Jewish Celebrations in Greater Philadelphia A SUPPLEMENT to the JEWISH EXPONENT OCTOBER 29, 2015 Name: Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: SIMCHAS Experience Luxury in the Newly Renovated Hilton Philadelphia Experience Philadelphia's most breathtaking new Ballrooms, Grand Lobby and Guest Rooms. After a $10 million dollar complete hotel renovation, The Garden and Grand Ballrooms are now ready for reservations. Let our event specialists create an experience that you and your guests will remember forever. Name: Sheraton Valley Forge Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: SIMCHAS Gather For Life’s Celebrations Create memories with the region’s most spectacular venue for all occasions and special events. Name: TBD TOC AD Width: 4.917" Depth: 9.75" Color: Process color Comment: - THE Good LIFE Simchas A JEWISH EXPONENT SUPPLEMENT CELEBRATING TODAY’S ACTIVE SENIORS OCTOBER 29 2015 A SUPPLEMENT to the JEWISH EXPONENT 5 Make Mitzvah Projects More Meaningful by Selecting Jewish Recipients By Rabbi Jeffrey K. salkin 6 Putting the Mitzvah in Bar Mitzvah By Judy Lash Balint 9 To DIY For: e Two Sides of Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah By marissa stern 16 For ese Twin Sisters, Making a Difference rough Mitzvah Projects Is in eir Blood By Rachel Kurland 20 ‘Modest Mom’ Makes Frum Au Courant By Rachel Kurland 22 How a Wedding Is Just Like Yom Kippur, and Other Unexpected Rabbinical Views of Marriage By Jason cohen 26 PUBLISHED DECEMBER 17 To advertise in the special section call Sharon Schmuckler at 215.832.0753 or your sales representative. ADVERTISING DEADLINE NOVEMBER 27 Advertiser Index PUBLISHER’S REPRESENTATIVE/ GENERAL MANAGER STEVEN ROSENBERG DIRECTOR OF SALES SHARON SCHMUCKLER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JOSHUA RUNYAN ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES SUSAN BARON TAYLOR ORLIN BRUCE WARTELL MANAGING EDITOR GREG SALISBURY SENIOR STAFF WRITER JON MARKS STAFF WRITERS JASON COHEN RACHEL KURLAND MARISSA STERN PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JENI MANN CLASSIFIED SALES BEVERLY ALDORASI NICK STALLER MARKETING DIRECTOR JOSHUA HERSZ DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS CHERYL LUTTS ART/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR LONNA KOBLICK FINANCE ASSISTANT MARIE MALVOSO GRAPHIC DESIGNER KEMERON SENHOUSE SUBSCRIPTIONS NICOLE MCNALLY 2100 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 MAIN PHONE NUMBER: 215-832-0700 4 octoBeR 29, 2015 SIMCHAS Jewishexponent.com More Meaningful by Selecting Jewish Recipients By Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin “HEY, RABBI,” THE BAT MITZVAH one else will step up to that worthy candidate said, “can I tell you about plate. The same is true with the local my mitzvah project? I’m raising museum and symphony orchestra. money to help people join our syn- But if we don’t teach our kids how to agogue if they can’t afford it.” give Jewishly, they will never learn. No I was impressed. And moved. one else will step up for them and those And shocked. Jewish causes will go unsupported. Even- Why shocked? tually, they will die. Many religious schools require If even one generation of Jewish that Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidates do kids fails to learn how to support the a mitzvah project. Once upon a time, Jewish community, the Jewish people those projects were all Jewish in na- and Israel, Jewish giving will be over. ture. Families would plant trees in Is- Because Jewish giving, like any kind of rael in honor of their guests or display moral engagement, is a muscle. If you material from local Jewish organiza- don’t develop the muscle, it atrophies. tions on the tables at the celebration. So what can Jewish parents do to Kids would donate some of their gift make sure they are keeping the chain money to local Jewish federations. of Jewish giving intact? For a while, Bar and Bat Mitzvah First, teach your kids about local candidates would symbolically share Jewish needs, causes and organiza- their ceremonies with Soviet Jewish tions. Talk to them about the work refuseniks who were forbidden from of federations, community centers, One way to make sure your mitzvah project is en pointe: Have it studying Judaism. Jewish family and career services. benefit the Israel Ballet. But such specifically Jewish Take them to see what those organi- projects have gone the way of the zations are really doing. Talk to them VHS tape and the pet rock — hopelessly passé. about projects in Israel. Teach them about what Jewish organizations Over the last decade, mitzvah projects have become decreas- are doing all over the world. Make it real for them. ingly Jewish in their focus and intent. Mitzvah projects are far Second, link your child’s interests to Jewish causes. more likely to be focused on healing disease, or addressing en- Your kid likes baseball? There’s JChoice.org, a group that provides vironmental concerns, or raising money for disadvantaged kids. baseball equipment and supplies to kids in low-income areas. In fact, my young friend’s idea to help subsidize synagogue dues Dance? Give to The Israel Ballet. for the less fortunate was the only specifically Jewish mitzvah project Horses? Try the Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association, I had seen in years. which uses horseback riding to help people coping with disability I am all in favor of kids wanting to give to the wider commu- or injury. nity. Most adults and teachers would probably agree with me: There are other opportunities like these, many of them contained Any kind of altruism — anything that carries kids out of their in The Mitzvah Project Book, by Liz Suneby and Diane Heiman. iPhone, selfie-addled worlds — is good. But the flight from (Full disclosure: I wrote the foreword.) specifically Jewish concerns has its own set of worrisome im- Third, if you cannot find anything Jewish that interests your plications. child, convert your child’s interest to a Jewish value. Give that value First, it accompanies a gradual diminishment in Jewish ethnic a Hebrew name. feeling and connection — a diminishment that is part of larger trends Your child wants to raise money for a specific disease? Fine. Wel- within the American Jewish community. come to the world of refuah — “healing.” When I have mentioned the importance of particularistic Jew- Your child wants people to donate to help flood victims? Great. ish giving to parents, I get deer-in-headlights stares, as if parents It’s called tikkun olam — “repairing the world.” find the very idea of giving to Jewish causes to be an embarrass- Your kid cares about animal welfare? Fantastic. Thanks for sup- ment — too Jewish, too tribal. It is as if I am speaking a foreign porting tzaar baalei chayim —avoiding cruelty to animals.” language, which, in fact, I am: a language of Jewish peoplehood. Sure, tikkun olam is great. But tikkun ha’am — “repairing the Jewish Second, I find myself reminding Jewish parents of the deeper people” — is just as important. We do that when we connect our values ramifications of their kids’ choices. Here is what I say: to our people and to our sense of what we believe. l I know that your kids are going to want to give to various uni- Jeffrey K. Salkin is the rabbi of Temple Solel in Hollywood, Fla., and the author versal, communal and non-Jewish charities. We want to be helpful of Putting God on the Guest List: How to Reclaim the Spiritual Meaning of and to make a difference. That is what being Jewish is all about. Your Child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. This article first appeared on JTA.org. But here’s the deal. If your child doesn’t give to the United Way, some- JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SIMCHAS OCTOBER 29, 2015 5 Putting the Mitzvah in Bar Mitzvah Rabbi Chanoch Yeres, director of the Deaf Programming Division of International Young Israel Movement (IYIM), leads a 2013 Bar Mitzvah for 63 deaf and hard of hearing children. Judy Lash Balint E T U Judaica S C O V E R Y O U R SI M C H A Name: L Bala I N J O Y . . . Width: 3.625" We will fit and Depth: 3.125" personalize your talis. Ritual items for Color: Black plus one Shabbat & Holidays Comment: Siomchas Kippot • Kiddush Cups Candlesticks • Sederplates • Menorahs • Books • Kosher Wine from all over the world • Large Selections of Talism • Jewelry from Israel SALE! Ketubahs & Wall Art Stock only. SHOW SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL...BUY ISRAELI PRODUCTS 6 OCTOBER 29, 2015 BY JUDY LASH BALINT JNS.ORG IT’S 9:30 A.M. ON A SUNNY MONDAY morning in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. Two large groups of revelers almost collide in the alley leading to the main square. Both groups are accompanied by a clar- inetist and a drummer belting out tradition- al “simcha” tunes. In the middle of each gathering is a 13-year-old boy dancing with beaming grandmas and uncles under small chupot as they make their way under the stone arches from the Western Wall. It’s the Israeli version of the Bar Mitz- vah extravaganza, and it’s repeated every Monday and Thursday (days when the Torah is read) throughout the year. Boys from all over the country get called up to the Torah for the first time at the Kotel, and then get danced up the steps to the Jewish Quarter and on to a lavish break- fast spread at one of the many restaurants or halls dotting the area. But not every Bar or Bat Mitzvah-age teen in Israel is fortunate enough to have that kind of experience. For the tens of thousands of youths from dysfunctional families who are cared for in residential facilities all over the Jewish state, it’s often Diaspora Jews who make the difference between having no Bar/Bat Mitzvah at all, or having a meaningful transition into Jewish responsibility. Name: FILLER Width: 3.625" Depth: 3.125" Color: Process color Comment: in - your email The best of the Jewish Exponent inbox once a week. B a l a J u d a i c a 222 Bala Ave. Bala Cynwyd, Pa 610.664.1303 Sign up at the bottom left hand side of our homepage. (parking at BMW showroom lot at 216 Bala Ave.) SIMCHAS jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Zemira Ozarowski, coordinator of donor relations for AMIT, a network of educational programs that serves 28,000 Israeli chil- dren, is responsible for the twinning program that encourages American Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids to share their celebration with needy Israeli kids. Some of the Americans come over with their families to take part in the simcha they have sponsored, Ozarowski explains, while others conduct fundraising projects at home and send over funds to help sup- port AMIT’s efforts to inject joy into the lives of Israeli kids from dif- ficult backgrounds. Part of the donation is designated for the Israeli “twin” to receive a traditional gift of a siddur or tefillin. Some lasting relationships have been forged, Ozarowski notes, and the program was recently expanded to include twinning between Israeli pre-teens from established Jerusalem neighborhoods and kids in AMIT’s Beit Hayeled facility in Gilo. In Netanya, the Beit Elazraki Children’s Home run by Emunah, a prominent religious Israeli women’s movement with worldwide supporters, hosts many Bar and Bat Mitzvah twinning events. Amer- ican B’nai Mitzvot and their families have sponsored several major projects at the home, which houses almost 300 children whose fam- ilies cannot care for them. Back in 2011, a group of budding musicians from Teaneck, N.J., raised more than $20,000 as their communal mitzvah project, which funded new equipment for the music therapy program at Beit Elazra- ki. Several times a year, American and British B’nai Mitzvot join their peers at Beit Elazraki for a lively party that always features loud music and a festive meal. A popular B’nai Mitzvah activity for institutional groups as well as individual families is a visit to the Yad Lashiryon Latrun Tank Museum a few miles west of Jerusalem. Elisha Kramer, a U.S.-born graduate student, spent part of his army service as a tour guide at the museum. “Some weeks there would be two or three Bar Mitzvah groups every day,” Kramer recalls. “It’s a great place for kids to learn about the need for a strong Israel and the legitimacy of fighting for Israel,” Kramer says of the outdoor museum where more than 150 armored vehicles are on display, along with a moving memorial complex dedicated to fallen Israeli soldiers. Many B’nai Mitzvot want to take an active role in their celebra- tion, and Jerusalem Scavenger Hunts provides creative opportunities for learning and fun in and around Jerusalem. Founder and director Tali Tarlow explains that Israeli kids can train to guide their friends and family on a fun-filled, educational, thematic navigation through the city as they engage with its history and figure out their place in its future. The program is tailored to the interests of each child, who works with one of the Scavenger Hunt professional guides and ed- ucators to develop a presentation at one of the stations used in the Hunt. “We believe a Bar or Bat Mitzvah should be a special occasion and an opportunity for a meaningful experience,” says Tarlow, a longtime informal educator who made aliyah from South Africa. Any family that’s been part of the Package from Home Bar and Bat Mitzvah Project would agree with that sentiment. Started by American immigrant Barbara Silverman at the beginning of the Second Intifada in 2000, the volunteer-run program prepares and sends tens of thousands of care packages to Israeli soldiers, focusing particularly on Lone Soldiers (soldiers without family in Israel) and wounded soldiers. Bar and Bat Mitzvah students in the U.S. can raise money for the project, and those visiting can take part in the packaging and distribution of everything from warm cloth- ing to toiletries to snacks. Each package includes letters of appre- ciation for the soldiers, which kids are encouraged to write. Name: Development Corporation for Isr Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one LIFE’S IMPORTANT MOMENTS Comment: 1/2pg h- simchas See Mitzvah, Page 8 C E L E B R AT E WITH A MAZEL TOV BOND M A Z E L TO V B O N D S A Gift of Mazel Tov Bonds Helps Support Every Aspect of Israel’s Economy, Allowing for Advances in High-Tech, Biotechnology and Communications INVEST IN ISRAEL BONDS • ISRAELBONDS.COM Harold F. Marcus, Executive Director Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds 1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1302 • Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.545.8380 • 800.752.5671 • philadelphia@israelbonds.com 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 Photos: Aleksandr Kutsayev, Corbis, Comstock, istockphoto.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SIMCHAS OCTOBER 29, 2015 7 Mitzvah Continued from Page 7 A father helps his hard-of-hearing son put on tefillin for the first time at a Bar Mitzvah organized by the International Young Israel Movement and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Judy Lash Balint For children with physical as well as emotional challenges, it takes a special effort to create a Bar or Bat Mitzvah program they can relate to. At a recent ceremony in a Jerusalem synagogue, 63 deaf and hard of hearing children were called to the Torah in front of parents who were visibly moved by the moment, which was sponsored by the International Young Israel Movement (IY- IM) and its Deaf Programming Division in cooperation with the Jewish Agency. Boys with cochlear implants opened up the brand-new prayer shawls provided by the IYIM with a flourish, while groups of girls chattered in sign language and waited for their turn to recite a special blessing for becoming a Bat Mitzvah. Ben Zion Chen, the head of the Association for the Deaf in Israel, told the kids, “I grew up with hearing parents and didn’t know what Torah was. You are all very fortunate.” “It’s important that you know your rights and how to deal with your deafness as you grow up,” Chen added, while a sign language interpreter translated his words to the atten- tive students. “He didn’t sleep all last night,” said Orna regarding her son Shai, a profoundly deaf 13-year-old from Ramle. “He’s gone through so many operations, and had so many difficulties in his short life — it’s a joy to be here with him and see how happy he is,” she exclaimed as Shai took his place under the prayer shawl spread over his group, while Rabbi Chanoch Yeres, director of the IYIM Deaf Programming Division, read the Torah portion. In true Israeli B’nai Mitzvah style, the kids and their families, who had come from all over Israel, were treated to a celebratory lunch and a tour of the Old City to mark the day. l Name: Foodarama Caterers Width: 3.625" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Simchas ALL MAZEL TOV ANNOUNCEMENTS ARE NOW ONLY $ filler CALL FOR YOUR FREE MENU AND PARTY PLANNING GUIDE 215-633-7100 888-309-3800 WWW.FOODARAMA.COM 8 OCTOBER 29, 2015 18 SHARE YOUR engagement, wedding, birth, bar/bat-mitzvah announcement and any other simcha on both jewishexponent.com and the weekly Jewish Exponent newspaper for one low fee. J E W I S H E X P O N E N T . C O M / S U B M I T - C O N T E N T SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM MARISSA STERN JE STAFF The Two Sides of Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah THE AVERAGE BAR OR BAT MITZVAH takes months to plan and can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 and, in many cases, even higher. That cost covers everything from the DJ to the caterer to even the baskets filled with goodies in the ladies’ bathroom (sorry, men). And with the ubiquity of social media, the pressure to make an unforgettable party — at least by today’s digital standards — can be intense. Look up the hashtag #barmitzvah or #batmitzvah on Instagram and prepare to be astonished. Kids make separate accounts for their big bash, and Pinterest boards — a space where users “pin” ideas under a spe- cific category from other websites — abound with ideas to make the party pop that you can do yourself. With all of those planning options avail- able online, just how does social media affect the fairy godmothers of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah party: the planners? New York-based company mazelmo- ments.com, whose website features ideas for planning Jewish events including Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, has 6,200 followers on Pinterest and more than 40 boards with ideas ranging See DIY, Page 10 Pamela Rosenthal created the centerpieces for the B’not Mitzvah of her twin girls, Remi and Julia. Provided Name: Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine He Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: Simchas- 1/2pg Horiz color JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SIMCHAS OCTOBER 29, 2015 9 DIY Continued from Page 9 from invitation ideas to decor and centerpieces. The Mitzvah Market, another New York company, offers a website chock-full of ideas from which you can draw inspiration for your own party. With all these ideas floating in the virtual database, is the profes- sional sphere of Bar/Bat Mitzvah planners being threatened? Cigall Goldman, founder of mazelmoments.com, believes social media, the DIY enthusiasts and event planners can go hand-in-hand. “It’s funny because on the one hand, I think people like to do things themselves,” she said. “But on the other hand, I think the popularity of Pinterest and social media is creating a lot of ideas for people and they’re finding it might be a little much for them because there’s so many ideas going around.” The plus side to these sites and the ability to easily find inspiration online is that they provide more ideas that people can relate to the event planners as they start the planning process. “For image-based industries like event planning, Pinterest is huge,” Goldman said. “I think people turn to Pinterest because it’s an easy way to get a lot of ideas really quickly. It’s a great destination for getting a lot of ideas in a quick manner.” Stacey Kesselman is not a Pinterest user herself, but she does visit the site to promote the work of her company, Exceptional Events. The idea of Pinterest is good, she said, but oftentimes, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah will come in with ideas they’ve seen on the site but she can’t accommodate it, usually because of the venue size. “It’s challenging — and helpful,” she said of the role social media has played in recent years. “The helpful part is they bring colors and pictures of things they Historic Meets Hip at the National Constitution Center BOOK YOUR MITZVAH TODAY! Call 215.409.6653 or email facilityrental@constitutioncenter.org Visit constitutioncenter.org/facility-rentals Dazzle your guests with culinary excellence. 10 OCTOBER 29, 2015 A baseball-themed Bar Mitzvah centerpiece. Pinterest like and don’t like. The challenging part is that sometimes the venue doesn’t have what the picture shows. They want what’s in the picture. It can all be modified. It’s not our goal to mimic Pinterest.” Kesselman has been in the event planning business for over 10 years. Born and raised in Newtown Square, Kesselman first started in corporate event planning. When that market went south, she turned instead to party planning and reinvented herself in the Bar/Bat Mitz- vah service planning area. Exceptional Events does everything from logos to favors with the help of Kesselman’s “amazing” team. For her, the business has remained something she truly enjoys doing despite changing times and tastes. She follows trends of her own, as well as whatever trends crop up as specific themes like “luau” or “beach” themes become less popular. Right now, the more popular themes aren’t themes at all but, rather, “feels.” A color might be a theme, or a certain feel might be the theme, like a modern feel, she said. She meets with families about six months prior to the big day and follows up with meetings intermittently leading up to it to make sure everything is still what the family wants. “I love seeing everything we’ve worked on come together. The months of planning and prep and meetings — on that day, when everything gets put together, it’s awesome,” she said. The work she does is the reason she believes the do-it-yourself movement won’t get too far in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah realm. “I don’t see it as a trend,” she said. “People have high hopes to do it but as they get into the thick of it, there’s so much involved with it — that’s why they need a planner.” While she uses social media to promote her business and show pictures from parties her company has done, she doesn’t see it as the main competition but rather as an extra bit of help. “I feel like it’s very helpful to prospective clients because I feel like social media is a showcase for your work and for busy people SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM they can look on Facebook and see recent posts and recent parties and see if that’s the feel they want for their party,” she said. On the other side of the decorating spectrum, Pamela Rosenthal used social media to look for ideas for her twin daughters Remi and Julia’s B’not Mitzvah on Oct. 17. (For more about the twins, see p. 16.) However, Rosenthal decided to do everything herself as far as decor, just as she had with her older daughter, Abby, two years ago. When she and her husband, Steve, picked the date, the coordi- nator at their synagogue, Tiferet Bet Israel in Blue Bell, asked who their decorator would be. Rosenthal answered, “That would be me,” she recalled with a laugh. Rosenthal decided on thematic decorations for both the service — and the following luncheon — and the party. As they are twins, Rosenthal specifically wanted Julia and Re- mi’s parshah to be from the story of Noah, to go with the “two by two” motif. For the service, mitzvah baskets with doves will be set up on the bimah and during a luncheon following the serv- ice, there will be balloons of all colors of the rainbow as well as more doves. The decision to do the centerpieces and decor for the party Sat- urday night following the rest of the big day was in large part a fi- nancial reason, but it also gave Rosenthal the chance to contribute more directly to her daughters’ day. “It’s definitely easier to hire people, no question. But it has to be the right decision for each person,” she said. “My husband says, ‘Why put yourself through this?’ If I can save the money, I will.” Doing this part of the planning became a way for her to “mirror all the effort they put into it,” she said, citing all the work the girls have put in studying their Torah portions and preparing for their big day. “I thought I should do that as well.” Julia and Remi have both offered to help, however, which Rosen- thal appreciated, as it served as a lesson for them. “It feels good, too, to see that I’ve contributed the time, not just the dollars,” she said. “It’s a lesson I want my girls to learn.” Rosenthal looked online and did simple Google searches to get ideas to go along with the girls’ music theme. While she didn’t specif- ically focus on sites geared for DIY projects such as Pinterest, she did find ideas for cardholders online. Otherwise, she had her own ideas to make the party unique — and these ideas required hot glue guns. She found time whenever she could to work on the centerpieces and boxes that fit the theme and also featured the girls’ names as a keepsake for after the party is over. “It does bring some pressure because I’m not counting on any- body else to get it done,” she said, “I have to divide my time very carefully.” She bought everything from local stores, like A.C. Moore and Michael’s craft stores, and the flowers were from a local florist. In the end, choosing to decorate is a personal decision. Rosenthal has always loved crafting and finds it relaxing. That may not be the case for everyone. “When they’re all finished, I will be feeling on top of the world,” she said, laughing. “I really enjoy the process and sitting there and tinkering with them.” DIY parties are successful depending on the person, said Sheri Lapidus, founder of the Mitzvah Market, an online resource for any- one planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. “Either you’re a DIY person or you’re not,” she said. She wouldn’t call “DIY” a trend because it really isn’t, she said. See DIY, Page 14 Name: Hard Rock Cafe Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: 1/2pg h- simchas HAVE A PARTY SO GOOD EVERYONE WILL BE BEGGING FOR AN ENCORE! Crank up your event at the Hard Rock. It’s a one of a kind party venue where you can throw down like rockstars! Private space for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Wedding Receptions, and Rehersal Dinners. PHILADELPHIA | 1113-31 MARKET ST. | +1-215-238-1000 HARDROCK.COM #THISISHARDROCK ©2015 Hard Rock Cafe International (USA), Inc. All rights reserved. JOIN HARDROCKREWARDS . COM JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SIMCHAS OCTOBER 29, 2015 11 Name: Jan's Boutique* over Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: full pg tax-free 1 of 2- center spread up to off * Why will women cross the bridge? Because inventory selection matters! now ‘til December 31st Skip all your local stores and check out Jan’s! Dresses as low as $99 ...the largest tax-free dress store in PA, DE, NJ and NY. 13,000 square feet, 50 dressing rooms, 10,000 dresses in stock and always one on one personal service! www.inPAyouPay.com Shop at Jan’s and save up to 8% Morning appointments receive a $50 e-gift card Rina di Montella Trunk Show November 6th-8th Meet Rina in person! Alterations on Premises Shop the rest then try the best! established 1974 20,000+ Dresses online *up to 70% sale on select dresses only Name: Jan's Boutique* Width: over 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: full tax-free pg 2 of 2-center spread established 1974 Visit the largest Pre-Teen dress store in the region. Located only 5 miles from the Ben Franklin Bridge! Jan’s never charges sales tax on your dress unlike every other dress store in PA. Save up to 8% by shopping at Jan’s! now until December 31st select dresses on sale, stop in now for the best selection Morning appointments receive a $50 e-gift card Shop the rest then try the best! Alterations on Premises 20,000+ Dresses online www.inPAyouPay.com Shop at Jan’s and save up to 8% DIY Contact: mstern@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 Continued from Page 11 Party planners still have their benefits. “I think there’s definitely a place for party planners — they’re a huge help because it’s a very overwhelming task,” she said. Lapidus said a big attribute of her website is the chance for moms to connect while they are planning their children’s Bar or Bat Mitz- vahs. She has heard stories, or “mom’s finds,” of smaller DIY projects for the parties that people have done. For instance, one Bat Mitzvah was fashion-themed. The mother of the Bat Mitzvah bought a chair from Ikea that was then decorated with the Bat Mitzvah’s name and date of the affair and used as the sign-in chair at the party as well as the “Hora Chair.” Today — in its fully decorated state — it serves as the desk chair for her daughter. Pamela Rosenthal, however, maintains that no matter how the Bar/Bat Mitzvah gets done whether through a planner or on your own, the day should be more than the party, which is where most of the focus lies. She hopes that the work Julia and Remi have put into preparing for their big day remains in their heads, not just the celebration. “I want them to remember not so much the party,” she said, “but the whole experience.” l Remark Weddings Remark Weddings Name: Woodcrest Country Club Width: 7.5" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black Comment: Simchas 1/2pg Woodcrest Country Club Weddings • Bar & Bat Mitzvahs • Events 300 East Evesham Rd. | Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Events@woodcrestcountryclub.com WoodcrestWeddings.com 856-429-4300 /Woodcrestcountryclub /Woodcrestcc /Woodcrestcc Plate 3 Photography Bonnie Wireback Photography 14 OCTOBER 29, 2015 SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: Gabrielle Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: SIMCHAS For These Twin Sisters, Making a Difference Through Mitzvah Projects Is in Their Blood Rachel Kurland ISRAEL JE Staff Rachel Kurland BAR-BAT MITZVAH FAMILY TOURS Logo designed by ©studio Kalderon Small Groups - Personal Attention Fine Hotels - Unique Itineraries TOVA GILEAD, INC. www.tovagilead.com 1-800-244-TOVA It’s not just an airline. It’s Israel. 16 OCTOBER 29, 2015 Remi (left) and Julia Rosenthal recently celebrated their B’not Mitzvah. FROM THE OUTSIDE, TWIN SISTERS REMI AND JULIA Rosenthal are just like any other 12-year-old girls. They like to play piano. They read Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and John Green novels. They vent to each other. They like riding bikes, but not since Remi accidentally fell off one and broke her arm. From the outside, you would never know that Julia is a can- cer survivor. Julia was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor at about 20 months old. She received five blood transfusions in four days, among a long list of other treatments. The diagnosis and medical care was swift but successful.   Now cancer-free, Julia, along with Remi, decided to give back to those who saved her life. For their B’not Mitzvah project, the twins hosted a blood drive at their congregation, Tiferet Bet Israel, in Blue Bell. After five hours, 45 pints of blood were collected, according to Beth Toll, external communications manager for the American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Service Region. In just one pint of donated blood are four types of transfusable products: red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Usually two or three of these are produced from that single pint, so each do- nation can help save up to three lives, according to the American Red Cross. Their parshah is the story of Noah and the animals that marched two by two. Likewise, the sisters have spent their lives side-by-side. The 12-year-olds celebrated their B’not Mitzvah on Oct. 17. They said they were looking forward to becoming Jewish adults so they can make their own decisions, connect more to Judaism and do more for the community. They were also looking forward to their music-themed post- Haftarah-reading party. Rather than the traditional giveaway gift SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM of a sweatshirt, they upgraded to a long-sleeve T-shirt, which was a pretty big deal. But their B’not Mitzvah is more than just a party, and they recognize that, especially through their mitzvah project. While planning the blood drive, Ju- lia thought of the kids and adults out there like her and how the blood do- nations saved her life. “We thought it was a really nice way to give back to the people that helped by helping other people who needed those transfusions,” Remi said. “Julia’s my twin sister and she means so much to me since I’ve been with her my entire life. It’s really nice that I’m potentially helping other people who were in the same situa- tion I was in, to have a family member survive bad diseases and not have to face tragedy. “It’s really sweet that I don’t know who these people are but I’m still saving their life with the blood.” Julia remembers the physical therapy, but not much else. Remi recalls three stuffed animals their grandmother gave them: a whale, dolphin and seal. It might not seem like much, but she said it represented some- thing that could have been very bad but turned out very good. She still has the dolphin. The twins don’t remember much about Julia’s illness, but their parents, Pamela and Steve, certainly do. Pamela recalled how quickly things turned. During the summer, Julia was ex- periencing fevers, loss of appetite and lack of sleep. They brought her to doc- tors, but one night while the family was staying at Steve’s parents’ house down the shore, they took the 18- month-old to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “We went to CHOP one night — and never went home for 10 days,” Pamela said. After X-rays, a lot of questions and spending the night in triage, an oncol- ogist told them the news at 3:30 a.m. “You never see yourself in that position,” she said. “It hit fast and heavy; you regroup because you have to.” Julia started chemotherapy the next day and received those five blood transfusions over the course of four days. It was an immediate, heavy-duty medical intervention for stage three Wilms’ tumor. The tumor essentially destroyed her right kidney. Wilms’ tumor See Twins, Page 18 Name: Six Points Restaurant Group Width: 7" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black Comment: simchas-10/29- 1/2pg High Standards. Phenomenal Service. Enviable Events. REDEFINING THE ART OF KOSHER CATERING 550 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 610-257-3050 • info@sixpointskosher.com www.sixpointskosher.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SIMCHAS SIX POINTS KOSHER EVENTS OCTOBER 29, 2015 17 “They took a unique mitzvah project on, and they were very receptive to Continued from Page 17 it — I don’t think I could have done this at that age.” is very rare — there are only about Pamela said she never wanted 500 cases of it in the United States the cancer to define Julia, but each year — but it is a highly cur- rather have her be able to look back able form of the disease. and see how she endured some- Julia’s tumor was removed two thing major. months later. She remained on a “It’s nice to know that you can feeding tube for eight months. She overcome very challenging situa- received chemotherapy for a total of tions,” she said. “She’s a survivor.” six months, followed by occupational Julia wasn’t the only one affect- and physical therapy. ed by the cancer. “They’re identical twins, but for Her oncologist, Dr. Julie Stern, a long time you could tell who was treated her right after she was diag- who because of the illness and the nosed and has worked with her ever lack of hair. Then one day somebody since. She will also be attending said to me, ‘Which one’s which?’ and their B’not Mitzvah. it was like this monumental realiza- When Julia was doing therapy, tion that it didn’t show anymore,” Pamela said. Remi (left) and Julia are all smiles after their successful blood drive at Stern would see her and the family Fortunately, neither Julia nor Re- Tiferet Bet Israel. every week for several months. But Rachel Kurland now, only yearly check-ups are re- mi have had any serious medical is- quired. sues since, though Remi’s broken Stern developed a bond with the Rosenthal family, as did many arm from a biking accident is debatable, in her opinion. Aside from other staff members. She said they were easy to get to know and annual checkups, Julia just has to drink more water and wear a kidney take care of, and a very warm and open family. guard when she plays sports. “There’s certain kids you just really make a connection with, Pamela suggested a blood drive to the twins, and they were and the Rosenthals are like that for me,” she said. “I’m excited when instantly excited with the idea because they know what it did I see her name on the patient roster for the day.” for Julia. Because the twins were so young when Julia was sick, Stern said, She said she’s proud of her daughters, as any mother would be. Twins Name: World Cafe Live/Real Entertainm Width: 4.917" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: 1/2pg horizontal simchas 10/29 World Class Events WORLD CAFE LIVE FIRST-CLASS CATERING, FLEXIBLE SEATING, ON-SITE PRODUCTION AND FLAWLESS SOUND, LIGHTING & VIDEO BAR/BAT MITZVAHS Upstairs Live WEDDINGS A SOPHISTICATED FUNDRAISERS CAFÉ WITH AN CORPORATE MEETINGS INTIMATE STAGE NETWORKING EVENTS Downstairs Live REHEARSAL DINNERS MULTI-TIERED HOLIDAY PARTIES SPACE WITH A RECRUITING EVENTS LARGE STAGE COMMITMENT CEREMONIES FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 267 295 2949 OR EVENTS@WORLDCAFELIVE.COM 18 OCTOBER 29, 2015 SIMCHAS WORLDCAFELIVE.COM PHILADELPHIA, PA 3025 WALNUT ST JEWISHEXPONENT.COM “that’s sort of the blessing of treating kids that age. While it’s part of them, it doesn’t define them.” Stern added that Wilms’ tumor is the most common type of kidney or renal tumor in children, even though there are only 500 cases of it in the United States each year, as compared to an esti- mated 2,670 children and 410 adolescents diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia last year, the most common type of child- hood cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. “We work so hard to get kids to this point, and it’s just nice to be able to be a part of that,” Stern said, choking up a little. “I just think it’s amazing to be invited and to be included in their celebration.” She’s been to some patients’ weddings or been called when ba- bies were born, but nothing compares to celebrating the twins’ B’not Mitzvah. “For me, being Jewish and having a bond with them and knowing just how important B’not Mitzvot is, it’s just really, really touching for me to be involved with the family,” she said. Strangers were just as impressed with the twins. The Boutique Created Especially for Girls Sizes 7-14, Preteen & Junior Trunk Shows Coming in January C. W. Designs Gowns, Dresses & Suits for your Special Occasion. Appropriate Bimah Attire Sondra Celli Couture Custom Designed Gowns, Dresses & Suits Great Selection of Prom Gowns 215-579-9899 Closed Mon.; Tues.-Fri. 11 – 5:30; Thur. eves  ll 8; Sat. 10 – 5; Sun. 12 – 5 4 Cambridge Lane, Newtown, Pa. 18940 www.partygirlsnewtown.com Search Party Girls Newtown We’re not those kind of twins who can’t stand each other, we’re basically best friends.” REMI ROSENTHAL Bernice Steinberg did not hesitate to donate blood when she heard about the drive. The 85-year-old is a seasoned donor, and has been giving blood for most of her life. “I have it, I’m healthy and it’s going to help somebody,” she said. She usually gives at the biannual blood drives at Tiferet Bet Israel, where she is a member, and was blown away when she heard about the sisters’ story. “For two young kids to take that on and work hard, it means something to them and it’s their way of giving back too for what was down for them,” she said. “If you can help somebody, you help them.” And helping others through their mitzvah project is certainly coming full circle. The sisters grew up at Tiferet Bet Israel, attending pre-school and beyond. “I’ve been here my whole life, so it’s really special that I’m be- coming an adult finally after such a long time being here in this community, that’s what’s really important to me,” Remi said. “I think TBI has a lot of meaning to us because so many special things have happened here for us,” Julia added. The girls are more than twins; they are best friends. The two sev- enth-graders do just about everything together. They watch Once Upon a Time and America’s Next Top Model with all the ladies in their family: their mother, older sister Abby and cats Bella and Tali. They share the same circle of friends. They have the same teachers at Wissahickon Middle School, though Remi prefers language arts and Julia likes math. They also share a bedroom. “It’s nice that I don’t have to wait for school to see her,” Julia said. “We’re not those kind of twins who can’t stand each other, we’re basically best friends,” Remi said. “I think it would be really hard if I didn’t have a twin sister because I’ve grown up my whole life with a twin, and I can’t imagine what it’s like not to have one.” l NO MATTER WHAT SIZE DIGITAL DEVICE YOU USE YOU CAN ENJOY THE SAME GREAT JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Contact: rkurland@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0737 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SIMCHAS OCTOBER 29, 2015 19 ‘Modest Mom’ Makes Frum Au Courant Rachel Kurland JE Staff SOME THINGS NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE — THAT LITTLE black dress, leather jackets, Tiffany and Co. — and even modesty. Modesty has been around since the beginning of Jewish law. It may be difficult to adhere to in an era where the Kardashians reign, but one Philadelphia mom’s style is becoming noteworthy. Emunah Wircberg has developed a following for her fashion- forward posts as “modest mom” on Instagram. As the multitude of positive comments on her page indicate, her taste in covered-up garments show that it is possible to be both modest and fashionable. Although it may be hard to believe based on her outfits, the 23- year-old mother of two wasn’t always à la mode. She developed her sense of style after spending a year studying in Israel. Her parents weren’t so strict when it came to a dress code, but her school and seminary were. At the seminary, the dress code mandated a button- down shirt of any kind and a pleated skirt. She felt that the restrictions were somewhat forced upon her and had a negative connotation, but instead of being upset about the rules, she decided to stay positive and make her attire fashionable. “We brought out our own sense of fashion with our accessories, like headbands, jewelry, bags, shoes,” she said. After Israel, Wircberg lived in Brooklyn for four years — a time Emunah Wircberg’s children frequently appear with her on her Instagram account, the_modestmom. Emunah’s Instagram and a place that had the most influence on her style. Aside from a passion for fashion, Wircberg said having good style also makes a difference in how you present yourself. As a Jewish woman, she added, following the observant guidelines of modesty while also being fashionable is a beautiful form of expression. “As an observant woman, all mitzvahs that we do are a way of connecting to God, so following the guidelines of modesty is one of them,” she said. Wircberg currently has more than 4,400 followers on her Instagram account the_modestmom, which she started in March. She tags designers and stores in her pictures so her followers can see where she bought her clothes. She eventually hopes to write more about her outfits and blog about where her inspi- ration comes from. But for now, she does her best to be re- sponsive to her followers, answer their ques- tions and inspire them to see the beauty in modesty. “For me, I just want to show people that you can be a mother and running around chasing two children and working and dress modestly but be fashionable,” she said. “I have Jewish followers, I have Christian followers, I have a lot of Muslim followers as well, or just people who appreciate dressing modestly,” she added. “Every reli- 19th & Sansom Streets 215-567-4662 gion has their own certain set of guidelines Discounted Parking of what they wear, but in general, if they are Double Trunk Show Catherine Regehr Cocktail, Gowns and Separates Tom & Linda Platt Day into Evening Thursday Thursday to Saturday.
to Saturday.
/PWFNCFS
 /PWFNCFS
 10-5 10-5 pm pm 20 OCTOBER 29, 2015 SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM dressing modestly or into modesty, then I have a lot of followers of all different religions.” At first, she was surprised to see that she had so many followers from different backgrounds. “Why would they be interested in me?” she chuckled. But she said you could use modesty to enhance your life rather than see it as a setback, from any point of view. In the fashion world, she explained, designers like Dolce and Gabbana, Valentino and Christian Dior create outfits that happen to be modest as a way to be noticed. “A lot of people do see the beauty in covering up a little. You don’t have to flaunt everything to get attention. You can have gorgeous designs that are just modest.” In addition to those designer brands, Wircberg gets a lot of her favorite pieces from H&M and Zara. She also shops at Jewish stores that feature Jewish designers who create chic, modest outfits for ob- servant women, such as Mimu Maxi, Linear Collection and Project 6 NY. Sometimes she has to add fabric to the skirts she buys from stores like H&M to make sure they cover her knees, or she wears a tank top under a shirt so it covers her collarbone, but these Jewish designers reduce the need for that. It’s easier and more worth her time to buy a dress that fulfills her modesty requirements. She also follows other modest fashion bloggers for inspiration and admiration, like Fabologie or two of her friends, Aliza Scharf, who has almost 4,000 followers on Instagram, and Eliana Ladenheim from Eishes Styles. “Being a modest fashion blogger, you have this little group of other modest fashion bloggers and modest designers who create these outfits, and it’s just very cool,” she said. Wircberg described her personal style as not necessarily all over the place, but “big.” “I don’t really have a certain style. I like to have different looks,” she said, whether wearing a high-waisted flowy long skirt or rocking a leather jacket. The streets — and bricks — of Philadelphia provide the backdrop for Wircberg’s fashion chronicle. Emunah’s Instagram JEWISHEXPONENT.COM CONGREGATION MIKVEH ISRAEL'S GIFT SHOP: NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNUSUAL AND AFFORDABLE JUDAICA & NON-JUDAICA ITEMS T e l : 2 1 5 - 9 2 2 - 5 4 4 6 4 4 N . 4 t h s t r e e t , P h i l a P A 1 9 1 0 6 ( O f f M a r k e t s t r e e t b t w n 4 t h a n d 5 t h s t r e e t s ) F R E E PA R K I N G I N T H E HE A R T O F OL D E CI T Y G I F T S F O R AL L O C C A S I O N S On top of being a mother, Wircberg is the co-director of the Old City Jewish Art Center with her husband, Zalman. She also went to culinary school. “All of the arts — in terms of the art gallery and being a chef and also being into fashion — for me, it’s all forms of expression. They all relate to each other tremendously,” she said. When it comes to her fashion, Wircberg does her best to be com- fortable and stylish. “I’m not the type of mom who walks around in heels. I understand the role as a mother and the fact that I’m running around doing things,” she said. And even as a busy mother, Wircberg said, putting together an outfit is usually not a big deal. “Sometimes I think about what I’m going to wear, and other times I just throw something on,” she said. “I don’t think about it that much. I just take whatever’s in my closet.” One of her favorite go-to pieces is a black frock from Mimu Maxi, a simple jersey-knit loose dress. She said she could dress it up or down, making it an easy and comfortable outfit. Matched with her favorite accessory, a chic hat, and she’s ready to go. And 4-year-old Lezi and 1-year-old Roza aren’t left out when it comes to their mother’s fashions either. “I actually enjoy shopping for my kids more than myself,” Wircberg said. She likes having both a boy and girl to dress, and prefers dressing her daughter like a “little lady” instead of a baby. Being the modest mom is definitely a family affair — the pho- tographer behind her flawless photos is her husband, Zalman. But she emphasized that even though modest mom is a big part of her life, it usually only takes up about 15 minutes of her day as she passes by any interesting Philadelphia backdrop. “I don’t just walk around with a photographer all day long. Usu- ally, my pictures are taken as I’m putting my kids in the car before school,” she said. Her son has gotten used to the routine, too. “A lot of times, if we’re not taking a picture and we’re going somewhere, he’ll be like, ‘Mom, let’s take a picture.’ “They’re my kids, I’m with them every day, so they’re such a big part of my life. I try to incorporate them into ‘modest mom’ also because it shows that you can be a mother of two and still walk around modest and dress with style.” l Contact: rkurland@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0737 SIMCHAS OCTOBER 29, 2015 21 Is Just Like Yom Kippur, and Other Unexpected Rabbinical Views of Marriage Jason Cohen JE Staff ONE OF THE MOST JOYOUS OCCASIONS IN A PERSON’S life is their wedding. While the extravagant ceremony with food, drinks and dancing is fun, it is really about the journey to marriage and starting a Jewish life as a married couple. Rabbi Yochonon Goldman of Historic Congregation B’nai Abra- ham in Center City, Rabbi Eric Yanoff of Temple Adath Israel in Merion Station and Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, the executive director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association spoke to the Jewish Exponent about how marriage is similar to the High Holidays, what different customs there are at weddings and what it’s like to get to know the bride and groom. They all agreed: Getting ready for marriage is as important as the wedding. “The wedding gets a lot of attention,” Goldman said. “Part of the reason why preparing for the wedding is so important is because Name: Jewish Relief Agency Width: 3.625" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: SIMCHAS you want to start things on the right foot. Leading up to the wedding is the foundation for which we enable them to have solid beginning.” He explained that a wedding is linked to the High Holidays sea- son. God is considered the groom, the Jewish people the bride and people are courting God throughout the month of Elul. Then on Rosh Hashanah, God proposes and the sounding of the shofar is the acceptance. The wedding itself is the equivalent to Yom Kippur because it says in the Talmud that all sins are forgiven on the day of the wedding and the bride and groom fast on the day of the wedding as well. “The wedding day is like a couple’s personal Yom Kippur,” Gold- man said. There are several customs at a wedding. In addition to being re- quired to have the chupah outside, it also represents a Jewish home. Name: Declaration of Invitations Width: 3.625" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: SIMCHAS together we’re stronger! Jewish Relief Agency’s Annual Event to End Hunger www.declarationofinvitations.com declarit@gmail.com Wednesday, December 2 • 6:30pm-9:30pm Moulin at Sherman Mills 3502 Scotts Lane, Philadelphia Honoring Jennifer & Nathan Hoffman and Family F For ro event e ev v e n t inf information: o rm ati o n: 6 610.660.0190 1 0. 6 6 0.0 19 0 or www www.jewishrelief.org .je wishr e li e f. ro g 22 OCTOBER 29, 2015 SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM “By standing under a Jewish home, we elicit God’s blessings for a new couple and life together,” Goldman said. There are the legal obligations of writing and signing the ketubah, reading the sheva b’rachot — the seven blessings — and exchanging the rings, but there is also the tradition of friends and families hosting parties for the bride and groom seven days after the wedding. This is similar to the holiday of Sukkot. Many people believe the rings are a formality, but the groom must give a gift to the bride to show her his love — and it is crucial the correct rings are used, Goldman said. There is the tradition of breaking the glass, which signifies a bittersweet start to a new life. Some people even use the shattered glass to create a mezuzah case. “Even at the height of our joy, we break the glass to remember that the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and there’s still pain and suffering in the world,” Goldman said. “Every time you walk Name: FILLER Width: 2.333" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black Comment: - WHAT IT MEANS TO BE JEWISH IN PHILADELPHIA into your home, you have a memory from your wedding.” Yanoff, who is a Conservative rabbi, said he always tries to personalize each wedding and cater the customs to what the bride and groom want. “There’s not one way of doing it [the wedding],” Yanoff said. As an example, he cited how, in an Orthodox wedding, the bride will circle the groom seven times, but now in a more egalitarian so- ciety, bride and the groom will often circle each other three times, concluding with one circle together. “I do think the liturgy and traditions of the wedding are so beau- tiful,” Yanoff said. All of the rabbis said getting to know the bride and the groom is a special experience. They learn about their history, how they met See Wedding, Page 24 Name: Simply Amazing Selfie Width: 4.917" Depth: 4.75" Color: Black plus one Comment: SIMCHAS Simply Amazing Selfies entury 21st C ooth ... B Photo ny Make A ecial! p S t n e Ev Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Weddings Reunions Parties Corporate Events It’s an entertainment centerpiece for your party … print, text, email and share photos instantly! UNPLUG WITH THE JEWISH EXPONENT. You can have all the Exponent's printed publications delivered directly to your home for less than a dollar a week. To reserve for your event call 610.247.5637 info@simplyamazingselfies.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM/SUBSCRIBE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SIMCHAS OCTOBER 29, 2015 23 Wedding Continued from Page 23 and what they want out of life. If they are Orthodox, the bride will also meet with a rebbetzin to help her prepare for the mikvah, which she goes to the night before the wedding for purification purposes. T h e pl e a s u r e of yo u r co m p a n y i s re q u e s t e d to vi s i t The Invitation & Stationery Shoppe Of Gladwyne Featuring invitations for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Weddings Bridal Showers Corporate Events Parties — Stationery Calligraphy H o s t e d by : Lynn Spector & Naomi Zipkin 352 Righters Mill Rd. Gladwyne, Pa 610.649.1100 Yanoff said he explains traditions to the couple and no matter how religious they are, “they should have ownership” of the customs they want to perform at the wedding. One he often suggests is having the parents wrap the bride and groom in a tallit, which represents unity. Some unique customs that brides and grooms have explored in- clude pouring sand into a container, which symbolizes their lives coming together. Another bride and groom made a wax drawing of each other and a third wedding involved a couple using spray paint. “Each couple is unique and each couple can draw on the rituals that exist,” Yanoff said. Wechterman, who also performs same-sex and interfaith mar- riages, said a wedding is a wedding regardless of the people involved. Like her fellow rabbis, she meets with couples several times and as- sists them on their journey to marriage. “Practicing and preparing for a wedding are both helpful in guid- ing the conversation with what they want their marriage to look like,” she said. “Throughout the process, we design a ceremony that makes sense for that couple.” She said in an interfaith marriage, she will use more English and the non-Jewish person might say a vow to the other person. Unlike Ortho- dox weddings, Wechterman said many couples have chosen to have seven friends or family members write the sheva b’rachot. In addition to the bride and groom circling each other three times and once together, Wechterman often asks children related to the couple to participate. “I find the circling tradition is a great way to include children,” she said. Wechterman said she is always open to rituals from other cultures. When she did a wedding between a woman and an African-Amer- ican man, they jumped over a broom because that was part of his family’s heritage. Another wedding involved a person of Chinese descent, so they read Chinese blessings. “In participating,” she explained, “I get invited into their intimate lives and their true feelings and help them articulate often what they feel and can’t always articulate.” l Contact: jcohen@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0747 24 OCTOBER 29, 2015 SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM K OSHER Name: Anns Cake Pan A VAILABLE Width: 3.625" Depth: 1.75" Color: Black Bris•Weddings•Mitzvahs Comment: Business Card Name: Henning's Market Width: 3.625" Depth: 3.125" Henning’s Custom Catering Color: Black Comment: 4unit Perfect For All Functions Pleasing generations for over 45 Years • From Private to Corporate • All Inclusive Meals • All Food Cooked on Premises by our In-house Chefs • Set Up & Service Available • Meeting & Party Room Up to 60 Guests Known for Award Winning Confectionary Flowers 215-675-7491 www.annscakepan.com www.facebook.com/acpcakes Name: Mister Magic Man Width: 3.625" Depth: 1.75" Color: Black Comment: BUS CARD Mister Magic Man, Busi- Name: The Fabulous Susan Shpielkes Watts Width: 1.687" Depth: 3.75" Color: Black Name: Kids Specialists Kuts in Children’s Haircuts Width: 3.625" Depth: 1.75" Color: Black Comment: bus card Award-Winning Klezmer Music BY IMPERIAL COIFFURES LTD. 3340 Nazareth Rd., Easton PA., 18042 610-258-2959 Walk-ins Only Mon-Fri. 10-6 (Last Haircut at 5:30) Sat. 10-3 (Last Haircut at 2:30) Name: Greater Phila. Medical Weight L Width: 3.625" Maurice Singer, D.O. • Greater Philadelphia Medical Weight Loss Center 10663 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116 • 215-676-3336 Depth: 1.75" • HCG • Body Composition Analysis Color: Black • Meal Replacement Programs • Lipo-B and B-12 Shots Suppressants BUSINESS • Behavioral Modifi cation Comment: BUS CARD • Appetite COLOR Get Fit and Feel Great! Only a medical doctor can truly understand how your unique health profi le contributes to your weight loss challenges, but also how it can be used to help you achieve success. Call our Certifi ed Nutrition Specialist today to learn more. www.pamedicalweightloss.com info@pamedicalweightloss.com Name: Mark Sobel Width: 3.625" Depth: 1.75" Color: Black Comment: bus card 1 to 6 Piece Band For Your Special Occasion Reasonable Rates & References JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Your Caterer For... Baby & Bridal Showers • Weddings • Confi rmations & Graduations Corporate & Retirement Parties • Cocktail & Dinner Parties Picnics & Holidays DOUBLE COUPONS EVERY DAY 290 Main Street • Harleysville, PA • 215-256-9533 OPEN EVERY DAY 7 AM-11 PM Music For All Occasions (610) 389-6036 www.phillyklezmer.com susan@susanwattsonline.com Elaine Hoffman Watts Name: Irma Brook- stein Width: 1.687" Depth: 3.75" Color: Black Invitations Stationary Calligraphy Gifts Les Femmes 157 Manor Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 215-938-1440 Fax: 215-938-0421 Name: Rabbi Rayzel Raphael Width: 3.625" Rabbi Rayzel Raphael Depth: 1.75" Color: Black www.Shechinah.com 1211 Ansley Ave. Comment: bus card Melrose Park, PA 19027 www.miratrio.com 215-237-2955 cell 215-782-1221 home RRayzel@Shechinah.com RRayzel@InterFaithways.com KLEZ & JAZZ WITH CLASS MARK SOBEL 215-677-0572 www.jewishmusik.com w w w. j e w i s h e x p o n e n t . c o m SIMCHAS OCTOBER 29, 2015 25 CATERING & FOOD SERVICES Advertiser Index Ann’s Cake Pan...............................24 Foodarama Caterers.......................8 Hennings Market ............................25 Six Points Restaurant Group .....17 CHARITABLE/SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ENTERTAINMENT Mark Sobel ........................................25 Simply Amazing Selfie ................23 The Fabulous Shpielkes..............25 Gabrielle ..............................................15 Jan’s Boutique ...........................12, 13 Party Girls...........................................19 Sophy Curson .................................20 RABBIS Rabbi Rayzel Raphael..................25 Greater Philadelphia Medical Weight Loss......................................25 Kids Kuts............................................25 TOURS & TRAVEL INVESTMENTS VENUES Development Corporation for Israel ...............................................7 Jewish Relief Agency...................22 FASHIONS HEALTH & BEAUTY SERVICES INVITATIONS Declaration of Invitations...........22 Gladwyne Pharmacy....................24 Irma Brookstein ..............................25 JUDIACA/GIFTS Bala Judaica .......................................6 Congregation Mikveh Israel .......21 Tova Gilead, Inc................................16 Hard Rock Cafe.................................11 Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue .....................................C2 National Constitution Center....10 Philmont Country Club ...............27 Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage ...................9 Sheraton Valley Forge.....................1 Top of the Tower ...........................C4 Woodcrest Country Club............14 World Cafe Live...............................18 Name: WINTER GUIDE PROMO Width: 7" Advertise your business in Depth: 4.75" THE JEWISH EXPONENT’S Color: Process color Comment: - 2015 A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE JEWISH EXPONENT. Publishes November 19. Ad space closes November 3. For advertising information, contact Sharon Schmuckler at 215.832.0753 or sschmuckler@jewishexponent.com. THE WINTER GUIDE IS ONLINE! Click the link on the jewishexponent.com homepage. 26 OCTOBER 29, 2015 SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Name: Philmont Country Club Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: Simchas Creating Dream Events For Over 100 Years A historic clubhouse with old world charm, Philmont Country Club is the perfect venue for your dream wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, rehearsal dinner or shower. Philmont offers a grand lobby and Brazilian hardwood porch, a charming red brick patio overlooking an Olympic-size swimming pool, and an elegant Grand ballroom for dining and dancing for up to 330 guests. 301 Tomlinson Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 215-947-1271 • www.philmontcc.org Name: Top of the Tower Width: 7.5" Depth: 10" Color: Black plus one Comment: Simchas