Page 47 - Indulge October/November 2016

Baking for Purim
W en’s Divisi says ‘Shal ’ to newc ers
By Jennifer Lader
Where in the world do
newcomers get invited to
ke goodies that go into gift
baskets for other people?
ust before Purim in March, the Jewish
Federation of the Lehigh Valley held a hands-
on holiday event that is one of many hosted by
its Shalom Lehigh Valley Committee to welcome
Jewish newcomers to the area.
“Women like to work together and especially
ith the holiday coming up,” said Beth Kushnick,
ho chaired the event. “We thought this would
a great idea to have women together baking
schmoozing and sharing stories and have
ething to take home.”
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“My parent
about Purim, a
something,” sa
the Lehigh Vall
recalls the stor
because she sav p o av e
end by using her clout with the king. On Purim,
it is customary for kids — and adults — to wear
costumes of the story’s heroic main characters
and to bake cookies called hamentashen for gift
baskets for friends and the needy.
“When I moved here 14 years ago, I knew
nobody,” said Fay Kun as she kneaded dough
for the cookies. “Life would have been so
much easier, nicer and better if I had found the
friends right away that I have today.”
To meet people, Kun joined the JCC and
is now part of the Shalom Lehigh Valley
committee. She wants Jewish newcomers
to know that there are other Jewish people
wanting to network and bond.
And, it’s fun. Longtime JCC Early Childhood
Education teacher Sheryl Block shared the
Purim story for those who were less familiar
with it, right down to the silver cape that she
made for her son. “And whenever possible,” she
said, “I wear it, too!”
Whether you are a Jewish newcomer
or just want to get more involved and
meet a wonderful group of Jewish
women, we welcome you to join us
for our next event.
Visit www.jewishlehighvalley.org/shalom
or connect with the Jewish Federation
of the Lehigh Valley on Facebook.
9jewishlehighvalley.org