masthead
In This Issue
Calendar
Rabbi's Message
POWER Update
Fundraising Salon
Council Nominations
Passover Seder
Member Birthdays
Member Yahrzeits
Looking Ahead
Annual Meeting on June 1
We'll be reviewing the past year, planning for the future, electing new officers, and more! And of course brunch will be included! Please plan to attend from 11am to 1pm on Sunday, June 1 at the Kennedy House Community Room.
 

Something new for Shavuot!
While the details are not yet firm, we may be joining with other Philadelphia Jewish congregations in a joint celebration of Shavuot in early June. Please be on the lookout for more details on this. 
Donate via PayPal
undefined
Leyv Ha-Ir Listserv

To Post a Message - just send an email to [email protected].

 

Leyv Ha-Ir Event Postings - will be posted by Claire Dubin using the information on our web calendar.

 

Other Postings - You can post information about other events or information of interest by sending an email to [email protected].

 

Contact Beverly or Bobbi if there are questions about the listserv.

Chesed Reminder
A reminder that we have a Chesed (acts of loving kindness) committee who will do their best to offer assistance to LHI members in need. If you find yourself in that situation please call and we'll see how we can be helpful.

Contacts:
Joan Goldberg 215-561-5193
Pat Wisch 215-563-1894
Marking Lifecycle Events

Please remember Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir~Heart of the City when you have any occasion to send a greeting card to someone. 

 

While we are happy to receive contributions in any amount, for a minimum $10 contribution we will gladly send one of Marci Fleet's lovely art cards created for this purpose to the recipient of your choice.

 

Sue Frank will send Marci's card and compose a note that expresses your thoughts. She can also customize a card based on your suggestion.

 

Please use the 
contribution form on our website, which contains the mailing address for your contribution, PO Box 15836, Philadelphia PA 19103. You can also
Home Shabbat Hosts Needed
Our monthly Friday night home Shabbats have become a popular mainstay of Leyv Ha-Ir community life. Hosts are needed for upcoming months.

Host responsibilities are minimal and support is available to guide you every step of the way. Attendance averages 10 to 18 people.

For more information or to volunteer as a host, please contact Marsha Hyman at 610-733-6652 or [email protected].  You'll be glad you did.
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Find us on Facebook!

Be sure to join and visit Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir~Heart of the City's Facebook group

 

Facebook
Jewish Exponent
Contact Leyv Ha-Ir
 
Voice Mail:
215-629-1995


MAY 2014
Dear Friend of Leyv Ha-Ir ~ Heart of the City,   

 

There are many signs around us that are looking up or point to new life. Greens are sprouting up, including blooming cherry, dogwood trees and other species; birds are louder, both in our city and the surrounding areas. Our heart (leyv) of the city (ha-ir) is beating happier. 

 

Events we are looking forward to include our fundraising Salon on May 10, the Annual Meeting on June 1, and of course Shavuot. And we are already starting to plan and organize for the upcoming Jewish calendar year with new energy, new people taking on leadership roles, and (hoped for) new ideas. We invite you to be a part of it and look forward to seeing you in May with uplifted spirits!


Best regards,

    

Bobbi, Roby, Myrna Schlanger, Iris N. and Sandy 

Your Executive Committee

LHI CALENDAR MAY 2014

Saturday, May 3, 10:00 AM, Shabbat Morning Service

Join our lay-led minyan for a Shabbat morning service, Torah discussion and pot-luck veggie/dairy lunch.  

Location: Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Sq., second floor front.

 

Friday, May 9, 6:30 PM, Home Shabbat Service and Dinner 

Join us at Roby Jacobs' home for a lay-led Friday night service followed by a pot-luck veggie/dairy dinner. Please contact Roby at [email protected]  RSVP and let her know what you are bringing. 

 

Saturday, May 10, 7:00 PM, Salon 

We'll gather at the Steel's home for an evening of varied entertainment, food and fun to raise money for Leyv Ha-Ir.  See article below for more information.

 

Monday, May 12, 7:00 PM, Council Meeting

All members are invited to our monthly Council meeting.
Location: Sandy Brown's home. Contact Sandy at 

215-561-5149 or [email protected] for exact location.  

 

Friday, May 16, 7:30 PM, Kabbalat Shabbat Service  

Rabbi Julie Greenberg will lead our Friday night service, with Cantorial Soloist Jessi Roemer and the Leyv Ha-Ir Choir.
Location: Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, 1st Floor Auditorium

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a complete look at Congregation Leyv Ha-Ir upcoming activities. 

RABBI'S MESSAGE
Rabbi Julie Official Photo

Dear Chevre,

 

This is the season in our community for planning next year's budget and governance. This work is just as holy as setting the Passover table or attending a Shabbat service yet sometimes it takes place behind the scenes and does not get fully appreciated. So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals who have had a hand in ensuring leadership and funding for next year. Without your efforts we would not be able to gather for Torah, for holidays, for accompanying those in need or for celebrating joyful life events. 

 

I like to say that congregations metabolize money. We turn money into prayer, song, good deeds and learning. This congregation serves lifelong learners through our Bagels and Books classes. We have a mitzvah presence in the public schools both in hands-on local projects and on the city and statewide advocacy and policy level. We are hugely immersed in a voter engagement drive right now focusing on the May 20 primary election.

 

We have a caring capacity that has seen people through illness or injury, hospital stays, rehab, and recovery. Our choir and small spiritual groups connect people in primary ways. We link with Jewish communities throughout the world through our participation in Reconstructionist and other Jewish networks. We keep Judaism alive through the practice of meaningful, respectful, inspiring Judaism.

 

Needless to say, none of this would happen without leadership and funding. So a huge thank you to all of the many, many people who understand the value of "paying for my religion." I am always open to talking with you about further ways to support the well being of this community. Please let me know if you'd like to become more engaged as a leader and/or funder of our joyful mission.

 

Love and Blessings,

 

Rabbi Julie

POWER UPDATE
Power Logo

VOTE "YES" ON BALLOT QUESTION #1



The May 20 primary election in Pennsylvania is almost here. POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower and Rebuild) alerts us that in order to raise wages for thousands of workers subcontracted in the City of Philadelphia, we need to vote "Yes" on ballot question #1.

 

A number of congregants from LHI and the Ethical Society have been participating in phone banking which continues each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Ethical Society until the election. Some of us will be calling our neighbors in the coops/condos we live in. In addition to calling voters, there will be knocking on doors, holding events and talking in services and the media about these issues. In the process, we will engage voters who care about education funding in order to demand a full, fair, education funding formula for our schools. 

 

The next POWER Leadership Assembly will be on Thursday, May 29, 7-9pm, Mother Bethel AME, 419 S. 6th St.

 

If you are interested in helping, please contact Susan Thompson, 215-923-4040. 

LEYV HA-IR FUNDRAISING SALON - RESERVE NOW! 
Cocktail party for salon
Space is limited   

 

What?    

An evening of entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, wine and fun. We have four great performers lined up with a variety of music and comedy genres.

 

Why?

To raise funds for our synagogue. Did you notice that we did not send a letter asking for donations this year? Your participation at this year's Salon will support Leyv Ha-Ir and you'll have a great time as well! Much more fun than simply writing a check.

 

When?    

Saturday, May 10 at 7:00 pm

 

Where?

The historic and interesting Society Hill home of members Joan and Phil Steel, 323 Spruce Street. Seeing their collection of antique toys (that all work) and other fascinating objects alone is worth the price of admission. 

 

How?

Admission is $36.00 per person with advance reservations by Wednesday, May 7, $40 after May 7 or at the door.
Reservations can be made by email to [email protected] or by phone to 215.629.1995.
Payment can be made at the door or in advance by sending a check to:  

Leyv Ha-Ir 
P.O. Box 15836 
Philadelphia, PA 19103 
or you can use PayPal here.

Can't make it?  Donations will be gratefully accepted. 
LHI COUNCIL NOMINATIONS FOR 5775 (2014-2015)
Election at June 1 Annual Meeting

Many thanks go to our nominating committee led by Beverly Hayden, along with Donna Finkelstein, Evy Simon and Pat Wisch. They were hard at work this winter and have brought us a great slate to be voted on at the June 1 annual meeting.

We will also accept nominations from the floor. If you would like to nominate someone in addition to the slate below, please confirm before June 1 that the person would accept the nomination.

The slate of officers nominated for the coming year includes:

President
OPEN
First Vice Presidents (2)
Bobbi Cohen
Roby Jacobs
Second Vice President
Myrna Schlanger
Secretary
Claire Dubin
Treasurer
Phyllis Gottlieb
Council-at-Large (4)
Larry Finkelstein
Joan Goldberg
Iris Newman
Patricia Saddier

We want to thank Sandy Brown, who is stepping down from Council, for the fabulous work she did as Treasurer and the other projects she led.

Please continue to think about what you can do for Leyv Ha-Ir.  We can all contribute in some way so that we can continue to be "the little shul that could." Your ideas are always welcome by coming to a Council meeting or contacting Bobbi or Roby.
PASSOVER SEDER


Leyv Ha-Ir hosted another successful Community Passover Second Night Seder.
Almost 60 were in attendance with 3 Afikomen winners, pictured at right with Rabbi Julie.
MAY MEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Happy Birthday
Please join us in extending birthday wishes to these members:

May 6   Natan Szapiro
May 9   Frann Shore
            Jonathan Seligman
            Lance Zeamon
May 20  Maria Mackey
            Shirley Adelman Kenig
May 26  Myrna Shenberg
MAY YAHRZEITS
May This Soul be Bound in the Book of Eternal Light: yahrzeit
 
Gloria Goldstein