Donations

If you'd like to make a donation to AJ, you can make a donation online, on our website. Or, you can click here to download a donation form.

REMINDER: All services are now in person at AJ and available via Zoom. Please continue to register for Friday evening and Saturday morning services by completing the May service sign-up form links on the AJ website. Your registration will help us to keep the building secure. Thank you!

The May/June edition of the AJ News can be downloaded here.

Spring Adult Ed Class!

The Fiddler’s Fractures: Conservative Judaism and Other Denominations, with Rav Shai

Next Session: Tuesday Evening, May 9, from

7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Conservative Judaism was the last of the three major denominations to emerge. Like Reform Judaism, it acknowledged the history and development of the Jewish tradition. Like Orthodoxy, it insisted on the centrality and authority of Jewish law in the lives of the Jewish people. This four-week class will explore what is distinctive about each of the denominations with special attention paid to Conservative Judaism. Remaining sessions: Tuesday evenings, May 9, 16, and 23, 2023, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, following evening minyan. In person and via Zoom. To register, click here.

Important Youth Event! Field Day for Grades 5-12

Sunday, May 7, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Wall Park



Join AJ and BSC youth at our field day event with the clergy and other staff. Activities include football, frisbee, improv games, art projects and Jackbox Live. Let's get the OYR youth together for another amazing event! Rabbi G-K, Rav Shai, and other special guests will be in attendance to help run the events. Pizza and sweets from Rita's will be served. Email OYRyouth@gmail.com to RSVP or for more information. FREE!

Grandparents Group Program

Thursday, May 11, at 7:30 PM via Zoom

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Stanley Fagen to the Grandparents Group on Thursday, May 11 at 7:30 PM for “Tips on Traveling with our Grandchildren.” Dr. Fagen has been happily married for 59 years, with three loving daughters and 10 grandchildren (ages 16–30). As the children grew up, Stan and his wife looked for ways to celebrate important events in ways other than with cash or material gifts. The answer was travel. Stan and his wife love to travel and thought that a good high school graduation gift would be to see the world. Dr. Fagen will offer his insights as to how to make these trips a time of joy for all. He will provide some examples from his travels and advice on selecting destinations. As time allows, we invite you to share your advice as well on successful trips you have had with your own grandkids or special people in your life. We will also be discussing some new ideas for the upcoming year as well. Click here to register.

Kabbalat Shabbat with Strings Attached

Friday Evening, May 19

Unplug from a busy week with an acoustic Shabbat service led by Hazzan Howard Glantz with familiar tunes that will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart. For all ages, from babies to bubbies. Bring your friends for this relaxed, casual, and enjoyable service! Then stay for Oneg Shabbat (lite dinner bites and gathering with friends). In person and via Zoom. 6:15 PM

Torah Fund Brunch

Sunday, May 21, at 10:30 AM

AJ Family,

When you support Torah Fund you help to educate Jewish students all over the world—and you align yourself with those who value knowledge, learning—and provide future generations with skills to enrich our people.

Your generosity helps provide scholarships and programs to train future leaders of our communities. Torah Fund helps develop future rabbis, cantors, educators, synagogue administrators, social workers, scholars, researchers, lay leaders, and others.

Please mark Sunday, May 21 on your calendar. At that time we will honor Ann Kalmanor as our Woman of Achievement. She will join a list of esteemed women and men that we have celebrated in the past.

Kindly take some time and make your contribution (or pledge) to our 2022-23 Chazak v'Ematz campaign. You may send a check payable to "Torah Fund."

Please consider a contribution of Benefactor, Guardian, or higher. Contributions of $180 and up will receive the pin in recognition of your generous support. The pin symbolizes the story of the Israelites preparing to enter the Promised Land when the leadership transfers from Moses to Joshua. The Israelites were instructed to “be strong and courageous.” We are also adding a new category of giving—Chazak will be a contribution of $80.

The costs of everything continue to rise. In addition to showing support of the Torah Fund mission, your minimum donation of $18 will help maintain excellence and resources at the five global Conservative/Masorti institutions of higher education. Your steadfast commitment to Torah Fund inspires and ensures another successful 80 years!

Questions? Call Merril Stup at 215.782.3735.

Tikkun Leil Shavuot and Shavuot Day Services and Luncheon

Thursday Evening, May 25, at 8:00 PM and Friday Morning, May 26, at 9:30 AM

Thursday Evening, May 25: Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Join us at AJ as we participate in the tradition of Jewish learning. It will begin with Minhah-Ma’ariv at 8:00 PM. At 9:00 PM, we’re delighted to welcome scholar Dr. Ellen Frankel as our special guest. Dr. Frankel is a scholar, author, librettist, and storyteller. She is the author of twelve books, including The Five Books of Miriam (1997), The Classic Tales: 4,000 Years of Jewish Lore (1993), and The JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible, winner of the National Jewish Book Award in 2009. The Deadly Scrolls is Book One in a new series, The Jerusalem Mysteries. Book 2, The Hyena Murders, was recently released. Dr. Frankel served for eighteen years as Editor-in-Chief and CEO of The Jewish Publication Society. She has written the lyrics for a number of cantatas, chamber pieces, and two operas. Her program for Tikkun Leil Shavuot will be "Reclaiming the Lost Voices of Jewish Women." Then at 10:45 PM, Rav Shai will teach on Revolving Perspectives on Ruth.

Friday, May 26: Shavuot Services and Luncheon

On Shavuot Day, the Shavuot morning service, including Yizkor, begins at 9:30 AM. Following services, Ellen Frankel will join us again for lunch with a program based on her recent book, The Deadly Scrolls. The story centers around a genuine historic artifact, the “Copper Scroll,” whose many secrets still remain undeciphered by scholars and treasure hunters. She will discuss the genesis and evolution of her book, read selected passages, and answer questions.

Click here to learn more about both programs. Please RSVP today here!

Beginners' Israeli Dancing Group at AJ

Tuesday Afternoons from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Do you have ru’ach (spirit)? Did you do Israeli dancing a while ago and want to do it again? Never done it? Just want to do some easy dances? Join Susan Novack each Tuesday from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM for a beginner group. The basic steps and dances will be taught and reviewed. The group meets in the Orleans at AJ. Email Susan at susan@novack.net to sign up.

Congregation Adath Jeshurun, dedicated to the Jewish value of learning for its own sake (Torah lishmah), has partnered with the Orange County Community Scholar Program (CSP). As a partner, we’ll join a small group of synagogues enjoying the best Jewish learning available. AJ has the distinction of being the first Pennsylvania synagogue to do so. You can download a list of the courses and registration links for April here.

If you register and can’t attend, a link will be sent after the event to a recording. There is also an archive of classes that you can view here.

***PLEASE NOTE: The start times (except where noted) on the CSP website are Pacific time, so remember to add three hours for the Eastern start time. The times above are Eastern time.***

Community Events You May Be Interested In

May 20-22: Jewish New Media Festival. Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media will present the Jewish New Media Festival from May 20-22, 2023, at Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. The term "new media" encapsulates all forms of digital storytelling. Podcasters, YouTubers, TikTokers, Instagrammers, etc. Join PJFM for a weekend celebrating prolific and up-and-coming Jewish digital content creators. Get more info here.

Wednesday, May 24: Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. Leonard Cohen. View an engaging documentary film portrait at the Chester County History Center that captures the imaginative energies of a youthful Leonard Cohen as a quicksilver poet and novelist before he launched his career as a noted singer-songwriter. Emilie Passow to facilitate a discussion following the film. Learn more and register here. 7:00 - 9:00 PM ET.

Thursday, May 25: Tour Mazon's Hunger Museum. The Hunger Museum— now open at hungermuseum.org — tells the fascinating story of the last 100+ years of hunger and anti-hunger public policy in the United States. Because it’s completely virtual, you can engage with the immersive and interactive exhibits anytime, from anywhere, to learn about the political, economic, and cultural story of the expansion and dismantling of the American social safety net. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. Led by MAZON's VP of Community Engagement Naama Haviv, the tour will tease out the main narrative of the museum over the course of an hour, with time for questions and discussion. This tour is free and open to all, though geared for an adult audience. 2:00 PM. Please register here. 

Tuesday, June 13: Rebecca Gratz Tea Party: With Melissa R. Klapper, PhD, Professor of History and Director of Women’s & Gender Studies, Rowan University, and Nina Warnke, PhD, Lead Editor, Rebecca Gratz Digital Archive, Gratz College. Open a window into the past of one of America’s most storied Jewish women of the 19th century. Rebecca Gratz, rumored inspiration for Gratz College, was a fierce proponent of Jewish education. Her creation of the first children’s classes for Jewish religion, history and culture eventually became the model for the modern Jewish Sunday School in the United States. Learn with us; sip tea; munch on scones and cookies; and feel free to wear your favorite Rebecca Gratz-esque hat as we venture back in time to the 19th century! Learn more and register here. 2:00 – 3:15 PM ET. $10, includes tea and snacks. Gratz College, in-person only. 

Volunteer Opportunity!

The Susan G. Komen organization is looking for volunteers to help with their MORE THAN PINK Walk taking place on Sunday, May 14 at Parx Casino. They are especially in need of General Event Set-Up (5/13); Support for various event tents such as Registration, Hope Village, VIP, Pillars, etc. (5/14); and Event Break-Down (5/14). If you are interested in volunteering, you can download a flyer here, or click here to sign up.

Attending Services or Events in Person at AJ

Our current COVID-19 guidelines are:

• Use hand sanitizer before entering the sanctuary. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building.
• Vaccinations and boosters: While all those eligible to receive COVID vaccinations and boosters are strongly encouraged to do so, vaccination against COVID is no longer a requirement to attend AJ services and events.
• Masking: Currently, the community COVID level in Montgomery County is "Low." As long as the level remains either “Medium” or “Low”, masking will be optional. Should the level become “High,” masking will be mandatory. For current community levels according to the CDC, please click here and use the drop-down menu to check for Montgomery County. This link will also be posted on the AJ website.
• If you have had COVID or have been exposed to someone with COVID, please use the CDC COVID calculator here to determine if you need to isolate or mask. This link will also be on the AJ website.
• Anyone who presents with symptoms of possible COVID-19 will not be admitted to the building.
• You can see our updated guidelines here.

If you would like to attend Friday evening and/or Saturday morning services, you must pre-register by 2:30 PM Friday afternoon.

Lifecycle Notices

We are saddened to share that Shirley Tauber entered olam haba, the coming world, Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

We offer this list as a courtesy. If there is a lifecycle event you would like included, please contact the office at 215.635.6611.

Bereavement Support Group Starting May 8

JFCS is offering a bereavement support group for individuals 60+ who have suffered the loss of their spouse or partner. Participants will find community, support, strength, and comfort in a warm environment through professionally guided discussions. Individuals of all faiths and backgrounds who have been bereaved at least three months are welcome. We ask that participants commit to all seven sessions. Masks are strongly recommended.

WHEN: Mondays, May 8–June 26, 10:00 AM–11:30 AM (except Memorial Day, May 29)

WHERE: Northeast Adult Day Care, Philmont Shopping Center, 11048 Rennard St., Philadelphia, PA 19116

COST: Free

RSVP: Pre-registration by Friday, April 28 required. Contact Rabbi Deb Cohen at 215.609.7468

Facilitated by Rabbi Deb Cohen, MHL, MFT, JFCS Chaplain

Nursing Opportunity for Ramah Day Camp and Poconos Overnight Camp

Ramah Day Camp is looking for a camp nurse from June 26 to July 21, 2023 at their Elkins Park campus. Nurses must be currently licensed and available 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, M-F. RDC Day Camp enrolls children Pre-K though teens. The contact for RDC is Sophy Maxman, Associate Director: 215.885.8556 or sofym@ramahpoconos.org.

For the Ramah Poconos overnight camp, nurses must be currently licensed and available for a minimum of two weeks. No camp nursing experience is necessary, just a desire to work with a dedicated health care team, including an onsite doctor, other nurses and health center assistants, to ensure our camp community can enjoy camp safely and in the best health possible. We are able to accommodate children ages 3 to 7 who are not old enough to be in a bunk, and offer a tuition discount for bunk age children (8 to 16 years old), plus a competitive salary, their own room and bathroom, meals and snacks. My contact information is below for overnight camp.

These are great opportunities for a recently retired nurse, empty nest nurses or a nurse with children at home, who is looking for a new nursing experience this summer, as well as an adventure with their children, plus the chance to make lifelong friends and be part of the magic that is camp. 

Interested in Learning Some Yiddish?



KleinLife has a Yiddish group that meets on Zoom once a month, led by Marcia Babbitt. It is mostly in English, with some stories or songs in Yiddish. It is the first Wednesday of each month, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. If you are interested, contact Gail Korostoff at 215.635.5244 or gkorostoff@kleinlife.org.

Earn Money for AJ by Shopping at House of Kosher!

For any amount that an AJ member spends, House of Kosher will give 2% of the sale to AJ! All you need to do is mention AJ's unique Shopper Code 6611 and the discount is immediately applied as a credit to your organization.

Any first-time customer that is a member of AJ will receive a 10% discount on your in-store shopping of over $100! House of Kosher is located at 9806 Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19115.

KleinLife: Montgomery County Update

Programs for Seniors at AJ 

Our Montgomery County location is OPEN for one in-person exercise class 10:30-11:30 AM, Tuesday through Thursday, with some virtual classes still available, as well as other special programs. Reservations are appreciated one week in advance to partake in the in-person classes. You can also sign up for lunch after Tuesday class. For more information and/or to reserve your spot, please call 215.635.5244 or email gkorostoff@kleinlife.org. You can find their calendar of events here.

UPDATE! KleinLife: Montgomery County has resumed a regular schedule of Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. They have also resumed in-person lunch with a boxed lunch on Tuesdays, and hot lunches on Wednesday and Thursday.

Grab & Go Meals! Kleinlife is now offering Grab & Go frozen meals once a week from AJ. You MUST RESERVE at least a week ahead of time for 5 frozen kosher meals. Thursday is the regular pick-up day, between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Call 215.635.5244 for more details.

You can download a May/June KleinLife newsletter here.

NEW! If you attend a service or other event via Zoom, please identify yourself with your name on your Zoom account. This is helpful in maintaining security on Zoom.

How to change your name on Zoom when joining a meeting:

1. Join a Zoom meeting on the Zoom desktop client.
2. Enter the meeting ID number.
3. Add/Update your name if desired.

How to change your name on Zoom during a meeting:

1. Join a Zoom meeting on the Zoom desktop client.
2. On the Zoom in-meeting controls, click Participants.
3. Hover your mouse over your name, then click the ellipses.
4. Click Rename.
5. A pop-up box will appear.
6. In the pop-up box, enter your display name.
7. Click Change.