March 2015 - Temple Hesed
Transcription
March 2015 - Temple Hesed
Temple Hesed “ T h e Te m p l e of L o v in g K in d n e s s ” S c r a n t on , P e n n s y l v a n i a Messenger Tu B’Shvat Purim 5775 5775 Edition Edition 10.Adar. 5775 — 11.Nissan.5775 / March 2015 10.Adar. 5775 — 11.Nissan.5775 / March 2015 Volume 156, Issue 7 February -March 7 at 3 at7 6p.m. p.m. B’Shvat Seder will PurimPalooza Spectacular! Be Magic! Also In the Messenger: School Vouchers Vote Wolf’s moratorium Let’s start with food. Here is what is planned: Who says Purim is just for kids? Not us or Temple Israel. That’s why the two shuls have a special celebration set. Denny Corby PurimPalooza is an adult Purim party planned by the two temples for Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. at Temple Israel, East Gibson Street and Monroe Avenue. It will feature entertainment, food and dancing, all for $15! A mashed potato bar. Three varieties of mashed potatoes — smashed red skin, sweet potato, and garlic — served in plastic cups, which can be topped with your favorite Kosher condiment. Triangle Sushi — also Kosher. Savory and Sweet Hamentashen. Roasted veggie skewers. Chocolate fondue More And drinks: Six cocktails served by a bartender. Soft drinks. Entertainment: Magician Denny Corby. (Continued on page 10) Inside this issue: Donations 2 Rabbinical Reflections 3 President’s Page 4 Calendar & Torah Portions 7 Yahrzeits & Personal Notes 8 URJ & RAC News 9 Temple Information Back Page A Taste of Judaism Class to Begin in April Curious about Jewish beliefs & practices? Want to know more about Jewish culture? What’s with the skull caps & pork ban? Get a taste of Talmudic discussions, Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and even Jewish humor and cuisine. Rabbi Swartz will be teaching a “Taste of Judaism” class in April, through the Abington Area Community Classroom. This class will be held on three The cost is $25, payable to the Abington Area Community Classroom, but anyone who needs help with tuition should talk with Rabbi Swartz. Thursdays, April 9, 16, and 23 at 7 p.m. Class will meet for two hours each night. It is open to the public and is designed for both non-Jews and Jews, and it is especially helpful for about to be married and newly married interfaith couples. To register for or ask questions about the class, call 570-563-2402, go to https://abingtonareacommu nityclassroom.wordpress.co m/class-registration/ or speak with Rabbi Swartz. PAGE 2 ME ME S S ESNG S E NG ER ER V O LU M E 1 5 6 , I S S U E 7 Donations and Contributions Donations and Contributions ROSEANN SMITH ALPERIN ROSEANN SMITH ENDOWMENT FUND ALPERIN ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of Nancy Jackman Jim and Patty Alperin LINDA LEE LEVENTHAL TOY FUND In Memory of Mar- lene’s Mother, Adeline Michalek In Honor of the Yahrzeit of In of MarToniMemory Alperin Goldberg lene’s Mother, Adeline Michalek Oscar D. Leventhal James and Patricia Alperin RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND BUILDING FUND In Memory of Nancy Jackman Marion and Lynn Pearl In Memory of Barbara Get Jacobson Well Wishes to Marilyn Deutsch James and Patricia Sharon and Saul Levy Alperin Jeff and Carol LeLindsay Leventhal venthal LOUIS FINE MEMORIAL FUND FOR In Honor of the Yahrzeit of HOLOCAUST STUDDavid Cornfield IES Martha Fea Carol and Paul Leiman and Family TORAH RESTORATION FUND In Memory of Nancy Jackman Esther Adelman In Memory of Stuart Moskovitz Esther Adelman In of the Yahrzeit of InHonor Memory of BarbaJennie Lehman, Grandmother ra Jacobson Paula Wasser In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Mindy Gromer FUND BUILDING Frimi Gromer and Lee Gromer In Memory of Henri Mazel Tov to First Time Deutsch Grandparents, Ken and Dale Miller Elaine Allegrucci Audrey Harrell Richard and Carole Fine In Honor of the Yahrzeit of Rose Tevelin MILTON AND MIRIPhyllis T. Evanina AM FRIEDMAN SCHOLARSHIP In Memory of Maynard WeinFUND berg Berne and Susan Sklar In Memory of BarbaCookie and Joel Goldman In Honor of the Yahrzeit In Memory of Mar-of Be- ra Jacobson loved Mother, Lillian Goldfarb lene’s Mother, AdeIn Honor of the Yahrzeit Sandy Michalek Cooperman Paula and Jim Kaneof line Like us on Facebook; Follow us on Twitter. Arthur Besen Lenny and Roberta The Blomain Family In Honor of the Yahrzeit of BeFeinman LINDA LEE LEloved Husband In Honor of the TOY Yahrzeit of Sandy Cooperman, Jeffrey Cooper- VENTHAL Anne C. Kramer, Beloved man and Baker Family FUND RABBI’S DISCREMother and Grandmother TIONARY FUND Temple Hesed accepts these credit/debit cards for most payments or donations V O L UME 1 56, IS S UE 7 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 3 Rabbinical Reflections — Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz 25 Years, Looking Back and Ahead O n March 25th, I will be returning to Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion to receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. HUC-JIR bestows these honorary doctorates on all ordainees reaching their 25th year who are still actively contributing to the rabbinate and the Jewish people. For me, it’s been a chance not only to reconnect with my classmates but more importantly to reflect on my work over the past 25 years and how the Jewish community has changed during that time. What have I learned personally? I entered the rabbinate convinced that the most important work was on the grand scale – working in large coalitions or on social justice public policies. I still believe in working together with others, and I am certainly at least as committed as I was back then to the value of Tikkun Olam, the repair of our world… And yet, I’m far less sure that grand coalitional efforts or the public policy arena are truly effective avenues of change. Too often, coalitions get bogged down in swamps of politeness and political correctness, issuing bland decrees designed to offend no one and therefore changing no one’s mind or heart or soul. And public policy has devolved too frequently into barroom brawls, focused on who can land the most punches and call out the worst insults instead of how we can promote the common good and unite people. So what’s the answer? I’d have to say that over the past 25 years, I believe less and less in answers and place more and more hope in good questions and ongoing search and reflection. I am also more convinced about the power of relationships. Just spending time sitting down with someone and listening Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz to them didn’t seem like a world changing course of action 25 years ago; now I know that there is almost nothing I can do that can have as profound an effect as simply being present with someone and truly hearing what’s in their heart. es. And women play much more prominent leadership roles (though I’m a bit concerned that our own movement, the Union for Reform Judaism, no longer seems to be at the forefront here.) Many innovative programs, such as PJ Library, seek to connect the everincreasing number of families that have drifted from the Jewish community for one reason or another. And how has the Jewish community changed? As with so many things, there’s good news and bad news. The good news? Even Which points to the biggest problem we face – that very lack of conwith reports of anti-Semitism rising in many parts of the globe, nection. Fewer and fewer Jews I have found that in most commu- join ANY Jewish organizations – synagogues or JCCs or B’nai B’rith nities in America, Jews are no or Federations. And more and longer the “outsiders” we were more of those who do join never even 25 years ago. At the same become involved, or are involved time, almost everyone, including only in dropping their kids off to a Jews, seems to have more and building they themselves never more ways to insulate spend time themselves from anyin. It’s not one who is different in that these any way – listening Jews live “I have found that in only to news we agree utopian lives most communities in with, communicating with no America, Jews are no only with “friends,” problems or longer the “outsiders” we never stretching to issues or were even 25 years ago.” learn about how othstresses or ers think or live or conflicts – believe. I’m worried but Judaism that over time, almost and the Jewish community no everybody will become a stranger longer seem to be relevant to dealto almost everyone else – and ing with those problems. If that that doesn’t bode well. doesn’t change and change soon, synagogues will become irrelevant, and irrelevant institutions usually Within our community itself, vanish pretty quickly. there are also both positive and negative . I’m glad that many barrtrendsiers that were still What changes have you seen in pretty high 25 years ago have your lifetime? Equally important, come down, at least to a great what changes would you LIKE to extent. Many interfaith families see? I’d love to hear from you as I that would have felt “shunned” continue to reflect on this mile25 years ago now play a central stone in my life. role in synagogue life. Gay and lesbian individuals and families are welcome in many more plac- ME S S E NG E R PAGE 4 V O LU M E 1 5 6 , I S S U E 7 President’s Message — Ken Miller Planning Underway for Night of Comedy 2 As I write this we are Another upcoming Temple in another of our deep Hesed event is Passover Sefreezes this winter seader which is still in the planson, but as you know, ning stages as I write this. its always warm at One event on March 27 has Temple Hesed. Somebeen finalized: the baby thing that warmed up naming of Ruth Louise Milour winter so far at ler, daughter of my son Aaron and Temple Hesed was the Tu B'Shvat daughter in law Rachel, granddinner with Temple Israel. It was daughter of David and Amy well attended by both congregaLiebov and Dale and myself. The tions. The fantastic food was preservice that evening, will be held pared by their congregation, with at 7 PM, with our help from our family hosting the congregation, led “The Scranton Times has Oneg, to which the by Esther. Inhad an article and an whole congregation formative comeditorial about this is invited. mentary was venture and are just as provided by the Our new tenants positive about it as we three Rabbis in will be renovating are.” attendance and the classroom areas the selection of of Temple Hesed to food was topical to the event and meet their needs sometime plentiful and superb. We all look around the beginning of March. forward to sharing move events The Nativity Miguel School and with Temple Israel. we at Temple Hesed are excited about this new community proSpeaking of Temple Hesed events, ject, which will benefit the stuwe had the Purim celebration on dents who will be attending. The February 28; at which there was a Scranton Times has had an article carnival, pasta dinner, Puand an editorial about this venrimshpiel, and a Hamentashem ture and are just as positive about bake off. it as we are. To quote the last line in the movie Casablanca, " I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship". er. The date is to be determined, but we are in the planning stages for a Comedy night. As always, we are looking for congregants to help with the planning of this event, so you can contact the Temple office to volunteer. Keep looking at our online updates and bulletin for information regarding this event, which we hope is as funny and successful as last year. To those of you that missed the interfaith dialogue on the shootings at Hebdod Charley, it provided insightful dialogue regarding the event and the way different individuals saw this horrific event. All the Clergy present were of course uniformly against the murder of these twelve individuals, but also were concerned about how we express ourselves so that our thoughts and feelings are communicated with respect for others. To me their thoughts on this subject were reflected in the name of our Temple, Hesed-loving kindness. Wishing all of you Hesed. — Ken Miller Another upcoming event at Temple Hesed is our annual fund rais- DAVID L. ACKERMAN Clarks Summit, PA May 26, 1923 ~ February 20, 2015 Date of Service: February 24, 2015 David L. Ackerman, 91, Clarks Summit, died Feb. 20 morning in the Regional Hospital of Scranton. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 29 years, Evelyn “Evie” Kohn Ackerman in 2003. world traveler, David was able to make a career out of his interest, and was a writer for travel magazines and historical publications. He was a kind and gentle man who respected Born in Portland, ME, son of the late Jacob everyone and did much charity work throughand Emma Ginsburgh Ackerman, he earned out his life. Surviving is his dear friend, Pahis bachelor’s degree from the University of tricia Grant; son Gary and wife Stephanie; Miami and was a veteran of the United States grandchildren; niece and nephew; as well as Navy, having served during World War II. A several stepchildren. V O LU M E 1 5 6 , I S S U E 7 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 5 Passover Workshops Set for March 28 On Saturday, March 28, from 9 to 10:30, we will hold our annual Passover Workshops. While aimed especially at our Shabbat School families, these are open to all adults and children. Children get to make pillows for reclining, Ccccccccccccharoset recipes from around the world and more, while adults can choose to join in the crafts or do separate adult-only learning sessions. This is a chance for you to get any and all Passover questions answered, from what’s with all rules about yeast to how to say the four questions in Klingon (yes, really!). If you have particular questions you want answered, email Rabbi Swartz in advance and he will make sure they are answered. Otherwise, just come join us on the 28th! Frozen in Time: That 70s Purim Show If you missed Temple Hesed’s Purim celebration on February 28th, you missed quite a show, attended by people from Honesdale to Hazleton to even Harrisburg! Due to the deadline for this issue of the Messenger, we are unable to include pictures of the Shpiel, but you can see some on our Facebook page and our web site. Vote Now – for ARZA and for our Passover Seder Date During the High Holy Days, Rabbi Swartz spoke about the upcoming election for the World Zionist Congress and how important it is for the future of Israel for us to vote. The WZC plays a critical role in developing a number of important policies for Israel and in allocating funds raised throughout the Jewish world. It is in large part because the Reform movement did well in the last election, in 2010, that plans are moving ahead for women and men to be able to pray together at the Western Wall, that Reform, Reconstruction and Conservative congregations in Israel are finally getting building permits that had been stalled for decades by the Orthodox monopoly, that discrimination against women in arenas ranging from public transportation to the army is ending, and that non-Orthodox converts are being recognized. Voting is now open and will continue till April 30th. The process of voting is simple. Go to https://www.reformjews4israel.org/vote/ and click on “register and vote.” It is a VERY quick and simple process. To cover the cost of the election and the WZC meeting, there is a $5 or $10 dollar fee (depending on your age) – none of the slates competing in the election receive any of that money. You will have the choice of a number of different slates once you register – please feel free to take the time to read through the information about the slates – but whomever you choose, please make sure to vote – it is our last chance for the next five years to have a direct influence on the direction of Israel and its relations with Jews around the world. On a much less grand note, voting is also still open – and free! – for choosing when our Temple and Community Seder should be held, on Friday April 3 or Saturday April 4. Vote by sending Temple Hesed an email or voting on our Facebook page. At this point, votes are pretty evenly split. Of course, to actually hold the Seder, we still need a few more volunteers who are willing to help with set up and logistics. V O LU M E 1 5 6 , I S S U E 7 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 6 RAC Opposes School Vouchers WASHINGTON, D.C., February 10, 2015 -- In advance of the House Education and Workforce Committee addressing the Student Success Act (Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization), Deputy Director Rachel Laser sent a letter to all committee members, urging Rachel Laser them to oppose any amendments or provisions for private school vouchers. Read the full text of the letter to the Honorable John Kline, Chairman, and the Honorable Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, below: Dear Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Scott: On behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, which encompasses 1.5 million Reform Jews in 900 congregations across North America, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which represents 2,000 Reform rabbis, I write to express my opposition to the inclusion of any provisions in or amendments to the Student Success Act (H.R. 5) that would create a private school voucher. Any program that permits private, often religious schools to receive public funds is poor public policy and certainly invites legal challenges. A central principle of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause is that members of particular faiths, and not the government, should fund religious institutions. Government funding for religious education undermines the First Amendment and harms religious liberty. When vouchers are used towards expenses related to religious school education, they become an indirect government funding of sectarian institutions. We are also concerned that religious schools that receive voucher funds could lose their autonomy because with government money comes government rules and regulations. Such control would not be beneficial for either religious organizations or the government. Reform Jewish values inspire our support for ensuring a robust public school system. The revered Jewish sage, Maimonides, taught that "any city that does not have a school in it shall be cut off [all contact] until they find a teacher for the children" (Hilchot Talmud Torah 2:1). We have a special obligation to support our public schools and to make known to our communities the important role that they play in our society. A school voucher program that redirects funding from Title I to private, often parochial schools, is deeply concerning. Congress adopted Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965 to provide federal funding to local school districts and schools that serve large concentrations of students in poverty to address the compounded impact of poverty on student learning. Today, states receive Title I funding based on a formula which ensures that poorer, smaller and under-resourced districts receive a greater share of Title I funds than more affluent districts. Changing this system by allowing funds to “follow the child” to private schools would add even more stress and challenge to struggling schools. While a small number of students might be able to attend a different school due to a Title I voucher amendment, significantly more students would still be in an underresourced school that would be even more disadvantaged. The government should instead be investing its funds in programs that reinvigorate the public school system, rather than redirecting critical funds away from public schools and into private, frequently parochial schools. Vouchers do not guarantee a student any type of school choice. Rather, they contribute to the monetary means of a family to send their child to a private school if that school accepts the child. Every child counts, yet vouchers could only raise the educational opportunities for a select few. Additionally, private schools do not need to meet the same public accountability standards that all public schools must meet, including those in Title IX, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)— the very law the Committee seeks to reauthorize. We urge you to oppose all language in the Student Success Act that would use taxpayer dollars to create a private school voucher program. Our Reform Jewish values teach us the importance not only of a highquality, robust public education system that promotes opportunity and advancement for each child, but also of strong church-state separation and religious freedom rights, all of which could be compromised by vouchers. Sincerely, Rachel Laser Deputy Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism ME S S E NG E R PAGE 7 V O L UME 1 56, IS S UE 7 MARCH 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 Purim 6 SERVICES 6 p.m. 7PurimPalooza 8 Daylight 9 Savings Time 10 11 12 15 17 18 Board Meeting 19 16 13 SERVICES SERVICES 14 86p.m. p.m. Sukkot @5:30 p.m. 22 23 24 29 30 31 Holidays 5775 Rosh Hashanah— Yom HaShoah— Sept.24-26, 2014 Apr. 15-16 SERVICES 20SERVICES 21 8 p.m. 8 p.m. 25 Y at Temple Israel @ 8p.m. SERVICES 8 p.m. SERVICES 8SERVICES p.m. 7 26 27 p.m. Naming of Ruth Louise Miller 28 iddish Saying Of the Month Yom Kippur — Oct. 3-4, 2014 Yom HaZikaron & Yom HaAtzmaut — Sukkot— Oct.8-15 Apr. 21-23 Simchat Torah — Lag BaOmer — Oct. 16-17, 2014 May 6-7 “He who cannot stand the smell of gunpowder, should not engage in war.” Yiddish Proverb from a book by Fred Kogos Torah Portions Hanukkah — Dec. 16-24, 2014 Shavuot— May 23-24 Name Civil Date Hebrew Date Tu B’Shvat — Feb. 3-4 2015 Ki Tisa March 7, 2015 16.Adar.5775 Tisha B’Av—July 25-26 Vayakhel-Pekudei parah March 14, 2015 23.Adar.5775 Purim—Mar. 4-5 Selichot —Sept.5 Vayikra Hacodesh March 21, 2015 1. Nissan.5775 Tsav Shabbat Hagadol March 28, 2015 8 .Nissan.2015 Passover— Apr.3-10 More Torah resources at www.urj.org V O L UME 1 56, IS S UE 7 ME S S E NG E R PAGE 8 Yahrzeits and Personal Notes Week Ending March 7 (Service March 6) *Isadore Gordon, *Samuel B. Silverstein, *Harrie Phillips Mittelman, *Monroe Brandwene, *Hilda Ziegler, *Toni Brodrick, *Rita L. Pincus, *William Katz, Jerome Goldfarb, *Fannie Gelfand, *Robert D. Goodrich, *Frances Lonstein, *Esther Krotosky, *Jennie Pell, *Gordon Folk, *David Fragin. Get Well Wishes Natalie Gelb Marilyn Deutsch Emily Trunzo Week Ending March 14 (Service March 13) *Emanuel J. Goodman, *Pearl Hoffman, *Emanuel Oppenheim, *Samuel L. Cohen, *Lottie Schoenhof, *Carolyn Weiss, *Oscar Rosenblum, *Sylvia Hodes, *Ann F Nogi, *Anna B. Breschel, *Adele Hollander, *Ophelia K. Hershfield, Edna Lauscher, *Isadore Harry Kramer, *Jack J. Levine, *Regina Oppenheim. Week Ending March 21 (Service March 20) Jake Slawitsky, *Jacob R. Cohen, *Robert P. Silverstein, Anna Lachman, *Florence R. Spelman, Arthur Feinberg, *Isabelle G. Cohen, *Leo Mitteldorf, *Dorothy Loebl Pell, Sadye M. Smith, *Helen Fragin, *Ben Silverman, Madeline Needle, *Minnie G. Rice, *Dr. Moses Fragin. Week Ending March 28 (Service March 27) *Marion L. Graham, *Sol Driesen, Florence Brown, *Seymour Sieber, *Theodore A. Stein, *Jacob L. Druck, *Seymour Cader, *Jay Leiman, Max Ballot, *Joshua Marks, *Albert Rose. Week Ending April 4 (Service April 3) *Arthur Adelman, *William Stein, *Jack Benkaim, *Ruth Folk, Sheldon A. Davis, *Lois Besen, *Ida Richman, *Samuel N. Kramer, *Hattie Levi, *Elsie Schneider, *Abraham Cornfield, Fred A. Ellenbogen, *Hannah Joseph, *Meyer Slavitz. ME S S E NG E R V O LU M E 1 5 6 , I S S U E 7 PAGE 9 Attacks in Copenhagen Condemned February 15, 2015, New York, NY --On Saturday, February 14, and Sunday, February 15, two terrorist attacks in Copenhagen left three people dead and five police officers wounded. The first shooting was at a café that was hosting a discussion on free speech. Hours later, a synagogue and Jewish cultural center were attacked. cold-blooded acts of cowardice. Such savagery proves a sad but undeniable truth: the enemies of the Jews and Judaism in Europe are the enemies of freedom everywhere. The victim of the synagogue shooting was a young Jewish man who was controlling the entrance to the synagogue while a Bat Mitzvah celebration was underway inside, according to the head of Denmark's Jewish community. President of the WUPJ Rabbi Daniel H. Freelander stated that "The attacks in Copenhagen are an assault on our values and on all free and democratic societies that embrace human dignity. While today is a grim reminder that no one and nowhere is immune from such acts of barbarism, we will together remain vigilant against those who wish to strike at our most cherished freedoms." The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) condemns these The WUPJ mourns with the families and loved ones of the victims of these latest terrorist attacks on European soil. According to the European Union for Progressive Judaism (EUPJ) President Leslie Bergman: "Jihadist inspired acts against Jews will become a European problem when the violence extends beyond Jewish targets (such as in Toulouse and the Brussels Museum). Eventually, if uncontrolled, the Jews will become a sideshow in this challenge to European civilization." As an organization rooted in the teachings of the Hebrew Prophets, the WUPJ promotes justice and equality, democracy and peace, personal fulfillment and collective obligations. These Jewish values are humanity's greatest hope to combat and ultimately defeat such personifications of evil as the one that reared its ugly head on a Saturday evening in Copenhagen. Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Rabbi Daniel H. Freelander, WUPJ President Michael Grabiner, WUPJ Chairman RAC Praises Wolf’s Execution Moratorium Washington, D.C., February 13, 2015 – In response to the Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s newly declared moratorium on executions, Rachel Laser, Deputy Director of the Religious Action Center issued the following statement: The Reform Movement has formally opposed the death penalty since 1959, noting the sanctity of human life. Our resolution states: “there is no crime for which the taking of human life by society is justified and that it is the obligation of society to evolve other methods in dealing with Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced a moratorium on the crime.” Though the Torah does mandate death death penalty in Pennsylvania, acknowledging that the for some crimes, the rabbis of the Talmud intenflawed system is “error prone, expensive and anything but tionally made the mandate’s application so cominfallible.” The decision will be in effect at least until the plex and difficult, that it became virtually imposPA Gov. Tom Wolf Governor receives and reviews the forthcoming report from sible to use. We learn in Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5 the Pennsylvania Task Force and Advisory Commission on that causing a single life to perish is the same as “caus[ing] a Capital Punishment that has been underway for about four whole world to perish.” years. There are currently 183 men and three women on death row in Pennsylvania who could be affected. The Governor clariIn this spirit, we are encouraged by the actions of Governor Tom fied that his actions should not be taken as an expression of sym- Wolf. There are 31 other states that still have laws allowing the pathy for the guilty on death row, but are based on the fact that death penalty and we will continue to fight against it until the the system has proven to be an “endless cycle of court proceedings practice has been abolished throughout our country. as well as ineffective, unjust and expensive.” TEMPLE HESED “SCRANTON’S FIRST SYNAGOGUE” 1 Knox Road Scranton, PA 18505 Email for Temple: TempleHesed@comcast .net Phone: 570-344-7201 Fax: 570-344-4514 Published 11 times a year Like us on Facebook; Follow us on Twitter Web Pages: www,TempleHesed.org Submit articles, letters, etc. to: [email protected] SPIRITUAL LEADER Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz 570-877-3454 (cell) 570-344-7201 (office) ([email protected]) ———————OFFICERS President - Ken Miller 1st Vice Pres. - Barbara Parker-Bell 2nd Vice. Pres.—Larry Milliken Treasurer—Jeff Leventhal Asst. Treasurer - Harry Adelman Secretary - Judith Golden Asst. Secretary— Jennifer Rosen Novak __________________ BOARD Daniel Cardonick, Joan Davis, Lynne Fragin, Jerald Gilbert, Paula Kane, Michael Karnoff, Richard Levy, Joel Vener and Richard Goldenziel Life Directors Myer A l p e r i n and Jane Oppenheim ABOUT TEMPLE HESED: Temple Hesed, a Reform Synagogue founded Aug. 20, 1860, is Scranton’s first and oldest Jewish congregation. It is one of the earliest congregations to join the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, now the Union for Reform Judaism. It has been a member since Dec. 12, 1874. The synagogue serves the needs of individuals and families in Lackawanna County and surrounding areas. Situated on Knox Road, off Lake Scranton Road in the East Mountain section of Scranton, the current building opened in 1973. Temple Hesed operates a cemetery on West Warren Street in Dunmore. The office is open Tuesday-Thursday from 9 a.m.. to 4 p.m.; and Friday 9 a.m.. to 2 p.m. Rabbi Swartz is happy to set appointments at any convenient time. Contact him to set a time. The rabbi also has "drop-in" hours every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Rabbi holds these times open for visits or calls for which an appointment was not or could not be made. The Temple Hesed Cemetery is open for visitation six days a week. Visitation hours are: MondayFriday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. till dusk and it is closed for Shabbat on Saturday. For more information, call the office. STAFF Marlene Gianzanti—Office Manager ([email protected]) Edward Snitko-Director of Music Rich Mates-Messenger Editor ([email protected]) Jennifer Rosen Novak Social Media Maven Jeffrey Heilbrunn Webmaster ( [email protected]) Purim continued (Continued from page 1) Dance instructor Vince Burst. Various games. According to Corby’s Web page, “Denny’s presentation of magic, mind reading, and comedy never fails to astonish and charm his audience.” Reservations are required. Call the Temple Israel at 570-342-0350 by March 4. Dancer Vince Burst Eco-Tip: Food: Worldwide meat production releases more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector combined (Source: UN Environment Programme). Start small by eliminating meat one day per week, or challenge yourself by taking a week-long vegetarian pledge. See www.meatlessmonday.org or www.vegetariantimes.com for good recipes and more information. Eco-tip provided by GreenFaith: www.greenfaith.org