Issuu

The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community

www.jewishlehighvalley.org

| Issue No. 481 | December 2024 | Cheshvan / Kislev 5785 AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977

Valley Jewish community sends a busful to D.C. to Stand Together for Israel. p7

What’s in store at the Shuk to the Core Israeli market? And did you know Chanukah is still ‘new’ to some? More . . . Special Chanukah section and throughout

FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p3 LVJF TRIBUTES p9 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p10-11 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p12 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p13 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p19

So no one need say, ‘I didn’t know how to defend myself’ Expert teaches community audience how to confront antisemitism, anti-Zionism By Carl Zebrowski Editor “Today marks 409 days since October 7,” Shira Bach, a Leventhal intern with the Jewish education organization StandWithUs, told the audience gathered at Congregation Keneseth Israel for the presentation “The Fundamentals of Israel Activism” on November 18. “I’m uneasy, to say the least.” A student at Kohelet Yeshiva High School outside Philadelphia, Bach was introducing the featured speaker for the StandWithUs-Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley event, Charlotte Korchak, who has been with StandWithUs for 14 years and travels the world educating groups on issues related to the

organization’s advocacy for Israel and mission to combat antisemitism. “This event wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of Shira Bach, who has done an amazing job at spreading the word these past few weeks, as well as college advocates like Sam Bitterman, who serves as a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow at Muhlenberg College,” said Connor Hayes, director of community programming for the Jewish Federation. “We need to support and empower the students in our community, because at the end of the day, they are on the front lines of Israel activism.” Charlotte Korchak was born in Los Angeles and moved to Israel with her

family when she was 9 years old. She later returned to the United States and ended up studying at the University of Southern California. It was there that she had her first up-close encounter with antisemitism and anti-Zionism, running into a group claiming that Israel was an apartheid state. “I didn’t like that I didn’t know how to defend myself that day,” she said (speaking very quickly throughout her presentation and packing in lots of information!). “I also didn’t like that I ended up screaming at people. It’s not very effective.” That incident was vivid in her mind when she received the opportunity for the educational role she now fills for StandWithUs. Every day,

A Chanukah mitzvah party

she has the chance to prepare others for encounters like that one she had in college. And, preferably, less heated encounters, where there may be legitimate hope for changing someone’s mind about something. She starts her talk on activism with the story of the Jewish people—a problem in Vicki Wax with Charlotte Korchak. itself from the get-go. years to when the Jews “It’s way too long,” became the Israelites under she said. “And we’re dealing King David. “That is the bewith a (young) generation ginning of the story.” that has the attention span of Part 2 is exile from that an ant.” land, with Jews being scatPart 1 of the story sounds tered all over world, mostly simple enough. “The Jews come from the land of Israel,” Confronting antisemitism she said, harking back 3,000 continues on page 2

Women’s Philanthropy to celebrate holiday and collect gifts for kids in need By Carl Zebrowski Editor Women’s Philanthropy is having a Chanukah party with a focus on collecting toys and other items for kids who otherwise might not receive gifts. Robin Raskin of FamilyMatters, a Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options (JAFCO) support network, will speak at the Shine Your Light event on Tuesday, December 17, at Jay’s Local in Allentown. Raskin will

talk about FamilyMatters’ work providing case management and support services to families going through crises. She’ll get into how families in the Lehigh Valley can take advantage of what FamilyMatters offers, particularly with its new, large facility located just down the PA Turnpike in King of Prussia. One of FamilyMatters’ many efforts is to ensure that families going through difficult times don’t miss out on the uplifting effect of holiday celebrations. “No child Non-Profit Organization

of the Lehigh Valley 702 North 22nd Street Allentown, PA 18104

of the Lehigh Valley

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should have to go without the holidays,” Raskin said. “We have boxes filled with gifts that we will deliver.” In an interview with Hakol, Raskin described some of the problems FamilyMatters sees. Sometimes there’s an illness, or a child is diagnosed with a developmental issue. Insurance companies, schools, and courts can be difficult to navigate. “We are able to be that helping hand to help guide these families and these children through tough times,” she said. “It is so incredibly gratifying to see them come out the other end. These children are thriving. We are making sure that families stay together.” Raskin put special emphasis on her organization’s effort to reach out to the Lehigh Valley since its relocation to King of Prussia. “We want people to know we’re not far from you,” she said. “Come have your kids meet other kids. It’s going to be a real community gathering spot.”

The new facility will offer all sorts of programs for kids and their families. There will be dance, music, and art classes. There will be classes in life skills and for parents In 2023, the Women’s Philanthropy Chanukah toy drive and caregivbenefited the children at St.Luke’s University Health ers. There’s Network Children’s Hospital. Pictured: Kimberly also “respite care,” she said, Valuntas, event cochair; Lee Kestecher Solomon, the Federation’s director of community engagement; and where children Tracy Sussman, event cochair. can stay with trained medical observed). A pledge to the and social work professionJewish Federation’s 2025 als when their parents need Campaign for Jewish Needs is a temporary getaway from required to attend. home. For information and to reg“We are the only organiza- ister for the event, chaired by tion in this area that is going Amy Oselkin, Tracy Sussman, to be able to offer something and Kimberly Valuntas, scan like that,” Raskin said. “That’s the QR code below. Attendees exciting because these famiare encouraged to view the lies all need a bit of a break.” gift wish list online and make The party runs from 7:00 a purchase there so packages to 8:30 p.m., and sufganiyot can be shipped directly to (donuts) and other desserts FamilyMatters. will be served (dietary laws