From Our Spiritual Leader Coming Events Cantor Henry Shapiro · 2014. 1. 13. · January 2014 Tevet/Shevat 5774 Volume 18, Issue 1 From Our Spiritual Leader Cantor Henry Shapiro Staying

January 2014 Tevet/Shevat 5774 Volume 18, Issue 1

From Our Spiritual Leader

Cantor Henry Shapiro

Staying Warm at PJC You would think that this is the time of year to hibernate - to stay inside, eat cheezits and watch reruns. Oh no, we Jews do better complaining about the weather and other ills when we have an audience. It’s so much more satisfying to have new people not listening to you rather than your spouse or regular coffee buddy. Look at all the new opportunities below to get together at PJC. This January begins a full month of classes. Beginning this month we hit our stride every week with two classes. Sunday, 11:15 AM is Parsha HaShavua, the weekly Torah portion discussion group and Tuesday 6PM is the Hebrew and prayer skills class. Come 11:15 AM Sunday for Torah discussion and Jewish learning. We had a good start last month and we’re looking to continue the conversation. Our Hebrew & Prayer skills class is for all levels. One traditional Jewish way of learning is with a chevruta, a study partner. One of our beginning Hebrew students is lonely and looking for other beginners to join her. Whatever your level, even rank beginner, you’ll be in good company. Consider the tree. Tu B’shvat is coming. It’s a bit ironic that we celebrate a holiday for trees in the dead of winter. Think of it: you’re a tree this time of year. You’re naked in the middle of the woods with maybe a couple of icicles hanging from you. The wind is howling all around you, whipping your branches and your sap is frozen almost solid. What’s a self-respecting tree to do? What else - sing a couple songs, have a seder, tell a couple poems and stories, nosh a little on nuts and fruit, and have a little wine. For the 3rd weekend in January (Martin Luther King weekend) we’ll do just that. Friday

Coming Events

Friday Night Shabbat Services - 6:00 PM Saturday Morning Shabbat Services - 9:30 AM Friday, January 17th Tu B'shvat Lecture on Area Trees and Forests @ 7:15 PM Saturday, January 18th 12 Noon Tu B’shvat seder and nosh Tuesday, January 21th Hebrew class 6:00 PM Israeli Dancing - with instructor Lynn Berman 7-8PM with live music Tuesday, Februay 4th Hebrew class 6:00 PM Israeli Dancing - with instructor Lynn Berman 7-8PM Tuesday, Februay 18th Hebrew class 6:00 PM Israeli Dancing - with instructor Lynn Berman 7-8PM with live music Hebrew - every Tues. 6PM Parsha HaShavua, Torah Discussion Group - 11:15AM Sundays See calendars for Candle Lighting times

Parkway Jewish Center

January 2014/ Teves/Shevat 5774

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the 17th we follow evening services with a talk by PA forester Brian Wolyniak from the Penn State urban forestry program. Saturday, January 18th, we’ll have an abbreviated Tu B’shvat seder with some talk about the holiday at 12 noon. Even if you can’t make the services, come for the programs. Haftarah Anniversary - Many people repeat the haftarah from their bar or bat mitzvah every year. Hal Lederman just did his this past week. We have a list of some members’ haftarah and we’ll be contacting you to see if you are interested in doing so again. Conversely, you can also contact us to let us know you want to read. Cantor Shapiro is available to help you brush up on your portion. Son-of-a-Scribe (or daughter). Have a son, daughter or other relative with a PJC connection? Get their name added to the Scribe email list. Now that we’re publishing online, it’s easy to send the newsletter to them and have them keep up with the doings and people of PJC. Just send their email to the office, [email protected], and we’ll send them our scribe mailing. Birthday Kiddish Reminder. Next month we’re starting (or I was told by Bob restarting) the monthly birthday kiddush club. Come celebrate it on the 2nd shabbat, Feb 7th & 8th. And if you’re a February baby like me and Debbie Lucker, it’s not too late to add your name to the co-sponsor list. Those members unfortunate enough to live in southern climes without snow or ice can still chip in. We’ll hoist one in your name in absentia. March-ers take note, we’re looking for you to pick up the ball the following month. Come to PJC and stay warm with warm friends, Cantor Henry Shapiro

Looking for cross-country ski buddies If you like to x-country ski and want to do short day trips when the weather is snowy, contact me. We’ll arrange quick skiing in the park followed by coffee when we have enough snow (at least 4-5 inches). The Jews of Alaska call themselves the ‘Frozen Chosen’ and we can do the same. - Cantor Henry Shapiro



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From the President’s Desk………………………….Robert E. Korfin As I write, the temperature outside is -5 with a wind chill of -26. Earlier today, I cancelled a couple of events scheduled for tonight. While many organizations go into hibernation until warmer days, we at PJC are moving ahead full steam. While we maintain minyans on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, our building does not remain quiet the rest of the week. We’ve continued Israeli Dancing since last fall on Tuesday. And now Cantor Shapiro is holding Adult Education on Tuesdays, which is centered on improving our Hebrew skills to enhance reading ability at Shabbat Services and beyond. Even if you can’t read Hebrew or are still a beginner, come any Tuesday and see what you’ve been missing. On Sunday mornings, Cantor Shapiro holds a Torah Study where he discusses the main points of the week’s portion. It starts at 11:15 and the group would love to have you join them. At the Friday evening Shabbat Service January 17th, when we will observe Tu B’Shvat (New Year of the Trees) there will be a guest speaker from the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry. We hope you will make an effort to attend. Most of our members are reading this edition of The Scribe via email. You may also read editions of our newsletter at our newly formatted website: www.parkwayjewishcenter.org I encourage you to check it out from time to time. Our webmaster, Linda Tashbook continues to update the website with all kinds of interesting tidbits of PJC info. If you know members of the past who live away from Pittsburgh, tell them about our website. PJC has purchased a new computer for our office. Gail Levine is working hard to input information from the old computer to the new one. Hopefully it will make her job a bit easier. The PJC Office is the heart of our congregation. We thank Gail for all she does for all of us at Parkway. I met with a friend on Murray Ave. and he filled me in on the issues effecting the larger synagogues in the city. All I can say is, “Thank G-d” Parkway Jewish Center is still alive and well. And I can tell in one word why PJC is thriving as we begin 2014….You! I hope and pray we can continue for many years to come. I just heard that some of the Pirates have started drills down in Pirate City. That means spring training can’t be too far away. Now that’s enough to lift our spirits and warm our “tootsies.” Think positive…..warmer days are ahead, and then we’ll talk again.



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Kiddush & Oneg Shabbat Sponsors

Charlie and Debi Drummond Bob Caplan Hal Lederman PJC Sisterhood Edyth Dickman

Kiddush Oneg SponsorshipsSisterhood invites you to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other Simchas by sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat or Saturday Morning Kiddush. You can also sponsor in memory of a loved one’s Yahrzeit. For more information, call Diane Bloomfield at 412-373-9240 or Leslie Rubin at 412-371-8437

Donation Contacts: Donations to the Marilyn Markowitz/Phyllis Stein Memorial Library Fund can be made by calling the shul office. Mazel Tov to: Ron and Gail Brown on the marriage of their Daughter, Holly

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

2 Betty and Bernie Bernstein 26 Susan and Bruce Feldman

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

2 Isaac Asimov Michele Caplan 3 Victor Borge

5 Hal Lederman Gina Goppman 8 Brooke Kelly Soupy Sales

11 Jamie Mayer 12 Howard Stern 13 Harold Felser

Bob Korfin Renee Rockman 14 Heni Strauss 15 Edward Teller 18 Danny Kaye

20 George Burns 24 Neil Diamond

25 Deborah Moidel 26 Sylvia Caplan Susan Feldman Paul Newman

31 Norman Mailer



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January Yahrzeits

Week of December 27, 2013 - 24 Tevet Alan Harris Kraska, Rose Podolsky, Jennie Perelstine, Tillie Levenson, Irving Forman, Ilene G. Mattock, Irwin S. Chosky, Marcel Fakiro, Max Ehrlich, Sidney Green, Marion Sternberger, Mamie Clyde Kaye, Irwin S. Erenstein Week of January 3, 2014 - 2 Shevet Betty Wolfson, Joseph Direnfeld, Lisa Schenk, Hazel Handwerk, Eva Jacob, Elias Gordon, Harry Zimmerman, Belle Weiner, Leonore Menzer Week of January 10, 2014 - 9 Shevet Benjamin Rebb, Anna Winkler, Harry Edelstein, Rebecca Belkin, Nettie Berlin, Annie Kline, Charles Laine, Pauline Kroll, Samuel Rubin, William Chosky, Rosalyn Harris, Raymond Carp, Simon Kaplitz Week of January 17, 2014 - 16 Shevet Lena Goetz, George Schwarcz, Nathan Zubin, Anna Yudelowitz, Isaac Seidenstein, Briney Levine & Family, Mordacai Schwartz, Lawrence Catz, Charles Sable, Albert Rosenthal, Joseph Lotz, Leonard Pepper Week of January 24, 2014 - 23 Shevet Sylvia Goldberg Scheiner, Jacob Goldstein, Ethel Kessler, Harry Cohen, Isadore Goldberg, Mary Goldberg, Lina Ehrlich, Ruth Brill Moldovan, Abe Cooper, Harry Gordon, Clara Goldstein, Albert Cooper, Leonard Rockman, Hannah Weinberger, Fannie Valinsky, Anita Ruth Elinoff Leff, Hilda Abramovitz Leff Week of January 31, 2014 - 30 Shevet Louis Klein, Benjamin Hackman, Bessie Herer, Sidney Leonard, Harry Yudelowitz, Ruth Katz, Louis Lenchner, Ruth Zinman, Sadie Weisman, Tillie Feinberg, Bessie Lotz, Jerome N. Schiff

If the name is printed in Bold, a Yahrzeit Plaque will be illuminated in the Sanctuary during the Yahrzeit week. If you would like to place a Yahrzeit Plaque in the Sanctuary, please call the Synagogue Office at 412-823-4338 between 9 am and 1 pm daily.

Refuah Schleimah A Speedy Recovery to: Michele Caplan, Debbie Lucker



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Tu B’shvat Programs

Friday Evening Lecture on Area Trees and Forest.

January 17th, 7:15PM

Brian Wolyniak, Urban Forester

Penn State Extension, Allegheny County Office

Brian is a certified arborist working with municipalities, community organizations, and industry professionals to promote tree planting, care, and maintenance throughout southwest Pennsylvania. In addition to urban forestry, he has also studied and worked on land use planning and policy issues related to natural resource conservation. Brian coordinates and teaches continuing education workshops aimed at industry professionals, municipal governments, interested citizens, and home owners.

Saturday 12:00 noon - Tu B’shvat seder and nosh.

******************************************************** Coming in March:

Hamantashen baking demonstration, Purim, and Wine Tasting

********************************************************

An important message from the PJC Sisterhood:

We encourage and appreciate sponsors for Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Please try to give us two weeks notice whenever possible so that we may properly prepare for your Kiddush or oneg.



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CENTRAL SCHOLARSHIP AND LOAN REFERRAL SERVICE

Of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Administered by: Jewish Family & Children’s Service 5743 Bartlett Street ∙ Pittsburgh, PA 15217∙ (412)422-5627 ∙ Fax (412)428-8200 CONTACT PERSON: Alayne Lowenberger, Director

Central Scholarship and Loan Referral Service of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Family & Children's Service (412) 422-5627

Applications for need-based college scholarships for the 2014-2015 school year are available from the Central Scholarship & Loan Referral Service (CSLRS) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. This program is administered by Jewish Family & Children's Service. The funds are made available through the generosity of families who have established endowments through the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, Jewish Community Center, National Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Women International of Pittsburgh (formerly B'nai B'rith Women), The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Rodef Shalom Congregation. All scholarships are distributed on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Depending on the scholarship fund, other factors such as academic achievement, field of study, school attending, and community involvement may also be considered. In addition, the applicant must be Jewish, reside in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler or Washington County for at least two years, and need financial assistance to attend an accredited institution of higher education as either an undergraduate or graduate student. The CSLRS on-line application is available at http://www.centralscholarship.org. All applications are due February 11, 2014. First-time applicants must be interviewed. All applications should be submitted as early as possible to ensure processing. The deadline for applications is February 11, 2014.



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Greens and Beans Soup - a simple, warm, lo-cal veggie soup for cold weather

A recipe by Cantor Henry Shapiro

2-4 tbsp olive oil 1 medium carrot 2 stalks celery 1 medium onion 3-4 cloves garlic minced 1 lb greens - kale or collard. Either fresh (a lot more work and time) or frozen, spinach could work too. 1 can (15.5 oz) white Cannellini beans drained ½ veggie bouillon cube (I use the parve Telma brand) 2 tbsp fresh or 1+tbsp dried thyme Chop up and saute the 1st three ingredients in olive oil, 5 minutes. Mince the garlic and add. Clean (and de-vein if necessary) the greens and chop. I’m not used to greens and it took a long time to do. It would be a lot quicker to use a package of frozen greens. Cover with water in another pot and boil till soft, 25 - 30 minutes. Spinach could probably work too in which case you could skip this step and just ... Add greens to sauteed vegetables. Add water as needed to soup. Drain and add the beans. Crush and add bouillon cube or stock. Add thyme and adjust salt if needed. If you leave out the bouillon cube it will be low sodium. Cook another 15-20 minutes. Optional additions: Croutons - for a topping after cooked A little white wine a can of diced tomatoes Turkey sausage Butternut squash



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Israeli Dancing at PJC


1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7-8PM, $5

Live music on January 21

February 4

Live music on February 18

Beginners welcome

For more information and directions see parkwayjewishcenter.org



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Parkway Jewish Center 300 Princeton Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15235

DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DO NOT DELAY

Or Current Resident

Congregation Sha’ar HaShamayim 412-823-4338 www.parkwayjewishcenter.org

Cantor Henry Shapiro, Spiritual Leader ([email protected] or [email protected])

Officers President Bob Korfin

Board Members Marvin Heyman Mike Jacob Ira Mazer Harold Bloomfield Donna Wolfson Committee Chair Persons

House Chair Alan Levine Ritual Chair Hal Lederman Cemetery Chair Arnie Levine & Syma Levine

Office Administrator Gail Levine

Sisterhood Officers President Laurie Barnett Levine Vice Presidents

Membership Susan Mazer Program Vera Greenberg Fundraising Vacant Catering Vacant

Corresponding Secretary Debbie Lucker Financial Secretary Amy Mayer Treasurer Lynda Heyman Auditor Lynda Heyman

Scribe Staff Editor Harold Bloomfield

PUBLISHED MONTHLY VOLUME 18, ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2014

[email protected]

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S.POSTAGE PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 3000

Documents

From Our Spiritual Leader Coming Events Cantor Henry Shapiro · 2014. 1. 13. · January 2014 Tevet/Shevat 5774 Volume 18, Issue 1 From Our Spiritual Leader Cantor Henry Shapiro Staying