C ommunity
NE WSMAKERS
Zionist Organization of America
Recognizes Local Couples
Barrack Head of School Treats
Rachel Robinson, the director of individual giving for Teachers
Local Woman Selected as Fellow
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist
Organization of America honored two local couples
with its Zionist in the Spotlight Award Dec. 19.

During the virtual event, Executive Director
Steve Feldman presented the honor to Morton and
Ruth C. Gleit and Ronald Werrin, who received it
along with his late wife Marguerite.

The Gleits,
left, receive their
Zionist in the
Spotlight Award
on Dec. 19.

Reconstructing Judaism and a former Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia employee, was selected to be part of Class
6 of the Wexner Field Fellowship. The fellowship focuses on
developing Jewish professionals’ leadership skills and connecting
them to a network of Jewish colleagues.

Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy Head
of School Rabbi Marshall Lesack delivered
snacks to classrooms and offices on Jan. 6. He
did it in appreciation of the school’s teachers.

Rachel Robinson
 Courtesy of
The Wexner Foundation
Courtesy of the
Greater Philadelphia
Chapter of the Zionist
Organization of
America Rabbi Marshall Lesack drops off treats to a
classroom. Courtesy of Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
From left: Steve
Feldman presents Ronald
Werrin with the Zionist in
the Spotlight Award.

Barrack Screens Documentary for Students
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy showed the documentary
“Dreaming of Jerusalem,” about the emigration of Ethiopian Jews,
to students. Peter Decherney, a Barrack parent and University of
Pennsylvania professor of cinema and media studies, produced and
directed the movie. Decherney and Sigal Kanotopsky, a Barrack
parent who made aliyah from Ethiopia, also spoke to the students.

Peter Decherney talks to Barrack students.

Courtesy of Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
COMMUNITYCALENDAR FRIDAY, JAN. 14
Branching Out Exhibit
The Old City Jewish Arts Center will host
“Branching Out: A Celebration of Trees” by
award-winning artist Diana T. Myers of Elkins
Park until Jan. 30. The exhibit commemorates
the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat and honors
the four seasons. Private showings can also be
arranged by contacting dianatmyers@gmail.

com. 119 N. Third St., Philadelphia.

Climate Fest
Participate in the last day of the Big Bold
Jewish Climate Fest, an international Jewish
climate festival reflecting a cross-collaboration
of hundreds of Jewish organizations committed
to making climate action a central priority of
the Jewish community. For more information,
visit jewishclimatefest.org.

Shabbatune! Discover “The Energetic Torah,” part of
Temple Har Zion’s Shabbatune series, as
we sing and study with scholar-in-residence
Rabbi Ora Weiss of Boston on Friday at 8
p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. Join us for a
mystical havdalah, study and a wine and
cheese reception on Jan. 15 at 5:45 p.m. Visit
templeharzion.org/shabbatune-series-at-thz for
more information.

SUNDAY, JAN. 16
Writing Course
In the Briya Project’s “Sh’ma – Hear Your Inner
Voice” weekly course of eight, two-hour class
sessions from 6-8 p.m., we gather on Zoom for
moments of ritual and writing, to harness our
creative spirits, to seek our artistic voices and
to let them speak out. The course continues
until Jan. 16. Contact talia@briyaproject.com
for more information.

MONDAY, JAN. 17
MLK Day of Service
Har Zion Temple is hosting a day of volunteer
opportunities. Donations are being accepted
daily through Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Items may be left in the cart at the main
entrance. All volunteers must be vaccinated
and wear a mask. Register with Norma Dworkin
at nldworkin58@gmail.com.

Mahjong Game
Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El Sisterhood
invites the community to join our weekly
mahjong game at 7 p.m. Cost is $36 per year
or free with MBIEE Sisterhood membership. For
more information, call 215-635-1505 or email
office@mbiee.org. 8339 Old York Road, Elkins
Park. TUESDAY, JAN. 18
Zionism Conversation
Join Jewish National Fund-USA for a series
of interviews, panel discussions and more —
all meant to facilitate a dialogue and expose
the beautiful and diverse facets of modern
Zionism. This virtual event features Scott Shay,
a businessman, thought leader and author, in
conversation with Jewish National Fund-USA’s
CEO. 7:30 p.m. Contact svanadelsberg@jnf.org
for more information.

Film Discussion
Join the Bucks County Kehillah, The Clergy
Council of Bucks County and The Peace
Center for a virtual screening of “Shared
Legacies: The African American-Jewish Civil
Rights Alliance.” Watch the film through Jan. 18
and join us for a discussion at 8 p.m. on Jan. 18
led by members of the Clergy Council of Bucks
County and The Peace Center.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12
Mahjong Class
Old York Road Temple-Beth Am presents
weekly beginner mahjong classes until Jan.

19 from 6:45-9 p.m. $80. Contact Gail Stein at
aplusteacherus@gmail.com or 215-947-2203
for registration. 971 Old York Road,
Abington. l
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