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JHP Weekly E-News

We Don't Bowl On Shabbos!

July 16, 2008

in this issue:

  • Binghamton JHP at Mr. Broadway's
  • We Don't Bowl On Shabbos

Binghamton JHP at Mr. Broadway's

As a follow up to last week's JHP e News, Alexis Biebelberg, JHP Fellow, is off and running. Last Thursday, July 10th, a dinner was held at Mr. Broadway's, a well known Kosher restaurant in the garment district in NYC where David Schneid relinquished his reign to Alexis and introduced her to the Binghamton crowd. This was an informal gathering and Alexis was well received. The students in turn introduced themselves and mentioned how happy they are to be involved in JHP and look forward to working with her on furthering JHP's influence and initiating new JHP programs on campus.

We Don't Bowl On Shabbos!

As the artistic aficionados, modern downtown personas and hip venues of Philadelphia's Old City continue bubbling into Northern Liberties, a red bearded Rabbi bustling through the streets leaves Northern Liberties hipsters pleasantly perplexed. Chabad Rabbi Gedaliah Lowenstein and his wife Shevy's charismatic presence have attracted a following as a new Jewish community takes root. 
 
At first, Gedaliah and Shevy held Shabbos dinners in their home and conducted JHP social events for interested Jews in the neighborhood. A "Chutzbowl" League was formed at the popular North Bowl. Team matches in this bowling league striked off. Teams were made up of JHP's Young Professionals & members of JHP's Jewish Business Network and other area locals. George Shotz & Rabbi Gedaliah Lowenstein collaborated to form the league and spread Yiddishkeit in the neighborhood. 
 
As the community continued to grow, Gedaliah recognized the need for a local synagogue and through his determination and Avodah (service) he stumbled across and converted an abandoned brewery into a Shul. The community was delighted and Shabbos Minyans began to take place. The first Friday night 35 Jews attended.  As the community grew, through Gedaliah's unwavering Kevanah (conviction) to further Judaism, the Shul received its first Torah! Minyans, Shabbat services and Kiddishes are now a common occurrence on Shabbos in Northern Liberties.
 
On Chanukah a 12 foot Menorah lights up the neighborhood. On Lag Ba'omer 400 Jews were seen surrounding a bonfire, singing and dancing while commemorating Jewish history, directed by Rabbi Gedaliah Lowenstein.
 
The Jewish Center of Northern Liberties, 851 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 led by Rabbi Gedaliah Lowenstein and his wife Shevy was thus born. In addition to the grand achievement of having a Shul, Torah and Minyans, many new programs that spread Yiddishkeit to Northern Liberties have begun. The services, Shabbos meals, events and programs are part of Chabad of Northern Liberties.
 
TOT Shabbat programs for families and children age two and up have begun with singing, craft making, snacks and story time. Large monthly community Erev Shabbos Dinners each with varied themes and cuisine usually attract 100 people. Following the services, Saturday Kiddish featuring Gedaliah's own secret recipe for Cholent is now commonplace.
 
"First I started going to services at Gedaliah's home, then to the Shul. I joined the Bowling League and went to some JHP events in the area. Having participated in these events furthered my desire to study with Gedaliah. His knowledge is extraordinary. These programs and Gedaliah strongly influenced my desire to grow and learn. I am leaving August 14th for Israel to study in a Yeshiva for a year." Jason Weinberg, Delaware 2002
 
"Northern Liberties is a young community and many young JHP graduates have moved there. Programs in Northern Liberties are designed for this young adult crowd who call Northern Liberties home. This is a natural progression of the work that we do at JHP." Gedaliah Lowenstein

Thanks,

Gene Armour,
Editor

Quick Links:

Jewish Heritage Programs
4037 Pine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-222-9618
jewish_heritageprograms@yahoo.com