Challahs baked locally

It's now possible for Wheeling's Jews to purchase challahs that were baked locally.

Milt Gutman, of Triadelphia, a local advertising executive and baking enthusiast who sells his products every Saturday at the Farmers Market on National Road, has taken to baking challahs, and they're worth a try.

Gutman, whose grandfather was a president of the Woodsdale Temple, markets his products under the name Green Ridge Farm. He also delivers challahs on Fridays in time for Shabbat.

Gutman can be reached at greenridgefarm@frontier.com.

Class of 2011 confirmed

Temple Shalom confirmed its class of 2011 on erev Shavuot, Tuesday, June 7, at the synagogue on the Bethany Pike.

Before a congregation of some 50 people, confirmands Faith Peluchette, Blake Humphrey, Scott Burech and Jacob Pavilack read from the Torah — the Ten Commandments —delivered their own individual statements on what confirmation means to them, presented the congregation with a combined gift of a matza cover and afikomen bag, then, in a surprise gesture, gave Rabbi Beth Jacowitz Chottiner a special gift — a silver pendent from Israel.

On behalf of the congregation, Temple Shalom President Lisa Railing presented confirmand with his or her own copy of "Jewish Literacy" by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. Sisterhood representative Sherry Rosenberg followed, presenting them with copies of the Bible

From the bima, the parents of the confirmands collectively blessed their children.

A Shavuot oneg, and considerable picture taking followed the service.

Welcome to L'Shem

L'Shem is the blog of Temple Shalom in Wheeling, W.Va. Not only will we publish all the news from West Virginia's oldest Jewish congregation — and one of the oldest Reform congregations in America — we will give you, the members of the Temple Shalom family, a chance to write as well. After all, this is your blog, too.

The title of this blog, L'Shem, which is Hebrew for "In the name of," is taken from the original name of the congregation, L'Shem Shomayim (In the name if Heaven).

We look forward to hearing your stories about life in the congregation, a piece of Temple Shalom history, a funny anecdote, a midrash, an innovative idea, some interesting photo or video clip. We won't get political here, and there certainly won't be any personal attacks, but L'Shem does promises to be a pretty open forum.

Send your submissions to me, Lee Chottiner, at lichott@yahoo.com. And thanks again for checking in at L'Shem. Please come back often let us know how we're doing.