway, Suite 306

Easton, PA 18045 610-392-3862

www.denisepollackcounseling.com

KAPLAN’S ENTERPRISES, INC.

Vertical Blinds American Flags Pleated Shades Flags & Banners Mini Blinds Custom Banner Window Shades Canvas Work

CANVAS | AWNINGS Residential and Commercial 100 Northampton Street, P.O. Box 150

Easton, Pennsylvania 18042 610/258-5319 Fax 610/258-6036 NJ 800/458-7994

DAVID KAPLAN Established 1923

Sandy Weiner Independent Senior Sales Director

3230 Highfield Circle Bethlehem, PA 18020 (610) 758-8800 1-800-258-8730

www.marykay.com/sweiner Swo226@aol.com

Receive a $10 gift for scheduling a facial or glamour makeover

Our Advertisers… we thank you for your patronage

1134 Northampton St. Easton, PA 18042

610-258-7288

Place an ad in the bulletin for twelve months and reach over 160 readers.

Cost: $36/year

Contact the Office 610 258-5343

Barbara DeStefano

“Our Quality is Etched In Stone”

Easton Monument Studio Personalized Memorials & Distinctive Stone Art

203 North 7th Street, Easton, PA 18042

610-905-8523