Leah Langsam was joined with Chaya Spetner and Sara Gallor to invite all the women in the community to come together for a Brachos Party as a “merit for Eretz Yisroel.” “It’s right to bring protection to the people of Israel and the people around them to bring the hostages home.”
Leah Langsam organized the gathering and advertised for people to attend while Chaya Spetner arranged for women to bring the food and Sara Gallor hosted the party at her home. They wanted to bring women to be in unity on October 29 in an effort to bring blessings into the world.
“Our mouths are like swords. You can do bad with them, or you can do good with them. When you make a blessing, you do good.” The women’s words were for healing, for peace in Israel, and in the community’s homes.
At the party, they played a video from Leah Langsam’s aunt in Israel who spoke about the importance of these blessings and the purpose of the Brachos party. She wanted to give the women encouragement and an awareness of why they were doing this.
“They’re doing their part in Israel. Let’s do ours,” urged the women. “When one says Amen with proper concentration, it has the power to open up the gates of heaven and nullify negative decrees.”
At the party, each person said a blessing, and everyone responded “Amen.” Blessings can be prayers for healing, food, a desire to have a child, protection, and more.
One of the women in the group kept her mother in mind while saying a blessing because her mother was very sick. After the party, the mother got better. “You never know when you make a blessing how much power it can have.”
David Weinberg and Dr. Julia Peetz
Howard and Nancy Weinberg of Fairfield, Ohio are pleased to announce the marriage of their son David to Dr. Julia Peetz on July 1 in London, England. They had a small ceremony for close family and friends at the Lambeth Town Hall, with a reception at Brockwell Greenhouses. David and Julia met playing board games at a London pub.
David is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He is a principal software engineer with Intuit. Julia, a native of Hamburg, Germany, earned her PhD at the University of Surrey, England. She is a writer and a professor of politics and performance at the University of Warwick. The couple lives in London.
Jasper Craig Goodman
Marisa Levy and Russell Goodman announce the birth of a son, Jasper Craig Goodman, on October 22. Marisa was born and raised in Cincinnati and was a teacher at Temple Sholom. She is a painter and creates jewelry. She also works with children. The family lives in Denver, Colorado.
Frances Kahan and James Swan
Frances (Frannie) Kahan and James Swan were married on October 21 in a beautiful evening ceremony at The Phoenix. Rabbi Meredith Kahan of Rockdale Temple officiated the wedding. Frannie is the daughter of Susan Klug Kahan and Dr. Fred Kahan of Cincinnati. James is the son of Lou Ann and Ian Swan also of Cincinnati. Friends and family traveled from across the country and from England and Israel, coming early in anticipation of the wedding.
Frannie graduated from Colgate University and James from the University of Cincinnati. Frannie works at the Mayerson Jewish Community Center as the Director of Cultural Arts & Engagement and has been involved with the Arts & Ideas programs, including the Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, for many years, as well as other areas of programming. She also teaches religious school at Rockdale. James works at the Mayerson JCC as the Assistant Director of the Early Childhood School, where he was a teacher for many years.
The couple were aware of each other, but they didn’t connect until mutual friends introduced them, sparking a romance which grew into a long-term relationship and was celebrated at their recent wedding.
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