obituaries
to efferson
ffice of Institutional
Advancement, Department 825434,
P.O. Box 71331, Philadelphia, PA
19176-1331, or donate online at giv-
ing.j efferson.edu.

JOSEPH LEVINE & SONS
www.levinefuneral.com Joshua Strauss (Sharon). Beloved
brother of Alvan (Sandra). He will be
sadly missed by everyone who knew
him and loved him. Donations in his
memory can be made to the Fox
Chase Cancer Hospital.

PLAM AVERETT
HELENE RUTH (nee Gassel) on
February 27, 2023, age 91. Beloved
wife of the late Samuel. Devoted
mother of Richard Averett (Esther
Bress) and David (Bonnie) Averett,
Esq. Adored grandmother of Joseph
(Nicholas) Hartley and Blair Averett.

Helene was a retired elementa-
ry school teacher in the Phila. and
Council Rock School Districts for
37 years. Helene was a graduate of
Temple University Teachers College
and received her Master’s Degree
from Trenton State University. She was
a snowbird for 16 years in Boynton
Beach, FL. Contributions in her memo-
ry may be made to the American Heart
Assoc., www.heart.org
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
BATTESE JUDY (nee Kremer), February 27,
2023, of Exton, PA; beloved wife of
Gary Battese; loving daughter of the
late Evelyn and Robert Kremer; devot-
ed and loving sister of Sherri Kremer
(Christopher Theodore);
devoted cousin of Susan Novick and Howard
Reider. Judy graduated from Temple
University and received her masters
in Elementary education at Villanova
University. She spent her career in the
education field as an educator and a
supervisor. She and Gary loved to
travel and go to concerts. Judy and
Gary were inseparable, doing every-
thing together. The family respectfully
re uests contributions In lieu of ow-
ers may be made in Judy’s memory
to the MDS Foundation (mds-foun-
dation.org) or a charity relating to the
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society.

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
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215-832-0700 24
JOAN D. (nee Drachman) on February
27, 2023. Wife of Sheldon J., Mother
of Joyce (Dennis) Whelan and the
late Michael T. Plam. Sister of Frank
Drachman. Grandmother of Jessica
and Michael. Contributions in her
memory may be made to the Michael
T. Plam Memorial Scholarship Fund,
c/o Gratz College, 7605 Old York
Road, Melrose Park, PA 19027.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
DAVIS Beverly R., 76, of Penn Valley, PA
died on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

Beverly taught pre-school and early
childhood education in the Philadelphia
schools and at the Jewish Community
Center. For many years she was the
story time lady at the Penn/Wynne
Library. She is survived by her hus-
band Alan; sons, Robert (Elena) and
Michael (Caroline);
grandchildren: Maya, Naomi, Benj amin, Daphne,
Joshua, Brody and Vivienne; and sib-
lings, Stanley Reese (Faith Reese)
and Marilyn Bleznak (Steve Bleznak).

Memorial contributions may be made
to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for
Parkinson’s Research. https://www.

michaelj fox.org/
LAUREL HILL FUNERAL HOME
www.laurelhillphl.com DORFMAN
YALE
Yonnie” , born September 26,
1938 passed away February 27, 2023.

Beloved son of Anne and Murray
Dorfman. Husband to the love of his
life, Sherrie. Father of Alan (Michelle),
Michael (Mandy) and Andrew (Amy)
Dorfman. Adored PopPop to Mallory,
Jarred, Lauren, Ryan, Ty, Drew and
Gabrielle. Brother of Diane (Murray)
Eisenberg, brother-in-law to Rick
(Maria) and Jack Feldman. Yonnie
was a South Philly kid that married his
high school sweetheart, and proud-
ly raised his family in NE Philly. He
co-founded and built State Metals
Industries, a
big operation” in beauti-
ful downtown Camden, NJ. Devoted to
family and business, Yonnie later set-
tled in Rydal, PA. A lifelong Eagles fan,
devoted golfer, and all-around good
guy, loved by his family and many
friends. Donations in his memory may
be made to JDRF Greater Delaware
Valley Chapter, or the Alzheimer’s
Association. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
FRANK, MD
LEONARD A., February 27, 2023, of
Gladwyne, PA. Beloved husband of the
late Dr. Barbara B. (nee Balis); loving
father of Michael (David Adams) Frank
and Bradford (Laura) Frank; cher-
ished grandfather of Eliana, Adeline
and Carter Frank; devoted brother of
arriet Shane. In lieu of owers con-
tributions in Leonard’s memory may
be made in support of the Urology
Residency Program at Jefferson. Mail
MARCH 9, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT
GOODMAN PEARLSTINE
SHIRLEY (nee Muchnick), 97, passed
away peacefully on February 15,
2023 at her home surrounded by her
family. Beloved wife of the late Jules
Pearlstine, Esq. and the late Samuel
Goodman. Devoted mother of Bruce
Goodman (Judi), Dr. Bobbi Schulman
(Dr. Steve), Mindy Wexler (John)
and stepmother to Neal Pearlstine,
Esq. (Sharon) and Susan Pearlstine.

She was the loving grandmother to
Dr. Michele Goodman (Ian Gereg),
Adam Goodman (Tricia), Jeffrey
Goodman, Esq., Sam Schulman
(Kate), Abby Baker-McKee (James),
Michael Schulman, Esq., David
Wexler (Amanda), Brian Wexler,
Scott Wexler, Jaime Heller (Harris),
Ryan Pearlstine (Lindsey) and Nicole
Pearlstine. Shirley was blessed to
be the great-grandmother to Walter,
Paige and Penny Goodman, Phoebe
Goodman Gereg, Archie Schulman,
Leora and Eliana Baker-McKee, Eli
and Jules Heller and Cooper and
Chase Pearlstine. Shirley was a ded-
icated mother and loyal friend. She
was a champion bridge player and
enj oyed mahj ong, canasta and rum-
my 500 even until her last days. Over
her long life, she was involved in many
Jewish organizations but continued to
be an active Board member of Beth
Sholom Congregation and a longtime
Board member, committed volunteer,
respected advisor and philanthropic
supporter of Abramson Senior Care.

She will be remembered for her gener-
ous spirit, her love of life and her pos-
itive attitude. She lived a blessed life.

Contributions in her memory may be
made to Beth Sholom Congregation or
to Abramson Senior Care.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
LICHTENSTEIN SEYMOUR E - Passed away on
January 12, 2023 at age 82. Beloved
husband of Harriet Rice. Beloved fa-
ther of Alisa Straus and Laurie Heller
Wasserman (John).

Grandfather of Zachary Heller (Naomi) and Dr.

SHUSTER EVELYNE (nee Aziza), Feb. 24,
2023. Wife of the late Daniel. Mother
of Suzanne (Ben) Ullman. Sister of
Nicole (Edmond) Cohen and Jean-
Paul (Irene) Aziza. Grandmother
of Alexandra and Jacob Ullman.

Contributions in her memory may be
made to Physicians for Human Rights,
www.phr.org. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
SOLLOD FREDA
MIRIAM nee
Osattin. February 24, 2023. Wife of the late
Herbert. Mother of Susan Gravez
and Amy Sollod. Grandmother of
Patrick (Jocelyn) Parson, Jennifer
Parson, Jenna Friter and Rachel
Friter. Great grandmother of Corbin,
Colton, Cayden, Brayden, Scarlett
and Kennedy. Contributions in her
memory may be made to the National
Federation of the Blind, www.nfb.org
GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
STEIN VICTOR P. on February 26, 2023.

Husband of the late Dorothy. Father
of Cheryl (Benj amin) Moroff and Joel
(Sandra) Stein. Grandfather of Elanna,
Jessica and Steven. Contributions
in his memory may be made to the
Delaware Valley Veteran’s Home, 2701
Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA
19154. GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
WISCH PATRICIA BOGIN, 90 Philadelphia, PA
better known as Pat to most and Patsy
to one, died on March 1, surround-
ed by family and love from the many
people that cared about her. She left
this world peacefully and swiftly after
she was diagnosed with a sudden ill-
ness mere days ago. Pat raised four
beautiful children with her first hus-
band, Herbert Wisch. Family was al-
ways Pat’s priority, and until her last
day, she created sacred opportunities
for those closest to her to be togeth-
er. She earned her EdD at Temple
University and went on to direct the
Institute of Awareness and build a pri-
vate psychology practice. Pat made
a difference in many people’s lives
as a dedicated volunteer with Action
Aids, the American Red Cross, as a
hospital chaplain in Philadelphia and
North Carolina and finally as a volun-
teer at the same residential hospice
where she was cared for. She married
William (Bill) Yancey in 1985, and to-
gether they spent wonderful times in
the mountains of North Carolina, sail-
ing the Chesapeake and beyond, and
traveling the world. Pat made friends
everywhere she went, whether volun-
teering, playing bridge, birding, or even
striking up a conversation standing in
line at a store. She gave her attention
effortlessly and spread her love wide-
ly. Last year, over 100 people attended
her 90th birthday party on Zoom. After
friends and family shared how she had
touched their lives, Pat said
this is
better than a funeral.” Two years ago,
Pat moved to Amherst, MA to be closer
to her daughter. She wasted no time
creating a whole new life, the highlight
being singing in the Young at Heart
Chorus. She is survived by her chil-
dren Judi, Ben (Denise Deluca), Betsy
(Steve Jelinek), and David (Susan).

Grandchildren Allison Fabre (Olivier),
Cameron, Caleb, Jonah (Maelyn),
Noah (Emmalie), and Jesse. She lived
her life to the fullest, embraced every
moment with gratitude, and would
want you to do the same. Contributions
in her memory may be made to the
Patricia B. Wisch Scholarship Fund at
Temple University, Congregation Leyv
Ha-Ir, or Hospice of the Fisher Home.

GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
ZEMBLE DOROTHY
Dottie” (nee Isbinsky).

February 23, 2023. Beloved wife of
the late Elias Zemble. Beloved daugh-
ter of the late Samuel and the late
Rose Isbinsky. Dear cousin of Nora
Mahoney. Loving friend of Anne Dolan,
Terri Cassidy, and Mary Beth Fink and
many additional friends. Contributions
in her memory may be made to the
Pennsylvania SPCA, www.pspca.org,
or the Jewish Relief Agency, https://
ewishrelief.org GOLDSTEINS’ ROSENBERG’S
RAPHAEL-SACKS www.goldsteinsfuneral.com
MEMORIAL SPECTOR
In Loving Memory of Arthur L. Spector,
March 8, 2020 at age 80, attorney,
past president of Kehilat HaNahar.

Loving spouse of James A. Mokry, be-
loved son of the late Harvey and Rose
Spector, nephew to the late Anna
Abramson.




d’var torah
Beyond the Golden Calf: Normalizing
Art in the Jewish Tradition
Rabbi Lance J. Sussman
A Parshat Ki Tisa
bout 30 years ago, I was
invited to participate in an
interfaith Thanksgiving
service at the main Catholic church
in Binghamton, New York. I thought it
would be a good idea to bring my two
older children with me.

No sooner had we entered the
sanctuary than they stopped and told
me they could not go in the church,
which was richly adorned with stained
glass windows, Christian religious
symbols and statues of saints. “What’s
the problem?” I asked. “Dad,” they
blurted out, “there are idols in there!
We cannot go in.”
A quick but intense discussion
followed in which I acknowledged
Judaism’s unwavering prohibition of
idol worship and then explained that
there were some rabbis as far back as
the Middle Ages (such as Menachem
haMeiri, d. 1315) who did not view
Christianity as idolatrous and that, in
modern times, leading rabbis attend
services in churches like Westminster
Abbey and the National Cathedral in
Washington, D.C.

Furthermore, the service we were
attending was ecumenical. I am not
sure they completely believed me, but
they decided to come in and sit in
the back.

This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tisa,
includes the story of the Golden Calf,
the dramatic moment during the
Exodus when the people of Israel
lapsed into idolatry, sparking an angry
reaction from Moses and the smashing
of the tablets he had just received on
Mt. Sinai.

Moses then had to assuage the anger
of the Eternal, and an agreement was
reached for the prophet to return to the
top of Sinai and receive a second set
of commandments. According to tradi-
tion, Yom Kippur was then established
as an eternal path for atonement and
forgiveness. Although the Ten Commandments
include a prohibition on images in the
Jewish tradition, Judaism in the biblical
tradition did include art such as the
representations of the cherubim on the
Ark of the Covenant. Subsequent tradi-
tion is replete with discussion about
art, idolatry and false worship.

To help navigate a path between the
prohibition of all art and idolatry, the
rabbis developed the notion of Hiddur
Mitzvah — the beautifi cation of the
commandments as in creating sukkah
decorations and beautiful ritual items
like Torah crowns. But the problem of
images continued, particularly of the
human form. On the other hand, the
prohibition of any visual representation
of God remains in place to this day.

Not surprisingly, all types of artis-
tic experiments were attempted by
the Jewish community to fi nd a way
to express their religiosity through
visual art.

In the ninth century in Israel, Jews
created micrography, pictures drawn
with minute sacred texts. Later, in
Germany a Haggadah was created
with images of people with the heads
of birds and, in Renaissance Italy, Jews
were permitted to have sculpture in
their homes, so long as they were
imperfect and not usable for worship.

Still later, questions were posed
about including images of lions on
synagogue arks out of concern that
the appearance of idolatrous worship
of lion-gods was taking place.

Not until the modern period did Jews
begin to create art on a regular basis.

In the 18th century, a famous rabbi
refused to sit for a portrait, concerned
that it would be idolatrous. However,
within 100 years, numerous rabbis
allowed portraits to be made of them
so that they could model “tradition”
in an age of diminishing religious
practice. By the dawn of the 20th century, the
Zionist movement resolved to create
a national Jewish art academy after
Betzalel, the artist commissioned by
Moses to design the Sanctuary in the
desert during the Exodus.

Although questions remain in
contemporary Judaism about the
nature of idolatry, visual art has
become a “normal” feature of Jewish
life. However, tensions remain just
below the surface as in the novel “The
Chosen” (1967) and the Israeli televi-
sion series “Shtisel” (2013). Hundreds
of thousands of Jewish homes display
reproductions of paintings by Chagall
and artistic Ketubot are widely
obtained for weddings.

Today, Jewish life without art is
unthinkable but, at the same time, we
need to continue to think about what
constitutes Jewish art. ■
Lance J. Sussman is rabbi emeritus
of Reform Congregation Keneseth
Israel and the immediate past chair
of the board of governors of Gratz
College. He is the scholar-in-resi-
dence of Philadelphia’s Holocaust
Awareness Museum and Education
Center and is editing a second volume
of his sermons. 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.

JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 25