Volume 81 Number 5 May/June 2018

918 East Gibson Street, Scranton, PA 18510

570-342-0350

www.templeisraelscranton.org

email: office@templeisraelscranton.org

Moshe Saks, Rabbi

Vladimir Aronzon, Cantor

Louis Nivert, President

Jay Schectman, VP

Steven Vale, VP

Motty Chen, VP

Alan Smertz, Treasurer

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From the Rabbi

If I were to tell you about someone who is seventy (70) years old, how would you react? To a

young person, 70 may seem to be “old age”. For many of us, 70 is a good age, but still with many

years to live. In other words, it’s all relative. But if I was to tell you that a country is 70 years old, we

would all probably agree, that, given the age of most of the countries that we know, 70 is a rather

young age.

Israel is 70 years old this year. Modern Israel is a young country, but has a long past. 2000 years separate its modern

founding from its ancient manifestation as an important civilization in the center of the known world. That’s what makes

Israel such an interesting place to visit; it’s a thoroughly modern country, with skyscrapers, shopping malls, and electric

cars. But it is also a place dripping with ancient history, not only for us Jews, but for Christians and Muslims, as well.

The truth is, however, ithat Israel is more than a place to visit; it is our homeland, no matter where we happen to live at

the moment. We read about Israel in the Bible, as well as in the Talmud. We believe that one day, all of us will live in the

Holy Land (as the Torah calls it). It doesn’t matter whether one goes to shul often or infrequently, whether one speaks

Hebrew or not; Israel is in our thoughts and prayers. So, this 70th anniversary of the founding of modern Israel is significant;

not only because the number “70” is an important, holy number in Jewish Numerology, but because Israel is truly “a

miracle in the desert”, seeing how this small country, with many enemies and few natural resources (until recently) has

transformed itself into one of the most vibrant countries in the World.

We at Temple Israel are celebrating this achievement in a very special way. This year, our Scholar-In-Residence

Program (June 8-10) will feature Ritasue Charlstein, a member of the Ramah community who made Aliyah many years

ago. Ritasue will share with us, in story and song, her work with the Israeli Army, which, as you may know, is the most

important institution in Israel. We hope you will come and hear her many descriptions of Israeli society; the basis of which

makes Israel the unique place that it is. If you are unable to travel and take a tour of Israel this year (or if you have never

been to Israel), this is the next best thing!

On a personal note, both Meira and I would like to thank all of you whose donations and good wishes were shared

with us on the birth of our 5th grandchild, Ezra Adam Pollak (son of Reena and Oren). We hope to have the family here in

Scranton at some point, so that you can meet him in person.

Rabbi Moshe Saks

From the Cantor

Several exciting events will occur at Temple Israel during the

month of May. The Shabbat of May 5 our daughter Elizabeth

will become a Bat-Mitzvah. Mila & I would like to invite the

entire congregation to attend services and help celebrate

this wonderful Simcha with us.

The following Shabbat on May12, Naomi Alamar will be honored as Temple

Israel Sisterhood’s 2018 woman of distinction, at our annual Sisterhood Shabbat

Service. The women of Temple Israel will conduct the entire service from

beginning to end. I am always thoroughly impressed by the amazing

performances of all the volunteer participants.

Naomi has been an outstanding member of our congregation. Her numerous

contributions over the years have greatly been appreciated by everyone who

has had the pleasure of personally knowing her. Mazal Tov. My family and I will

always be grateful to Naomi for all she did for us from the time we first arrived in

Scranton in June 1999. She did everything possible to make our transition very

smooth. We have remained very close friends ever since. I am happy Naomi is

now getting the public recognition she richly deserves.

The next weekend when Shabbat of May 19 concludes. the holiday of “Shavuot

“ will begin. That night Temple Israel will continue the tradition of “ L’ el

Tikun”(Torah studies). Our Rabbi M. Saks & Rabbi D. Swartz of Temple Hesed will

lead the chosen topics of discussion. Everyone is encouraged to attend this

enlightening and educational experience. The holiday of “Shavuot” is a

reminder to all Jews the strong emphasis our faith puts on Torah studies and all

learning traditions of our Jewish heritage.

My family & I wish You Hag Shavuot Sameah - Joyous holiday of Shavuot

The Chevra Kadisha

of Temple Israel

Our Chevra Kadisha, literally, “the

holy group”, serves our members with

the ultimate act of lovingkindness

(“chesed shel emet”). This group

(men and women) prepares a body

for burial in the traditional Jewish

method.

One needs not to have previously

performed this mitzvah to join the

group; the training is relatively simple,

and is done with a group. We are in

desperate need of additional

members to our Chevra Kadisha;

please consider this carefully.

If you have any questions and/or

concerns, and you are thinking of

joining, please contact me. This is

one of the greatest mitzvot that

anyone can ever perform.

With Blessing, Rabbi Moshe Saks

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Naomi Ruth Weiner was born on June 23, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Rose Fox Weiner

and William Weiner. She grew up in East Greenville, Pennsylvania with her brother, Arthur. In 1942,

the family took advantage of a new job offer for William and moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania.

It also gave them the opportunity to raise the family in a Jewish community.

Naomi graduated from Scranton Central High School and got a job in Scranton. On a weekend

college visit, she was introduced to Paul Alamar. They corresponded during the war and when he

returned from the Navy, they got married. They settled in an apartment in town and became

members of Temple Israel. Paul and Naomi welcomed a daughter, Fran, and moved to Colfax

Avenue.

Naomi volunteered and helped out both within the Jewish Community and in the Scranton

Community. Another daughter, Hope, joined the family. Naomi decided to expand her horizons

and signed up for classes at Marywood College. While attending undergrad and grad school, she

substitute taught in the Scranton School District, taught at Temple Israel Hebrew School, worked

with Meals on Wheels, taught ESOL, helped resettle Russian immigrant families in the Scranton

area, helped with girl scouts, baked for bake sales and raised her family.

In 2016, she and Paul moved to Elan Gardens, where she is living now. Her family has grown…

both daughters have married so 2 sons-in-law were added, along with 5 grandchildren and 10

great grandchildren.

Naomi will be honored for her contributions to the congregation, and its Sisterhood, at the

Shabbat service to be held at Temple Israel on Saturday, May 12. The women of Temple Israel will

conduct the service on this Mother’s Day weekend. Mazel Tov Naomi!

Join us in Honoring our 2018

Ann Monsky and Phyllis Brandes along with Gail Dickstein joined the women of Elan Gardens for coffee and

reminiscing. They brought pictures from Temple Israel hoping everyone could help identify the people. It was

a great success enjoyed by all! They’re hoping to meet once a month at Elan Gardens. If you would like to

join the Coffee Klatch please call the Temple for the next date & time. Next time they will be discussing “ my

most unusual religious experience”.

Perfect blend of great friends and conversation

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Prayer Book Fund In Memory of:

In Honor of:

Irving & Fraydel Eisentat

Leadership Development Fund In Memory of:

In Honor of:

Get Well wishes to:

Michael L. & Sara R. Goodman Fund In Memory of:

Happiness Fund In Honor of:

M.L. Hodin Scholar-in-Residence Fund In Honor of:

Levy Hall Fund In Honor of:

Sisterhood Fund In Memory of:

Yahrzeit Donations to Temple Fund

C o n t r i b u t i o n s

Sara Morris Mitzvah Fund In Memory of:

In Honor of:

Harry & Marion Nivert

Programming Fund

In Honor of:

Temple Fund In Memory of:

In Honor of:

Get Well wishes to:

Temple Israel Preservation Fund In Memory of:

In Honor of:

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Louis Wolf Fund In Memory of:

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Mitzie Levy 5/2

Victoria Geyfman 5/9

Mitchell Cohen 5/11

Rosalind Marks 5/11

Leslie Lynn Pearl 5/11

Paula Wasser 5/15

Jay Demerer 5/17

Edwin Brandes 5/20

Lewis Sare 5/20

Alma Shaffer 5/22

Harvey Berk 5/22

Joseph Lipman 5/24

Morris Raub 5/30

Joseph Hollander 5/31

Adele Pollack 6/1

Rhonda Fallk 6/2

Jack Suravitz 6/3

Marshall Wolkenstein 6/4

Marsha Mandel 6/4

Miriam Joseph 6/8

Ellen Goodman 6/10

Claire Dubin 6/11

Richard Feibus 6/12

Renee Schectman 6/13

Susan Herlands 6/23

Naomi Alamar 6/23

Herbert Hollenberg 6/23

Richard Plotkin 6/27

Howard Spizer 6/28

Marcia Myers 6/28

Hal Markowitz 6/30

Leagrams

Send anniversary and/or birthday greetings. One Leagram is $1.00 used

for multiple listings. Please send cash or check payable to

Temple Israel Sisterhood to:

Shelly Garber /501 Pine Street, Apt. 911 Scranton, PA 18510

Total amount enclosed is: $ ______ ($1 per name circled)

Honorable “Menschens”

Todah Rabah to:

Our members who enriched our

services by reading Torah, chanting

Haftarah or giving a D’var Torah:

Seth Gross, Lindsey Cohen, Alan

Firestone, Dani Saks, Louis Nivert

Emily Adler 7/2

Iris Liebman 7/3

Michael Roth 7/11

Margaret Sheldon 7/11

Alan Glassman 7/12

Connie Cohen 7/13

Fern Blum 7/17

Susan Linker 7/17

Burton Marks 7/18

Carol Nogi 7/25

Miriam Litvak 7/28

Barry Propper 7/29

Anniversaries

Sheryl & Seth Gross 5/01

Joyce & Donald Douglass 5/22

Penny & Mark Myers 5/25

Carol & Jacob Nogi 5/30

Marilyn & Melvyn Wolk 6/5

Susie & Scott Herlands 6/5

Nancy & Mark Silverberg 6/12

Barbara & Louis Nivert 6/13

Gail & Melvin Ufberg 6/25

Laurel & Alan Glassman 6/26

Suzie & Richard Jacobson 6/30

Phyllis & Michael Weinberg 7/9

Lanie & Robert Ufberg 7/11

It’s been a busy year!

Plaster on the dome repaired

Floor in Levy Hall repaired

Pillars in Levy Hall new wood on

corners

Mirrors in Levy Hall reglued

New boiler is finally complete!

New condensate pump in Levy Hall

New plugs installed in the Kitchen

Justan Lounge heater & kitchen

heater repaired

Thermostats repaired

On the calendar:

Replace rug

in Levy Hall

Replace Bimah

rug in the

Sanctuary

Monroe

Avenue doors

restained

House Happenings

Lewis Sare being honored as Man of the Year

by Congregation Anshei Emuna

Delray Beach, Florida

Dr. Melvyn Wolk being honored by the

Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. at the

annual Black & Blue Ball

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Transportation available for congregants who would like to attend services,

dinners, meetings and other synagogue sponsored events & educational programs.

Please call the office for more information. Funded by the Al Brauner Fund