Weekly Newslinks

                                                     Taking Sides
My good friend and colleague Rabbi Reuven Spolter, who was one of the architects of the OTS Amiel Bakehillah program that we benefitted from in recent years has written an Op-ed for the Times of Israel that has resonated strongly with me – see article here   https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/will-you-please-stop-lecturing-us-on-complexity-and-nuance/   It in effect cries out to Jews in the United States to quit living in the nuances when our brothers and sisters are being bombed.
     I find this topic very compelling. While on one hand we are instructed by our sages in Avos 2:4 , אַל תָּדִין אֶת חֲבֵרְךָ עַד שֶׁתַּגִּיעַ לִמְקוֹמוֹ,  Do not judge another until you have arrived in their space – (which means almost never)- on the other hand we are obligated to judge and make choices as it states in Devarim 30 19:   הַעִדֹ֨תִי בָכֶ֣ם הַיּוֹם֮ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֒רֶץ֒ הַחַיִּ֤ים וְהַמָּ֙וֶת֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙  בַּחַיִּ֔ים לְמַ֥עַן תִּֽיֶ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה וְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃  which means – (G-d says)I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life—if you and your offspring want to live.
     The verse requires us to judge and take a position, while the Mishna cautions us to refrain from judging others. Perhaps the sum of the two teachings is advancing that while we must be very careful and humble before judging another or their situations, nevertheless we are obligated to choose and support what is true, good and right.
     Throughout the years I have watched otherwise good people try to not take sides and end up doing much more harm than good. While sometimes the choice is between two rights, most often there is a right and wrong in this world as well as a good and an evil. It is our responsibility to determine what is good and what is right and stand up for it with all of our hearts.   
           
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Epstein

                                                  May Board Updates 
     What a productive Board meeting we had last night....productive, but long.  We had brief committee updates after the minutes from last month were approved.  Advertising opportunites should be up and running this summer after a full committee review.  Ken Panitch gave an overview of the proposed renovation to the front entrance which will be presented at the Congregational Meeting May, 25.  An email with the ZOOM info will be sent out to ALL members.
     The Jubilee Committee, formed to celebrate our 50 years in Cherry Hill,  has some fantastic ideas moving forward.  There will be a ZOOM meeting June 2 at 8:30 to gather more ideas and plan this fantastic year of celebration.  To get involved, please email me at president@soicherryhill.org 
     There are approximately 25 new families moving into Cherry Hill this summer. We are looking forward to welcoming them all, especially the Davies Family.  We started a new fund to help their move into our community smoother.  
     Membership dues for 2021-2022 will be mailed out the beginning of June.  If you need to discuss fees/payments please contact our Financial Secretaries, Heshy Chaitoff and Michael Partnow.
     The Programming Committee did a fantastic job for Shavuot in conjunction with the Ritual and Youth Committees.   Some great upcoming events to look forward to are:  This Sunday Sybil Bernstein will be demonstrating knitting as we learn to knit caps for the IDF.  Please register on-line and print out the directions from the link above.  There will be a summer women's learning program, a geneology presentation, and Rabbi Slifkin, sponsored by the Lindenberg family, will be discussing "The Animal Kingdom in Jewish Thought."  We are also highlighting new and not so new families on our website called "Won't You Meet My Neighbor".  To participate please contact Chani Wiesman.  The intiial Historical Society Meeting will be June 7, at 8:00pm on ZOOM.
     Last week we hosted 2 focus groups to hear perspectives on the return to shul. What is going well? What can we do better? Below are the themes which came out of these groups. We would love to host most focus groups and hear your perspectives in the near future.
 Theme #1: The community remains divided with respect to how they feel about COVID safety. Some people who feel completely comfortable in the current indoor minyan, some people feel uncomfortable with the current indoor minyan and still attend. Some do not feel comfortable indoors and therefore attend outdoors.  Some do not feel comfortable with the current indoor miyan and do not attend/haven’t returned. 
     Subtheme: The Outdoor minyan is currently struggling to make a minyan. There is still a need/desire for the outdoor minyan for those who COVID-wise are not prepared to return indoors.
    Subtheme: Unclear whether the hashkama minyan wants to or will restart. Concern if hashkama restarts then there will not be enough men in the main minyan. Mixed messages here. 
 Theme #2: While some haven’t returned due to COVID concerns, some haven’t returned due to the bad feelings/events of the last 2 years. The shul still has some healing to do. Some concerns expressed that people who have started davening elsewhere may not return. 
 Theme #3: There is a desire for unity and achdut; for people to return to the shul, and for those davening outdoors to come indoors.
 Subtheme: the shul needs to create something that people want to come back to. 
 Theme#4: Hope towards starting off new with the new Rabbi and bringing more life and people back into the shul. People want new energy in the main minyan
 Theme #5: Women and Children-- Desire to have more things for kids and teens (groups for kids of different ages, teen minyan). Women can’t return unless there is some place for their children to go. Some families with children express concern over not returning until their kids are vaccinated.
 Theme #6: There are questions/concerns about the shul vaccination policy going forward.
    The Ritual Committee will be working with the Reopening Committee to access how to move forward through COVID.  Changes were made at the outbreak, with OU guidelines, for Aliyot, hagbah/gelilah, etc. that, moving forward, have the potential of being loosened.  We are still mandated by Governor Murphy for mask wear and continued social distancing.  As soon as updates are available, we will inform the congregation immediately. If you would like to be involved in either of these committees, please contact Chani Wiesman. 
     Security is waiting for FEMA approval prior to replacing the Sukkah doors and then working with Ken Panitch on the front entrance renovation.  A security guard is provided every Shabbat for your safety.  Security Greeters volunteer each work to work with the guard to maintain security throughout the campus.  Volunteers are needed to help out.  Training is available. Eytan Irwin will be leading a STOP THE BLEED program this Monday evening.  More sessions will be added.  Check out our website to get on the waitlist.  
     Our youth are a very important aspect of the shul.  Tot Shabbat and K-3rd grade groups have started on Shabbat at 10am.  We are looking to re-start Birthdays in the Park in June.  A concern brought up was having more teen programs and leadership availabilities.  Sabrina Spector will be organizing a teen meeting to get a consensus of their needs moving forward.  We are also looking to re-start teen minyan.  If interested please reach out to Mark Littwin.  
     There are many committees looking for fresh input:  Re-opening, Security, Jubilee, Historical Society, Eruv, Programming, and Fundraising, to name a few.  Please contact me and I will be glad to point you in the right direction. 
     Moving forward, Rabbi Davies Agreement was approved.  His start date is August 1.  Karen Cohen is looking into VENMO for the shul, making payments and donations easier.  
     We encourage everyone to get vaccinated to keep everyone as safe as possible.
    There are many ways to get involved, meet new people and be a part of our growing SOI family.  Looking forward to working with you.
 
(I'm up to 10 random acts of kindness - 40 to go)
  
Shabbat Shalom 
Donna Moskowitz
SOI President

SECURITY GREETER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers needed for 1 hour shifts on Shabbat from 8:30-11
Training Provided
Contact: Sam Tilonsky at drsamod@gmail.com
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                          SOI Committees 2020-2021
Advertising          Chemmie Sokolic    chemsok@aol.com
Bikur Cholim        Larry Miller              twinks-3043@msn.com
Fundraising         Dore Provda            dore_provda@yahoo.com
Historical Society                         president@soicherryhill.org
Jubilee                 Helene Raush         raushfamily@comcast.net
                            Sabrina Spector      sabrinaspector@gmail.com
                             Helen Baker            bakera412@comcast.net
Membership         Ilana Weiss             weiss.ilana@gmail.com
                             Heshy Chaitoff        heshychaitoff@gmail.com
Programming       Chani Berliant      chaniwiesman@gmail.com
                            Sabrina Spector      sabrinaspector@gmail.com
                             Suzie Mindel          suziepm@yahoo.com
Ritual                    Heshy Chaitoff       heshychaitoff@gmail.com
Security                Sam Tilonsky          drsamod@gmail.com
Shalom Bayit        Ken Panitch            ken.panitch@gmail.com
Sisterhood                                         sisterhood@soicherryhill.org
Youth                    Sabrina Spector     sabrinaspector@gmail.com
                             Suzie Mindel          suziepm@yahoo.com
Welcome              Aliza Chaitoff          alizachaitoff@gmail.com

Sisterhood has been busy in the past several weeks! We have re-established kiddush on Shabbos morning (and Shavuos!) and we are looking forward to an exciting program on June 10th for Rosh Chodesh (more details to follow).  We also sponsored the Shavuot boxes which were delivered to all shul members for Shavuot.  
 Have you been enjoying our beautiful outdoor kiddushes? We are SEEKING VOLUNTEERS to help during the week with packaging individual portions and Shabbos morning to set up and clean up the kiddush.  Contact Karen Cohen  if you are available.  No experience or long-term commitment is required.
 Sisterhood is currently seeking new board and committee members for all positions for our upcoming membership year. No matter what your interests or skills are, we have something for you!  Please contact Karen Cohen  or 301.502.8038, by May 25th if you are interested in learning more.

Mazel tov to the Bienenfeld Family on the birth of a baby girl

Mazel tov to Ron Ellis on the engagement of his son.

Mazel tov to the Rynderman Family on Bayla Silverman's graduation from Dental School

Thanks to Jeff Liss, Debbie Fineberg, Don Becker, Karen Cohen and Sam Tilonsky for providing security on Shabbat and Shavuot.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped design, fill, and deliver the Shavuot boxes to our members!  We couldn't have done it without you!
Oze & Maetal Henig; the Littwin family; Chemmie & Yaeli Sokolic; Seth, Ellie, and Tobie Cohen; Aliza Sadiky; Chani Wiesman Berliant; Hannah Kaufman; Suzie Mindell; Hindy Berlin; Sabrina Spector; Melissa Klein; the Panitch Family; Sylvia Levine; Alan Friedman; Andy Rauer; Ilana Weiss; and Sabra Hess.

To everyone who made this beautiful holiday so special with inspiring davening, fantastic and creative learning experiences,  great foods and l’chaims, holiday gifts, and children’s groups :
Eric Klein, Aaron Spector, Jeffrey & Ilana Weiss, Rabbi & Debi Epstein, Devora Delman, Heshy Chaitoff, Aliza Sadiky, Chani Wiesman, Gali Brody, Sisterhood and Karen Cohen.
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GABOYIM NEEDED
The Gaboyim supervise religious services in the Shul every morning, evening and Shabbat.  They designate people to lead the services, distribute aliyot and other Shul honors and are custodians of all religious articles and books.  If you are interested, please contact president@soicherryhill.org .
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HELP WANTED
Children’s Group Leaders. 
Shabbat mornings 10-11 am.  Must be good with children.  Duties include davening and creative programming/learning about the parsha each week. 
To apply email president@soicherryhill.org
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MISSING
4 Risers used for the Outdoor Minyan.  If you borrowed them, please return them to the office or in front of the sukkah doors.
Thank You

We are optimistic that we will all soon be able to return to shul together, however as of yet, things are not quite back to normal. Many of us have not seen our friends from shul for months. Additionally, many new families have moved to the community, but due to the pandemic, we have not had a chance to meet and get to know each other. To help us stay connected, we are bringing a new feature called "Won't you be my neighbor". If you would like to be featured here, please contact Chani Wiesman.  In this feature, you will get to meet new families as well as become reacquainted with familiar faces.  
Click here  to learn more about all of our past submissions.

Florence Axelrod – Fruma bas Sarah
Estelle Lerner- Esther Ethel bas Rochel
Shari Goldberg - Sarah Chasha bas Raisie Hinda
Andy Rauer – Avigayal bas Peshe Ella
Bruce Goldhagen - Berel Dov Ben Chia
Sheryl Malamud 
Yoni Yares
Amy Goldwasser
Gavriel Yehuda ben Chaya Sarah 
Binyamin Yedidya Nachshon ben Shira Ruth
​​​​​​​Maleya Ridley
Robbie Friedner
 Since the tehillim group is not meeting again until after COVID, following is a link to the prayers for good health and healing that you can recite for our ailing members

There are many ways to support our Shul:
Yartzeit Plaque ($400)
Shabbat Security ($180)
Chumash for the sanctuary ($75)
Newslink ($72)
Siddur for the sanctuary ($50)
Welcome Basket ($18)
https://www.soicherryhill.org/sponsor ​​​​​​​

Reminder:  If your mailing information has been changed, please update it on our website by logging on at  soicherryhill.org 
If you know someone who is not receving our weekly email, please let the office know

Office Hours Next Week for Jean Klein:
Monday to Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm