Philadelphia Jewish Voice - Recent Diaries

Gallivant In The Garden

SCoren — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:20:48 GMT

ACTIVE ADULTS AND URBAN AGRICULTURE WILL SHARE THE SPOTLIGHT IN A SPECIAL GALLIVANT IN THE GARDEN PROGRAM BEING OFFERED AT THE KLEIN JCC IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA

Active adults who have a green thumb and enjoy gardening and those who would like to develop one
or just strengthen their botanical skills now have an opportunity to participate in a special Gallivant In The
Garden program being offered by the Klein JCC in Northeast Philadelphia.
According to Lisa Sandler, Director of Community Services at the Klein JCC and program coordinator,
"Community gardens can provide active and maturing adults with the opportunity to grow their own food, exercise, share their knowledge and demonstrate creativity." This special program is being organized by GenPhilly, a network of emerging professionals who are inspiring all Philadelphians to connect with older adults through their work and personal lives. GenPhilly is a program of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA).
Klein JCC, an intergenerational community center, operates a Hoop House that plants and grows fresh
foods and herbs from March to November plus plants and harvests an outdoor garden from May to September. "I'd like to invite everyone who is interested to come out, mix and mingle in the garden and enjoy lessons on container gardening, transplanting and much more," Sandler relates.
GenPhilly's Germanating Partnerships event brings together professionals from a variety of disciplines to spark conversation and projects built around elder-friendly gardens. Active and maturing adults interested in participating may contact Lisa Sandler at 215-698-7300, extension 197 or via email at lsandler@kleinjcc.org.
Now celebrating its 37th anniversary year, the non-profit Klein JCC provides social, educational
and cultural programs, as well as vital social services for people living in Northeast Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. It is the largest senior center in the Philadelphia area and provides support to more than 4,500 seniors annually through a diverse array of programs. It offers outstanding services and innovative programs for area residents who range in age from early childhood through adult and senior years. The Klein JCC additionally delivers vital services and programs employing cutting edge practices and strategies. More than 30,000 children, adults and senior citizens are served annually in a warm and friendly comprehensive community center environment delivering a broad spectrum of high quality services to area communities that otherwise would not be served. The Klein JCC is located at 10100 Jamison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116 and may be reached at 215-698-7300 or on the web at www.kleinjcc.org.
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For Further Media Information:
Stu Coren
ROSEN COREN AGENCY
215-741-2003
5-15--13

Nothing Builds Community Like Comedy

Publisher — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:04:38 GMT

— by David Dritsas

It may be cliché to say that laughter brings people together but if the cliché fits, well, I say you might as well wear it and wear it proudly.

When I was recently asked to write a an article for The Philadelphia Jewish Voice, I struggled a bit with what to say that didn't seem to be too much of a pitch for ComedySportz Philadelphia, the local improv comedy company I worked at for 12 years. But then I thought, "Talk about the community. That's a nice hook."

After all, the Jewish community has been a strong supporter of ComedySportz throughout its 20-year history, something for which both our Jewish and non-Jewish cast members and staff have been extremely grateful.

In addition to hosting Jewish groups at our regular shows in Center City Philadelphia, we've performed for countless Jewish community centers, temples and more bar at bat mitzvah's than I can remember. Just this past March we performed at a fundraiser for the Klein JCC in Philadelphia. What can I say? The Jewish community loves comedy. And we love them for it.

More after the jump.
But ComedySportz is so much more than that. We've become as equally involved in other communities, as well, from annual shows a local Catholic schools to non-religious summer camps to multicultural college groups. We're often asked by local universities to run teambuilding workshops for international student groups a we've even been hired several a national corporations to help teach their regional sales representatives to communicate better and form a better working community.

Why us? Why would all of these important groups and billion dollar companies trust a small improv company that revels in being silly on stage, has a trunk of bad wigs and enjoys a good pun more than any sensible person should? Community.

It took me a long time to realize it, but it is clear to me now that the format of our show is perhaps one of the best community building events one could have in the entertainment

business. Our "gimmick" is a sporting match-two teams play for audience laughs with a referee acting as the moderator and show host. Unlike a stand-up comic, who is alone on stage and protective of his or her jokes, our comic improvisers share in the humor-setting each other up for laughs and working together to make everyone, even the occasional audience volunteer, look good.

And then there's the clean aspect of our show. Like a good first date, we avoid major political, religious or overtly sexual topics, and if a curse word accidentally slips, someone is wearing a brown paper bag on his or her head.

Now, some misinterpret this to mean that we are a show just for kids. That is absolutely false. If there is any proof, it's the fact that our 10:00 show on Saturday is all adults, and yet the content is marginally different from our earlier, more family populated 7:30 show.

I've always been proud to say that we are a show that plays to the top of our intelligence, something that both kids and adults enjoy. There are very few live shows in this world that can make both adults and kids laugh at the same time. For some reason the entertainment world seems to have forgotten how to do that. Then again, yours truly grew up laughing with my Mom and Dad at The Carol Burnett Show, so maybe that's why I get
it.

All of this combined builds a strong sense of community in the audience. On any given night we might have several different groups of different backgrounds and ages sitting next to each other and laughing together at jokes that work on many levels. And after the show, we often hear, "This was perfect for our group." Funny, how that works.

We once had a tag line for our show that read, "Every Saturday, Everybody laughs." I will probably never be rich from doing improv, but I find myself much better off in life because I truly know and have experienced what that means.

David Dritsas is an Executive Director Emeritus of ComedySportz Philadelphia and was a member of the company for 12 years. He now resides in Chicago, performing improv and sketch comedy. ComedySportz Philadelphia performs every Saturday at 7:30 and 10:00. Show information can be found at www.comedysportzphilly.com.

Prominent Americans In The Anonymous People

SCoren — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:35:49 GMT

AN ARRAY OF PROMINENT AMERICANS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE FEATURED IN "THE ANONYMOUS PEOPLE" A POWERFUL AND MOVING DOCUMENTARY ABOUT 23.5 MILLION AMERICANS LIVING IN LONG-TERM RECOVERY WHICH WILL BE SHOWN IN A SPECIAL PRE-RELEASE SCREENING AT HOLY FAMILY COLLEGE IN FAR NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA ON THURSDAY, MAY 23 AT 7 P.M.

An array of prominent Americans from all walks of life are featured in "The Anonymous People," a
powerful and moving documentary about 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery and the emerging public recovery movement that will transform how alcohol and other drug problems will be dealt with in our communities, will be shown in a special pre-release screening to be held at Holy Family College's ETC
Auditorium, Grant and Frankford Avenues in far Northeast Philadelphia on Thursday, May 23, beginning at 7 p.m. The public is invited.
The movie features many well-known people who are in long-term recovery including, writer William White, author of Slaying The Dragon, The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery In America, Miss USA 2006 Tina Conner, actress Kristen Johnson, former NBA player Chris Herren, Subway executive Don Fertman, Laurie Dhue, television journalist and news anchor, former U.S. Congressmen Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Jim Ramstead (R-MN). It also includes archived footage of famous Americans who conquered their addictions including actors Dick Van Dyke and Mercedes McCambridge and Marty Mann, the first women to join AA.
The special pre-screening event will kick off with a VIP Reception at 6 p.m. and will conclude with a panel discussion following the featured film presentation. The event is being sponsored by The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. and the Pennsylvania Recovery Organization-Achieving Community Together
(PRO-ACT).
According to Beverly Haberle, Executive Director of the Council of Southeast Pennsylvania who
is also featured in the film, "The moving story of The Anonymous People is being told through the faces and voices of citizens, leaders, volunteers, corporate executives, public figures and celebrities who are laying it all on the line to save the lives of others just like them. Haberle also notes that a passionate new public recovery movement aims to transform public opinion, engage communities and elected officials and finally shift public policy toward lasting solutions.
Also featured in the film are, Arthur Evans, Jr. (Ph.D). Commissioner of Philadelphia's Department of
Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, Bob Lindsey, President & CEO of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), Pat Taylor, Executive Director of Faces & Voices of Recovery, Paul Valentine, Executive Director of Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery, Samantha Hope, Founder of Hope Networks, Inc., Dan Duncan, Director of Community Services of NCADD in St. Louis, Calvin Trent, (Ph.D) Psychologist and Founder of the Detroit Recovery Project, John Silverman, CEO of SilverSEAL Corporation and a host of others in the field of addiction and recovery.
The VIP Reception will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage in one-on-one conversations with business leaders, legislators, experts in the field and the filmmaker of the documentary film. The documentary was produced by Greg Williams, of Danbury, CT, himself a person in long-term recovery. He believes passionately in the respectability of addicts in recovery and has made the documentary to discuss the issue.
Special sponsorships are available ranging from $100 for a Friend Contribution to $5000 for a Premier
Sponsor. "We are hoping that individuals and businesses will support this most worthwhile endeavor so we can continue our mission to transform public opinion, educating, motivating and engaging everyone about public
advocacy and recovery," Haberle explains. Broader knowledge and understanding of these
issues have the potential to change the way drug and alcohol problems are solved in our communities."
Tickets to the VIP Reception and film can be purchased for $75 per person, tickets to the film only
(7 p.m. showing) are $15 per person in advance and $20 per person at the door. Sponsorship and tickets also
can be purchased on the Council's website at www.councilsepa.org/cart/catalog/Events.html. For additional details, contact Marita O'Connell at 215-345-6644, extension 3160 or moconnell@councilsepa.org.
The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., an affiliate of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), is a private non-profit organization serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. The Council provides a wide range of services to schools, businesses,
individuals and the community-at-large regardless of the ability to pay, ethnicity, race, gender, age and sexual
orientation. The organization's mission is to provide resources and opportunities to reduce the impact of addiction, trauma and other related health issues for the entire community. They accomplish this through prevention, consultation, education, advocacy, assessment, intervention and recovery support services. An information specialist is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-800-221-6333.
The Pennsylvania Recovery Organization-Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT) is a grassroots advocacy and recovery support initiative of The Council covering Southeastern Pennsylvania. PRO-ACT works
to reduce the stigma of addiction, ensure the availability of adequate treatment and recovery support services,
and to influence public opinion and policy regarding the value of recovery. Additional details at 215-345-6644.
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For Further Media Information:
Stu Coren
ROSEN COREN AGENCY
215-741-2003
OR
Beverly Haberle, Executive Director
THE COUNCIL OF SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA
Bailiwick Office Campus, Unit 12
252 W. Swamp Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-345-6644
4-29-13

The Mason Missile, April 27, 2013

John O. Mason — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 20:38:03 GMT

Greetings!
At this present time I'm working on my relaxation skills; I have spent a LOT of time on my job and outside activities, I have to take time for ME, for MY benefit and health. This advice comes from my counselor at the Council For Relationships (councilforrelationships.org), and I'm following up on it. We all deserve downtime; we can't keep pushing ourselves like pack mules, we can be our own worst taskmasters.
I have been, with my wonderful congregation, Leyv Ha-Ir (leyvhair.org), celebrating Purim, the wild and crazy holiday where we commemorate the downfall of the tyrant Haman (boo!), prime minister of the Persian king Ahashueras (eh!), at the hands of Mordechai (yay!) and his niece, the beautiful queen Esther (woo hoo!). The Megillah of Esther reads like a weird, comedy-soap opera, with the most implausible situations that just happen to work together, but the point is the downfall of a tyrant and the raising-up of those the tyrant would kill.
I have also been celebrating Pesach, or (Passover), the celebration of the liberation of our ancestors, the ancient Israelites, from slavery in Egypt. The crossing the Red Sea symbolizes, to me, the point of no return back to slavery; but the Hebrews, to the constant grief of Moses, maintain a slave mentality, fearing the unknown, having no faith in themselves due to their former slave masters telling them they were nothing but dumb cattle to be worked to death, whining about returning to Egypt where at least they had SOME food.
Both holidays represent, to me, the overthrow of tyrants, internal and external: external, meaning tyrants and dictators, be they large scale despots like Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, the apartheid regime of South Africa, Marcos in the Philippines, Battista in Cuba, or Somoza in Nicaragua-or an abusive spouse or insulting boss at work; internal, the voices in our minds that tell us we're not smart enough, or pretty enough, or worthy for any good thing to come our way. The external tyrants use the internal tyrants-fear, low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, the feeling of powerlessness-to control us, to make us believe they'll never get out of our bad situation, that they'll always have power over us, that oppression is our fate. We must challenge that every day.
Here is one challenge we are facing now-the march to plutocracy in this country, and the inability of the democratic state to enforce laws for the benefit of people. Attorney-General Eric Holder has spoken of the hesitancy of the government to prosecute the big banks-such as HSBC, found to have laundered money for terrorist organizations and drug cartels. The government, he said, finds these big banks "difficult for us to prosecute" because "some of these institutions have become too large...If you bring a criminal charge, it will have a negative impact on the national economy." SO, the federal government is afraid that if the banks were prosecuted, it would create further damage to the economy and undermine whatever recovery there is.
It has come to this, that the corporations are more powerful that the civil state. The slogan is the banks are "too big to fail" so they received huge funds for bailout-cal it the WELFARE program for corporations it is!- and now they are "too big to jail" due to their power in the economy. They act like John Galt and his billionaire buddies in the Ayn Rand rag of a novel Atlas Shrugged; they go into Galt's Gulch and the economy goes to hell until they have their way. We must either nationalize the banks, or the banks and other corporations will privatize the government, to their benefit.
How far will our capitalist class go to preserve their hold on our government? At the start of the Franklin Roosevelt administration in 1933, leaders of industry and finance opposed to the New Deal-and were fans of the Fascist regimes of Germany and Italy- organized the American Liberty League, a forerunner to Americans for Prosperity; they plotted to organize a coup d'etat against FDR, using a private army of military veterans as a gun to the head of the government. The plotters, who led such conglomerates as Du Pont, Bethlehem Steel, Goodyear, and JP Morgan, contacted Major General Smedley Darlington Butler, a legendary Marine Corps officer, to lead the military force.
But Butler, remembering his oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, turned against the plotters and reported them to the McCormack-Dickstein committee of the House of Representatives-but alas, the same kid gloves with which our contemporary capitalists are treated were used on the plotters against the government back then; the committee report on the plot was suppressed, and the plotters were never prosecuted.
All of this is in the book The Plots Against The President: FDR, A Nation in Crisis, and the Rise of the American Right, by Sally Denton. It is this opposition to FDR and the New Deal that is the basis of the contemporary right-wing movement, a denial that their precious "free enterprise" failed the nation, and that the corporations' power had to be curtailed, for THEIR good and the good of the general public.
Could they try something like that again? I would NOT put it past them; they have been shown to have no morals, no sense of responsibility to the society or the public, and no scruples about keeping and maintaining their power.
And what ARE the results of allowing the capitalist class to do what EVER it wants? We can see it in the tragedies of West, Texas, where chemicals in an unregulated fertilizer plant exploded, killing and injuring workers and leaving a town devastated; and in the building in Bangladesh, which held garment factories and collapsed on workers earning pocket change for an hour's work, killing and injuring many. Tragedies like these come from the idea that corporations are always right and the government MUST follow instructions from them, or there will BE no economic prosperity.
We the working and low-income people of America must continue to educate and organize ourselves to what is really going on in the country, to use our own minds and talents to defend our rights. WE are the ones who, by our work and talent, bring the economy into being, and so make the capitalists look good. WE must organize for OUR benefit, and the benefit of our children and our communities. Bye!

Jewish Music Festival

Lisa Grunberger — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:22:55 GMT

Philadelphia's first ever city-wide Jewish Music Festival, presented by The Gershman Y, opens on May 1! Spread out over nine days and five venues, the impressive lineup features local and internationally recognized musicians plus book readings and a participatory workshop.
Opening night features Saul Kaye and his take on the Jewish Blues with a soul food dinner, followed by radio legend Carol Miller reading from her new memoir the next night.

Cabaret superstar Michael Feinstein reads and performs from his new book and cd The Gershwins and Me on May 6 while local singer/songwriter Chana Rothman tears up World Café Live on May 8. Internationally recognized klezmer violinist Alicia Svigals (of Klezmatics fame) brings her Philadelphia premiere live score to the silent film The Yellow Ticket on May 9 for a spectacular closing night concert.

Individual tickets and all-access passes are available. Visit gershmany.org or call 215-545-4400.

Klein JCC Active Adult May Passport Learning Program

SCoren — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:38:37 GMT

MAY PASSPORT ADULT LEARNING PROGRAM WILL KICK OFF AT
THE KLEIN JCC IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPIA ON MAY 6TH

As part of its ongoing Lifelong Learning series, The Klein JCC in Northeast Philadelphia will be
featuring its "May Passport," a new learning program designed to stimulate the minds of active adults, beginning on Monday, May 6.
Linda Hershman, director of the Lifelong Learning program run by the Klein JCC's active adult department, says, "This interesting and informative series offers discussions focusing on local, national and international current events, a series on fascinating women from all walks of life and a special At The Movies program for those who love the cinema. It is designed to enrich the mind, body and spirit of active adults."
In addition, the May Passport includes a special jewelry workshop where people will enjoy a creative morning making unique necklaces made from a Murano glass center piece augment by natural stones, glass
and pearl beds. The workshop will be led by Joan Beyer, former owner of Bedazzles and will be held on Thursday, May 23, beginning at 9:45 a.m.
There also will be a student art festival showcasing the works that were created by the Klein JCC's art students which were created in their lifelong learning art classes. The art festival will be held on Monday, May 20 from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Guests are invited and refreshments will be served.
Cost for the full May Passport series is $35 for members and $45 for the general public. A partial passport costs $25 for members and $35 for the genral public. Individual sessions are $7 for members and $9
for non-members. The jewelry workshop, which is not included in the May Passport fees, will be offered for $10 per person plus a $12 charge for materials.
For more information and to register, contact Linda Hershman, 215-698-7300, extension 114 or email lhershman@kleinjcc.org.
Now celebrating its 37th anniversary year, the non-profit Klein JCC provides social, educational
and cultural programs, as well as vital social services for people living in Northeast Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. It is the largest senior center in the Philadelphia area and provides support to more than 4,500 seniors annually through a diverse array of programs. It offers outstanding services and innovative programs for area residents who range in age from early childhood through adult and senior years. The Klein JCC additionally delivers vital services and programs employing cutting edge practices and strategies. More than 30,000 children, adults and senior citizens are served annually in a warm and friendly comprehensive community center environment delivering a broad spectrum of high quality services to area communities that otherwise would not be served. The Klein JCC is located at 10100 Jamison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116 and may be reached at 215-698-7300 or on the web at www.kleinjcc.org.
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For Further Media Information:
Stu Coren
ROSEN COREN AGENCY
215-741-2003
4-23-13

Klein JCC Receives $50,000 Grant From CVS Carmark Trust

SCoren — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:12:25 GMT

KLEIN JCC RECEIVES $50,000 GRANT FROM CVS CAREMARK CHARITABLE TRUST

PHILADELPHIA (April 22, 2013) The Klein JCC in Northeast Philadelphia announced today that it has
received a $50,000 grant from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation whose purpose is to help people on their path to better health by providing funding for initiatives that support access to healthcare and children's programming. The grant to the Klein JCC is part of
a $2.6 million in grants awarded to 66 non-profit organizations across the country as part of the 2012 CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grant cycle.
The grant will be used to deliver health services to active and maturing adults participating at the Klein JCC's recently opened Wellness Center. The center is being run as a partnership between Klein JCC and the Einstein Healthcare Network and has been designed to serve Klein JCC members, as well as the general public residing within the surrounding communities.
The Wellness Center offers everything from doctor's appointments and health screenings to specialist referrals within the Einstein Network, nutrition education and other health-related programs. Physical therapy is currently offered at the JCC through MossRehab, a member of the Einstein Network. A weight management component is being offered by Weight Watchers of Philadelphia, Inc. "This addition of the Wellness Center to our services will surely help our senior and maturing adults to live as independently as possible for as long as possible," states Sue Aistrop, Director of the Klein JCC Wellness Center.
The Wellness Center is staffed by Harvey Spector, DO, a primary care physician board-certified in osteopathic medicine with 45 years of experience. He is being assisted by Angela Stewart, ACNP-BC, MSN, CRNP, a certified registered nurse practitioner. Dr. Spector sees patients Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Stewart is available Monday through Friday from 9 a,m, to 2 p.m. The Wellness Center at Klein JCC accepts most insurances. For additional details, contact Sue Aistrop at 215-698-7300, extension 110 or email saistrop@kleinjcc.org.
"We are thrilled to support deserving non-profit organizations that share our commitment to helping people on their path to better health," says Ellen Howard Boone, President of CVS Caremark Charitable Trust. "As we strive to build healthier communities in 2013, we are honored to recognize the work of organizations that are helping to improve the quality of life for maturing active adults."
CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grants also were awarded in support of innovative approaches that increase access to health care for underserved populations, including mobile health innovations that bring health care services to locations where people require them the most. In addition to the grants awarded by the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, CVS Caremark provided more than $3-million in 2012 to support a variety of programs focused on making a positive impact in local communities.
Now celebrating its 37th anniversary year, the non-profit Klein JCC provides social, educational
and cultural programs, as well as vital social services for people living in Northeast Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. It is the largest senior center in the Philadelphia area and provides support to more than 4,500 seniors annually through a diverse array of programs. It offers outstanding services and innovative programs for area residents who range in age from early childhood through adult and senior years. The Klein JCC additionally delivers vital services and programs employing cutting edge practices and strategies. More than 30,000 children, adults and senior citizens are served annually in a warm and friendly comprehensive community center environment delivering a broad spectrum of high quality services to area communities that otherwise would not be served. The Klein JCC is located at 10100 Jamison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116 and may be reached at 215-698-7300 or on the web at www.kleinjcc.org.
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For Further Media Information:
Stu Coren
ROSEN COREN AGENCY
215-741-2003

Klein JCC and Federation Early Leaning Services Joint Venture

SCoren — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:24:22 GMT

KLEIN JCC AND FEDERATION EARLY LEARNING SERVICES CREATE A
JOINT VENTURE TO ACCOMMODATE AREA PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN

Adding a whole new dimension to the educational experience for the area's pre-school children
the Klein JCC in Northeast Philadelphia and the Federation Early Learning Services have created an innovative
new joint venture which will provide enhanced opportunities for families and children built upon the strengths of both agencies.
In announcing the new community connection, Andre Krug, President & CEO of the Klein JCC located at 10100 Jamison Avenue, says, "The new collaboration will involve a joint program with two FELS sites-Paley Early Learning Center at 2199 Strahle Avenue and The Lassin Early Learning Center located at 10800 Jamison Avenue, both nearby the Klein JCC."
Krug also explains that the Klein JCC will provide intergenerational learning opportunities including holiday programs, reading programs and other intergenerational activities. There also will be future opportunities for the FELS sites to utilize the athletic and aquatic facilities of the Klein JCC.
Children currently attending the Klein JCC pre-school program will have the opportunity to attend either
The Paley or Lassin Early Learning Centers. These centers enroll children from six-weeks to 12-years-of-age and provide full time programs from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They also operate year-round, meeting the scheduling requirements of working families.
In addition, FELS accepts state subsidy and EITC funding. Paley and Lassin Learning Centers have earned rigorous and prestigious NAEYC accreditation (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and the highest rating possible in Pennsylvania, a Keystone Star 4. They additionally employ The Creative Curriculum emphasizing a small group approach to promote language, reading, math, science and motor skills. It additionally promotes literacy and builds a strong foundation for success in school.
The FELS Centers additionally offer regular enrichment programs such as art, music, gymnastics, computers, foreign languages and are fun, exciting and designed to develop a well-rounded child. A full-time
occupational therapist provides on-site assistance to teachers working with children with special needs and helps families navigate the early intervention system. They also surpass the state health and safety standards and all programs are licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
"I'm sure this new joint venture will assure that all of the families of our pre-school children will continue to be provided with all the services required to meet their needs and their children will greatly benefit by the enhanced educational opportunities offered through this new joint collaboration," says Krug. "I am proud of both of our organizations for being able to pull this together in such creative fashion."
"This new community partnership brings together the strengths and resources of both organizations creating a new synergy and strategy for delivering needed services to area families, as well as an enriched educational program for children," states Maddy Malis, CEO of Federation Early Learning Services. It's a win-win all around."
For additional details from Federation Early Learning Services, contact Phyllis Doroshow, Enrollment
Coordinator, at 215-676-7550, extension 104 or email pdoroshow@FELSkids.org.
Now celebrating its 37th anniversary year, the non-profit Klein JCC provides social, educational
and cultural programs, as well as vital social services for people living in Northeast Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. It is the largest senior center in the Philadelphia area and provides support to more than 4,500 seniors annually through a diverse array of programs. It offers outstanding services and innovative programs for area residents who range in age from early childhood through adult and senior years. The Klein JCC additionally delivers vital services and programs employing cutting edge practices and strategies. More than 30,000 children, adults and senior citizens are served annually in a warm and friendly comprehensive community center environment delivering a broad spectrum of high quality services to area communities that otherwise would not be served. The Klein JCC is located at 10100 Jamison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116 and may be reached at 215-698-7300 or on the web at www.kleinjcc.org.
#
For Further Media Information:
Stu Coren
ROSEN COREN AGENCY
215-741-2003
4-16-13

Sharon Sigal Hosts an Evening of Music and Theater to Benefit Jewish Mindfulness Program

ct19144 — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:51:00 GMT

Popular vocal actress Sharon Sigal brings her celebrated Salon of Music and Theatre to Wynnewood on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. to benefit the A Way In Jewish Mindfulness program.

The salon, held in an elegant private home for a limited audience of 50 people, will include Sigal singing the music of Yip Harburg (the lyricist for songs like "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"), accompanied by internationally-known pianist Samuel Heifetz. The program also includes original works by actors Polly MacIntyre, Arnold Kendall and Ben Kendall, and comedy by Karen Meshkov. In addition, noted flutist Lisamarie McGrath -- who, with percussionists Kara Barnett and Connie Paolino, makes up the Mystic Pulse Ensemble -- will present a selection of improvisational music.

Tickets are a minimum of $50 per person and include not only the entertainment but also a sumptuous appetizer/dessert buffet including wine, coffee and soft drinks. All donations over $20 are tax deductible.

The May 4 program is the 21st salon produced and hosted by Sigal over the past decade. Because they are held in private homes, the salons have a special kind of intimacy, she says.

"Many of these artists typically perform on huge stages in big theaters, distant from the audiences," says Sigal. "A salon gives people an opportunity to enjoy the artistry close-up. The evening allows the audience to mingle with the performers as well as enjoy each others' company after the show."

Tickets must be purchased in advance, payable by check to A Way In, c/o Sharon Sigal 627 Haverford Rd., Ardmore, PA 19003. For more information, email Sharon@sharonsigal.com or call 610-649-0274. All proceeds from the salon will benefit A Way In Jewish Mindfulness program, based at Roxborough's Mishkan Shalom.

"So much thanks to Sharon for bringing us together in joy and celebration," says A Way In founder Rabbi Yael Levy. "As the Psalmist sings, 'How good it is to come together. How blessed are we to have each other as companions on this sacred journey through life.'"

NMAJH Hosts Panel Discussion of Black-Jewish Relations

John O. Mason — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:40:09 GMT

Dialogues & Divergences: The Ongoing Evolution of Black-Jewish relations in America was the title of a panel discussion held at the National Museum of American Jewish History last month.

The discussion was sponsored by:

NMAJH,
the Jewish Studies Program of the University of Pennsylvania,
the African-American Museum of Philadelphia, and
radio station WURD 900 AM.

The discussion was held in conjunction with the museum's exhibit, Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow: Jewish Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges.

More after the jump.
The moderator was Sara Lomax-Reese, President and General Manger of WURD. The panelists were:

Cheryl Lynn Greenberg, PhD,
Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of History at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut; and
John L. Jackson Jr., PhD, Richard Perry University Professor of Communication, Anthropology, and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ivy L. Barsky, CEO and Director of the NMAJH, welcomed the attendees, saying:

We are really thrilled to have developed a really lovely relationship with our colleagues in the African-American Museum of Philadelphia, around this exhibition and others, and we expect to have opportunities to work with each other long into the future.

Patricia Wilson Aden, Interim President and CEO of the African-American Museum, said:

I'm very pleased to serve the African-American Museum, and to continue our relationship with (NMAJH), and to insure that as we work together, we continue to embody the collaborative spirit and the shared commitment of our two communities.

Pointing out the NMAJH's exhibit, Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow, Aden said it was the embodiment of the shared commitment of the two museums "to this idea of collaboration, because it's part of our history," and the night's exhibit "is just one aspect of our collaboration."

Beth S. Wenger, NMAJH Historian, History Department Chair, and Director of the Jewish Studies Program of the University of Pennsylvania, thanked the staff of the both museums, saying:

It's really this collaboration that makes anything like this possible. Penn has been cooperating with the museum to send students here, for example, as interns where they have a chance to learn about the way that history comes to life outside the classroom.

In her research before the panel, said Wenger:

I was really fascinated by the complexity of the Black-Jewish relationship. A lot of times, we have oversimplified the relationship. On the one hand, it's romanticized, a partnership of shared oppression, two oppressed people... Then conversely, there's this relationship characterized as one fraught with racial tension and acrimony, and really looking at things like economic exploitation, media domination, and plain old racial discrimination when we look at Black-Jewish relationships.

Wenger began the discussion with the idea of perception verses reality, saying:

Depending on whose lenses you're looking through, the view is vastly different about how Blacks and Jews perceive each other. When I give talks, what I expected was that Black audiences and Jewish audiences would give different answers. But in fact, what I found was that what (was) different was age. Older people [...] tended to talk about Black-Jewish relations in this wonderful, loving, 'We were together, we are kin' kind of way." Younger people tended to say, either, 'They hate us, why do they hate us?', or, 'We hate them," or, 'They didn't support us,' or some form of that. And then, when I talk to really young people, in colleges for example, their reaction is, 'What relationship?'
I think the reality is that all three of (these reactions) are right. Black-Jewish relations has gone through a history of its own. When Jews from Eastern Europe came the United States, (They met) a huge wave of migration north by African-Americans. The first major meeting places of the two groups are in these northern cities. While most immigrant groups tried to prove they were white, because whiteness means you get opportunities you don't get if you're not white, Jews were a little uncomfortable with that idea, they felt they had been oppressed themselves, they were worried about oppression, and so politically they were much more willing to engage in issues of equality and social justice, because it helped them personally after their experience with anti-Semitism.
But at the same time, both Black and Jewish migrants to these cities had to deal with economics; even though Jews didn't want to think of themselves as white, they were white, and so they tended to rise more quickly economically. Because they were more willing to mix with Black people, what ended up happening is that you have white store owners and Black patrons, white Jewish employers and Black employees. Those kinds of class tensions became Black-Jewish tensions.
The Civil Rights movement meant that Jews were on the front lines, because they were really convinced that where Black people go today, Jewish people go tomorrow. If racism is here today, there's going to be anti-Semitism tomorrow. Among the white Civil Rights activists, Jews were the most prominent. They were there and they forged bonds, they put their bodies on the front lines, and that's where the alliance sense comes. It was so strong it tended to override the economic tensions that were still there.
Then, as the Civil Rights movement eases and wanes, then the economic tensions come to the fore, because there's no Civil Rights activity to speak of that's going to cover it up. So you have a new generation where Jews feel resentful at Black militants and Black nationalism, which they don't understand, and African-Americans feel resentful and angry at Jews who move out of the cities and stop trying to help. There's a tremendous political clash at the same time as these ongoing economic tensions [...] By now the two communities have not been together on the front lines of action for a long time, so younger people tend not to know there was anything at all.

John L. Jackson Jr. spoke next about perception and reality about Black-Jewish relations, saying:

My first assumption is to say, it's not about trying necessarily to verify the perception of a myth up against the reality on the ground. The thing (is) about the ways in which our perceptions of the world actually have force, they produce our world as much as reflect it. One of the things it's important to remember is, it's not just the relationship between Blacks and Jews as hard, fast solid categories that have to be interrogated, but the categories themselves are constantly being negotiated and contested. So what even 'Black' consists of, what is in that category, how you carve it up in terms of class, ethnicity, and other things, and what 'Jewishness' consists of, is already the beginning of the perception verses reality debate.
The part we need to remember is, the categories are much more slippery than we often want to imagine. We want to say, there's a unit over here is hard and fast and solid, and there's a unit over here, let's figure out what sparks fly when they come up against one another. But the units themselves deserve unpacking, they deserve real serious interrogation and deconstruction. That allows us to think about all the ways in which the conflicts and conflagration, and even alliances that are forged between and among these two categories, are also often a consequence of the perceptions folks in those categories have of the categories themselves, the borders they create around their sense of us-ness, and how they use the contours of those boundries to project on to various others (groups) other elements and ideas and traits that imagine are different from or similar to their own." There has to be discussion about Blacks and Jews that doesn't just presuppose monolithic categories.
Part of what we can do in the twenty-first century, in ways we maybe didn't have the luxury to do before, is to think in much more nuanced ways about our starting points in the discussion. This idea of racial paranoia is another attempt at that gesture [...] the very idea of race, the very notion that 'We're going to carve people up into racial categories,' is, I would argue, by its very definition about paranoia, it's about fear of the other. The very construct of race is about trying to [...] deal with a foreign threat. You create a discourse around it, you give it certain attributes, and you allow those attributes to protect you from what you imagine to be an existential danger.

Nehalel b'Shabbat: A Beautifully Illustrated Siddur

Publisher — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:35:24 GMT

In 1999, Nevarech introduced an illustrated bencher (book with the grace after meals). Their inspiration was to highlight a passage on each page and bring its meaning to life with beautiful photography.

I ordered copies of the Nevarech Bencher to give out at my daughter's bat mitzvah and my son's bar mitzvah. My guests remarked at how beautiful and inspirational they were. As Maimonides said "Prayer without kavanah (intention) is not prayer" and this approach puts a fresh perspective on prayer which can otherwise become rote.

Accordingly I was delighted to learn that Nevarech has now released a complete siddur (prayerbook) for Shabbat entitled Nehalel BeShabbat based on the same concept.

Reading Psalm 29, I see a picture of a giant sand dune in Zambia and wonder at the varied terrain in the desert with sand shaped as if by the fingers of God.

The Siddur is not only beautiful to behold but easy to use. The Hebrew font used in Nehalel is graceful and readable. Like some modern siddurs it incorporates - for users attentive to these pronunciation issues - an easily read symbol for stressed syllable and distinguishes between the kamatz (the T-shape Hebrew vowel ָ) when it is pronounced "uh" and when it is pronounced "ah". However, Nehalel goes an additional step and distinguishes between the sh'va (the vowel represented by two vertical dots underneath a Hebrew letter ְ) when it is pronounced "eh" and when it is completed silent.

This 649 page volume contains the complete liturgy for the Sabbath in English and Hebrew with clear instructions in English and transliterations of certain key passages (such as the Kaddish).

I can't wait for the expected future volumes — Nehalel beChol for weekdays and Nehalel beRegalim for festivals — so that I can complete my collection.

A few sample pages of the siddur follow the jump. More samples including all of Kabbalat Shabbat are available on their website.

The Mason Missile, February 14, 2013

John O. Mason — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:19:22 GMT

Greetings!
We are in the middle of African-American History Month, where we honor those in the African-American community who have contributed to this country, in spite of racism and persecution. Traditionally such history has deliberately been hidden, hence a month dedicated to it; it takes its origins from the historian Carter G. Woodson and his organization, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, declaring the second week of February "Negro History Week," February being the birth month of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

I would like to bring up a couple of African-American men who I don't believe get enough press; they were fundamental in the Civil Rights and Labor movements (and there has been tremendous overlap between the two movement; they are one and the same). The first is A. (Asa) Philip Randolph, who was a Socialist of the Eugene V. Debs era, and came out against the First World War; and editor of the radical newspaper The Messenger. In 1925 a group of sleeping car porters asked Randolph to lead their union-organizing effort, for better wages and conditions from the Pullman Sleeping Car Company.
The Pullman company did the usual tricks in trying to break the union, such as calling favors in Black newspapers to publish articles against the union, calling on ministers to preach against the union, hiring goons to terrorize the workers, and threatening porters with firing. But, after ten years of struggle, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) won a charter from the AFL, and a contract from the Pullman company; from that the Sleeping Car Porters became some of the most prosperous workers in the Black community.
(This might not seem like much, organizing workers, but it's basic; a person MUST have a decent livelihood to advance in life, be able to pay their utilities, their mortgages, and their kids' way through college. Randolph, along with Dr. Martin Luther King, knew the importance of economic democracy along with political democracy; what good is having the right to go to college if you don't have the money for it?)
As the United States prepared to enter the Second World War, Randolph campaigned for a march on Washington in 1941 to advocate for the end of racial discrimination in armaments industries; President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802, which prohibited discrimination in defense industries. In 1947, Randolph organized a campaign of civil disobedience to end racial discrimination in the military; in1948 President Harry S. Truman, who was briefly in the Klan, signed Executive Order 9981, which ended military segregation.
Another figure I salute is Bayard Rustin, who since before the Second World War, to the time of his death in 1987, was a champion activist for Civil Rights and opposition to war, pioneering nonviolent civil disobedience as a tactic for social change. Rustin endured prison for his beliefs and activism, including opposition to US participation in the Second World War, and for riding desegregated buses in the South.
Randolph selected Rustin to organize the logistics of the 1963 March on Washington, with such things as organizing train and buses to take marchers to Washington, organizing press relations, and first aid stations. (It's these unsexy, mundane, logistical things that activists work on that make social change movements work) Like Randolph, Rustin worked for a close alliance between the Civil Rights and Labor movements, understanding that economic class issues were, and remain, as important as racial issues.
But-Bayard Rustin was a Gay man, in a highly homophobic era, even among otherwise progressive activists, and so had to be more in the background, as they say "taking one for the team." I contribute to the long-overdue honoring of the life and work of Bayard Rustin.
I delight at the self-destruction of the Republican party, due to its pandering to racism, sexism, and homophobia. In 2009 the "Tea Party movement" was formed by two basic organizations, Americans for Prosperity, founded by the billionaire Koch brothers, and FreedomWorks, founded by Dick Armey, who was Republican House leader. Now the Republican party has found what kind of monster it created, with Tea Party oriented candidates for President-Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Herman Cain, Rick Perry-displaying willful ignorance about which government agencies to eliminate, the names of former Soviet republics, and the scare of Muslims infiltrating the government. Such behavior attracted racists, people who denied provable scientific data on climate change, people who could not accept a Black man as President ("birthers"), disciples of Ayn Rand. THIS is what the Republican base has become.
SO, in an effort to clean up its image, if not its act, Karl Rove, the campaign genius behind slanders that got George W. Bush elected and re-elected, organized the Conservative Victory Fund, to run candidates against the Tea Party types. They say pretty such the same thing, and it's two sets of plutocrats-Rove and his financial backers on one side, the Koch brothers and Armey on the other-at war with each other, it's not at all a rebels versus establishment thing.
Dating back to at least Richard Nixon's presidential campaigns, the Republican party has used racial resentment as a motivating tool to attract white voters, a strategy outlined in the book by Kevin Phillips, The Emerging Republican Majority. Using phrases like "law and order' and "welfare queen," thus triggering racial stereotypes in white voters' minds, Republican Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Bush I and II got elected with white Southern votes.
(There were some commentators after Nixon's death, even on NPR, that acted like Nixon's race-baiting was a stroke of political genius, and not the disgusting playing to racial hostility and ignorance to get elected, as opposed to dealing with serious social problems and thus alleviating racial hostility.)
SO, the Democratic party, at least its establishment (i.e., millionaire) wing, told itself and the public that it should not get too close to these "special interests," unless they were really hard up for votes. The "special interests" definitely were not oil companies, or the NRA, or any other deep-pocket financial donor; after the loss of 1984, gays and lesbians were identified as the "special interest' to shun, but, to my mind, the LGBT community was another code for all other minorities, such as African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, and the Labor movement. All of a sudden, these oppressed minority groups are now oppressors to be liberated from; and the Democratic party is just as in bed with corporations as the Republicans, and just as willing to shun the African-American community, as with Bill Clinton's baiting of Sister Souljah. We can NOT rely on our political class, especially our "allies."
No matter-I take the LONG view of social change. Forty years ago or so, Feminism and Gay Rights were taking off as movements, and they were treated as late-night talk show jokes, when they were mentioned at all; later on they were taken seriously enough to have counter-movements against them, such as the anti-ERA campaign of Phyllis Schlafley and the anti-Gay campaign of Anita Bryant in 1977. Female and LGBT candidates ran for offices, and women and Gays entered every field imaginable. There have been roadblocks, which I see as passive-aggressive forms of resistance to these groups DARING to assert themselves-resistance to same-sex marriage, fighting the right to abortion by terrorizing women seeking them.
Still, the rights of women and LGBT people have advanced to where same-sex marriage is not only morally right, but popular; and women in military service (God watch over them all!) are now entering traditionally "manly" combat specialties. Such is the result of brave and persistent work by dedicated activists who, in earlier times were told to give up and go back to their closets or kitchens, and resisted cultural conditioning by all forms of media to win.
Thus, we continue the struggle, and who know WHAT the next level would be? I'll be on the train-bye!

Museum Surprise

siweni — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:38:19 GMT

- by Steve Wenick

I very much enjoyed reading Pam Kosky's article, which recently appeared in this publication, "Ancient Roman Mosaic Makes Final U.S. Stop at Penn Museum". With that in mind I would like to share an anecdote about the exhibition.

Having reluctantly acceded to my wife's wishes to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of the recently uncovered (1996) Lod Mosaic, I steeled myself for a tedious and boring afternoon at the University of Pennsylvania Archaeology and Anthropology Museum. Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony I joined the rather eclectic and eccentric group of academic looking visitors who were scrutinizing the huge mosaic prominently displayed on the floor just outside the Canaan Exhibition Hall. Not wanting to look out of place I mimicked what seemed to be the prevailing meditative pose they assumed as I too scrutinized the artistic worth of the myriad of tesserae; (multi colored small stones)which made up that magnificent work.

While in thought I overheard someone speaking Hebrew. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the speaker was a distinguished and well-dressed man standing close by me. The comments he made to his companion were about several ancient oil lamps, which had been discovered in Israel, now prominently displayed in the adjacent Roman Exhibition Hall. Never one to let a Hebrew speaking person pass me by without engaging them one way or another I echoed his remark in Hebrew just loud enough for him to hear it with the expectation that he would react to me. He did.

As it turns out the gentleman lives in Rehovot, a town next to Mazkeret Batya, where my daughter Jennifer and her family live. We talked briefly about places we knew in common in the surrounding neighborhoods like the upscale restaurant Achuzat Margo (Chateau Margaux), where family and friends recently celebrated my wife's milestone birthday, and Bilu Center an overcrowded shopping mall located close by. We ended our conversation by reminiscing about shopping in Shuk Hapishpashim, a flea market located in Old Jaffa.

As we prepared to take leave of each other I introduced myself to him and he responded by telling me his name; it was Yaron Sideman. His name sounded vaguely familiar and I had the feeling I had seen his face before but I could not remember where. As he walked away and stepped out of the Roman Exhibition Hall disappearing down a corridor, I was suddenly struck with the realization that I had been talking to Yaron Sideman, The Consul General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region.

As it turned out the Lod Mosaic exhibition and accompanying lecture were fascinating and very informative. And in addition to having been educated about the mosaic, I also learned that even the moribund halls of a dry and dusty museum can hold some interesting surprises.

Birnhak Marks 50th Year With Weight Watchers

SCoren — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:02:39 GMT

MARILYN PRICE BIRNHAK WILL MARK HER
50TH YEAR WORKING FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS®

Marilyn Price Birnhak, of Bala Cynwyd, PA will mark a momentous and special milestone in her storied
career in the weight-loss industry. As of February, 2013, it will be her 50th year working for Weight Watchers®.
A native of the Fern Rock section and a graduate of Olney High School in Philadelphia,
she first became affiliated with the international weight-management company while living in New York where
and when she attended founder Jean Nidetch's weight-loss class to lose weight personally. Following her successful weight-loss which she accomplished along with her husband, J.Robert Birnhak, she became a Leader for the program.
In 1964, she and her husband started Weight Watchers of Philadelphia, Inc., the Philadelphia franchise,
in the Mount Airy section of the city with two meetings and just eight members, some of whom were their family. Today, in its 49th anniversary year of being continuously family owned and operated, the highly successful franchise serves as many as 25,000 members weekly in more than 600 meetings in 11-counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southwestern, New Jersey.
Through the years the company has helped hundreds of thousands of people to live and enjoy healthier lifestyles by successfully losing weight and has provided employment to hundreds of employees who
reside within their geographic marketing regions in the Keystone and Garden states.
Although busy operating their business, the Birnhaks have made time to volunteer on the boards of
numerous charitable and non-profit organizations and have been singled out for honors by many including, The
Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center For Jewish Life where they dedicated the Birnhak Transitional Center. Bob and her son, John, a company vice president, also serve on its board of directors. They have additionally received honors from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Magen David Adom and the National Liberty Museum. Bob additionally has been on the board of the State of Israel Bonds and The Jewish Theological Seminary. Marilyn also is a founder of the AIM Academy, an educational program for bright children who learn differently.
In addition, not forgetting the communities they serve, the Birnhaks have been active in fund raising and

contributors to numerous charitable causes including, The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, The
Wellness Community, TheUnited Way, The Philadelphia Thrill Show, Inc., American Heart Association,
Alzheimer's Association, Beth Sholom Congregation, Weight Watchers of Philadelphia Feeds The Hungry,
The Kidney Foundation, Susan B. Komen Race For The Cure and the Philadelphia Theatre Company.
Marilyn and her late daughter, Tracey, who died after and long and courageous battle with breast cancer, founded the "I Have Strength Fund" associated with the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, the Birnhaks have endowed the Nutritional Counseling Center at the Abramson Center located in the Perelman Center for Advance Medicine. The Birnhaks also have another daughter, Valerie, who does not work for the franchise.
Marilyn additionally has appeared on numerous television and talk radio shows and has participated as
a speaker and panelist for many health oriented events and fairs. She also has been a guest lecturer for many of the area's medical colleges and universities.
Weight Watchers ® now features Weight Watchers 360º, a new weight-loss program built for human nature that builds on its renowned PointsPlus® system in which members build on Tracking to learn strategies necessary to make healthy choices second nature.
PointsPlus values take into account all of the components that make up calories, which includes protein, carbs, fat and fiber, factoring in the conversion cost of processing these components in the body, as well as how these nutrients affect feelings of hunger and satiety. Some nutrients require more energy to process and are more filling than others. Protein and fiber for example require more energy to process than fat and carbs and are also more filling. The fact that PointsPlus values account for these differences means that one gets a more accurate measure of how much energy is available to your body when eating food and is also directed to more
satisfying food choices..
PointsPlus includes PowerStart, a special two-session introduction that provides an easy to follow guide designed to get members off to a powerful start with their goal to lose weight.
Sometimes it's hard to make the best choices even when members know what they are. Food temptations are all around, all the time and the latest science shows that simply telling ourselves "no"
is unlikely to work.
Weight Watchers 360º is the answer to that challenge. It not only teaches members the Tracking
steps needed to follow PointsPlus, but also steps required to create healthy Spaces and build healthy Routines.
The aim is to put members in control of their eating and exercise choices and to help healthy living become
second nature to them.
The latest science in brain chemistry confirms it: Food cues are all around us, helpful or not, make a huge difference in the decisions we make about eating. That's why it pays to set up surroundings designed for

success, clearing out Spaces of trigger foods and filling them up with foods that make it easy to stay on the plan. Routines are helpful habits that can become second nature and Weight Watchers 360º provides a series of strategies that provide healthy approaches.
The Weight Watchers approach has always been based on healthy eating, regular physical activity,
behavior modification and support. Weight Watchers additionally offers a unique confidential aspect at meetings with private weigh-ins, while providing Leader motivation and encouragement for members. There also is the Program's hallmark, its unique weekly meetings in which members interact to help each other
achieve their weight goals.
Weight Watchers is the world's leading provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of company-owned and franchised operations. Weight Watchers holds over 45,000 weekly meetings around the world where members receive group support and education about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. Weight Watchers.com provides innovative subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based weight management provider in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight-loss and weight control. To learn more about Weight Watchers of Philadelphia's services, visit wwphl.com. To find the nearest Weight Watchers meeting location, call 1-800-456-6363 or click on Find A Meeting.
Now in its 49th anniversary year, Weight Watchers of Philadelphia, Inc. serves as many as 25,000 members weekly in more than 600 local meetings in southeastern Pennsylvania and southwestern New Jersey.
Weight Watchers of Philadelphia is part of a larger organization franchised by Weight Watchers International,
Inc., owner of the registered trademark. Additional details at 1-800-456-6363.
#
1-31-13
* People following the Weight Watchers plan can expect to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week.
For Further Media Information:
Stu Coren
ROSEN COREN AGENCY
215-741-2003

In Search of Meaning

siweni — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:05:27 GMT

- by Steve Wenick

I spent years in search of the proverbial 'meaning of life' and my quest took me to the far corners of my psyche. I suppose part of my motivation was that as a teen and young adult during the anti-establishment generation of the late 50's the Bohemian movement spoke to me. I recall the strip of coffee shops, strung along Samson Street in center city Philadelphia, where the denizens of the night gathered to 'dig' sounds and listen to home grown poetry and prose. Men wore beards and women were draped in earth tone colored sackcloth. The natural look was in and makeup out. Jazz and Classical music were the point and counter point of the emerging hip generation when the Blues and Bee-bop of Miles, Parker, Mingus and Monk, comingled with the classical keys and strings of Beethoven and Mozart, accompanied with the infusion of the atonality compositions of Stravinsky and Schoenberg. Only those innovators' last names were needed to identify them as their distinctive creative sounds reverberated off the dimly lit cave-like stone walls of Samson Street's coffee houses.

As is the fate of all decades, the 50's receded into the past and became passé; relinquishing its tenure to the next decade. It was the 60's and the Hippy generation's outcry against the social order of the day was in full throat. I was still in a Don Quixotic mode, searching for the impossible dream. I discarded my taupe colored garments and replaced them with a splash of outrageous cacophonous colored cloths intended to jar the psyche of authoritarianism. A wave of anti-establishment washed over the heretofore shores of conservatism and the body language of the newest generation epitomized the shedding of the fetters of authority. Thus was born the free-spirit generation. VW mini buses were routinely decorated with flowers symbols of love and peace and in vogue were long unkempt locks of hair. Remnants of that generation are still evident today, symbolized by the entangled graying shocks of aged hippies. Their hopes and dreams of a utopian world still cloud their vision like a fog slowly descending upon the evening hours of their lives.

The sixties and seventies were decades of exploration for me. During those turbulent years of civil rights marches and riots I ventured into climes heretofore foreign to me. I traveled to Israel in the late 50's in search of my roots, later my search lead me to the stacks which lined the libraries in order to study the ways of the Sikkimese people of Sikkim, a small country bordering Nepal. The reason I chose to study the people of Sikkim was because they were isolated from the world and I thought they would be a source of unadulterated thought and deed. Soon Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and any other "ism" you can imagine became the prerequisites which I studied in order to find the meaning of life.

By the late 60's I had completed my army obligation, had secured a job and was the father of three daughters. The time had come to face the real world. The years flew by and when our preteen children began to ask important values laden questions my wife Bobbie and I had to make the most important decision of our lives; it was a decision which I thought would affect my daughters more than us. That decision was how we were going to raise our children.

Having explored the world of both normative and any exotic religions as an adult, I decided that to be fair I should also embark upon learning something about Judaism as an adult. Too many of my fellow Jews learned about their religion for only a few short years at an elementary school level. The vast majority never went a day beyond Bar Mitzvah. Therefore the understanding of their own traditions, which were formed in early adolescence, does not hold up well against adult understandings of religion or dismissal of it.

Since the heart of Judaism has to do more with practicing its tenets than with belief and understanding, I decided to chart a course of Na'Aseh, V'Nishma, and figuratively meaning action before understanding. Of course that notion is antithetical to modern day philosophies of learning. Nevertheless, as a child of the Sixties I was delighted to explore Robert Frost's "The road not taken", and depart from the prevailing ideas of education.

So Bobbie and I embarked upon a new adventure together not really knowing where our quest would take us. Rather than studying about Judaism we decided to live it first and learn about its value through experience. If it would work for us we would study the reasons why it worked later. We began by lighting candles every Friday night to the strains of songs from Fiddler on the Roof. It helped set the right mood for Shabbat. Over time the Broadway's show tunes faded giving way to our own sweet strains of Shalom Aleichem, Aishet Chayil, Kiddush and Shabbat Zimirot. Practice did not make perfect but it did begin to pave the way for a religious life whose meaning was beginning to take root in the soil of our own traditions. It was not too long before we also embraced Kashrut, Shabbat Services, and Holiday observance.

After many twists and turns, detours and dead ends we decided that the practice of Judaism was the path we should follow because it best suited us. This came as quite a surprise to me because I had spent the first three decades of my life rejecting the wisdom of my parents which was manifest by their adherence to Jewish practice. As the years passed, our commitment to Judaism strengthened and our children followed us through the many obstacles life inevitably placed before them. But like all paths that lead to a better place the destination is not the goal, it is the process by which you travel that is most important. And for our family that process continues till this day and on my way to find the meaning of life, I found meaning in my life.

Tax issue reflects Republican angst

Bruce Ticker — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:35:33 GMT

— by Bruce Ticker

What befalls the Republican Party? Does anyone care? The GOP is no longer a majority party and it is best for conflicting factions to part ways. Not that we should expect any changes that will make for a healthy democracy.

Republicans could not protect the likes of George Clooney and Sarah Jessica Parker from higher taxes after all.

Two of the wealthiest Americans from two of the wealthiest states who hosted celebrity fundraisers for President Obama's re-election surely had no idea that their candidate planned all along to boost their taxes.

Or maybe the tax issue was a sham all along reflecting the end of the line for the Republican Party as a majority party. Until Tuesday night, Jan. 1, Republicans in Congress habitually refused to raise taxes on the rich for absolutely no discernable reason.

More after the jump.
Clooney from Los Angeles, Parker of Manhattan and other movie stars who live in New York and California are not worried that the Jan. 1 vote that will raise income taxes for individuals who make more than $450,000 yearly. Those and other wealthy states are primarily represented by Democrats in Congress, so why would most of our rich citizens support a policy that would hold down taxes on millions of dollars of income?

Such a policy can only originate from a political force which has run out of ideas that appeal to a high proportion of Americans.

The Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives, simply does not reflect policies that approach broad support. They might have had a case for lowering taxes to some degree three decades ago, but that was long before a relative handful of Americans had millions of dollars in their hands while most of us were losing jobs or struggling with subsistence salaries.

In this vein, the GOP's favorite customer - the angry white male - now directs his anger not at racial minorities but at the ultra-rich, most of whom are probably willing to pay higher taxes anyway.

The Republicans fail to advocate sensible policies. The Democratic Party, with all its faults, advocates credible domestic ideas and the GOP automatically opposes them because it is the only place they can go.

They even stepped in it when they urged the multi-billion-dollar deployment of armed guards to the schools while crying for deficit reduction. Their call to aid the mentally ill instead of instituting gun control will contribute to the deficit.

Speaking of the deficit, the Republicans created the deficit in large part by cutting taxes for the rich and engaging in two expensive wars, one of which (Iraq) was unnecessary from the outset.

Republicans will argue that they are of the party of austerity and prevent one-party rule. Anyone can work to cut expenses, and they should, but the GOP did not worry about deficits during President Bush's tenure. Serving as the loyal opposition means nothing if they do not otherwise stand for anything that reflects the will of the majority, or close to the majority.

The party takes stands on certain positions, of course, most specially on social issues such as abortion and gay marriage, but these matters are of strong concern to a fraction of Americans, which makes them a minority party.

Within the space of a few days, 85 House Republicans voted for the tax law; John Boehner could only win re-election as House Speaker by a two-vote margin; and, most prominently, Republicans from the Northeast brutally slammed Boehner for delaying a vote on aid to victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The party's hollowness is reflected in the numbers: Of 96 million registered voters, the GOP claims less than a third, 30 million, according to USA Today. Democrats top out at 42 million and the remaining 24 million are listed as independents or members of other parties.

Ideally, the Republicans should split into two separate parties because they are no longer unified on some fundamental issues. Such a break-off would provide a home for the center-right, those Americans who feel unrepresented by either the Democrats or Republicans.

This would mean losing the infrastructure of a major party either as both factions divide the spoils or one faction seizes them all. Starting a new party, even with experienced political hands involved, will take money and organization.

True, this would leave the Democratic Party with one-party domination for the time being. Whose fault it that? The Democrats engaged in outreach to centrist factions while the Republicans focused on what we might call inreach. The GOP should be rewarded for this?

A Kippa Question... Goes Unanswered.

siweni — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 14:22:37 GMT

- by Steve Wenick

On November 9th I posed a question here, "Why do you think that Jewish youth, and adults for that matter, are reluctant to wear a Kippa in public while living in the freest country in the world, The United States of America?" As expected, I received no responses. The reason I anticipated that no one would respond is that the answer would force Jews to confront the illusion held by so many that we are regarded just like every other of the United States. But we are not.

In the eyes of the law all citizens are to be treated fairly regardless of which group we are members. And as Americans we are encouraged to embrace and celebrate diversity, but like any other minority, Jews are often more tolerated than celebrated. We are not alone in that undesirable position; the Blacks in America know that all too well.

Occasionally we see head coverings worn in public such as the Turban which identifies the wearer as a practicing Sikh, the Kufi as a Muslim, and the Kippa as a Jew. Today those coverings are not removed when entering a building as once was the practice of the citizens in many Western countries. However Americans entering a church or when non-military personnel hear the strains of our national anthem they are expected to remove their hat even today. When minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims and Jews do not abide by that custom, for their religious beliefs forbid it, they are often looked at by fellow citizens with a jaundiced eye.

I was once told by a fellow Jew that Jews bring envy and hatred upon themselves because they act with an air of superiority. They point out how many Nobel Prize winners they have produced and other achievements in numbers way beyond their percentage of the population. Of course that reason is false because throughout history Jews were hated and persecuted even when they were lowly slaves or powerless victims shoveled into the ovens of Europe. Nobel Prize winners, they were not!

People like to be accepted by other people. It is human nature. But the very nature of Judaism keeps Jews from being like everyone else. In the past Jews were very different from Gentiles. We lived in different neighborhoods (not always by choice) the foods we ate, the clothing we wore were different. We prayed in a foreign tongue, we went to synagogue, not church. We became a Bar or Bat Mitzvah but were not Baptized. Some of us could speak Yiddish or a smattering of it and the majority learned to read Hebrew. We discouraged intermarriage

Years ago Reform rabbis even dressed like priests and ministers by wearing clerical collars in an effort to blend in with the prevailing Christian society. It is understandable that Jews wanted to be like everyone else. The problem if we are like everyone else we are no longer us. So we began to dress, eat, act and think like everyone else. We shed the outer trappings of our uniqueness as Jews in an effort to fit in. For many, we have succeeded and assimilation has been the consequence of those efforts.

Not until the establishment of the State of Israel, have Jews been the majority religion in any country in the world. For over two-thousand years our people have been referred to as, "Wandering Jews", a people exiled from their homeland. Historically Jews have chosen to keep themselves apart from the majority culture, not because of a sense of superiority, but because of the practice of a different life style. And the non-Jew was more than willing to help us to keep us apart. For centuries churches and mosques preached anti-Semitism partly because of the Jews rejection of the Jesus as the Messiah and Mohammed as a prophet and partly because of Jews being a minority, thus making them an easy target. Negative stereotypes also inevitably evolved from Jews being different from the majority culture. We may not have been strangers in the lands we inhabited but our 'strange' practices evoked suspicion. We were regarded as the 'other', the outsider, a price exacted partly because of our self-imposed separatism coupled with the willing intolerance of our fellow citizens.

Unless Jews start acting and thinking like everyone else in their prevailing societies, anti-Jewish feelings will persist as products of suspicion and resentment. If we learn to accept, integrate, assimilate and become part of the prevailing society we will of course cease being behavioral and practicing Jews. Granted we can still adhere to the important social, ethical and moral values promulgated by Judaism and even continue to enjoy a good bagels and lox breakfast. But non-Jews can do that as well and sadly then one would not be able to distinguish a Jew from a non-Jew.

The Mason Missile, January 3, 2013

John O. Mason — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:43:43 GMT

Greetings, everyone. I hope everyone had a great holiday season, and I wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

I see we survived the scare of the Mayan calendar apocalypse, the idea that the world would end on December 21, 2012. People actually believed this idea, circulating among New Age circles and websites, and made such preparations as building their own arks, like Noah, and their own bunkers with food, power generators, and water filtration systems. We've been through this before, last year, with the evangelist Harold Camping predicting the end of the world on May 21st. (Always the twenty-first of the month-why?)

I, on the other hand, believe in Tikkun Olam, the repair and healing of the world. The doomsday scenarios talk about the destruction of the world, and what to you should to do disengage yourself from it when it occurs; I believe in engaging the world fully, to work towards fixing what needs to be fixed, such as seeing that all workers have good jobs with good pay and benefits, and that health insurance, food, and education are provided for to all, and not treated like luxuries.

In last year's Yom Kippur service, I had the honor of giving the D'var Torah on the Book of Isaiah, Chapters 57 and 58, where the Prophet condemns:

Because on your fast day

You see to your business

And oppress your laborers!

Because you fast in strife and contention

And you strike with a wicked fist!

And the Prophet continues:

No, this is the fast I desire:

To unlock the fetters of wickedness

And untie the cords of the yoke

To let the oppressed go free;

To break off every yoke.

It is to share your bread with the hungry,

And to take the wretched poor into your home;

When you see the naked, to clothe him,

And not to ignore your own kin.

This is appropriate to think about, with the upcoming celebration of the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. This is a great time to perform acts of Tikkun Olam, such as helping a returning veteran write his resume so he can get a job, or helping any unemployed worker find a job, or working at a food bank passing food out to low-income people, or helping at a battered women's shelter. You need to see what a social problem looks like-it's not statistics or theories, it's living, breathing people having troubles.

But then you have to ask-why can't this veteran who served his/her country, or this perfectly competent worker, find a job? Why do decent people have to ask for food in this so-called wealthy nation? Why does a man strike his wife? This is the idea of Tikkun Olam, to repair the world so that none of this happens. we must concern ourselves with the well-being of our fellow humans, and that requires being engaged in it.

Religion-real, effective religion-is what we do outside the sanctuary of our house of worship. It's how we treat the poor and oppressed, the powerless in our community, and help them find their power to change things.

As Dr. King put it, "A religion true to its nature must...be concerned about man's social conditions. Religion deals with both earth and heaven, both time and eternity. Religion operates not only on the vertical plane but also on the horizontal. It seeks not only to integrate men with God but to integrate men with men and each man with himself. This means, at bottom, that the Christian gospel is a two-way road. On the one hand it seeks to change the souls of men, and thereby unite them with God; on the other hand it seeks to change the environmental conditions of men so that the soul will have a chance after it is changed. Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion. Such a religion is the kind that Marxists like to see - an opiate of the people."

(This is the Martin Luther King Jr. we have to understand, not the sanitized saint put forth by our brain-damaged media, but the man who challenged his nation, and his religion, to live up to their professed ideas.)

The apocalyptic idea has played out after the presidential election, with the futile political game playing about the "fiscal cliff," the impending disaster that would come if the House, Senate and President did not come to an agreement on spending and taxes. The goal of the "Tea Party" hard-liners would be to save millionaires and billionaires from having to pay their fair share of taxes, even though so many of the multi-billion corporations, such as Exxon-Mobil and Whirlpool have paid ZERO in taxes-and, in spite of the rightist propaganda, have NOT created any new jobs or plants in this country to hire America workers, but have treated their CEOs, no matter how incompetent they proved to be, with bonuses and raises, among many other perks.

(Unfortunately, the political squabbling and horse-trading dominated the news, while the needs of the people, the effect of cuts in funding worthwhile programs and the effect on the people they help, never came up. Oh, yes, we do SO need our own people's media.)

The Republicans thought they could use the Tea Party "movement" to motivate their base and reclaim power; but the Tea Party-ites refused to go along with any compromise on the budget and the fiscal cliff, determined to make Obama look bad, even though they instead made the Congress look bad, with approval ratings lower than those of the Communist Party. They have even been plotting to remove John Boehner from the Speaker's chair, believing that no one in far enough to the right for them.

And what are the things the Tea Party crew getting steamed about? Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and funding for relief for communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. It's purely out of dogma that they behave this way. Yet, through gerrymandering of congressional districts by their home state legislatures, they have a safe berth in Congress, enjoying the free health care and other benefits our taxes provide for them-unless, of course, we educate ourselves and our neighbors about what goes on in the world, in Congress, and our neighborhoods; yes, we ARE our brothers' and sisters' keepers.

Again, have a safe and prosperous new year-bye!

Lee S. Bender

Lee Bender — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 03:13:53 GMT

Lee S. Bender (Cornell, B.A. 1984; William & Mary, J.D. 1988), a former Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney, has been in private practice as a trial attorney in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1995 with the law firm Joseph Chaiken & Associates. He is Co-President of the Zionist Organization of America-Greater Philadelphia District, a board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Philadelphia, member of the Jewish Federation Israel Advocacy Committee and chairman of the Israel Advocacy Committee of Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, Scholarship Chairman of the Cornell Club of Greater Philadelphia, and Chairman of the Civil Service Commission of Lower Merion Township among many other organizations.

Defending and promoting Israel is his passion, and "second job."

He is the co-author of the recently published book (Oct. 2012, Pavilion Press): Pressing Israel: Media Bias Exposed From A-Z with Jerome Verlin. They have been on a talking/book signing tour with a power point presentation about anti-Israel media bias at area synagogues, community groups, schools, churches and other organizations.

Sticks & Stones: Review of "Pressing Israel"

See Lee's user page for articles posted by Lee Bender.

Montlhy Saturday Morning Minyan

hayden15 — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:49:56 GMT

Congregational Leyv Ha -Ir~Heart of the City, a Reconstructionist Congregation, meeting in Center City. Welcome to our
First Saturday morning Minyan, lay led, torah readings and discussions. Pot-luck lunch follows.

We meet at the Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Sq. second floor and welcome you. Further questions - 215-629-1995.

"Next Year in Jerusalem" - Documentary Film

AnatKuznetzovZalmanson — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:26:25 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Become a part of history by supporting the feature documentary "Next Year In Jerusalem" Help us to tell the story of the first Leningrad trials, those who were imprisoned, and the people that fought for their freedom. This is a story that should be remembered and not forgotten to the pages of time.

You can help this film become a reality Today go to

http://www.kickstarter.com/pro...
About This Film:

During the Cold War the Iron Curtain was shut, leaving the people of the USSR hidden and isolated from the world. Many wanted to escape from this isolation but their rights and liberty had been taken away. The feature documentary "Next Year In Jerusalem" tells the story of a group of 15 Soviet civilians, mostly Jewish, who in 1970 had the courage to stand up and fight for their freedom. They plotted to charter a plane, throw out the pilots before takeoff, and fly it to Sweden, knowing they faced a huge risk of being captured or shot down. They proceeded in the hopes that this action would give them a platform to inform the world of the conditions behind the Iron Curtain. They were arrested near Leningrad, imprisoned in Siberian work camps and two of them where sentenced to death. However, their message got out and as a direct result of their bravery, world pressure forced the USSR to open its curtain and throughout the 1970's 163,000 Jews were liberated from the USSR. It started with the action of a few, the few became many, and the echoes of their bravery have reverberated through history. This documentary, directed by the daughter of the group's leaders, will tell the whole story for the first time.

We need to raise $100,000 by January 5th to tell their story by making this film. If we don't reach this goal by January 5th the film doesn't get made and all donations will be refunded. Please help us tell this very important story by donating today!
http://www.kickstarter.com/pro...

How my College Education will Help me Cultivate Prosperity in my Community

zowhat37 — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:23:44 GMT

Eighteen years ago, I was born in Fuzhou, China. My orphanage gave me the name FuMian meaning "prosperous one who studies hard". To me, working hard to achieve one's goals, then paying that success forward so others can have a better life is the true measure of prosperity.
In college, I hope to pursue a medical career and become a pediatrician, which will allow me to help improve the health and welfare of my community. One day, I plan to return to China as a doctor and help provide much needed medical care to the children in the orphanages. I hope that my goals will not only improve the health of these children, but it will also have a positive effect on their overall quality of life. By achieving my own dream of going to college and becoming a pediatrician, I can hopefully inspire these children to have a prosperous future.
Additionally, my community has played an important role in shaping the young woman I am today. Being raised in a mentoring environment, I find my greatest reward is the ability to watch others not only succeed from help I gave them, but become mentors themselves.
I know I can make a difference to the world-at-large and that my role will only be enhanced as I gain more knowledge and experience. Whether it's through volunteering or as a doctor, I can and will have a real impact on my community's prosperity in the years ahead by continuing to be involved.
The above writing sample was my winning submission for the First Trust Scholarship for 2012.

Understanding War Using Charlie Brown

hzuckerman — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:06:43 GMT

It is important to understand World War One's effect on Americans and on Europeans. At the time people in America thought that the war was Europe's problem and that the U.S. should remain neutral. However even after the U.S. entered the war and helped win it, when Americans look back now they generally forget the importance of the war. American ignorance and disregard for World War I might be due to the lack of involvement in the war compared to the European countries that fought in the war for more years. Perhaps America's sense of itself as a country where military service and manliness go hand in hand with citizenship also began to take form as a result of the country's role in WWI. Though Americans have generally reaped the benefits that the 'Great War,' such as victory, industrial expansion, prestige, and manliness, the country often forget that the war was such a great and terrible wound to so much of the world.
On May thirtieth, nineteen eighty three, CBS ran a short Charlie Brown special entitled "What Have we Learned Charlie Brown?" It was a sequel to a Peanuts special called "Bon Voyage Charlie Brown" where Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, and Marcy go to France to visit friends. "What Have We Learned Charlie Brown?" unlike the other light-hearted Charlie Brown films, teaches children about the devastation and real affect that the First World War had on Europeans. "What Have We Learned Charlie Brown?", written by Charles M. Shultz and directed by Bill Melendez, is a Peanuts special that aired right before the 39th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Normandy. The film's basic plot is that the characters, Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, and Marcy go to France and while there learn about the world wars and visit sites of battles. The film begins when their car breaks down in Frnace and so they spend the rest of the movie in France visiting different sites that were significant to both world wars. First they meet a woman who recognizes Snoopy's World War I flying ace costumes and reminisces about how it was called the "Great War." The gang then camp out on a beach and Linus, realizing that its Omaha beach, tells the story of D-Day interspersed with clips from the actual invasion of the beach.
In another part of the movie the gang goes to Ypers, a town that sustained battles between the Germans and the Allied forces during World War I. Linus, the most sensitive of the group, alone realizes the significance of the site he and his friends are on. During that sequence of the movie he is alone watching different clips of actual footage of battles just as actual clips were used to show the Omaha beach invasion. By putting the loveable cartoon character of Linus which children can connect to, beside images from World War I children nowadays can actually get a picture of how devastating, scary, and real these wars were to those who lived through them.
In the last part of the movie Linus takes Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Marcy, and Snoopy to Flanders Fields. There are poppies growing in the fields and graves that mark where the battles were fought during the war. Linus then recites the poem 'Flanders Fields' as everyone looks at the images of the poppies and crosses that surround the field.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
In the very last bit, after the poem, Linus asks the question 'What have we learned, Charlie Brown?' Charlie Brown does not give an answer and but that the question and the answer are both very important. Children who watch this movie, though they have seen much footage of both wars might still not understand the significance and perhaps people are all still wondering what they learned from these two wars and from all the wars that America takes part in. Children then can ask their parents, after seeing this film, about the two wars so that older generation will pass on their knowledge to their children so people can continue asking and learning even if they do not know the answer.

An Urgent Call To The Community To Save A Life!

RonitTreatman — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:03:23 GMT

Rebecca Salame, a member of our community, is in urgent need of our help. She is a single mother with late stage Lymphoma. If she doesn't get a bone marrow transplant in 3-6 months, then there will be nothing left for her to do.

Rebecca's transplant team and main local oncologist are at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Here is what you can do!

Log onto the Be The Match website.
Order your free cheeck swabbing kit. This will not hurt!

Your results will be recorded in Be The Match's database. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has a dedicated person on staff who tracks these results. If a match is found, they will immediately be contacted.

If one of us is a possible donor, here is some information about giving blood for stem cells.

Letter from Rebecca Salame follows the jump.
I received the following letter from Rebecca Salame:

I need a stem cell donor, it is the same thing as a bone marrow donor, but far less invasive for the donor, no needles into the bones, instead it is akin to giving blood!
I have a rare lymphoma, I was misdiagnosed for many years and finally diagnosed when I had been at the late stage for a few years.
I have had a lot of chemotherapies, biologics and radiation, I have fought hard.
I live with my daughter, I have fought so hard because I want to be here for her- I want her to have her mother for as long as possible, at least until she marries and perhaps, if I can ask for something extra- to be here to see a healthy grandchild.
My best hope for a match would be someone of Sephardic Jewish background, Middle Eastern, but of course anyone can match anyone- and we need more people to register, not for me, but for everyone!
Did you know, half of all people who need a transplant die because no match was found?
For Jewish people that number is higher, it is sad.
In theory, if everyone was registered, everyone would have many matches.
The IDF has been trying to encourage all soldiers to register, that is an amazing mitzvah, it can change the future of so may people's fight for health!
People of all Jewish ancestry are very underrepresented, it turns out.
Today and tomorrow I am going to attempt to make some kind of copy for folks to share, right now I am just overwhelmed by the loss of my original donor. I've had a long battle and the past year has been frightening and painful for me — I was really hopeful about this transplant happening now.
I do not have a lot of time to find a donor.
I need everyone between the ages of 18-50 to choose a registry in their country and sign up to become a donor, they will be given a number when they do so, and if they can share that number with my team we can look expressly for them- my search is international.
In the US, we are using Gift Of Life ourselves — my cousin made a drive there for me earlier in the year, and in Israel of course Ezer Mizion is the organization for this.

Leviticus 19:16 says, "Lo ta'amod al dam re'echa." This means that we are commanded not to stand idly by when a fellow member of our community is in danger of life. Maimonides interpreted this to mean,

"If one person is able to save another and does not save him, he transgresses the commandment ... for if one destroys the life of a single Israelite, it is regarded as though he destroyed the whole world, and if one preserves the life of a single Israelite, it is regarded as though he preserved the whole world."

There is no greater mitzvah that you can perform than to find out if you are a match, and to save this young mother's life.

The Sixth Candle

siweni — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 03:59:17 GMT

- by Steve Wenick

'Twas the sixth night of Hanukkah, and what do you know, he was sitting in front of me with cheeks all aglow. He was round and jolly, with a beard white as snow, sporting a red cap on his head just in case it would snow. So what was he doing sitting and eating in a kosher (Chalav Yisroel and Pas Yisroel) restaurant, with all its chatter and clatter, as he nibbled on treats from a chipped porcelain platter.

Well he wasn't Santa that's for sure, unless the jolly old fellow had taken to wearing tzitzit. He was just an elderly gent enjoying snacks and a steaming bowl of onion soup at the Vegetable Garden Restaurant in New York's Garment District. I usually don't do this but, as I was leaving the restaurant, I asked him, "how's the soup"? His answer consisted of one word, "Delicious" and with the twinkle in his eye he did not have to say any more.

As I turned to leave, he asked in a flash, "Where are you from?" I told him Cherry Hill and the look on his face told me that he wasn't sure exactly where that was so I added, "It's near Philadelphia". That coaxed only a slight smile from his lips as he was clearly unimpressed. By that time my granddaughter Tal had finished gathering her stuff and caught up to me. I explained to the gent that this was my granddaughter. He asked her where she was from, to which she replied, "Israel".

Not unexpectedly he began speaking to her in Hebrew with a very distinct American accent. After the usual "where are you from" pleasantries he reached into his pocket and took out a shiny Susan B. Anthony silver dollar coin and with a nod gave it to her. Tal did not want to accept it but he insisted saying, "It's Hanukkah gelt and if you don't want to accept it for yourself then take it and be my Sheliach (messenger) and give it to the first needy person you see when you return to Israel".

Tal acceded to his wish, took the gelt and flung her scarf around her neck as we started out of the restaurant - when suddenly the gent reached into his wallet, took out a business card and handed it to me. As he did it he exclaimed, "Happy Hanukkah to all and to all a good night". I hesitated a moment before leaving, just long enough to read the card. On it was printed, "Millinery Center Synagogue, 1025 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY, Rabbi Hayim S. Wahrman".

This story was originally posted in the Varied Voices blog of the Jewish Community Voice of Southern New Jersey in December 2010.

Klein Center City Seniors Program Honors Volunteers

John O. Mason — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:47:25 GMT

Volunteers in the Klein Center City Senior Program were honored by a luncheon held at the Jewish Community Services Center, 2100 Arch Street in Philadelphia, on Thursday, November 29, 2012.
The Klein Center City Senior Program is sponsored by the Klein JCC, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the Friends of Stiffel, and the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.

Lenore Fels, one of the volunteers honored, has performed volunteer work at the Center City branch of Klein, and in the former Stiffel Center on Porter Street in South Philadelphia. "I saw something in the Jewish Exponent," she recalled, "and I called, and I had an invitation to help pack groceries in South Philadelphia. I did that several times a month. When (Stiffel) closed, I didn't do it anymore, but I got an e-mail from Judy (Judy Woloff, social worker), asking if I'd like to come here (to Klein Center City) and volunteer, and this is perfect." The Stiffel Center moved its operations from South Philadelphia to the Center City building, "just for one day a week," added Fels.
Judie Klein, another volunteer, said, "I'm new to Philadelphia, I moved here in June, and I reached out to various Jewish organizations, and I came upon this, and spoke with Judy Woloff, and I became a volunteer, and I've been doing this the last three months." Klein said of her work, "I serve lunch to about a hundred seniors."
Selma Forstater said, "I had volunteered at the Jewish Information and Referral Service for about eighteen years here. I also volunteer at the Jewish Museum, but I volunteer here (at Klein Center City) on Friday mornings, for Stiffel, and I started a year ago, and I enjoy helping the people and glad to be able to do it...These things are very dear to me."
Vicki Krase said, "One day I was reading the Exponent, and there was an article in there about a woman who had been at the Stiffel Center. Her family moved her out of the area, and she really missed her friends, and then her daughter brought her back to this program on Friday, and I read about how glad she was to see her friends. So that's how I learned about the program.
"So I came the next Friday," Krase added, "and I told them I saw the article, and I'd like to be part of this program, and I'd like to volunteer, I'd like to do something while I'm here. So I got to work serving the lunches. So we served close to a hundred lunches, and I really enjoy doing that." And I work with very nice people."
Judy Trachtman said, "I am recently retired, and a neighbor volunteers here at the offices (of the Federation), not at the lunch program. She knows more I'm a foodie, and she recommended I come here. I've been coming about six months."
Judy Woloff, Social Worker for the Klein Center City Senior Program, greeted the volunteers, saying, "It is a pleasure and honor to stand before you today, and offer our deepest thanks to you, our volunteers, who help make (this program) a success." It would not possible for the Klein Center City staff, said Woloff, "to have our warm and deep Friday program without you and the work you do, each and every week. Thank you for helping set up breakfasts, refreshments very early Friday morning, working the registration table, counting the contributions for lunch and tea, for donning aprons, gloves and hairnets and getting the serving spoons."
Members of the Klein Center City staff served lunches to the volunteers.
Lynne Ellis, Program Coordinator for Klein Center City, said, "What is so wonderful, just looking out here, is the combination of old friends and new friends, because some of you I've known for a decade and even a little bit longer, and some of you wonderful folks I've just met over the course of the last twelve to fourteen months. It's so exciting, and I honor everyone's friendship and everyone's help to make this program what it is."
The volunteers honored were:
Barbara Abrahams
Daniel Behrend
Susan Behrend
Max Berger
Micky Blask
Samuel Blyweiss
Maria Bulat
Sally Eisenberg
Lenore Fels
Selma Forstater
Angela Geiger, RN
Emily Gerstell
Sarita Gocial
Rochelle Goldberg
Penina Gould
Jamie Gray
Lee Hillerson
Angeline Ippolito
Theoodore Issacson
Laurel Katz
Judie Klein
Vicki Krase
Jack Land
Robert Leiter
Shirley Maynard
Iris Olen
Nathan Pepper
Arlene Poulos
Bill Schlessinger
Rachel Shoham
Philip Steinberg
Maria Stern
Judith Trachtman
Mildred Trumbach
Elena Vasnetsova
Ben Vaynshelboym, LPN
David Welsh
Eileen Wolf

The Territory - documentary about Israeli settlers

RonitTreatman — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:14:26 GMT

Russian, Hebrew, Arabic with English subtitles.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 7:30-9:00pm, JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th Street. Entry $10. US Premier.

The Territory (Trailer) from dmitriy khavin on Vimeo. The Territory is an intimate look into the lives of Israelis from the former Soviet Union who made their new home in the West Bank settlements. While some residents move to the settlements looking for cheaper housing, others are motivated by Zionist ideology; and all are influenced by their past experience of being an oppressed minority in the Soviet Union.The film is an exploration of questions of identity, religion and conflict.

Producer and Director Dmitriy Khavin began his film career at the Odessa Film Studios in Ukraine. Since 1992 he has lived in the US, where he works as a director, editor and cinematographer.

Caring for Your Aging Pet

RonitTreatman — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 02:53:08 GMT

On Saturday, December 8 the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) will host a free, open-to-the-public lecture called "Caring for Your Aging Pet," at Penn Medicine in Radnor, PA. Beginning at 10:00 AM, Dr. Ann Caulfield, rehabilitation consultant at Penn Vet, will talk about some of the physical and mental changes pets undergo as they get older and things owners can do to help their pets. She'll also discuss some of the diseases related to aging, such as kidney and thyroid disease and cognitive dysfunction.

More after the jump.
To register: Registration is required as seating is limited. This lecture is appropriate for all ages, but participants are asked to not bring their pets. To register, contact Michelle Brooks at mibrooks@vet.upenn.edu or 215.898.1480.

Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine is one of the world's premier veterinary schools. Founded in 1884, the school was built on the concept of Many Species, One MedicineTM.

The School's Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital, located on Penn's campus in Philadelphia, PA, houses classrooms, laboratories, medical care and one of the nation's busiest urban veterinary emergency rooms. In addition, the school successfully integrates scholarship and scientific discovery with all aspects of veterinary medical education.

Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine is the only institution in the state of Pennsylvania graduating veterinarians accredited to care for food production animals. The large-animal facility, New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square, PA, encompasses hospital facilities for the care of horses and food animals as well as diagnostic laboratories serving the agriculture industry.

Chanukah Caroling?

siweni — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 13:37:46 GMT

- by Steve Wenick

My Facebook friend Scott posted a question which was, "What's the Jewish equivalent of "caroling"? He then added, "I'd like to go around from house to house singing Chanukah songs this year."

What a novel idea, Jewish caroling. The question intrigued me so, that I tried to find something that would be like Jewish caroling but I only came up with an empty stocking. Not one to be easily deterred I decided that I would rent a sleigh and take a ride among the fir trees close to my house hoping that the experience would inspire me to come up with a suggestion for my inquisitive friend. Unfortunately I came up empty minded and to make matters worse when I returned home I found that someone had put a lump of coal in my empty stocking. Maybe I should have worn a red suit.

Undaunted I kicked the snow off my boots and settled in front of my fireplace and began roasting chestnuts in its open fire. I thought if I could create the right mood it would get my creative juices flowing while sipping a cup of hot steaming wassail. Still nothing; then it hit me. If I could find recordings of some Chanukah songs and play them that might help me come up with a plan. Let's see there is 'Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel', no - it makes me dizzy. Then maybe 'Sivevone, Sivivone', no good - it makes feel like I'm going around in circles. Maoz Tzur came to mind but it sounds too much like Meine Tzuris and that's not a good thing. And finally there's, 'Oh, Chanukah' but that reminds me too much of 'O Tannenbaum'.

Then in a flash of brilliance an idea struck me that made me feel like I was as smart as one of the legendary wise men. Why not tell Scott to go house to house caroling only Christmas songs written by Jews. There are quite a few you know... in fact we all know them.

Let's see there is:

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - Mel Torme and Bob Wells.

Do They Know It's Christmas? - Bob Geldof

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Johnny Marks

Holly Jolly Christmas - Johnny Marks

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Johnny Marks

I'll Be Home for Christmas - Walter Kent, who wrote the music and Kim Gannon Lyrics.

Silver Bells - Jay Livingston and Ran Evans...yep!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year -- George Wylie

Santa Baby - Fred Ebb and Joan Javits

Sleigh Ride - Mitchell Parish who wrote the lyrics, was Jewish and born "Michael Hyman Pashelinsky".

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - lyricist Sammy Cahn and music composer Jule Styne

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays - Al Stillman, the lyricist...

White Christmas - Irving Berlin

What do you think? He could call it Chanukah Charoling just to make it sound a bit more authentically Jewish and carry a lit Hanukkia to light his way. On second thought maybe he should skip the whole Chanukah caroling idea and just call it a Silent Night.

Jewish Art Patrons at Marian Anderson Award Gala

BonnieSquires — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 21:57:13 GMT

Presenting the Marian Anderson Award to award-winning actor James Earl Jones were (l to r) Terrence Howard and Phylicia Rashad, who had starred with Jones earlier this year in the Broadway revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"; Pamela Browner White, chair of the Marian Anderson Award Committee; Jones; and Phladelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. Photo: Bonnie Squires.

— by Bonnie Squires

One of the top cultural events in Philadelphia each year is the Marian Anderson Award gala and concert at the Sidney Kimmel Performing Arts Center. This year's recipient was James Earl Jones, and a star-studded cast of performers was assembled for the occasion.

Jones was selected for his superior acting talents on stage, film and television. A decorated performer with Tony, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy awards, Mr. Jones has also been recognized with the National Medal of Arts, the John F. Kennedy Center Honor, a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Oscar from the National Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Several members of the Philadelphia Jewish community had personal connections to Jones, like Christina Saler, a vice chair of the gala, who traveled with Jones when he was the voice and the face of Verizon television commercials. And Shirley and Richard Hahn, who have made some films with Jones, were there with Shirley's mother, Lynne Honickman, a benefactor of the gala.

More after the jump.

Susan Jacobson, a board member of the Marian Anderson Award Committee, and her husband Michael Golden, M.D., caught up with David L. Cohen, the Comcast executive vice president, who chaired the Gala Dinner. Photo: Bonnie Squires.

David L. Cohen, executive vice president of Comcast, served as Gala Dinner Chair.And The Philadelphia Orchestra, under the baton of Assistant Conductor Cristian Macelaru, filled Verizon Hall with magical music, including, as tribute to Jones, the theme from "Star Wars."

J. Patrick Moran, executive director of the Marian Anderson Award, outdid himself with a program which included international sensation operatic tenor Lawrence Brownlee, local rising star Christian Eason, and international jazz, pop and R & B recording artist Jean Carne, appearing with Emmy Award-winning composer/ arranger/musical director and keyboardist Bill Jolly.

Award-winning actors Terrence Howard and Phylicia Rashad paid tribute to their co-star in the Broadway revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," where Jones played Big Daddy.

Pamela Browner White, perennial chair of the Marian Anderson Award Committee, was in her glory, as she and Mayor Michael Nutter presented the award to Jones.

Lynne Honickman , a benefactor of the Marian Anderson Award gala, talks with honoree James Earl Jones, the award-winning actor, at a VIP reception before the dinner and award program.
Photo: Bonnie Squires.

(Left to right) John and Christina Saler; Jones' wife Cecelia Hart and Jones; former Hahn Gallery owner Roz Hahn; and her filmmaker son Richard and his wife Shirley Honickman Hahn. The younger Hahns have worked with Jones on several films and have remained close friends. Christina Saler, vice chair of the gala, worked with Jones and traveled with him for several years when he was the public face and voice of Verizon in their television commercials.
Photo: Bonnie Squires.

Renee and Joe Zuritsky flank Ann Ewers, the CEO of the Kimmel Center, site of the fabulous Marian Anderson Award gala each year.
Photo: Bonnie Squires.

Restaurateur Michael Shulson and Nina Tinari , vice chair for outreach of the Marian Anderson Award Committee, were there for all of the events honoring James Earl Jones. Photo: Bonnie Squires.

WPVI-TV (6abc) hosted a table, with newscaster Amy Wilen Buckman and her husband Terry in attendance.
Photo: Bonnie Squires.