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The Maccabee Way of Thinking

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on December 21, 2016

Each year, as I re-encounter the story of Chanukah, I am inspired by the persistence of a small group of Maccabees who fought for their core values in the face of seemingly incredible odds. When confronted with oppression and limitations, they thought broader and wider than any narrow definitions that others might have used to define them. No matter the historical circumstances, that 'Maccabee way of thinking' is …

Personal Trainer Embodies Jewish Values

Posted by Frieda Lalli on December 14, 2016

As the Membership Director at the South Hills JCC, I often hear comments from our members about the facility, the equipment, the classes, the water temperature in the pool and the instructors. I recently received a compliment about one of our newer personal trainers. Mallery Fascetti has been a personal trainer at the JCC for less than 6 months. In that brief time, she has built …

Bring on The Light – Chanukah!

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on December 5, 2016

As the days get shorter during the end of 2016, Chanukah could not come any sooner. As I prepare for the Festival of Lights this year, I am particularly aware of the eternally contemporary message of the Macabees. Way back when, around 2100 years ago, when the Assyrian Greeks radically changed the structure of society by not allowing our ancestors to celebrate Shabbat, study Torah nor perform …

The Morning After: Be A Role Model

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on November 9, 2016

On Sunday, I blogged how I voted. This morning, as we wake up to a peaceful transfer of power and a celebration of our democracy, I want to share my hope. Every single one of us has to be a role model for the other. I am still committed to the confluence of Jewish and American values I wrote about on Sunday: We are commanded to strive to …

I voted as a proud American Jewish citizen. Will you?

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on November 6, 2016

I live in Pennsylvania, where things matter this year in presidential politics, and I already voted through absentee ballot because my schedule won’t allow me to vote in person. Sitting on my family room couch as I looked at the ballot, I took into consideration my shared identity as an equally proud American and Jew, as I cast my vote. I want to share with you ‘how’ …

Aging Mastery Program – The Jewish Way!

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on October 19, 2016

I am writing to you with wishes that you live until age 120! Pupu…. Many of us know that Jewish wisdom teaches us that Moses lived until he was 120 years old. Oy! Could you imagine? But the thing is, that we often forget the description of Moses at age 120. “ Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eyes were undimmed and …

OY!!??!! What is going on in Politics? A Yom Kippur Exploration

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on October 10, 2016

My concern about the US political discourse has been simmering for months. It all came to a boil this weekend with videos and commentary and photo opportunities and debate and more commentary.... I am simply embarrassed about the level of discourse and wish it would change. Do you? Without getting political, I did a little soul searching in the the great Jewish wisdom tradition of Mussar, values …

Recipe Makeover – Rosh Hashanah Edition

Posted by Brittany Reese on September 30, 2016

With the holiday season upon us, it’s easy to let loose and celebrate with loved ones and food. Lots and lots of food! While it's healthy to make exceptions during times of celebration, you can help yourself by sticking with your goals during the holidays. One food ritual for Rosh Hashanah is eating apples dipped in honey. If you searched for recipes that include both honey and apples, …

The Jewish Holidays are LATE this Year

Posted by Rabbi Ron Symons on September 15, 2016

Yes, the holidays are late this year...but they are coming. It is the middle of September and I have yet to dunk one piece of apple in a bowl of honey. How about you? The holidays are late because last year, as a part of the regular calculations to ensure that the Hebrew intercalcualted solar/lunar calendar stays on time (Passover always happens in the Spring) we added …

Rachel Marcus: A Lifetime of Service to the Community

Posted by Roberta Levine on August 10, 2016

“Take a look at these photos,” says Rachel Marcus, handing over a snapshot of three campers in T-shirts, smiling broadly, and a beautifully composed black and white photo of a young girl sitting on a counselor’s lap, both laughing gleefully. “Happy kids,” Rachel says, characteristically matter-of-fact. “That’s what we’re about.” Marcus, JCC Associate Executive Director, has been focused on providing programs that enrich the lives of families and children …

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