Kehillat Israel History

David M Epstein

P.O. Box 470287

Charlotte, NC 28247-0287

704-341-9737

815-642-4632 (fax)

depstein@depstein.com

November 15, 2015

Paulette Keifer, Executive Director

Jewish Community Foundation of Central Pennsylvania

3301 Front Street

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Dear Paulette:

Belatedly, I am responding to the Foundation's solicitatio...

On June 13, 2010 a gathering of family and friends took place on the cemetery. This special event was organized by Dr. Norman Wall and its purpose was the dedication of a marble bench in memory of his sister Alice.

The Kehillat Israel Congregation Cemetery Division wishes to thank Dr. Wall for bringing Alice home in this meaningful way; and for his generous donation to the cemetery fund.

The following article was written by Norman’s son...

Jerry Wolman has had a biography written about him...remember he owned the Philadelphia Eagles for a spell!

http://www.jerrywolman.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?display=home

Thank you very much for your commitment to the heritage of family and for what you do for the greater Jewish community.  Your efforts and the efforts of your Jewish community have transcended your physical boundaries and have made connection to all of us possible.  It's the yichas! "Every Jew is responsible for every other Jew," which is what I believe you live up to along with the members of your Jewish community.  I will highlight what you have done with the Hebr...

Rabbi Irvin Chinn

Rabbin Irvin Chinn. a native of Baltimore, studied at Mesivta Torah V'daath andBeth Midrach Elyon. In fact, his derashot regularly contained quotes from hisrebbeim, Rav Kaminetsky, Rav Mendelovitz, as well as, the Klausenberger Rav.

His rabbinate may have been in Pennsylvania, but his influence resonatedthroughout the entire tri-state area. Rabbi Chinn was the voice ofuncompromising Orthodoxy and most compassionate Judaism.

When I...

Grand Opening of a Tradition

While the headline is a contradiction in terms, it's still the truth.

The ribbon cutting is at Harris Bakery, Shenandoah, a landmark

in the community for 74 years, which just changed ownership.

On hand for the ceremony are, from left, Sam Schutawie, SCIDA;

Tom Gallagher, Manager Main Street Program; Mayor Connie

Reese, Jerry and Theresa Alshefski, new owners; Ethel and

Mendel Harris, former owners; Jean Sherako...

THE SORIN TORAH SCROLLCOVER FROM SHENANDOAH

My home town in Shenandoah Pennsylvania is located in the lower part of the anthracite coal regions between Pottsville and Hazleton.  From its boom during the Civil War years as the mines developed, to its growth due to European immigration including many Jews, the population in 1920 was nearly 30,000 residents.  Since then the population has dwindled down to 5,624 at the 2000 census, with only four Jews remaining. ...

Kurenets is not shown on this map, but it is located between Narach in the north and Vilyeyka in the south.  Narach was once called Kobylnik, which is where the Lewitan family is from.  The Lewitans were related to the Yankel Alperovich family and when Martin Alpert came to the US in 1903, he lived with the Lewitans (who changed their name to Levine) in Shenandoah, PA.  Most of them later moved to Norfolk, VA.

Monroe Township, New Jersey � The Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe will mark an important milestone Sunday with the acquisition of an ark, the sacred structure used to house the Torah. But it's more than a new beginning � it also marks an end.

The ark will come from the 159-year-old Kehillat Israel temple in Shenandoah, Pa., which is no longer in use. The empty synagogue was once the center of a thriving Jewish community in the coal-mining town.

�We had over 100 Jewish fa...