community review -2 6 15

February 6, 2015 | 17 Shevat, 5775 | Vol. 89; No. 3Published by The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg | Greater Harrisburg’s Jewish Newspaper

www.jewishharrisburg.orgcommunity review

ETHICAL WILLSPROGRAM REMINDER

We look forward to greeting senior members (age 75+) of our Jewish community at the Ethical Wills Project which will take place on Sunday afternoon, March 8, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the JCC. Teens from the Harrisburg Hebrew High School and local youth groups will be on hand to conduct the intergenera-tional interviews.

To get you started thinking about your responses, here’s a sneak preview of some of the Ethical Wills questions the teens will be asking:

What are the things you care most about?What lessons have you learned in life?What have been the happiest times/moments of your life?What have been the saddest moments/times of your life?What did you try to teach your children and grand-children?Talk about your home.What inspires you?Who are the people you have looked up to?What you would like future generations to know most about you?What messages or advice do you have future gen-erations?

Please contact Lillian Rappaport at 236-9555, ext. 3402 if you have any questions and/or to let her know that you’ll be joining us that afternoon.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg (JFGH) is

pleased to welcome Reyna Jose to the team. Reyna is the new

Brenner Family Early Learning Center (ELC) Director. “I hope

to make the ELC the best place for children to learn, grow, and

develop skills to be successful in their lives.” This position will

oversee the ELC program, curriculum, teachers, enrollment of

new children, and the day-to-day operations of the department.

Reyna looks forward to working for JFGH because of the people

and their rich history in the Harrisburg Jewish Community.

Reyna earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development

and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut. Reyna

has over 16 years of experience in early childhood education,

most recently serving as a Group Supervisor/Teacher at

Kindercademy Early Learning Center in Dillsburg. Additionally, she has been a religious school

teacher at Temple Ohev Sholom and currently chairs their Worship Committee.

On the weekends you can find Reyna watching a British comedy called “As Time Goes By,”

cooking, and taking nature hikes. She has a 18 year old son, Michael, who is freshman at

Philadelphia University. She had the pleasure of watching him grow up and is looking forward

to the next chapter in their lives.

Reyna welcomes the opportunity to meet with the ELC families and the Jewish Community

members.

Federation Welcomes New Brenner Family Early Learning Center Director

2 | community review | greater harrisburg’s jewish newspaper

CommunityReview

Vol. 89 No. 3February 6, 2015

(ISSN 1047-9996)(USPS 126-860)

Published bi-weeklyby the Jewish Federation of

Greater Harrisburg,3301 N. Front Street,

Harrisburg, Pa., 17110. Subscription rate: $50 per year.

Periodicals postage paid atHarrisburg, Pa., and

additional entry office.

Editorial Board MembersMargie Adelmann

Esther BoldesRabbi Carl Choper

Aaron DymRita Gordon

Jeanette Krebs

STAFFEditor

Patti [email protected]

Sales DirectorMarty Lamonoff

717 232-6279717-877-5973

[email protected]

Design and LayoutBenchmark Group Media

Graphic DesignerShawn Skvarna

Postmaster:Send address changes to Community Review, 3301 N. Front Street,

Harrisburg, Pa., 17110.

Mission Statement of The Community Review:

Inform readers about local, national and international events of interest to Jews.

Promote Jewish values, Jewish identity and a

sense of Jewish community in central Pennsylvania.

The opinions expressed in the Community Review do not necessarily reflect the position of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg. The Federation does not endorse any candidate or political party for any elected office.

A copy of the official registration and financial information of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

A Message from Margie Adelmann, CEOJewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg

About a year ago, I started writing this message for every issue of Community Review. When I started, I wondered what I could possibly write about every other week. I considered taking the summer off from writing, or maybe include a message just once a month. And here I am a year later, and I haven’t run out of things to write about! And I don’t think I ever will because there is so much going on in our Community and so much news to share!

We are pleased to welcome Reyna Jose, our new Brenner Family Early Learning Center (ELC) Director! Reyna brings with her many years of experience in early childcare. She was a participant in our Limudim program and is very active at Temple Ohev Sholom, chairing their Worship committee and teaching in the religious school. Reyna brings her expertise, caring and strong work ethic to our Center where she will lead our dedicated team.

I am also excited to share that teacher Chana Tillman will be our Assistant Director of the Early Learning Center. Chana has been teaching in our ELC for more than 8 years and will bring great talent and expertise to this position. Chana will continue teaching in the classroom for the rest of this school year, during the transition, and has already begun to assume more responsibilities that come with this new position. Chana joins Jodie Raffensperger, our Discover Catch Master Gardner on the leadership team with Reyna.

I want to give a huge shout-out and thanks to Andrea Weikert, Terry Fisher and all of the hard-working and dedicated staff at the ELC. They work hard every day and have gone above and beyond during this time of transition. Andrea and Terry have provided tremendous leadership, and I am grateful to both of them and the ELC staff! I know they don’t do this for the recognition or thanks, but I hope that when you see them you will say thank you!

Every time I take visitors to see our ELC they say, “I had no idea! What you have here is a true gem!” And that gem just got brighter. I encourage you to visit the ELC to see it in action and to help us spread the word about our Center. We have room for more children and are enrolling now.

I may be biased, but I think you will agree that we are a pretty amazing place for education and child care!

L’Shalom,

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www.jewishharrisburg.org | february 6, 2015 | 3

federation | annual campaign

By Rabbi Ron MuroffLike many people, I am uncomfortable raising money. Yet, I was blessed with a

mentor in rabbinical school who taught me – “never feel embarrassed to ask people to contribute to a good cause.” So virtually every year, I make calls on Super Sunday to ask people to contribute to a good cause.

Last Sunday, I was struck again and again by the generosity and genuineness of members of our community. One example: I called someone who according to his card had – for whatever reasons - not contributed to the Federation campaign in recent years. After introducing myself and explaining the reason for my call, the person said, “Put me down for $500.” I thanked this donor for his support and he responded, “It is my

pleasure. Thank you for calling.”His pleasure? What a helpful reminder. That donor’s words are really a gift to me

and to all who solicit others to join us in giving tzedakah and supporting our community. Asking people for money is not an imposition of a burden, but an invitation to do something significant, to manifest the donors’ deepest values and commitments – at whatever level they are able.

Thank you to Ricci and Mike, Alex, Mark, Margie, Ivy and the rest of the Campaign Leadership team and all the Federation staff and volunteers for their efforts on the 2015 Annual Campaign. Together, we can grow our community from strength to strength.

A Truly Super Sunday


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10Seniors Lunch Program:

Business meeting and Birth-day Party

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11Auditions, “Fiddler on the

Roof”, 6-10 p.m., JCC

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12Seniors Lunch Program,

11:30 a.m., JCC Program: BINGO

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15Pancake Breakfast,

9:00-10:30 a.m., JCCDaddy Daughter Dance,

5-7 p.m., JCC

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17Senior Lunch Program,

11:30 a.m., JCC, Program: “The Jewish

Perspective” withBob Axelrod, 12:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19Senior Lunch Program,

11:30 a.m., JCC, Program: “Knitting Without

Borders” – Learn to knit Bears for children in

South America

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22Indoor Triathlon,

8 a.m. – 1 p.m., JCCJCC Youth Sports Banquet,

5-7 p.m., JCC

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

communitycalendar


Violins of Hope, authored by Dr. James A. Grymes, professor of musicology at the University of North Carolina has earned a National Jewish Book Award, considered the most prestigious honor in the country for Jewish-themed books.

This past fall, Dr. Grymes visited Harrisburg and shared this stirring testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of music, Violins of Hope. He told the remarkable stories of violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust and of the Israeli violin maker dedicated to bringing these inspirational instruments back to life during a program at the JCC.

Grymes was inspired to write Violins of Hope when the College of Arts and Architecture brought 18 of the instruments to Charlotte for a series of exhibitions, performances, lectures and films in 2012. This was the only time the Violins of Hope have appeared in the Western hemisphere.

Awarded annually by the Jewish Book Council since 1950, National Jewish

Book Awards are conferred on books of significant merit in more than 18 Jewish-themed categories. Violins of Hope is the 2014 winner for books about the Holocaust. The award will be presented during a public ceremony at the Center for Jewish History in March.

“This book was selected out of many submissions after careful analysis by a panel of three judges who are all authorities in their field,” wrote Secretary of the Jewish Book Council Mimi Frank. “It was chosen as the best written, most comprehensive and engaging book in its category.”

As a recipient of a National Jewish Book Award, Violins of Hope now joins the ranks of the most respected and influential works of Judaica, including books by Philip Roth, Elie Wiesel, Michael Oren, Deborah Lipstadt and Jonathan Safran Foer.

In addition to the National Jewish Book Award, Violins of Hope has earned tremendous praise from critics and readers alike. Composer John Williams called it “a work of research and scholarship that forms one of the most moving chronicles in the history of Western music.”

Violins of Hope recognized with honors by National Jewish Book Council


Important Information for Heirs of Former Holocaust Ghetto Workers

If you are an heir of a former ghetto worker who received a ghetto pension (ZRBG) from Germany that started after July 1, 1997, you can apply for reassessment of your deceased family member’s pension as of this earlier date. You may be entitled to receive a retroactive pension payment.

Please contact Paula Davenport at Jewish Family Service for more detailed information on how to apply. Paula can be reached at (717) 233-1681 or by email at [email protected].

GET YOUR DISCOUNTED TICKETS ON SALE AT THE JCC FOR JERUSALEM 3D AT THE WHITAKER CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND THE ARTS

Jerusalem takes audiences on an inspiring and eye-opening tour of one of the world’s oldest and most enigmatic cities. Destroyed and rebuilt countless times over 5,000 years, Jerusalem’s enduring appeal remains a mystery. What made it so important to so many different cultures? How did it become the center of the world for three major religions? Why does it still matter to us?

Jerusalem attempts to answer these questions by following three young Jerusalemites and their families – Jewish, Christian and Muslim. Through their eyes, audiences will learn what it means to call Jerusalem home and experience celebrations and events that mark the high points of a year in the life of the city.

Rating: G | Running Time: 40 minutesDiscounted Ticket Price for JCC members and

donors to Annual Campaign $8.00/ticket if purchased at JCC, At Whitaker Center $9.50 For

Show Times visithttp://www.whitakercenter.org/cinema


As we gather for another Yiddish music program on Sunday, February 22nd at 3 p.m., we cast a wide net to examine through song some of the twists and turns that life hands us. The program title is “Gilgulim - Transmigrations” and is designed to provide a Yiddish magic carpet ride through our own changes and relocations as a people.

We will examine our collective journeys from multiple perspectives, including songs of places left behind, songs that yearn for Eretz Yisroel, dreams of America and other ‘golden lands,’ lands beyond reality, and finally, the transmigration of songs themselves.

Susan Leviton will again open the world of Yiddish song to all attendees with anecdotes and insights that surprise, and PowerPoint translations for those who may have grown up

as ‘native listeners’ but are today unable to call Yiddish a mother tongue. Our last program drew well over 80 participants, and we’d love to fill the room again with active learning! Although the language of most of the songs is Yiddish, the universality of the experience of disruption and dreaming make this a program that will appeal to everyone, so join us, and bring your neighbors!

Through the generosity of the Koster Foundation, this year’s Yiddish programming has allowed Chisuk Emuna to present lecture/recitals which have drawn people from all areas of the community. Although this will be our final lecture presentation of the year, please hold the date for a brilliant Klezmer concert on Sunday evening, May 31 featuring Susan and her Deep Skies band, led by Michael Winograd. More information will follow.

Final Yiddish Lecture/Recital of the Year Coming Up!


synagogue lifeBETH EL TEMPLE232-0556 | www.betheltemplehbg.org

Minyan 7 a.m. daily and 5:30 p.m.Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00 p.m.Shabbat morning service 9:15 a.m.Saturday night mincha/maariv/havdalah at same time as Friday evening candlelighting time


CHISUK EMUNA CONGREGATION 232-4851 | [email protected]

Weekly Minyan times: Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m.Monday, Thursday mornings, 6:50 a.m.Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings, 7:15 p.m.

CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL Lebanon | 273-2669

Visit the Congregation Beth Israel Web Site at www.congregation-beth-israel.orgAll are welcome to our egalitarian services: Sundays at 9 a.m., Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. Our Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Paula Reimers, are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday evenings and on Shabbat morning at 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush.


CONGREGATION BETH TIKVAH Carlisle | 245-2811 | www.bethtikvah.org


HISTORIC B’NAI JACOB Middletown | 319-3014 | www.bnai-jacob.org

Historic B’nai Jacob Synagogue, Water and Nissley Streets in Middletown, will conduct Shabbat services on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 7:30 pm. We are a Community Shul, all are welcome.Tel 717-319-3014 Visit our website for more information.


KESHER ISRAEL CONGREGATION238-0763 | www.kesherisrael.org

Participate in our daily Minyanim. Mornings: Sundays and Federal holidays at 8 a.m., Monday through Friday at 6:45 a.m. Rosh Chodesh and fast days at 6:30 a.m. Evening services begin at 20 minutes before sunset.Please join us for our 9 a.m. Shabbat morning services - followed by KiddushPlease contact our Office Manager, Cecelia Baker, at (717) 238-0763 for information about our congregation.


TEMPLE BETH SHALOM697-2662 | www.tbshalom.org

Temple Beth Shalom’s Friday evening Shabbat Services are at 7:15 p.m., followed by an oneg in the social hall. Services are led by Rabbi Daniel Grossman and Lay Leaders of Beth Shalom. Please check the website calendar for detailsSaturday Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Grossman, will be held on February 14 and February 28.For details on upcoming Temple Beth Shalom services and events, check the website: http://tbshalom.org.


TEMPLE OHEV SHOLOM233-6459 | www.ohevsholom.org

Fri., Feb. 6- Shabbat Services, Lehrman Chapel, 6 p.m.Sat. Feb. 7- Tot Shabbat in the Lehrman Chapel, 10:30 a.m.Sun. Feb. 8- Rabbi’s PEP Adult Education Class in the Lehrman Chapel, 11 a.m.Wed. Feb. 11- Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Kessler, Lehrman Chapel, 12 NoonFri. Feb. 13- Shabbat Services, Main Sanctuary, 7:30 p.m.Sat. Feb. 14- Shabbat Services, Main Sanctuary,10:30 a.m.

Thurs. Feb. 19- Hershey Study group, 7:30 p.m.

BAR MITZVAHWilliam Randal Halbert

March 7, 2015 Beth El TempleWilliam Randal Halbert

will be called to the Torah as

a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday,

March 7, 2015 at Beth El

Temple. William is son of

Julie and Jim Halbert, and

he has an older brother

Jacob.

William is a 7th grade

student at Linglestown

Middle School (LMS) and

Beth El Temple Hebrew School. William is a multi-faceted

young man, always has a smile on his face and truly enjoys

life. He is very witty, motivated and enthusiastic about every

sport with a ball, especially soccer, tennis and basketball. He

is also an avid water and snow skier and enjoys art and music.

William excels in school with numerous science fair and other

academic awards throughout middle school at Harrisburg

Academy and LMS. He is especially enjoying being selected

into LMS’s new Visions Project and building a Future City with

his teammates.

William and his parents are very thankful for his family and

friends to share in this special simcha. He is also extremely

grateful to all of his teachers from the JCC ECD, Silver

Academy, Harrisburg Academy, Beth El Temple and LMS who

have helped him to reach this day.

William is passionate about his mitzvah project. “I chose

the Water Project for my mitzvah project. Every good thing

made possible by access to safe water depends on it being

available every day - year after year. I am hoping to raise 5k

to donate towards a clean water project in Kenya. I will make

a meaningful contribution from my bar mitzvah gifts. As of

January 19, I have raised $2,607. I am hoping you will help

me raise the rest. Please join me for two weeks in the Water

Challenge drinking water when eating out, instead of juice,

soda, coffee etc. and contribute the money saved over this

period to provide clean water to those in need.

I am setting up a bar mitzvah fund with the Harrisburg Jewish

Foundation. Please support my efforts by writing a check to the

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Harrisburg and in

the memo write: William Halbert’s Bar Mitzvah /Water Project

Challenge, 3301 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

You may also go directly to my webpage to donate and

learn more about the project and you will be updated about

the project as it is completed. Thank you.” Website https://

thewaterproject.org/community/profile/william-halbert.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTJonathan and Daya (Yablon)

Levin are very happy to announce the birth of their twins, Milana Barbara (left) and Jagger Bernard (right) on January 11, 2015. The "over the moon" grandparents are Leonard and Cheryl Yablon and Stuart and Marlene Levin.


synagogue life life cycle

February 6 .........5:11 p.m.

February 13 .......5:20 p.m.

February 20 .......5:28 p.m.

CANDLELIGHTING

RUTH L. GOULDRuth L. Gould, 92, of Harrisburg,

PA, passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at her home in Harrisburg. Born September 14, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Julius and Becky (Schuster) Schnitzer. She was the wife of the late Jack R. Gould who died November 15, 2012. Ruth was a homemaker who dedicated her life to raising her two children. She also volunteered for the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation (Foundation Fighting Blindness) for many years. After moving to Harrisburg, she was a member of Temple Ohev Sholom where she also participated in the Sisterhood. Ruth is survived by one daughter, Michelle Rau and her husband Jay of Halifax, PA; one son, Kenneth Gould and his wife Roberta Tipton of Berkley Heights, NJ; and two grandsons, Ethan Rau and Adam Rau. The funeral service was held on Sunday, January 25th at the Bookstaber Chapel of Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Harrisburg, with Rabbi Peter Kessler officiating. Private burial was held in Cedar Park Cemetery, Paramus, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, 7168 Columbia Gateway Dr. Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046.

The Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. To view the full obituary and share online condolences, please visit www.HetrickBitner.com,

KAAREN GRACE (COWAN) MCMANUELS

Kaaren Grace (Cowan) McManuels, 72, of Dillsburg, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at Frey Village in

Middletown. She was born on April 16, 1942 in Los Angeles, California and touched many lives during her long career as a geriatric nurse. She enjoyed gardening and bird watching in her spare time and had a wonderful sense of humor. Kaaren is survived by her companion Dale F. Myers; her three daughters, Lynette Paszek, Pamela O’Neill and Robin Furjanic. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Catherine Paszek, Miles Paszek, Sarah Hammaker and Michael Furjanic. Lynette, Catherine and Miles Paszek are congregants of Ohev Sholom. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association.

CHARLES “CHARLIE” S. PRESS

Charlie, 94, of Harrisburg passed away on Friday, January 16, 2015 at the Harrisburg Hospital. Charlie was born on May 30, 1920, in Harrisburg, PA to the late Max and Bessie (Goldsmith) Press. He was a graduate of William Penn High School. Charlie proudly served his country during WWII in the United States Army 90th Infantry. He worked as an insurance and investment salesman for John Hancock for 34 years.

On December 29, 1946, Charlie married the love of his life and best friend, Eunice Perlmutter. They spent 68 wonderful years together

before his passing. Throughout his life, Charlie held many positions in the Jewish community. He was Vice President of the Kesher Israel Congregation and President of their Brotherhood. He was a member of the Jewish Federation, a lifetime member of the Jewish Home Guild and a member of B’nai B’rith. Charlie was also a member of the 90th Infantry Association. In addition to his parents, Charlie is preceded in death by his sister, Rose Papier. Charlie is survived by his beloved wife Eunice; his son Dr. Miles W. Press and wife Greta of Rhodesville, VA; his daughter Sueann Lehner and husband Steven of Harrisburg, PA; his 2 brothers, David Press of Mechanicsburg, PA and Herbert Press of Gainesville, FL; his 2 sisters, Ann Feirman and Zelda Arch both of Harrisburg, PA; his 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 18th at the Kesher Israel Cemetery Chapel, with Rabbi Akiva Males officiating. Burial followed at Kesher Israel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Charlie’s name to the Kesher Israel Congregation, 2500 North 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110; the Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg, 4000 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112; or to a charity of your choice.

community review -2 6 15

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jewish community members

welcome reyna jose

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