ABOUT US
Congregation Hesed Shel Emet has a long and rich history in Pottstown. We are an independent Jewish community rooted in the Conservative tradition. Our mission is to provide for our members and their families a warm and friendly place to associate with each other and to learn and increase their knowledge of the Jewish religion; to provide Jewish ceremonies and traditions for life cycle events such as weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs; and to provide Jewish education for our children and Jewish religious services to our members. Read more.
We welcome visitors and hope to see you at one of our services or events!
RABBI KRAVITZÂ
Rabbi Cynthia Kravitz received her Rabbinical Ordination in 1983 from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). She is proud to be counted among the first generation of Women Rabbis. Rabbi Kravitz holds a M.Ed in Curriculum Theory and Development from Temple University and Master of Hebrew Literature from RRC. She is a graduate of the Marriage Council of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) where she received Certification as a Marriage, Family and Relationship Therapist.
Rabbi Kravitz is an active member of the Greater Philadelphia community of Rabbis and Jewish Educators having served at Society Hill Synagogue (Independent), Germantown Jewish Center (United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism), and Congregation Or Ami (Union of American Hebrew Congregations-Reform). In addition she has led many Adult and Youth Trips to Israel and has lived in Jerusalem for two years of study at Hebrew University. For the past twenty-two years, Rabbi served Kesher Israel Congregation in West Chester, PA (formerly a member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism), and during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Rabbi Kravitz served Temple Har Zion in Mt. Holly, New Jersey.
Working within the many streams of Judaism through these congregations has been a deeply broadening experience. Working in partnership with her congregants to create an inclusive, engaged and spirited Jewish Community are the central themes of her calling as a Rabbi.
Rabbi loves to teach and most of all, she loves Jewish Storytelling including Jewish Folklore, the Hasidic Masters, and many stories of her own creation. She has studied piano since the age of seven. Free time finds her at the gym and at the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera and Ballet.
Rabbi Kravitz’s husband, Dr. Nathaniel Entin, of blessed memory, was a nationally known Cantor and Jewish Educator. Rabbi Kravitz has lived in Lafayette Hill, PA since 1985. She shares her home with her sweet dog, Kasha.
Rabbi Kravitz can be reached at 610-326-1717.
EDUCATION & HEBREW SCHOOL
At Congregation Hesed Shel Emet, we believe it is the responsibility of everyone in our Jewish community to educate our children in our traditions. In accord with this principle, we proudly offer FREE TUITION to children of members in good-standing at the Hesed or Family Membership level. Religious education should start at infancy and be nurtured and fostered by the family in the home. Our formal Religious School education begins in kindergarten with weekly Saturday classes from 9:15 AM until 12:00 noon. At 3rd grade, the children begin to learn Hebrew with an expanded curriculum and an additional weekday afternoon class held from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Due to the pandemic, the classes are currently via Zoom per the Rabbi’s/student’s schedule, until further notice.
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Our education program includes specialized tutorials for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student. There is no fee or charge for the tutoring or the religious ceremony for members in good standing at the Hesed or Family Membership level. (See membership information at the bottom of this page).
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Our children are engaged throughout the school year in the Torah service during our Shabbat services, and special events for holidays such as Hanukkah, Tu B'Shevat, Purim, and Passover.
2023-2024 Board of Governors
President/Administration - Larry Cohen
Secretary - Gayle Wolf
Treasury/Finance - Tom Faranda, Paul Prince
Ritual - Mark Pastor
Cemetery - Paul Prince
Marketing/Membership – Judy Bieberfeld
​You may contact the officers listed above by emailing your concern with the person's name in the subject line to:
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Your message will be forwarded accordingly.