Berwyn Synagogue Invites Public To March 17 Friday Night Lecture & March 26 Art Auction

Neighbors can mark their March calendar for two community events hosted by Congregation Or Shalom in Berwyn. The popular Friday Night Speakers Series continues on March 17 with a focus on foster care and adoption. Rachel Buxbaum-Levy of JAFCO (Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options) will speak. The series is free, open to congregants and the public. The synagogue transforms into an art auction house on Sunday, March 26 with a Spring Fundraiser featuring a 5:30 pm Preview, 6:30 pm Art Auction plus hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Admission is $18 per person or $30 per couple.

Or Shalom, the western Mainline’s Conservative synagogue, is conveniently located in Berwyn on Route 252, between Lancaster Avenue (Route 30) and Route 3.

Congregation Or Shalom Friday Night Lecture Series

The Friday Night Lecture Series on March 17 begins with 7:30 pm Shabbat services followed by an 8:15 pm presentation. Speaker Rachel Buxbaum-Levy is a proud Philadelphia native who received her Masters in Social Work from Temple University. She has dedicated her career in social work to children and families.

According to Buxbaum-Levy, JAFCO is currently serving over 500 children and their families in the Philadelphia and south Florida communities through their complete continuum of services. She will discuss on March 17 how to get involved in JAFCO as a foster/adoptive parent, volunteer or committee member.

“I am honored to be supporting the Jewish community,” expressed Buxbaum-Levy “and the entire Philadelphia metropolitan community through JAFCO’s clinical services. JAFCO was established in 1992. Its mission is to care for abused and neglected children and those with disabilities in the Jewish community and to work in partnership with families and the entire community. We believe that the care of children in our community is our responsibility – one we accept with joy, pride and love.”

The JAFCO lecture is one of many arranged by congregant Warren Hyams who chairs the Friday Night Speakers Series. In the last 18 months, the roster of speakers has ranged from international travel to lawmakers to diplomats. Recent guest lecturers have included Catherine Miller-Wilson, Executive Director of HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) Pennsylvania, North Africa/Middle East travel expert Jerry Sorkin, Pennsylvania State Senator Andy Dinniman and Mid-Atlantic Region Deputy Consul General to the Consulate General of Israel Moran Birman.

Congregation Or Shalom Art Auction

Chagall, Wyeth and Neiman are a few of the artists expected to be showcased at the spring Art Auction set for Sunday, March 26. Doors open at 5:30 pm for a Preview with bidding beginning at 6:30 pm.

Door prizes and raffle prizes are being planned by the Art Auction Committee -- chaired by congregant Betsy Cohen -- along with delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

The fundraiser is open to the community with admission set at $18 per person and $30 per couple. For tickets, contact Cohen directly at 610-247-0134. Or send a check payable to Congregation Or Shalom at 835 Darby Paoli Road, Berwyn, PA 19355. Major credit cards will be accepted for art purchases.

“We will have art in all media and price ranges,” assured Art Auction chairwoman Cohen.

For more information on both March events, visit www.orshalom.com or call 610-644-9086.