The Stiffel Senior Center in South Philadelphia may be slated to close, but that's not stopping a group calling itself Save Our Stiffel from trying to raise enough money to keep the place open. "Everybody thinks it's a done deal," lamented Laurel Katz, the South Philadelphia resident organizing the group of about 30 volunteers and supporters of the center. But...
Standing with his arms crossed, Zion Bakshi gazed at a collage of photos and clippings harkening back to his life as a wrestling champion. Back then, more than 50 years ago, wrestling in Israel didn't pay the bills, so he traded in his beloved sport to study engineering in Philadelphia. But the 75-year-old Center City resident still mulls over his...
The drafting table where I have been perched, creating ketubot for the past 37 years, has proven to be a ringside seat for detecting trends in the Jewish community. In honor of June, which was once peak wedding month and still is a popular time to exchange vows, here are some of my ethno-sociological observations: May and June were popular...
Arecent synagogue program focusing on the fallout from President Barack Obama's recent speeches on the Middle East was touted as a nonpartisan, educational town hall meeting. But two speakers at the May 25 event called for the election of a new president in 2012 and the majority of the audience cheered. If nothing else, the evening seemed to signify that...
Abington Township Commissioner Lori Schreiber considers herself fortunate that verbal harassment is the worst thing she's experienced from being openly lesbian. Technically, in her township, she could be thrown out of a restaurant, denied an apartment, a promotion or a loan, or even fired simply on the basis of her sexual identity. She doesn't have to worry about any of...
Sivan 16, 5773
