The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community
www.jewishlehighvalley.org
| Issue No. 484 | March 2025 | Adar/Nissan 5785 AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977
A Penn State pre-K through 12th-grade program to nip antisemitism and other hostility in the bud expands into Allentown. p6
Did you reaiize that women head all but 1 of the 4 Lehigh Valley Jewish agencies? That and more on our Celebrating Women pages. p18-24
FROM THE DESK OF JERI ZIMMERMAN p3 LVJF TRIBUTES p8 JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER p10-11 JEWISH DAY SCHOOL p12 JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE p13 COMMUNITY CALENDAR p26-27
Community unites to honor hostages after bodies returned
By Carl Zebrowski Editor
Community members gathered at the JCC on February 20 to honor the Israeli hostages whose bodies Hamas had just returned to Israel and to support one another in their effort to maintain hope through these difficult times. In a public spectacle of disrespect and humiliation for the dead, Israel, and Jewish people everywhere, Hamas had handed over the bodies it said were Shiri Bibas and her young children Ariel and
Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, all of whom were captured and taken to Gaza in the attacks of October 7, 2023. The evening began with Jeri Zimmerman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, organizer of the event, taking to the podium to welcome the audience that had driven through snow and over slick roads to attend. She delivered a fresh news update: the body that Hamas said was Shiri’s may not actually be hers. “The mind games continue,” Zimmerman said. Indeed,
Shiri Bibas z”l
Kfir Bibas z”l
Ariel Bibas z”l
Oded Lifshitz z”l
testing on the body later showed that it was not Shiri’s (Hamas did return the body that proved to be Shiri’s the next day). “We are too heartbroken and shattered,” Zimmerman said, placing
this latest incident in context of the long year and a half of tragedy that began on October 7. “Yet we come together.” Following Zimmerman at the podium were Lehigh Valley Rabbis Allen Juda, Moshe Re’em, Shoshanah Tornberg, Steven Nathan, Michael Singer, and Yaacov Halperin. The rabbis offered thoughts and prayers and poems. Rabbi Moshe Re’em played guitar
and sang with Shari Spark. In the middle of the evening, there was a break to show a video for “A Song for Shira,” a lullaby with lyrics written by Yehonatan Geffen for his daughter and sung by well-known singer Corinne Allal who passed away recently. The tune’s chorus offered the simple message, “A new and good world I Community unites continues on page 5
By Simon Katz JCC Membership and Program Associate
carnival games and activities from 11 a.m.–noon. Kids can enjoy Drop-a-Latke, Mordechai’s Fishing Hole, Persian Putt-Putt, grogger making, a dance party, and other games and attractions. Following this carnival fun, be prepared for cuteness overload: the costume parade. Meanwhile, you can grab a delicious hamantaschen or purchase other snacks to enjoy (all food served will be kosher). The community Purim celebration is particularly significant to me. My tenure working at the JCC began
just after Purim last year, so this is the first carnival I have the pleasure of planning and executing. As much of a joy as that is for me, there’s another layer to my personal connection to this event. For those of you who know me from the front desk and elsewhere, you may be looking at one of the photos here and thinking that one of those kids looks familiar. Your suspicion is correct! That’s me wrapped in a bright blue blanket and
Get those costumes ready. It’s time for the Purim carnival As we flip our calendars to March, one thing on most of our minds is how many more days until we can bid this foul weather adieu and welcome spring back into our lives. Fortunately, before we get to do that, there’s fun to turn our attention to: Purim! Mark your calendars to come to the JCC for the 2025 Community Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 9, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The celebration will feature Non-Profit Organization
of the Lehigh Valley 702 North 22nd Street Allentown, PA 18104
of the Lehigh Valley
of the Lehigh Valley
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lehigh Valley, PA Permit No. 64
The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley recognizes and appreciates our local women leaders, including HAKOL advertisers. Please patronize them and say thank you for their support of our nonprofit. In this March HAKOL issue, you’ll find these women professionals and owners:
ALLEN AUDIOLOGY Lisa Kucsan, M.S, CCC-A Megan Hunt, Au.D. ART GALLERY & FRAME SHOP Cheryl Baran BERMAN CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES Jodi Eichler-Levine BOUTIQUE TO GO Elena Pascal
of the Lehigh Valley
Purim continues on page 4
COLD NOSE LODGE Rayne Reitnauer HAKIM HEALTH PARTNERS Melissa Hakim, M.D. LEHIGH VALLEY BREASTFEEDING CENTER Laurie Cohen, DO FAAP IBCLC, Lydia Boateng, MD FAAP IBCLC,
Ronee Welch, BS IBCLC Megan Carnes, RN IBCLC LEHIGH VALLEY CENTER FOR SIGHT Irena Cherfas, MD Kelsey Paciotti, OD Magi Labib, OD Amanda Hadeed, OD