The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community
www.jewishlehighvalley.org
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Issue No. 461
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January 2023
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Tevet/Sh’vat 5783
AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977
See our “Shine a Light to dispel the darkness of antisemitism” photos p14-15
Get the latest news and tips on health and wellness in our special section p20-25
FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p3 WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY p4 LVJF TRIBUTES p8 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p13 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p17 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p18-19 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p27
Cities shine a light
Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton light menorahs, officially condemn antisemitism By Carl Zebrowski Editor Rabbi Yaacov Halperin made his annual Chanukah tour of the three cities of the Lehigh Valley on December 19 to 21 to light giant menorahs while highlighting the cities’ recent official proclamations against antisemitism. He began in Bethlehem on the chilly evening of December 19, ascending in a fire truck bucket with Mayor William J. Reynolds to light a menorah in Payrow Plaza. Some 75 people gathered for this first of the lightings organized by Rabbi Halperin of Chabad of the Lehigh Valley. At a time when antisemitism is rising in America, and just days after four people at Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt
were spreading antisemitic beliefs, Mayor Reynolds read Bethlehem’s proclamation against antisemitism. “When I look around today,” he offered the crowd as a preamble to the official document, “I see a lot of people who are out here because they want to stand up and they want to be a part of this as we make no mistake about what type of community we want to live in. No matter what your faith is, no matter how long you’ve been here, no matter who you’ve decided to pray to or not, we will value you and we will not allow people to make anybody feel like they have less worth than others.” The next night, Rabbi Halperin’s car, with its lightup menorah attached to the roof, was parked along the
circle in the center of Easton. Halperin himself was being helped by another fire truck to light another giant menorah. Mayor Salvatore J. Panto Jr. thanked the crowd for turning out for what was the 18th or 19th year for the menorah lighting in Easton. “It’s really great to celebrate Joining to celebrate Chanukah and shine a light on antisemitism are (from left): Aaron Goroour ethnic diver- dzinsky, Jewish Federation director of campaign and security; Eric Lightman, JCC executive director; Rabbi Seth Phillips (retired); Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom; sity and also our religious diversity,” Rabbi Moshe Re’em of Temple Beth El; U.S. Representative Susan Wild; Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds; State Representative Mike Schlossberg; and Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. he said. When Rabbi of Chanukah, a holiday that military victory,” he exHalperin came celebrates the Jewish military plained, “but about what took down, he stepped onto a stage victory during the Second place afterwards, next to the Big Easy Easton Cities shine a light Temple era, he said. “The way Brass band. He told the story Continues on page 9 we celebrate is not about the
Lions gather in Phoenix
Bub Fromer attends international conference, Ufberg receives philanthropy award Dr. Carol Bub Fromer represented the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley at the Jewish Federations of North America’s International Lion of Judah Conference in Phoenix December 11-13. The gathering of 1,200 women philanthropists from 80 communities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and Israel raised $24.2 million to support the Jewish Federations’ mission to build flourishing Jewish communi-
ties. Bub Fromer, a family medicine physician with St. Luke’s University Health Network, attended the conference as a board member of the Lions’ parent organization, the National Women’s Philanthropy. “The highlight of the conference for me was meeting in person with my amazing colleagues from the national women’s board,” she said. “To be at a conference of 1,200 Lions of Judah was both Non-Profit Organization
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humbling and inspiring, and a reminder of the powerful role that women play in Jewish philanthropy and creating positive change around the world.” The conference celebrated 50 years of Lion of Judah, the signature women’s philanthropic movement of the Jewish community that was founded in 1972 by Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland. Focal areas of the conference included women’s empowerment, the Federations’ role in global crises, mental health, and security and antisemitism. Eileen Ufberg of Allentown was one of 58 women from 58 Federation communities to receive the 2022 Kipnis-Wilson/ Friedland Award during the conference. The award recognizes leaders who embody the spirit and vision of Lions of Judah through their commitment to “tzedakah” (righteous behavior), “tikkun olam” (re-
pairing the world) and community service. “I was so honored to win this award from our community,” said Ufberg, who was unable to attend the conference. “What an amazing place to have been for the Pictured: Carol Bub Fromer (second from left) and other last 50-plus Lion women at the International Lion of Judah Conference years!” in Phoenix Jeri Zimwomen’s philanthropy and for merman, executive director of our community.” the Jewish Federation of the During the conference, parLehigh Valley, said, “We are ticipants discussed urgent isso proud to recognize Eileen sues the Jewish community is Ufberg as our Kipnis-Wilson/ facing and heard from thought Friedland Award recipient. She is so deserving of this Lions gather in Phoenix award for all she does for Continues on page 5