On Wednesday, August 29, Allentown’s Reform Synagogue, Temple Shirat Shalom, presented two carloads of school supplies to the teachers and 365 students of Cleveland School in downtown Allentown. According to the Principal, Mr. Robert Wheeler, over 90% of the students are from homes of poverty and some are homeless. The program, “Tools for Schools,” was adopted by the one-year-old Congregation and headed by Dr. Cheryl Shadick and Dr. Norman Sarachek. Pencil boxes, file folders, markers, colored pencil sets, dry erase boards for classroom learning centers, an emergency supply of backpacks, hand sanitizer and even boxes of award stickers for the teachers to use to encourage learning were delivered. The teachers eagerly look forward to using them in the coming year. Temple Shirat Shalom and Cleveland School thanks those who generously supported this effort, and hope these materials help the students get off to a great year of learning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Cheryl Shadick, Dr. Norman Sarachek and Principal Robert Wheeler behind one of the two cars, each full of school supplies, for Allentown’s Cleveland School.

PJ Library is celebrating its one year anniversary in the Lehigh Valley.  What is PJ Library?  PJ Library is FREE Jewish themed books and music for children ages 6 months through 8 years old.

Nearly 300 children in the Lehigh Valley already know the thrill of receiving a big blue and white envelope in the mail each month, the excitement of opening the envelope and finding a new book to read over and over again and the joy of having a new favorite story to read with a loved one.

What’s the catch?  There is no catch.  This wonderful program is made possible by The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, The Jewish Community Center, and the Jewish Day School, in partnership with generous donors that enable every Jewish child in the Lehigh Valley to participate.

You can register any child who lives in the Lehigh Valley and is in a family making Jewish choices for their children.  Enroll online at www.jewishlehighvalley.org or www.pjlibrary.org.  Choose the Lehigh Valley, Pa., as your community. For more information or for help enrolling your child, contact Abby Trachtman, program coordinator at abbyt@jflv.org or 610 821 5500.

About PJ Library®
PJ LIBRARY IS A NATIONAL BOOK PROGRAM implemented on a local level that mails free, high-quality children’s books and music to families every month. It is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and it is made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations throughout North America.

Today, more than 78,000 families in more than 145 communities in the United States and Canada are able to explore the timeless core values of Judaism through the art and literature of these free children’s books.

LEARN MORE about all that PJ Library has to offer. See monthly book lists, read the PJ blog and find Jewish parenting websites.

 

PJ Library in the Lehigh Valley
Since PJ came to the Lehigh Valley in the fall of 2011, nearly 300 children have enrolled in the program.

All families raising Jewish children from age six months through eight years are welcome to enroll.

Once you’re a PJ family, an age-appropriate Jewish-themed book or CD will be delivered right to your door every month for each enrolled child in your household. You will be asked to reenroll in the program each year, but it is ABSOLUTELY FREE!

This program is made possible through the generous donations of the Wax Family Fund of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Foundation, Bonnie and Bobby Hammel and the Jean B. Weiner Foundation.

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, in partnership with the Jewish Community Center of Allentown and the Jewish Day School of the Lehigh Valley, is proud to administer this national program on a local level.

Questions? Contact coordinator Abby Trachtman at 610-821-5500 x321 or abbyt@jflv.org.

Check out the link for more info about PJ at JCC Camp:  PJ goes to camp jcc 8.12.12

 

 

Progress and technology are not lost on the congregants of TSS. Last Friday, Cantor Ellen Sussman performed an Aufruf Blessing for Linda Chmielewski’s daughter, Danielle, and her fiancé, Mathew, via Skype. Danielle and Mathew, who will be married this coming weekend, joined our Shabbat Service with the help of audiovisual technology. After a heart-warming ceremony where the young couple spoke of their commitment to each other, the congregation responded with song and handfuls of candy enthusiastically tossed at the large screen. This was a joyous occasion that left us all to wonder if this was a “first” in Reform Judaism.

We thank all who helped to make this Aufruf a success!