Orthodox, Reform rabbi together Rabbi Benjamin David, of Adath Emanu-El, and Rabbi Pesach Sommer will speak together at Adath Emanu-El in Mount Laurel on Monday, Apr. 7 at 7 p.m. in a session titled, “A Reform and Orthodox Rabbi Sit Down to Talk.” The interactive and important dialogue will discuss similarities with the Orthodox movement and the many ways in which the Reform and Orthodox movements differ. Pesach Sommer is a husband, father, rabbi, runner and teacher. He works for Just One Life, an organization that helps women in Israel in crisis pregnancies. He spent 16 years teaching at various types of schools and hopes to return to formal Jewish education in the near future. For more information, contact Rabbi Benjamin David at (856) 608-1200 or [email protected] ▲ Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey A SPECIAL PROGRAM THAT BENEFITS THE JEWISH FEDERATION ANNUAL CAMPAIGN Honor: Steven Miller For Being A Mensch GOLD Received From: Carolyn Rosner GOLD Memory: Received From: Karen Fried Ronda and Alan Urkowitz Sister of Sara-Ellen Greenberg Eleanor Klein Mother of Sydria Schaffer Cindy and Scott Yellin Sidney Schwartz Judy and Ted Spivak Father of Robert Schwartz Rabbi Jerry and Peggy David TZEDAKAH Honor: Received From: Bob Benedon Paula Joffe Receiving the JCRC Israel Advocacy Award Les and Cindy Cohen Vicki and Brian Zell Your Marriage Rabbi Aaron Krupnick Robyn and Leonard Kaplan Your love and support during our difficult time TZEDAKAH Memory: Received From: Ethyl Blumenfeld Vicki and Brian Zell Mother of Alan Blumenfeld Nate Getzenberg Janine and Mark Sobel Husband of Beverly Getzenberg David Gruber DJE Board Stepfather of Ellen Berju Lawrence Harmon Betsy and Bob Schwartz Father of Tonia Harmon Lloyd Vicki Zell Janet Smith Simon Kaplan Fran and Ron Landay Father of Dr. Leonard Kaplan Marla and Ken Cutler Vicki and Brian Zell Donna and Richard Bell Janet Smith Marge and Joe Sobel Sister of Susan and Joel Kaber Joachim Rudoler Mother of Inge Bass Debby Schwartz Mother of Judy and Sy Benenfeld Irv Richter Robert Paul Marge and Joe Sobel Friend of Helene Toll Sidney Schwartz Janine and Mark Sobel Father of Robert Schwartz 36 March 19, 2014 LGBT Mission to Israel set for summer 2014 For the first time ever, Jewish National Fund (JNF) is hosting a very unique mission to Israel for the LGBT community. Taking place from June 5-12, 2014, the Pride of Israel LGBT Mission will embrace the world-famous Tel Aviv Gay Pride Festival while showing participants the colorful side of Israel. “What most people in the LGBT community don’t realize is that within this community there is still a need for support in both the Jewish community and Israel,” said Howard Bragman, Pride of Israel LGBT Mission chair. “Participants will come away with an additional sense of pride, not only from the LGBT community, but from learning what Israel has to offer.” Like on any other JNF mission to Israel, participants will delve into the rich history of the land of Israel, celebrate the spirit of Jerusalem, experience the magical Negev and visit major LGBT/Page 38 Shabbat Shalom is a television program, made possible by a grant from the Raymond & Gertrude R. Saltzman Foundation, and in cooperation with the Tri-County Board of Rabbis. The program highlights local Jewish services and events in our region, in hopes of enriching and enhancing your Sabbath The shows will air on Comcast Digital Channel 190, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. UPCOMING AIR DATES ARE: March 21, 2014 Episode #466 Adath Emanu-El Feb. 21 Erev Shabbat Service/Men’s Club Shabbat March 28, 2014 Episode #467 Temple Emanuel Feb. 28 Jewish Disabilities Awareness Shabbat Evening Service & Oneg JEWISH COMMUNITY VOICE JNF helps protect Israel from fires South Jersey resident and Jewish National Fund-Makor delegate Dr. Robert Benedon (right) with Fire Commissioner Shahar Ayalon at the new Usifya Fire Station in Israel’s Carmel region, built with the help of JNF. The station was built in response to the devastating 2010 Carmel fire, which claimed 44 lives, forced the evacuation of 17,000 people, and destroyed over 1.5-million trees. The Usifya station will not only save lives, it will also serve as an educational center for close to 20,000 residents in the surrounding Druze villages. The center will promote fire safety and train youth volunteers. Adath Emanu-El honored Adath Emanu-El in Mount Laurel has been honored with the Samost JFCS Community Partner Award. This award recognizes an organization from Southern New Jersey that has collaborated with Samost Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS). These key partnerships help JFCS realize the mission of support, outreach, and community service. They further strengthen the overall success of the agency’s core vision, initiatives, and program milestones to effect positive change for those in need. JFCS selected Adath EmanuEl to receive the award because of its ongoing support of the Federation agency. Adath Emanu-El congregants collect food and supplies, on a continu- ous basis, for clients of the JFCS Betsy and Peter Fischer Food Pantries. Additionally, the Adath Emanu-El Sisterhood has been a dedicated advocate for the JFCS Project SARAH domestic abuse program, and designated that the program receive proceeds from their fundraising. The most recent program in which JFCS partnered with Adath Emanu-El is called “Repairing the World: One Wednesday at a Time,” in which 8th & 9th grade Hebrew high students learn and experience social justice by study and action. With the help of JFCS staff and volunteers, students are offered the opportunity to live this value by taking part in the communitybased work JFCS provides. ▲ Run to benefit Rutgers Hillel Registrations to compete in the Third Annual FIT (For Israel Team Hillel) 5K Run/Walk are now being accepted from students and community members of all ages. All proceeds from the event, to be held rain or shine, on Sunday, May 4, in Buccleuch Park, New Brunswick, go directly to funding Israel programming at Rutgers University Hillel. According to Co-chairs David Yellin, Dr. Richard and Jennifer Bullock, and Eliot and Barbara Spack, the event raises funds dedicated to the support of the Rutgers Hillel Center for Israel Engagement (RHCIE), a national model for campus education and advocacy. Driven by a core belief that a positive connection to Israel is essential for a strong, healthy Jewish identity, RHCIE focuses on enhancing student understanding of Israel’s spirit, contributions and people. According to Center Director Diana Diner, RHCIE has mobilized students to broaden their understanding of Israel and its people through positive encounters with visiting Israelis, artists, businessmen and academicians, rather than focusing on confrontations with anti-Israel groups. Awards will be presented to the top three men and women in each age group (in five-yearincrements). Participants may register online at www.bestrace.com or print a registration form from the Rutgers Hillel site www.rutgershillel.org ▲ www.jewishvoicesnj.org