Community Review 4 3 15

April 3, 2015 | 14 Nissan, 5775 | Vol. 89; No. 7Published by The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg | Greater Harrisburg’s Jewish Newspaper

www.jewishharrisburg.orgcommunity review

“An Israel Frontline Briefing from Gershon Baskin - peace activist,

hostage negotiator and intermediary”MONDAY, APRIL 27TH 7:00 PM

The Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg invites you attend the first program in our 2015 speaker series Monday, April 27th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center in Harrisburg. The program will feature Gershon Baskin, Ph.D. the initiator and the person responsible for the secret back channel between Israel and the Hamas who successfully negotiated the release of Israeli abducted soldier Gilead Schalit.

Dr. Baskin was the Israeli Co-Director and founder of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) - a joint Israeli-Palestinian public policy think and “do”-tank located in Jerusalem. Since January 2012 he is the Co-Chairman of IPCRI’s Board of Directors.

During the Premiership of the late Yitzhak Rabin, he served as an advisor on the Israeli- Palestinian peace process to a secret team of intelligence officers established by Mr. Rabin. Dr. Baskin was a member of the Jerusalem Experts Committee established by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office during the Final Status Negotiations in 2000-2001.

He is a member of the steering committee of the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum, a member of the Board of ALLMEP – the Alliance for Middle East Peace, a member of the Editorial Board of the Palestinian Israeli Journal, and a member of the Board of One Voice. Dr. Baskin is also a member of the Israeli Council for Peace and Security.

He has a regular column in the Jerusalem Post newspaper and was a radio host on All for Peace Radio. Dr. Baskin has been awarded the Histadrut Prize for Peace in 1996, the Turkish Foreign Policy Institute Peace Prize in 2004, the Tribute of Honor and Courage from the World Movement for Democracy in 2004 and the Search for Common Ground Journalist Award for Middle East Journalism in 2005 and 2007 as well as the Ordine Della Stella Della Solidarieta

Italiana. Dr. Baskin speaks Hebrew, English and Arabic.The Speaker series which will feature Dr. Baskin in April and Aryeh Green on

October 19th and is made possible, in large part, through a generous gift to the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg from Edward and Esther Beck.

YOM HASHOAH OBSERVANCES

HOLOCAUST MONUMENT OBSERVANCEThe commemoration at the Holocaust monument on

Riverfront Park will take place on Sunday, April 19 at 11:00 am. Anthony McVey, an 8th grade student at the Silver Academy and winner of the Schwab Holocaust Essay contest, will read his essay. Hershey resident, Dr. Mark Glick, will share the Holocaust experiences of his beloved parents, Eli and Sonia Glick, Holocaust survivors from Poland. The Jewish Adult Choir will sing two musical selections during the observance.

READING OF NAMES

On Wednesday evening, April 15, Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Memorial Day) will be commemorated with the “Reading of Names” program to be held at Kesher Israel Congregation, 2500 North Third Street, in Harrisburg. This meaningful program will begin at 8:00 PM with a special opening service led by children from congregational Religious Schools and the Silver Academy. Following the opening ceremony, a vigil in which the names of those who perished will be read continuously over a period of 24 hours.

“Unto Every Person There is a Name” seeks to dignify the memories of victims of the Shoah, the Nazi Holocaust, by reading their names aloud. These victims were stripped of their names by their oppressors and tattooed with numbers. Through the public reading of the names of Holocaust victims, this program strives to restore a portion of their humanity and to retrieve them from the lost depths of anonymity.

For more information or if you would like an opportunity to read names, please contact Lillian Rappaport at 236-9555, ext 3402.

HOLOCAUST CIVIC COMMEMORATION

The annual Holocaust Civic commemoration, co-sponsored by the Governor’s Office and the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition, will occur in the Governor’s Reception Room in the State Capitol on Monday, April 20 at 11:30. As part of the program, Schwab Holocaust prize winners, Julia Wert and Alexa Romanchock, 8th grade students at Linglestown Middle School, will read their essays.

For more information, please contact Lillian Rappaport at the Jewish Community Center, 236-9555, ext. 3402.

2 | community review | greater harrisburg’s jewish newspaper

CommunityReview

Vol. 89 No. 7April 3, 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

During our 2015 Annual Campaign, we sent weekly emails titled,

“We are more than a gym.” Each email included a story which featured

individuals who participate in a program that the Annual Campaign

helps to fund, such as PJ library, our Early Learning Center and our

senior lunch program, to name a few. All of these programs and so many

more are funded by the Annual Campaign, and we wanted to be sure to

tell our story so that prospective donors would know how their generous

donations are being invested in our community.

So it may come as a surprise that I am going to talk about our gym! We

have a state-of- the-art fitness center, about 30 free (with membership)

class offerings a week, racquetball, some of the best instructors around,

top-notch personal training, a pool for classes and open swimming, and

babysitting!

I am often amazed by the dedicated members who are leaving the

Center before 7 a.m. as I am coming to work. They have taken a spin

class or finished a work-out and are ready to take on the day. (It’s about

all I can do to get a cup of coffee and get to work at that hour of the day!)

And when I leave after a late meeting in the evening, more members are

coming and going. And of course, throughout the day members swipe

their cards for their workout.

It’s true; we are, in fact, much more than a gym! We are a fitness center

that is often described as coming into “Cheers” where everyone knows

your name, a Center where healthy lifestyle choices are being made and a

fitness center where everyone is welcome.

Recently, all JCC members received complimentary guest passes to bring

a friend or 2 to the JCC to check us out. We believe our current members

are our best referrals. I hope that our members will take advantage of this

opportunity and share our great fitness center with family and friends

because we, in fact, are MORE than a gym!

L’Shalom,

www.jewishharrisburg.org | april 3, 2015 | 3

federation | annual campaign

By Paulette Keifer, DirectorJewish Community Foundation of Central PA

What an inspiring program for all of us when Rachel Cohen Gerrol shared her personal journey from Birthright to her passion for being Jewish! Imagine, a woman who was not raised Jewish…

As a Rabbi once told me inside us all is a Pinte Lite – little light. Inside her was the little light of Jewishness waiting to be turned on and the Jewish philanthropist who started Birthright flipped the switch! Oh what a light! Incredibly she has become a passionate spokesperson and advocate for the Jewish community and Israel.

Rachel shared how she makes her charitable gifts through a Donor Advised Fund at a Jewish Community Foundation. It is clear to charities that receive her gifts that she is giving Jewishly.

Rachel sends a clear message with each gift – I am a Jew. I am giving to support your cause because as a people, Jews believe in Tikkun Olam, healing the world.

Many attendees expressed interest in learning more about Donor Advised Funds.Join Rachel and the many others in our community who have created philanthropic Donor Advised Funds. Contact us at the Jewish Community

Foundation for a confidential conversation to explore the Donor Advised Fund and whether it is right for you.Make your annual gift to the Federation and all causes meaningful to you through your own Philanthropic Donor Advised Fund at the Foundation.Call me today at (717) 236-9555, ext. 3202 or email me at: [email protected]. I will be pleased to help you achieve your

philanthropic goals.

L’Shalom,

Paulette

Reflections on Women’s Philanthropy Luncheon Speaker

Thank you to Rachel Cohen Gerrol for speaking at our Women’s Philanthropy Luncheon on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Rachel shared her personal journey from Birthright to the global stage, and in giving back to the Jewish Community. Everyone was moved by her impactful story about cherishing her Jewish identity.

Women’s Annual Philanthropy Luncheon Held


foundation page


AARP SAFE DRIVING REFRESHER COURSE

For those of you who have taken the AARP Safe Driving Class three years ago, there will be four classes given in 2015. The classes will be given on the following days: Thursday, May 7, 2015, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, Thursday, September 10, 2015 and Thursday, October 29, 2015. All classes run from 12:30-4:30PM. Since this class is concentrated, in order for the instructor to have your certification cards prepared ahead of time, when you register, you will need to have the following information ready:

NameAddressPhone numberDate of Birth8-digit Driver’s License Number and expiration dateTo get discount your AARP membership numberYOU MUST BE ABLE TO SHOW A COPY OF YOUR LAST AARP SAFE DRIVING

COURSE CERTIFICATEClass size is limited to 32 people and the cost is (as of Jan.1, 2014) $20 (check made

payable to AARP) or if you are an AARP member you get a $5 discount. To register, call Cheryl at 236-9555 Ext. 3115

TUESDAY, APRIL 7NO Senior Lunch Program - PASSOVER

THURSDAY, APRIL 9NO Senior Lunch Program - PASSOVER

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 - PASSOVERBUSINESS OFFICES CLOSED

SUNDAY, APRIL 12Harrisburg Walks Together, 1 p.m.,

City Island-Riverfront Pavilion

TUESDAY, APRIL 14Seniors Lunch Program, 11:30 a.m., JCC

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15Reading of Names, 8 p.m., Kesher Israel

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

Reading of Names, Ongoing, Kesher IsraelSeniors Lunch Program

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

Holocaust Monument Observance, 11 a.m. – at Monument, Front and Sayford Streets

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

community calendar

Community Relations Council Speaker Series Announced

Monday April 27, 2015, 7pm JCCGershon Baskin Ph.D. was the initiator and the person responsible for the secret back chan-

nel between Israel and the Hamas that successfully negotiated the release of Israeli abducted soldier Gilead Schalit.

Dr. Baskin was the Israeli Co-Director and founder of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) - a joint Israeli-Palestinian public policy think and “do”-tank located in Jerusalem. Since January 2012 he is the Co-Chairman of IPCRI’s Board of Directors. He initiated the founding of IPCRI in 1988 following ten years of work in the field of Jewish-Arab relations within Israel, in Interns for Peace where he lived for two years in the Israeli-Palestinian village of Kufr Qara, the Ministry of Education and as Executive Director of the Institute for Education for Jewish-Arab Coexistence (established by the Israeli Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office at Baskin’s initiative).

Monday October 19, 2015, 7pm JCCAryeh Green Director of MediaCentral, a Jerusalem-based project of HonestReporting pro-

viding support services to foreign journalists based in or visiting Israel; high-tech business consultant and executive; public diplomacy (‘hasbara’) spokesman; regional democracy activ-ist; reserve briefing officer in IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

Born in Washington, DC; grew up in San Francisco; made Aliya in 1984. Policy advisorto Natan Sharansky since late 1990’s; on executive staff of Sharansky’s Yisrael B’Aliya party

1998-2003; senior member of minister Sharansky’s staff in the prime minister’s office 2003-2005, responsible for relations with ‘next generation’ Jewish leaders, coordinating support for Jewish students and faculty at universities around the world, and “hasbara” (public diplo-macy) activities, as well as for contacts with Palestinian and other Arab democracy activists.

More information regarding each program will be available in the Community Review




Why do we need Jewish Foster Homes?We live in a vibrant and supportive community, one where we can turn

to our neighbors and congregation members when we need assistance.

The JCC provides many opportunities for enrichment and interaction for

our children and young adults. The region’s synagogues not only provide

a place to be with others for prayer, discussion, and celebrations, but

they also serve as a place for cultural and educational activities. The community also helps out

when families find themselves in need. Someone from the sisterhood might step in if an elderly

congregant is having day surgery and can’t drive or stay by themselves. You have to go out of

town on business, and another parent steps in to make sure your child gets back and forth to

Hebrew School. Even in times of financial need, there are places within the community to get

funding to help pay for camp or to get food for Passover, or even to brush up on computer skills

so you can go back to work.

But there are times when this help may not be enough for a local family. Some struggle with

issues they do not want others to see. A college-aged child could be caught up with addiction.

Parents in the midst of an angry divorce may miss the needs of their children who are struggling

with the changes in their lives. And then there are the secret costs of domestic abuse and child

abuse. There are often families we don’t know well - families that may stay on the fringes of

your congregation, or who don’t come to services regularly because of the chaos and turmoil

in their family life. Or they may be there every day, praying beside you, but keeping their family

concerns private.

Dauphin County Children and Youth, the local agency tasked with investigating all allegations

of child abuse of any kind within the county lines, has asked JFS to partner with them in support

of Jewish children who may come before them due to abuse or neglect. They have asked JFS

to identify and license Jewish foster families, so that any child in need of even a temporary

placement would be in a culturally sensitive and aware home. These homes do not have to

be within the same congregation of the child’s family. But, the foster families will need to be

aware of and willing to work with the family of the child to assure their place within the Jewish

Community.

Jewish foster homes have historically been difficult to recruit for a number of reasons. One

is the belief that there are no Jewish children involved with the child welfare system and in

need of foster care. Another is a belief that a local authority won’t place a non-Jewish child

into a Jewish home, either on a short-term basis or for adoption. In addition, many families

are reluctant to step in, even when they know of a child in need, because of the closeness of

this community. They don’t want to interfere with family affairs, or be seen as “taking” children

from another family that they know.

JFS is prepared to support and educate families through this process. All foster parents sign

confidentiality statements and recognize that they are not permitted to talk about the children

in their care to anyone other than agency staff, to protect the child’s privacy. In addition, a

culturally sensitive case manager works with families to identify resources to meet the child’s

needs. This person also coordinates visitation and contact with the child’s family.

Because the size of the need for Jewish foster homes is not known, we are willing to have

families become licensed foster parents and decide if they are willing to accept only Jewish

children or any child in need in the county. This decision will be part of the training and

assessment process. What is known is that Jewish children should be able to live during their

time of need with a family who understands their cultural and religious practices, and supports

them to do what is most comfortable and meaningful to them every day.

If you are interested in learning more or are willing to become a Jewish foster home, please

contact Leslie Rutter or Rachel Kuhr at JFS by calling (717) 233-1681 or email to lrutter@

jfsofhbg.org.







SAVE THE DATE!!!BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!

WELL-KNOWN THEATER HISTORIAN AND ACTOR DIANE STEINBRINK, WILL BRING HER ONE-WOMAN PRESENTATION: WENDY WASSERSTEIN AND THE WORLD OF HER WOMEN (AND SOME MEN) TO THE SENIOR CLUB LUNCHEON

ON APRIL 28, 2015

Diane Steinbrink grew up

in Brooklyn, NY and started

taking drama classes at age 9.

“I loved it!” she said. Woody

Allen and the late Erich

Segal were her classmates at

a biographical look back at

theatrical icons, accompanied

by dramatic readings in her

one-woman show. In this

program, Diane will discuss

the uncommon family life,

education and works of

one of the most influential

contemporary Jewish

American playwrights, Wendy

Wasserstein. She will read

monologues from some of

her most famous plays, The

Heidi Chronicles, The Sisters

Rosensweig, American

Daughter and Third, her last

play. Her first and only novel,

Elements of Style, which was

published posthumously, will

also be discussed. Audience

discussion will be welcome.

Diane’s first lecture here was

a huge success. Don’t miss

this wonderful opportunity

to hear Ms. Steinbrink’s

second lecture. Make your

reservations early by calling

Cheryl at 236-9555 Ext. 3115

by April 21, 2015. Cost for

those not belonging to the

JCC Senior Adult Club is $15/

Senior Adult Club members

cost is your regular lunch

donation.

This program is being

underwritten by the Maurice

& Leona Rapoport Senior

Citizens Fund

Midwood High School.

But Steinbrink knew an

acting career was not the path

to security, so she studied

speech therapy at Adelphi

University. Yet, she still kept

her interest in theater. She met

her husband, Philadelphia

Rabbi RichardSteinbrink while

he was attending Hebrew

Union Rabbinical College in

New York. The couple lived

in Somerville, Somerset

County, Red Bank, Monmouth

County and then to St. Louis,

Missouri, before making their

home in Philadelphia, PA.

When they moved to

Philadelphia, Ms. Steinbrink

returned to the theater.

First, as an actor, then as

a coordinator of Plays for

Living, a series of docudramas

with social messages. She

then went on to produce and

facilitate Jewish Family and

Children’s Services’ Anne

Frank Theater project.

Several years ago, she

created her current project,

Princess Tea PartySunday, May 3, 10-11:30 a.m.Put on your tiara and come on over to the

JCC. Participants are invited to dress up. Enjoy

a princess craft, delicious snack and punch,

sing along and a special surprise. The event is

geared to families with young children.

Regular Rate/$20 a family, JCC Member

Discount/No Fee

To register, please e-mail Terry at t.fisher@

jewishfedhbg.org by April 28.


SAVE THE DATE!!!BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!

WELL-KNOWN THEATER HISTORIAN AND ACTOR DIANE STEINBRINK, WILL BRING HER ONE-WOMAN PRESENTATION: WENDY WASSERSTEIN AND THE WORLD OF HER WOMEN (AND SOME MEN) TO THE SENIOR CLUB LUNCHEON

ON APRIL 28, 2015

a biographical look back at

theatrical icons, accompanied

by dramatic readings in her

one-woman show. In this

program, Diane will discuss

the uncommon family life,

education and works of

one of the most influential

contemporary Jewish

American playwrights, Wendy

Wasserstein. She will read

monologues from some of

her most famous plays, The

Heidi Chronicles, The Sisters

Rosensweig, American

Daughter and Third, her last

play. Her first and only novel,

Elements of Style, which was

published posthumously, will

also be discussed. Audience

discussion will be welcome.

Diane’s first lecture here was

a huge success. Don’t miss

this wonderful opportunity

to hear Ms. Steinbrink’s

second lecture. Make your

reservations early by calling

Cheryl at 236-9555 Ext. 3115

by April 21, 2015. Cost for

those not belonging to the

JCC Senior Adult Club is $15/

Senior Adult Club members

cost is your regular lunch

donation.

This program is being

underwritten by the Maurice

& Leona Rapoport Senior

Citizens Fund

On Tuesday, May 5th, Dorrie and Stuart Garner will lead a discussion of the book “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker. The book is this year’s selection for “One Book, One Community” of the area library systems. Although it is fiction, it is based on the history of the orphan trains in the first part of the 1900s which went from New York City and the eastern part of the country to the Midwest, transporting motherless and fatherless children to a new life.

If anyone wants to read this book prior to the discussion, please contact Cheryl Yablon at 236- 9555, ext. 3115. Stuart will try to get as many copies as needed from the library. They will be handed out at the JCC Senior Adult meeting on April 14th.

SAVE THE DATETuesday, May 5th, 12:30 p.m. JCC Senior Adult Program Book Review

One Book, One Community

Attend theFREEDOM SEDER

The entire community is invited to attend the Fourth Annual Freedom Seder which will be held on Tuesday, April 21, at 7:00 p.m. at Beth El Temple.

The Seder is sponsored by the Religion and Society Center, the Interdenominational Ministers' Conference (IMC), Beth El Temple and the Pine Street Presbyterian Church.

This special community event will commemorate the path from slavery to freedom for Jews, as told in the Passover Haggadah, and the more recent path from slavery to freedom for African-Americans. Freedom songs will be led by the IMC Citywide Revival Choir.

Advanced registration is required. Send your name, address, e-mail address and a check for $18.00 made payable to Beth El Temple to Beth El Temple, 2637 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Put "Freedom Seder" in the memo section.


G-d Is the Ultimate Stagehand

By Rabbi Akiva MalesA stagehand is one who works backstage or behind the scenes in

theatres, film, television, or location performance. Their work includes setting up the scenery, lights, sound, props, rigging, and special effects for a production. – Wikipedia

One of the most amazing aspects of the Biblical Exodus narrative is that Moses spent his early years raised in the Pharaoh’s own palace. The very same person, who would end up bringing Egypt to its knees, was nurtured in the palace of its King. This is certainly an incredible example of divine providence.

Several of our classical Biblical commentators have pondered the following question: In G-d’s great scheme of things, why was it necessary for Moses to have spent his developmental years as a member of Pharaoh’s household – away from his own family and people?

In his commentary to Exodus 2:3, Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra (Spain, 1089 – 1164) offers two theories:

A) By be being raised in a royal setting, Moses ended up better equipped to serve his people as a leader than if he'd been raised in the degrading atmosphere of slavery.

B) In order to fulfill its destiny, the Jewish people needed a leader whom they could fully respect and look up to with a sense of awe. Had Moses spent his childhood years in their midst, they would not have been able to view him in that manner. Only if he was raised apart from his community, would his fellow Jews be able to relate to him as the epic leader they so needed.

The following story is told about the great Lithuanian-born Rabbi Yosef Kahaneman (1886 - 1969). Despite his great scholarship, as a young rabbi, he was turned down for a rabbinical position which had become available in his hometown. Years later, the head of that rabbinic search committee sheepishly explained to the then-famous Rabbi Kahaneman why his community just couldn't hire him to serve as their rabbi: they remembered him as a child playing with marbles. The community decided that in order to fully respect their spiritual leader, they had to hire a rabbi who had not grown up in their midst.

Would any of us imagine that the other rabbinic candidates had not played with marbles in their own hometowns as youths? Of course, they did. However, the town’s people never saw that sight themselves. As such, they felt they could view any rabbi – other than Rabbi Kahaneman – as a scholarly leader from the very day he was born.

This sounds exactly like the Ibn Ezra’s second suggestion as to why Moses needed to grow up in Pharaoh’s palace. G-d understands the way mankind is hard-wired – after all, He is our creator. He wanted to remove any obstacles which may have made it difficult for the Jewish people to fully respect and follow Moses. Thus, in order for them to properly relate to their future leader, Moses had to be separated from his family and people in his youth. He had to grow up away from his community – so that the people he would one day lead would never see him ‘play with marbles’ as a child. Only then, could they have the full level of respect for the leader whom G-d knew would be best for them.

As such, separating baby Moses from his family – and ensuring he would spend his youth apart from his community – was a crucial detail in G-d’s engineering the future redemption of His people.

Let us remember G-d’s involvement in the destiny of the Jewish nation as we gather to celebrate this Passover. May G-d continue setting the stage for our ultimate redemption – just as He did for our ancestors in Egypt.

Layala and I wish you and your families a wonderful Passover.__________________________________

Kesher Israel’s Rabbi Akiva Males can be reached at [email protected]

KI Invites the Entire Community to its 2015 Cohen Memorial Shabbaton

Kesher Israel Congregation looks forward to hosting its annual Frances & Dave Cohen

Memorial Shabbaton over the course of Shabbos, April 24-25, 2015. This wonderful

weekend is generously sponsored by Dr. Sid and Phyllis Cohen (Cleveland, OH), in

memory of their beloved parents. In addition to perpetuating the memory of Frances

& Dave Cohen, this Shabbaton was also created to enhance KI’s appreciation of its

members who -- like the Cohens -- have been outstanding volunteers on behalf of our

Shul.

At this year’s Cohen Memorial Shabbaton, KI looks forward to

recognizing Stu Brenner for the many years he has volunteered his

time, energies, and resources on behalf of our congregation -- and

Harrisburg’s Jewish community.

Kesher Israel Congregation invites the entire community to join us

in welcoming -- and enjoying four presentations from -- our Scholar in

Residence, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, is Executive Vice President, Emeritus of

the Orthodox Union (OU). In that role, he has combined the skills

of pulpit rabbi, scholar, and clinical psychologist to provide extraordinary

leadership to the organization and to Orthodox Judaism worldwide.

Rabbi Weinreb received his rabbinic ordination in 1962 from the Rabbi

Jacob Joseph Yeshiva in New York, and served as spiritual leader of

Congregation Shomrei Emunah in Baltimore for 13 years -- building the congregation

from 160 to more than 400 families before joining the OU. In addition, he has a PhD in

Clinical Psychology from the University of Maryland, and served as a psychotherapist

for mental health organizations for many years while also maintaining a private

practice. His positions included roles as school psychologist for Prince George’s County

Public Schools in Maryland, and as Chief Psychologist of the Potomac Foundation for

Mental Health.

Rabbi Weinreb travels widely on behalf of the OU, visiting communities and

congregations across North America, in addition to his frequent trips to Europe and

Israel. In these travels, he frequently serves as scholar-in-residence, including some of

his most enjoyable assignments, guiding NCSY summer touring groups.

He is the author of the weekly Person in the Parsha Torah commentary, in which he

combines his background as a trained psychologist and a rabbinical scholar to provide

insights into the parsha that would be available from no other source. For more than

two decades, he has presented his annual Tisha B'Av webcast around the world on

www.ou.org -- reaching an audience of thousands. Many people use his award-winning

Koren Mesorat HaRav Kinot, the complete Tisha B'Av service, with an exquisite new

English translation of the Kinot and elegies of the fast day. Rabbi Weinreb is also the

Editor-in-Chief of the new Koren Talmud Bavli.

KI invites the entire community to participate in this wonderful weekend of memory,

appreciation, and Jewish learning. Please see the full-page color ad in this edition of

the Community Review for the times and titles of Rabbi Weinreb’s

four presentations.

For further information about the Cohen Shabbaton, please

contact Rabbi Akiva Males at [email protected]



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

Friday Night Shabbat Services 7:15 pmLocation: Asbell Center, 262 West High Street, CarlisleDates: April 10, 17, 24Everyone is welcome to join us!Holocaust Remembrance Service (Yom HaShoah)

Jointly Sponsored by Congregation Beth Tikvah and the Carlisle Area Religious CouncilApril 15, 2015, 7 P.M.First Lutheran ChurchCorner of East High and South Bedford Streets (One Block East of the Square), Carlisle, Pa.

Guest SpeakerDavid W. Wildermuth, Shippensburg University Assistant Professor of Germanand Secretary/Treasurer, American Friends of the Documentation Center of Austrian Resistance

A Micro Occurrence of the Holocaust: The Arrival of the German Army in A Small Town in Belarus in June of 1941

Musical Interludes By Lori Elliott on Alto Flute


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 Friday, April 17th at 7:30 p.m.

We are a Community Shul, all are welcome Tel (717) 319-3014 Visit our website for more information


kesher israel Congregation 238-0763 | 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 shalom 697-2662 | 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 details. Please note that there will be no Shabbat service on Friday, April 3. Saturday Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Grossman, will be held on April 18 and May 2. Temple Beth Shalom’s Annual Community Passover Seder will be held on Saturday, April 4 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Sisterhood Book Group will meet on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Eileen Kranzel to discuss the book, “All I Know & Love” by Judith Frank. Please contact Eileen at [email protected] if you plan to attend. On Sunday, April 12 Temple members and others will participate in Harrisburg Walks Together, which raises funds to repair and preserve the Pennsylvania Holocaust Monument. For details or to sign up to walk, check the Temple website. On Saturday, April 18, the Sisterhood along with Rabbi Grossman, will present, “Jews and the Media” at 7:00 p.m. Who kept this billboard in his office: “Write Yiddish - Cash British”?? Find the answers to these questions and more by joining us for informative and entertaining program. For details on upcoming Temple Beth Shalom services and events, check the website: http://tbshalom.org.


temple ohev sholom 233-6459 | www.ohevsholom.org

If You’ve Ever Had A Bad Day, You Won’t Want To Miss Meeting Rabbi Charles Sherman Author of

“The Broken and the Whole”Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.

Chisuk Emuna Congregation3219 Green Street Harrisburg,Pa. 17110

“Very few people get to live their dreams. But there I was, 41 years old, the Rabbi of a major congregation in Syracuse, N.Y. and married to my summer camp sweetheart.”

“When anything bad happens to overturn our lives, talking about finding renewed joy seems hopelessly idealistic.”

“The Broken and the Whole” explores the challenges we all face if we are to become content and fulfilled after sorrow and heartbreak: gathering the broken pieces and carrying them with us as we continue our journey to the Promised Land.”

“Faith is an understanding that the punctuation of life is a question mark.”

This is a story that all of us need to hear. It is a story that proves that nothing, absolutely nothing is impossible.

PLEASE JOIN US. Admission is free. Further information contact Linda Laff 717-385-0077. ASL Interpreter will be provided.

CELEBRATION OF RUSSIAN JEWISH NEW AMERICANS

IN HARRISBURGOver the last four decades, Russian Jewish

New Americans have added immeasurably to the Harrisburg Jewish community. Students from Dr. Ted Merwin's "American Jewish Literature" course at Dickinson College are helping to celebrate their contributions by organizing an event on Sunday, April 26th from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Wolfson Auditorium (of the Silver Academy) at the JCC that will enable them to learn firsthand about the immigrant journey to America.

If you are interested in being interviewed by the students, please contact Amy Rubin at [email protected] no later than Wednesday, April 8th. The event is co-sponsored by the Asbell Center for Jewish Life, Judaic Studies Department and Russian Department.


synagogue life life cycleWILLIAM H. (BILL) GRANFORS

William H. (Bill) Granfors passed away on February 26, 2015 in Harrisburg, PA at age 95. He was born

January 17, 1920 in Kaleva, MI to Finnish immigrants Jacob William Granfors and Helmi Espo. Bill served

his country during WWII in the Army Signal Corp. On December 27, 1946, he married Helen Olson of

Lynn, MA. After graduating from Texas A&M, Bill’s career as an engineer began in Syracuse, NY, at Carrier

Corporation, and continued in Greensburg, PA, at Elliott Company. Bill and Helen raised seven children. In

Greensburg, Bill was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, serving on the church council

and stewardship committee and teaching Sunday school. He also was involved with the Westmoreland County

Chamber of Commerce. During retirement, he volunteered with the Senior Core of Retired Executives and

worked at Westmoreland County Community College. He was an avid golfer, an activity he enjoyed into his 80’s.

Bill was passionate about the Aggies, the outdoors, gardening and walking. In 2009, he moved to Harrisburg.

Bill is survived by children, Mark Granfors, Eric Granfors, Paul Granfors (Sussan Pourjavid-Granfors), David

Granfors, Ruth Granfors (Gene Weinberg), Diane Granfors (Robert Usgaard), Liisa Granfors-Hunt (Mark),

and two grandchildren, Jacob and Eli Weinberg. Bill is predeceased by his wife Helen and his sister Arlene

Bellegie.A funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 3rd at Our Savior Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made in Bill’s memory to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 420 North Progress Avenue,

Harrisburg, PA 17109. To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit us at GeigleFuneralHome.com

or on Facebook.

April 3 .................................................... 7:13 p.m.

April 10 ................................................... 7:20 p.m.

April 17 .................................................. 7:27 p.m.

CANDLELigHTiNg


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