C ommunity
NE WSMAKERS
AJC Philadelphia Holds Annual Diversity Forum
Philly Friendship Circle Hosts Fundraising Event
AJC Philadelphia/Southern NJ hosted its annual Thanksgiving Diversity Program, “Celebrating
Our Diversity and Shared Values,” via Zoom on Nov. 9.

This year’s keynote speakers were Independence Blue Cross Foundation President Lorina Marshall-
Blake, University of Pennsylvania Vice President for Social Equity and Community Charles L. Howard
and Saint Joseph’s University Professor of Theology Philip A. Cunningham. Their themes included
resiliency, healing societal divisions and overcoming challenges during the ongoing pandemic.

On Nov. 7 at the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, the Philly
Friendship Circle held the Philly Friendship Walk to raise money
for its programs.

The nonprofit organization connects teens and young adults
to youth with special needs and their families.

The AJC Thanksgiving diversity Zoom on Nov. 9
Courtesy of AJC Philadelphia/SNJ
From left: Youth co-chairs at the Philly Friendship Walk included
Gabrielle Dorfman, Alexa Verne, Ben Wolf and Carly and Fallyn Zeitzer.

Courtesy of Jay Gorodetzer Photography
COMMUNITYCALENDAR FRIDAY, NOV. 19
Parsha for Life
Join Rabbi Alexander Coleman, Jewish
educator and psychotherapist at the Institute
for Jewish Ethics, at 9 a.m. for a weekly
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. Geography of Summer
What is the history of the summer vacation?
How does it apply to the Jewish community?
Why and where and how do we travel? What is
a Jewish “staycation”? Reform Congregation
Keneseth Israel’s Temple Judea Museum
2021 fall exhibition “The Geography of
Summer” is open. Visit the gallery in person
at 8339 Old York Road, Elkins Park, or follow
the exhibition on the Temple Judea Museum
Facebook page and on YouTube.

Film Festival
Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival (formerly
Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival),
presenter of the Philadelphia Jewish Film
Festival, continues its two-week annual Fall
Fest, which will both stream and screen films
in-person through Nov. 20. Learn more at
phillyjfm.org. Sisterhood Shabbat
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare
Shamayim will host its annual Sisterhood
Shabbat service both in-person and virtually at
7:45 p.m. Sisterhood will conduct the service,
and all members are invited to participate in
either English or Hebrew. There is no charge
for the evening, but we will need your email
address so we can send you the link for the
Zoom meeting. Contact the CSS office at
215-677-1600. SATURDAY, NOV. 20
Magic Night
Old York Road Temple Beth Am presents
magician Chad Juros, who has entertained the
likes of magic legends Penn and Teller on their
television show “Fool Us”! Enjoy a virtual magic
experience on Zoom. $36 per screen. Contact
Beth Am at 215-886-8000 to RSVP. Venmo,
credit cards and checks are accepted.

SUNDAY, NOV. 21
Heart Health Lecture
Old York Road Temple-Beth Am Brotherhood
presents “It’s Time for A Heart-To-Heart About
Heart Health.” Join us at 9:30 a.m. to hear
Dr. David J. Waldstein discuss cardiovascular
disease and heart health. RSVP to
srigefsky52@gmail.com or call 215-266-0466.

971 Old York Road, Abington.

Gratz Celebration
The Gratz College community is invited to
join us for this live, online celebration through
storytelling, music and a champagne toast
with the new president of Gratz at 4 p.m.

Preregistration is required with a minimum of
$18 donation. Call 215-635-7300 ext. 155 or
email mcohen@gratz.edu.

Giving Seminar
Learn ways to save money on your taxes
while helping out your favorite charity with
Congregation Kol Emet at 4 p.m. in person or
on Zoom. Contact 215-493-8522 or
office@kolemet.org. 1360 Oxford Valley Road,
Yardley. MONDAY, NOV. 22
Mahjong Game
Melrose B’nai Israel Emanu-El Sisterhood
invites the community to join our weekly
mahjong game at 7 p.m. Cost is $36 per year or
free with MBIEE Sisterhood membership.

For more information, call 215-635-1505 or
email office@mbiee.org. 8339 Old York Road,
Elkins Park.

TUESDAY, NOV. 23
Thanksgiving Food Delivery
The Naturally Occurring Retirement
Community @ Jewish Family And Children’s
Service’s annual Thanksgiving event is back.

We are delivering holiday food items to seniors
in Northeast Philadelphia. Meet us at 5:30
p.m. to receive food tote bags and directions
to members’ homes. Contact nmuhammad@
jfcsphilly.org or 215-320-0351, ext. 2.

7605 Old York Road, Melrose Park. l
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