Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

'Feel comfortable and eat well': A guide to the Mimouna celebrations

By Rotem Bar
Community Shlicha

Did you ever hear the saying “tirvechoo vetisa’do” meaning, “feel comfortable and eat well”? No? That means you haven’t been to a Mimouna. “Feel comfortable and eat well” is a well-known blessing and greeting said during the Mimouna celebration…

Letters from a Lone Soldier: From closing ceremony off to the Air Force

By Helaina Zahn
Special to HAKOL

I have finished the first 10 percent of my service in the army, and one of my friends told me that it's like I have finished my first piece of pizza from my whole pie. I'm still really excited about my army service, but I anticipate that might change as I ke…

Statement on the Attack in Christchurch

The Jewish community of the Lehigh Valley is saddened, shocked and outraged by the terror attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, today in which at least 49 people were murdered and many more were injured while attending Friday prayers in two different mosques.

We strongly condemn this attack…

Turn your state taxes into scholarships for JDS and JCC students

A change in Pennsylvania law allows individual Pennsylvania taxpayers to participate in the state’s popular Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. By expanding the definition of a business to include a Special Purpose Entity (SPE), individual donors can become members of an SPE w…

Tradition keeps kids and teens returning to camp year after year

By Stephanie Bolmer
HAKOL Editor

Cousins Alex Valuntas and Jacob Sussman share a lot in common. They’re both juniors at Parkland High School. They both play basketball. And they both love summer camp.

After spending eight years as campers at Camp Saginaw, a co-ed sleepaway camp in Cheste…