Ask Joan: Day after Easter edition
My husband, daughter and I spent our Easter weekend at my sister Louise’s house in New Jersey. We had fun, and it’s like we left in one season and came back in another – when we left, it still felt like just about winter, but it was stiflingly hot when we returned!
I’m trying something new this week: I’m fielding three “Ask Joan” questions instead of five. We’ll see how that goes; I might keep that number each week. Do you guys have an opinion on that? If so, make sure you let me know. One other thought: I have been getting a lot of “follow-up” information, so I’m thinking maybe every fourth week or so – and that would include next week – I’ll do an Ask Joan that’s themed around follow-ups. Yes? No?
What’s inside
1. Former York County synagogues
2. Seeking Green Frog information
3. A customer service issue
Q1. Were there any synagogues located in York County that are no longer present? Thank you.
– Eric Schnittman
Eric, thanks for asking! For a more expert answer to this question, I turned to one of my longtime friends, former York Daily Record editorial page editor Linda Weiner Seligson. Linda was a huge help, as I knew she would be!
She writes: “Adas Israel Synagogue (Orthodox) is no more. It merged with Ohev Sholom Synagogue (Conservative) back in the 1960s. Ohev Sholom still exists but no longer has its own building. It is housed in Temple Beth Israel, a Reform congregation, on Hollywood Drive. The Chabad movement tried to establish a base here the past few years and had the use of a building near York College. But that rabbi moved back to his home base near F&M in Lancaster about a year ago although he still comes to York for some programs. Hanover also has a small congregation. I hope this helps and I’m pleased to answer your questions anytime.”
As one side note, if you’re interested in Jewish history as it relates to downtown York, please check out Taking the Chai Road: A walking tour of Jewish downtown York, which the York Jewish Community Center put out last year in honor of its 100th anniversary.
Q2. Would you know about the “Green Frog”? I was told my in-laws, Leon and Bertha Glatfelter, owned it or ran it at one time, back in the early 30s, I believe. I have a green frog door holder made of heavy something that was given to my husband, Bob Glatfelter (died 1998) when he was a toddler. I would like to find out, where it was and anything else about it. I’m 82 years old, I’ve been in York since 1959 – was married to Bob in 1974. Thank you.
– Iline N. Glatfelter
Iline was kind enough to send me a photo of the Green Frog circa 1932, which I’m including here.
Unfortunately, a detailed search of the YDR’s archives, Jim McClure’s York Town Square blog and basically the entire internet have turned up nothing for me so far, Iline. I’m sorry! What I am hopeful about is that there must be readers who can at least shed some more light on things. If you have any ideas, Iline and I would both be grateful!
Q3. MaryLou Amann wrote to me recently with a question related to a business she patronized while visiting York. She had serious complaints about this business, and wrote to ask me about my experiences with it.
One thing I’m not in a position to do is publish or otherwise field consumer complaints. What I can do, though, is direct readers and others to resources that might be able to do so. My suggestion for MaryLou, and to anyone else who has had a problem with a business in Pennsylvania, is to contact the state Attorney General’s office. Their consumer complaint website section is incredibly detailed and gives advice on how to resolve a number of situations.
MaryLou, I hope you’re able to work with the AG’s office, and I hope my other readers find this a valuable resource as well.
Got any questions? Ask Joan using the form at right. I’ll attempt to answer them in a future “Ask Joan” column on this blog. I’m already getting a big volume, so it might take me a while, but I hope to be able to answer as many as possible!
