The Honey Jar - Congregation Ohev Shalom

March 2011Page 5President’s Compass: Carpe Diem!Chaverim,There are lots of similar expressions thatencourage us to “seize the day,” “youonly go around once,” “don’t wish yourlife away,” and that remind us that “life is short.” Myfavorite is that “each day is a gift, that’s why they call it‘the present.’” All of these are reminders that our timeon this earth is short and that when opportunities ariseto get to know someone new, or to risk a differentexperience, or maybe to tackle something onour bucket lists,sometimes we need toignore our fears andexcuses and just gofor it. The rewardscan far outweighour originalconcerns.I wasthinking aboutthese expressionsthe other daybecause I“seized theday” five yearsago when theopportunityto travel toIsrael came up, thanks to JulieSilverstein. Visiting Israel had been on mybucket list – you know, the list of things I planned todo before I die – along with learning to ice skatebackwards and read Torah – not at the same time, ofcourse. But, I’d always found excuses: it was toomuch money, we couldn’t take time off from work,our children were too young. And after years ofexcuses, suddenly it wasn’t safe to travel to Israelbecause of the Intifadah.The years went by – they have a way of doingthat – and as it became safer to travel to Israel, ourchildren got a little older, and it became clearer that Iwasn’t getting any younger, I began to wonder what Iwas waiting for. When Julie invited our daughter Juliaand me to join her while she visited her own daughterKatie who was studying in Israel – we jumped at thechance. The trip was only for five days and it wasn’tcheap but I’m so glad I went.That first trip was like a small child’s first taste ofchocolate – I was a goner. Finally, I got what all thehoopla was about. The history, the people, the sites –Israel is a country with an endless number ofexperiences for the tourist, Jewish and Christian, but itwasn’t like any other travel experience I’ve had. Wewere walking on sacred ground, and we were athome. We didn’t have to say: “Next year inJerusalem,” we were standing there at thecenter of the spiritual world.I couldn’t waitto return asecond time soI jumped at thechance to go onOhev Shalom’strip to Israel afew years later –it was even betterthe second timearound! If you’vebeen toying withthe idea of going onthe Ohev ShalomTrip to Israel fromAugust 2 – 14, then Iurge you to takeadvantage of thisopportunity. Both Rabbi Gerber and CantorFriedrich will be on the tour, making this a wonderfulopportunity to fall in love with Israel for the first,second, or even the sixteenth time in Karen Stesis’case.If you have a reason you aren’t going, test it withRabbi Gerber, Rich Kaplan, or Karen and LouisStesis. Perhaps your reason is a misperception or aconcern that can be addressed with relative ease.To quote another expression, “Opportunitiesdon’t come along like this every day.”B’shalom,Frances Sheehan

Page 6The Honey Jar6410 N. Broad StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19126(215) 927-5800Albert MendelFuneral DirectorBennett GoldsteinSupervisor

March 2011Page 7the office at 610-874-1465

Page 8The Honey JarFrom a small, intimate gourmet dinnerto a banquet for several hundred…from a cocktail party to a formal dinner…Boscov’s A La Carte makes entertaining easy.We’ll bring the party to you…or prepare it in your kitchen, if you prefer…perfectly tailored to your specificationsand very affordably priced.The best party you ever gaveis just a phone call away610-370-3718

March 2011Page 9to exec@ohev.net or 610-874-1465Saturday, March 5, 8:00 PM - Sunday, March 6, 2:00 PMSaturday, March 12, 8:00 PM - Sunday, March 13, 2:00 PMLocation: Congregation Ohev Shalom2 Chester Road, Wallingford, PA 19086World Wide [T’fillin] WrapFebruary 6Ohev Shalom had 75 participants in this year’sWorld Wide Wrap, with 26 studentsparticipating in the “Build a Pair” project,wrapping t’fillin together with parents andregular Sunday daveners. The Men’s Clubsponsored a breakfast after the service. OhevShalom’s liaison to the Wrap was CantorFriedrich.

Page 10The Honey JarWallingford, PA 19086c/o Ohev Shalom, 2 Chester Road

March 2011Page 11Views from the Pews: Pass the Siddur, Please!Last month, I invited you to share your thoughts on prayer and praying.A big “THANK YOU” to Bonnie Breit for sharing her thoughts in this,the first installment in our new series, “Views from the Pews.”Afewweeks ago, Rabbi Gerber challengedus to consider: “What is it about prayer thatappeals to us”? I gave it some thought, andif you’ll indulge me, here’s what I have to share.I grew up in a Conservative shul in the South.There were about ten different rabbis during myformative theological years, which could be an articleon its own, but I won’t digress right now. My travelshave enabled me to join several Conservative shuls,and a few Reform ones, as well. I have experienced“conserva-dox” and “reform-ative” congregations.And now, I have the privilege of being an Ohevmember.As I sit in shul, at times, I reflect on my history.I now have a religious home where “conservative”comfortably describes the religious tone. Yet, if anidea is raised which might be deemed Reform orOrthodox in spirit, we are open and willing to exploreif it might fit into our community.My favorite times are in the chapel. I truly lovethe intimate space. I cherish when we have to slideover to make room for more people. Ohev makespassing your siddur to the newly arrived an unspokenritual which always makes me smile. (My personalgoal is to see how many times one book can be passedaround… so far, I have seen five.)So as I thought about my answer to Rabbi’srequest, here goes:Ohev lets me pray in a familiar way aboutwhatever I want. I am among friends, some old andsome new. And for this, I am truly grateful.Bonnie BreitRabbi and Cantor Professional ReviewsWe are once again preparing toconduct annual reviews of RabbiGerber and Cantor Friedrich. Inearly March, we will be emailing surveys to allcongregants seeking their input. Replies will be dueby March 31. Hard copies will also be available inthe office for those who prefer pen and paper, and, inall cases, responses will be kept strictly confidential. Ifyou are not currently on Ohev’s emailing list, pleasesend an email to Josh Laster at exec@ohev.net.Both Rabbi and Cantor welcome the chance forsuch broad feedback and look forward to yourassessment and comments.Josh LasterNo Sweat!Planning several buildingenhancement projects one recentSunday morning are (L to R):Marv Fackenthall, Steve Levinstein, SteveSmith and Josh Laster. Look for a newSisterhood Gift Gallery closet in the back ofthe coat room soon!

Page 12The Honey JarYour Ad Here!Call the office --610-874-1465

March 2011Page 13Social Action/Chesed: Where Does the Money Go?Social Action and Chesed are fundedfrom congregants’ donations to theHelping the Community Fund. Wheredid the money go?From July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010 (OhevShalom’s fiscal year), Social Action and Chesed spent$6,150. Our mission is helping the hungry andhomeless.We work closely with the Community ActionAgency of Delaware County (CAADC), which runsthree family shelters in Chester (Family ManagementCenter, Wesley House, and the Colony Building) anda shelter for single adults in Upper Darby (theLifeCenter). We also work with Chester’s co-op toimprove access to healthy food in Chester.37% went for dinners at the LifeCenter in UpperDarby, a CAADC soup kitchen and shelter that feedsmore than 150 clients every night.34% went for Martin Luther King Day activitiesat CAADC’s family shelters, swimsuits and healthiersnacks for the kids in the shelters.6% went for challot and ingredients for Chesed’sSuper Sunday.18% went to Chester’s co-op, where we’vesponsored memberships for CAADC’s three familyshelters, and for the Bernardine Center, a food pantryin western Chester.5% represented the cost of fundraisers.What do we get back? We get thanks. There isscarcely a person that goes through the LifeCentercafeteria line that doesn’t say “thank you for coming”to the servers. We get smiles from the kids who takehome donated books, and the house monitors andLifeSkills instructors at the shelters are grateful for ourhelp. We get to know that kids who lacked pajamasand gloves in the winter and swimsuits and towels inthe summer are getting a few bright, new things alltheir own.The shelters that Ohev Shalom works with are allrun by CAADC. CAADC receives about 40% of itsfunding from private donors, and the rest from county,state, and U.S. funds. The major source of federalfunds is the Community Services Block Grant(CDBG) program, which received $900 million in2009. In his State of the Union address, presidentObama proposed reducing the CDBG program by50%, and state and county government funding forprograms helping the poor is also being cut in thesehard times. They need our help more than ever.Fran StierChange a Life: Become a Literacy TutorIf you have time, talent, and energy, youcan make a difference by becoming avolunteer literacy tutor to a DelawareCounty adult. The Delaware County Literacy Councilis offering 10 hours of free tutor training on March 7,9, 14, and 16, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., at the Mt. ZionUnited Methodist Church, 921 Main Street, Darby,PA 19023. Participants must attend all four sessionsand must preregister by calling Susan at 610-876-4811.More information is available at www.delcoliteracy.org.Feel free to call me with any questions. Weappreciate your help in improving the literacy levels ofadults in Delaware County.Sincerely,Susan Keller, Volunteer CoordinatorDelaware County Literacy CouncilThank you to everyone who gave so generously to the Aliyah Campaign. A replica of theplaque will be placed on display between March 1 and March 15, in or near the Archivesdisplay case in the main hallway. Please stop in to make sure you are listed correctly.

Page 14The Honey JarMen’s Club Update: Tapping the TorahMen’s Club held its second “Torah onTap” event on Monday, February 7,at Generations Restaurant in Media.Twenty of us enjoyed good food, beer and astimulating discussion. There was no argument thatthe topic “The Art of Debate: Good vs. BadDisagreement” was a great choice for this crowd.Facilitating the evening using scripture, current events,and good ol’ Swedish common sense, Rabbi Gerberwas the consummate emcee for the event. There isalso no doubt that Men’s Club will be able to utilizesome of these lessons during our monthly meetings;from now on our important decisions will be exploredin the most “heavenly” way possible.Thanks to Dave Pollack and Alan Schapire fororganizing the event location and libations, and toRabbi Gerber for feeding us a great idea andinteresting topic. Our next Torah on tap will be onMonday, March 28 – topic to be named later.Other Men’s Club news: The Men’s Club ofOhev Shalom participated in the World Wide TefillinWrap, organized by Cantor Friedrich with help fromCliff Cohen. Thanks to Curt Krouse, Alan Glanzman,Matt Tashman, Rich Kaplan, Josh Cohen, and MikeLehrberger for acquiring and preparing a nutritiousand very Jewish breakfast of bagels, whitefish salad,and trimmings for about 75 school kids and theirparents!Another successful event this month was theMen’s Club/Sisterhood-sponsored “Wines fromAround the World” on January 29, hosted bysommelier Mindy Berman and incredibly wellorganizedby Kyle Berman (yes, there is a relation),Rebecca Berman and Bonnie Kaplan. What a vineevening we enjoyed, with perfectly matched horsd’oeuvres and diverse wine choices, available for salethere and from the gift shop. Thanks to all whoattended, and a huge yasher koach to Mindy.Finally, almost two dozen of us truly enjoyed theFlyers game on February 4 (Flyers won!), and thanksto Brad Ernest for organizing that event. We learnedmany things that evening, most importantly was thatCrab Fries do not contain any crab(!).The next Men’s Club Meeting will be Sunday,March 13, at 9:45 AM. Attend minyan, grab a cup o’joe at the OHevenly Café, and then join us for bagels,lox, and more fun plotting and planning events. It ismost enjoyable if you are a part of it!For any questions about Torah on Tap or otherMen’s Club issues contact Joel Fein at info@ohev.net.Ohev shalom cemetery Monument divisionis proud to offer member familiesBronze and granite memorialsat reduced priceswith the same quality and service offered by any other monument company.For information, please contact the Ohev office at610-874-1465,

March 2011Page 15Sisterhood ScoopDear Women of Ohev,Ihope you are all enjoying this change inthe weather that we have beenexperiencing lately. I am hopeful it is asignal of changes to come. I wanted to take thisopportunity to thank all of the slicers and dicers andservers who helped make the Tu Bishvat seder such asuccess. Another yasher koach goes to Bonnie Kaplanand Rebecca Berman for helping to plan and organizeour wonderful tour of Wines around the World (seephotos below). If you were not able to join us for theactual tour, please stop by the Gift Gallery to purchasewine from the event.I am now going to ask for your help. We haveour two events associated with Purim coming up inMarch, and if you have not had the opportunity tohelp out, or just need to get out of the house, or justwant to hang out with a really fun and cool bunch ofladies, I have two events for you to consider. Thefirst, on March 6, will be our annual Hamantaschenbaking extravaganza. We need people who can worka mixer, roll out dough, put the filling in, andpinchers. We also need people to help put the ShalachManot bags together. In addition, we’ll need somevolunteers the evening and afternoons of the 2 nd , 3 rdand 4 th “Break a Leg” shows to hand out the bags. Ifyou want to help with either of these events, pleasecontact Marianne Glanzman.Our second event for which we need some funenergetic people is our annual Purim Carnival whichwill be held on Sunday, March 20, starting at 10 AM(see page 4). This is a wonderful opportunity to seekids in costumes and run one of our exciting games.If you want to help with the carnival, please contactBetty Bard at 610-565-1081 or by email atBBard215@aol.com.As always, the Sisterhood values its members andI welcome your input and suggestions for events andtopics of discussion.B’Shalom,Paula Lehrberger

Page 16The Honey JarRachel Ernest (Ohev), Ashley Hoyle (Beth Israel), Ruthie Cohen (Ohev)and Lev Boonin (Beth Israel) having fun hanging out in our youth loungeEthan Fein (Ohev), Eve Atkins (Beth Israel), Ashley Hoyle (Beth Israel),Ruthie Cohen (Ohev) at Super Sunday in Bryn Mawr610-874-1465

March 2011Page 17When I was in elementary school (fartoo long ago, I sadly admit) it wascustomary to have occasional fieldtrips to museums and other local places of interest. Ican still clearly recall the excitement generated bythose jolly jaunts, more likely due to time outside ofthe classroom than for the educational value receivedfrom them. Yet these field trips also provided us theopportunity to experience new environments, tofollow a different set of rules of behavior and tointeract with people outside of our own classrooms.Thanks to the generosity of the Starer Fund andto all those who donate to it, the Mispallelim studentsin grades 3 thru 7 will have a similar opportunity. OnSunday, March 27, all students in grades 3 thru 7 willbe bused into Center City Philadelphia to visit thebrand new National Museum of American JewishHistory. Accompanied by their teachers and staff,these students will be among the first students in ourarea to experience this incredible new resource. Theywill have an introductory lecture by museum staffersfollowed by a tour of the entire museum led by themuseum’s own professional tour guides. Everyonewill be treated to a kosher boxed lunch, after whichthey will be able to roam the museum on their own,to relive the experience of their ancestors who left thefamiliarity of their birth homes in order to create a lifeof freedom and opportunity in America.I am most pleased to announce that there willbe two buses hired to take our students and staff toand from the museum. This will give us room forapproximately 35 additional people to accompany uson the trip. Even though the tours are completelyfilled by our students, anyone wishing to accompanyus will be able to enter the museum at the grouprates. If you are interested, please contact me(school@ohev.net) as soon as possible to reserve yourseat on the bus. You will also be able to order akosher box lunch if you wish to join the students. Theentire trip will take approximately 6 hours (9:15 a.m.– 3:15 p,m,). While the museum is extremely childfriendly,I am told that it is not recommended forchildren under the age of 8.Mispallelim: Field TripEven if you are not able to join us for our fieldtrip, please be sure to make your own plans to visitthis incredible museum. I am confident you will be asimpressed and as entertained as I was on my first visit.B’ShalomCantor FriedrichMispallelim Calendar of Events – March 2011Wed. 3/2 – Mispallelim grades 3-7, 4 p.m.; Confirmation Classgrades 10-11, 5 p.m.Sat. 3/5 – Junior Congregation 10 a.m.; Ohev Musical 8 p.m.Sun. 3/6 – Mispallelim Preschool through grade 7, 9 a.m.; OhevMusical 2 p.m.Wed. 3/9 – Mispallelim grades 3-7, 4 p.m.; Confirmation Classgrades 8-9, 5 p.m.Sat. 3/12 – Vav/Zayin (grades 6 and 7) class service in MainSanctuary 9 a.m.; Ohev Musical 8 p.m.Sun. 3/13 – Mispallelim grades K through 7, 9 a.m.,Hamentaschen Baking for all. Ohev Musical 2 p.m.Wed. 3/16 – Mispallelim grades 3-7, 4 p.m.; Confirmation Classgrades 10-11, 5 p.m.Sat. 3/19—Junior Congregation 10 AM; Tot Shabbat 10:30 AMSun. 3/20 – Purim (no classes). Breakfast and Carnival begin9:30 a.m.Wed. 3/23 – Mispallelim grades 3-7, 4 p.m.; Confirmation Classgrades 8-9, 5 p.m..Fri. 3/25 – Shabbat Echad 5:30 p.m.Sun. 3/27 – Mispallelim grades K-2, 9 a.m.; Field Trip toNational Museum of American Jewish History forMispallelim students grades 3-7, 9 a.m. (will return about 3:15p.m.)Wed. 3/30 – Mispallelim grades 3-7, 4 p.m.; Confirmation Classgrades 10-11, 5 p.m.The National Museum of American Jewish History at its new locationadjacent to Independence Mall in Philadelphia, PA

Page 18The Honey JarSee Us At Our NEW SHOWROOM!WERTHEIMERLIBERTY MONUMENTSAnyone can shop!Anyone can join!Check out theSWARTHMORE CO-OP!Open 8 to 8 Mon-Sat, and 8-7 Sunday610-543-9805758 Second Street PikeSouthampton, PA215-396-7470Fax: 215-396-7473Monday, Tuesday, Thursday9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Friday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.CLOSED Shabbat and Yom TovConvenient off-street parking341 Dartmouth AvenueSwarthmore, PA 19081swacoop@comcast.netswarthmore.coop

March 2011Page 19Library News — Ba'SifriyahSometimesI read a review that leavesme unsure as to whether a book isworth purchasing for Ohev’s library.When it’s fiction, I can often find the book at thepublic library and check it out (in both senses of thephrase!). That’s what happened with two booksrecently. One was a novel written by a famous Jewishlawyer. I wondered whether it was going to bepossible for him to tell his story without insertinghimself into it. Turns out, it wasn’t. His tale is about ayoung Jewish lawyer, who goes off to Israel to work,but constantly either consults her famous lawyer fatheror thinks about the things he taught her. I didn’t gettoo far into the book. I set it aside for the time beingand did not order it. (Although if you’re curious, I’dbe happy to share the author and title with you).I picked up the second book, The InvisibleBridge, by first-time novelist Julie Orringer. It is thestory of a young Hungarian Jew who is awarded ascholarship to study architecture in Paris in 1937.The narrative follows what happens to him, his familyand those close to him during the Holocaust. What adifference! Orringer writes beautifully; I found thestory interesting and her prose a joy to read. Needlessto say, before I was 100 pages in (it is a long book),I had added it to my “shopping cart.” It is nowavailable in our library, and I highly recommend it.Here are some other new books.Adult fiction:Pomerantz, SharonSteinberg, MiltonRich BoyThe Prophet’s WifeAdult non-fiction:Glidden, Sarah How to Understand Israel in 60Days or LessPlaut, W. Gunther The Torah: A ModernCommentaryWilson, Barrie A. How Jesus Became ChristianChildren’s books:Rouss, Sylvia A.Sammy Spider’s First Tu B’ShevatChaverim,This year, your Shalach Manot will beavailable for pick-up at “Break a Leg” onMarch 6, 12, and 13, at the Megillahreading on March 20, at the Purim carnival on March20, and during Hebrew school on March 9 and 13.We will continue to deliver Shalach Manot to oursenior members, and we will mail them to those wholive a significant distance away. We hope that youwill come to pick up your goodies in person whileyou enjoy the talents of fellow Ohevites and celebratePurim!If you are willing and able to help us deliver toour senior members, please contact MarianneGlanzman at info@ohev.net or call 610-874-1465.Thank you for your support!Paula LehrbergerShalach Manot DeliveriesBargain Shopping!SAVE THE DATE!Sunday, March 279 a.m. - 1 p.m.Come “check out”the Ohev LibraryBook and VideoSale!Something old,Something new ...Amy Graham

Page 20The Honey JarCall the Office for prices.Maura B. McConnell PhotographyYou can trust that I will capture your Simcha with aunique photojournalistic flare and professionalism. Iam personable, reliable and unobtrusive. Flexiblepackages offered and references upon request.Mention this ad and receive $100 off any package.mbmphotography.com ♥ maurabmc@verizon.net484-437-8968

March 2011Page 21

Page 22The Honey Jar

March 2011Page 23Mekom Torah High School NewsSince September, twenty-six students,Grades 8 to 11, have been meeting onSunday afternoons at Ohev Shalom.Beginning in February, our meetings will be movingto Beth Israel in Media. It has been a great semesterat Ohev, with the incomparable Steve Smith (staffer)providing facilities support.Our students are members of Ohev Shalom,Beth Israel, and Mishkan Shalom, and a few areunaffiliated.We do a great variety of things. We study thetexts and rituals of our tradition, we create art, wewrite songs, we discuss history, ethics, and themeaning of life. And we cook.Our theme for the year is “Jewish Food.” welearned about the mystical significance of eating kugelon Shabbat, and we had Chef Dottie Deitch, who runsthe kosher kitchens at Penn Hillel, lead us in anepisode of Iron Chef: Kugel, in which magnificenttraditional recipes vied with a Mexican sweet potatocreation and a Chinese ramen kugel. In the process,we learned about Jewish communal life in medievaland early modern Europe.Our tikkun olam contributions this year willinclude helping out with Federation’s Super Sundayand cooking a meal for families staying at RonaldMcDonald House in Philadelphia. We have alsocommitted to being involved in the social action workof our congregations and attending shiva minyanimwhen needed.The main teachers at Mekom Torah HighSchool are Rabbi Helen Plotkin and rabbinical studentDanielle Parmenter. We bring in visiting artists andteachers to supplement the program; we’ve had four sofar this year.If you have comments or suggestions for theMekom Torah High School program, or if you knowsomeone who would like to join, please contact RabbiHelen Plotkin at helen@mekomtorah.org,610-368-4065.Rabbi Helen PlotkinMekom Torah, PO Box 178, Swarthmore, PA 19081Congregation Ohev Shalom’s2011 Scholar-in-Residence Weekend, February 11-132011 Scholar-in-Residence Arthur Kurzweil, with Ohev’s Rabbi Gerber,Adult Education Chairman Peter Brampton Koelle, and Ohev’s RabbiEmeritus Louis Kaplan.

Page 24The Honey JarThis Page Is Empty

March 2011Page 25Welcome to our New Members!▪▪▪▪Cathy BaumKevin Bittman and Shana Deal (andcongratulations on the recent birth of their twingirls, Haley Ariella and Isabella Rebecca)Marti and Vance Dicus and their children,Alexander, Ethan and ReeseJoanne Field▪▪▪▪Annie Fox and her son TivonPamela and Andrew Holt and their son NathanielAmando Jayme and Maria Hazel Mendoza-Jaymeand their children Isabella, Ana, Simona, and EmilKaren Pinsky-Shor and Craig Shor and theirchildren Jonah and EmilyWe will be mailing out a list of these congregants in addition to any corrections to phone numbers andaddresses in our next congregational mailing.

Page 26The Honey JarTHE GIFT GALLERYMARCH MADNESS—Check out our new items!Wine!The Gift Gallery has increased the number of wines wecarry. The new offerings were featured at the recent“Wines From Around The World” programled by Minday Berman of MEB Events.Mindy recommends theIsraeli-made Barkan Sauvignon Blanc,the Viognier from Goose Bay in New Zealand andthe Spanish Rioja by Ramon Cardova. Mindy ishappy to help with menu planning and individual winepairings. Email her at mindy@wineconsultant.com.Store HoursSunday: 9:00 – 12:00Wednesday AfternoonBy Appointment—Contact Karen StesisWe still have room!It’s NOT too late!Join Ohev Shalom inIsraelAugust 2-14ASAP! ContactRich Kaplan610-892-0122

March 2011Page 27

Page 28Congregation Ohev Shalom2 Chester RoadWallingford, PA 19086RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDThe Honey JarTime Sensitive MaterialNon-Profit Org.U.S. Postage PaidWallingford, PAPermit No. 225Save the DateAs we induct our latest hall of fame membersCathy YeagerBernie MissanSally Balin z”l of blessed memoryShabbat morning services,Followed by a Kiddush luncheonSaturday, May 7, 9:00 a.m.