Ohev newsletter May 05 - Congregation Ohev Shalom

News and Ideas from
Congregation Ohev Shalom
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HASHVEEV
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The
ARK
May 2005
Nisan-Iyar 5765
Vol. 9 No. 6
Community with a Purpose: Torah, T'Fillah, Gimilut Hasadim (Torah, Prayer, and Acts of Lovingkindness)
SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE
Fri. night services at 6 pm, Sat. morning services at
9 am, unless otherwise noted. Please refer to calendar
page for Torah portion listing, and to
http://www.ohev.net/tlc for text of portion.
Sunday, May 1, 8th day of Passover, 9 am
Wednesday, May 4, 5:30 pm.
Commemoration of Yom Hashoah,
Holocaust Memorial Day, led by 7th graders
Shabbat morning May 6/7
3rd grade Kabbalat Hasiddur/Consecration
Shabbat May 13/14
Bat Mitzvah of Rachel Hellman
Junior Congregation
Shabbat May 20/21
Bat Mitzvah of Rebecca Marion
Nosh ‘n Drosh after morning services
Junior Congregation
Shabbat May 27/28
Guitar Shabbat with Cantor Skobeloff
Friday night at 7:30
Guitar Kabbalat
Shabbat!
May 27, 7:30 PM
Children and families are very welcome
and transliterated booklets
are provided for all the songs/prayers
that we sing together.
Free babysitting every Saturday: 9:30 - 11:00 am
Tot Shabbat (age 3 - Kindergarten): 10:00 - 11:00 am
9TH ANNUAL
Ohev Shalom
Golf Outing
Tuesday,
June 21, 2005
see page 12 for
more information

TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE RABBI’S CORNER 2-3
FROM THE PRESIDENT 4
B'NAI MITZVAH 5
SISTERHOOD SCOOP 6
ACTS OF LOVINGKINDNESS 7
MISPALLELIM SCHOOL NEWS 8
IN THE LIBRARY 10
PERSONALS 11
DONATIONS 16-17
ADVERTISEMENTS 18-23
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HASHVEE
The
SP ARK
The Spark is published monthly September-
June by Congregation Ohev Shalom.
2 Chester Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
610-874-1465
FAX: 610-874-1466
www.ohev.net
exec@ohev.net
Amy Pollack, Editor and Designer
Mark M. Robbins, Rabbi
Louis Kaplan, Rabbi Emeritus
Emil Skobeloff, Cantor
Andy Szabo, President
Michael Muderick, Executive Director
Material is due in the synagogue office by
the seventh of the month.
Affiliated with the United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism
THANK YOU
TO OUR
TORAH
READERS
Yasher Koach to
March Torah readers
Kathy Elias, Amy
Graham, Rabbi Louis Kaplan,
Michael Ponn, Rabbi Mark Robbins,
Frances Stier and Dr. Daniel Weiner
and to Haftarah readers Aaron
Cogbill, Dr. Julie Silverstein, Dr.
Emil Skobeloff and Dr. Daniel
Weiner.
THE RABBI’S CORNER
“It’s Time to Stand Up to the Religious Right”
(excerpted from d’var torah of April 2, 2005)
If it wasn’t apparent enough
before the tragic case of Terry
Schiavo, it should now be clear to
us that the first amendment separation
of church and state is under
assault by the religious right in our
country.
I am outraged by and frightened
by the religious right, its appropriation
of Terry Schiavo as symbol, the
grand hypocrisy of its value (or valueless)
system that sets life as an
absolute yet is zealous in support of
the death penalty, and now, more
than anything, its dangerous intervention
in the political system
through its stranglehold on the
majority party in our government. I
can agree to disagree with the religious
right in normal times, but not
when this minority bloc both seeks
and succeeds to impose its religious
views on our government policy.
I am appalled as a liberal
American committed to the separation
of church and state, seeing
those boundaries eroded as never
before in my lifetime. When the
Congress of the United States, contravening
the states-rights beliefs of
the majority party, both federalizes
and legislates a state judicial issue,
we see work of the religious right,
its unmasked desire to put into law
fundamentalist Christian positions,
and the callowness of legislators on
both sides of the aisle in the face of
this fundamentalist pressure.
I am appalled also as a Jew who
believes that my way is a good way,
but does not need to be the way for
everyone. Our tradition is predicated
not on absolutism but on the
careful weighing of often-conflicting
priorities. I, in line with the
thinking of Conservative Judaism,
believe that the positions of our tradition
can inform debate on public
policy, but have no exclusive theological
right to become public policy.
Our people have suffered more
than most under theocracies, and in
situations where church and state
were one.
We cannot stand idly by as
extremists trample on our constitution,
trying to make fundamentalist
religious positions our government
policy. We cannot stand idly by as
legislators serve as religious spokesmen
first and legislators second.
What can we to roll back the
dangerous encroachment of religion
upon the state which reached its
pinnacle in the Schiavo political
travesty
First of all, as many have mentioned
to me in the past weeks, we
must gear up for the nomination of
a next Supreme Court justice. If this
person needs to pass the litmus test
of the religious right – being a “life”
absolutist, as I will call it – we must
cry foul immediately.
Moreover, we need to elect and
support people of good character
and policy who will not govern or
legislate from positions of religious
absolutism, nor raise the specter of
God and religion every time they
speak (i.e. President Bush, Sen. Joe
Lieberman). Our separation of
church and state is not so formidable
anymore. President Bush,
Lieberman, and others have too
closely approached that border of
church and state, clearing the way
for those who want no border.
Furthermore, we need to expose
the extremism of the religious right
on issues of life and death, and to
show that there is a better, more
2

nuanced, more realistic, more compassionate,
and ultimately more
American way to look at these
issues. The bioethical positions of
our Conservative Jewish Movement
can help inform this “better way.”
What are these positions
• Bioethical decisions should be
made in consult with doctor,
rabbi and God, and not by government.
Religious positions
should persuade, not coerce.
• Jewish law permits abortion in
limited circumstances. A fetus
exists as life in utero, but to a
lesser degree than a birthed person.
If a woman’s life is in danger,
one is required to abort a
fetus at any stage of pregnancy.
Moreover, danger to the mother
can also include, in certain situations,
emotional duress.
• We abhor, in practice, the death
penalty. The death penalties
mentioned periodically in the
Bible and in the rabbinic writings
were virtually never utilized.
They are understood primarily
as commentary on the
seriousness of the crime committed.
• One should not prolong the
dying process, with needless
extreme measures, for a latestage
terminal or moribund
patient who has no quality of
life. Yet, on the other hand, one
cannot purposefully hasten the
dying process. Each moment of
life can be infinitely valuable.
The major goal of late-stage care
needs to be relief of pain.
• It is advisable to make decisions
on life sustaining measures –
feeding tube, hydration, ventilator
– before inserting them.
Tread lightly in withdrawing life
support once it is established,
so as not to purposefully hasten
death. Withdrawing hydration
and nutrition can be justified
because one can offer conventional
alternatives, and therefore
you are not actively hastening
death.
• For those in a persistent vegetative
state, who have no quality
of life, one can remove life sustaining
measures. Moreover,
these people can be considered
dead already because of the termination
of their brain function.
• Prepare an advanced directive
so as to ensure shalom bayit
(peace in the house), and as an
act of compassion to your survivors.
Few of these items are straightforward.
Perhaps nowhere is Jewish
law so nuanced and circumstantial
as in issues of life and death, to
account for the many conflicting
priorities of those moments in time.
We must maintain life, not hasten
its end, yet not disrespectfully postpone
its end. And we recognize that
not all life is equal, nor must it at
all costs be preserved. Our policies
as Conservative Jews stand in stark
contrast to the absolutist positions
of the religious right, and we seek
their propagation by advocacy, not
by coercion and power grabbing.
The religious right, emboldened
in the aftermath of the last election,
wants imposition of its values on
the country, and is using our government
to do just that. The separation
of church and state so essential
to our thriving as a nation is endangered,
and we must, armed by the
sensitivity of our own Jewish tradition,
do all we can to protect it.
Rabbi Robbins
April 6, 2005
Father James Bajorek
Father Robert Lucas
St. John Chrysostom R.C. Church
617 South Providence Road
Wallingford, PA 19086
Dear Father Bajorek, Father
Lucas:
On behalf of Congregation
Ohev Shalom, we express our condolences
to you and your community
on the death of your cherished
leader, Pope John Paul II.
The Pope’s influence on
the Jewish community was
enormous, and his memory will
remain warmly embraced by
our community, please God, for
all eternity. We pray that his
successors follow his brave
example in charting a new course
for the relations between our
communities, and in fostering
understanding between other
peoples around the world.
Please express again our
heartfelt sadness to your worship
community, on behalf of our
entire congregation.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mark Robbins
Andrew Szabo, President
PERSONALS
MAY GOD COMFORT:
Irv Beerson, on the death of his
aunt, Rosabelle Teicher
Sue Lipton on the death of her
mother
Rae Goldberg on the death of her
niece and nephew
Rhonda and Larry Chatzkel on the
death their brother-in-law
REFUAH SHLEYMA:
Florence Long, Bernice Fishman,
Ruth Kaplan, Henry Dickson
MAZAL TOV:
Marty and Regina Horden, on the
birth of their granddaughter,
Samantha Jo Cohen
3

4
FROM THE PRESIDENT, ANDY SZABO
Jews become members of synagogues for many reasons. Ohev Shalom tells the
world that we are a community with a purpose: Torah, T’fillah, Gimilut Hasadim.
(Torah, Prayer and Acts of Lovingkindness) Prayer and learning may seem obvious.
Thanks to the hard work of Fran Stier, Gimilut Hasadim has emerged as a life force
and a major part of who we have become. To Fran, Gimilut Hasadim does not merely
mean ‘Acts Of Kindness’, Gimilut Hasadim means ‘Actions of Kindness’.
Doing acts of kindness allows us to feel like we hope to feel as Jews. It allows us
to move out of the world of ourselves and into the world of others and their needs.
Our actions cause us to repair the world a little bit at a time. Our actions allow us to
give others hope.
Let Fran tell you about all of the many opportunities that she and her dedicated
volunteer work force have developed.
LIFECENTER DINNERS: First Sundays of January, March, May, July,
September, November. We bring dinner to the LifeCenter, a shelter and soup
kitchen in Upper Darby, and serve it to 150 clients. Takes about 2 1/2 hours; but you
glow for a week. (Adults & teens 12 and over)
READING PARTNERS: Monday afternoons, 4-5 PM, a car full of teens and
adults heads to Family Management Center in Chester, to read with elementary
school-aged kids in their after-school program. We bring a big bag of books. Each
kid picks a book, and either reads it to his or her partner, or the partner reads it to
the kid. Then we write the kids name in the book, and it’s theirs. Volunteers sign up
for when their schedule permits.
SCHOOL BACKPACKS: July 2005. Collect school supplies and backpacks and
change at Ohev Shalom’s Summer Picnic.
HIGH HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE: (Sept/Oct). Ohev Shalom’s Yom Kippur food
drive benefits the Mitzvah Pantry, the Bernadine Center (a food pantry in the
Highland Ave. section of Chester), and Wesley House (a family shelter in eastern
Chester). (All ages)
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: Sunday before Thanksgiving. (All ages)
ADOPT A FAMILY: December. Ohev Shalom “adopts” two or more families
through PathwaysPA (http://womensassoc.org/ formerly Women’s Association for
Women’s’ Alternatives) and fills their holiday wish lists. PathwaysPA helps families
that have experienced abuse and neglect reach independence. The clothes and toys
and books mean so much for these moms & kids. (All ages).
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY: Ohev Shalom and Delco Chai host Moms and
kids from shelters in Chester for crafts, cookie baking, and lunch at Ohev Shalom.
MISHLOACH MANOT: February/March. We keep the mitzvah of Mishloach
Manot by making sure everyone in the congregation gets a few of Sisterhood’s luscious
hamentashen, including the elderly and homebound of our community.
HAMETZ DRIVE: March/ April. Families donate their unopened containers of
hametz (leavened foods) to the Mitzvah Food Pantry of Jewish Federation, for use
after Pesach. (All ages).
BABYMANNA: May. Ohev Shalom families and Mispallelim students donate
change to help Greater Philadelphia Food Bank buy baby formula for babies whose
families could not otherwise afford it.
Thank you again and again to so many of you who made the April 2 President’s
Ball a tremendous success in so many ways. One hundred and fifty people attended.
We exceeded our budget goal. People had fun.
Mazal Tov to Rose Isaacson for being honored by ARMDI on May 8. Mazal Tov
to Rachel Hellman and her family on her Bat Mitzvah on May 14. Mazal Tov to
Rebecca Marion and her family on her Bat Mitzvah on May 21.
See you in shul.
-Andy
INTERFAITH
ISSUES
JOIN US FOR AN
INTERFAITH
FOCUS GROUP
MEETING
MAY 18TH AT
6:30 PM AT
OHEV SHALOM
Merle Berman from Faithways,
the Interfaith Family Support
Network of the Jewish Family and
Children's Service in Philadelphia
will be leading our meeting. This
discussion will be used to collect
information to help plan a formal
Interfaith Program in the fall. We
need your input to plan a successful
program that will help you with
your questions and concerns in this
area. An informal dinner will be
served during our discussion.
Children of attendees are invited to
have dinner with their friends (with
babysitting) during the meeting.
If you are interested in attending,
or have additional questions,
please contact Jenny Jablonski at
610-892-4736 or jabojenny@comcast.net.
Interested people please RSVP,
to Jenny, no later than Sunday, May
15th so food can be ordered.
Jenny Jablonski, Interfaith Chair
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VISITING THE SICK: “BIKKUR CHOLIM”
Please inform Rabbi Robbins when a
member of the congregation is sick or
hospitalized. This information will
help him visit or speak with any member
who is ill.

!cuy kzn
Rachel Hellman
Rachel Hellman is a 7th grade
honor roll student at Strath Haven
Middle School. Her favorite subject
is language arts. She enjoys singing
in the chorus and getting together
with her friends. Rachel is an accomplished
ballet dancer and has participated
in numerous performances
through the Swarthmore Ballet
Theatre. Rachel is also a wonderful
big sister to her brothers Justin and
Zachary and her sister Sierra.
For her mitzvah project, Rachel
volunteered for several days at
Martin’s Run. She assisted the nursing
home patients in making hamentashen
for Purim. Rachel is looking
forward to celebrating her Bat
Mitzvah on May 14 and can’t wait to
share this special moment with all of
her family and friends.
!cuy kzn
Rebecca Marion
Rebecca Marion will be called to
the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on
Saturday, May 2l. Rebecca is the
daughter of Fred and Sylvia and sister
to Angela and Kim.
Rebecca, a seventh grade honor
student at Strath Haven Middle
School, is active in the band and chorus.
She loves field hockey, basketball
and lacrosse. She keeps herself busy
on the weekends with playing the
piano and travel soccer.
For her mitzvah project, Rebecca,
along with classmate Rachel Hellman,
volunteered at Martins’ Run Life Care
Community. Rebecca found interacting
with the residents enjoyable.
Rebecca enjoys the outdoors and
has a passion for animals, especially
her dog Shana and guinea pig Cocoa.
She hopes to become a veterinarian.
A SPECIAL DAY
TO REMEMBER
A SPECIAL CHILD
On Tuesday, May 10,
Congregation Beth Israel of
Media will host the first annual
“Ellie Andersen’s Arts and
Creativity Festival” to honor
the memory of Eliana Andersen.
Ellie was a beloved fifth grader
in their Hebrew school who
passed away on July 25, 2003.
Her parents, Kathy and Dan,
have established an annual festival
in her honor. This school
year they have engaged Theater
Ariel for this special event, followed
by a pasta dinner for all
students and their parents.
Ellie was the granddaughter
of long time Ohev Shalom congregant
and benefactor Ruth
Silberman and her husband
Alexander Silberman (z”l). The
event is planned, as Ellie would
have designed it: fun, social, and
interesting. You may contribute
to the fund by contacting Ellen
Petersen (610) 874-5672 or
Candy Berlin at (610) 544-3256.
OHEV HOOPSTERS PLAY FOR ISRAEL
On Sunday, April 10th several members of Ohev Shalom ran the floor and pounded the boards at the famed
Palestra on Penn's campus. The occasion was the 5th installment of the JCC WOW and Federation sponsored
"Points For Peace" 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Once again a success, the event raised in excess of $30,000
(bringing the 4-year total to over $120,000) which will be donated directly to Israeli families whom have been victimized
by terror. More than 100 individuals participated either in competition or organizing the event.
Representing Ohev were David Bookspan, Rick Gelman, Rich Kaplan, Steve Katz and David Pollack. Kudos to the
team of Bookspan, Gelman and Katz who advanced to the elimination round (one of the final five teams out of the
initial twenty) before succumbing to age and fatigue. As for Kaplan, Pollack and Barkann (a ringer brought in for
the event) they suffered an excruciating double-overtime defeat early on and were then left to offer moral support
to their fellow Ohev hoopsters. Thanks to the Ohev “5” for their efforts and to Congregation Ohev Shalom Men's
Club for their financial support as a sponsor of the event.
5

SISTERHOOD SCOOP
The month of April started with our final craft night. To those of you
who were unable to attend these nights, you can get the telephone number
of the two ladies who “are in the business” of scrapbooking by calling
me. To those of you who helped out as our “teachers” a huge thank you
and to those of you who enjoyed the different crafts, keep on crafting!
We also had our Sisterhood meeting on the 17th followed by a discussion
about Esther and her life in a harem. This was part of an ongoing
program organized by Women's League called the International Day of
Study. Next year they will choose another great woman from our history
and organize a program about her. I hope that many of you enjoyed the
discussion and the points raised gave you food for thought.
With the start of spring and the blooming of flowers comes the winding
down of our year. The last Sisterhood meeting of the year will be on
Tuesday, May 17th at 7:30 PM when we will have a meeting and brunch.
By then we will have the names of the ladies who have agreed to take on
the executive positions of Sisterhood starting July 1, 2005. These names
will be presented to all who attendees and then we will vote on them.
Please join us for a relaxing morning to schmooze with your friends.
Our last event is the annual Donor Dinner on June 5th. We are planning
a Chinese dinner and bingo which has been very popular in the
past. Please watch the mail for your invitation.
Lastly, a huge mazal tov to the Hellman and Marion families on their
children's B'nai Mitzvahs.
Fondly,
Karen Ernest, Sisterhood President
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Tuesday, May 17th at 7:30 PM: Last Sisterhood meeting
Sunday, June 5th: Annual Donor Dinner
ADULT EDUCATION
“PRIMO LEVI: SURVIVAL AFTER AUSCHWITZ”
Please mark your calendars for 7:30 Tuesday evening, 8 Iyar – 17
May for an outstanding lecture by Prof. Dr. Nicholas Patruno: “Primo
Levi: Survival after Auschwitz.” Dr. Patruno, Professor and Chairman of
the Department of Italian Language and Literature at Bryn Mawr College, is
one of the world’s leading authorities on Primo Levi, a survivor of
Auschwitz and one of the greatest writers in Italian on the Shoah. Although
known to some for his writings on the Shoah, Levi, a chemist, is known for
the entirety of his writings as one of the greatest figures of both Italian and
Jewish letters. Dr. Patruno, an exciting lecturer, will do much to increase
our understanding of the importance the works and the contributions of
Primo Levi.
This lecture is open to all and is sponsored by Congregation Ohev
Shalom and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Delaware
County Region.
NEW YEAR'S
CARDS
It seems early but please, please
be on the lookout for the New Year's
cards packet. I will hopefully be getting
it out to you by the end of June
or the first week in July so you will
have plenty of time to get it back to
me.
The task of entering all the
information is a huge one and takes
me many hours, so please do your
best to get the packets back to me in
a timely fashion and more importantly,
by the due date. There are
still some of you who have outstanding
balances from the reciprocation
portion from the cards sent
in September 2004 so if you could
send me the money owed it would
be appreciated. I will be contacting
anyone who I haven't heard from as
a reminder. Your participation in
this project has been wonderful and
I hope this year will be even better.
If you can help with writing the
cards, please let me know. The more
the merrier.
Karen Ernest
MEN’S CLUB NEWS
Our next event will be the Life
Center dinner on May 1st. We will
be participating in this very rewarding
mitzvah again this year. Let me
know if you would like to come
help. We usually bring 5 or 6 people
to help serve.
Sunday the 15th of May will be
our bowling night. Dinner and our
monthly meeting will follow bowling.
For all of you committed softball
players, I hope you can play in
the annual matzah ball and then can
join us in the summer softball
league.
–Allan Glanzman,
Men’s Club President
6

ACTS OF LOVINGKINDNESS
(“G’MILUT HASADIM”)
ohsxv ,ukhnd
Each month, The Spark would like to feature new opportunities for us to do mitzvot, good deeds to aid in Tikkun Olam, repairing
the world. Do you have a cause that you would like mentioned If so, email it to Amy Pollack at amypoldes@aol.com by the seventh
of the month.
AT OHEV SHALOM:
TIKKUN OLAM (REPAIRING THE WORLD), A BIT AT A TIME
Baby Manna: Help Feed Needy Babies this Mother’s Day May 8th
Infant malnutrition is a serious problem that affects babies’ ability to
learn, grow and develop physically, mentally and socially. Each year,
approximately 12,000 children are born into poverty in the Delaware
Valley, placing them at risk of chronic malnutrition.
BabyManna is the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank’s annual campaign
on Mother’s Day to raise funds to purchase infant formula and baby food at
deeply discounted rates. The baby food and formula is then distributed to
800 nonprofit agencies that serve disadvantaged families in the Delaware
Valley.
You can help feed needy babies this Mother’s Day by contributing to
Ohev’s collection for BabyManna:
• You may purchase hearts ($3/heart) in a mother’s honor which will be
displayed on the BabyManna Mother’s Day Tree in the foyer. Leave
checks made out to Ohev Shalom in envelope labeled BabyManna on
Joan Joseph’s door – please also note the name of the mother to be honored
and who it is from.
• Also, you may leave your contribution (change, cash or check to Ohev)
in the tzedakah cannister outside of Joan Joseph’s office during the
month of May.
Romie Griesmer
The Elias family prepares for the Social Action bowling party.
Many thanks to everyone (especially
the Skobeloff and the
Finsterbusch families) who helped
with March's bowling party and
lunch for moms and kids from shelters
in Chester. They all had a great
time - from accomplished bowlers,
down to the littlest kids in the lanes
with bumpers - there were smiles all
around.
Many thanks also to Ethan and
Kaitlin Graham and to Russell
Gelman-Sheehan, Mispallelim students,
(and to all the adult volunteers)
who've been trooping down to
Family Management Center to read
with kids in the after-school program.
As I was reading “Green Eggs
and Ham” to one (squirmy) little
boy, his face lit up when he realized
the fork was empty. “He ate it!”. We
finished in great style, and then the
boy and his sister wanted to hear it
again. Relive the classics: Clifford
and Dr. Seuss and Crosby Bonsall,
and Matt Christopher and Beverly
Cleary- we have them all. Mondays
from 4-5 PM (sign up once a year or
once a month or once a week, as
your schedule allows).
You and your family can repair
the world (a bit at a time). We're
looking for a volunteers for projects
next year: LifeCenter dinners, reading
partners, Mishloach Manot,
school backpacks, Thanksgiving
dinners -- our projects are at
http://www.ohev.net/socialaction.ht
ml Contact Fran Stier 610 543 0815
or franstier@comcast.net.
7

LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING AT
MISPALLELIM RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
By Joan Joseph, Educational Director
8
You Need to Make God a Part of
Your Children’s Lives
Jewish parents are commanded
to teach their children activities such
as a trade, athletic activities to keep
them healthy, the Torah and much
more. We send our children to camp
to learn to swim and play with each
other nicely, we send our children to
the best schools to get degrees and
we send them to the rabbi or their
religious school teachers to learn
Torah.
We need to realize that it
shouldn’t end there and it shouldn’t
begin there. Years ago we started the
school day with the pledge of allegiance
to the flag, “and to the republic,
for which it stands, one nation,
under God, indivisible…” Today our
children don’t even have that casual
and incidental connection to divinity.
Schools have removed any reference
to God to preserve the religious neutrality
and respect the diverse
upbringing of America’s children.
Here lies the root of some of
today’s problems. If you don’t teach
your children about God, and they
go to religious school but have poor
attendance, etc. who will do it
The Shema declares: “Hear O
Israel, the Lord is God! The Lord is
One!” These are the first words we are
to say upon waking and the last we
are to say before falling asleep. We
are to hang these words on our doorpost
(mezuzah) and speak them to
each other. We are supposed to teach
them “diligently” to our children.
I believe God should be a constant
and intimate part of our children’s
lives and vocabulary. When I
stop and think about it, this seemingly
simple task is an enormous
task in today’s culture where everything
spiritual is shunned and God is
a word not used.
The wonder of God is all around
our children. The questions like why
is the sky blue Why do we have
light for day and dark for night A
simple answer to the sky being blue
is because God made it that way.
Blue is a cheerful color. Night and
day can be explained because of the
earth turning around the sun and the
rotation of the earth is how God created
day and night.
We can all fill our children with
God in our daily life routines. We
can praise our children with words
like this: “Wow, you are such a tzadik
(a righteous person) for helping your
friend with his homework and didn’t
laugh or make fun when he didn’t
understand or know the answer.” Or
when the kids are having an argument
and one hits the other, you can
say to the child who refrained from
hitting, “You really respect yourself
and honor God in your decision not
to hit back.”
This past Friday night at Ohev
Shalom’s 5th grade service I overheard
a parent tell her little girl to
use her low voice because God needs
to listen to everyone praying in the
sanctuary. God needs to hear everyone’s
wishes and thoughts, not just
hers. This impressed me and that is
what I continue to think of as I write
this article.
In teaching respect for God, I
hope our children will also learn that
you need to respect one another and
the decisions of God and others.
Furthermore, in teaching them that
there is always something greater
and beyond themselves, they learn to
consider the ripple effects of their
actions. In knowing God, our children
will know that they will always
be loved without condition and that
they have responsibilities not only to
themselves but also to everyone else
connected to them through God.
As my first year here comes to an
end, I hope and pray that I have
opened up the childrens’ eyes about
God. I hope they realize, if they didn’t
already know it, how important being
a good person is to themselves, their
community and to God. I have tried
to encourage the teachers to teach the
words of the Shema diligently to their
students and have them talk about
God in the classroom. I hope that
they can now turn around and teach
other children who aren’t being
taught. I can only pray that they they
feel the inner warmth that comes
from teaching and knowing right
from wrong. Our students are growing
into “mensches” that we can all be
proud of. Thanks you from the bottom
of my heart.
Upcoming Mispallelim Events
(Please remember that the whole
Ohev Shalom community is always
welcome to attend any of our programs.
Come and see for yourselves
what our future generation is all
about.)
May 4th: Community Wide Yom
Hashoah Service lead by the 7th
grade class
May 7th: Third Grade Kabalat
Sidur Service/5th grade Havdalah
May 8th: Mitzvah Monkey
Award Ceremony
May 15th: Israel Walk/Festival in
Philadelphia for adults and children
May 22nd: Song and Dance
Festival and BBQ and Special Award
Program
Special thank you to Larry
Edelstein for talking with our 7th
graders about his experiences with
the Holocaust
Also a special thanks to our
teachers for the wonderful job that
they did with the Mispallelim Model
Seders.

Memorial Resolution On Passing Of Jack Swerman
On February 18, 2005, 9 Adar I, 5765, Jack Swerman passed away. He was a member of Congregation
Ohev Shalom since 1943. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for close to 40 years and served
as the Building and Architecture Chair for most of that time. In 1994, the Board of Directors of Ohev Shalom
renamed the Building fund, THE JACK SWERMAN BUILDING/ARCHITECTURAL FUND. Jack was devoted
to his Synagogue, his friends, his family and his community. He was instrumental in the design and completion
of the Synagogue structure located at 2 Chester Road, Wallingford, Pennsylvania. Jack was inducted
as a charter member to the Ohev Shalom Hall of Fame. He will be deeply missed by the entire congregation
In his memory, the Congregation Ohev Shalom Board of Directors adopts this Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that Congregation Ohev Shalom, expresses its deepest regret on the passing of Mr.
Jack Swerman.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in expression of our deepest sympathy to his family, a copy of this resolution
be sent to his children Jannis Rubenstein, Bonnie Schut, and Marshall Swerman so that they will be
aware of the high esteem and regard in which Jack Swerman was held by the officers, directors and members
of his congregation.
Adopted this 28th day of April, 2005.
Congregation Ohev Shalom, Wallingford, PA
By: Andrew Szabo, President Mark Robbins, Rabbi Amy Graham, Secretary
CREATING JEWS FOR LIFE
by Susan Zickler, Center Director, Kehillah Early Learning Center
Every Friday evening, two, three, four and five year olds get Shabbat
candlesticks, kiddush cups, challah, and a container of grape juice and put
them in a very special backpack to take home for that evening’s family
Shabbat celebration. Every Monday morning, those same children walk
back into their classrooms, return the Shabbat backpack and proudly listen
as their teacher reads their family’s journal entry that describes their
Shabbat experience.
This program is one of many that we have developed to create a connection
between home and school, said Susan Zickler, the center’s director.
Given the frequency (a minimum of 500 contacts annually) and nature of
the contacts, families become an integral part of our community. The
Jewish early childhood experiences that we provide are non-threatening
and include the entire family. That’s why Kehillah is perfectly positioned to
introduce parents to a Jewish lifestyle that enriches their family and develops
permanent connections to Judaism.
To learn more about Kehillah’s Shabbat Backpack Program and their
Jewish curriculum, call Susan at 610-872-0400 or email zicklers@federationdaycare.com.
THE OHEV OBSERVER
cvt runa
If you would like to be next month’s
Observer, please email your observations
to Amy Pollack at amypoldes@aol.com.
DO YOU HAVE
ANY OF OHEV
SHALOM’S BOOKS
AT HOME
We frequently ask you to check
your shelves for “forgot to
return”Ohev Shalom library books.
That request is still an important
one. However, we have discovered
that a number of our Shabbat prayer
books, (Sim Shalom) and some of
our new Etz Hayim Humashim are
missing. Won't you please check at
home and see if you may have inadvertently
forgotten to return a borrowed
book Perhaps it was borrowed
for Bnai Mitzvah studies and
is still in your child's room. We
would love to have it returned.
9

“BASIFRIYAH”...
IN THE LIBRARY
vhrpxc
As you may remember, we sent
several boxes of children's books to
Arizona State University for their
Judaic literature collection. Today I
received the following note:
“The children’s books you donated
have arrived! I am very excited about
them, as I recognize some of the titles
as volumes of series we got through
the Zipperstein Collection, and they
seem as different volumes than the
ones we have. Thank you!!! I am sure
that this collection of Jewish children’s
literature will serve educational and
research needs at ASU and the larger
community of Phoenix.” It's great to
know that these old books have found
a good home.
PLEASE return your books to
the library (or the office if the
library is closed). We are thrilled
that people are using the library,
but we need the materials back
when you're done.
BOOK REVIEW
If you would like to review a book for The
Spark, please email it to Amy Pollack at
amypoldes@aol.com by the seventh of the
month.
10
Some good books to check out as we get closer to summer reading season:
ADULT FICTION:
Keizer, Gregg
The Longest Night
Kirshenbaum, Binnie An Almost Perfect Moment
Krich, Rochelle
Grave Endings
Ozick, Cynthia
Heir to the Glimmering World
Rosen, Jonathan Joy Comes in the Morning (Winner of the 2004
Chaim Potok Literary Award)
ADULT NON-FICTION BOOKS:
Aaron, David
The Secret Life of G-d
Cutter, Charles
Judaica Reference Sources
Edelman, Marsha Discovering Jewish Music
Ettinger, Steven Torah 24/7
Gruber, Sam
American Synagogues: a Century of Architecture
and Jewish Community
Max, Mosheh
The Way to God
Orenstein, Walter Torah as Our Guide
Orlinsky, Harry
Ancient Israel
Oz, Amos
A Tale of Love & Darkness (Memoir)
Raskin, Saul
Hagadah for Passover
Rockman, Chaim None of Them Were Heroes
Sales & Sax
How Goodly Are Thy Tents: Summer Camps as
Jewish Socializing Experiences
Weltman, Chana Expecting Miracles: Finding Meaning and
Spirituality in Pregnancy and Judaism
Wilhelm, Kurt
Roads to Zion
YOUNG ADULT BOOKS:
Allon, Hagit
The Mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Dublin, Anne
Bobbie Rosenfeld: the Olympian Who Could Do
Anything
Cooper, Ilene
Sam I Am
Goldman, David Jewish Sports Stars
Griffs, Molly
Simon Says
Grossman, David Duel
Kaplan, Kathy
The Dog of Knots
Kass, Pnina
Real Time
Kimmel, Eric A.
Wonders and Miracles: a Passover Companion
Labensohn, Judy Jewish Sports Stories for Kids
Lasky, Kathryn
Blood Secret
Levine, Gail Carson Dave at Night
Musleah, Rahel
Apples and Pomegranates
Rabb, M. E.
The Chocolate Lover
Rabb, M. E.
The Rose Queen
Rabb, M. E.
The Unsuspecting Gourmet
Rabb, M. E.
The Venetian Policeman
Oswald, Nancy
Nothing Here But Stones
Weil, Sylvie
My Guardian Angel
Wigoder, Geoffrey The Student’s Encyclopedia of Judaism
Zvi, Hava Ben
Eva's Journey: a Young Girl's True Story
CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
Adelson, Leone
The Mystery Bear
Coplestone, Lis & Jim Noah’s Bed
Groner, Judye
Let’s Visit Israel
Hesse, Karen
The Cats in Krasinski Square
Koralek, Jenny
The Coat of Many Colors
Marzollo, Jean
Jonah and the Whale and the Worm
Naliboff, Jane
The Only One Club
Roth, Susan
Hanukah oh Hanukah
Rouss, Sylvia
Sammy Spider’s First Sukkot
Wishinsky, Frieda Just Call Me Joe

MAY BIRTHDAYS
Daniel Isaacs 5/1/2005 18th birthday
Joan Joseph 5/1/2005
Sabel Barnett 5/2/2005
Beatrice Brody 5/2/2005
Alison Ross 5/2/2005 7th birthday
Larry Neigut 5/3/2005
Donna Cohen 5/4/2005
Mabel Levin 5/4/2005
Eliza Pollack 5/4/2005 20th birthday
Marie Berstein 5/5/2005
Sam Deitcher 5/5/2005
Mara Parker 5/5/2005
Cheri Prince 5/5/2005
Leslie Beck 5/6/2005
Orna Wiseman 5/7/2005
Russell Young 5/8/2005
Bernard Berman 5/9/2005
Frances Sheehan 5/9/2005
Matthew Whelpley 5/9/2005 5th birthday
Carl Evans 5/10/2005
Rita Seiden 5/10/2005
Harvey Spector 5/10/2005
Joshua Young 5/10/2005 25th birthday
Gladys Ivins 5/11/2005
Steven Katz 5/11/2005
Carl Sparkler 5/11/2005
Rachel Hellman 5/12/2005 13th birthday
Maria Shlamowitz 5/12/2005
Hannah Herrera 5/13/2005 10th birthday
David Schwartz 5/13/2005
Lea Shlamowitz 5/13/2005 5th birthday
Charles Wapner 5/13/2005 19th birthday
Peter Wapner 5/13/2005 19th birthday
Shelley Epstein 5/14/2005
Rose Rosenblatt 5/14/2005
Rebecca Berman 5/16/2005
Alvin Hittner 5/17/2005
Shelley Rosen 5/18/2005
Marshall Swerman 5/18/2005
Gertrude Warwick 5/18/2005
Corey Ziring 5/18/2005 8th birthday
Curt Krouse 5/19/2005
Jacob Zirker 5/19/2005 13th birthday
Brad Ernest 5/21/2005
Jane Friedman 5/21/2005
Rebecca Marion 5/21/2005 13th birthday
Marc Epstein 5/23/2005 6th birthday
Don Rubinstein 5/23/2005
Jannis Rubinstein 5/23/2005
Donald Abramowitz 5/24/2005
Leon Anapolsky 5/25/2005
Beverly Dickson 5/25/2005
Pearley Brown 5/26/2005
Aaron Cogbill 5/27/2005 14th birthday
Beatrice Dallett 5/27/2005
Camille Jablonski 5/27/2005 6th birthday
Amy Pollack 5/27/2005
Jonathan Joseph 5/29/2005
Karen Stesis 5/29/2005
Gabriel Pollack 5/30/2005 17th birthday
Harriet Sparkler 5/30/2005
Anna Breit 5/31/2005 21st birthday
Alex Burman 5/31/2005 7th birthday
Symmee Stroh 5/31/2005
HAPPY ANIVERSARY
Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Much, 5/8/2005,
12th anniversary
Mr. & Mrs. William Cherner, 5/9/2005,
57th anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Murray Devor, 5/10/2005,
18th anniversary
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Graham, 5/13/2005,
15th anniversary
Joel Fein & Victoria Levin, 5/22/2005,
11th anniversary
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Tashman, 5/23/2005,
12th anniversary
Mr. & Mrs. David Hoffman, 5/24/2005,
7th anniversary
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Prince, 5/24/2005,
24th anniversary
Drs. Stefan & Mary Ellen Skalina, 5/24/2005,
24th anniversary
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Schatz, 5/29/2005,
56th anniversary
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Whelpley, 5/29/2005,
11th anniversary
Dr. & Mrs. Herbert Ernest, 5/31/2005,
63rd anniversary
PROFESSIONALS’
SOCIAL LUNCH
AND LEARN
Come and join your colleagues
from Delaware County for a relaxing
lunch, while you listen to
Marina Furman, Eastern PA
Regional Director of Jewish
National Fund, address the topic:
“Dying for the Idea - Heroic or
Immoral” As a pregnant Soviet
Refusenik, Marina was threatened
by the KGB to give up her Zionist
activities or be killed. What are you
willing to give up for a dream
Friday, May 6, 12:15-1:30 pm
Towne House Restaurant, Corner of
Baltimore Pike and Veterans Square,
Media
Event free (buy your own lunch).
RSVP required by calling 610-578-
9000.
11

9TH ANNUAL OHEV SHALOM GOLF OUTING
TUESDAY, JUNE 21st, 2005
1:00 pm TEE OFF
(please arrive between 12:00 - 12:30)
EDGEMONT COUNTRY CLUB
BEST BALL FORMAT
An enjoyable afternoon of golf and comraderie, followed by a catered
dinner and prizes - lots of prizes!
All playing levels welcomes! Men, women, teens! Non-synagogue
members welcome!
$136 donation to Ohev Shalom per player ($100 for seniors/teens)
includes greens fee, cart, dinner and prizes.
Hole sponsorships available - $50 per hole (includes sign at tee and listing in program)
For more information, call:
Rich Kaplan, 610-892-0122 or Brad Ernest 610-328-6290
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RSVP by Friday, June 8, 2005
Please reserve _____ golf spaces ($136 each, $100 for seniors/teens)
Yes, I will sponsor a hole @ $50 (listing to read as follows:)_________________________
______ Enclosed is a check of _____ made out to: congregation Ohev Shalom
______ Please bill to my credit card (circle one: Visa Mastercard )
Card # __________________
Expiration Date __________
Name ____________________________________
Address _________________________________
Phone # day ______________________________ Evening _________________________
Foursome requests (will make every effort to honor requests, but cannot guarantee):
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
4. _________________________________
Please mail to:
Congregation Ohev Shalom, 2 Chester Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
Attention: Golf Outing

ETIQUETTE OF THE SYNAGOGUE
At Ohev Shalom, we pride ourselves on the family-friendly, informal nature of our prayer services. Still, we have
rules of etiquette we ask participants in our services to follow:
• KIPPOT ARE REQUIRED FOR MEN, AND ARE ENCOURAGED FOR WOMEN, IN OUR SANCTUARY. Jews going
up to the bimah (pulpit) to participate in a ritual must wear both a kippah (head covering) and tallit (prayer
shawl). Non-Jews going up to the bimah for non-ritual functions must wear a kippah. We strongly encourage
both Jewish men and women to wear kippot or appropriate head coverings whenever they are in the building --
our sacred space as a community.
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY. Shabbat is the sacred center of our week as Jews. Please show the proper respect for
this sanctity and the sanctity of our prayer services by, as best you can, dressing yourselves and your children
with this in mind.
• TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES AND BEEPERS BEFORE ENTERING THE SYNAGOGUE BUILDING ON
SHABBAT AND HOLIDAYS. If you are a physician on-call, please use the vibrate mode. Moreover, in the spirit
of shemirat Shabbat (observing the Sabbath), unless it is an emergency, please do not place cell phone calls or
use other electronic devices in the building on these sacred days.
• HOLD YOUR CONVERSATIONS TO A MINIMUM. We are here to pray, and chatter distracts our kavana – our
focus – on prayer. It is particularly important that we refrain from talking during the heart of our prayer services
– the prayers before and after the Shema, the private and public recitations of the Shacharit and Musaf
Amidah, the Torah and haftarah readings, and the d’var torah.
• DO NOT ENTER OR LEAVE THE SANCTUARY DURING A D’VAR TORAH (SERMON), OR WHEN THE ARON
KODESH (HOLY ARK) IS OPEN. Traffic flow during a d’var torah can be distracting to the rabbi, bar/bat mitzvah
student, or whoever is teaching the community that day. Moreover, we want to maintain proper respect for
the sifrei torah (torah scrolls) and the heightened sanctity of those moments when the ark is open. We, of
course, recognize the immediate needs, at times, of parents with young children.
• ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR CHILDREN IN SERVICES. Please use your best discretion as to when it is
appropriate to remove your children from services. We welcome the sounds and songs of infants, toddlers, and
young ones in our services, but there are times, of course, when the needs of the community necessitate
removing your children from the sanctuary. To serve the special needs of children, on Shabbat Ohev offers
babysitting, Tot Shabbat, and Junior Congregation.
• BRING OUTSIDE READING MATERIALS TO ENHANCE YOUR WORSHIP EXPERIENCE. Whether it be a
favorite book of reflections, the siddur commentary books (Ohr Chadash) which we store at the entrance to the
sanctuary, children’s books (ideally on Jewish subjects!), or any other reading materials, please utilize them
during services. Our service is an outline from which you can make your own spiritual composition. Please be
reminded that writing is not permitted in the synagogue on Shabbat.
• COME OFTEN. JEWISH PRAYER IS A COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE. Help us by coming often and participating
frequently. Our community depends on you.
• HIGH HOLIDAYS/YOM TOV. The rules above apply also to Yom Tov (other sacred days): High Holidays, Days
1/2 of Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah, Days 1/2/7/8 of Passover, and Shavuot.
Thank you for your cooperation, and welcome again to our synagogue.
The Ritual Committee and Board of Congregation Ohev Shalom, 10/03
13

Delco CHAI-Lights
Connecting Je ws of Dela ware Count y to One Another
“LET’S TALK
ABOUT IT:
JEWISH LITERATURE”
“Between Two Worlds: Stories of
Estrangement and Homecoming,” the
first themed segment in a five-book
series. The fourth book will be
Kaaterskill Falls by Allegra Goodman
Sunday May 22
3:00-4:30 p.m.
Memorial Library of Radnor
Township
114 West Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA
www.delcolibraries.org
Pre-registration is required.
Please contact Susan Purcell at
(610)891-8622 to register
IT SOUNDS
BETTER IN
AMHARIC
Theatre Ariel presents the Nephesh
Theatre of Tel Aviv production,
written and performed by Yossi
Vassa. A moving one man show in
which Yossi tells the story of his
family’s journey from their village in
Ethiopia, their journey across the
Sudan to Addis Abba and their
eventual arrival in and acculturation
to Israel.
Sunday, May 8
7:00 p.m.
Har Zion Temple
1500 Hagys Ford Roa d
Penn Valley
For more information call
(215)735-9481
OHEV SHALOM MAY
PROGRAMS OPEN TO THE
COMMUNITY
Guitar S habbat
Featurin g Cantor Emil Skobel off
May 27
Jewish War Veterans Ser vice
Conducted at the Bro okhaven
Cemetery
May 30
For more infor mation call the
synago gue offi ce at (610) 874-1465
SUBURBAN JCC-B’NAI AARON
MAY PROGRAMS OPEN TO
THE COMMU
MMUNITY
Carleba ch Kab balat Sha bbat
May 6 5:30 p.m. follo wed by dinner
M & M: Munc hkins & Mishp acha
Shabbat S ervice
For families with babies, tod dlers
and pre-s chool ers (birth to age 5)
May 21
Pirkei Av ot Class
Lead by Rabbi Lisa Malik
Wednesdays 11:00 a.m.
May 11-June 8
For more infor mation call the
synago gue offi ce at (610)446-1967
ISRAEL IN OUR HEARTS
The Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia’s Center for Israel and
Overseas invites you to the 2005
Israel Independence Day celebration,
the largest Jewish Community event
of the year.
Sunday, May 15
The celebration will begin at 12:30
p.m. with a “Walk for Israel” along the
Ben Franklin Parkway to Eakins Oval,
where an Israeli Festival will be
taking place until 5:00 p.m. The
Festival will feature a Hora for the
Guinness Book of World Records.
Pre-registration is encouraged at
www.jewishphilly.org. Registration is
required to participate in the Walk for
Israel and to enter the Festival
grounds. Please contact Beth Razin
at (215)832-0536
READING
PARTNERS
Mond ays, 4:00-5:30
Family Management Center
229 Norris Street
Chester
Read with kids at the Community
Action Agency of Delaware County's
after-school program for kids in its
shelters. Help bring books into their
lives by reading to kids and listening
to kids read.
Contact: Fran Stier (610)543-0815 or
franstier@comcast.net.
THE JOB SEARCH WORKSHOP
JEVS-Career Strategies, in conjunction
with the Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia-Chester County and
Delaware County Regions, will offer
three job search workshops open to
anyone searching for a job, looking to
change jobs, or transitioning careers.
1) How to Write a RESUME that Gets
Your Foot in the Door
May 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
2) How to NETWORK Like a Pro
May 12, 6:30-8:30p.m.
3) How to INTERVIEW to Get the Job
You Want
May 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
$50 for complete 3-session workshop
Please call (215)854-1874 to register
THE JCC TAKES OVER THE
REAL WORLD!
For one night only, the JCC and the
Community Youth Initiative are offering
a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore
part of MTV’s history! Come and check
out the Real World Philadelphia house,
the site of the reality TV show that has
become a world-wide phenomenon.
Sunday, May 22
2 Sessio ns:
Grade 6-8: 2 :00 -5:30 p.m.
Grade 9-12: 6:30 – 10:0 0 p.m.
$25 for JCC members, $36 fo r nonmembers
For more information contact Sheri
Satalof at (610)896-7770 x108 or Lisa
Stewart at (215) 446-3030
ARE YOU A NEW PARE
ARENT
We would like to send a Shalom Baby
Welcome Package, filled with a
wonderful assortment of baby items and
helpful information about the Jewish
Community.
For more information, please contact
Lannie Hulnick at
(610) 578-9000.
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia – Delaware County Region
900 West Valley Road, Suite 804, Wayne, PA 19087 – www.jewishphilly.org

CONGREGATION OHEV SHALOM FUNDS
ARCHIVES FUND: To maintain items of historical
importance to the synagogue
BALIN CHAPEL FUND: Maintain and beautify
our chapel
EVELYN MUCH EPSTEIN BERNSTEIN
FUND: Interest from this fund is used to
advance Jewish education
BOWMAN-FINKELSTEIN RABBI
ENDOWMENT FUND: Support rabbi’s salary
package
ALEXANDER H. BROWN FEED THE
HUNGRY FUND: Help feed the hungry of our
community with particular emphasis on Jewish
individuals and families in Delaware County.
JUDY BROWN MEMORIAL FUND: In memory
of a congregant’s child; proceeds are used to
defray synagogue operating expenses.
JACK SWERMAN BUILDING/
ARCHITECTURAL FUND: Named in honor of
Ohev Shalom’s architect, for beautification and
maintenance of our building
JOSEPH ZOMMICK CEMETERY FUND:
Named in honor of Cemetery Committee
Chairman, money is used to help maintain the
cemetery
PHILIP AND SHIRLEY DALEY
ENDOWMENT: Interest is used for educational
programs and scholarships/grants to students
for further Jewish education
BEATRICE DE BELLIS FUND: Interest used
toward tuition for Hebrew School students
unable to pay
FLORAL FUND: To supply flowers for the
bimah and other occasions
JOSEPH B. GODICK JEWISH HISTORY
LECTURE FUND: Named in memory of longtime
Ohev Shalom member; proceeds are used
to sponsor annual or bi-annual community
wide lectures and/or programs on any and all
aspects of Jewish history
HELPING THOSE IN NEED: 100% of
contributions are used for dinners at the
LifeCenter (a homeless shelter), BabyManna (to
Greater Philadelphia Food Bank to purchase
baby formula at discount for food banks), other
projects for the community around us.
KADIMA
100% of these contributions go to the Capital
Campaign
DONALD AND RUTH LEVINSTEIN
EDUCATIONAL FUND: Interest from this
fund is used to defer the cost of an Educational
Director for the Mispallelim Religious School
ROSE ISAACSON LIBRARY FUND:
To purchase books and videos for the Doblitz
Library
LIFE MEMBER: DONATIONS made by Life
Members are for synagogue use.
JUDGE LOUIS BLOOM MORNING MINYAN
FUND: To supply refreshments after daily
morning services
ROBERT NICHOLS ADULT EDUCATION
FUND: Interest from this fund is used for adult
education and related projects
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND: Used by
the rabbi for donations to worthy charities and
causes pursuant to the “Rabbinical Assembly
Dicretionary Fund Guidelines”
RABBI LOUIS AND MINDELL KAPLAN
CULTURAL FUND: Interest from this fund is
used to provide special speakers, artists, musicians
or scholars for Ohev Shalom programs
FRANK M. RECH PRAYER BOOK FUND:
Funding to purchase new prayer books on an
ongoing basis for the synagogue.
JANET STERN ROSSET FUND: Interest from
this fund is used for youth activities, youth
director’s salary or special events for youths
MELVIN RUDMAN MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND: The Melvin Rudman
Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarship
money to college/graduate students with
preference to accounting/business majors.
DR. FRANK AND SOPHIE SAVITS
MEMORIAL FUND FOR JEWISH
EDUCATION: The interest from this fund is
used for educational programs at the synagogue’s
religious school.
DEBBY SILVER CAMP FUND: Interest from
this fund is used to award scholarships to children
attending Jewish summer overnight camp
SISTERHOOD KITCHEN AND SPECIAL
PROJECTS FUND: To provide for the maintenance,
renovation, and or improvements to the
synagogue kitchen, and any other synagogue
special projects.
DOROTHY SPARKLER
SCHOOL/SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Provide
tuition scholarships for Mispallelim grades 4,5,
and 6, and to provide funding for religious
school programs and projects
HARRIET P. STARER FUND FOR THE ARTS:
The purpose of this fund is to perpetuate the
Jewish arts in the Mispallelim Religious School.
This programming will be in the form of art,
and/or music and/or dance
SYNAGOGUE GENERAL FUND: To support
congregational activities
SIMON LEVIN TORAH RESTORATION
FUND: Interest is used to repair/replace Torahs
SAMUEL WARWICK FUND: Interest is used
to provide money to teenagers going to Israel
WOLF AUDITORIUM FUND: Money is used
to maintain auditorium and its furnishings
YAHRTZEIT FUND: In memory of loved ones
on their yahrtzeit
YIZKOR FUND: In memory of deceased
To make a donation to Congregation Ohev Shalom, just fill out this form and
send it along with your check payable to Congregation Ohev Shalom to 2 S.
Chester Road, Wallingford, PA 19086.
I/We would like to make a donation to the following fund(s):
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
in honor of
_________________________________________________________
in memory of
_________________________________________________________
other
_________________________________________________________
Amount enclosed ($10.00 minimum donation for inclusion in “The Spark”/$18.00 suggested.)
___________________________________________
My/Our name_______________________________________________
Please send acknowledgement(s) to
Name ____________________________________________________
Address___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
15

THANK YOU FOR THE FOLLOWING DONATIONS
($10.00 minimum donation for inclusion in “The Spark”/$18.00 suggested.)
If you'd like to make any donations to the synagogue, you can use the synagogue email address bookkeeper@ohev.net or
visit our web site http://ohev.net/donation.html
MARCH 2005 DONATIONS
ARCHIVES FUND
In memory of Aunt Geanie Schwartz by
Bernard & Sandra Zalman
BALIN CHAPEL FUND
In loving memory of Sally K. Balin by Arthur,
Loretta, Samuel, Allison & Benjamin Balin
DEBBY SILVER CAMP FUND
To David & Shelly Saland in honor of
engagement of son Steve to Marcie by Harvey
& Naomi Spector
To Murray & Marie Berstein Mazal Tov on
the engagement of Benji to Erica by Harvey
& Naomi Spector
DONALD AND RUTH LEVINSTEIN
EDUCATIONAL FUND
To Vi Mansky in memory of Brother
Benjamin Levin by Bill & Lorraine Gross;
Donald & Ruth Levinstein
To Bob Lebowich in memory of father
William Lebowich by Steve & Lynne
Secunda; Bob & Judy Chernoff
To Zeldon Family in memory of grandmom
& mother Helene Zeldon by Donald & Ruth
Levinstein
To Irv & Marcy Beerson congratulations on
the marriage of Michael to Meaghan by Bob
& Judy Chernoff
DOROTHY SPARKLER
SCHOOL/SCHOLARSHIP FUND
To Jannis Rubinstein in memory of Jack
Swerman by Barbara Sparkler
FLORAL FUND
In loving memory of Anna Neiberg on her
birthday by Albert & Beatrice Rosenberg
FRANK M RECH FUND PRAYER BOOK
PURCHASE
To Jannis Rubinstein in memory of Jack
Swerman by Richard & Cecily Morris
Alan & Phyllis Schapire are dedicating 25
Sim Shalom prayerbooks in honor of daughter
Michelle's Bat Mitzvah
To Jannis Rubinstein, a daily prayerbook has
been dedicated in memory of Jack Swerman
by Bob and Marian Wiechecki
HARRIET P. STARER FUND FOR THE
ARTS
To Danny Nichols in honor of a speedy
recovery by Bob & Judy Chernoff
To Shelley & Bernie Missan in honor of
Paul's engagement to Heather Lamberger by
Bob & Judy Chernoff
To Harry Zutz, hope Gladys gets better by
Larry Starer
16
To Dave & Shelly Saland in honor of Steve's
engagement to Marcie by Bob & Judy
Chernoff
To Roanne & Barry Estrin in honor of
Jason's engagement to Joanne Horenstein by
Bob & Judy Chernoff
To Arthur Levy in honor of 75th birthday by
Bob & Judy Chernoff
To Brena Friedman, get well soon by Larry
Starer
Get well wishes to Israel Milner by Larry
Starer
Get well wishes to Arthur Levy by Larry
Starer
Congratulations Andy Szabo, Mr. President
by Larry Starer
HELPING THE COMMUNITY FUND
To Rabbi & Amy Robbins in honor of Caleb
Robbins, with wishes for his recovery by
Frances Stier and Stephen Maurer
Mazal Tov to the Hellmans on Rachel's Bat
Mitzvah by Frances Stier and Stephen
Maurer
Mazal Tov to the Stalls on Leah's Bat Mitzvah
by Frances Stier and Stephen Maurer
To the Confirmation class in honor of its
"Life Center" work by Frances Stier and
Stephen Maurer
JACK SWERMAN
BUILDING/ARCHITECTURAL FUND
To the Swerman Family in memory of Jack
Swerman by Henry & Thelma Brown
To Jannis Rubinstein in memory of Jack
Swerman by Frances & Raymond Schwartz;
Nancy Silberman; Murray & Marie Berstein;
Marvin & Carol Freed; Harry & Ida
Shooster; Paul Garcia; Lydia Pastuszek;
Bruce & Carole Bogdanoff; David Beckwith
& Dietrich Nelson; Bea Dallett; Rosalyn
Warwick; Chester Water Authority; Deborah
Long; Gene & Enid Mark; Jerome Solomon;
Carl & Ruth Nimton; Bob & Judy Chernoff;
Charles Sklut; Murray and Elayne Eckell;
First Republic Corp; Dina Garfinkel
To Andy Szabo, congratulations Mr.
President by Irma Kohn
To Stanley & Molly Seidman congratulations
on Stuart's marriage to Paula by Murray &
Marie Berstein
To Mr. Barry Cohen in memory of Rose
Cohen by Richard & Cecily Morris
To Benji Berstein, congratulations on your
engagement to Erica by Boris & Edith
Rueger
To Stuart & Paula Seidman, congratulations
on your marriage by Boris & Edith Rueger
To Bonnie Schut in memory of Jack
Swerman by Deborah Long
To Marshall Swerman in memory of Jack
Swerman by Deborah Long
JANET STERN ROSSET FUND
To Irv & Marcy Beerson in memory of Irv's
Aunt Rosabelle by Stuart & Carol Ockman
JOSEPH B. GODICK JEWISH HISTORY
LECTURE FUND
To Gladys Ivins in memory of husband Sam
Ivins by Bruce & Judy Godick
To Sara Lebman in memory of Brother Sam
Ivins by Bruce & Judy Godick
MEL RUDMAN MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Get well wishes to Arthur Levy by Rita
Rudman
Get well wishes to Israel Milner by Rita
Rudman
To Brena Friedman, get well soon by Rita
Rudman
MINYAN FUND
To Vi Mansky in memory of brother
Benjamin Levin by Benson & Roselyn Ozer;
Irma Kohn; Ruth Kaplan; Bernice Fishman;
Arlene Thane; Teena & Jake Weinstein
In memory of brother Benjamin Levin by
Lois Goodman
Mazal Tov Andy Szabo by Violet Mansky
In memory of Lillian Stillman by Alan &
Linda Stillman
RABBI LOUIS AND MINDELL KAPLAN
CULTURAL FUND
To Vi Mansky in memory of brother
Benjamin Levin by Helen Schachner;
Richard & Cecily Morris
To Larry Starer & Rita Rudman congratulations
on your engagement by Harry & Ida
Shooster
To Bill & Zelda Cherner, a speedy recovery
by Barry, Roanne, Jason & Rob Estrin
To Rita Rudman & Larry Starer, congratulations
on your engagement by Boris & Edith
Rueger
To Emil Skobeloff in memory of mother
Rose Skobeloff by Richard & Cecily Morris
In memory of mother-in-law Dora Kanter by
Rabbi Kaplan
RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND
To Emil Skobeloff in memory of mother
Rose Skobeloff by Betty Kaplan; Bruce &
Carole Bogdanoff
To Rabbi & Amy Robbins, get well wishes to
Caleb by Barry & Roanne Estrin; Harvey &

Naomi Spector; Bob & Judy Chernoff
Thank you Rabbi Robbins by Stuart &
Esther Gross & Rennie & Julia Grafstein
To Murray & Marie Berstein, Mazal Tov on
the engagement of Benji to Erica by Stuart &
Esther Gross
ROBERT NICHOLS ADULT EDUCATION
MEMORIAL FUND
To David Morganstern, get well soon by
Freema Nichols
To Murray & Marie Berstein in honor of
Benji's engagement to Erica by Freema
Nichols
SIMON LEVIN TORAH RESTORATION
FUND
To Vi Mansky in memory of brother
Benjamin Levin by Joe & Lyna Zommick
SYNAGOGUE GENERAL FUND
Thank you by Miriam Wolf
To Vi Mansky in memory of brother
Benjamin Levin by Cliff & Donna Cohen
To Emil Skobeloff in memory of mother
Rose Skobeloff by Steven & Lauren Katz;
Cliff & Donna Cohen
WOLF AUDITORIUM FUND
In memory of Louis Oppenheim by
Raymond & Betty Oppenheim
YAHRTZEIT/YIZKOR FUND
In memory of sister Selma Roller by Harold
& Ruth Peimer
In memory of Bertha & Henry Ulan by
Gertrude Warwick
In memory of Edward Kope by Robert and
Sharon Kope
In memory of Joseph M. Goffman by Alan &
Evelyn Goffman
In memory of Herman Waldman by Stuart &
Connie Waldman
In memory of Malcolm Fein by Joel Fein &
Victoria Levin
In memory of Gussie Schulman by David
Landau & Stephanie Klein
In memory of father Henry Levine by Jack &
Evelyn Alfred
In memory of mother Dora Budner by
Harold & Ruth Peimer
In memory of Harry B. Neiberg by Albert &
Beatrice Rosenberg
In memory of father Myer Marks, MD by
Nancy Silberman
In memory of husband Malcolm Silberman
by Nancy Silberman
To Emil Skobeloff in memory of mother
Rose Skobeloff by Steven & Robin Hausman
In memory of Anne Levinson by Alan &
Evelyn Goffman
NURSING HOME
RESIDENTS
As our population ages, we
find some of our members live in
nursing homes. We don’t always
know this, because mail is still
being sent to the primary residence.
If you know of someone
who lives in a nursing home, or
have a loved one in a nursing
home, let us know. We want to
make sure that we stay in touch
with them in every way possible.
OFFICE
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
Volunteers are always needed in
the synagogue office. Work in a
friendly atmosphere and help by
answering the telephone, taking
donations, assisting with mailings,
and a variety of other tasks. Contact
Michael Muderick in the office if
you are interested.
YOUR ACCOUNT AT
COMMERCE BANK
CAN EARN
DOLLARS FOR
OHEV!
Just a reminder that you can
help Ohev Shalom by naming the
synagogue on your Commerce Bank
account with their affinity program.
By listing Ohev Shalom on any
existing personal, business, or savings
type account, or by opening a
new account, Ohev Shalom receives
a percentage of all average daily balances
at the end of the year. It’s
completely confidential.We don’t
know who registers, or how much
any one account yields. Like the
scrip program, it’s a wonderful way
to help the synagogue without costing
you anything. For more information,
call Michael in the office.
IN THE NEWS
Edward Radolan, son of former
congregants Joseph and Sadie
Radolan has been named Educator
of the Year by NAPSEC, National
Association of Private Secial
Education Centers.
Radolan joined St. John of God
Community Services thirteen years
ago as a teacher with the responsibility
of developing and implementing
a Cooperative Education
Program for secondary students.
Ed developed a model for the
secondary program at St. John so
that graduating seniors were placed
in their own home communities for
part-time employment. The program
has evolved so that students
who are juniors and in some unique
circumstances, sophomores, have
the ability to opt for this as Work
Adjustment students, eighteen to
twenty-one years of age. Ed’s philosophy
is “there is a job for everyone”
and he has worked with students
who were the most challenged and
provided them with hope and a
sense of achievement.
Submitted by
Lyna and Joe Zommick
who are related to the Radolan family.
Bill and Lorraine Gross, longtime
Ohev members and longtime
members in the Media community,
received the Marie Whitaker
Humanitarian Award for their service
to the community. The award
was presented at the annual meeting
of the Media Fellowship House,
on April 26 at the Media Borough
Hall.Yasher koach to Bill and
Lorraine.
17

Classifieds
Please patronize our advertisers
Classified Advertising Rates
Business card ads: $195.00 for ten issues (September-June). Double size ads: $305.00 for ten issues (September-June).
Ohev Shalom members receive a 10% discount on these rates. Make checks payable to Congregation Ohev Shalom.
Deadline is the 9th of the month prior to publication.
Appearance of an ad in THE SPARK does not necessarily constitute an endorsement or acceptance of the
Kashrut of the advertiser by Congregation Ohev Shalom.
A R C H I T E C T S & P L A N N E R S
The Breckstone Group
Jay N. Cooperson
Featuring Israeli spices, cheeses, candies
salads and drinks.
2417 Lancaster Avenue Wilmington, Delaware 19805
302-428-0743
RIDLEY PARK FLORISTINC.
17 East Hinckley Avenue
Ridley Park, PA 19078
www.ridleyparkflorist.com
(610) 521-3366
(610) 521-1778 FAX
• We specialize in Bar/Bat Mitzvah decorations
Bima designs for any occasion, Gourmet Fruit and Gift baskets
GIAN FRANCO
57 S. SPROUL ROAD • BROOMALL, PA
(610) 356-8116
18

Please thank our patrons by supporting them
SZABO
& A S S O C I A T E S
Andrew J. Szabo, LUTCF
Health Benefits Specialist
18 Locust Road, Morton, PA 19070
Life
Medical
Disability
Long Term Care
Tel: 610-543-8992
Fax: 610-543-5224
WERTHEIMER
MONUMENTS
Bronze and Granite Memorials
Show Room
6720 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19149
ISRAEL RESNICK
215-333-1222 • Fax: 215-332-0188
when it has to be special
it has to be yangming
America’s Top Tables
Gourmet Magazine
Best of Philly Chinese Food
Philadelphia Magazine
Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator Magazine
Best Restaurant on the Main Line
Main Line Today Magazine
Only the finest in Chinese & Continental cuisine served with style and
elegance. With beautiful, private dining facilities from 10 to 250,
Yangming is your perfect choice.
Haverford and Conestoga Roads • Bryn Mawr
610-527-3200
6410 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19126
(215) 927-5800
Albert Mendel
Funeral Director
Bennett Goldstein
Supervisor
19

Please thank our patrons by supporting them
MAB
Diamonds
Perfectly
Cut
CERTIFIED GEMOLOGIST APPRAISER • MASTER GOLDSMITHS
OLDE SPROUL VILLAGE 610-544-4656
SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064 FAX 610-544-9048
Stefanie Kaplan
Certified Massage Therapist
• Swedish Massage • Therapeutic
Specialty in Teen Stress Reduction
10% Discount for Ohev Members
610-209-0060
20

Please thank our patrons by
supporting them
WindowConcepts
A family business specializing in
custom window treatments and upholstery
FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE
CHARLEY ELOFER
610-325-2094
Fax 610-325-1056
3610 Chapel Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
by Allison Wenitsky
326 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063
610-566-GIFT • Fax: 610-566-4525
E-mail: acreativetouch@verizon.net
All Major Credit Cards Accepted
Shipping Available!
Custom Gift Services
include:
Gift Wrapping
Unique Gift Baskets
Wedding & Baby Favors
Bar & Bat Mitzvah
Centerpieces
Corporate Gifts
Personalized Banners
“Elite” Line of Invitations
Taking Something Ordinary…
and Making it Extraordinary!
SEEKING JEWISH FOSTER PARENTS
Help make sure that no Jewish child is turned away.
When the emergency call comes in that a Jewish child needs
foster-care placement, we need to have a Jewish home available.
Help provide a loving home for a Jewish child in need.
And make a difference
Call Jewish Family and Children’s Service at
(215) 698-2533 or 698-9950.
We provide reimbursement for the child’s basic care expenses.
HADASSAH “NEW TO YOU”
THRIFT SHOP NEEDS:
• HOUSEHOLD ITEMS • FURNITURE
• APPLIANCES THAT WORK
• AND YOU TO VOLUNTEER
SONDRA CALL NAOMI
215-545-5780 610-566-7165
STARER-RIZZO-RUFFINI OPHTHALMIC ASSOCIATES, P.C.
Medial and Surgical Ophthalmology
LARRY J. STARER, M.D., F.A.C.S.
JOHN S. RIZZO, M.D., F.A.C.S.
JOHN J. RUFFINI, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Taylor Hospital Medical Bldg.
(610) 521-2111 8 Morton Ave., Suite 101
(610) 521-3048 Fax Ridley Park, PA 19078
Anyone can shop
Anyone can join!
Check out the brand new
SWARTHMORE CO-OP!
Open 8 to 8 Mon. - Sat. and 8 to 7 Sunday
610-543-9805
341 Dartmouth Avenue swacoop@comcast.net
Swarthmore, PA 19081
swarthmore.coop
21

Please thank our patrons by
supporting them
B. GROSS
M E N S W E A R
BILL GROSS
CORNER OF STATE AND JACKSON STREETS
MEDIA, PA 19063 610-566-7990
610-583-9932
2106 E. MacDade Blvd.
Holmes, PA 19043
Fax: 610-583-9768
sirspeedy@siraccess.com
sirspeedy.com/holmes
One to Full-Color Commercial Printing
Graphic Design (Mac & PC)
Digital Color Output
Large Format Color
Full Mailing Services
Canon Color Copies
High Speed B&W Copies
ELI & STACEY SHAPIRO
CARING IS WHAT WE DO BEST.
• 24-hour skilled nursing care
• Activities programs
• Rehabilitation services
• Kosher meals
• Religious services
• Medicare/Medicaid certified
The Milton & Hattie Kutz Home, Inc.
704 River Road, Wilmington, DE 19809
302-764-7000 • www.kutzhome.org
Delaware’s Jewish Nursing Facility
Weekly classes for 12-18 and 18-24 month old toddlers with a parent.
An opportunity for parents and their children to explore the
development of social, cognitive, emotional and motor skills
with an early childhood education facilitator. Class will include
circle time, music and movement, crafts, and holidays and Shabbat.
A wonderful introduction to preschool and a place for parents
to exchange ideas, support each other and share experiences.
For more information contact
Essie Cutler
Play and Learn Preschool - 610-853-2267
MERLE L. FISCHER
E-Mail: MerleFischer@excite.com
President’s Circle
Craig Stier
217-80 98th Avenue, Queens village, New York 11429
Tel 215-482-3079 • 718-464-8400 • Fax 215-482-3826
www.prestigecaterers.com email: tocater@aol.com
Fox & Roach REALTORS ®
Media Home Marketing Center
601 E. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063
Bus 610 566-3000 Direct: 610 627-4917
Cell 610 247-1777 Fax 610 566-8664
An independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
22

Israel in Our Hearts May 15, 2005
JOIN US for Greater Philadelphia’s largest Israel Independence Day
celebration. Sunday, May 15, 1 to 5 pm, at Eakins Oval and Ben Franklin Parkway.
Engage in festivities in honor of Israel’s vibrancy and sample Israeli culture.
For more information call Beth Razin at 215-832-0536 or visit jewishphilly.org
ADMISSION IS FREE!
ISRAEL
Independence Day
Highlights of the day include: A Walk for Israel - Walk proudly together with community members to show your support for Israel • Guinness
Book World Record for the Largest Hora - Set the record for the largest Hora and put Philadelphia on the map! • Monster Mural - Paint and
create a large mural of images of Israel • Israel Quest - Take a walk through Israel and learn fun and exciting facts about Israeli cities • Bedouin
Tent - Enjoy a cup of coffee while you sit back and relax • On top of this, there will be an Israel Festival - featuring entertainment, arts and crafts
activities, delicious food, approximately 50 Israeli vendors, and so much more!
Presenting Sponsor
Contributing Partners
Partners • The Aliyah Center • The Bryn Mawr Trust Company
• PECO, An Exelon Cpmpany • JM Sorkin
Congregation Ohev Shalom
2 Chester Road
Wallingford, PA 19086
TIME VALUE
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Wallingford, PA
Permit No. 225