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