Congregation Brith Sholom

(1)

Congregation Brith Sholom

President: Ron Ticho rabbi: Michael singer Rabbi emeritus: rabbi Allen Juda

Volume XXXi No. 7 ~ July 2020 Tammuz 5780 ~ Av 5780

PUBLISHED MONTHLY CONGREGATION BRITH

SHOLOM

BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 Tel: 610-866-8009

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: All information must be received in writing or copy ready by the 15th_of

each month. Any article received after the deadline will be published in the next Bulletin. Visit our website at

(2)

FROM THE RABBI

Indestructible: How Judaism changes, survives, and flourishes despite calamity

It is hard to imagine what it must have been like seeing the Temple in Jerusalem on fire. A er months of Roman siege, brutality, starva on, and death on the Ninth of Av in the year 70 CE the most beau ful and holy place in Jewish tradi on lay in ruin. At the me, all of Jewish ritual, economic, and social life revolved around the Temple, priesthood, and the sacrificial system laid out in the Torah. All Jewish holidays including Shabbat, sin offerings, thanksgiving offerings, and Jewish self‐government were centralized and focused on the Temple and Jerusalem. What lay in ruin was not only this ancient tradi‐

on but at its heart and soul the way we had connected with God ‐ the expression of God’s presence in our personal and communal life and our yearning for a rela onship with the Divine. Quite frankly, this could have spelled the end of Judaism and, yet, despite this horriﬁc calamity, our faith and people survived and even ﬂourished.

We are here today because what we hold as our core tradi ons, ethics, and beliefs not only can stand the test of every me and age but because our Sages and leaders understood that for Judaism to survive and flourish they would need to reimagine observance and be crea ve. From the crea on of the Passover seder, to the crea ve expansion of communal and individual prayer in place of sacrifice, eleva ng the synagogue, house of study, and home as holy places, and maybe most important the centrality of Torah study, Talmud, and Midrash as an ever growing and changing force in Jewish life. Judaism adapted to become a portable reli‐ gion able to accompany our people wherever they went. Indeed, as we se led in new places around the world, the influences and tradi ons of those locali es added to the crea ve growth and innova on of Jewish prac ces, scholarship, and the arts (yes, culinary arts included).

As Conserva ve Jews, we are guided by this historical truth that Judaism has always balanced “Tradi on and Change”. As we con nue to find our way during this me of pandemic and social upheaval, I am confident that together we will not only survive it but also find ways to make our tradi on stronger and more commi ed. For one thing I have heard from so many of you how important the synagogue is to your lives and how much it acts as a social, spiritual, and educa onal center for our personal and communal well‐ being. We need your support, par cipa on, and crea vity now more than ever. If you have ideas, Torah you would like to share in a short d’var on Fridays for Kabbalat Shabbat, want to lead a service or learn how to lead a service, read Torah from the Chumash, share a recipe, check on a friend or neighbor or suggest a topic for adult educa on ‐ then now is the me to get involved!

The destruc on of the Temple on Tisha B’Av was catastrophic as it led to exile, persecu on and mass murder (the Inquisi on, pogroms, the Shoah) throughout our long history but has also shown us me and again that Jewish tradi on with our faith in God are indestruc ble. Our understanding of God’s Torah and halacha (Jewish law) with its ritual prac ces and tradi ons remain true to their core values and historical con‐ nec ons l’dor vador while also allowing ﬂexibility, innova on, and relevance to speak to our souls yearning for God’s presence and direc on in our moment of Jewish history.

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy summer! Rabbi Michael Singer

(3)

Friday, July 17 ~ Candle Lighting: 8:11 pm ~ SATURDAY, July 18

Torah Portion: Matot-Masei ~ Numbers 30:2-36:13 ~ Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4 ~ Havdalah: 9:18 pm

Torah Portion: Devarim ~ Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 ~ Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1-27 ~ Havdalah: 9:12 pm

Torah Portion: Pinhas ~ Numbers 25:10-30:1 ~ Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 ~ Havdalah: 9:22 pm

Schedule of Services

SHABBAT

Everyone is invited to attend and participate in the beauty of the Shabbat Services and the Kiddush that follows. Services begin Shabbat morning at 9:00 AM.

MINYAN—is held in the Chapel

Monday and Thursday mornings……….7:45 AM Holiday mornings………...9:00 AM

SHABBAT DEVARIM SHABBAT HUKKAT-BALAK

Torah Portion: Hukkat-Balak ~ Numbers 19:1-25:9 ~ Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8~ Havdalah: 9:25 pm

SHABBAT PINHAS

SHABBAT MATOT-MASEI

Mazel tov to Benjamin Greenberg

Son of Laura and Dr. Michael Greenberg who will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on this date.

We will send a link for virtual attendance to this event when available. Mazel Tov to Benjamin, his family and friends.

We need your help once again!!!

Just as we did last month; we would like to send a great big MAZEL TOV to Benjamin Greenberg for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah on July 11th. Covid-19 and home quarantining is still making the joyous gathering and fanfare of such a momentous occasion as this, challenging but not “virtually” impossible. If you have already submitted a photo for Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah, you do not need to send another. For those who have not, We are asking that you take an individual photo of your-self and send it to us digitally along with a few words of encouragement for Ben. Ideally we would like to receive the photos no later than July 7th. We plan to enlarge the images, print them out and tape them to your usual seat in the Sanctuary for the virtual streaming of his cer-emony.

Thank you again, be well and continue to stay safe. Rabbi Michael Singer

(4)

Message from the Ad Hoc Covid‐19 Preparedness Commi ee

Dear Friend,

We would like to provide you with updates because Pennsylvania has recently gone into the Green Phase. Note that we are s ll in a wait‐and‐see period because the state’s average daily number of new cases of Covid‐19 has recently been on the rise. Numbers in more than half the states in the U.S. are climbing quickly. We will con nue to update you on a regular basis as our plans evolve. We also invite your ques ons,

thoughts, and input as we con nue our planning and evalua on eﬀorts.

Report on Ethan Caine’s Bar Mitzvah

As men oned in our previous le er/FAQ, there was a simcha celebrated privately on June 20 in the main sanctuary of Brith Sholom. This was a gathering of 25 people, including the family, guests, Rabbi Singer, Can‐ tor Sam, and staﬀ.

The service was beau ful. Mazel tov to Ethan and the en re Caine Family!

All in a endance wore masks, sat in assigned seats, and cooperated fully. There was intermi ent cleaning during the service and extreme care taken in the planning phases.

Though not a precedent for other life cycle events, this was a pilot to see whether a service with this number of people would be manageable and meaningful. From all reports and observa ons, it certainly was. While we received posi ve feedback, there are s ll a very few minor details we need to iron out for an upcoming bar mitzvah, also to be privately celebrated, in July.

Starry Services

We an cipate resuming Starry Services, led by Alan Cohen, but with some diﬀerent features. Save the date, July 17. Services will be in the lower parking lot in designated spaces. You must make a reserva on and make a commitment to be in place by a speciﬁc me. Details forthcoming from the Ritual and Ad Hoc commi ees.

Updated A endance Policy

As shared with you in our previous le er/FAQs, we had restricted the invited guests to the June private bar mitzvah to those under 65. However, a er addi onal considera on as well as feedback on that policy, we feel that an advisory would be more appropriate.

Our new policy: We strongly suggest that people 65 and over and all those with underlying condi ons stay home from services and other synagogue events for now.

Mask Wearing Policy

For the foreseeable future, our policy at Brith Sholom is for anyone entering the building, which includes congregants, staﬀ, visitors, trade/delivery people, and those ren ng or using space in the building to wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose:

(5)

Message from the Ad Hoc Covid‐19 Preparedness Commi ee ‐ Cont’d

any me three or more people are present in the same space or room; any me two people are present and less than 10 feet apart in any room; and before, during, and a er services.

Oﬃce Update

The oﬃce is not open yet. There is a covered box outside the door in order to pick up or drop oﬀ items if you call Tammy and arrange to do so. Please call ahead.

High Holidays

It is s ll too early for the actual speciﬁcs of how the High Holidays will be observed but be assured that the Ritual Commi ee is working with Rabbi Singer and this commi ee to arrive at the most engaging, respon‐ sible, and authen c version of Brith Sholom’s High Holidays possible in the me of Covid.

Addi onally, Rabbi Singer and the other Lehigh Valley Jewish clergy are sharing ideas and solving the issues surrounding services. Current best prac ces say communi es are strongest when regional clergy coordi‐ nate re‐openings.

Thank you and be well,

Ad Hoc Covid‐19 Preparedness Commi ee

Jennifer Lader, Commi ee Chair

Johanna Brams, Technology Consultant Irving Kaplan, Chair, Ritual Commi ee Ina Levin, DNP, MSN, RN

Judith Rodwin, Chair, Kiddush Commi ee Ruthie Shleifer, Vice President

SAVE THE DATE!!

FRIDAY, JULY 17th, @ 7PM

STARRY NIGHT SERVICES

in our

PARKING LOT SANCTUARY

Led by Alan Cohen

More information to follow.

Can’t wait to see your faces!

(6)

New Years Greeting Book - 2020-5781

Dear Fellow Congregant:

One of Brith Sholom's most referenced publications is the Annual New Year's Greeting Book and Directory. For decades, our congregants have utilized the directory to wish fellow congregants a happy and healthy new year, to honor or memorialize a relative or friend, or to give special thanks. The directory is also one of Brith Sholom's major fundraising resources each year.

Your message shows visible support for our synagogue and the proceeds directly sup-plement our annual operating budget. We celebrate Rosh Hashanah on September 19th and 20th and Yom Kippur on September 28th. Please complete the attached form to reserve your greeting space - apply a special 10% discount if you complete and return the form by July 15, 2020. Final deadline for all greetings is August 14, 2020.

The directory is our best means of sharing contact information with each

other. Regardless of whether you place a greeting or not, every member of the con-gregation is entitled to a listing in the directory. We would also like to include your children's names (graduate school and younger), current e-mail addresses and wedding anniversary dates. There is no charge for including this information, just fill in the appropriate lines on the form.

The Greeting Book this year will be dedicated to YOU – Fellow Congregants. As you know, the world is going through some interesting times that are caus-ing health and financial issues for a lot of people and businesses. Therefore, please understand that the greeting you had in last year’s New Year’s Greeting Book will appear in this year’s New Year’s Greeting Book, (same size and same con-tent) whether or not we receive payment from you. If you did not have a greeting in last year’s book, you can have a “Patron” greeting by completing the enclosed form which you will receive in the mail.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of our congregation. Please don't hesitate to call MICHAEL E. RISKIN during weekday business hours at(610)868-8543 if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely yours,

Michael E. Riskin

New Year's Greeting Book & Directory Chairman

P.S. Please take note of the fact that the goal of the Committee this year is to have this Book distributed in a timely manner and therefore, there will be no extension of the Deadline Date of Friday, August 14, 2020.

Support Congrega on Brith Sholom!

Purchase Giant Foods Gi Cards and Congrega on Brith Sholom gets 5% of the proceeds.

So when you purchase groceries you will be dona ng to the shul. Giant Card contact:

(7)

It is with gratitude that we acknowledge the following gifts given to the synagogue in memory of or to honor and commemorate the people or events mentioned. It is a sacred obligation and a unique privilege for each of us to be able to show such traditional support and respect for our heritage and loved ones. _{(Minimum contributions to each of the donation levels are: Temple/$10; Chai/}

$18; Silver/$25; Double Chai/$36); Golden/$50; Platinum/$100

Inmemoryofbelovedbrother,

ErvinGross ShirleyGross

WiththankstoGodforanotheryear ofgoodhealth

Roz&AlanCohen

InlovingmemoryofRichardHerzon LorinSchneider

Inlovingmemoryofbrother,Dennis HughKlayton

Janet& RonaldKlayton

Inmemoryofmybelovedhusband, RichardHerzon

JackieHerzon

InhonorofRabbiSingerreceivingthe MortimerSchiffawardforPrejudice

Reduction Judy&GilbertLappen Inlovingmemoryofcousin,

FlorenceMargulies RuthKugelman

Inhonorof RabbiSingerreceiving theMortimerSchiffawardfor

Preju-diceReduction JudyLasker

InhonorofEthanCaine’sBarmitzvah Roz&AlanCohen

Inmemoryofbelovedmother,

RoseBudnitz DebbieMiller

InmemoryofRitaBenowich,mother ofMarcBenowich

Ivy&MarcHoberman

InmemoryofHermanKlibansky TheRiskinFamily

InhonorofEthanCainebecominga Barmitzvah

CaseyGoldblat&IrvingKaplan

Reduction Stef i&MichaelBerman Inlovingmemoryofbelovedfather,

DanielTodes LisaTodesMeyer

MazeltovtoDanielLaderonhis2020 Graduation

Pearl&ShirleyStein

Reductionwithprideandblessings Pearl&ShirleyStein

InhonorofDanielLadergraduating fromLibertyH.S.andattending

LehighUniversity Eugene&Dr.LisaTodesMeyer&

RebeccaMeyer

Reduction Sandy&NormWruble

Reduction RuthKugelman

InhonorofEthanCainebecominga Barmitzvah

Stef i&MichaelBerman InhonorofEthanCainebecominga

BarMitzvah LaurenSakasitz

Inmemoryofbelovedgrandfather,

HarryMilestone

NanciGoldman&SteveBergstein

Reduction Linda&MurrayGarber Inlovingmemoryofmother,

SylviaStoneRosenfeld PaulaGrines

Inmemoryofmother-in-law,

HannaGrines

PaulaGrines

InhonorofDanielLader’sgraduation PaulaGrines

InmemoryofJim,belovedhusbandof IreneLorie

PaulaGrines

InhonorofRozCohen’sbirthday Sarah&RichardSandler

Reduction Sarah&RichardSandler

MazeltovtoEthanCaineandhis fami-lyonhisBarmitzvah

Marilyn&TomDoluisio

“Bring a gift to the Sanctuary

and carry a blessing from the House of God.”

With heartfelt gratitude, Brith

Sholom would like to

acknowledge our members,

Ricki and Les Hochhauser, for

donating hand sanitizer to us

through their company,

American Dental Supply.

Thanks for helping to keep us

safe.

GOLDEN DONATION

DOUBLE CHAI DONATION

TEMPLE FUND PLATINUM DONATION

SILVER DONATION

(8)

WEEK OF JULY 4, 2020

Karl Kritz 12 Tammuz July 4 Abraham Siegel 16 Tammuz July 8 Benjamin Gruber 12 Tammuz July 4 Lillian Olden 17 Tammuz July 9 * Florence G. Hobe 12 Tammuz July 4 Benjamin Parmet 17 Tammuz July 9 Ruth Miller 12 Tammuz July 4 Nathan Grotsky 18 Tammuz July 10 Paulene Rosenzweig 13 Tammuz July 5 Minnie Hesse 18 Tammuz July 10 Rose Aronson 14 Tammuz July 6 Martha Kroope 18 Tammuz July 10 * Lewis Marcus 14 Tammuz July 6 * Charles Lowitz 18 Tammuz July 10 Camilla Oppenheimer 14 Tammuz July 6 Morris Pessis 18 Tammuz July 10 * Sol Sonnenfeld 14 Tammuz July 6 Sophie Schiffer 18 Tammuz July 10 * Desha B. Shiffren 15 Tammuz July 7 * Jack Singer 18 Tammuz July 10

* Morris Blinderman 19 Tammuz July 11 * Rebecca Mahler 22 Tammuz July 14 Joyce Cohen 19 Tammuz July 11 * Rose L. Davis 23 Tammuz July 15 Jean Joseph 19 Tammuz July 11 Lena Dolitzky 23 Tammuz July 15 * Nathan Pisarev 19 Tammuz July 11 * Jacob Friedman 23 Tammuz July 15 Bertha Feder 20 Tammuz July 12 * Abraham S. Gandal 23 Tammuz July 15 * Sara Feigenblatt 20 Tammuz July 12 Mauricio Sema 23 Tammuz July 15 * Gladys Schiff 20 Tammuz July 12 * Abraham Feuer 24 Tammuz July 16 Susan Simmonds 20 Tammuz July 12 Jacob Leibowitz 24 Tammuz July 16 * Isadore Bloom 21 Tammuz July 13 Alvin Nathan 24 Tammuz July 16 * Edward Goldberg 21 Tammuz July 13 * Rose Horowitz 25 Tammuz July 17 Fay Unger 21 Tammuz July 13 * Anna Israelite 25 Tammuz July 17 Rabbi Arnold Lasker 22 Tammuz July 14

* Aaron Abrams 26 Tammuz July 18 * Gizella Albert 1 Av July 22 Sylvia Lader 26 Tammuz July 18 Sylvia Rosenfeld 1 Av July 22 * Simon Levin 26 Tammuz July 18 Eva Spitzer 1 Av July 22 * Joseph V. Weisz 26 Tammuz July 18 Judith Ain 2 Av July 23 Minnie Dogulov 27 Tammuz July 19 * Eugene Diamond 2 Av July 23 * Meyer Perlman 27 Tammuz July 19 Helen Frye 2 Av July 23 Marilyn E. Goldberg 28 Tammuz July 20 Belle Gould 2 Av July 23 * Philip A. Sigal 28 Tammuz July 20 Esther Kornit 2 Av July 23 * Yolan Spitz 28 Tammuz July 20 David Kotkin 2 Av July 23 Manya G. Sucharczuk 28 Tammuz July 20 * Arthur Neuman 2 Av July 23 * Cecelia Brisker 29 Tammuz July 21 Allen A. Sarachek 2 Av July 23 Nathaniel Brisker 29 Tammuz July 21 * Sol Taffet 2 Av July 23 Mary Goidich 29 Tammuz July 21 George Bryen 3 Av July 24 * Frances M. Jaslow 29 Tammuz July 21 Louis D. Fromm 3 Av July 24 * Abraham Staller 29 Tammuz July 21

Lawrence H. Karman 29 Tammuz July 21

* Dora Frankel 4 Av July 25 Aaron Eden 8 Av July 29

Allan Goodman 4 Av July 25 * Isador Goldberg 8 Av July 29 * Harold Mindlin 4 Av July 25 Melvin Goldblat 8 Av July 29 * Jacob Phillips 4 Av July 25 * Theodore Goodman 8 Av July 29

(9)

WEEK OF JUNE 27, 2020

* Albert S. Spear 4 Av July 25 Irving Steinberger 8 Av July 29 Sadie Levan 6 Av July 27 Louise Weinstein 8 Av July 29

Herman Goren 7 Av July 28 * Jacob Weisz 8 Av July 29

* Mary Klibanoff 7 Av July 28 * Jacob S. Levitt 9 Av July 30 Joseph R. Lasker 7 Av July 28 * Pearl Weinstein 9 Av July 30 Marion Lilchtman 7 Av July 28 Beatrice Hilberg 9 Av July 30 * Solomon Branker 8 Av July 29

Own Your High Holiday Mahzor

The shul has at least fifty Mahzorim left from our original purchase. This year, Covid-19 may cause High Holiday services to be virtual. If you would like to own a Mahzor for the High Holidays, please e-mail or call Tammy at the office. The cost for a new Mahzor Lev Shalem is $36.00. Your own High Holiday pray-er book will be ppray-ersonalized with a nameplate indicating it belongs to you.

Support our Shul – Buy now *local delivery can be arranged Shabbat and Holiday Prayer Books

Do you need a Shabbat and Holiday Prayer book for home use in order to follow our virtual services? We can help you. The shul will lend you a Sim Shalem prayer book. Please note this is the previous version used for our services. E-mail or call the office and Tammy will make the necessary arrangements to place the prayer book outside the building for you to pick it up. Thank you for your understanding these pickup procedures.

Please visit our website for links to various virtual services, information and updates with respect to Covid-19.

http://www.brithsholom.net/covid19-resources/

Topic: CBS Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Time: This is a recurring meeting on Fridays at 6pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/677083639?

pwd=WGJmSkRGcENUdENKak9PUnllYTFtZz09 Meeting ID: 677 083 639

Password: SHABBATLUV One tap mobile

+16465588656,,677083639# US (New York)

Topic: CBS Morning Minyan

Time: This is a recurring meeting on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:45am

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/589285047?

pwd=UHdQd0J0Q0REd2Q4MndFREFGRGJsdz09 Meeting ID: 589 285 047

Password: DavenLife One tap mobile

(10)

YAHRZEIT PLAQUES

These bronze plaques are permanent tributes to your loved ones. Unlike many of the other synagogues both here in the Valley and in other places, our Yahrzeit Memorial Wall has individual lights that are turned on during the week of the Yahrzeit. It does not matter how long ago a grandparent, parent or, G-d forbid, a child has died, the memory is still there. Traditionally, we show respect and love for our departed family members by this annual demonstration of re-membrance. We say Kaddish in shul. We hold them in the forefront of our hearts and minds, and, for many of us, by the public illumination of their names on the Memorial Wall. The price for a plaque is $300. The price to reserve a space is still $25.

To reserve a space or order plaques, please contact :

Sandy Wruble (610-865-2474)

BLOOD DONORS NEEDED

Keep Brith Sholom in good standing. Call Miller-Keystone Blood Center at

(610) 691-5850 and make an appointment. “Give the Gift of Life.”

Call today to schedule your appointment to donate blood on behalf of Brith Sholom Thank You!!!

(11)

9 Tammuz, 5780

10 Av, 5780

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9th of Tamuz, 5780

2

10th of Tamuz, 5780

3

11th of Tamuz, 5780

8:17p

4

12th of Tamuz, 5780

9:25p

5

13th of Tamuz, 5780

6

14th of Tamuz, 5780

7

15th of Tamuz, 5780

8

16th of Tamuz, 5780

9

17th of Tamuz, 5780

Tzom Tammuz 10

18th of Tamuz, 5780 8:15p 11 Ben Greenberg’s Bar Mitzvah 9:22p 12

20th of Tamuz, 5780

13

21st of Tamuz, 5780

14

22nd of Tamuz, 5780

15

23rd of Tamuz, 5780

16

24th of Tamuz, 5780 17 Starry Services 7pm 8:11p 18

26th of Tamuz, 5780

9:18p

19

27th of Tamuz, 5780

20

28th of Tamuz, 5780

21

29th of Tamuz, 5780

22

1st of Av, 5780 Rosh Chodesh Av

23

2nd of Av, 5780

24

3rd of Av, 5780

8:05p

25

4th of Av, 5780 Shabbat Chazon

9:12p

26

5th of Av, 5780

27

6th of Av, 5780

28

7th of Av, 5780

29

8th of Av, 5780 Erev Tish'a B'Av

30

9th of Av, 5780 Tish'a B'Av

31

10th of Av, 5780

7:58p

(12)

CONGREGATION BRITH SHOLOM

President: Ron Ticho Rabbi: Michael singer Rabbi Emeritus: Rabbi Allen Juda

PUBLISHED MONTHLY

Congregation Brith Sholom

1190 West Macada Road Bethlehem, PA 18017

Non-Profit Organization PERMIT no. 461 U.S. Postage Paid

Lehigh Valley, PA

Volume XXXi No. 7 July 2020 Tammuz 5780 ~ Av 5780

Tel: 610-866-8009 Fax: 610-866-8000 email: [email protected] [email protected]