The Voice of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Community
www.jewishlehighvalley.org
| Issue No. 491 | November 2025 | Cheshvan/Kislev 5786 AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION EST. 1977
Two Life and Legacy gatherings celebrate local Jewish philanthropists and their long-term contributions to our community. p5
2025 has been difficult. But it’s also when the the last living hostages came home. Every year, you can find reasons to give thanks. p18-22
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 p23
10/7 in words and images
Commemoration features Israeli photojournalist sharing ‘Humans of October 7th’ stories By Carl Zebrowski Editor It was an October 7 commemoration rather different from last year’s. This one, held on October 16, which marks the 24th of Tishrei, the Hebrew calendar date of the attack, was bittersweet. Last year there wasn’t much sweet. A few days before this gathering, the last of the living hostages remaining in Gaza were returned home to Israel. With that, the evening transformed into part solemn remembrance of the October 7 Hamas attacks and part celebration of the uplifting news. The commemoration event, presented by NextGen of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, began with an exhibit of images that Israeli photojournalist Erez Kaga-
novitz shot after October 7. The “Humans of October 7th” exhibit built on his previous “Humans” exhibits and the 3,000 people he’s put on film for them, inspired by the “Humans of New York” photoblog and book series that brings together photos of people and places with first-person stories that together provide glimpses into their lives, the places they call home, and their situations. Thirty-six of Kaganovitz’s post-October 7 photos were beautifully reproduced and displayed in the JCC Kline Auditorium for the commemoration. Most of the images focused on people, and accompanying each of them was a card with the words of that person telling their October 7 story. There were heroes who risked their lives to rescue people in danger, family members
of people killed in the initial attacks, and those with loved ones who were taken hostage. Chelsea Busch, co-chair of the event along with Lyell Scherline, Gia Jones, and Bill Miner, opened the presentation portion of the evening in the context of the October 7 attacks themselves and the two long years that followed, filled with worry for the hostages and the war as lies and misconceptions spread and antisemitism rose around the world. “For many Jews in Israel and throughout the Diaspora,” she said, “time has stood still.” Scherline said that Kaganovitz’s photos shined a light on Israelis who stood up to terrorism, Israelis who carried on resolutely through the devastating aftermath. “It shows the incredible resilience
of the Jewish people,” he said. Most of the Lehigh Valley’s rabbis led prayers before Kaganovitz went to the front to speak to the audience and then lead a frank discussion about Israel and what happened there on October 7 and afterward. He began with some background. Israel remains a country of striking contrasts, a place where innovation, wide-ranging diversity, and high tension coexist in daily life, he pointed out. “It’s pretty impressive that we are still a democracy,” he said. As a veteran television journalist who also served
Erez Kaganovitz
as media advisor to several members of Israel’s Knesset, Kaganovitz is well-versed in the various old-school and 10/7 commemoration continues on page 2
Dr. Carr discusses pancreatic cancer and Ashkenazi genes By Carl Zebrowski Editor
Dr. Jacquelyn Carr got right to the point at the start of her October 19 Maimonides Society Brunch and Learn presentation on Ashkenazi Jews and pancreatic cancer. “Do Jews need to worry about pancreatic cancer?” she asked. In short, the answer is no. The longer answer is that pancreatic cancer disproportionately affects Ashkenazi Jews, but that only makes their chances of developing it slightly more likely than very
unlikely. “Pancreatic cancer is rare,” Carr said, “even in Jews.” Aaron Gorodzinksy, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley staff member who oversees the society of healthcare professionals, welcomed the members back from their summer break for their first program of the Federation’s new fundraising year. And this fundraising year includes the 40th anniversary of the 1986 founding of the society in the Lehigh Valley—the very first Maimonides Society in North America. Non-Profit Organization
of the Lehigh Valley 702 North 22nd Street Allentown, PA 18104
of the Lehigh Valley
of the Lehigh Valley
of the Lehigh Valley
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lehigh Valley, PA Permit No. 64
Dr. Zach Goldsmith, Maimonides Society president, called special attention to the group of local doctors who succeeded in banding together in the 1980s to support Israel and strengthen Jewish communal life here and elsewhere. “This is certainly an excellent year for Maimonides,” he said. “Stay tuned for our plans on how we’re going to celebrate and honor our founding members.” Then Aaron Gorodzinsky transitioned into the weighty subject matter Carr was about to discuss. “Several members of my family have suffered pancreatic cancer and the devastating consequences,” he said. With this sobering reality noted, Carr put her title for the presentation up on the big screen behind her: “Pancreatic Cancer and Being Jewish: Another Thing to Worry About?” She explained, “Throughout my presentation I’ll be talking about how you don’t need to worry about it so much.” Carr, a surgical oncologist
Presenter Dr. Jacquelyn Carr and Dr. Zach Goldsmith, Maimonides Society president.
with St. Luke’s University Health Network and member of the St. Luke’s multidisciplinary cancer team who specializes in gastrointestinal malignancies, including pancreatic cancer, followed up with this conclusion: given her specialty and the normal chain of referrals through
medical practitioners, you don’t want to end up being sent to see her. “Most of the time if you’re in my office,” she said, “something sad is happening with your pancreas.” Pancreatic cancer continues on page 4