THE IMPACT ONE MAKES: The Schneiders

By Stephanie Goodling
HAKOL Editor

Irwin and Ellen Schneider may have recently made the transition from snowbirds to permanent Florida residents, but they have left a big piece of their hearts behind in the Lehigh Valley. That’s where Irwin moved almost 90 years ago at just six months old…

Founding PJ Library philanthropist reflects on handing out 35,000th book

By Stephanie Goodling
HAKOL Editor

When Vicki Wax paid a visit to her daughter in New Jersey ten years ago, she had no idea the impact that day would make on her or on the Lehigh Valley Jewish community. Her daughter, Nancy, asked her, “Have you heard of PJ Library?” Wax’s grandson, j…

A Chanukah memory

By Gavriel Siman-Tov
Community shaliach

The donut holiday, or should I call it by the Hebrew name — sufganiyot. Chanukah is the holiday of deep frying, of the menorah and the miracle. 

This holiday is the first one in the Jewish calendar after a long break, and I might be wrong, but I w…

THE IMPACT ONE MAKES: Iris Epstein

By Stephanie Goodling
HAKOL Editor

Iris Epstein’s parents “came from humble beginnings,” as she puts it, but went on to be successful not only in their business but also in the way that matters most--passing down their values to their daughter. 

“I always felt the need to pay it f…

JFS older adult programs are powered by volunteers

By Stephanie Goodling
HAKOL Editor

The vision of Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley is that “No one in our community should suffer hunger, isolation, abandonment, emotional or physical distress, or lack of community support and caring.” Part of the way that JFS manifests that vi…