MARCH 30, 2023 | 8 NISAN 5783 CANDLELIGHTING 7:06 | HAVDALAH 8:05 PASSOVER 5783 PAGE 26 Adath Israel Member MIRYAM SEID TAKES THE HELM AT CAMP RAMAH Page 43 Jewish Exponent PHILADELPHIA Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Craig Burke cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Associate Publisher Jeni Mann Tough jmann@midatlanticmedia.com EDITORIAL Editor | Andy Gotlieb 215-832-0797 agotlieb@jewishexponent.com Staff Writers Jillian Diamond, Sasha Rogelberg, Heather Ross, Jarrad Saff ren ADVERTISING Account Executives Alan Gurwitz, Robin Harmon, Pam Kuperschmidt, David Pintzow, Sara Priebe, Sharon Schmuckler, Samantha Tuttle MARKETING Audience Development Coordinator Julia Olaguer 410-902-2308 jolaguer@midatlanticmedia.com CREATIVE Art Director | Steve Burke Graphic Designers | Ebony Brown, Lonna Koblick, Frank Wagner, Carl Weigel Digital Media Coordinator James Meskunas 7605 Old York Road, Melrose Park, PA 19027 Vol. 135, No. 52 Published Weekly Since 1887 BUSINESS Accounting Manager Pattie-Ann Lamp 410-902-2311 plamp@midatlanticmedia.com accounting@midatlanticmedia.com Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist Grace Hagan ghagan@midatlanticmedia.com Accounts Receivable Specialist Sarah Appelbaum sappelbaum@midatlanticmedia.com Main Offi ce: 215-832-0700 editor@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0797 circulation@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0700, ext. 1 sales@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0700, ext. 2 classifi ed@jewishexponent.com 215-832-0702 Legal Notices legals@jewishexponent.com If you’re having problems receiving your Philadelphia Jewish Exponent in the mail, and live in an apartment or suite, please contact our circulation department at 215-832-0700, ext. 1, or circulation@jewishexponent.com. JEWISH EXPONENT, a Mid-Atlantic Media publication, is published weekly since 1887 with a special issue in September (ISSN 0021-6437) ©2022 Jewish Exponent (all rights reserved). Periodical postage paid in Philadelphia, PA, and additional offices. Postmaster: All address changes should be sent to Jewish Exponent Circulation Dept., 9200 Rumsey Road, Suite 215, Columbia, MD 21045. A one-year subscription is $50, 2 years, $100. Foreign rates on request. Jewish Exponent does not endorse kashrut claims. To verify the kashrut of goods or services advertised in Jewish Exponent, readers should consult rabbinic authorities. The Jewish Exponent reserves the right to revise, reject or edit any advertisement. Chag Pesach Sameach! From Anthology of King of Prussia … Wishing you and your family happiness, prosperity, peace and good health on Passover and always. WE WELCOME YOU FOR A TOUR 484-390-5315 Continue Your Life Story With Us ANTHOLOGY OF KING OF PRUSSIA 350 Guthrie Rd. / King of Prussia, PA Independent Living / Personal Care / Memory Care AnthologyKingofPrussia.com 2 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Connect with us: inside this issue Local 6 Rabbis consider unconventional seder plate foods 8 The ADL audit: What is it and why does it matter? 10 Eagles award grant for autism research to Israeli professor Opinion 14 Editorials 15 Letters 15 Opinions Feature Story 20 Remembering a Civil War seder Special Sections 22 Mazel Tov! 26 Passover Community 38 Synagogue Spotlight 39 Obituaries 41 Calendar Explore our many options for your green choice by contacting our care team today: In every issue 5 Weekly Kibbitz 12 Jewish Federation 13 You Should Know 19 National Briefs 40 D’var Torah 41 Social Announcements 42 Around Town 43 Last Word 44 Classifi eds TWO GREEN BURIAL SECTIONS ECO-FRIENDLY FUNERALS LEGACY TREE PROPERTIES PET AQUAMATION laurelhillphl.com Bala Cynwyd | Philadelphia 610.668.9900 6 Rabbis consider unconventional seder 7 The ADL audit: What is it and why does it 20 Remembering a Civil War seder plate foods matter? JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 3 THIS BLUE SQUARE IS 2.4% OF THIS PAGE, REPRESENTING THE JEWISH POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. YET JEWS ARE THE VICTIMS OF 55% OF ALL RELIGIOUS-BASED HATE CRIMES IN THIS COUNTRY. That’s why The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is proud to partner with the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism to Stand Up to Jewish Hate. All of us must come together and support each other in our fight against hate in all its forms. post and share # using the emoji on your phone and show that you are fighting antisemitism and hate with us. Learn more about how Jewish Federation fights antisemitism at jewishphilly.org/antisemitism 4 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Weekly Kibbitz Ben Stiller Satirizes Adam Sandler’s ‘Chanukah Song’ at Mark Twain Prize Ceremony Ben Stiller off ered his own High Holiday alternative to Adam Sandler’s “Chanukah Song” as his fellow Jewish comedian accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. During an awards ceremony that took place on March 19 and aired March 26 on CNN, Stiller asked from the stage at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts how Sandler’s novelty song, fi rst heard on “Saturday Night Live” in 1994, became a seasonal standard. “It’s really just a list of rhyming celebrity names, and yet it goes multiplatinum and it’s become a holiday radio staple that my daughter forces us all to listen to after we light the candles every year,” Stiller said. Pretending to be baffl ed by Sandler’s success, Stiller imagined what his own representatives would have said had he proposed his own song about Yom Kippur. Why is this EMS organization different than all other EMS organizations? Oliver Contreras/AFP via JTA Adam Sandler, far right, and his wife Jackie Sandler pose with actor Ben Stiller as they arrive for the 24th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on March 19. It wasn’t the only Jewish moment in a night dedicated to a comedian who, in the course of a tenure on “Saturday Night Live” from 1991-1995 and more than 30 fi lms since, has often displayed his own Jewishness, including playing an Israeli in “Don’t Mess with the Zohan” and starring in what may be the fi rst and only big-budget Chanukah animated fi lm, “Eight Crazy Nights.” Although the typical Sandler character is an often crude and frequently angry man-child, his generosity to fellow comics and actors was a recurring theme of the evening, which included presentations by Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Steve Buscemi, Luis Guzmán, Conan O’Brien and David Spade. His longtime collaborator Tim Herlihy called him a “mensch.” Sandler’s mother, Judy Sandler, got in a dig about her son’s penchant for wearing baggy sweatpants and T-shirts despite the billions of dollars his fi lms have grossed. “He’s a fashionista, they say, but I say he’s a slob,” she said. In choosing Sandler, 56, for the prize, named for the 19th-century writer and humorist,  Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said Sandler has “entertained audiences for over three decades with his fi lms, music and his tenure as a fan favorite cast member on SNL. Adam has created characters that have made us laugh, cry and cry from laughing.” Previous Jewish winners of the award include Carl Reiner, Lorne Michaels, Neil Simon, Billy Crystal and Jon Stewart. The 2019 prize went to Dave Chappelle, who last year angered many Jewish viewers with a monologue on “Saturday Night Live” making light of antisemitism accusations against rapper Kanye West and basketball star Kyrie Irving. —Andrew Silow-Carroll | JTA In the United States, disaster relief, ambulance, and blood services are handled by an array of organizations. In Israel, there’s one organization that does it all — Magen David Adom. As Passover approaches, whatever crises Israelis face — including terror or rocket attacks — MDA will be there to save lives. Support Magen David Adom by donating today at afmda.org/give. Or for further information about giving opportunities, contact 866.632.2763 or northeast@afmda.org. afmda.org/give JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 5 local Stepping up to the Seder Plate Rabbis Consider Unconventional Passover Foods Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer O ver the past few decades, new seder plate foods have joined some Passover tables. Next to the maror, charoset, karpas and other symbolic snacks sit oranges, artichokes, olives, chocolate and others. Beginning with the practice of Oberlin College Professor Susannah Heschel, who, in the 1980s, put an orange on her seder plate to represent LGBT people and women’s fight for equality, some Jews have started the practice of adding objects to the seder table to represent their Jewish values or strug- gles: Artichokes represent an interfaith family; olives show a desire for peace 6 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT between Israelis and Palestinians; chocolate or cocoa beans are for the free trade labor movement. In theory, any food could make its way onto the seder plate, representing whatever the seder’s guests willed it to. Just as with any Jewish tradition, old and new, the additions to the seder plate have garnered supporters and skeptics, seder plate pessimists and purists. Philadelphia-area rabbis have thoughts on the issue. “The whole idea of the seder plate is to provoke questioning, to make us ask, ‘Why are those things there?’” Germantown Jewish Centre Rabbi Adam Zeff said. “When we’re confronted with things that are new, then we have to think about that.” The mitzvah of the seder is to evoke lively discussion and curiosity, and novelty, such as an orange on a seder plate, helps to do this, Zeff argued. He recalled a Chasidic story about a rabbi preparing for the Passover seder, who told his servants to remove everything from the dinner table. When the rabbi’s son comes down for dinner, he asks, befuddled, why nothing is on the table. “Aha!” the rabbis says, per Zeff’s retelling. “Now we can start the seder.” Seder plate traditionalists who opt out of additions argue that the seder’s novelty is already built into Passover tradition. Philadelphia Chabad Rabbi Menachem Schmidt thought about the role of maror, horseradish, on the seder plate. Usually a condiment used sensi- bly, on Passover, maror is eaten by the spoonful, prompting the watering of eyes and the sticking out of tongues — unpleasant feelings that force seder attendees to address their discomfort. “Bitterness is something which is used very sparingly and strategically and creates a spiritual or emotional movement,” he said. Judaism has also long used symbols that have many meanings, and the seder plate is no exception, Congregation Beth Hamedrosh Rabbi Yonah Gross said. Gross used the example of the holidays of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day and Tisha B’Av, commemorating the destruction of the photovs / iStock / Getty Images Plus local two temples in Jerusalem. Many Orthodox Jews don’t observe Yom HaShoah, not because they don’t believe in commemo- rating the Holocaust, but rather because they believe that Tisha B’Av is a holiday already designed to encompass dates of Jewish tragedy. Similarly, additional foods don’t need to be added to the seder plate because the items already there represent broad enough themes to accommodate the struggles of both today and biblical times. “There is a middle ground,” Gross said. However, traditions and holidays evolve, Mishkan Shalom Rabbi Shawn Zevit said. Seder plates and Haggadot were not always around for the holiday, and new Passover foods and traditions are as inherent to the holiday as the seder plate itself. “Even the seder plate itself didn’t just pop into being one night. ... Even the four questions which we sort of treat as though they came down with the Big Bang, they have evolved, too,” Zevit said. Some Philadelphia-area rabbis argue that additions to the seder plate, such as oranges or chocolate, can enhance the meaning of the seder to some attendees. Newness helps keep younger Jews engaged and, in the case of new seder plate foods, helps Jews who may not have felt included in Jewish tradition — such as Jews by choice or Jews of color — have a place at the table. For Har Zion Temple Rabbi Seth Haaz, whether to add new foods to the seder plate comes down to the balance between new and old. steinsfamousdeli.com Complete Take Out Dinners starting at $26.95 pp HAND CUT NOVA OR REGULAR LOX $11.99½ LB (by the half lb) Choice of (1) Soup; (1) Appetizer; (2) Vegetables; (1) Dessert: Per Person Matzos Included Soups (Choice of Once) Appetizer (Choice of One) ____Gefi lte Fish w/ Horseradish ____Chopped Liver ____Sweet & Sour Meetballs Entree (Choice of One) ____Brisket w/ Brown Gravy ($1.00 Extra per person) ____Tilapia Encrusted in Almonds ____Stuff ed Chicken Breast w/ Matzo Stuffi ng ____Half Chicken w/ Herb-Matzo Stuffi ng ____Fresh Carved Turkey Breast w/ Gravy ____Salmon w/ Dill Sauce ($1.00 extra per person) Vegetables (Choice of Two) ____Glazed Carrots ____Sweet Potato Casserole ____Roasted Potatoes ____String Bean Almandine ____Steamed Vegetables Kugel (Choice of One) ____Spinach ____Salt & Pepper ____Potato ____Fruit Dessert (Choice of One) ____Chocolate Cake ____Apple Cake ____Honey Cake ____Chocolate Chip Cake MON-THU 8:30AM-5:30PM FRI-SAT 8:00AM-5:30PM SUNDAY 7:00AM-5:00PM PRICES IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY 3/29 - TUESDAY 4/4!! 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Though Rabbi Nathan Weiner of Marlton, New Jersey’s Congregation Beth Tikvah doesn’t add anything new to his seder plate, he takes no offense from those who do, believing that any seder plate with meaning to those around the seder table is good enough. “I’m all for whatever it takes to make the seder deeply relevant and personal to the people who are experiencing it,” he said. ■ YES WE DELIVER!! PLACE YOUR A LA CARTE, ORDERS OR DINNERS! WE NOW HAVE COOKIES AND CANDIES FOR PASSOVER. 215-673-6000 HEBREW NATIONAL MIDGET SALAMI $6.99 EA (12 oz) OUR OWN HOMEMADE CORNED BEEF THE BEST! $13.99 LB GARLIC ROAST BEEF $8.99 LB SLENDER AMERICAN CHEESE $5.99 LB ALL ITEMS CAN BE BOUGHT A LA CARTE Grant Plaza II: 1619 Grant Ave., Phila., PA 19115 ph: 215-673-6000 fax: 215-676-5927 www.steinsfamousdeli.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 7 local ADL Releases Antisemitism Audit. What Is It and Why Does it Matter to Philadelphia Jews? Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer T he Anti-Defamation League revealed on March 22 that there were 3,697 reported incidents of antisemitism in the United States last year, according to its Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2022. That is a 36% increase from 2021’s 2,717 reported incidents, and the “highest number on record since the organization began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979,” an ADL press release said. These numbers are alarming to Jewish leaders, but they don’t just exist 8 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT for shock value. Results of the Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, conducted by ADL’s Center on Extremism, are a product of a yearlong data collection process; the lofty numbers of antise- mitic incident reports help support local and national efforts to gain resources to combat hate. It’s what prevents 3,697 from becom- ing just another scary number. “These reports provide vital infor- mation because the knowledge of the scope of the issue is the first step to being able to address it,” ADL Philadelphia Regional Director Andrew Goretsky said. What does the audit process look like? While other organizations rely on the ADL for data, the ADL relies on reports from law enforcement, Jewish organi- zations and people to collect data. “Our audit is made up of both crimi- nal and non-criminal incidents that get directly reported to us,” ADL Philadelphia Associate Regional Director Andrea Heymann said. On the ADL website, users can submit a report of a hate or bias incident and provide details such as screenshots or video recordings. Most commonly, a reported incident will look like vandalism or harassment but can sometimes be a physical attack or threat. Regional ADLs sift through the data for duplicates, of which there are many. According to Heymann, ADL Philadelphia received 514 reports in 2022, but many described the same white supremacist flyering incident in a local neighborhood. The incident is only counted once for the report. ADL pulls and aggregates the data from its regional offices to create its annual report. They use regional data to create Hate, Extremism, Antisemitism, Terrorism (H.E.A.T.) maps of bias incidents based on state. Montefi ore Cemetery Company Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy Passover from our family to yours Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt speaks at the group’s 2018 National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images via JTA.org What is the data from the ADL audit used for? Reported increases in antisemitism are important for organizations, such as JCCs and synagogues, who need data to support grant applications for hard- ened security or additional resources, such as the Nonprofi t Security Grant Program. “The way in which we see a lot of this work pay off is when things like hate crimes laws are passed or expanded, so that we can include more people under protections” Heymann said. The Siegel JCC in Wilmington, Delaware, a benefi ciary agency of the Jewish Federation of Delaware, received multiple bomb threats in 2017, and ADL reports helped corroborate concerns about increasing hate. The Jewish Federation of Delaware has applied for security grants in the past. It is working with the Jewish Federations of North America and Secure Community Network to create a regional security director role to oversee the safety of Jewish organiza- tions statewide. “The ADL report validates what we’re all seeing and experiencing on a daily basis,” Jewish Federation of Delaware CEO and President Seth Katzen said. “We don’t have the resources to conduct that kind of research, so we rely on ADL to provide that data.” The information also helps non-Jew- ish organizations. ADL partners with local law enforcement to help hone their education of community members and police offi cers to raise awareness of antisemitism. “We teach local police offi cers how to investigate a crime, what type of symbol to look for or specifi c wording,” Pennsylvania State Police Heritage Aff airs Section Commander Lt. William Slaton said. “ADL has been instru- mental to us in bringing issues to our attention and even [bringing] training recommendations to our attention.” Why report? Despite the importance of the ADL’s annual audit, hate and bias incidents remain underreported, Goretsky said. Many people simply don’t know how to report incidents. When Goretsky’s son encountered antisemitism while gaming online, he logged off but didn’t report the antisemitism because he didn’t know how, Goretsky said. The two searched the website for a way to report the incident. But others see instances of antisem- itism and choose not to report. Large organizations, such as JCCs or synagogues, may not want to report a threat or breach of security because it puts an unwanted spotlight on them, making them further vulnerable to off enders looking for their next target. For individuals, the desire not to report can come from uncertainty. If someone sees something that may be antisemitic or hateful, they can sometimes waffl e on reporting or deem it too small an issue to report. Goretsky said that because of the importance of reporting, it’s best to err on the side of caution. “Let the experts decide whether it’s an antisemitic incident, whether it’s a hate crime,” he said. “If it doesn’t feel right and if in doubt, report it.” ■ srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com Since its founding, Montefi ore has honored and kept the traditions of Judaism. • Jewish owned & operated • NO vaults or liners required • Prudent fi nancial management ensuring highest standard of care Let Montefi ore Cemetery help you protect your loved ones from overwhelming decisions and expenses. And, as always, 0% Interest on all pre-arrangements. 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We have a fully functional apartment specifically for this program with a large kitchen, washer and dryer, two bathrooms, a living room and bedroom. 2023 Dates: June 24 – August 7 Visit our new website www.leemar.com Winter Office: Camp Lee Mar Ph: 215-658-1708 Fax: 215-658-1710 Please visit us on On YouTube you can view parents and campers talking about their experiences at Lee Mar. Please visit us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. On YouTube you can view parents and campers talking about their experiences at Camp Lee Mar. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 9 local Eagles Award Grant for Autism Research to Israeli Professor Jarrad Saff ren | Staff Writer S ince 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Autism Foundation has given out millions of dollars in grants each year. Before 2023, all of the recipients were based in the United States. But now one of those grants, worth $400,000, is going to an Israeli profes- sor at Hebrew University, Haitham Amal. Amal, a pharmacologist, has researched autism since 2015 when he was a post-doctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was the fi rst to show that nitric oxide is involved in autism pathology. His goal is to try to inhibit that with therapeutics, he said. The grant will allow him to hire more researchers, expand his hypothesis and accelerate his experiment. Within two years, he hopes to publish two more papers on the issue of autism and therapeutics, he added. The Eagles Autism Foundation is “dedicated to raising funds for innova- tive research and care programs,” according to its website. “By providing the necessary resources to doctors and scientists at leading institutions, we will be able to assist those currently aff ected by autism as well as future generations,” the site reads. Eagles’ owner Jeff rey Lurie, who is Jewish, started the foundation because he has dealt with autism in his family, according to philadelphiaeagles.com. “I have to say thank you to Mr. Jeff rey Lurie, who is doing great work and giving great eff ort to the autism fi eld,” Amal said. “Since launching the Eagles Autism Challenge in 2018, we have raised more than $20 million and funded 83 research projects and community grants,” Lurie said in a news release provided to the Jewish Exponent. “In many ways, 2022 was a record-setting year for the Eagles Autism Foundation, but we know there is more work to be done. We look forward to expand- ing on our mission and assisting even more families with the help of SING HALLELUJAH our community, fans, partners and supporters.” When Amal started researching autism eight years ago, he “fell in love,” he said. It was a fi eld without “a lot of pharmacology and drug development, and this is what I am,” the professor added. As he further explained, “I’m a pharmacologist that knows how to look into a disease and how to fi nd therapeutic targets, and to treat these targets pharmacologically.” Amal discovered that there’s an elevation of nitric oxide in the brain and blood samples of autistic children, so he started trying to fi nd thera- peutics. He is collaborating with a publicly-traded American company, and he has his own startup, Point6Bio, EXTRA, EXTRA, Read All About It! TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL CELEBRATE THE 75 CANTOR DAVID F. TILMAN, MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR Philadelphia Jewish Exponent Readers Enjoy Digital Magazine!! Featuring singer, songwriter, and humanitarian, Noa, plus 175 singers from the Delaware Valley The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent digital magazine is the same version as our print version. If your preference is to read content digitally, DON’T MISS OUT! GROUPS OF 10+ SAVE 15% April 26 It’s EASY to get your digital magazine every week. SIMPLY subscribe with your email address. Sign up today at: in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia KimmelCulturalCampus.org 10 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT jewishexponent.com/econfirmation/ Courtesy of Hebrew University local Professor Haitham Amal which uses blood samples from autis- tic children and artifi cial intelligence models to identify autism through a sample test. The professor fi rst applied for a grant from the Eagles in 2021. Rachel Sigman, the Philadelphia director for American Friends of the Hebrew University, had read an article in Philadelphia Magazine about Lurie’s new philanthropic endeavor. Sigman knew Amal and was familiar with his work, so she contacted to the Eagles on his behalf. The organization invited the Israeli to apply, but he did not make it to the second round, according to Sigman. But she stayed in touch with the organization, and Amal was invited to apply again two years later. This time, he got it. “I felt he’s really made tremendous progress in the research that he’s done,” Sigman said. “The idea of fi nding a way to diagnose autism using breast and blood samples — the importance of that I thought was going to really have a transfor- mational eff ect in the way kids are diagnosed. This is something that’s going to have a positive and poten- tially global impact.” Amal believes the grant from the Eagles will not only help his research but “open the doors for collaboration all over the world.” A small amount of money would have allowed Amal to investigate one mutation. But there are hundreds of mutations in autism, and a $400,000 grant will help the Israeli look into diff erent ones. Experiments and big data analyses are “expensive,” he said. “The goal of this grant is to under- stand the role of nitric oxide in the autism spectrum disorder,” he said. “The ultimate goal of this grant is to level up drugs and therapeutics for treatment.” ■ jsaff ren@midatlanticmedia.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 11 COMMUNITY NEWS The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia mobilizes financial and volunteer resources to address the communities’ most critical priorities locally, in Israel and around the world. “We both were born in Philadelphia s Passover nears, continually and, as a result, we take a great deal of rising food prices and expir- pride in our ability to service our fellow ing Supplemental Nutrition Philadelphia neighbors as well as the Assistance Program benefi ts beg surrounding communities,” said Leo local Jewish organizations to ask and Seth Schwartzberg, who are the a fi fth question this year: How is fourth-generation owners of Kosher it possible to ensure that all who Mart Foods. celebrate have access to matzah, MFP clients have noted their grati- maror and a hearty holiday meal? tude for the Passover provisions that According to the Department of will help them participate in their Agriculture, the cost of groceries was holiday customs. 11.3% higher in December 2022 than “In celebrating Passover, I am continu- in January 2022. Kosher for Passover ing the tradition that has been passed foods, which are historically already on to me by previous generations,” more costly than non-hectured expressed one of MFP’s clients, who foods, are expected to rise this wished to remain anonymous. “I still Passover season as well. This comes remember my grandmother opening at a critical time for those receiving a special set of dishes and preparing assistance through SNAP benefi ts Volunteers Terry Hartley and Marya Margolis delivered Passover packages from for the seder. I cannot imagine break- because $2.5 billion of the program’s the Jewish Federation’s Mitzvah Food Program. ing this [tradition], and I’m grateful for emergency pandemic allocations will MFP’s support because it means I expire nationwide this month. don’t have to.” With all these strains on local In addition to providing kosher food during major Jewish holidays, like Passover families’ budgets, the ability to express religious freedom by observing holidays and Rosh Hashanah, MFP works to combat food insecurity all year round for all with traditional foods is appearing more like a privilege instead of a right. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Mitzvah Food Program is who are hungry, regardless of race, religion or fi nancial background. This past working to ensure that this basic freedom remains a right by off ering free Passover year, MFP provided 904,908 pounds of food to 4,055 clients with the help of local volunteers. foods to those in need. “When I deliver food packages, it brings me great joy to know that those in “It is imperative that we are able to provide our Jewish clients with as much as we can during the High Holidays and Passover to ensure that our clients are able need will have enough to eat for the coming weeks,” said MFP volunteer Mitchell to celebrate their faith,” said Whitney Drukier, the Jewish Federation’s MFP opera- Benson, who also serves on the Jewish Federation’s endowment committee. tions manager. “By providing staple kosher for Passover foods, we are helping to “These Passover provisions show MFP’s clients that we are here and we care.” In addition to supporting MFP as an internal program, the Jewish Federation add to these families’ seder dinners commemorating the liberation from slavery granted $2.6 million this year through the Jewish Community Fund, unrestricted and honoring the history of their ancestors.” To honor this history, MFP has partnered with Philabundance and Kosher Mart giving, toward caring for those in need locally and overseas – one of its main Foods to provide more than $25,000 worth of kosher for Passover goods to pillars. This includes organizations that fi ght food insecurity, like the Jewish Relief Agency and KleinLife which will also provide kosher for Passover food to Greater families in need in the Greater Philadelphia area. “It’s our ultimate goal to make sure the diverse communities we serve feel like Philadelphia area families this spring. “Jewish teachings and values direct us to care for those in need in our commu- their cultures and traditions are refl ected in how we support them,” noted a repre- sentative from Philabundance. “Our neighbors deserve the right to receive cultur- nity, and during this unprecedented time of infl ation in food costs, it is incumbent for the Jewish community to provide for those who can't aff ord to fi ll up their seder ally relevant foods they are accustomed to.” This Passover, Philabundance showcased its support by gifting $8,300 in ACME plates,” explained Brian Gralnick, the Jewish Federation’s director of local grants gift cards, which will be distributed at all four of MFP’s pantries across the region. and partnerships. “People don’t stop being hungry during the holidays.” *** MFP is also using $17,000 of its annual funds to order Passover supplies from For more information about the Mitzvah Food Program, visit jewishphilly. Kosher Mart Foods, including Kedem grape juice, matzah, honey, gefi lte fi sh and org/mfp, email mitzvahfoodprogram@jewishphilly.org or call 215-832-0509. borscht, for their Jewish clients. 12 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Courtesy of Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia A The Fifth Question: How to Ensure All Have a Meal This Passover? YOU SHOULD KNOW ... Mallory Kovit Sasha Rogelberg | Staff Writer Courtesy of Mallory Kovit U ntil she left for college, Mallory Kovit never had the feeling that Jews were unique or different. Kovit, the assistant executive director of Hillel at Temple University, grew up in the heavily Jewish Five Towns of Long Island, New York. Matriculating at Stony Brook University was a culture shock — the first time she felt like part of a minority that made up 2% of the country’s population. “I had never had to grapple before with people that had never met a Jewish person before,” she said. “I had also never really understood that there was such a thing as the BDS or anti-Israel movement until I went to college.” During Kovit’s junior or senior year, the Stony Brook adminis- tration voted to get rid of schoolwide days off on Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, a policy it later changed. Kovit was frustrated that non-Jewish students didn’t realize this was a big deal. “A friend of a friend said something to the effect like, ‘Not everything can be about you and what you want,’” Kovit remembered. That’s when Hillel changed Kovit’s life. Hillel advocated for having the High Holidays off and provided a central meeting space for Jewish students. Kovit later applied to become Stony Brook Hillel’s engagement intern, the first of many leadership positions she’d hold at Hillels. At 33, Kovit has been involved in Hillel for almost half her life. As a leader of Temple University’s Hillel, she wants to make sure today’s college students can find the same joy in being Jewish that she found through Hillel. “I’m someone who is confident in my Jewish identity, and it’s not necessarily something that comes naturally to a lot of people,” she said. “I want people to feel really excited and thrilled to be Jewish and know that it’s really fun to be Jewish.” Since taking on the position in August, having previously served as the director of the Jewish Graduate Student Network at Greater Philly Hillel Network for two years, the Center City resident has had her work cut out for her. “When it comes to the challenges of being a student nowadays, Jewish student or not, everything is relatively unprecedented,” Kovit said. The students coming to campus are shy, having spent most of their high school days entrenched in online spaces during the pandemic. Many times, Kovit said, kids encounter antisemitism online. It’s Kovit’s job to make those students feel welcome and work with Temple Hillel’s staff to bring program- ming to fruition that is “by students, for students.” “We really want Temple Hillel to be a place where students know that they can have enrichment for their lives now, and also for after they graduate,” she said. Interacting with the 30-100 students who filter in and out of Temple University’s Rosen Center — Hillel’s hub — Kovit bridges the gap between the Gen Z students and millennial staff. The key to connecting with today’s teens, she said, is not learning TikTok dances, but finding common ground. Students who join Hillel are looking for the same thing: to have fun and connect. “They’re still figuring out who they are as people,” Kovit said. “But people who are between the ages of 18 to 22, they have a lot to say; they are really funny; they’re really kind; they really want to share; they want to have a good time, and so do I.” Kovit’s path to Hillel seemed clear: She went on Birthright before going to college, right as the program was starting. She went back to Israel again as an undergrad, studying at Tel Aviv University for a year. After graduating, she worked at Hillels of Westchester in New York, coordinating programming with five area Hillels. In 2019, Kovit relocated to Philadelphia, taking on roles at Greater Philly Hillel Network, and balancing her job with earning her master’s degree in nonprofit/public/organizational management with a concentration in Jewish education administration from Gratz College. Balancing a cultural Jewish identity with a spiritual one, Kovit is also a yoga teacher and has taught mindfulness and yoga to Jewish audiences, finding that the two cultures can blend seamlessly. Returning to the college Hillel scene a decade after her own college experience, Kovit saw some changes. The Birthright program has burgeoned since she first took the trip. Students today are interested in smaller affinity groups within Temple Hillel, such as Owls for Israel or a Russian-language group. Instead of a humble Hillel office that Kovit was used to at Stony Brook, Temple has a center for Jewish students — a “mansion of Jewish life.” “It’s such a thrill and a gift to have an entire building to have Jewish life thrive,” she said. ■ srogelberg@midatlanticmedia.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 13 editorials A t the conclusion of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s carefully orchestrated Moscow summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader personally escorted his guest to his car. For some observers, Putin’s departure courtesy was a rare gesture for the taciturn Russian strongman. But to others it presented an insight into current relations between China and Russia: Xi may have journeyed to Moscow, but it was Putin who played the valet. Last fall, in another autocratic lovefest between Xi and Putin, the two declared a “limitless friendship.” The driver for their bromance is hostility to the United States and to what they see as America’s “hegemony, domination and bullying.” So together they are standing up to Uncle Sam. But even a “limitless friendship” has its limitations. China is on the move in Asia and Africa and is gaining international infl uence. Russia is frozen in place and at risk. Russia has economic problems and is deep into a frustrating war eff ort against Ukraine that is draining human, economic and political resources. As observed by U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Russia’s problems have relegated Putin to “junior partner” status in his relationship with Xi. So what did last week’s summit accomplish? Many assumed that Xi would announce a plan for the delivery of weapons from China to assist Russia in Chinese President Xi Jinping , left, meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022. its war eff ort. But no such public announcement was made. Instead, Xi continued to project himself as an international peace broker, seeking to build on the credit China claims for the recent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia. At this point, it isn’t clear where the China-Russia relationship is headed. While Xi and Putin can continue to tweak America, any Ukraine-related alliance will likely bolster Western unity and opposition. Western nations will continue to provide military and fi nancial support to Ukraine and their eff orts will be bolstered by the once-neutral Finland and Sweden as they join NATO and the opposition chorus. Even though Xi didn’t promise military support, he did continue his embrace of Putin. And he did that just as an arrest warrant was issued against Putin by the International Criminal Court. The growing Xi-Putin relationship worries Western leaders. It could lead to further downgrading of trade with China and upgrading of sanctions and military preparedness. In all events, the lines of power in the China-Russia relationship are changing. For the United States, that probably means continuing support for what is becoming a proxy war in Ukraine, while gearing up for what could be a Cold War with China. But that will likely be a diff erent kind of Cold War from the one that followed World War II. This time, ideology will play much less of a role. Instead, it will be driven by some mixture of brute strength, intimidation and economic dominance. And the U.S. will need strong leadership to navigate those confrontations. In the meantime, Putin and Xi are looking for opportunities to project strength and control and boost their prestige. Last week’s summit was one such occasion. And in that one, Xi came out on top. It will be interesting to see what happens next, as Xi and Putin continue to explore the parameters of their pledge of “limitless friendship.” ■ Dealing with Antisemites A new survey by ADL found that 2022 set a record for antisemitic incidents in the United States since ADL started keeping track in 1979. The 3,697 incidents marked a 36% increase over 2021, which had set the previous record with 2,717 incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault. The year 2022 was when the dramatic hostage taking at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, took place. And it was the year that rapper and fashion designer Kanye West erupted in a stream of antisemitic invectives on a variety of media, including an announcement that he planned to go “death con 3” on the Jews. ADL tracked about 30 copycat incidents of antisemitism that mentioned “Ye,” but we suspect the number is actually much higher. After such a dispiriting year, what should we make of the recent fi nding by the Pew Research Center, that among religious groups in the United States, Jews are the most liked? According to Pew, Jews have a 35% favorability rating and a 6% unfavorability rating. By contrast, evangelical Christians have a 14 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT 28% favorability rating and a 27% unfavorability rating. Whatever those statistics mean, we continue to worry about antisemitism and the targeting of Jews. And we continue to struggle to fi nd a way to stop it. Our community has done impressive work. We have tracked the numbers. We have lobbied for, passed and popularized the Working Defi nition of Antisemitism so that people now know it when they see it. We have pushed for broad and meaningful Holocaust education to teach about hate and its consequences. And we call out antisemitism whenever we see it. Our community has also succeeded in upgrading the sensitivity and vigilance of local, state and federal governments, along with community allies of all sorts, to the evils of antisemitism. And we have invested heavily in security and the wide-ranging fi ght against the corrosive impact of antisemitism. Yet, even with all of the money and energy that has been invested, antisemitic activities continue and increase. Our herculean eff orts seem to be having very little eff ect. In many discussions about antisemitism, it is often noted that Jews are less than 3% of the U.S. population but are the religious group on the receiving end of the most hate. We wonder how such a small segment of the population can attract so much hate. But as a data point, the size of the Jewish community is not all that meaningful a number. That’s because the number of Jews is almost irrelevant. It’s the number of antisemites that matters. Jews are not the problem. Antisemites are. The challenge to deal more eff ectively with antisemites is not new. It has confounded those battling Jew hatred for generations. Perhaps there is nothing more we can do at this point beyond eff orts to raise awareness, defend ourselves and work to educate the haters of the wrongs of their ways. But we hope there is more. Antisemitism is a growing plague in desperate need of a better solution. We need new answers to how to deal with antisemites. ■ Ju Peng / Xinhua News Agency/Newscom Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin opinions & letters Making a Moonshot Philanthropic Bet on Philadelphia’s Jewish Community Zev Eleff I n November, the Collaborative for Applied Studies in Jewish Education convened a meeting of national Jewish professional learning providers in Washington, D.C. The scores of participants studied CASJE’s recent findings on the value of professional development in the Jewish arena, particularly in the field of Jewish education. We swapped notes on how to best deploy continuing education. Some, me included, hypothesized that more substantive and creative professional development would do much to rebuild the Jewish nonprofit profes- sional pipeline. doses of professional development, often free of charge. But they also relayed that they could use more of it and would like to see more creative, research- based offerings. New Jewish professionals (some that just started their careers and others who recently transitioned from other professional places) tell a different story, one that better foretells the sustainability of our Jewish nonprofit sector. Most in this group work in non-classroom settings: They’re situated in informal education, human service agencies or administrative positions. Their organiza- tions don’t provide the same amounts of in-service programs deployed in school settings. Three-quarters The constellation of Philadelphia-based Jewish nonprofits stands at a transformative moment. I departed the CASJE conference with two takeaways. First, there’s a risk-taking moonshot-level philanthropic bet to be made on Jewish professional development, how creative and better continuing education can be leveraged to better staff and animate programming and services for the Jewish community. Second, it ought to happen in Philadelphia. The constellation of Philadelphia-based Jewish nonprofits stands at a transformative moment. Over the past two years, many of our local organizations have hired new leaders. For example, 16 Jewish nonprofit CEOs attended a meeting in January convened at Gratz College and in coordination with Jewish Learning Venture. Three- quarters of the leaders present were recent hires with a mandate to grow their institutions. What about the value of professional development in our agencies? With the support of 25 organizations, Gratz College recently surveyed 115 Jewish professionals, every subset but congregational rabbis. Two-thirds of the respondents boasted more than 10 years of working experience in the field. Most of this group — a high quotient of day school and synagogue educators — reported that all or most of their work requires Jewish content knowledge or expertise in the Jewish community. The majority possess gradu- ate degrees in Jewish education, Jewish professional studies or received rabbinical ordination. In concert with the findings from CASJE, this veteran cohort — again, mostly educators — receives steady take part in continuing education outside of Jewish professional studies, but just 15% participate in profes- sional development that might be characterized as Jewish education or Jewish professional studies. What explains this group’s low participation in Jewish professional development? Just 30% of their work, they say, requires Jewish content knowledge. In follow-up questions, the same professionals indicated that their job would benefit from deeper Jewish content and that substantive Jewish professional development, if made available and at low costs, would help them increase their capac- ities in the workplace. The throughline is the urgent need for skills-based professional development offerings that improve the sacred work of Jewish nonprofits. From board manage- ment to text-based learning. From mental health awareness to Hebrew education, and then to program evaluation best practices. A transformative investment in Jewish professional development for Philadelphia’s Jewish nonprofit sector would test the impact of continuing education on the wider community. Months ago in these pages, I wrote about Philadelphia’s “broken Jewish education pipeline.” I tabulated more than a dozen recent Jewish population studies and showed that Philadelphia’s enrollment numbers, compared with its peer communities, ranked at the bottom in every Jewish educational setting: from early childhood to high school, from youth group to camp. I’d wager we would find similar low figures for engagement with Jewish adults. Hence the moonshot. Our local heads of school and Jewish nonprofit CEOs represent a new generation of leadership, ready to put our people in the very best position to succeed. Together, they want Philadelphia to emerge as a model Jewish community. They have already made a bet on themselves and their colleagues. To support them, we’ll need to further uptrain and sometimes reskill our teams to better serve and support our communities. The data suggests it’s a risk worth taking. ■ Zev Eleff is the president of Gratz College and a professor of American Jewish history. letters Jew Hatred Pervasive in City Jew-hatred in Philadelphia exists from the top down (“AJC CEO, Philadelphia Leaders Meet to Address Antisemitism,” March 2). Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has for two consec- utive years sponsored official events that by their very nature legitimize Jew-hatred: The city’s partic- ipation in the United Nation’s so-called “Day of Solidarity With the Palestinian People,” replete with fist-brandishing posters and terrorist PLO flags – part-and-parcel of a movement to undo and destroy the Jewish state of Israel and endanger Israel’s seven million Jews. Kenney’s departments, including the School District of Philadelphia, have promoted Jew-hatred and/or have sought to erase Jewish history and heritage. Our organization has documented multiple examples of these in two detailed reports. Government- sanctioned Jew-hatred gives the attacks an official imprimatur and funds all or part of the attacks – making them more impactful. It was nice of Philadelphia City Council to pass a resolution against antisemitism – though without addressing the city’s own attacks against Jewry it is rather meaningless. Steve Feldman, executive director, Greater Philadelphia Chapter Zionist Organization of America SEND US LETTERS Letters should be related to articles that have run in the print or online editions of the JE, and may be edited for space and clarity prior to publi- cation. Please include your first and last name, as well your town/neigh- borhood of residence. Send letters to letters@jewishexponent.com. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 15 opinion A ‘Resistance’ Coup Just Defeated Israeli Democracy Jonathan Tobin A fter months of increasingly strident mass protests against his government’s plans to reform Israel’s out-of-control and highly parti- san judicial system, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have given in to the pressure. He said he was going to be “delaying judicial reform to give real dialogue a chance.” But it’s highly doubt- ful that this will merely be a timeout that will help his supporters regroup and enable opponents to calm down and accept a compromise on the issue. On the contrary, Netanyahu is waving the white flag on judicial reform — and everyone knows it. And since the ultimate goal of the protests was not just preventing legislation from being passed but to topple the govern- ment, it’s far from clear whether the prime minister can long stay in power after this humiliation since his allies are shaken and his opponents won’t be satisfied until he’s ejected from office. Whether that will happen remains to be seen. But the consequences of the events of the last months go far beyond the future of the Israeli legal system. Netanyahu’s announcement is leading to celebra- tions on the Israeli left as well as among their foreign supporters, especially in the Biden administration and liberal Jewish groups. And they have good reason to celebrate. The anti-Bibi resistance was able to sell the world a false narrative about their efforts being nothing more than a successful effort to defend democracy against the efforts of would-be authoritarians who wanted to create a fascist theocratic state. But the notion that an uprising of the “people” has stopped a “coup” by Netanyahu and his allies is pure projection. What the world has just witnessed was itself a soft coup. Fueled by contempt for the nationalist and religious voters whose ballots gave Netanyahu’s coali- tion a clear Knesset majority in November and imputing to them their desire for crushing political opponents, the cultural left has shown that it has an effective veto over the results of a democratic election. In exercising that veto, they have given Israel’s enemies, who don’t care how much power the courts have or who the prime minister of the Jewish state is, ammunition that will make their international campaign to isolate their country more effective. More importantly, they’ve broken rules and set precedents that will impact future Israeli governments no matter who is leading them. They’ve shown that not even an election can be allowed to break the left’s stranglehold on effective power via a system of 16 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT courts and legal advisers that have effectively made Israel a juristocracy rather than a country ruled by the representatives of the people. That sends a dangerous message to the people whose votes determined the outcome of the election — that their views don’t matter. The opposition didn’t play by the rules Netanyahu and his fellow coalition members made a lot of mistakes in the last few months. The prime minister was inhibited by an outrageous ruling from the attor- ney general that effectively silenced him on the most important issue facing his country. He had been criticized for trying to force fundamen- tal change to the justice system via a narrow partisan majority without a consensus. But those who say this are hypocrites. A left-wing Israeli government forced the disastrous Oslo Accords with an even narrower major- ity. Democrats like President Joe Biden, who make the same claim, also seem to forget that the Obama admin- istration he served did the same thing with health care. Given the way his opponents have been willing to go to any length to defame or delegitimize him and even to drag him into court on trumped-up flimsy charges of corruption, Netanyahu underestimating his opponents is hard to fathom. Having broken a three-year-long political stalemate by gaining 64 seats in the Knesset to form the first clear majority since he won in 2015, the prime minister somehow thought his foes would play by the rules and let him govern. He failed to understand that his opponents were prepared to set the country on fire, destabilize its economy and even weaken its national defense to throw him out. The notion that restraining the power of the court — something that opposition leader Yair Lapid used to support before he realized that latching on to the resistance would give him a chance to erase his defeat last year — was the point of the protests was always false. The same could be said of the claim that preventing the courts from selectively exercising unaccountable power without any basis in law was the end of democracy. With the chaos in the streets, the prime minister already had his back to the wall. But the widespread refusal of many reservists, especially among those with skilled positions such as pilots, to refuse to report for reserve duty threatened the country’s national security. Along with general strikes that forced closures at airports and shutdowns of medical services, that proved to be the last straw and led already shaky members of the coalition to lose heart. The coalition was slow to mobilize its voters, who, after all, did outnumber the opposition in the recent election. The government’s supporters were forced to watch impotently as their leaders faltered, feuded among themselves and failed to act decisively to fight the battle for public opinion. Going forward in the face of a resistance that was ready to trash even the most sacred of Israeli civic traditions involving national defense to gain a political victory became impossible. And with his party losing discipline, and the U.S. government and many leading institutions of American Jewish life similarly backing the opposition, Netanyahu had no choice but to try and prevent any further damage. Implications for the future Will that happen every time the right wins an election from now on? Probably. That means not only will the juristocracy defend its power, but its supporters are permanently committed to thwarting the will of voters who may continue to outnumber them in the future. And how will a theoretical government of the left react if large numbers of right-wing opponents try to play the same game? If the debates over the disastrous Oslo Accords and the 2005 Gaza withdrawal are any gauge of their behavior, they will crack down on their opponents in ways that Netanyahu hesitated to do this year with widespread jailing of dissidents. While the left threatened violence against their opponents and even civil war if they didn’t get their way about judicial reform, who really believes they will hesitate to initiate one if they are in power and the right rises up in the streets the way we’ve just witnessed? What’s more, Netanyahu’s opponents have (whether they realize it or not) also legitimized arguments aimed at denying that Israel is a democracy. While his foes think that this will only apply to times when the right wins elections, they may come to realize that to the antisemites who assail the Jewish state in international forums and in American politics where the intersec- tional left is increasingly influential, that will also apply to governments led by parties not named Likud. Ultimately, Israel’s citizens — whether through democratic elections or mob actions that break govern- ments and Knesset majorities — will determine their fate. And those who look on from abroad must accept the outcome of these struggles. Yet far from defending Israel from authoritarian forces, the protesters have established a precedent that will haunt future governments of all kinds and shake the foundation of its democracy. Whether that damage can be undone remains an open question. ■ Jonathan S. Tobin is editor-in-chief of JNS (Jewish News Syndicate). opinion How Once-cautious Benjamin Netanyahu Came to Lead Israel’s Most Radical Coalition Ofer Kenig T wenty-seven years have passed since Benjamin Netanyahu was first elected as Israel’s prime minister. Since 1996, he has headed six governments over more than 15 years, more than any other prime minister. Unfortunately, his current coalition is one of the most radical-populist governments in Israel’s history. This government seeks to rapidly undermine Israel’s democracy by granting unlimited political power to the executive branch of government at the expense of the judiciary. How can Netanyahu — a U.S.-educated and respected world leader who was cautious in his approach to building previous coalitions, and was once respectful of Israeli democratic institutions — support such a dangerous plan? Was the “writing on the wall” earlier on in his lengthy tenure? A glimpse into Netanyahu’s years in office reveals that, indeed, signs of his being a populist leader — specializing in attacks against the so-called elite — could be detected long ago. As Likud leader in 1993, Netanyahu was blamed for ignoring the incitement by extremists that preceded the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin (a charge he vociferously denies). As early as 1997, during his first term as prime minister, he said that “the left has forgotten what it means to be Jewish.” Two years later, during an election campaign, he mocked the “leftist” press by saying “they are scared” (by the possibility of a right-wing victory). On Election Day in 2015, he posted a video urging Likud supporters to go out and vote by warning, “the Arabs are heading in droves to the polls.” That message led to accusations that the candidate was using racial dog whistles to motivate his followers. However, Netanyahu’s populist discourse and his natural divide-and-conquer leadership style were balanced out, at least until 2015, by several factors. First, Netanyahu always sought to include centrist and even left-of-center parties in his coalition governments. Even when he could build a “pure” right-wing coalition (following the 2009 elections, for example), he preferred to invite partners from the opposing political side. His intention, he once said, was to provide a “wide and stable government that unites the people.” Second, despite his hawkish image and his hardline discourse on security issues, Netanyahu was considered to be an exceedingly cautious leader in that arena. Risk-averse, he tended to avoid involving Israel in major wars and was wary of acting in ways that would spark violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Third, over his many years in office, he had demonstrated respect for the rules of the game — and towards Israel’s Supreme Court. He even blocked earlier initiatives that sought to undermine the power of the judicial branch. “I believe that in a democracy, a strong and independent Court is what enables the existence of all other democratic institutions,” he said in 2012. “Every time a law comes across my desk that threatens to impair the independence of the courts, we will take it down.” The 2015 elections should probably be regarded as the turning point, after which these balancing factors quickly gave way to unabashed populism. The unexpected resounding victory in that year’s elections brought out the hubris in Netanyahu. He formed a right-wing coalition government (only slightly moderated by Moshe Kahlon’s centrist Kulanu party), personally held four ministerial positions in addition to the prime ministership, and gave his blessing to the hugely controversial Nation-State Bill. This legislation, which anchored in law Israel’s status as the “national home of the Jewish people,” strengthened the Jewish component of Israel’s dual “Jewish and democratic” identity without in turn strengthening its democratic component — explicitly and implicitly downgrading minority rights. Furthermore, Netanyahu’s longtime obsession with controlling press coverage reached a new level. His insistence on personally heading the Ministry of Communications and his excessive involvement in media — for example, installing a close ally as director-general of the ministry, and targeting and strong-arming ostensibly “unfriendly” newspapers and broadcasters — served as the background for two of the three indictments for which he is currently on trial. The investigations on corruption charges, and his subsequent trial, further pushed Netanyahu toward populist extremes. Following three rounds of elections between 2019 and 2020, which threw Israel into an unprecedented political crisis, Netanyahu was forced to form a unity government with former Gen. Benny Gantz’s centrist Blue & White party. Coincidentally, just a few hours after the government’s first meeting, Netanyahu’s trial began in the Jerusalem District Court. The prime minister arrived at the court on May 24, 2020, accompanied by several Likud Knesset members, and launched a fierce attack: “What is on trial today is an effort to frustrate the will of the people — the attempt to bring down me and the right-wing camp. For more than a decade, the left has failed to do this at the ballot box. So over the last few years, they have discovered a new method: some segments of the police and the prosecution have joined forces with the leftist media … to manufacture baseless and absurd charges against me.” These statements made it clear that Netanyahu had crossed the Rubicon, setting the tone for his behavior ever since. He dispensed with the partnership with Gantz, sacrificing Israel’s economic and political interests along with it. In the build-up to the next elections, he legitimized extremist, racist politicians such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who are today members of his governing coalition. After failing to form a government in 2021 (having been ousted from power after more than 12 consecutive years), he violated fundamental parliamentary conventions and norms. For instance, he instructed his right-wing allies to boycott Knesset committees and refused to attend the customary “update meeting” the parliamentary opposition leader holds with the prime minister. His previous respect for the rules of the game and democratic institutions was a thing of the past. In that sense, it is no wonder that the current government he has formed, following his victory in the 2022 elections, is relentlessly pushing the overhaul of the judicial system, with little regard to the dangers the legislation poses to Israel’s democracy. This is due to a combination of Netanyahu’s self-interest regarding his trial and the interests and worldviews of his political partners — politicians who hold extreme views (Ben-Gvir, Smotrich) as well as those who have previous corruption charges hanging over their heads (Aryeh Deri, leader of the haredi Orthodox Shas party). The “old Bibi” would have never coalesced with such radical forces and would have never so bluntly disregarded democratic norms. But hubris, an instinct for self-preservation and his high self-regard as the “indispensable man” of Israeli politics created a new Bibi – and a crisis unlike anything Israel has ever seen. Ironically, Netanyahu finds himself in an unexpected position — as the moderating force in the most radical coalition in Israel’s history. He could tap the instincts that he once had and be the voice of reason, the one who plugs the dike with his finger. He has the chance to lead Israel to a major constitutional moment. Will he rise to this historical challenge? ■ Ofer Kenig is a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and an associate professor at the Ashkelon Academic College. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 17 opinion In a Crisis, Social Media Is the Least Effective Platform for Israel Advocacy Joanna Landau 18 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT make your case for Israel. However, in the era of “fake news,” “alternative facts” and minimal fact-checking even by reliable media platforms, the information you provide can be easily disputed, skewed and discarded as unreliable. It’s very hard to change a person’s mind when they don’t believe the basic facts you’re presenting them. According to The Harvard Business Review, it is an evolutionary fact that our brains are hardwired to become defensive at times of conflict and to shut out any views that are contradictory. We say to ourselves, “I’m right and you’re wrong,” even though we are ordinarily able to see multiple perspectives. In other words, in conflict, we tend to become even more entrenched in our own opinions and dismiss countering views out of hand. This is exacerbated by the fact that when the social media algorithm detects conversations with a lot of interaction — as well as arguments — they are given more “airtime.” They are prioritized over other content being posted, and pushed into more and more news feeds. What started as one person stating an opinion turns into hundreds of participants, sometimes thousands, joining the debate. In a sense, it was our own doing that brought all this negative attention to Israel. The BDS movement should be thanking us. Instead of following the impulse to respond to every anti-Israel post or meme on social media, here’s what you can do instead: 1. Don’t engage publicly. When you see negative comments about Israel, don’t respond. There is no point in engaging because you likely won’t win the debate, for all the reasons listed above. And because it takes two to tango, if you don’t respond, the algorithm won’t detect increased interaction. Thus, the shelf life of the statements shared by the naysayers will expire much faster. 2. Do engage privately. If you must respond, look for the more moderate people participating in the exchange and invite them to discuss the matter privately by pinging them a non-combative message offering a deeper conversation in private. The algorithms stay out of private zones, so you won’t be rousing the beast. 3. Positively promote Israel before and after the crisis. Operation Guardian of the Walls lasted for all of 11 days from start to finish. Are we really going to let 11 days define Israel’s image for months and years to come? Pew and Gallup poll data consistently show that most people are indifferent to Israel, not against it. Why concentrate on trying to change the minds of the negative minority, when you have a neutral (and positive) majority with whom you can start building a constructive relationship? Ultimately, it is we, Israel’s stakeholders, who should be defining Israel’s narrative, not the haters. We have an opportunity to do so and we must do so before the next crisis occurs. Then, we will have a fighting chance of winning the PR war for Israel. ■ Joanna Landau is a branding expert and founder of Vibe Israel. adobe stock / guruXOX I n May 2021, during the Israel-Gaza crisis, Israelis were running to bomb shelters as Hamas launched hundreds of rockets at them. A dozen Israelis died and hundreds more were injured. (Some 250 Palestinians also died.) At the same time, social media blew up with aggressive and sometimes antisemitic rhetoric against Israel. Memes accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and wrongfully stated that Israel was massacring the Palestinian people. In response, the Jewish community did what it always does during times like these: It urgently fundraised to increase Israel advocacy training for young people on campus and online and set up war rooms in multiple languages to respond to the naysayers. Pro-Israel influencers on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok worked overtime. Everyone fought the good fight. But was it effective? Did we really win on the digital battlefield? If we’re being honest, the answer is no. It’s infuriating, isn’t it? Why is it that whatever we do, we can’t seem to win the PR war for Israel, especially on social media? We blame antisemitism, the BDS movement and Bella Hadid, but perhaps the answer is that Israel advocacy on social media just isn’t effective, and our attempt to win the PR war by using traditional advocacy tactics online could be in vain. Think about it: Nobody goes on social media to admit that they’re wrong. We go on to validate our opinions and find people who agree with us. In other words, the platform itself is the problem, not the valiant efforts being made by passionate advocates. On social media, there’s no time to make a solid argument. Conversations take place at breakneck speed, especially if many people are commenting and responding to one another. You simply cannot shift a person’s deeply held position in three or four seconds. You need more time. Much more. There’s also no common ground on these platforms. Human beings naturally distance themselves from people they have nothing in common with. If you know nothing about the person you’re engaging with and they know nothing about you, all you’re left with is two people accusing one another of having a worldview that is different from their own. Online, just like offline, you are totally reliant on facts, figures and credible sources of information to nation / world Israel Says ‘Crisis’ With Poland Over, Countries Agree to Resume Student Trips to Holocaust Sites After a warm meeting with his Polish counterpart on March 22, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen declared From left: Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen meets with Polish Foreign that the years-long “crisis” in relations Minister Zbigniew Rau in Warsaw between the two countries was over, on March 22. JTA.org reported. Meeting in Warsaw, Cohen and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau signed an agreement stating that Israeli youth trips to Holocaust sites in Poland would resume — rebooting a longstanding program that was called off last year as part of a series of ongoing diplomatic spats. The Times of Israel reported that Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, will have to approve the agreement for it to go into eff ect. Poland also agreed to return its ambassador to Israel shortly. The Polish envoy was recalled in 2021. In 2018, Poland’s right-wing government caused a rift between the two countries by passing a law that made it illegal to accuse the Polish nation of having commit- ted crimes during the Holocaust, a move that critics called a whitewashing of history. Then, in 2021, Poland passed another law that eff ectively closed off resti- tution claims by descendants of families that had lost property during the war. Israeli politicians, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, harshly condemned both moves, and for a time Israel recalled its ambassador to Warsaw. Poland’s prime minister canceled a trip to Israel in 2019. Israel Ranked Fourth-happiest Country in World Israel is the fourth-happiest country in the world, up from ninth a year ago, according to a report produced by the U.N.-affi liated Sustainable Development Solutions Network, JNS.org reported. Based on Gallup World Poll data, the study leverages six key factors to help explain variation in self-reported levels of happiness across the world: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity and absence of corruption. The report named Finland the happiest country in the world for the sixth consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Israel and the Netherlands. The United States ranked 15th. Afghanistan and Lebanon were the two unhappiest countries in the survey. The report was released on March 20 to mark the International Day of Happiness, which was established when the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/281 in June 2012. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images via JTA.org Florida Bill Banning ‘Ethnic Intimidation’ Flyers Aims to Stop State’s Neo-Nazi Rise Responding to a recent rise in neo-Nazi activity in his state, a Jewish lawmaker in Florida is trying to outlaw displays of “religious or ethnic animus” on private property in his state, JTA.org reported. H.B. 269 takes aim at a variety of activities that neo-Nazi groups in the state have undertaken, from distributing fl yers with hate speech to broadcasting intim- idating messages in public places. Those groups’ activity has been rising in Florida for several years, according to a 2022 report by the Anti-Defamation League titled “Hate in the Sunshine State.” The report was published before the founder of the Goyim Defense League, which distributes antisemitic literature in public places and to private homes, relocated to Florida. “We have actual Nazis who have proudly taken up residence in Florida,” the bill’s co-author, Rep. Randy Fine, told the Algemeiner. “The things that they are doing, all of which I fi nd disgusting, are reprehensible, and we are going to make them felonies.” ■ — Compiled by Andy Gotlieb JEWISHEXPONENT.COM | 215-832-0700 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 19 feature A Civil War Seder Memorialized in Fayetteville, West Virginia P rivate Joseph A. Joel noticed on his calendar that Passover was coming. He and 20 fellow Jewish soldiers requested relief from duty to celebrate the holiday. Permission was granted. Despite the soldiers’ remote location, they acquired matzah and other Passover products. The young men built an area for services, held seders, recalled the Exodus and off ered blessings. Now, 161 years later, Joel and his compatriots’ eff orts are being preserved as a reminder of the contributions and commitment of Jewish soldiers during the Civil War. On April 3, a sign bearing testament to the Jewish troops and their commanding offi cer — future President Rutherford B. Hayes — will be unveiled in Fayetteville, West Virginia. A corresponding ceremony, scheduled for 11 a.m. at Lovey Hope Center for the Arts, will be a reminder that “the original cast of the Civil War is more diverse than maybe we believe it today,” said Drew Gruber, executive director of Civil War Trails, an organization that partners with commu- nities in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Pennsylvania to connect visitors to meaningful Civil War narratives. What Joel and the other Jewish soldiers did 161 years ago was a “bright spot and peaceful moment” during a period marked by carnage, Gruber said. Between 1861 and 1865, approx- imately 620,000 soldiers died on U.S. soil. The sum is about equal to the number of American fatalities in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II and the Korean War combined, according to the National Parks Service. While the deaths, military confl icts and commanders have long captivated histori- ans, the Civil War “isn’t just about battles and campaigns, but about humanity, and in this instance, community,” Gruber said. Jewish soldiers wanted to celebrate Passover “but it was a wider community” that made it happen, which makes a fascinating parallel to What Joel and the other Jewish soldiers did 161 years ago was a “bright spot and peaceful moment” during a period marked by carnage. 20 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT today, researcher Victoria Tolson explained. Tolson, an administra- tive assistant with Civil War Trails, worked with private collec- tors and members of West Virginia’s Jewish community to unearth details regarding the 1862 seders and Joel. Born in Plymouth, England, on May 27, 1844, Joel enlisted in the Union Army, 23rd Ohio Infantry, on July 7, 1861. Less than two years later, he was discharged on Feb. 9, 1863, “after having sustained eight gunshot wounds, and losing the tips of two fi ngers,” according to documents shared by the Shapell Manuscript Foundation. Joel’s wartime eff orts earned the respect and lifelong friendship of his commanding offi cer, Rutherford B. Hayes. Following the Civil War, the two corresponded extensively. They shared updates about their families and personal health. Hayes called Joel a “dear comrade” and invited him to the Executive Mansion (a precur- sor to the White House). Joel named his son Rutherford B. Hayes Joel. In 1873, Hayes described that honor, by writing, “I am proud of your partiality and shall always regard with great interest the progress of the young gentleman. I shall try to remember him in some substantial way. Let him be as brave and honorable as his father and he will be a credit to his parents and namesake.” Hayes gave Joel and the other Jewish soldiers a reprieve to celebrate Passover. The landsmen, according to Joel’s 1866 writings, hired their Jewish sutler to go to Cincinnati and buy matzah. Hayes: Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress; Cannon: KKStock /iStock/Getty Images; Background: desifoto/DigitalVisionVectors/Getty Images ADAM REINHERZ Popular Graphic Arts Collection, Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress. Washington, DC. feature “About the middle of the morning of Erev Pesach, a supply train arrived in camp, and to our delight seven barrels of Matzos,” Joel wrote. “On opening them, we were surprised and pleased to fi nd that our thoughtful sutler had enclosed two Haggadahs and prayer-books.” The delivery was a start, but to truly mark the holiday the young men needed other supplies. “We held a consultation and decided to send parties to forage in the country while a party stayed to build a log hut for the services,” Joel wrote. The foragers were successful and the soldiers obtained “two kegs of cider, a lamb, several chickens and some eggs. Horseradish or parsley we could not obtain, but in lieu we found a weed, whose bitterness, I apprehend, exceeded anything our forefathers ‘enjoyed.’” The Jewish soldiers had almost all the neces- sary items, but they reached a quandary: “We had the lamb, but did not know what part was to represent it at the table.” Thankfully, “Yankee ingenuity prevailed,” Joel noted, “and it was decided to cook the whole and put it on the table, then we could dine off it, and be sure we had the right part.” The seder plate was virtually in order, but the young men realized they lacked charoset. Despite trying, they couldn’t get the necessary ingredients, so once again, they relied on their Yiddishe kops. “We got a brick which, rather hard to digest, reminded us, by looking at it, for what purpose it was intended,” Joel wrote. The Jewish teen then led his comrades in prayers. The evening went well until the group reached Maror — the portion of the seder in which the bitter herb is eaten — and the “horrors” began. “What a scene ensued in our little congrega- tion, it is impossible for my pen to describe,” Joel wrote. “The herb was very bitter and very fi ery like Cayenne pepper, and excited our thirst to such a degree, that we forgot the law autho- rizing us to drink only four cups, and the conse- quence was we drank up all the cider. Those that drank the more freely became excited, and one thought he was Moses, another Aaron, and one had the audacity to call himself Pharaoh. The consequence was a skirmish, with nobody hurt, only Moses, Aaron and Pharaoh, had to be carried to the camp, and there left in the arms of Morpheus.” The episode was memorable, but not only because of the bitterness and drink. “There, in the wild woods of West Virginia, away from home and friends, we consecrated and off ered up to the ever-loving G-d of Israel our prayers and sacrifi ce,” Joel wrote. “I doubt The Battle of South Mountain, Maryland, on Sunday, Sept. 14, 1862 whether the spirits of our forefathers, had they been looking down on us, standing there with our arms by our side ready for an attack, faithful to our G-d and our cause, would have imagined themselves amongst mortals, enacting this commemoration of the scene that transpired in Egypt.” Part of what makes this seder so incredi- ble, Gruber said, is Joel’s appreciation. The Ohioan went through multiple battles — includ- ing Antietam, which begat the Emancipation Proclamation — and, yet, later in life, returns to this week of Passover as being one of his greatest experiences. “I’ve never seen a Civil War story like this,” Gruber noted. Since 1994, the organization Gruber heads has worked with communities, historians and descendants to place markers and preserve local narratives. “We have over 1,400 Civil War Trails sites,” Gruber said. The soon-to-be dedicated sign in Fayetteville is the “fi rst Civil War Trails site in the nation that lifts up the story of Jewish soldiers. … It’s beautiful.” For Tolson, the tale off ers a diff erent resonance. “There’s not enough about us, to be honest, even though we’ve been here the entire time,” the Jewish Virginian said. “There have been Jewish people in Virginia and West Virginia from the 18th century … so, of course, they would be celebrating a seder during the Civil War.” Tolson credited Jewish Appalachians, like Dr. Joseph Golden of Temple Beth El in Beckley, West Virginia, with preserving and transmitting this account and other local Jewish history. The thing about Joel’s saga is it’s “something a lot of young Jewish people can relate to,” Tolson said. Joel and his fellow Ohioans were basically teens who found themselves far from their Cincinnati homes. The wider community provides some Passover items, but much of the holiday’s observance is fashioned by the young people themselves. The soldiers make mistakes about which herb to eat and where the shank bone is located on a lamb, she said, “but they’re in the spirit.” For Tolson, the members of the 23rd Ohio regiment represent a truth that bears repeat- ing: “We’ve been able to keep our traditions and be part of a wider community.” Passover is predicated on leaving Egypt and ending a life of servitude, Tolson said. Millenia later, a band of Jewish soldiers fought to end slavery in the wilds of West Virginia. These young men created a connection to each other, to an extended Jewish community and to their non-Jewish commanding offi cer. “I think that’s something we can all kind of learn from,” she said. ■ Adam Reinherz is a staff writer with the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, an affi liated publication. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 21 Mazel Tov! 5 Tips to Enhance Your Wedding Decor W Family Features AlexanderFord / istock / gettyimages.com edding days are meant to be fi lled with love and celebration, and what better way to ring in the new stage of life as newlyweds than with a well-decorated venue to match the joyous occasion? Whether a couple is on a tight budget or picky when it comes to theme ideas, these decorating tips can help add more fl air for the big day. Reserve now for an amazing celebration! Philadelphia’s most breathtaking Ballrooms, Grand Lobby and Guest Rooms. Let our Specialists create an Event that you and your guests will remember forever. Weddings • Mitzvahs • Special Events Randy Schaller 267.969.3001 Catering Sales HiltonPhiladelphiaCityAve.com Glatt Kosher available on premises. Philadelphia City Avenue 4200 City Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131 22 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Use a natural venue. an eye-catching atmosphere to remember. Many couples choose wedding venues that require immense amounts of decorations, but a venue with organic scenery or a beautiful view can help alleviate the stress. Consider having the ceremony near a garden or beach with enough natural surroundings to keep guests in awe. Add classic lighting. At times, finding the right lighting to match the mood of a wedding venue can be tricky. In this case, less may actually be more. Try opting for a classic candlelit cer- emony or reception to create a more romantic setting. This can save both money and countless hours spent attempting to config- ure elaborate light fixtures, and also provide a timeless feel. Make the cake a centerpiece. Katy / Adobestock Wedding cakes are almost guar- anteed to be filled with flavor, but they can also serve as a deco- rative centerpiece for the recep- tion. Choosing a cake topped with flowers, highlighting bright colors and placing it in a prominent spot at the reception can grab guests’ attention while also keeping them eager for a bite. Choose table accessories that pop. Leave guests in amazement as they make their way to their seats for the Place engagement photos around the venue. reception with beautifully decorated tables. Table accessories can be any- thing ranging from patterned table run- ners to flowers in full-bloom placed in simple, elegant vases. If you are not having a formal sit-down recep- tion, try using paper lanterns or hang- ing flowers from the ceiling to create With any wedding, you want the day to feel personal and intimate for the couple and guests alike. Consider decorating the venue with engagement photos of the soon-to-be spouses as they popped the question. This can allow the newlyweds to reminisce while guests view those cherished moments and revel in the occasion. ■ JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 23 Mazel Tov! Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebrations Ellen Braunstein A The Drossner Family 24 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Micah Topche celebrates with his grandparents Gary and Randi Topche Jay Gorodetzer Photography nything and everything goes these days for bar and bat mitzvah parties, planners say. The common thread is creating an event that’s personalized, unique and memorable. Micah Topche’s family of Center City rented a gymnasium at Total Turf Experience in Pitman, New Jersey, for a party for the adults and teens. Micah played competitive soccer for years and wanted to just play sports – basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball and more — with his 85 friends at his bar mitzvah celebration. His mother, Elle, put together an event on March 18 that was fun and casual for his friends and the adult guests. “They’re a super sporting family,” said Li Halpern of Li Halpern Events of Philadelphia, who helped Elle Topche plan the celebration. “The kids moved from court to court playing diff erent sports.” Adults enjoyed cocktails and appetiz- ers and spent the last two hours of the party having dinner and dancing. The dress was casual, “sporty chic,” according to the invitation, and no heels that would scuff up the gym fl oor. Elle Topche wore a black sequined jogger suit and pink sneakers. “Micah said he wanted a party that refl ected him,” she said. “The week before, we were at a music theater,” Halpern said of her clients. “The week before that, we were in a building that doubles as a Photo by Jeremy Messler Anything Goes wrestling stadium.” She added: “The trend right now is not to follow trends and to be as untra- ditional as people want to be and have a great time celebrating with friends and family.” As for a move to more casual affairs, Halpern doesn’t see it. “More personal is the case.” Food stations over a seated dinner are for those wanting a more casual party. “People are trying to get more of a fun party vibe than the traditional party,” said Hila Shiff of the Party Artist in Philadelphia. “We’re doing a lot of alternative seating and open parties where the kids and adults are eating from the same buffets,” said Janet Silver of Philadelphia Event Decor. “Today’s kids have a little bit of a more mature pallet than they once had. So, they don’t just want chicken fingers and French fries. They are happy with lamb chops and sushi.” Dessert bars are common with minia- ture servings. “Anything from cotton candy to cake pops to brownie bites, anything that doesn’t stop the dancing where people have to sit down and eat it. Even the mitzvah celebration cake is disap- pearing,” said Valerie Felgoise of Let’s Party by Valerie. The mitzvah candle-lighting ceremony is kept shorter, Halpern said, so it stays, not dull, but an emotional and unforgettable moment. “Families are opting out of the full 13 candles,” Halpern said. I’ve had clients do as few as three, like a past, present and future candle.” Another trend planners are seeing is the creation of a bar/bat mitzvah teen’s logo and its use in the decor and lots of favors and event swag. For Lyla Bronstein, the letters L and Y played on a peace sign. She also used a designed image of a VW hippie bus for her February 2020 party. Robyn Platoni at Chick Invitations & Design brought the whole vision to life. The message was “Live the LYfe You Love.” “Lyla is a very free-spirited girl, so that is where that came from,” said her mother, Christie Bronstein, who now lives in Vermont. After the services at Temple Adath Emanuel, the family and guests partied at SPIN Philadelphia, a Ping-Pong club. The favors, ranging from T-shirts to hoodies to pajama bottoms and winter caps – all branded with Lyla’s logo – hung in a gift shop near the exit at SPIN. “Swag and logos have become more popular than in the past. Instead of just one favor, they’re giving away a lot of swag; it’s New York-style giving,” Felgoise said. “The giveaways come at the end of the night, and they are becoming a big deal,” Silver said. “We set it up like a whole retail store, and they get a bag and get to pick one from this wall and one from that wall, as many as they want.” The photo booth is still popular, but what’s new are TikTok booths where videos are made and uploaded to the social media app. Some families are still COVID cautious and opt for a tent, making sure there’s fresh air and space for people to move around in, Halpern said. “People love a good party in a tent.” “There is still a lot of charm to tent parties in a beautiful backyard,” Felgoise said. “They are lovely and warm and inviting.” The pandemic created a pent-up demand for people to gather with friends and family, Halpern said. “They are looking for good causes to celebrate.” A spectacular party took a backseat to her daughter Lyla’s ceremony at the synagogue, Bronstein said. “The party was cool, super fun, super well done, but the main event, her actual bat mitzvah, was amazing. She did a beautiful job.” ■ Celebrating years Making Women Look & Feel Beautiful! . Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-6 JUSTA FARM SHOPPING CENTER 1966 County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA A 19006 215-969-9626 • HOT-FOOT-BOUTIQUE.SHOPTIQUES.COM Goldstein 's Men 's & Boys ' Apparel We're here to celebrate all your Simchas Ellen Braunstein is a freelance writer. Photo by BWK Photogrpahy Photo by Calvin Klein Photo by Tallia Orange Family owned and operated for 120 years Family owned and operated for Wedding 116 Party years Group Discounts: Same price as rentals, and you get to keep the outfit! Since 1902 Visit us at: Now carrying shoes Major Credit Cards 2537 S Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 215-468-0564 M, M, T, TU, Th, TH, F, FR Sa 10am–5pm, 10-5:30; W WED 10-7:30 • ALTERATIONS 10am–6pm, SAT 10am–4pm, AVAILABLE SUN closed Please call for an appointment www.goldsteinsclothing.com • ALTERATIONS AVAILABLE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 25 passover Faygie Holt | JNS.org A Met Council CEO David Greenfi eld loads a box of kosher-for-Passover food items into a recipient’s car in 2022. Join us for 1 or both community B"H PASSOVER SEDERS $25 per person, $18 for students B’nai Abraham Chabad 527 Lombard Street, Philadelphia Experience the liberation and the freedom of Passover. Discover the seder’s relevance to our lives today. חמשו רשכ Family גח - The Rothenberg - The Rothenberg Family R - The www.phillyshul.com/events • 215-238-2100 חמשו רשכ גח ח ג כ ש ר ו ש מ ly i ח m a F h ot enberg 7:45 PM Wednesday, April 5 • Thursday, April 6 ח ג פ ו ר י ם ly i m ש a חמ g F woman pushed her shopping cart down an aisle fi lled with Passover foods in a supermarket in northern New Jersey. She lifted a box of kosher-for- Passover soup mandle off the shelf and started to stack it with the rest of her groceries. Then she noticed the price tag. “Five dollars for this?” she murmured aloud as she returned the container to the shelf. “Food costs are high everywhere,” chimed in a nearby fellow shopper. This exchange in a supermarket that stocks a good number of kosher- for-Passover items is indicative of the challenging fi scal environment facing consumers and shop owners in the countdown to the holiday, which this year starts at sundown on April 5. “It is more expensive this year than at any other time in our lifetimes, and that’s when you adjust for infl ation and every- thing else,” said David G. Greenfi eld, CEO of Met Council, a New York-based Jewish charity. “It’s a wonderful holiday, but it’s bringing a lot of people stress this year, and what we are trying to do is blunt that stress.” Menachem Lubinsky, founder of Kosher Today and the annual Kosherfest conference for the food industry, cites several factors for the high costs, includ- ing supply-chain concerns and higher (800) 624-8888 P P H H I L I L A A D D E E L L P P H H I A I A | | L L A A K K E E W W O O O O D D | | M M A A N N H H A A T T T A A N N B B R R O O O O K K L Y L Y N N | | H H A A C C K K E E N N S S A A C C K K | | M M O O N N S S E E Y Y | | C C H H E E R R R Y Y H H I L I L L 26 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Courtesy of Met Council Jewish Shoppers Struggle With Highest Prices in Recent Memory for Passover Food PASSOVER TR ADITIONS (Where Available, While Supplies Last) Passover Specials SAVE $2.50 LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY 6 $ 99 Sale Price: DIGITAL COUPON - 5 $ 00 OFF FINAL PRICE One (1) 5-lb. Box Imported Matzos 1 with Digital Coupon $ 99 • Yehuda • Osem • ShopRite • Aviv Excluding Whole Wheat (Where Available, While Supplies Last) ea. 8 (Frozen) 20-oz. cont., Low Sugar, Sweet, White Pike (Excluding Salmon) - 5 $ 00 OFF FINAL PRICE One (1) 5-lb. Box Domestic Matzos 3 5 $ 99 with Digital Coupon $ 99 • Streit’s • Horowitz • Manischewitz (Where Available, While Supplies Last) Limit 1 LIMIT 4 DIGITAL COUPON ea. Manischewitz Gefilte Fish Limit 1 LIMIT 4 24-oz. jar (Excluding Gold Label and White & Pike) Assorted Varieties MATZO DIGITAL SAVINGS WITH PRICE PLUS® CARD & ADDITIONAL PURCHASE OF $75.00 OR MORE (EXCLUDING FUEL & ITEMS PROHIBITED BY LAW). LIMIT ONE PER FAMILY. 2 99 $ LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY FOR Breakstone’s Whipped Butter 1 9 99 1 $ LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY Golden Blossom Honey Kosher For Passover Tray Wrapped Atlantic Salmon Fillet Empire Leg Quarters Fresh, With Back Attached, Glatt Kosher, Never Administered (Seafood) Fresh, Farm Raised, BAP 4-Star Certified, Never Frozen 6 $ 3 LIMIT 4 Gefen Crispy-O’s Cereal 3 Bowl & Basket Seltzer 1-Liter btl. (Plus Dep. or Fee Where Req.) Any Variety 3 SAVE 50¢ LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY Manischewitz or Streit’s Cake Mix 11.5 to 14-oz. box (Excluding Gluten Free & Blueberry Bran Muffin) Any Variety, Muffin or Cake 4 2 $ FOR (Produce) Bunch (Produce) Bunch, Plain or Curly 1 $ 99 Organic ea. ea. Fresh Leeks Fresh Parsley 2 $ 99 2 $ 49 (Produce) Bunch 3 $ 49 Streit’s Egg Matzos 1 $ 99 Yahrzeit Memorial Lamp Candle Holiday Candies Dark Chocolate Coated Matzoh 32-oz. carton 2 $ FOR LIMIT 4 OFFERS 2.6-oz., Star WHEN YOU BUY 2 ea. Fresh Dill ShopRite Kosher Chicken Broth Less or additional items will scan at 99¢ each. 3 $ 99 ea. 25.4-oz. btl. (Plus Dep. or Fee Where Req.) Any Variety $ 99 3.5-oz. pkg. 99 ¢ Kedem Sparkling Juice 5.5 to 6.6-oz. box, Assorted Varieties 5 $ Ba-Tampte Pickles 4 99 $ Organic ea. (Appy) 4-oz., Imported from Norway $ 99 FOR Galil Organic Roasted Chestnuts (Dairy) 32-fl. oz. jar, Half Sour, Sauerkraut or lb. ShopRite Trading Company Smoked Salmon (Meat) Fresh, Glatt Kosher 1 LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY FI NAL PRI C E $ lb. 2 $ 79 SAVE 50¢ 8 99 $ Limit 4-lbs. WHEN YOU BUY $10.99 lb. -$2.00 lb. SALE PRICE 6 99 99 Empire Kosher Boneless Chicken Breast (Meat) Fresh, 16-oz. pkg., Glatt Kosher 3 $ 99 8-oz. box, Any Variety 2 Empire Kosher Ground Turkey Less or additional items will scan at $1.69 each. Manischewitz Tam Tams Snack Crackers (Dairy) 6-oz. jar, Any Variety $ 49 lb. 4 49 12-oz. pkg. 2 LIMIT 4 PER VARIETY 24-oz. btl., Kosher for Passover $ WHEN YOU BUY $ 49 Gold’s Horseradish LIMIT 4 1 to 2.8-oz. jar, Garlic Powder, Oregano, Thyme or Turmeric Streit’s Matzo Ball & Soup Mix 3 $ 99 SAVE $1.50 Lieber’s Spices FOR 64-oz. btl., Any Variety Less or additional items will scan at $4.49 each. 3 2 $ LIMIT 4 OFFERS Kedem Grape Juice (Dairy) 8-oz. cont., Any Variety (Excluding Organic) $ 99 7 2 $ LIMIT 4 OFFERS 7 A&B Gefilte FIsh $ 99 Sale Price: $ 49 12-oz. pkg. 3 7-oz. pkg., Milk or Dark Chocolate Coated Egg Matzoh or Dark Chocolate Coated Matzoh 4 99 $ lb. Horseradish with Tops (Produce) Fresh 2 79 $ Manischewitz Matzo Meal 16-oz. canister (Excluding Whole Grain) Cake or Matzo 3 $ 99 SAVE 50¢ LIMIT 4 Temp Tee Cream Cheese (Dairy) 8-oz. cont., Whipped Prices, programs and promotions effective Sun., April 2 thru Sat., April 8, 2023 in ShopRite ® Stores in PA and in New Jersey, Trenton and South (excluding E. Windsor and Montgomery Twp., NJ). Sunday sales subject to local blue laws. No sales made to other retailers or wholesalers. We reserve the right to limit purchases of any sale item to four (4) purchases, per item, per household, per day, except where otherwise noted. Minimum or additional purchase requirements noted for any advertised item exclude the purchase of prescription medications, gift cards, postage stamps, money orders, money transfers, lottery tickets, bus tickets, fuel and Metro passes, as well as milk, cigarettes, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or any other items prohibited by law. Only one manufacturer coupon may be used per item and we reserve the right to limit manufacturer coupon redemptions to four (4) identical coupons per household per day, unless otherwise noted or further restricted by manufacturer. Sales tax is applied to the net retail of any discounted item or any ShopRite ® coupon item. We are required by law to charge sales tax on the full price of any item or any portion of an item that is discounted with the use of a manufacturer coupon or a manufacturer sponsored (or funded) Price Plus ® club card discount. Not responsible for typographical errors. Artwork does not necessarily represent items on sale; it is for display purposes only. Copyright© Wakefern Food Corp., 2023. All rights reserved. Digital Coupon savings can be loaded to your Price Plus ® club card IN STORE at the service desk, kiosk or contact 1-800-ShopRite. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 27 passover any time. We try to keep our costs as low as possible despite infl ation.” ‘Salaries not rising with food cost’ Liza Wiemer of Wisconsin has seen the impact of the higher prices as she’s started preparing for the holiday. “I spent $1,000 at Jewel-Osco — almost all of it for Pesach — and that was keeping in mind that only our eldest son, his wife and their newborn baby would be joining us,” she said. “It’s a lot of money, but I’m resigned to the fact that this is what it costs.” While she found some of the needed items on sale, “there were certain items I didn’t purchase because it seemed too extravagant,” she said. “Pesach or not, there is no doubt a lot of the staples I use rose in price.” For those already struggling to meet the general increase in food prices this year, holiday costs, which are always higher, create an even greater challenge. Rachel Krich, executive director of Project Ezrah, an organization in north- ern New Jersey that helps families in Alexander Rapaport, executive director of Masbia, shows off some of the chickens procured for Passover. crisis, has already received requests for help with buying items for the holiday. “There’s a lot of general anxiety going into Pesach this year,” Krich said. “People are saying they are in serious fi nancial situations, and their regular food budget simply will not cut it. If you budget X for your regular food budget, Pesach is 2 times X. It just knocks people out because salaries are not rising with the increasing food costs.” Project Ezrah provided 25 families with funds last year to help them with Passover food costs. This year, the Celebrate Passover with a Gift that Inspires the Next 75 Years of Freedom and Independence INVEST IN ISRAEL BONDS To invest 215.545.8380 or email us by scanning the QR code IS RA E L @ 75 28 Follow us on social @israelbonds MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Development Corporation for Israel Ari Sirner, Executive Director David Kadosh, Registered Representative Sharon Richman, Registered Representative 1511 Walnut Street, #301• Philadelphia, PA 19102 philadelphia@israelbonds.com • 215.545.8380 This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing to fully evaluate the risks associated with investing in Israel bonds. Issues subject to availability. Member FINRA. Courtesy of Masbia. costs of basic staples at a time of infl a- tion in the United States. According to the February Consumer Price Index, food prices rose 0.4% last month and 9.5% from the year before. Passover staples like potatoes and eggs are also markedly higher this year than last. The CPI found that potato costs were averaging 13.5% higher than in February 2022, while the price of eggs remains extremely high — more than 55% higher this year to date — although the price is down somewhat from January when the actual costs were, in some cases, $6 a dozen. Chicken and meat costs are also up nearly 4%. “The direct consumer impact is highest on foods that most people are buying for Pesach; for example, eggs are up, depending on where you live, 50-70%, and that’s a pretty important Pesach staple,” Greenfi eld said. Those costs are being felt by manufac- turers as well. As Shani Seidman, chief marketing officer at Manischewitz explained, “Infl ation impacts all food costs, whether it is during Passover or at Happy Passover 8 99 p Fresh Kosher Boneless Chicken Breast Fillets lb p Fresh Kosher Cut Up Chicken Fryers 3 99 lb 3 99 p Fresh Kosher Whole Broiler Chickens lb We have a selection of Kosher for Passover cakes and cookies made by Molly’s Bakehouse. Gunter’s Honey 12 oz 2 49 Savion Fruit Slices 6 oz 2 99 Rokeach & Yehuda Gefilte Fish 24 oz 5 2 for Osem 6 99 Kedem Concord $ Grape Juice 64 oz Bamba Peanut Snacks 7 oz 4 99 EARN TODAY! REDEEM MAR 23 - APR 13 2 for Manischewitz Potato Pancake Mix 6 oz 5 $ weismarkets.com Manischewitz Matzo Ball Mix 5 oz 1 49 Haddar Kosher Salt 16 oz 2 49 Yehuda Passover Matzos 5 lb We reserve the right to limit quantities. • Not responsible for typographical or pictorial errors. Products may not be available in all stores. FREE with 100 POINTS prices effective through 04/12/23 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 29 passover Happy Passover from our Happy Passover from our our Happy family Passover from to yours family to yours to yours Happy family Passover from our family to yours organization has already had “30 appli- cants, and we haven’t even advertised the program yet.” ‘Our job is to make sure that people have food’ Alexander Rapaport, executive direc- tor of Masbia, a kosher food pantry that serves meals to people in parts of Brooklyn and Queens, New York — New York City being the epicenter of kosher food in the United States, though similar trends take place in major urban markets throughout the country — estimates that his organization will spend nearly $1.5 million to feed at least 10,000 families. “Our job is to make sure that people have food,” he said. “We need to get the most volume so it results in more people being fed.” Exceeding the funeral and pre-planning needs Exceeding the funeral for and of the community more pre-planning than 140 years. needs Those calculations may impact what Exceeding the funeral for and more pre-planning needs of the community than 140 years. Masbia can off er as part of its boxed food the funeral pre-planning of Exceeding the community for and more than 140 needs years. deliveries. Last year, Rapaport placed an 800-622-6410 of the 215-927-5800 community for more than 140 years. order for chicken in December, well in For deaf and hard of hearing 267-331-4243 (Sorenson VP) 215-927-5800 800-622-6410 advance of Passover to get the best 215-927-5800 800-622-6410 For deaf and hard of hearing 267-331-4243 (Sorenson VP) 215-927-5800 800-622-6410 prices. However, when he contacted For For deaf deaf and and hard of hearing 267-331-4243 (Sorenson VP) hard of hearing 267-331-4243 (Sorenson VP) suppliers this time around, either no one ROTH-GOLDSTEINS' PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN NORTH had it or the price was too high. MEMORIAL CHAPEL CHAPEL CHAPEL For a while it looked like Masbia would Stephen Collins, NJ Mgr. Lic No. 3355 Carl Goldstein, Supervisor Bruce Goldstein, Supervisor ROTH-GOLDSTEINS' PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN NORTH 116 Pacific Ave 6410 N. Broad Street 310 2nd Street NORTH Pike ROTH-GOLDSTEINS' PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN not be able to off er chicken, but last ROTH-GOLDSTEINS' PHILADELPHIA MEMORIAL SUBURBAN NORTH CHAPEL CHAPEL Atlantic City, CHAPEL NJ 08401 CHAPEL Philadelphia, Southampton, MEMORIAL CHAPEL PA 19126 CHAPEL PA 18966 week he got a good deal on poultry from MEMORIAL CHAPEL Supervisor Stephen Collins, Mgr. Lic No. 3355 Carl Goldstein, Supervisor Supervisor Stephen Collins, NJ Mgr. NJ Lic CHAPEL No. 3355 Carl CHAPEL Goldstein, Supervisor Bruce Bruce Goldstein, Goldstein, Stephen Collins, NJ Mgr. Lic No. 3355 Carl 6410 Goldstein, Supervisor Bruce Goldstein, Supervisor Mesorah Farms and was able to secure 116 Pacific N. 6410 Broad Street Street 310 310 2nd Pike 116 Pacific Ave Ave N. Broad 2nd Street Street Pike 116 City, Pacific 6410 N. Philadelphia, Broad PA Street 310 2nd Street PA PA Pike Atlantic NJ City, 08401 Ave Atlantic NJ 08401 PA 19126 Southampton, 18966 Philadelphia, 19126 Southampton, 18966 a tractor-trailer’s worth to feed families Atlantic City, NJ 08401 Philadelphia, PA 19126 Southampton, PA 18966 in need. As of now, eggs are still off the menu; however, Rapaport is hopeful that closer to the start of Passover, they will Caring. Committed. Compassionate. get a good deal at the last minute. Met Council, which will provide kosher- Caring. Committed. Compassionate. for-Passover food for more than 225,000 Caring. Committed. Compassionate. people through 200 distribution sites in Caring. Committed. Compassionate. New York and New Jersey, was able to secure a gift of $500,000 worth of eggs from Deb El Foods. The gift comes as the overall donations to the organiza- tion’s Passover campaign are down. “When people have less to spend, they diamonds, gold, watches, silver, coins, and estate jewelry. will give less to charity,” said Greenfi eld, noting that donations are down about We have been buying in the Delaware Valley for over 44 years 10% or about $1 million less than last and we pay more because we know the value of year while stomaching a 13% increase in your diamonds & jewelry. wholesale food costs. The net result is that while they are Meet us at our office (appointments preferred) or we will come to you: feeding more people, they will have fewer items to give out. “We won’t turn Katz Imports anyone away, we won’t stop giving, and 723 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 we will make sure our pantries are full,” 215-238-0197 he said. Howard’s cell: 215-850-6405 While some believe that prices are Diamondpaige2@hotmail.com GoldsteinsFuneral.com GoldsteinsFuneral.com GoldsteinsFuneral.com GoldsteinsFuneral.com Todd, Howard, and Zachary Katz, want to BUY your: 30 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT artifi cially infl ated at Passover — by far the most expensive Jewish holiday cost-wise when it comes to food — to the tune of more than $2 billion in sales, Lubinsky said that is not the case. “Ninety percent of retailers go out of their way to keep their prices down because they are dealing with loyal consumers who shop their store all year round,” he said. “I even know stores that don’t pass on the whole increase to their consumers.” ‘There is a ton of waste’ If that’s the case, then why does Passover food cost more, even if anecdotally? Lubinsky named several reasons. One, some factories need to shut down a production line to accommodate changes in how items are made for Passover, which raises costs. In other cases, a manufacturer may need to hire additional delivery trucks or arrange for more kosher supervisors to handle the increased demand for Passover food. Those who make it a point to eat round, handmade shmurah matzah (specially “guarded” to make sure that no fermen- tation has occurred during the milling, making and baking process) during the holiday are being further challenged by the closure of one of the major suppliers, the Brooklyn-based Shatzer Matzos. Krich has noticed the higher cost of shmurah matzah. While she can fi nd it in most stores in her New Jersey neighbor- hood for about $20 a pound, her family in Los Angeles can’t fi nd it for under $40. Regardless of where people live or how much money they put aside for holiday purchases, the key to spending less on Passover starts with a budget, said Stacey Zhiren, a fi nancial planner and lay leader for Living Smarter Jewish, a division of the Orthodox Union. “Then create a list and have a menu. Don’t go shopping just to browse and pick up things that ‘look good,’” she advised. “Get everyone involved in planning the meals. If you are having guests and they say, ‘What can I bring?’ it’s OK to ask them to contribute a side dish or fruit plate.” On Passover, Zhiren noted, “there is a ton of waste. We buy too much, we cook too much. The answer isn’t to not buy meat or chicken, it’s to buy only what you need and know what are the ‘extras.’” ■ Paid advertisement 3.20.2023 Arthur Dantchik, Kohelet's funder Neither you nor your children will bear the consequences for the disastrous agenda you're promoting in our country. GET YOUR HANDS OFF OUR DEMOCRACY! Sincerely yours, the People of Israel israelisfordemocracy2023@gmail.com | +1 917-270-6182 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 31 passover This Passover Season, Ethel G. Hofman | JNS.org P assover is just a week away; there are signs of it everywhere. Kosher- for-Passover products are prominently displayed in major supermarkets. This year, traditional dishes can be flavored and spiked with never-be- fore-available kosher-for-Passover dried spices and herbs. Many of them, such as za’atar, shawarma and hawaij, are combination spices — three or more in one. Although labels may state soup seasoning or meatball spice, these combos add zing to other dishes. While the hawaij label states soup seasoning, it’s a blend of cumin, coriander, turmeric 32 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT and cardamom. Besides soups, use it as a rub for chicken or in stews and fish dishes, or even sprinkled over roasted vegetables. On the eve of April 5 (the 14th day of Nissan), Jews all over the world will gather for the first seder. Besides reading the Haggadah, which retells the story of the Exodus from Egypt; singing songs and search- ing for the afikomen, the festive meal is the highlight of the evening’s proceedings. The entire eight-day celebration in the Jewish Diaspora revolves around the prohibition of chametz, leavened foods. Originally, in the Ashkenazi community in Eastern Europe, only Za’atar and other spices five grains were considered chametz: wheat, barley, spelt, rye and oats. Post-Talmudic authorities added rice and legumes, such as peas and beans. But for Sephardim living in Spain, Portugal and North Africa, the main foods available were rice and legumes, so contemporary Sephardic Jews eat both during Passover. Charoset, essential on the seder plate, is symbolic of the mortar the Jews worked with during their seemingly Pixabay Stress the Seasonings endless years of slavery. Ashkenazi- style, the mixture is mainly apples and nuts. For Sephardim, there’s nary an apple in sight. Ingredients are exotic, using fruits and spices that grew abundantly in the Mediterranean area and Africa (recipe below). Sephardic eggs are slow-cooked so that whites become a creamy brown color. Besides the traditional brisket, serve fish (in this case, easily available floun- der) seasoned with za’atar and lemon, JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 33 passover and then baked on a bed of cherry tomatoes, celery and onions. Roasted vegetables are drizzled with date tahini and a sesame paste to become mellower. All ingredients are kosher for Passover. Chag Pesach Sameach! Sephardic Eggs | Pareve Makes 12 You may use a crockpot. Cover the eggs with at least 2 inches of water. Eggs are pasteurized by cooking at 140 degrees for 30 minutes starting off at high. After 1 hour, reduce the heat to low. Cook for 4 hours longer. After the eggs have cooked for 3 hours, gently tap the shells with a spoon to show the marbling color on the egg whites. Brown skins of 2-3 onions 12 eggs in shells 1 teaspoon instant coffee 2 teaspoons turmeric Spread the onion skins over the bottom of a large pot. Gently place the 34 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT eggs on top. Sprinkle the coffee and turmeric over top. Pour enough lukewarm water over to cover the eggs by at least 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to a slow boil. Cook for 1 hour. Reduce the heat to simmer. Cook for at least 3 hours. (The water may evaporate, so add more warm water as needed.) Serve at room temperature, arranged on drained onion skins. Moroccan Charoset Truffles | Pareve Makes 12-15 You may substitute allspice — a combination of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg — for Moroccan spice. You may substitute dried cranberries for expensive dried cherries. Place each truffle in paper candy cups. 14 pitted dates 1 cup dried apricots, halved ½ cup pitted dried cherries ¼ cup walnuts 1 seedless mandarin orange, peeled and cut into chunks 1 teaspoon Moroccan spice 2 tablespoons sweet wine 2 tablespoons honey or to taste ⅓ cup ground almonds In a food processor, place the dates, apricots, cherries, walnuts, orange and Moroccan spice. Pulse to chop coarsely. Add the wine and honey. Pulse to process it to a coarse paste. Chill for 1 to 2 hours. Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Roll them in the ground almonds. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Flounder Roll-Ups on Braised Vegetables | Pareve Serves 6 Tilapia fillets or other flat white fish may be used. Za’atar is a mixture of herbs that includes toasted sesame seeds and sumac. 3 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided ribs celery, sliced about ¼-inch thick 1 medium onion, sliced thinly 2 pints cherry tomatoes 1½ teaspoons cumin 3 (about 2½ pounds) flounder fillets Za’atar to sprinkle Salt and freshly ground pepper 6 thin lemon wedges Olive oil Dried parsley Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or pot. Add the celery, onion and tomatoes. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the tomatoes are beginning to soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large (9-inch-by-13-inch) baking dish. Sprinkle it with cumin. Set it aside. Cut the flounder fillets in half length- wise. Lightly sprinkle each half with za’atar, salt and pepper. Top them with © 2022 Lactalis Heritage Brands A Passover Tradition Since 1882 KOSHER FOR PASSOVER JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 35 passover a lemon wedge. Roll up each fi llet beginning at the thin end. Place them on top of the tomato mixture. Brush them with olive oil and sprinkle them with parsley. Bake them in a preheated oven for 20 minutes until the fl ounder begins to brown and has lost its opaque appearance. Serve hot. Golden Veggie Kugel | Pareve Serves 8-10 Use store-bought grated carrots in a bag. Chop the apples and potatoes in a food processor. ½ cup matzah meal Scant ½ cup sugar 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon ginger ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon red pepper fl akes 2 large apples, unpeeled, coarsely chopped 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped large baking potato, peeled and coarsely chopped ½ cup grated carrots 1 cup golden raisins 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed Grated zest and juice of 1 large lemon 1 stick (8 ounces) margarine, melted 1 Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick vegetable baking spray. In a large bowl, combine the matzah meal, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, salt and red pepper fl akes. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake it in your preheated oven until fi rm and nicely browned, about 1 to 1¼ hours. If browning occurs too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil. Cool slightly, cut it into squares and serve it warm. Roasted Broccoli and Squash Drizzled with Date Tahini | Pareve Serves 6-8 Use store-bought broccoli fl orets and cubed squash. Roast the broccoli and squash separately to tenderize. Heat through in your microwave before serving if needed. For the date tahini: 4 pitted dates Hot water to cover ¼ cup tahini 1 teaspoon sumac Water as needed **** 1 bag (12-14 ounces) broccoli fl orets 2 boxes (12 ounces each) of cubed squash 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided Salt and freshly ground pepper To prepare the date tahini, place the dates in a cup, and cover them May the story of our freedom inspire you to rejoice in the spirit of community. Happy Passover 36 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT with hot water. Let them stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften. Transfer the date and water mixture to a blender or food processor. Add the tahini, sumac and ¼ cup water. Pulse 3 to 4 times to chop the dates fi nely. Pour them into a bowl. Add enough water to make a pouring consistency. Set aside. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread it on a baking sheet. Roast the broccoli in a preheated oven for 20 minutes or until it’s begin- ning to brown. Set it aside. Repeat this process with the squash. Roast it in a preheated oven for 20 minutes or until it’s beginning to brown and is tender when pierced with a sharp knife. Arrange the broccoli and squash in a serving dish. Drizzle it with the date tahini and serve. ■ Ethel G. Hofman is an American Jewish food and travel columnist, author and culinary consultant. passover Pass over Gree ti ngs! Best Wishes to all for a Happy Passover Warm Passover Greetings From Margie & Joe Handler Best Wishes Warm Passover Greetings From Joel & Madelyn Mickelberg Best Wishes to all for a Happy Passover to all for a Happy Passover Best Wishes to Family, Friends, and Clients. Maxine Greenberg Realtor BHHS Fox & Roach Tehrani Brothers Bryn Mawr Rug Co. In Memory Of My Husband John Happy Passover Carol Evans Susan Goodman In Memory Of My Beloved Husband, Dave Warm Passover Warm Passover Greetings From Greetings From Hinda & Harvey Goldberg Mina Smith-Segal A SWEET & JOYOUS Passover Officers and Members of Charles Freedman Post #706 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 37 synagogue spotlight Jarrad Saff ren | Staff Writer I n 2011, Congregation Or Shalom built a new education building. The Berwyn synagogue had almost 200 members in its congregation and nearly 100 kids in its Hebrew school. Alan Daroff , a synagogue founder in 1974, called that moment the “peak” of Or Shalom’s congrega- tional life. Twelve years later, the Conservative synagogue is down to 75 members. As Miriam Leshem, Or Shalom’s director of education, explained, “Our children waited to have children later and didn’t move back to the area. Back in the old days, people got married younger. Most of it is demographics.” And, as Daroff added, the children of Or Shalom members often choose Orthodox and Reform congregations over Conservative communities. Daroff ’s own children belong to Chabad and Reform synagogues. Attracting young people is one challenge. Keeping old members is another. “A number of our members, who have been members for years, have either died or moved out of the area. Even me. I’m in Florida looking at the beach,” said Daroff , who only lives in Chester County for half the year. But for Daroff , Leshem and others, there are still reasons to stay. Daroff served as the rabbi in 1974 and ’75, before the synagogue hired one. He’s been the president. He’s headed the ritual committee. He’s in his second stint as treasurer right now. Even from Florida, Daroff participates in services via Zoom. And when he’s back in Pennsylvania, the longtime member attends the community’s once-a-month Shabbat dinners. “I’ve been there for so long, it’s home,” he said. Leshem stays because she’s committed to the religious school students and their parents. She has spent more than a decade helping to build the kids into future prayer leaders and synagogue members. She said she wants them to grow into proud Jews. The director of education also appre- ciates that Or Shalom members are serious Jews. Many can read Torah and run a minyan. “It’s spiritually uplifting,” she said. Other congregants agree. Close to 30 are planning on attending a community seder for Passover in April, according to Daroff . Those once-a-month Shabbat dinners draw between 38 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT Congregation Or Shalom members Synagogue members enjoy an activity together. 20 and 30 people. In December, 50 members attended. And for Purim, 36 showed up. Janet Emanuel, 76, has been a congregant for 40 years. When she fi rst walked in, she made friends, and that’s why she still walks in today. Emanuel’s daughter and granddaughter also live nearby, and the grandmother has taken her granddaughter to services for years. When it came time for the young girl to enroll in religious school, Or Shalom was there. “It’s the people,” Emanuel said. Julie LaFair Miller, a congregant for 42 years, joined when she moved to Chester County with her husband. Their son and daughter attended religious school and had b’nai mitzvahs at Or Shalom. The parents made their “dearest friends” at the synagogue, said LaFair Miller. Today, the couple lives in Center City but still travels 30 minutes to Berwyn for congregational life. “We were there for Purim. I’ll be there next week,” LaFair Miller said. Allon Bloch and his family are in a diff erent situation. Bloch is 40. Two of his kids are in religious school. He admitted that it was “a little awkward” to be one of the only young families in the congregation. But the Malvern resident said that, “As long as we’re in the area, I would expect to be part of that community.” “As long as we’re in the area.” It’s a nice senti- ment. But it also seems like too few people are in the area these days. Emanuel mentioned that several of her synagogue friends no longer live in Chester County. They reside in Nevada and Florida, with no lingering family connection to Berwyn. Leshem said that the children “move away after college.” Or Shalom is making some of the same attempts that other Philadelphia area synagogues make to attract young people. The once-a-month Shabbat dinners. The Men’s Club’s recent bowling night. The Sunday morning yoga classes at the synagogue. The game nights, music programs, plays, arts and crafts classes and cooking classes. But there is no easy answer for demographic change. “The numbers are either there or they’re not there,” Leshem said. “We’re doing what we can.” ■ jsaff ren@midatlanticmedia.com Photos by Julie LaFair Miller Berwyn Synagogue Struggles With Demographic Change obituaries FL CKER WILLIAM L., Esquire-March 19, 2023. Husband of Nancy (nee Pollock). Father of Barbara Flacker, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Flacker (Lorie Rothschild Flacker), Ellen Flacker-Darer (Dr. Jon Darer) and Susan Dimascio (Dr. Jeffrey Dimascio). Brother of Elaine Friedman and the late Paul Flacker. Grandfather of Shimon Elimelech (Ciara Elimelech), Rachael Elimelech, Amir Wathstein, Jordan Wathstein, Marco Flacker, Royce Flacker, Sam Darer and Adam Dimascio. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Children’ s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, www.chop.edu GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com FRIED MA N HELENE, of Horsham, and a former resident of Blue Bell, and Plymouth Meeting, passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 22, 2023. She was 80 years old. Born June 1, 1942 in Norristown, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Florence (nee Kleinrock), and the beloved wife of the late Robert Friedman. Helene was a graduate of Upper Merion High School and attended Rider College. She was an enthusiastic writer for the Montgomery County Observer under the pen name Helen Roberts. Helene was the Manager of Customer Relations for Aamco Transmission for many years. She finished her ca- reer in the Sheriff’ s Department of ont omery County as the ffice Manager. Helene enj oyed traveling the world, baking grammie brownies with her grandchildren and reading with her book club. Helene is survived by her four children; Ruth Melincoff, Amy Schwartz (Mitch), David Friedman (Staci), and Judi Burton (Michael), nine grandchildren; Steven, Jennifer, Alyssa (Mikey), Ariella, Rina, Adam, Jonathan, Evan and Allison, as well as her brother Sam Tabak (Barbara). To share your fondest memories of Helene, visit www.lifecelebration.com BOYD-HORROX FUNERAL HOME www.boydhorrox.com RFIEL NORMAN L. passed away on December 31, 2022. Loving husband of Rhona (nee Broad); Father of Ben; Brother of enry anna arfield and onnie lan Bronstein. He was a Master Mason, an avid reader of Science Fiction, and a Competitive Bridge player. Contributions in his memory may be made to Shriner’ s Hospital or to the charity of the donor’ s choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com ISA KOFF GARY DAVID - Passed away on January 13th 2023 at the age of 64. The Son of the late Nina and Herb Isakoff Survived by daughter Brooke sa off son ichael sa off fian- ce Sabrina), and former wife Janice Silver Isakoff. Also survived by sister’ s Robin Calabrese, Peggy (Bob) Garrity, Anna Garrity, and brother John (Anita) Garrity. As well as many nieces, neph- ews, and cousins. Contributions in Gary’ s memory can be made to : Jewish family & children’ s service of greater Philadelphia. 345 Montgomery ave. Bala Cynwyd, PA19004. JFCSPHILLY.ORG A celebration of Gary’ s life will take place this Spring. OL MA N THOMAS FRANCIS on March 19, 2023. Brother of Martin Goldman (Connie). Contributions in his mem- ory may be made to Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, Maze l Meals Program, 2004 W. Allen St., Allentown, PA 18104, www.j fslv.org or Children’ s Hospital of Colorado Foundation, 13123 E. 16th Avenue, Box 045, Aurora, CO 80045, www. childrenscoloradofaoundation. org (Specify Thomas Goldman Fund). GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com HERT ZFEL GLADYS (nee Shapos) - March 21, 2023, of Penn Valley, Pa. Beloved wife of Maurice . Devoted mother of Andrew (Joyce McClure) Hertz feld, Ilene (John) Jones, Robert Hertz feld and Bruce (Lynn) Hertz feld. Proud grand-mother of Sarah. The family will receive guests at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Hertz feld Sunday and requested that contributions in her memory be made to JDRF, Michael J. Fox Foundation or a charity of donor’ s choice. JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS www.levinefuneral.com May Their Memory Be For a Blessing The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent extends condolences to the families of those who have passed. To receive our weekly obituary eletter visit www. jewishexponent.com/enewsletter jewishexponent.com 215-832-0700 Loving and cherished grandmother of Samuel, Ilana, Sidra and Rebecca, and dear aunt of David Preisler and Jonathan Saxe. Contributions in Sue’ s memory may be made to Leket Israel, leket.org. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com ND IS SIGMUND ELLIOT-Passed away on March 21, 2023. Beloved husband of the late May Landis (nee Lander). Devoted father of Marc (Judith) Landis and Marla (Jay) Wessland. Dear brother of Tema Freed and Thelma Phyllis Landis. Loving grandfather of Rachel, Sara and Barak. Beloved by his many cousins, nieces and neph- ews. Contributions in his memory may be made to Boston Children’ s Hospital, www.childrenshospital.org, URJ Camp Harlam, www.camphar- lam.org/donate, or a charity of the do- nor’ s choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com ERSOFSKY ESTELLE ESTHER (nee Moss)- Passed away on March 19, 2023. Wife of the late Jacob Persofsky. Mother of Rebecca Levine, Beth Persofsky and Joel Persofsky. Grandmother of Lee Garrett Levine, and Ryan, Laura and Brad Persofsky. Contributions in her memory may be made to Deborah Heart & Lung Hospital in gratitude and honor of Dr. Raffaele Corbisiero for choosing life over age by giving her a pacemaker in her 90s, www.demand- deborah.org. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com ROSEN HARVEY SAMUEL on March 21, 2023. Loving father of Adrienne DeSimone and Joshua Rosen (Michele); Devoted grandfather of Sophia and Justin. Contributions in his memory may be made to Jewish War Veterans, www. wv.org GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com ST EINB ERG ISA KOFF PAUL M. of Philadelphia, PA passed away peacefully on March 21, 2023. Devoted father of Laura Isakoff, Sheila Lynn, and Jonathan (Naomi) Isakoff; loving grandfather of Gabriel (Audrey) Wood-Bianchi, Monica (Joe) Dzi k, Jeremy (Jennie) Bianchi, Keith Lynn, Joshua and Gabriella Isakoff; and cherished great-grandfather of Felix and Serena Wood-Bianchi, and Sidney Dzi k. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Herbie. Paul grad- uated from Central High School and later went on to receive his bachelor’ s and master’ s degrees from Temple University. He was a World War II Army Veteran and had a career in ed- ucation as a teacher and administrator in the School District of Philadelphia. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Mitzva h Food Program (https://j ewishphilly.org/resources/ mitzva h-food-program/) or Old York Road Temple-Beth Am (https://www. oyrtbetham.org/). GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com ISENB ERG SARA (“ Sue” ) F. (nee Bernstein). March 15, 2023. Born 1932 in Brok, Poland; escaped Europe in 1940 with a visa provided by Chiune Sugihara, Japanese counsel in Lithuania. Happily married to the late Samuel D. Isenberg, until his passing in 1987. Adored mother of Ruth Bernstein (Harvey), Adam Isenberg (Laura), and Daniel Isenberg (Susan). Always close to her two sisters, Sheila Saxe (Arnie) and the late Toby Pincus (Warren). EVIN JONAH D. - March 17, 2023, of Ambler, PA. Loving father of Shira (Jordan) Horn and Hope (David Taylor) Levin; cherished grandfather of Zachary, Joshua, Tyler and Caleb; devoted brother of Herb Levin and the late Deena ramer. n lieu of owers contributions in Jonah’ s memory may be made to the Crohn’ s and Colitis Foundation (www.crohnscolitisfounda- tion.org). JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS www.levinefuneral.com EVY FANNIE Faye” (nee Frish) on March 17th, 2023. Beloved wife of the late M. William Levy; loving mother of Michael (Susan), Robert (Bernadette) and Richard (Donna). Grandmother of Jessica, Daniel, Michelle, Andrew, Lauren, and Victoria; great-grand- mother of Jameson, Bennett, Annabelle and Juliet. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Jewish Federation of North America or to the American Cancer Society. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com MORRIS K. on March 24, 2023. Beloved husband of the late Ruth (nee Segal); Loving father of Diane Fogel (David), Howard Steinberg (Alla), and Eddie Steinberg; Dear brother of Dorothy Neiman. Also survived by 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchil- dren. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Jewish War Veterans, www.j wv.org GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com OL K JANET (nee Salkowe) on March 21, 2023. Wife of the late Beryl; mother of Linda (Neil) Heller, David (Susan) Wolk and Sandy Wolk; grandmother of Daniel (Lindsey) Heller, Corey (Rachel) Heller, Samantha Heller, Ali (Matthew) Tucker and Michael Wolk; great-grandmother of Olivia, Caroline, Joey, Julia and Ava. Contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of the donor’ s choice. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’ S RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com MEMORIA SSMA N In Loving Memory Of My Dear Grandmother FA NNIE SSMA N March 29, 1983 15 Nissan Always In My Heart Loved And Remembered On Her 40th Yahrze it And Everyday RRY SSMA N JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 39 d’var torah Humility a Component in Serving God Rabbi Claire Green T Parshat Tzav orah text is inscribed upon the skin of a once-living creature. Such a creature was once asked to speak to God for us. Now it carries God’s message to us. Tzav is the second portion of the Book of Leviticus, the book of the laws of the priests, the kohanim. The tone is that of a policy and procedure manual. Not every Israelite had to understand the minutiae. They just had to present their appropriate beast since all catego- ries of meaning — life and death, good and evil, sacred and profane — were mediated by this system of sacrifi ce 40 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT managed by the sons of Aaron. The priests were specialists in this techni- cal language of ritual, and this distinc- tion from the other tribes of Israel was an aspect of their holiness. Oddly, the fi rst regulation of Tzav concerns the end of the process. Each morning the priest performs what the Talmud calls the mitzvah of terumat hadeshen, “lifting [and removing] the ashes [of the daily whole burnt sacrifi - cial off erings]” that burned on the altar for the night. What is more surprising is that the priest has to clear away the ashes himself. This nasty chore is not relegated to the Tabernacle’s servant class, the priests’ cousins, the Levites. The priest must change out of the splendid vestments, put on work clothes and dispose of the ashes personally. Lest the exalted priest get too big for his linen britches, he must do dirty labor. He should walk among the people he serves and know something of the life of those for whom he minis- ters as he carries the ashes. He should be reminded that his function, even when robed in precious fabrics, is a dual: serving God, serving Israel. And the people, who see him at his task, realize that the priest is like them, a laborer on God’s earth, a person. This reminds me of a scene from the 1968 fi lm, “The Shoes of The Fisherman.” Anthony Quinn’s charac- ter, the newly elected pope, fi nds himself overwhelmed by the trappings of the papacy. He takes off his regal papal vestments, sneaks out into the night dressed as a simple priest and, incognito, comes into touch with suff ering souls. He meets them where they are; he ministers to them. The Torah lesson for priest and people: Humility is a component of the service of God. The priest is humble. He does not think less of himself; he thinks of himself less when he is present to his people. “The fi re on the altar shall be kept burning, not to go out” (Lev. 6:5). The priest’s job is not just to take away what has been used up, but to improve what has been left [by adding more wood]. Humbling himself, he causes a brighter fl ame upon the altar, refl ect- ing the fervor of the people. Humility extinguishes the negative in ourselves. And what of us without the sacri- fi cial cult? We have been awarded by the ancient rabbis with that most daunting gift: We are both priest and people, responsible for our own spiri- tual welfare. How empowering, and how humbling! How do we adorn ourselves and our projects? How do we navigate between humility and haughtiness, elegance and extremism, commitment and tired repetition, commandment and contrivance? How do we keep in touch with that spark of inspiration that keeps us true and focused? Whose responsibility is it to maintain devotion and kindle sparks of understanding? Today we rely on ourselves and each other. What messages and images keep the fi re going after the destruc- tion of the Temple’s sacrifi cial cult? We can be inspired by an image of ancient devotion even if the people in the image do not look like us. The creative genius of rabbinic Judaism replaced the message and messenger of the sacrifi cial cult with the formula of study, prayer and loving acts. For us, the drudgery of the priest- hood has some ironic resonance; the glorious aspects are more remote. We prize those moments in life when the occasion, the place, the company, the ritual evoke the sublime, the heightened moment. But we had better not count on these fl eeting moments for our spiri- tual sustenance. Not every day is Yom Kippur; not every occasion is b.mitzvah or confi rmation, wedding or ordination. We must see the potential for holiness in the most mundane activi- ties. Mostly, we fi nd ourselves taking out the trash. Well, that too is holy. ■ Rabbi Claire Magidovitch Green, who is the daughter and sister of rabbis, never wanted UAHC Torah Corps summer camp to end, study- ing Torah and living with HUC-JIR professors. The Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia is proud to provide diverse perspectives on Torah commentary for the Jewish Exponent. The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily refl ect the view of the Board of Rabbis. calendar MARCH 31–APRIL 6 FRIDAY, M A R C H 3 1 MONDAY, APRIL 3 Our hearts are heavy for people around the world who have had their lives uprooted by humanitarian, climate and community crises. During March, Night Kitchen Bakery will bake its hamantaschen (chocolate, cherry, poppy seed and prune). Ten percent of sales will be donated to World Central Kitchen. 7723-25 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. 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. PARSHA FOR LIFE Join Rabbi Alexander Coleman, a Jewish educator and psychotherapist at the Institute for Jewish Ethics, at 9 a.m. for a journey through the Torah portion of the week with eternal lessons on personal growth and spirituality. Go to ijethics. org/weekly-torah-portion.html to receive the Zoom link and password. MUSICAL KABBALAT SHABBAT Join Beth Sholom Congregation’s Rabbi David Glanzberg-Krainin, Cantor Jacob Agar and the band at 6 p.m. for a musical Kabbalat Shabbat. The community is welcome to attend. Call 215-887-1342 for information. 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park. PJFM LINDY SPRINGFEST Lindy SpringFest by Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media returns for a weeklong festival highlighting Jewish stories from around the world. From March 25-April 1, the festival will showcase films old and new, each with a unique twist to bring memorable experiences to the audience. For more information, contact 215-545-4400 or info@phillypjfm.org. S UNDAY, A P R I L 2 BEING JEWISH Join Radical Aliveness Philadelphia at 5 p.m. for a Zoom discussion of how the way we identify with being Jewish lives in our mind, body and spirit. Using the principles of Radical Aliveness and tools of Core Energetics, we will explore the Jewish identity and experience from multiple perspectives. For more information, contact jonathancgodfrey@gmail.com or 323-309-8200. MAHJONG GAME BOOK CLUB The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will host its April Zoom session at 7 p.m. Our book this month is “The Masterpiece” by Fiona Davis. For further information, or to register for the book club program, contact Lynn Ratmansky at the synagogue office at 215-677-1600. 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia. WEDNE SDAY, AP RIL 5 COMMUNITY SEDER Join Chabad Penn Wynne for an inspiring community Passover seder at 7:45 p.m. The only time you will ever have to lift a finger will be to raise your glass. All are welcome. For more information and reservations, contact 610-529-9011 or moshe@chabadpennwynne.org or visitchabadpennwynne.org/seder. 7571 Haverford Ave., Philadelphia. THUR SDAY, APRIL 6 CANASTA GAME Ohev Shalom of Bucks County Sisterhood invites the community to a weekly canasta game from 1-3 p.m. Open play is $4. Call 215-968-6755 for more information. 944 Second Street Pike, Richboro. BETH AMI SEDER Bring your friends and family to Temple Beth Ami’s Passover seder at 7 p.m. Join us for the second night of Passover to share in a traditional kosher dinner. If you have any questions or want additional information, call 215-673-2511 or email templebethami2@gmail.com. 9201 Old Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia. ■ COMMUNITY SEDER ungvar/ AdobeStock HAMANTASCHEN FOR HUMANITY WEDN E S DAY, APRIL 6 Attend a community second night of Passover seder at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel led by Rabbi Benjamin David and Cantor Amy Levy with Rabbi Leah Berkowitz and cantorial soloist Rebecca Schwartz from Congregation Kol Ami. The seder starts at 6 p.m. Register at rcki.shulcloud.com/form/ seder23. 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park. social announcements BIRTH CHLOE SAYER KIEFFER Chloe Sayer Kieff er was born on Feb. 1 to Alexandra (Ali) Sayer and Robert Kieff er. She is the granddaughter of Doug Sayer, Honey Bass, Pam and Bob Kieff er, and the niece of Bari Grabowsky, Ricky Sayer, Lindsay Sayer and Crista Kieff er. Chloe’s fi rst name is in loving memory of her great-grandfather, Coleman Sayer, and her Hebrew name, Miriam, is in loving memory of her great-grand- mother, Miriam Trachtenberg. Courtesy of the Kieff er family WEDDING BORNSTEIN-SKOP Sharon and Jay Bornstein of Dresher announce the marriage of their daughter, Lisa Holly Bornstein, to Dr. Nolan Brett Skop, son of Deborah and Ronald Skop of Succasunna, New Jersey. The ceremony and reception took place at The Logan Hotel on Nov. 12, 2022. Jordan Bornstein and Brandon Skop served as best men. Completing the wedding party were Thelma Krefetz, grandmother of the bride, and Darcy and Dawn Skop, sister and sister-in-law of the groom. Lisa and Nolan reside in New York City. Photo by Zach Blum of Asya Photography JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 41 Courtesy of Barbara Glickman Courtesy of the Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties around town 2 Courtesy of Rabbi Shaya Deitsch Courtesy of Beth Sholom Congregation 1 4 Courtesy of Ken Hampel Courtesy of Debbie Zlotnick 3 5 6 1 Jewish Family Service CEO Andrea Steinberg and Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds met with the JFS Community Advisory Committee on March 1 to discuss the area’s needs and services. 2 Ohev Shalom of Bucks County congregants participated in an intergenerational Purim celebration. 3 Students from the Chabad of Montgomery County, the Chabad of Rydal, the Chabad of the Main Line and the Chabad of Delaware County competed in the Philadelphia championship of the JewQ competition. 4 Beth Sholom Congregation’s men’s club packed yellow Yom HaShoah candles for mailing to congregants for the upcoming commemoration in April. 5 Congregation Kol Emet in Yardley held two Purim spiels and a Purim carnival in early March. 6 Former Federation Housing board member Mitchell Berman and his wife Margie set up a visit from therapy dog Beau to Federation Housing residents. 42 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT last word NEW CAMP RAMAH DIRECTOR Miryam Seid IS RIGHT WHERE SHE WANTS TO BE Jarrad Saff ren | Staff Writer Photo by Remi Sitko B efore the pandemic, Miryam Seid traveled across the country with her husband, Adam, to visit her childhood camp, Ramah in California. The camp was hosting a family experience during Passover. But for Miryam Seid, it was a chance to see the place where she became herself. Seid, now 43, spent eight summers there, back when it was called Ramah Ojai after its town, from 1989-’96. She still credits the place for giving her a Jewish identity via a connection with other Jews and seeing the Jewish lessons behind all experiences. So when she returned for the fi rst time in more than 20 years, her husband saw it all over her face. “She just looked so alive,” he said. Less than fi ve years later, Seid is back on a Ramah campus full time, and she’s running the place. It’s not the same oasis in Southern California. But for the Wynnewood resident, it’s the East Coast version: In February, Seid took over as the executive director of Camp Ramah in the Poconos. “This is a marriage of passion and profession,” she said. “It’s a tremen- dous responsibility, but I love the road ahead. I already know that.” Seid graduated from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary in the early 2000s, earning degrees in American history and Jewish studies. At JTS, she also took a work-study position in its institutional advancement department. It made her realize that she had a passion for “development work,” according to her profi le on Ramah’s website. For the next decade-plus, Seid worked for Jewish organizations. She served as an advancement director at Miryam Seid, right, with her daughter at Camp Ramah in the Poconos JTS and as special events coordinator at the Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation, both in New York City. The Seids moved to the Philadelphia area in 2013 so Adam Seid could take a pharmaceutical job. After staying home for a few years following the birth of her son, Miryam Seid became an advancement director at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hillel chapter. During her three years at Penn Hillel, camp was, as Adam Seid described it, a “pipe dream.” When the couple walked around Ramah in California that Passover, they talked about how cool it would be to become a camp family. But Adam Seid also reminded his wife that she was not just going to take a job as a counselor. She knew he was right. So, she found a solution. In 2019, Miryam Seid saw online that there was an opening at Camp Ramah for a director of institutional advance- ment. She applied and got it. Her role? Calling donors and asking for money, a position that became vital during the canceled COVID summer of 2020. But Seid knew what she was doing. She would always start calls with the same question. “What’s your Ramah story?” “People always want to talk about their Ramah story,” she added. Seid did such a good job that Ramah now gives out $350,000 in scholarship funds per year, a number that has gone up over the past four years. Coming out of COVID, Ramah has more campers than it did in 2019 and the longest waitlist in its history, according to Seid. Those successes convinced Rabbi Joel Seltzer, Ramah’s previous execu- tive director, that Seid could replace him. Seltzer announced in September that he would be leaving his position after more than 10 years. His chief fundraiser informed him that she would be applying, and the rabbi was both “thrilled” and “relieved,” he said. More important than her fundraising skills is her “moral compass that points to true north,” Seltzer explained. In 2021, Ramah implemented a bubble to prevent COVID from entering. Due to the challenge of bringing in interna- tional staff members, the camp’s opera- tions team had only eight workers, compared to its usual roster of more than 40. Seid responded by helping out. She washed dishes in the kitchen, served food in the buff et line and packed bunks with fourth-grade boys. “She has an incredible talent for connecting deeply with people and understanding complex situations,” Seltzer said. When Seid got the off er, she called it a “dream come true,” and she still feels that way. Adam Seid sees it when she comes home from work. She walks in with the same “extreme happiness” that she brought to the day, he said. The Seids belong to Adath Israel on the Main Line. They go to the synagogue on Shabbat and “do a lot of hosting for Shabbat dinners,” Miryam said. The mother encourages her two children to invite their friends. She compares it to Ramah. “It’s spirited; it’s joyful; it’s fi lled with family and friends,” she said. ■ jsaff ren@midatlanticmedia.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 43 HOMES FOR SA E The DeSouzas are Back on Bustleton! WISHING YOU A HAPPY PASSOVER! Now is the time to list your home with Us! 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Norman & esw in andscaping, Inc. has been incorporated under the pro- visions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. arq uita Carpet, Inc. has been in- corporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. SOSA IL ERS CO. has been in- corporated under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. Village Ow ners ssocia- tion has been incorporated un- der the provisions of the Penn- sylvania Business Corporations Law of 1988. EG RA MOS CONST RU CT ION, INC. has been incorporated under the pro- visions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. ESTATE OF ADELE S. EHMANN, DECEASED. Late of Bensalem Township, Bucks County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to WILLIAM J. EHMANN, III, 2835 Century Ln., Apt. B108, Bensalem, PA 19020 and EDWARD J. EHMANN (a/k/a EDWARD JOHN EHMANN), 1400 Leedom Rd., Havertown, PA 19083, EXECUTORS, Or to their Attorney: JOHN SLOWINSKI JOHN SLOWINSKI, P.C. 3143 Knights Rd. Bensalem, PA 19020 ESTATE OF ALBERT JACKSON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Keith Reginald Jackson, Executor, c/o Hope Bosniak, Esq., Dessen, Moses & Rossitto, 600 Easton Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090. ESTATE OF ALICE DiGIACOMO, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to JOSEPH A. DIGIACOMO and LISA ANN LEONARD, ADMINISTRATORS, c/o Harry Metka, Esq., 4802 Neshaminy Blvd., Ste. 9, Bensalem, PA 19020, Or to their Attorney: HARRY METKA 4802 Neshaminy Blvd., Ste. 9 Bensalem, PA 19020 ESTATE OF ALLAN R. CRABBE, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to HOWARD M. SOLOMAN, ADMINISTRATOR, 1760 Market St., Ste. 404, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: Howard M. Soloman 1760 Market St., Ste. 404 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF ANA E. VELASQ UEZ PONCE, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to ANGELEE RIVERA, ADMINISTRATRIX, 15225 Wayside Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19116, Or to her Attorney: DAVID SCHACHTER 1528 Walnut St., Ste. 1507 Philadelphia, PA 19102 ESTATE OF ANDREW A. ROLL, JR., DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to CAROL ROSE RAFFERTY, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Daniella A. Horn, Esq., 2202 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: DANIELLA A. HORN KLENK LAW, LLC 2202 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF BETTE MARION CORBIN AKA BETTY CORBIN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Rodney Corbin, Executor, c/o John W. Richey, Esq., The Tannenbaum Law Group, 600 West Germantown Pike, Suite 400, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. ESTATE OF CATHERINE F. MALONEY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters of Administration on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Regina Maloney, Administratrix, 3600 Conshohocken Ave., Apt. 1915, Philadelphia, PA 19131 or to their at- torney Mark Feinman, Esquire, 8171 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19152. ESTATE OF CESAR D. MANGUBA a/k/a CESAR MANGUBA, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to JANE LEPORE, EXECUTRIX, 1322 Katie Ln., North Wales, PA 19454, Or to her Attorney: SEA SHORE SA E LOVE where here you L LIVE HHT Office 609-487-7234 #1 IN NEW JERSEY FOR LARGE TEAM SALES VOLUME *RealTrends 2021 9211 Ventnor Avenue, Margate 8017 Ventnor Avenue, Margate 9313 Ventnor Ave, Margate www.HartmanHomeTeam.com OCEAN-FRONT! ATLANTIC CITY $359,000 TWO FULLY RENOVATED UNITS AVAILABLE WITH AMAZING OCEAN VIEWS AND CLOSE TO EVERYTHING! OCEAN VIEWS! VENTNOR $1,895,000 ENDLESS DIRECT OCEAN VIEWS FROM THIS 7 BED, 5.5 BATH HOME JUST 2 OFF OF THE BEACH! NEW LISTING! MARGATE $1,149,000 MOVE-IN CONDITION 4 BEDS, 2.5 BATH HOME WITH GARAGE AND BACKYARD! NEW CONSTRUCTION! 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Free Pricing Evaluation & Advice on Monthly Savings P: (267) 607-7707 • E: office@myprimepayments.com W: https://myprimepayments.com ET SERVICES E SCOOP OG OOP 5-3 -7 poopiescoopersr-us. com LISA H. LANPHEAR LAW OFFICE OF LISA H. LANPHEAR 326 Sleepy Hollow Court Maple Glen, PA 19002 ESTATE OF CHARLES B. FORD, JR. a/k/a CHARLES BRADFORD FORD, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to CHARLES A. J. HALPIN, III, ADMINISTRATOR, The Land Title Bldg., 100 S. Broad St., Ste. 1830, Philadelphia, PA 19110, Or to his Attorney: CHARLES A. J. HALPIN, III THE LAND TITLE BLDG. 100 S. Broad St., Ste. 1830 Philadelphia, PA 19110 ESTATE OF CLIFFORD R. TUMBAUER, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Jennifer Trumbauer, Executrix, 1932 E. Ontario St., Philadelphia, PA 19134 or to their attorney Mark Feinman, Esquire, 8171 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19152. ESTATE OF DARLENE FINN a/k/a DARLENE BONNIE FINN, DECEASED. Late of Pennsylvania LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, who bequest all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same, and all per- sons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay, to Nancy J. Morgan, Adminitratrix c/o their attorney Debra G. Speyer, Two Bala Plaz a, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. ESTATE OF DOROTHY PEGRAM, DECEASED. Late of Pennsylvania LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned, who bequest all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same, and all per- sons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay, to Lisa Bell, Adminitratrix c/o their attorney Debra G. Speyer, Two Bala Plaz a, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Careers.com Jewish For Those Who Value Community The preferred career resource for the Jewish community. info.jewishcareers.com 410-902-2300 46 MARCH 30, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT ESTATE OF EDWARD D. HUGHES a/k/a EDWARD DANIEL HUGHES, SR., DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to EDWARD D. HUGHES, JR., EXECUTOR, c/o Renata T. Pabisz , Esq., 116 E. Court St., Doylestown, PA 18901, Or to his Attorney: RENATA T. PABISZ HIGH SWARTZ LLP 116 E. Court St. Doylestown, PA 18901 ESTATE OF EDWARD G. OLDEN, DECEASED Late of Philadelphia LETTERS on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or de- mands against the Estate of the dece- dent to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the decedents to make payment without delay, to Administrator Joy Bauerle c/o Or to Attorney Ellen S. Fischer, Esquire Bloom Peters, LLC 955 Horsham Road, Horsham, PA 19044 Suite 307, ESTATE OF ERSELLE F. ANDERSON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to KEITH A. ANDERSON, EXECUTOR, c/o Charles A. J. Halpin, III, Esq., The Land Title Bldg., 100 S. Broad St., Ste. 1830, Philadelphia, PA 19110, Or to his Attorney: CHARLES A. J. HALPIN, III The Land Title Bldg. 100 S. Broad St., Ste. 1830 Philadelphia, PA 19110 ESTATE OF FLORENCE CHRISTINE PARKER, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all per- sons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to RENEE E. GREEN, EXECUTRIX, 6419 Boyer St., Philadelphia, PA 19119 ESTATE OF FREDERICK LLOYD JAMES, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all per- sons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to PAULINE Y. STUART, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Daniella A. Horn, Esq., 2202 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: DANIELLA A. HORN KLENK LAW, LLC 2202 Delancey St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF GERALDINE COTTMAN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to ONIKA D. COTTMAN, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Daniella A. Horn, Esq., 2202 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: DANIELLA A. HORN KLENK LAW, LLC 2202 Delancey Place Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF HENRY COURTNEY THOMPSON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to RaSHANNA C. THOMPSON and DANIELLE RASHEEDA CARMEN THOMPSON, EXECUTRICES, c/o Marc H. Jaffe, Esq., 795 E. Lancaster Ave., Ste. 260, Villanova, PA 19085, Or to their Attorney: MARC H. JAFFE FROMHOLD JAFFE ADAMS & JUN 795 E. Lancaster Ave., Ste. 260 Villanova, PA 19085 ESTATE OF HENRY SCHLEY, JR. a/k/a HENRY SCHLEY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without de- lay to GLORIA I. SCHLEY, EXECUTRIX, c/o Jay E. Kivitz , Esq., 7901 Ogontz Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150, Or to her Attorney: JAY E. KIVITZ KIVTIZ & KIVITZ, P.C. 7901 Ogontz Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19150 ESTATE OF HERBERT L. ROGERS, JR., DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all per- sons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to SANDRA ROGERS, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Daniella A. Horn, Esq., 2202 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: DANIELLA A. HORN KLENK LAW, LLC 2202 Delancey St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF JANE R. SPANGLER- WEISS, DECEASED. Late of Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to NEIL E. WEISS, EXECUTOR, c/o Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen, Esq., One Bala Plaz a, Ste. 623, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, Or to his Attorney: REBECCA ROSENBERGER SMOLEN BALA LAW GROUP, LLC One Bala Plaz a, Ste. 623 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 ESTATE OF JENNIFER HARE, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to STEVEN J. HARE, ADMINISTRATOR, 2313 E. Firth St., Philadelphia, PA 19125 ESTATE OF JEROME R. DiGIOVANNI, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to DEAN G. DiGIOVANNI, EXECUTOR, c/o John F. Walsh, Esq., 653 Skippack Pike, Ste. 317, P.O., Box 445, Blue Bell, PA 19422-0702, Or to his Attorney: JOHN F. WALSH 653 Skippack Pike, Ste. 317 P.O., Box 445 Blue Bell, PA 19422-0702 ESTATE OF JOHN V. HENRY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS OF ADMINSTATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Joanne O’ Neill, Administratrix, c/o John F. Walsh, Esq., 653 Skippack Pike, Ste. 317, P.O., Box 445, Blue Bell, PA 19422-0702 Or to her Attorney: JOHN F. WALSH 653 Skippack Pike, Ste. 317 P.O., Box 445 Blue Bell, PA 19422-0702 ESTATE OF JOSEPH A. LYDON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to MICHAEL LYDON, ADMINISTRATOR, c/o Charles A. J. Halpin, III, Esq., The Land Title Bldg., 100 S. Broad St., Ste. 1830, Philadelphia, PA 19110, Or to his Attorney: CHARLES A. J. HALPIN, III The Land Title Bldg. 100 S. Broad St., Ste. 1830 Philadelphia, PA 19110 ESTATE OF KAREN J. KINARD, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to CARLEEN MOSSETT, EXECUTRIX, c/o Robert J. Dixon, Esq., 7715 Crittenden St., #203, Philadelphia, PA 19118, Or to her Attorney: ROBERT J. DIXON 7715 Crittenden St., #203 Philadelphia, PA 19118 ESTATE OF LYNN LISS, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to SHELDON LISS, EXECUTOR, c/o Jonathan H. Ellis, Esq., One Tower Bridge, 100 Front St., Ste. 100, Conshohocken, PA 19428, Or to his Attorney: JONATHAN H. ELLIS FLASTER GREENBERG PC One Tower Bridge 100 Front St., Ste. 100 Conshohocken, PA 19428 ESTATE OF MARGARET L. SEEGER, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters of Administration on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or in- debted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Diane L. Michalowski, Administratrix, 8318 Strahle St., Philadelphia, PA 19111 or to their attorney Mark Feinman, Esquire, 8171 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19152. ESTATE OF MARIE A. OSBEY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters of Administration on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. Any potential heirs and all persons having claims against or indebted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Linda Binduga, Administratrix, c/o Hope Bosniak, Esq., Dessen, Moses & Rossitto, 600 Easton Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090. ESTATE OF MARIE C. REGINELLI a/k/a MARIE C. CILETTI-REGINELLI, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to RICHARD SPEZIALE, EXECUTOR, c/o Bradley Newman, Esq., 123 S. Broad St., Ste. 1030, Philadelphia, PA 19109, Or to his Attorney: BRADLEY NEWMAN ESTATE & ELDER LAW OFFICE OF BRADLEY NEWMAN 123 S. Broad St., Ste. 1030 Philadelphia, PA 19109 ESTATE OF MARJORIE RAMONA RIGGS, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to NICHOL McCLEARY, EXECUTRIX, c/o Daniella A. Horn, Esq., 2202 Delancey St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: DANIELLA A. HORN KLENK LAW, LLC 2202 Delancey St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF MARLENE C. KELLY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to VALERIE KELLY, EXECUTRIX, 2844 Maxwell St., Philadelphia, PA 19136, Or to her Attorney: NATHAN SNYDER LAW OFFICE OF NATHAN SNYDER 3070 Bristol Pike, Building Two, Ste. 204 Bensalem, PA 19020 ESTATE OF MARY JANE CONROY a/k/a MARY CONROY, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County, PA LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to JILLIAN C. CONROY, ADMINISTRATRIX, c/o Harry Metka, Esq., 4802 Neshaminy Blvd., Ste. 9, Bensalem, PA 19020, Or to her Attorney: HARRY METKA 4802 Neshaminy Blvd., Ste. 9 Bensalem, PA 19020 ESTATE OF MATTHEW E. MAZZA, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to LEE ANNE MAZZA, EXECUTRIX, 21 Almond Ct., Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 ESTATE OF NORMAN LIPTON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia, PA. Letters Testamentary on the above estate have been granted to the undersigned. All persons having claims against or in- debted to the estate should make claims known or forward payment to Bruce Lipton, Executor, c/o Ned Hark, Esq., Goldsmith Hark & Hornak, PC, 7716 Castor Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19152. ESTATE OF PATRICIA A. FUSCO a/k/a PATRICIA FUSCO, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to DAVID GRUBER, EXECUTOR, c/o Howard M. Soloman, Esq., 1760 Market St., Ste. 404, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Or to his Attorney: HOWARD M. SOLOMAN 1760 Market St., Ste. 404 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF RENEE PEDRO, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to RONALD S. BODINE, EXECUTOR, c/o Daniel R. Ross, Esq., One Summit St., Philadelphia, PA 19118, Or to his Attorney: DANIEL R. ROSS ROSS & McCREA LLP One Summit St. Philadelphia, PA 19118 ESTATE OF ROBERT D. ADLER, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to HOWARD M. SOLOMAN, ADMINISTRATOR, 1760 Market St., Ste. 404, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: HOWARD M. SOLOMAN 1760 Market St., Ste. 404 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF RONALD ANTHONY MANSON, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to AMY F. STEERMAN, ADMINISTRATRIX, 1900 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: AMY F. STEERMAN AMY F. STEERMAN, LLC 1900 Spruce St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF ROSEMARY CAPPELLO, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment with- out delay to MARY C. CAPPELLO, EXECUTRIX, c/o Roderick L. Foxworth, Esq., 7715 Crittenden St., #382, Philadelphia, PA 19118, Or to her Attorney: RODERICK L. FOXWORTH THE FOXWORTH LAW FIRM 7715 Crittenden St., #382 Philadelphia, PA 19118 ESTATE OF RUTH LOUISE RUSSELL a/k/a RUTH L. RUSSELL, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to BARBARA GEIGER, EXECUTRIX, c/o Marc Vogin, Esq., 1608 Walnut St., Ste. 1703, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to her Attorney: MARC VOGIN KLEIN, VOGIN & GOLD 1608 Walnut St., Ste. 1703 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF SARA ELLEN HALPERN, also known as SARA HALPERN, DECEASED. Late of Haverford Township, Delaware County, PA LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to WARREN JAY KAUFFMAN (NAMED IN WILL AS WARREN J. KAUFFMAN), EXECUTOR, 1650 Market Street, Ste. 1800, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Or to his Attorney: WARREN JAY KAUFFMAN WHITE and WILLIAMS LLP 1650 Market Street, Ste. 1800 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ESTATE OF THOMAS P. SHERIDAN, JR. a/k/a THOMAS P. SHERIDAN, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to JAMES SHERIDAN, EXECUTOR, c/o Bradley Newman, Esq., 123 S. Broad Street, Ste. 1030, Phila., PA 19109, Or to his Attorney: BRADLEY NEWMAN ESTATE & ELDER LAW OFFICE OF Baltimore Jewish Times Attention All Community Organizations If you would like to update your listing in the 2023-2024 GUIDE TO JEWISH LIFE BRADLEY NEWMAN 123 S. Broad Street, Ste. 1030 Philadelphia, PA 19109 HOME SERVICES ESTATE OF YVONNE O. KEITT, DECEASED. Late of Philadelphia County LETTERS TESTAMENTARY on the above Estate have been granted to the undersigned, who request all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to LONAY DEANNA BOSTIC, EXECUTRIX, 13341 SW 52nd Court, Miramar, FL 33027 Fictitious Name Registration Notice is hereby given that an Application for Registration of Fictitious Name was fi led in the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on December 5, 2022 for Zora and Koko at 1500 Chestnut St Suite 2, Philadelphia, PA 19102. The name and address of each individual interested in such business is Naima T. Fleming, 1500 Chestnut St Suite 2, Philadelphia, PA 19102 in Philadelphia County. This was fi led in accordance with 54 PaC.S. 311. Fictitious Name Registration Notice is hereby given that an Application for Registration of Fictitious Name was fi led in the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on November 28, 2022 for Grant’s Roofi ng & Home Remodeling 5 $ a day pro- gram at 543 W. Tabor Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19120. The name and address of each individual interested in such busi- ness is Leroy Grant, 543 W. Tabor Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19120 in Philadelphia County. This was fi led in accordance with 54 PaC.S. 311. GOLDEN HARMONY HOME CARE Golden Harmony Home Care offers unique amenities and services to help you live life to the fullest. We make it easy for you to stamp your own individual care. 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This was fi led in accordance with 54 PaC.S. 311. The Jack Kanoff Revocable Living Trust DTD 08/31/2001, as amended and re- stated. Jack Kanoff, Deceased. Late of Lower Providence Twp., Montgomery County, PA. This Trust is in existence and all persons having claims or de- mands against said Trust or decedent are requested to make known the same and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment without delay to Joni Herman & Carla Fishman, Trustees, c/o Jonathan H. Ellis, Esq., 100 Front St., #100, Conshohocken, PA 19428. Atty.: Jonathan H. Ellis, Flaster Greenberg PC, 100 Front St., #100, Conshohocken, PA 19428 $5 JEWISH LIFE Guide to 2022-2023 Baltimore Guide to Jewish Life please contact Jewish Exponent Editor Andy Gotlieb at editor@jewishexponent.com 2022-2023 jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 47 From Our Family From to Our Your Family Family From Our family Family to your u o Y h s i W You We We We Wish Wish You to your family ” ! h c a s e P n e “A “A “A Zissen Zissen Pesach”! Z iss Pesach”! generations of of your the Seder table to table celebrate As As the the generations your family family gathers gathers around around the Seder to celebrate As Pesach the generations of your family gathers around Seder table celebrate and to ask the four questions, we have 4 other the questions to ask to you. Pesach and to ask the four questions, we have 4 other questions to ask you. 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