A Brief Introduction to this Blog and the Nascent Concept of Rambamifying Yourself

Welcome, friends, to the chosen blog.

My name is Avi and I’m here to help guide you through the rich and diverse offerings of the Bala Cynwyd-Narberth Jewish community (or as I call it, the Jud-o-sphere). My intentions are primarily informational – connecting you to the Jud-o-sphere’s weekly diet of events – but I’ll drag some insight into the conversation if it fits the mood.

If there’s something you know about that you think I should know about, let me know about it. If you have any questions about the information you find on this blog, or if you’re just so enthused/enraged by what you read that you must comment, then email me.

It’s simple stuff, this internet. You email, I email back, we all win.

So if there aren’t any more questions, please recline tastefully and enjoy the ride. Because this blog, like tree fruit, is all kosher, baby.

 - Avi Wolfman-Arent

 Email: awolfmanarent@gmail.com

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Besides having an awesome nickname, the medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides (aka Rambam) also gifted us some pretty stellar doses of quotable wisdom.

Among his finest: “Anticipate charity by preventing poverty.”

Take a minute to chew on that truth bone.

Once you’re finished gnawing, check out all of the great charitable happenings taking place around the Bala Cynwyd Jud-o-sphere this upcoming week. As the below info indicates, Rambam’s lessons are not lost on present-day believers.

Take, for instance, the crew of do-gooders over at Lower Merion Synagogue. They’re supporting Breast Cancer research and awareness with a couple of big events. Friday the congregation’s Sisterhood hosts a Pink Shabbat, and on Saturday LMS will sponsor a team at the Philadelphia-area Race for the Cure.

Not to be out-walked, the good people over at Beth Am Israel plan to participate in the Anti-Defamation League’s Walk Against Hate on Sunday, May 15th (more deets on that next time). And if your philanthropy simply cannot wait, then check out the synagogue’s very own fundraiser, a one-woman show by performer Shira Ginsburg called “Bubby’s Kitchen.” From the looks of the title you might want to bring your Yiddish-to-English dictionary. Either way the event, complete with Havdalah and reception, promises plenty o’ food n’ fun n’ theater (n’ apostrophes if I have anything to say about it).

Yes, yes, it is the season of good causes and good spirits. So embrace the fertile spring of rebirth by Rambamifying yourself and preventing some poverty. We’ll all be glad you did.

Other noteworthy events:

• Main Line Reform Temple celebrates Yom Ha’atzmaut -- Israeli independence day -- with a series of events revolving around their new scholar-in-residence Julian Resnick. Things get started with a special Israel-related Shabat Family service on Friday night, continue with a Julian-led torah study on Saturday, and conclude with a family program about traveling to Israel on Sunday. No programming specifically dedicated to falafel as far as I can tell, but you can keep your fingers crossed.

• Learn how to make your very own challah bread over at Chabad of the Main Line. Both start with “ch” so I’m feeling some cosmic connection. Get your bake on, bro.

• Not baked enough? Well, Aish Hatorah of Philadelphia holds their own version of the challah-bread-making bonanza...except that they do it EVERY Friday. I’m wondering if we could arrange a Food Network style bake off between Chabad of the Main Line and Aish Torah. Call it Challah Challenge and really mess with people’s alliterative expectations. Any takers?

Link of the Week: In case you miss matzah...