Ernestine Hammel Urken

Ernestine Hammel Urken

Ernestine Hammel Urken’s legacy and gift was to Adath Israel Congregation’s Rotunda, which is named in her honor and memory. It gave her great joy being with her community of Jews at Adath Israel and walking through the rotunda to be in the sanctuary. She wanted to share that joy with others as they, too, walked into the synagogue to participate in the services.

Additional legacy gifts included bequests to the Jewish Federation of Mercer County and to Hadassah.

The other significant part of Ernestine’s legacy commitment was time. Early on, she was President of Oheb Zedeck Sisterhood in Pottsville, Pa., President of Eastern Pennsylvania Branch of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, and National Vice President of Women’s League. She was also the President of the Pottsville Religious Council— first woman, first Jew and first layman.

More recently, Ernestine served on the boards of Adath Israel Sisterhood and Congregation, Hadassah, Jewish Community Relations Council and the National Conference for Soviet Jewry. For many years, she was chair of Adath’s Social Action committee. Why? It was important to her to have a unified Jewish community. She was a strong believer in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. This included volunteer work for the Mercer County community for which she was awarded the Jefferson Award presented by The Trenton Times.