NEW AND IMPROVED SHIRON! SEE MAILER SIDE FOR INFO.

APRIL 2016 | ADAR II, NISAN 5776

The Monthly Newsletter from Shir Ami in Newtown, PennsylvaniaShiron Mo Perera and Shari Beck-Nahman

perform a scene from “SCHMALTZ!”Shir Ami’s Adult Purim Shpiel

parody of Grease

IN THIS ISSUE

Special Shabbatot .................... Page 5

Leo and Shirley Slomovitz Scholar in Residence and Gever Music Shabbat _______________________________________________

Passover at Shir Ami Join us for a Shabbat at the Park .............Page 6and our Second Night Passover Seder.........Page 4_______________________________________________

Ladies Night Out and Designer Bag Bingo .................Page 6Two special women’s events!_______________________________________________

Board Installation.......................Page 6

Come celebrate our Congregational leaders _______________________________________________

Community Photos.......Pages 12, 13, 24

and so much more info inside!

101 Richboro Rd | Newtown, PA 18940 | www.shiraminow.org Main: 215.968.3400 | Religious School: 215.968.3254 | E.L.C.: 215.968.6255

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According to legend (I’ve never tried it…) if you place a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will jump out immediately. However, if you place that frog in a pot of cold water and slowly raise the temperature to boiling, the frog will remain in the water until it is, well, cooked. To bring change on immediately can cause shock to the system, but true, sustainable change takes place slowly, over time. While most of us are used to the Western Wall in Jerusalem as a divided prayer space between men and women, it wasn’t always that way. My article in last month’s Shiron (available online) talks a little bit about the history, but unlike either frog, the Kotel (Western Wall) became, for all intents and purposes, an Orthodox synagogue very quickly, and those who might have fought for something different didn’t have time to realize what had happened before the heat was turned to high. Fast forward almost fifty years, and on January 31st of this year the Israeli cabinet approved a plan to create an egalitarian (men and women together) option for worshipers at the Western Wall, developing the southern end of the wall, the excavation at Robinson’s Arch. It was a compromise for sure. Afterall, at one point there was discussion about a third section right next to the already existing sections in the “iconic” Western Wall, and Robinson’s Arch is removed from that main section and is already available for those who wish to visit the Kotel without being divided by gender. This plan, however, would develop the area, creating a larger, nicer plaza for visitors/worshipers, along with making an entrance to the new, third option, right next to the entrance to the men’s and women’s section of the Wall. In Israel, Orthodox communities receive government funding and Reform and Conservative communities do not, so the fact that this would all be funded by the government is extremely important.

While leaders of the Reform and Conservative movements hailed the decision as groundbreaking, others said that it was one more case of Progressive Judaism being separate and unequal in Israel. Some members of Women of the Wall (see last month’s article) are also starting to speak out against the deal, saying that they don’t want

to pray in an egalitarian space and want full rights within the women’s section. At the same time, the Ultra-Orthodox cabinet members who originally voted against the deal but weren’t fighting against it have started to say that they will do everything in their power to prevent it, calling Reform Jews “a disaster for the people of Israel” (and that’s among the nicer things they’ve said…) So it seems to me that we’re left with a pot of water on the stove with a bunch of unhappy frogs. Some people want the change to happen right now, all at once, while others don’t want any change at all. But

for the Reform and Conservative movements to continue gaining recognition in Israel, it’s going to happen one small step at a time. With each step, some will think we’re not changing fast enough, and the opposition against us will get louder and more vehement, but hopefully we will continue to see the temperature change in the right direction. We as Reform Jews can celebrate this decision and fight for its coming to fruition, and we can look forward to a day when we will have equal religious rights in the Jewish State.

We hope you will join us as Shir Ami and Women of Reform Judaism host Lesley Sachs, the Executive Director of Women of the Wall, on Saturday night, April 2, for a very special opportunity to hear more about Women of the Wall and her thoughts on this year’s events at the Kotel.

A FEW WORDS FROM RABBI SIMON

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THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF RABBI SIMON’S WESTERN WALL ARTICLE FROM THE MARCH SHIRON ISSUE

LOOKING FOR A COFFEE BREAK?Rabbi Simon is eager to get to know all of our congregants. If you would like to meet with him at the Shir Ami office or somewhere local for coffee, please contact Rabbi Simon at 215.968.3400 or by email jsimon@shiramipa.org to schedule an available date.

SHIRON | APRIL 2016

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Schedule of services and other ritual events per week follow. Congregants of all ages are welcome at all of our services. All Erev Shabbat Services and B’nai Mitzvah will take place in the Abraham - Swerdlow Sanctuary, unless otherwise noted. For a full calendar listing of all upcoming Shir Ami events throughout our community, we invite you to visit www.shiraminow.org

Friday, April 1: SHABBAT WORSHIP LED BY OUR 4TH GRADERS7:00pm - April Birthday & Anniversary Blessings, Rabbi Simon will tell a Shabbat Story

Saturday, April 2: SHABBAT WORSHIP

10:15am - GOLDBERG B’NOT MITzVAH

7:00pm - WRJ HAVDALLAH AND WOMEN OF THE WALL PROGRAM (Men and Women are welcome) - Shalom Hall

WEEK OF APRIL 1 WEEK OF APRIL 22

Friday, April 22: NO SHABBAT SERVICE (Due to First Seder) Yahrzeit names will be read on April 15th

Saturday, April 23: SHABBAT IN THE WILDERNESS 10:00am - at the Upper Plantation in Tyler State Park

5:30pm - SECOND NIGHT OF PASSOVER SEDER - Shalom Hall

Friday, April 8: SHABBAT WORSHIP with LEO AND SHIRLEY SLOMOVITz SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE 7:00pm - with Rabbi Ken Kanter (see pg 5)

Saturday, April 9: SHABBAT WORSHIP

10:15am - COE BAR MITzVAH in Elliot Strom Chapel

10:15am - CROWELL BAT MITzVAH

WEEK OF APRIL 8Friday, April 29: LAST DAY OF PASSOVER / YIzKOR SERVICE10:15am - in the Family Life Center

7:00pm - SHABBAT WORSHIP with the CHOIR plus Board Installation

Saturday, April 30: SHABBAT WORSHIP 10:15am - POLLACK BAT MITzVAH

10:15am MCDONNELL BAT MITzVAH in Elliot Strom Chapel

WEEK OF APRIL 29

Friday, April 15: SHABBAT WORSHIP WITH ANNA GEVER MUSIC SHABBAT 7:00pm - with Artist in Residence Daniel Cainer (see pg 5)

Saturday, April 16: SHABBAT WORSHIP

10:15am - SCHORR AND TEITELMAN B’NOT MITzVAH

WEEK OF APRIL 15

JOIN US FOR CHEVRAT TORAH services, every Saturday during the month. APRIL 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30

10:15 am in the Chodorow Family Life Center

ALL SATURDAYS

SECOND NIGHTPASSOVER SEDERSaturday, April 23, 20165:30 pm • Shalom Hall

Cost: *Members: $36 adults, $15 children (ages 5-12), Non-members: $45 adults, $18 children (ages 5-12)Children ages 4 & under are FREE.

Join your Shir Ami family for a beautiful Passover Seder and delicious Kosher meal served family style. *Member: Everyone living in a member’s household, including college aged children. *We are able to provide financial assistance because of donations received. If you require assistance, please contact the Rabbis or the Cantor.

APRIL 2016 WORSHIP CALENDAR

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Leo and ShirLey SLomovitz SchoLar in reSidence Weekend

the anna Gever mUSic ShaBBat

GUeSt artiSt: daniel cainer

Friday, April 8, 2016 | 7:00pmin the Abraham-Swerdlow Sanctuary

JEWS ON TIN PAN ALLEYIn sing-along format, Rabbi Kanter will trace the history of American popular music from the 1840s to the 1940s, the beginning of the American popular music industry to the end of “Tin Pan Alley.” We meet the song pluggers, tunesmiths, European immigrants, “real live nephews of Uncle Sam” and the songs that served as musical companions to American history. The names Berlin, Kern, Rodgers, Arlen and Gershwin are joined to lesser names like Von Tilzer, Gus Kahn, Billy Rose, and Charles K. Harris. You will soon know them all at this fascinating presentation from Rabbi Kanter.

Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Elliot M. Strom Chapel

WE JEWS ON BROADWAYA sing-along history of the American Musical from the “Gay 90’s” operetta of Romberg and Friml, through the “Roaring 20’s” music of Berlin, Kern, the Gershwins, and Rodgers and Hart. Share Oklahoma’s “Beautiful Morning”; vist the West Side Story of Maria and Tony and the New York of Guys and Dolls. We end with Sondheim, Mel Brooks, Kander and Ebb, Broadway of today.

Friday, April 15, 2016 | 7:00pmin the Abraham-Swerdlow Sanctuary

DANIEL CAINER: 21st CENTURY JEWSmart, funny, timely and only slightly irreverent, Cainer’s deeply moving tales about his family and his observational comedy are a joy. Brilliant rhyming and wordplay, great musicianship and haunting tunes you won’t forget. Cainer has performed his unique collections of Jewish themed stories in song around the world including two limited seasons off-Broadway, Australia, Germany and now – Newtown!

This well-reviewed, highly-rated artist is not to be missed!

featuring Rabbi Kenneth Kanter, of the HUC-JIR

Jewish Influence on American Popular Music

PLUS: Please join us on Friday April 8th as Rabbi Kanter and Cantor Elson bless and name Eva Bea Simon in the Jewish tradition. Rabbi Simon looks forward to sharing this mitzvah with the congregation.

“TOP 5 THEATRE NY SHOWS”

--Theatre Pizazz 2014

“A must see!”--UK Daily Mirror

“Lovingly Detailed”--TimeOut

“Tremendously Entertaining”--Jewish Currents, New York

“An hour in Cainer’s company is true pleasure”

--The Stage

“Honest, edgy, touching...it will leave you tapping your toes and longing for more.”

--Jewish Week, New York

SHIR AMI EVENTS SHIRON | APRIL 2016

by WRJ and SHIR AMI Service followed by Wine, Cheese, and Dessert

Saturday, April 2

7:00pm - Shir Ami’s Shalom Hall and Stevens Atrium

All are invited as the Women of Reform Judaism hosts special guests Lesley Sachs, Executive Director of Women of the Wall & fredi Bleeker Franks, WRJ Vice President of Development and Special Projects. Men and Women Welcome.

To RSVP, please contact Becky Markowitz at 215 262-4494, beckymarkowitz@gmail.com

sponsored by Women of Shir Ami

Thurs., April 7

7:30pm - Shalom Hall

Doors open at 7:00pm, Bingo begins at 7:30pm$30 in advance, $35 at the door. Bellinis and dessert are included. For more info see www.shiraminow.org.

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HAVDALAH SERVICE

DESIGNER & COACH BAG BINGO

LADIES NIGHT OUT!

sponsored by the Shir Ami ELC

Thurs, April 14

7:00-10:00pm, Shalom Hall

Grab your friends and attend this year’s BETTER THAN EVER vendor shopping event. Plus,an opportunity enter the raffle to win fabulous prizes. Complimentary light bites and wine will be served. For info: lnd278@aol.com

Saturday, April 23 10:00am - Tyler State Park

As we celebrate the Israelites’ “hike” through the Red Sea, we will celebrate Shabbat with a hike of our own. Join us at Tyler State Park on Saturday morning, April 23rd at 10am. We’ll have coffee, matzah and “shmear” for a little nosh, and then we’ll go for a light hike (very easy, all abilities/ages welcome), before having a short Shabbat morning service overlooking the water. Families are welcome to enjoy the park together afterwards. We will meet at the Upper Plantation Pavilion (on-site parking available.)

SHABBAT IN THE WILDERNESS

Take a Hike! (on Passover)

sponsored by Shir Ami

Sunday, April 249:00am - Heacock & Stony Hill Rds

Shir Ami has maintained a portion of Heacock Rd in Yardley for over 20 years. Join us as we clean up litter on Heacock between McCaffrey’s and Kohl’s. Meet in the McCaffrey’s Supermarket parking lot near the bank on the corner of Heacock and Stony Hill Roads at 9 AM. Volunteers must be 13 years old and above. RSVP or send your questions to Larry Schorr, lmschorr@earthlink.net.

ANNUAL ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP

PLEASE JOIN USOn APRIL 29, 2016, Shir Ami will be installing our new

Board of Directors for 2016-2017. You’re invited to celebrate with your fellow congregants as we honor the

next leaders of our congregation.

SHIR AMI EVENTS

REFUAH SHLEIMAH

Debbie BerlinMel BermanNorton BorochanerJudith BuchRabbi Ben DavidRochelle EinheberDaniel FinkelsteinAlbert Goldberg

Rabbi Paula GoldbergSteve GoldbergBonnie GoldsteinDonna GoodmanMarilyn JacobsonChristine JonesMichael LeibowitzCaroline Levine

Martin MazerAryeh Leib ben MechlinaRosa NovickDoris SpectorDena SteinSeymour SteinAndrea Tankin

To Larry and Eve Lefkowitz, Ivy and Larry Pearlstein, Erina Pearlstein, Alan and Melody Rosenberg, Emily Elkin, Fred Fisher, Howard and Arleen Weisberg, Nancy Siderits, Donna, Bob and Anna DeSantis, Debbie Cohen, Howard Levin, Jean Winerip, Lois and Helena Wilcox, Ellen McMaster, Debbie Schorr, and Helen and Emma Berman for their hamantaschen baking.

To Alan Rosenberg and Emily Elkin for putting together another amazing Purim Shpiel. To all of the cast members and the tech crew of the Shpiel, as it would not have been a success without you.

To the Women of Shir Ami for sponsoring our annual Purim Carnival. To all the volunteers who helped out at the Carnival. To Nicole Firestone, Isaac Kravatz. Max Kroll, Daniel Levy, Noah Stein Jacob Weiss, and Jack Zibelman being a part of the 2016 Purim Band.

To Amy Kirsh, Rabbi Eric Goldberg, and everyone who helped make Purim and Pizza a success.

TODAH RABAH

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If you would like to share an achievement, milestone, refuah, or simcha in the Shiron, please contact the

Shir Ami office: 215-968-3400

CONDOLENCESFrancis McDonnell, mother of Greg McDonnell

Sylvia Rubin, sister of Phyllis Geller

Yetta Greenberg Liberatore, grandmother of Dean Siegel and Craig Siegel

Ruth Fingerhut, grandmother of Melissa Cohen and Keri Gold

Charlotte Klatzkin, grandmother of Stacy Wurtz

APRIL B’NAI MITzVAH

HAILEY GOLDBERGDaughter of Brett and Shawn GoldbergApril 2, 201623 Adar II 5776, Parshat Shemini

ASHLEY GOLDBERGDaughter of Brett and Shawn GoldbergApril 2, 201623 Adar II 5776, Parshat Shemini

MAzAL TOV!

To Michael and Barbara Markowitz on the birth of their granddaughter, Tiba Bee Lawler

BRANDON HEATH COESon of Peter Coe and Stephanie CoeApril 9, 20161 Nisan 5776, Parshat Tazria

ELENA MURIEL CROWELLDaughter of Ryan and Julie CrowellApril 9, 20161 Nisan 5776, Parshat Tazria

EMILY MERISSA SCHORRDaughter of Larry and Debbie SchorrApril 16, 20168 Nisan 5776, Parshat Metzora

JADE AVA MCDONNELLDaughter of Gregory and Beth Ann McDonnellApril 30, 201622 Nisan 5776, Parshat Re’eh

HANNAH TEITELMANDaughter of Mark and Merri TeitelmanApril 16, 20168 Nisan 5776, Parshat Metzora

SOFIA BARUCH ESPERANzA POLLACKDaughter of Michael E. Pollack andNorma Jean JohnsonApril 30, 201622 Nisan 5776, Parshat Re’eh

SHIR AMI NEWS SHIRON | APRIL 2016

BE HAPPY – IT’S ADAR! That’s what we said all month in the ELC in March. We had so many fun things going on and fun celebrations to attend. We started the month celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday. The “Cat in the Hat” (aka Miss Shari) read the book, One Fish, Two Fish … We sorted colored goldfish, tossed fish of all sizes into buckets, painted fish bowls and glued fish in them, and ate yummy blue jello with Swedish fish. A great time was had by all. The month continued

with a special delivery of our baby chick eggs. Everyone loved to visit the “incubator” to see our golden brown babies. Of course you could hear, smell, taste and see Purim throughout all the hallways. Everyone made yummy hamantaschen and groggers. Some classes made Shalach Manot baskets, others made crowns and masks. We had a wonderful Shabbat with the entire school. Our PreK teachers acted out the Purim Shpiel as we all shook our groggers to boo Haman! As if that wasn’t enough fun, we had a Purim Carnival after and had even more fun with a bean bag toss, hamantaschen eating, and more! For dental health, the entire school saw a really funny puppet show. We all learned about healthy foods for our teeth and how to brush really well. Our 3’s knew the most since they had a special visit from Newtown Dentistry when they learned about their Community Helpers unit. They also had a visit from Nurse Ilana who dressed everyone up in gowns and masks and had them listen to their hearts beat. Everyone was so thrilled to be able to go outside and play in the beautiful weather this month. Our Enrichment children just returned from England. They made double decker buses, Big Ben and more! Our enrichment program is growing in leaps and bounds!

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For more information about Shir Ami’s acclaimed Early Learning Center, contact Shari Beck-Nahman at:

sbnahman@shiramipa.org | 215.968.6255

UPCOMING IN APRIL4/13 – PreK trip to the Bucks County Children’s Museum

4/14 – ELC Ladies Nite Out Fundraiser

4/18,19,20 – Kindergarten Passover plays and Seders for all age groups, AND Scholastic Book Fair

4/25 – Earth Day Activities

4/22 – No School – Enrichment available until 2:00pm

4/29 – No School – No Enrichment

Registration is going on now for

Preschool 2016 -’17 and Camp Katan 2016

TOT SHABBAT AT

Saturday April 16

3:00pm

Carousel Village591 Durham Rd., Newtown

Join us at Carousel Village for a tot-friendly Shabbat service open to all families with children ages 7 and under. After our service, families are welcome to enjoy the carousel, train ride (with animals), and/or ice cream with other families. As always, grandparents and other family members are welcome to join us, and please feel free to bring friends!

CUDDLE UP SHABBAT

Friday May 13 - 5:30pm

Elliot Strom Chapel

Please join us for a friendly and fun Shabbat service geared towards families with children up to age 7 (infants and toddlers welcome). Learn about and share in the blessings and traditions of Friday night Shabbat, meet our clergy and leaders, and meet other families just like you. We invite you to join us for a Cuddle-Up Dinner immediately following the service.

SHIR AMI’S EARLY LEARNING CENTER

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The In-Between Time

As we enter the month of April, we are smack dab in between the holidays of Purim and Passover. It is a busy time of year on the Jewish calendar, and a busy time of year at school! On April 2nd, our 8th graders will have a day-long Shabbaton, engaging in activities that will keep them

active and challenge them to re-imagine Shabbat for the 21st Century. April 15th – 16th is our 9th grade Shul-In, where 9th graders will celebrate Shabbat in a way they never have before! On April 17th, our Confirmation Class is headed to New York City to learn about Jewish immigration to America and how the Jewish community has grown and changed over the years.

And that doesn’t even take into account what fun and exciting activities our younger students will be engaging in! Speaking of which…

One of the customs we engage in during the period between Purim and Passover is that starting on the day of Purim ‘a person should start teaching and learning the laws of Passover … Each person should review the laws until he/she knows them well’ (Shulchan Aruch 429:1). We will, of course, be teaching the laws and customs to our students in Religious School and it is my sincere hope that you will also take the time to engage in this practice. Whether you are an adult looking to brush up on your own knowledge and/or a parent/grandparent who wishes to pass on our ancient traditions to the newest generation, there are many places you can go to learn about our sacred customs and rituals, laws and traditions. Here are a few that I would like to share with you:

• Rabbi Simon, Cantor Elson, Rabbi Paula Goldberg, Rabbi Strom and I are always happy to hear from you and answer any questions you may have. Email, call or ask us a question when you are at Shir Ami or out and about in the community. We love to hear from you!

• Visit the Reform Judaism webpage focused on Passover (www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/passover-pesach). Here you can learn about everything from Passover customs to recipes to blessings. There are also many family activities you can share with your children, grandchildren and extended family.

• Take a look at this article from The Times of Israel (blogs.timesofisrael.com/twenty-signs-of-pesach-in-israel). While it is a few

For more information about the Shir Ami Religious School, contact Rabbi Eric Goldberg at:

rabbiegoldberg@yahoo.com | 215.968.3254

APRIL SCHOOL CALENDAR Friday, April 1 – Family Shabbat Service (7:00pm in Abraham-Swerdlow Sanctuary)

Saturday, April 2 – 8th Grade Shabbaton (10:15am - 6:30pm)

Sunday, April 10 – 4th Grade Family Program (9:00am – 11:00am in Shalom Hall)

Friday, April 15 – Saturday, April 16: 9th Grade Shul-In (7:00pm – 10:00am)

Saturday, April 23 – Shabbat in the Wilderness (10:00am at Tyler State park)

Sunday, April 24 – No School

SHIR AMI RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

years old, it provides a taste of what it is like to be in Israel during Passover.

My family and I wish you a Zissen Pesach and hope you enjoy this ‘in between’ time. Let me know what you learn and, who knows, maybe I will even have a few questions for you!

SHIRON | APRIL 2016

Hachnasat Orchim - Making Strangers Feel Welcome. This is the goal for our youth group program. It is our core value to have everyone feel like they belong. We are most likely to accomplish this task with a larger number of participants so, I’m asking you to make youth group ONE of your priorities. Having trouble convincing your child? Suggest that they bring any Jewish friend, and I guarantee they will have a good time. Ali, Judith and I create a fun, social calendar for the kids of Shir Ami; we want your kids to feel welcome at our events. Those who have attended for years and have now graduated will tell you, for many of them, it has helped shape their teen years.

We start making a difference in Chalutzim (3rd & 4th grade). In March, this youth group had a lot of fun at Giant, cooking and baking meals for themselves, while Bonim (5th& 6th graders) bonded at dinner and a movie.

Jr. SHAFTY (7th & 8th grade) is the next step to really opening up and welcoming NFTY678. 16 kids went to Dave & Busters for food and fun. They made some news friends outside of our Shir Ami community and I know they will look forward to the next regional event to see them again.

Sr. SHAFTY had a total of 25 kids at our annual midnight bowling shul-in, including some NFTY-PAR teens! After a delicious Italian dinner and with cell phones put away for an entire hour, we broke into groups and did three different activities based on the NFTY theme, “Here I am”. The point of the program was to show everyone that although we are so busy on social media, we have to remember to “be with ourselves.” We have to seek inner-strength, reflection and be at peace without distraction. Everyone found it fun and relaxing. However, we were happy to have our phones back. Perhaps we have to work a little harder and more frequent at “being here.” After Havdalah and bowling from midnight to 2am we returned to Shir Ami for a shul-in and an early morning breakfast.

SHAFTY’s Social Action is alive! Congratulations to 4th grade for winning the pop tabs contest and an ice cream treat! Thanks to everyone who bought pretzels at our Sunday morning Pretzel Sale, and don’t forget to collect your gently used shoes and drop them off in the bins around Shir Ami. Those shoes will be recycled and given to those who are less fortunate. The money that we receive will be donated to a charity of Sr. Shafty’s choice.

For info about SHAFTY, please contact Youth Director Ferne Levy: fernelevy@comcast.net | 215.968.3400 Ext.226

FOLLOW SHAFTY:

SHIR AMI YOUTH GROUPS

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SUNDAY BRUNCH WITH RABBI STROM:HOW MANY WIVES DOES A MAN NEED? Sun., April 17th at 9:00am, Shir Ami Auditorium

Join us as Rabbi Strom, author of Rabbi Run, leads on a discussion of marriage and fidelity as it pertains to the Jewish view of Marriage, Divorce, (In)Fidelity and Commitment. Judaism’s take on: What happens when a man falls out of love with his wife? What if he has other priorities? Can he have female friends? What happens if he is drawn into a sexual relationship outside of marriage? Join us for a great discussion as well as food.

RSVP at shiramimensclub.org or fred.fisher@rocketmail.com________________________________________________________

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sunday, April 17th 4:00 - 7:00pmMen’s Club needs volunteers to support and assist with serving at the WOSA Seder- Must be cheerful, friendly and hungry! Sign up on the club’s website: shiraminow.org/our-community/mens-club

MEN’S CLUB 2016CHARITY GOLF OUTINGMonday, June 13 11:00am Registration and Lunch12:30pm Shotgun StartNorthampton Valley Country ClubFor more info: Bill Schwartz (ilboss1@aol.com) or 215.275.4961

Donation $150.00 per Golfer

Includes: Lunch, Range & Balls, Golf & Cart, Sodas, Beer and Snacks on the course,1 hour open bar with hors d’oeuvres and dinner, Gift Package, Awards Ceremony & Prizes!

Proceeds Benefit: The American Heart Assoc. & Shir Ami Men’s Club Charities

Please make checks payable to Shir Ami Men’s Club and mail to: Bill Schwartz, 55 Summer Drive, Holland, PA 18966

Women of Shir Ami

Men’s Club of Shir Ami

WOMEN’S PASSOVER SEDER Sun., April 17, 4:30 pm | Shalom Hall

Sing, dance, pray and enjoy a scrumptious meal together with family and friends. Seder written and led by Rabbi Paula Goldberg$30/per adult, $20/per child (ages 18 and under)__________________________________________________________

GENTLE YOGA SPRING SESSION April 5, 12, 19; May 3, 10, 17, 247:00pm | AuditoriumWomen and men of all levels and abilities. For more information and to RSVP please go to the Women of Shir Ami website: www.shiraminow.org/our-community/women-of-shir-ami/____________________________________________________________

ROBIN KRAUT BOOK CLUB Tues, April 12 at 10:00am | Family Life Center

April 12th, discussing “The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street” by Susan Jane Gilman. May 10th, discussing “Rabbi Run” byRabbi Emeritus, Elliot Strom. For more info: Margie Kopins at pugiwug@msn.com________________________________________________________

EVENING BOOK CLUB, 7:30pm | Family Life Center

March 10th, discussing “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik BackmanMay 12th, discussing “Between Two Deserts” by Germaine Shames. For more info, contact Faith Bowers at 215.579.2025 or faithmk@verizon.net.

WRJ ATLANTIC DISTRICT EVENTS

DINNER AND SHABBAT SERVICES with fredi Bleeker Franks

Friday, April 1 at Temple Emanu-El in Westfield, NJ

“Rise and Be Counted, Social Justice Through the Lens of WRJ”

Speakers include fredi Bleeker Franks, WRJ Vice President of Development and Special ProjectsFor more information and to carpool, contact Becky Markowitz at215.262.4494, beckymarkowitz@gmail.com.

See pg 6 for info on the April 2 Havdalah service and program______________________________________________________________

DISTRICT AREA DAY, sponsored in part by The Women of Shir Ami

Sunday, April 3, |Beth David SynagogueGladwyne, PA, 1pm to 4pmGreat opportunity to share an afternoon with other Area women and sisterhoods. Learning, networking, interesting speeches and not to be missed Chocolate Seder! Guest speaker is fredi Bleeker Franks, WRJ Vice President of Development and Special Projects. More information will be available soon at wrjatlantic.org.

We hope you will join us for these events!

To join WoSA, contact Cari Sacks-Witten: soccermom1815@ yahoo.com

Men’s Club is an active part of Shir Ami and the local Jewish Community.

AUXILIARY EVENTS SHIRON | APRIL 2016

OUR COMMUNITYSENIOR SHAFTY YOUTH EVENT

PURIM SHPIEL

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If you have photos to share from a Shir Ami event, please send to

Jodi Friedman at jafriedman@shiramipa.org

E.L.C. CELEBRATES DR. SEUSS

PURIM CARNIVAL

PURIM CARNIVAL

PURIM & PIzzA SHOW PURIM SHPIEL

SHAFTY

MEN’S CLUB AT CARLUCCI’S

PURIM SHPIEL

PURIM SHPIEL

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OUR COMMUNITYPURIM SHPIEL

SHIRON | APRIL 2016

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Howard & Dale Batterman, Owners/Directors

Cricket Snearing, Teen Travel Director

n For teens entering 6th through 10th grades

n 1 to 7 Week Options

n Fantastic Overnight Trips, 5 & 10 day sessions

SUPPORT O

UR AD

VERTISERS

PURIM CARNIVAL

PURIM CARNIVALRELIGIOUS SCHOOL SHOOTS HOOPSSHAFTYHAVDALAH

PURIM SHPIEL

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PRESENTING: A W.A.S.P. TAKES WING: THE WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS OF WWII

Sunday May 1, 2016 | Shalom HallBrunch at 10:30am, Program follows

$14.00 / Members of Forever Young or $18.00 / Non-Members of Forever Young

Hear about the exciting adventures of these brave and heroic women who served as special pilots in World War II.

Carol Simon Levin is a professional librarian and skilled lecturer. She has delivered her programs to many organizations, on famous women who accomplished great things, but whom very few people remember. Don’t miss this one!

NAME ___________________________________________

NUMBER ATTENDING _________

PHONE __________________________________________

EMAIL ___________________________________________

AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ _______________________

FOR QUESTIONS: Ann Pollock, 215.773.0594

RSVP: mail check payable to “Forever Young” to Ann Pollock 304 Silver Oak Court, Warwick PA 18974 by April 21.

(Include your name, number of tickets, and your contact info.)

AUXILIARY EVENTS

Forever Young

People of the book, come to your Library and take advantage of our treasures. The following are new acquisitions which are in the course of being processed, and will shortly appear on our shelves:

THE ALEPPO CODEX, by Matti FriedmanA thousand years ago this perfect copy of the Hebrew Bible was written and kept safely through many upheavals in the Middle East & by 1940 was housed in a dark grotto in Aleppo, Syria trace this true-life detective story. ______________________________________________

THE SEAMSTRESS by S.T. Bernstein with 2 other authorsAn extraordinary memoir, compelling and moving and rated as one of the best of Holocaust memoirs by Kirkus Reviews.______________________________________________

THE FAMILY by David LaskinThe author brings to life the story of a Torah scribe and his family who hold on to their family traditions from the 19th to the 20th century. ______________________________________________

MODERN JEWISH COOKING by Leah KoenigA new way with the cooking we all love from blintzes to cheesecake, and lighter matzah balls laced with jalapeno. Highly recommended by famed Chef and author Arthur Schwartz. ______________________________________________

THEIR PROMISED LAND by Ian BurumaA family chronicle of upper class German Jews who grew up in England during two world wars.______________________________________________

LEA DIVES IN by Lisa YeeAn ‘American Girl’ story for our younger teenagers.

The Pressman LibraryShir Ami Librarian, Jean Simmons

Keepers of Jewish Excellence

LIFELONG LEARNING

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Please join us on Saturday night, April 2, as Shir Ami and WRJ welcome Lesley Sachs, Executive Director of Women of the Wall. Men and women are welcome. _______________________________________________________

LUNCH AND LEARN: Forgotten Refugees with Albert Algazi April 21, 2016 | 11:45 | Shir Ami Atrium

Join us as we watch the film “Forgotten Refugees,” a 45-minute documentary about the rich heritage and destruction of the age-old Middle Eastern Jewish communities of Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Morocco and Iran. Personal stories of the refugees are interspersed with dramatic archival footage, including the mission to rescue the Yemenite Jews. After the viewing, Mr. Algazi will speak and answer questions about his experiences growing up Jewish in Egypt; the Jewish impact on the Arab economy, and the Arab cultural impact upon the Jews.

Helen Berman

Susan and Ken Bieber

Amy Goldstein

Becky Markowitz

Ivy and Larry Pearlstein

Allen Schwartz

Janet and Norman Shachat

Ellie and Ed Short

Andrea Silverman

Dotty Silverman

Karin and Daniel Surkin

Lenore Weissberg

Shir Ami is pleased to present our ongoing Keeper of Jewish Excellence program, allowing all members the opportunity to study throughout the year. Please consider becoming a “Keeper” here at Shir Ami. Your donation in turn supports all of the important mitzvot of learning and prayer that we share, and what’s more, allow us to continue our Lifelong Learning commitments. Thank you to the following:

BECOME A KEEPER OF JEWISH ExCELLENCE

I’d like to support Lifelong Learning at the following level:

❑$500 ❑$250 ❑$180 ❑$100 ❑Other

Name: ___________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________________________

E-Mail ___________________________________________________

❑ Enclosed is my check (payable to “Shir Ami”)

❑ Please bill my account

Please make checks payable to Shir Ami and mail to: 101 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA 18940

The Yiddish Culture Club

YIDDISH WORD OF THE MONTH Danken GotMeaning: Thank God

Yiddish Culture Club is a friendly group that meets at 10:00am Thursdays before every Lunch and Learn in the library to share stories about family and friends coming to America and being part of our Jewish Heritage. For more info: Abram Gertner at igertner@comcast.net

SHIRON | APRIL 2016

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2015 - 2016 Donors

Tzedek (Righteousness) ------- Chesed (Kindness)Linda and Ted Liebman Ahava (Love)Mindy and David Chesner Chaver (Friend) ------- Simcha (Joy)Marcia and Ron AbrahamSteve and Myrna PressmanRabbi Joel and Jacent Simon

Kavod (Honor)Kerry and Richard DomskyRabbi Paula and Harvey GoldbergAllen LeboffDebbie and Scott Stevens

Shalom (Peace)Anonymous DonationJudy and Barry KrollBecky MarkowitzJoshua McCoyHarmon and Nadine SteinMeredith and Jon Stevens

Beracha (Blessing)Anonymous DonationAnonymous DonationSharon and Jack BenoffSusan and Ken BieberBrett and Randi Cohen

Debbie and Robert DunnCantor Mark and Barbara ElsonRabbi Eric Goldberg and Rabbi Geri Goldberg-NewburgeSusan and Allan GoodmanNancy and Michael GreenJodi and Joshua HornsteinLinda and Norm IdlebergLeslie and Aaron LeibowitzRandi and Todd LeonFerne and Scott LevyLorrie and David RiggsJosey and John RosenthalDorothy Silverman Owen J. and Luz Emma A. SimonRabbi Elliot and Susan Strom

Chai (Life)Tammy and David BulkinFlora and Robert DayJessica and Michael GoodmanJoanna and Nathaniel HolzmanStephanie and Alan KravatzMeryl Reis and William SpitzPhyllis and Carl RigefskyDee and Steve RodosDebbie and Steve RosenbergSusan and George RosenbergBetsy and Eliot RosenfieldDebbie and David RosenthalJanet and Norman ShachatLindye and Steven ShechtmanMarilyn and Alan SheinbergWendy and Dean Siegel

HELP STRENGTHEN SHIR AMIThere are many ways to give back at Shir Ami. One is to contribute to the Circle of Giving. This fund provides help to those families requiring dues assistance in order to become (or remain)

members of our congregational family. From the generosity of our donors, no family seeking affiliation with Shir Ami will ever be turned away for lack of financial resources. Please join the Circle of Giving this year and help us to strengthen our congregation. Donors at all levels are recognized in the Shiron.

Name: ___________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________________________

E-Mail ___________________________________________________

❑ Enclosed is my check (payable to “Shir Ami”)

❑ Please bill my account

❑ $7,200 – Tzedek (Righteousness)

❑ $5,400 – Chesed (Kindness)

❑ $3,600 – Ahava (Love)

❑ $2,500 – Chaver (Friend)

❑ $1,800 – Simcha (Joy)

❑ $1,000 – Kavod (Honor)

❑ $720 – Shalom (Peace)

❑ $360 – Beracha (Blessing)

❑ $180 – Chai (Life)

_____ (other amount)

___ I would like to contribute to the Circle of Giving:

Please make checks payable to Shir Ami and mail to: 101 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA 18940

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17

Yom HaShoah Shabbat Service May 6Save the date for this service where we remember the victims of the Holocaust and honor our survivors. Our 8th and 10th grade students will join our survivors in telling our community’s stories of the Holocaust. You won’t want to miss this special service

Israel Program and Serviceand Israeli Food Themed Shabbat Dinner May 13

Families and congregants of all ages are invited to join us for a special Israeli Shabbat dinner at 6:00pm. In addition to the dinner, we will have games, crafts, and Israeli dancing for all! Our 3rd grade will lead us in Israeli songs during our 7:00 service.

Please join us for great Broadway shows and camaraderie. Open to all Shir Ami members and invite your families and friends to join us.

______________________________________________________

Our Shir Ami Theatre Club is very busy! “Waitress” and “Shuffle Along” are both sold-out, but there is a waiting list! There are still some tickets for “She Loves Me” at Studio 54 for $ 109 for each orchestra seat. It is on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 2 PM in New York and stars Laura Benanti, Zachary Levi, and Jane Krakowski. Please let Andee Losben know by April 5, if you are interested.

I am looking into various new shows for this summer. Stay tuned!

Contact Andee Losben, Theatre Committee Chair:

ALosben@aol.com or 215-860-6868 (after 10:30 am, please)

Theatre Club

Knitting Group

UPCOMING RITUAL IN MAY

CLUBS, COMMITTEES, & PROGRAMS

The Shir Ami Knitting Group (knitting and crocheting) meets every first and third Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 pm in the Library. Our latest projects have included hats for Israeli soldiers; scarves, hats, lap blankets, afghans and shawls which will be given to either Chandler Hall or to A Women’s Place. We have also made miniature teddy bears for ‘Knitting Without Borders’. The bears will be taken to orphanages, schools, villages and hospitals in Africa, Asia, North & South America and Europe where children are undergoing medical treatment. We welcome newcomers to our group. Please call the office to confirm the date in case we have to cancel due to inclement weather.

Israel Festival presented by Bucks County Jewish Coalitionalong with Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2016 10am - 2pmBriarwood Day Camp1380 Creek RoadFurlong, PA

FREE ADMISSION!

ISRAELI DANCING MUSIC • LIVE BANDS FOOD STATIONS MOON BOUNCETATTOOS FACE PAINTING • EDUCATIONAL ISRAELI STATIONS • ART SPORTS IDF AND MORE • “BUY ISRAEL” VENDOR AREA JEWELRY • FOOD ... AND MUCH MORE!

Come celebrate Israel with your local Jewish Community!

SHIRON | APRIL 2016

18

On the anniversaries of remembering, a Jew remembers not only by feeling, but by doing. Kindling a yahrzeit candle the evening before is one thing we do; the Kaddish spoken at a gathering of our people is another. All names will be read on the Friday evening before the yahrzeit. You are encouraged to honor your loved one with a living memorial with a contribution to one of our special Temple funds.

TO BE READ APRIL 1 April 2 Moe Brand Sandra Brandt Sondra Candeub Mark Poppel Marian Rovner April 3Milton Berkes Sylvia Winston

April 4Estelle Dabrow Isadore Goldfield

April 5Miriam Bard Essie Cohen

April 6Irwin Bobrin Goldy Kramer Ruth Orleans Irving Rosen

April 7Lenord Beggelman Madge Berman Lois Bleeden Erma DeSantis Samuel Frager June Stark

April 8Albert Abramson Rose Frager Eva Laster

TO BE READ APRIL 8

April 9Regina Brilliant Jeannette Gitler Harry Jaffess Faye Kaye Harold Rosenman

Samuel Singer Irving Stoloff Dorothy Weissman

April 10Seymour Affrime Jack Edelson Ruth Glassman Walter Peters Eleanor Petroski

April 11 Louis Clyman Allen Finell Lillian Goldberg Esther Klyman

April 12 Eugene Goldner Lillian Gordon Louis L. Reisz Gertrude Shilane Alvin Silverman

April 13Doris Cherson Archie hillerman Ethel Knaster Rebecca Vanderporten - Friedner

April 14Harold Balustein Sarah Dunn Harold Goldfinger Raymond Paley Shirley Stein

April 15Carmela Ferla Flord Frank Bertha Katz Ida Levine

TO BE READ APRIL 15

April 16Elaine Fisher

Raye Kauffman Esther Rosenman Anna Salzman

April 17Myron Frank Bob Kasman Faye Katz Shirley RubensteinLenora Schwartz Edith Shapiro

April 18Sidney Schwartz

April 19Muriel Hochberg Seymour Klayton Leo Peskin Bernard Sealtiel

April 20Anna Pollner Henry Schneider

April 21Max Decter Jack Hecht Alex Kasman Samuel Kupinsky Walter Loev Sidney H. Reiss

April 22Gerald Bernstein Philip Bolno Joseph Cohen Dora Karl Stephanie Mann

TO BE READ APRIL 15

April 23Amalia Ben Aharon Stanley Millenson Don Schwartz

April 24Benjamin Dunn Robert Kutner Maxine Lorber Esther Malkin Celia Meadow

April 25Nancy Caryl Isaacson Mitchell Laitman Allan Simon Amy Brooke Wilck

April 26Michelle Edelman Morris Goldstein Fred Rausch Howard Saltzman Jack Verker April 27Sara Billet Faye Taylor Rose Unger

April 28Dora Davis Irene Frame Robert Kulka Sidney Miller Myrtle Sobel Jerry Weintraub

April 29Alec Berman Alan Fingerman Alvyn Garten Reba Novack

TO BE READ APRIL 29

April 30Jacob Baronoff Ethel Edelman Freda Geller Adam Matthew Hirsch Sylvia Jacobs

Rita Sender Frances Smith Anita Streim Melvyn Sulzburgh

May 1Cora Cohen Milton Hochberg Ella Jay Ethel Neff Jacob N. Sandman

May 2Barry Bressler Morris Goldstein Harry Horowitz David Spector Beverly Spiegler Nate Stein Alfred Warner

May 3Hebert Feldman Ruth Bader Goldman Jack Turek Morris Vinitzky

May 4Ronald Donn Marilyn Meissner Bill Rush Morton Sirota Wesley Steinman

May 5Daniel Byrne Charlotte Eiserman Julie Goldstein Richard Gross Ed Kohen Eunice Polansky May 6Edward Isadore Cohen Robert Edelman Elizabeth Goldstein Sheldon Goodman Charles Lemonick

YAHRzEIT LIGHT CEREMONIALThe family gathers at dusk, before the evening meal, on the eve of the anniversary of the death of the departed. The head of the family speaks: At this moment which bears the memory of our beloved (name), let us join hands in a token of God’s grace. A link has been broken in the chain of affection which has long bound us together, yet the blessed bonds of home and love remain. With prayerful heart, we receive this divine gift of life which holds us together in family unison.

Eternal God, we thank You that, in this time of sadness and loss, You have helped to keep us strong. Though the pain of our loss is still present for us, we know that love will always be stronger than death. And so, to You, we lift our hearts, because we know that our loved one continues to be a living presence in our lives. We acknowledge your mercy, O God, who strengthens us with faith and peace. As our loved one lives for us in these words and memories, we kindle this yahrzeit light and sanctify it in the remembrance of the Divine Word: The spirit of humanity is the light of the Lord. (Kindle the Memorial Light.) ZECHER TZADIK LIV-RACHA. May the memory of the righteous be an eternal blessing.

YAHRZEITS

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FUND DONOR RECIPIENT HONORING / NAME

Anna Gever Music Phyllis Doroshow Judi Snyder IMO father, Albert Kornberg Anna Gever Music Darlene and Kim Thurnau and Sharon Stanford Judi and Nathan Snyder IMO father, Albert KornbergAnna Gever Music Paula & Mark Shavell & Family Judi and Nathan Snyder IMO Albert KornbergBev. Spiegler Spec. Ed Library Fund Joan and Buddy Kanther Shavell and Baker Family IMO wife, mother, & grandmother, Rita Baker Bev. Spiegler Spec. Ed Library Fund Ricki and Dennis Tafflin Paula Shavell and Family IMO Paula’s mother, Rita Baker Bev. Spiegler Spec. Ed Library Fund Bonnie and Cornel Spiegler Bud Feingold IHO Speedy Recovery Bev. Spiegler Spec. Ed Library Fund Ricki and Dennis Tafflin Sharon and Steven Schultz IHO Bill and Kate’s MarriageBobbi Slutzky ELC Fund Sharon Benoff Marc and Stephanie Cramer IMO Ina Cramer Bobbi Slutzky ELC Fund Margie and Harvey Abramson Paula Shavell IMO Rita Baker Bobbi Slutzky ELC Fund Ms. Jamie and Ms. Hope Jannotta Family IHO birth of Emilee Anne Bobbi Slutzky ELC Fund Ms. Jamie and Ms. Hope Stark Family IHO birth of Orla StarkBobbi Slutzky ELC Fund Ms. Jamie and Ms. Hope Karpen Family IHO birth of Lillian Carol Bruce Birnbaum Tikkun Olam Sharon and Jack Benoff Judi and Nathan Snyder IMO father, Albert Kornberg Cantor Mark Elson’s Disc. Fund Jay, Andi, and Genna Miller Snyder / Kornberg Family IMO Albert KornbergCantor Mark Elson’s Disc. Fund Dena Stein IMO brother, Norman FrantzCircle of Giving Ivy and Larry Pearlstein Paula Shavell IMO Rita BakerCircle of Giving Judi and Nathan Snyder Paula Shavell IMO mother, RitaCircle of Giving Karin and Dan Surkin Family of Jerome Miller IMO Jerry MillerCircle of Giving Shir Ami Board of Directors Family of Jerome Miller IMO Jerry MillerCircle of Giving Debbie and Ed Hochberg Marc and Stephanie Cramer IMO Ina CramerCircle of Giving Shir Ami Board of Directors Greg McDonnell IMO mother, Francis McDonnellCircle of Giving Linda and Alan Sohn Jay Fralin IMO beloved mother, Rebecca Fralin Circle of Giving Ruth and Arnold Peskin Rochelle and Neal Newman IMO mother, Celia LernerCircle of Giving Nathan and Judi Snyder Helen Stern IMO beautiful mother, Barbara LeveyCircle of Giving Marilyn Halpern IMO Elizabeth CogenCircle of Giving Linda Idleberg IMO Stanley GaleyCircle of Giving Marilyn Eisenthal IMO George Eisenthal Circle of Giving The Benoff Family Sophie Kravatz IHO Becoming a Bat MitzvahCircle of Giving Karin Surkin IMO mother, Barbara EhrlichClaire & Jerry Miller Capital Fund Mark and Marcy Gohen Family of Jerome Miller IMO Jerry MillerClaire & Jerry Miller Capital Fund Jerome Miller z’l IMO Marci Miller FoleyIsrael / Camp Scholarship Becky Markowitz Alan and Stephanie Kravatz IHO Sophie’s Bat MitzvahIsrael / Camp Scholarship Marilyn Eisenthal IMO Rose V. FischmanIsrael Tiyul Susan Cohen IMO Helen RosenzweigIsrael Tiyul Marilyn Eisenthal IMO Sarah VinebergIsrael Tiyul Leslie Leibowitz IMO Henry BishinsMen’s Club Youth Scholarship Nancy Levitt and Alison Pakula Nathan, Judi, and Rachel Snyder IMO father, Albert Kornberg Pressman Library Fund Andee & Steve Losben & Family Teri Siegel IHO Speedy Recovery & Continued Health Rabbi Elliot Strom’s Disc. Fund Harriet Levy IMO mother, Pearl BernsteinRabbi Elliot Strom’s Disc. Fund Dena Stein IMO grandmother, Dena Frantz Rabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Becky Markowitz IMO Meyer RothRabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Marc and Stephanie Cramer IMO Marc’s mother, Ina CramerRabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Paula Shavell and Family IMO Rita BakerRabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Fred Cramer IMO Ina CramerRabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Jeanne Winerip IMO Carl Winerip and Albert Winerip Rabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Trudy Rubenstein IMO Alvin RubensteinRabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Trudy Rubenstein IMO Samuel ZackonRabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Trudy Rubenstein IMO Libby LevyRabbi Joel Simon’s Disc. Fund Linda Young IMO Albert Greenland’s YahrzeitRabbi P. Goldberg’s Disc. Fund Richard Ludwig IMO Manuel ReeseRabbi P. Goldberg’s Disc. Fund Marvin and Adrianne Loev Stephanie and Alan Kravatz IHO daughter, Sophie’s Bat Mitzvah Sharing is Caring Estelle and Irving Goldfinger IMO brother, Meyer Miller Sharing is Caring Libby and David Weiss Bruce and Pamela Dick IHO 50th Wedding Anniversary TS Sisterhood Children’s Fund Mark and Marcy Gohen Judi Snyder and Family IMO father, Albert Kornberg

DONATIONS SHIRON | APRIL 2016

DONATIONS

THE FOLLOWING FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE: SUGGESTED DONATION: $18 OR $36 ($18 minimum please)

___ Circle of Giving: Sustains programs and membership for all, regardless of ability to pay.

___ Anna Gever Music: Interest on your donation supports our annual Gever Music Shabbat with extraordinary guest musical leaders.

___ Beverly Spiegler Special Education LIbrary Collection Fund: Supports the purchase of special education materials for our Pressman Library.

___ Bobbi Slutzky Early Learning Center Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships for preschool tuition.

___ Bob McGarry Adult Education: Provides books and other materials to support our Lifelong Learning programs.

___ Bruce Birnbaum Tikkun Olam: Supports community service projects.

___ Claire & Jerry Miller Capital Fund: For capital improvements to our building and grounds.

___ Israel/Camp Scholarship: Provides financial assistance for our children and teens to attend URJ-affiliated camps and NFTY programs in Israel.

___ Israel Tiyul: Defrays the cost of the Israel Trip for our 8th and 9th grade students so they can embrace the importance of supporting Israel.

___ Kay Swerdlow Building Endowment: The interest is used for structural maintenance to our building and grounds.

___ Kaytes Family Gratz Scholarship: Provides need-based scholarships to enable our high school students to attend Gratz JCHS programs.

___ Pressman Library: Purchases books and journals to maintain and enhance our library.

___ Men’s Club Youth Scholarship: Supports SHAFTY and provides scholarships to High School seniors who apply and meet the criteria of pursuing

Judaism beyond Shir Ami.

___ Prayer Book Donation: Provides for the purchase and maintenance of prayer books for the synagogue (minimum donation $54).

___ Senior Endowment: Supports the maintenance of our building.

___ Sharing is Caring: Provides emergency funds for individuals with crisis need for housing, food or payment of utilities.

___ SIMCHA: Supports Judaic programming for individuals with special needs.

___ Leo and Shirley Slomovitz Scholar-in-Residence: Supports our annual Scholar in Residence programs and weekends.

___ Stan Averbach Biblical Garden: To maintain and enhance our beautiful outdoor Biblical Garden.

___ Temple Shalom Sisterhood Children’s Fund: For programs, materials or initiatives for our children that is not included in our budget.

___ Torah Commentary Donation: Provides for the purchase and maintenance of Torah commentaries for the synagogue (minimum donation $72).

Clergy Discretionary Funds:

______Rabbi Joel Simon’s Discretionary Fund: This fund allows Rabbi Simon, at his discretion, to provide emergency assistance/scholarships to congregants and others in need, supplement congregational programs in need of additional funding, and to support local, national, and international non-profit organizations.______Cantor Mark Elson’s Discretionary Fund: Used to assist needy individuals, as well as to support community causes or worthy institutions at the discretion of the Cantor. In addition, the Fund is used for educational and musical activities at Shir Ami. ______Rabbi Paula Goldberg’s Discretionary Fund: Used for emergency assistance to congregants and support for various Shir Ami programs such as Israel trips, camp scholarships and food for Shabbat and Shavuot study, etc.______Rabbi Eric Goldberg’s Discretionary Fund: Utilized by the Rabbi to assist those in need, for programming not covered by our budget or for Tikkun Olam. All expenditures are at his discretion.______Rabbi Emeritus Elliot Strom’s Discretionary Fund: Utilized by the Rabbi to assist those in need, for programming not covered by our budget or for Tikkun Olam. All expenditures are at his discretion.

Permanent honors/memorials: An order form will be mailed to you______Brick/Paver: Engrave a brick with a permanent honor or memorial in our beautiful garden walkway. Brick - $180; Paver - $360.

______Leaf: Add a leaf to our Tree of Life to honor a person/event. Honor a B’nai Mitzvah, Confirmation, Wedding or a special family member. $200

______Yahrzeit plaque: In our sanctuary or chapel; the perfect way to honor the memory of your loved one. Each year their name will be highlighted and their memory will be honored during Shabbat services. $400

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FUNDS

20

Your donations in honor of your friends and family help Shir Ami. There are dozens of great funds to donate to.

Call the office at 215-968-3400 or donate through our website.

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21

ADVERTISE IN THE SHIRON. For rates, ad sizes and other info call: 215.968.3400

22

ADVERTISE IN THE SHIRON. For rates, ad sizes and other info call: 215.968.3400

680 Heacock Road | Yardley, PA | 19067 | 215.493.4021

Visit us at www.buckscountysmiles.com

FAMILY | COSMETIC | RESTORATIVE | PREVENTATIVE DENTISTRY

David Faust, D.M.D.

Howard Hopenwasser, D.M.D.

Kris Scholl, D.M.D.

Aimee Dehbozorgi, D.M.D.

CLERGYRabbi Joel Simon – jsimon@shiramipa.orgCantor Mark Elson – melson@shiramipa.orgRabbi Emeritus Elliot M. Strom – estrom@shiramipa.org

Rabbinic ScholarRabbi Paula Goldberg – rabbipaula@gmail.com

PresidentJoshua McCoy -joshua@kmccoyinsurance.com

Director of OperationsFarrell Borine - fborine@shiramipa.org

Director of Religious SchoolRabbi Eric Goldberg – rabbiegoldberg@yahoo.com

Office StaffJulie Hershgordon - jhershgordon@shiramipa.orgNoelle May - nmay@shiramipa.org

Membership CoordinatorJodi Friedman - jafriedman@shiramipa.org

SHAFTYFerne Levy – fernelevy@comcast.net

E.L.C. DirectorShari Beck-Nahman - sbnahman@shiramipa.org

E.L.C. StaffJudy Friedman – jfriedman@shiramipa.org

For general Info: synagogue@shiramipa.org

NFTY websiteNFTY.org/par

Women of Reform Judaism www.wrj.org

Union of Reform Judaism www.URJ.org

EXECUTIVE BOARD President Joshua McCoyExec. Vice President Sharon BenoffTreasurer Alan RosenbergVice President Stephanie KravatzVice President Leslie LeibowitzVice President Lorrie RiggsSecretary Debbie RosenthalFinancial Secretary Mo PereraImmediate Past President Nancy SideritsLegal Counsel Paul CohenFinancial Counsel Nathan Snyder

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fundraising Mindy ChesnerPre-School Lauren CohenRitual Donna DeSantisContinuity Joan DossickMembership Jeff EderTikkun Olam Jessica GoodmanFundraising Melody HassidMarketing/Publicity Risa KaneReligious School Amy KirshMembership Allison LeffYouth Group Liaison Nancy LevittURJ Representative Andee LosbenChesed Randi PreissmanCommunications Carl RigefskyIsrael Advocacy Debbie RosenbergCollege Connection Barbara RothCollege Connection Penni SanderMarketing/Publicity David SandmanBuilding and Grounds Larry SchorrLifelong Learning Ellie ShortBudget Wendy Siegel

CLERGY AND ADMINISTRATION

Rabbi Joel SimonCantor Mark ElsonRabbi Emeritus Elliot M. StromRabbinic Scholar Rabbi Paula GoldbergReligious School Director Rabbi Eric GoldbergDirector of Operations Farrell BorineE.L.C. Director Shari Beck-NahmanYouth Director Ferne Levy

AUXILIARY PRESIDENTS Men’s Club Fred FisherWomen of Shir Ami Jocelyn KravitzForever Young Ann PollockSHAFTY Daniel Levy

PAST PRESIDENTSRonald AbrahamHarvey AbramsonIrving Altman TS (z’l)Ken BieberFred BockDanny BrownFilbert Cherry (z’l)Phyllis DoroshowRuth FivesHarvey GoldbergSheldon Gould TS (z’l)Janis JacobsBob Kasman (z’l)Robert KatzensteinArthur Krauss

* (z’l) zichrono livracha “of blessed memory”

Harold Lefcourt TS (z’l)Larry Lefkowitz TSNorman Leibowitz TSBecky MarkowitzAndrea Miller TSJerome Miller TS (z’l)Mo Perera Stephen RodosAlan Rosenberg TSAlan SheinbergNancy Siderits Teri SiegelRonald SmolowNathan Snyder TSLeonard Sokolove TS (z’l)Dena Stein TSDebbie Stevens

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

CONTACT US

SHIRON | APRIL 2016

Main: 215.968.3400 | Religious School: 215.968.3254 | E.L.C.: 215.968.6255

101 Richboro Road | Newtown, PA 18940

ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF SHIRONA Passover thought: “Crossing the Red Sea” can represent moving forward from where we are to where we hope to be. This can mean different things to all of us at different stages of our lives, and sometimes moving forward can mean going back. Many of our members miss having a Shiron in their hands, sitting on their counter or coffee table, giving them physical pages to turn as they see all the amazing opportunities to learn, pray, and play at Shir Ami. Please enjoy this “blast from the past” – a SHIRON in your mailbox – and let us know what you think as we explore the possibility of crossing our own “Red Sea” and making Shir Ami’s SHIRON a fixture in your homes once again.

Send your comments to Jodi Friedman: jafriedman@shiramipa.org

PURIM CARNIVAL

FOREVER YOUNG EVENT PURIM SHOW SHAFTY YOUTH EVENT

PURIM CARNIVALMEN’S CLUB AT

CARLUCCI’S

PLEASE ENJOY THE APRIL SHIRON There’s always so much going on at Shir Ami! See inside for more photos of recent events and all the upcoming information you need for the month of April.