January 2001 Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom Volume 37 No. 5
Notes from the President
January . . . Brrrrrrrrrrrrr
By Alan Schlechter Mrs. Lynn Bates has joined our working has reached a total in increased dues for
President team as the new Temple Secretary. Lynn this fiscal year of $44,733.30. The
Last month I mentioned that Tracy started the Monday before Thanksgiving Mitzvah Drive has raised an additional
Snyder, our Temple Secretary, was and is doing a wonderful job for us. When $29,912.42. Not a bad way to end this
leaving us to work for the Children's you're in the Temple please stop year and a good way to start the new one.
Home by and introduce yourself to her. Thanks to all who were involved in this
of Reading. I'm pleased to announce that To date, our fare share dues campaign (Continued on page 5)
From the Rabbi’s Study
Making beautiful music together
Over the two years Rebecca Fletcher, Mitzvah students prepare for their special College’s School of Sacred Music. This
our student cantor, has been with our day. She has been a wonderful addition program provides students with the
congregation, we have had the to our Temple family. opportunity to get some “real life”
opportunity to watch As a small congregation, we have a experience in a congregation and
Rabbi Brian her grow as a cantor wonderful opportunity to be a big part of congregations who cannot afford to hire
and as a person. She the future of Reform Judaism in the fully invested cantors to have the services
has helped to lead United States. Over the last couple of of a training Jewish professional at a
services, teach both children and adults years, we have participated in the student significantly reduced cost.
and help a number of Bar and Bat cantor program of the Hebrew Union The experience and mentoring that
these students receive is an invaluable
January Highlights
part of their development in the future.
This program allows all of us to be part of
Monday, Jan. 1: New Year’s Day, office closed informing and teaching a new generation
of Jewish professionals. I feel that, as a
Friday, Jan. 5: Early Friday service, 6 p.m. congregation, we should feel privileged to
Saturday, Jan. 6: Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m. be a part of such an important process.
Saturday & Sunday, Jan. 20-21: Reading Symphony JCC fund-raiser
Sunday, Jan. 21: Men’s Club, 9:30 a.m.
This month’s bulletin
Friday night services at 7:45, except 6 p.m. service Jan. 6 is sponsored by
Baby sitter available at Friday night services Kenn, Sharon, Kyle &
Rachel Spinrad
Anyone interested or who is aware of someone who in memory of Darcy
might be interested in babysitting at Saturday morning Spinrad
services, please forward the name to Linda Bram.
Inside the Bulletin of Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom:
Religious School News, Page 2 Sisterhood News, Page 3
Welcome our new secretary, Page 5 Temple Calendar of Events, Page 7
Our Temple 2
Religious School News
First half of school year filled with excitement
By Holly Michelson students are practicing hard on their school with no heat, electricity or phone.
Religious School Administrator Hebrew. You could say that our school is At this point they are fine and warm, but I
Our first semester is drawing to a a hub of activity. may need to go get thiem. It reminded me
close. It is hard to believe that we are While we want our students to have that as it gets colder and windier out,
already halfway through the school year. fun, the Religious School Committee, the there will inevitably be days when
It has been an exciting first half. The Rabbi and I feel that it also is important to everyone is better off staying home.
students have been immersing themselves find ways to evaluate our and the Should it become necessary to close
in so many different areas. Some classes students’ progress. With that in mind, a school on either Sunday or Tuesday,
have already been on field trips, while newly designed progress report will be announcements can be found on BCTV,
others are planning their trips. Class sent home with each student sometime in WEEU (830 AM), WRAW (1340 AM)
Shabbats are scheduled (the 6th/7th grade the middle of January. and WRFY (102.5 FM). There will also
Shabbat service is January 12!) and the As I write this, my daughters are at be a message on the Synagogue’s
Save the Date: Tuesday, March 27 Book group returns
Bus trip to Hebrew Union College in Manhattan for The next book we will be reading is Turbulent Souls by
our student Cantor Rebecca Fletcher’s graduation Stephen J. Dubner. It is the amazing true story of a
concert, followed by lunch hosted by her family and a son’s rediscovery of his parents’ Jewish roots.
tour of an exhibition of modern ritual objects. We will be meeting to discuss the book on Sunday,
Cost $20 February 25 at 4:00 PM. A small number of books are
Watch for announcements and a reservation flier. available for purchase from the Temple office.
Former Temple building gets exciting new life
By Marilyn Frank brightened up quite a bit. It was good to The last two Religious School rooms are
RCOS at 13th & Perkiomen is now the see the young people helping to prepare being used by Head Start, so they are
home of The Olivet’s Boys and Girls their meals there and taking responsibility making use of the building all day.
Club. I have been lucky over the years to for themselves. They are ably led by The sanctuary has remained intact. It
visit and was very much impressed and Kevin Devera who not only is liked by is used as a theater, and even though the
pleased. the children, but is also respected and a stained glass windows are gone, it has
Thanks to a member of our disciplinarian. maintained the same elegance. The day
congregation giving a donation to the The former social hall has been I was there the children were being given
Temple, we were able to turn the building transformed into a beehive of activities. music lessons in the front part of the
over to the club. All kinds of games are being played in sanctuary. Kevin would be delighted to
They have certainly utilized all different areas of the room. show you around. He is there from 3-10
portions of the synagogue. The kitchen The former Religious School rooms p.m. daily. What a marvelous experience
has been painted bright blue and are also being used for other activities. seeing the building put to good use.
IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER
Call the Temple office if you believe a service, class or other scheduled event may be cancelled or
delayed due to weather. Cancellation announcements will be made on:
WEEU, 830 AM; WRAW 1340 AM; or WRFY, 102.5 FM.
3 Our Temple
Sisterhood News
Keep pushing cash toward the Pushke Fund
By Linda Bram members who have sent back their beautiful Longaberger basket that is the
Sisterhood 1st Vice President Pushke coupons. Your generosity has 2nd prize in the Pushke Fund drawing.
Happy 2001 to all! Congratulations for been wonderful; the 2000-2001 Pushke This collectors basket will continue to
making it through the new millennium Fund is sure to be an even bigger success increase in value as the years go by. We
safe and sound. The fall was a busy time than last year. are anticipating that the first prize, that
for Sisterhood and the spring promises to To those of you who haven't send your one of a kind custom piece of white and
be an equally productive and fun time for coupons in yet, don't worry, there is still black diamonds set in 14k white gold,
the membership. time and I will keep on hocking until will be ready for display by February.
On behalf of the Sisterhood I want to May's bulletin article! Keep your eyes peeled.
give a huge "Thank You" to those Take a look in the Gift shop to see the Until February, stay well!
Men’s Club News
Learn how to talk to your family doctor
By Marshall Azrael contribute to the condition. At our first Minersville, Pennsylvania.
Men’s Club President meeting in 2001, one of our new members I look forward to seeing you on Jan.
For most of us, our family doctor is will tell us about talking to our family 21. All congregants and friends are
part of our extended family in whom we doctor. Dr. Ralph Mazzochetti and his welcome. Please call me if you have any
put our trust. To get the best help, we family, wife Mindy and daughters Carly questions or suggestions. Next month's
need to tell our doctors not only what is and Gabby joined our congregation about meeting is on Sunday, Feb. 11. This is
bothering us, but also what we did to year ago. He has a family practice in the second Sunday in February.
JEWISH WEB SITE OF THE MONTH
http://www.rac.org This is the link to the Reform movements Religious Action Center in Washington. This is
a great site to check out what is on the political agenda that is of interest to the Jewish community. It also
offers an easy way to contact elected officials on issues that are of interest to us. It is worth checking
Food donations
for the Greater Berks Food Bank are being accepted in the Rotunda.
NEWSLETTER STAFF CORRECTION
Mark Nemirow—Editor The December bulletin was sponsored by Ivan and Dr.
Sidney L. Symons—Advertising/ Mildred Gordon in memory of Kate and Nathan Gross.
Sponsorships Manager
To get an item in the bulletin, call Mark at
610-370-2533 (Marknem@aol.com) or the Save the Date! Sunday, May 6
Temple office ,610-375-6043.
Deadline for the next issue is Jan. 5. JCC Gala Dinner Celebration
Details to follow
Our Temple 4
The Jane Henry Memorial Fund Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
In memory of Samuel R. Lurio
The Jane Henry Memorial Fund is not just a camp fund for youth. It will help anyone in need, Mildred Lurio
particularly young people. This fund will consider aiding someone during difficult, needy periods.
In memory of Mollie Fruchtman
Sandee & Neal Nevitt
In honor of Dick Henry’s Volunteer of the Year Award
The Bram Family In honor of Rabbi Brian & Holly
Michelson’s 11th anniversary
In honor of Erica Beckerman’s 18th birthday Cantor Gerald Miller & Mrs. Bonnie
The Bram Family Friedman (Mom & Dad)
In honor of Richard Henry’s Scroll of Honor Award
Mr. & Mrs. Irwin Beck
Joyce & Leonard Goldberg Birthday Greetings/Sunshine Fund
Bob & Kaye Ullman Every Sisterhood member is sent a
special birthday message. Send
In memory of Bernie Singer
donations to: Adrienne Cardinal
Carole & Irv Beck
907 Brighton Ave.
Reading, PA 19606
Oneg and Flowers Sponsors
Jan. 12 - Oneg sponsored by the Sixth and Seventh grade classes Birthday Greetings
Phyllis Symons Patricia Frankel
To sponsor an oneg or purchase pulpit flowers, call Ellice Elaine Backer
Gunter at 610-775-4448
Temple Building Fund A Tisket-A Tasket
We Recycle Baskets!
For the Yahrzeit and in Knoblauch in honor of Ritterband They once held holiday
memory of Arthur Justin’s Bar Mitzvah
Levinger Sue & George Viener In memory of Esther goodies, but if they’re only
Norma, Marty, Andy & Fisher Miller holding cobwebs in your garage
Erica Beckerman Special birthday wishes Carmen & Richard D. Fisher now, we’ll be glad to pick them
to Sue Wachs
For a speedy recovery to Mr. & Mrs. Richard Yashek Best wishes for a speedy up for the membership
Lillian Barrer recovery to Sue Wachs committee to use. Phone
Jane & Bernie Sher For a speedy recovery to Mr. & Mrs. Richard Yashek
Gerry Sigal
Harriet Baskin at 610-396-9599
To Mr. & Mrs. Murry Margery Altman & Beth
5 Our Temple
Welcome to new Temple secretary, Lynn Bates
Let me introduce myself to you as I Governor Mifflin. I have worked in a help me keep an accurate calendar. I do
begin the position as your Temple variety of places and settings from not know that a certain group always
Secretary. Municipal Court Clerk, legal secretary, meets the fifth Monday, or that on
I am Lynn Bates, a relatively new income tax preparer to owning our own Thursday at 3:00 p.m. you need the
resident of Berks County having moved Book Store. My last position was at Library. You will need to share this
from Sparta, Wisconsin in August 1998. Griffith & Bixler Furniture Store. I enjoy information with me. Please call the
I am married to Tiff Bates, Associate walking and sewing, particularly quilting Temple Office, or slip the information
Minister for Christian Education at and folk art stitching and doll making. under the office door. Thank you.
Immanuel United Church of Christ in I am excited about my new role as I will be working Monday–Friday,
Shillington. your Temple Secretary and look forward 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. so please stop in
We have three teenagers. Our oldest, to working not only for you but with you. and introduce yourself. I look forward to
Amber, is a freshman at West Chester Because I do not know all the ins and getting to know you.
University, Crystal is a junior at Governor outs of Temple Oheb Sholom yet, I am
Mifflin and Andy is a freshman also at asking for your help. You will need to
Perpetual Memorials
January 5 January 19 Jacob Gernsheimer
Claire Dershwin Ella Brok William Crane
Samuel Frankel Pauline Friedman Bertha Loeb
Benjamin W. Loeb Fred Katz Julius Curson
Anna Baerncopf Jonas Sondheim Carry Abrams
Helen Simmons Levi Weitzenkorn Nettie Loeb
J. Harold Fisher Elaine Dunitz Estella M. Cohen
Emanuel W. Loeb Ida Salberg Rapp
January 12 Norman M. Regner Edmond E. Eschwege
Frieda Goldstein Sarah Fisher Maurice Meier
Sidney Spinrad Elias Schulhoff
Henrietta Weitzenkorn Fannie Loeb CORRECTION
Josephine Meyers Samuel R. Lurio’s name was inadvertently
Dora Lurio Greenberg January 26 omitted from the Dec. 1 Perpetual Memorials.
Adolph Loewenstein Bessie Knoblauch We apologize for the error.
Morris Knoblauch
Leo Camp
PRESIDENT
(Continued from page 1) put any additional pressure on our Rabbi).
project. Your hard work and dedication Also, our Temple has a new Web site: Alan Schlechter - President
have made it a true success. www.ohebsholom.org. We also have new president@ohebsholom.org
Well, it is getting colder, and what a e-mail addresses to make it easier for Rabbi Brian Michelson
great opportunity to warm up among members to send comments or requests: rabbi@ohebsholom.org
friends by coming to Temple on Friday Beth Bruck - Bookkeeper Holly Michelson-Religious School
night. Our Rabbi always has informative bookkeeper@ohebsholom.org administrator: School@ohebsholom.
and entertaining sermons that both lift the Lynn Bates - Secretary org
spirit and put a smile on your face (not to office@ohebsholom.org I hope everyone had a Happy Chanukah,
VISIT THE SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP
Our Temple 6
Sisterhood Florence Frank Offering Fund
To Helen Spinrad in memory of To Mrs. Lillian Barrer for a
her mother speedy recovery To Mr. & Mrs. Henry D. Singer To Mrs. Gladys Skaist in
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Diamond Mr. & Mrs. Gene Friedman in memory of his brother memory of her brother Herbert
Mrs. Vivian Polter Bernard Oritsky
To Mrs. Leah Wittenberg for a Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Balis Mr. & Mrs. Gene Friedman Mr. & Mrs. Albert Diamond
speedy recovery Mrs. Hilda Yablin & Ted
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Diamond Roeberg To Gerald Sigal for a speedy To Mrs. Carole Mason in
Mr. & Mrs. Naum Ger recovery memory of her mother
To Mrs. Bea Leifer for a speedy Mrs. Harriet Baskin Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Sherman
recovery Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Mr. & Mrs. Gene Friedman
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Diamond Murry Knoblauch on the Bar Mrs. Sue Wolfe To Mrs. Sylvia Lempiner in
Mitzvah of their grandson Mrs. Edythe Stern memory of her sister
To Mrs. Rhoda Rosenberg for a Mr. & Mrs. Milton Mendelsohn Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Frank Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Sherman
special birthday
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Sherman To Mr. & Mrs. Izzie Margulies Birthday greetings to Mrs. ?
Mrs. Hilde Gernsheimer & Fred in memory of her brother Gene Mimi Gavigan Kindly send Florence Frank
Jakobs Blumenreich Mrs. Sue Wolfe Offering Fund contributions to
Mrs. Hilda Yablin & Ted Mrs. Marilyn Frank, 2027
Congratulations to Mrs. Hilda Roeberg To Mrs. Ruth Kins for a speedy Lorraine Road, Reading, PA
Yablin and Ted Roeberg on the recovery 19604; or Mrs. Gene Friedman,
arrival of a new granddaughter To Mrs. Bernard Singer in Mrs. & Mrs. Naum Ger 107 Primrose Lane, Wyomissing,
Mrs. Hilde Gernsheimer & Fred memory of her husband Mrs. Sylvia Schiff PA 19610.
Jakobs Mr. & Mrs. Gene Friedman
Mrs. Vivian Polter To Mrs. Sue Wachs for a
Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Mrs. Helen Rappoport speedy recovery
Brad Friedman on the arrival Mrs. Hilda Yablin & Ted Mrs. Sylvia Schiff
of their new daughter Roeberg
Mrs. Hilde Gernsheimer & Fred Mrs. Edythe Stern To Laurie Capin in memory of
Jakobs Mrs. Sue Wolfe her father
Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Frank Mr. & Mrs. Albert Diamond
7 Our Temple
Our Temple 8
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REFORM CONGREGATION OHEB SHOLOM
Affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations since 1907
555 Warwick Drive
Wyomissing Hills, PA 19610
610-375-6034, Fax: 610-375-6036
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Brian I. Michelson, Rabbi
Alan G. Weitzman, Rabbi Emeritus
Non-Profit Organization
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE U.S. Postage
Alan Schlechter................................................................
President PAID
Ellen Azrael.....................................................First Vice Reading, PA
President
Harlan Kutscher, M.D.................................Second Vice
President
Gene Friedman.................................................................. TIME VALUE
Secretary
Gerald Sigal, Esq..............................................................
Treasurer
Robert Bruck Bruce Cohen
Barbara Stein
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Ted Aarons Harriet Baskin
Martin Beckerman Amy W. Berger
Scott Bram Scott Davis
Patricia Frankel, Esq. Phyllis Goldstan
Joseph Goldstein Radene Gordon-Beck
Richard Henry Neil A. Hoffman M.D.
Nan Kurlancheek Robb Mutzel
Barbara Nazimov Sandee Nevitt
Howard Saidman Sylvia Schiff
Neal Schneider Sue Viener
Sue Wachs Richard Yashek
Eric Zelnick
Marshall Azrael.......................President of the Men’s Club
Linda Bram............................................Sisterhood
Representative Bulletin published monthly, September through May. Items are due
no later than the 5th of the month prior to publication.