Weekly Newslinks

                                                     The Aftermath
The Ceasefire has held. Baruch Hashem. Now what? Not sure…….

Although we are all breathing a sigh of relief to not see rockets, explosions and loss of life in the news, now what? Will we just wait for the next round? Diffusing the active discord is only one step on the way to a positive peace.

Additionally we now are faced with the resurgence of blatant and outright anti-Semitism the likes of which we have not seen since WWII. I believe last week was the first time ever I have seen or heard the word pogrom used to describe a current event. My friends make no mistake, we are living in very troubled times. Those that want to continue playing the markets, intramural softball and plan Jersey Shore weekends without taking into account the world around us are choosing to ignore all the signs being sent to us by heaven.

The fascinating thing is that the diehard Two State Solutionniks are now shouting it louder from the rooftops and those who understand that Hamas and the Palestinians have never and will never be partners in peace are advocating more forcefully advancing without them. And the cacophony continues…..
So what can/should we do about it? We are just suburban Jews who want to raise our kids well and live in peace with our neighbors and in the Middle East.
A few suggestions:
* Daven sincerely for truth to emanate in Jerusalem and Israel.

* Live vigilantly and be aware that anti-Semitism is percolating in ways we have not seen before in our lifetimes.

*In my opinion – all believing Jews should plan their future in the Jewish State of Israel. All exiles end eventually; and the American exile will certainly end as well. As to when, is up to Hashem.

* Finally – make peace in your own lives. If you have wronged anyone (and chances are that you have) make peace. If we want Hashem to bring peace in our world, the best way to see it happen is by creating an energy of peace in our own lives. If we cannot achieve true peace in our own 4 cubits, then how can we expect it to happen in the Middle East which has been at war for over 70 years?
Let’s do our part to bring truth and peace to G-d’s world. Otherwise the aftermath of Operation Guardian of the Walls will just be more of the same….  
           
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Epstein

                                                 Mazel Tov
At Tuesday night's Congregational Meeting, that 59 people attended, we successfully elected our new SOI Board of Directors for 2021-22:
Executive Committee
President                            Donna Moskowitz
1st VP                                 Judy Herzberg
2nd VP                                Chemmie Sokolic
3rd VP                                 Ilana Weiss
Financial Secretary              Heshy Chaitoff
Asst Financial Secretary      Michael Partnow
Treasurer                             Mark Littwin
Recording Secretary           Helene Raush
Member at large                  Ken Panitch
General Board
Term expiring 2022            Term expiring 2023             Term expiring 2024
Chani Weisman                  TL Weinberg                       Sam Tilonsky
Karen Hess                         Yaeli Sokolic                       Shawn Baratz
Ken Panitch                         Sabrina Spector                 Flo Shulman 
Jack Fuchs                          Dan Drabkin                       Caryn Hurlock
Suzie Mindel                       Sybil Berrnstein                   Avital Zeffren
Oze Henig                           Karen Cohen                      Hildy Berlin

 You do not need to be on the board to be involved in the future of SOI.  On Wednesday, June 2, the Jubilee Committee will be meeting to start plans for our upcoming 50th anniversary in Cherry Hill.  June 7th will be the initial meeting of the SOI Historical Society.  We are starting a great Learning Series with Rabbi Shaffer on Tuesday June 8th on ZOOM...."To Argue or not to Argue...That is the Question.".  Please see the beautiful flyer below with all the information.

After a beautiful powerpoint presentation by Ken Panitch, the congregation approved moving forward with the renovation of our front entrance including new cement, raising and stuccoing of the rounded edifice, increased lighting, a canopy to protect from the elements and our name proudly represented on the wall between the chapel and main doors.  All of this is through the generosity of Sybil Bernstein to honor her husband Ed.  Security, through their grant with Homeland Security, will be replacing the front doors.  

We encourage everyone to get vaccinated to keep everyone as safe as possible.  As of Friday, masks will be optional, if you are fully vaccinated, inside the building. More detailed information was sent out Wednesday.  We are requesting people fill out a one time form recording their vaccination status.    https://forms.gle/6zwcr6fLU9LreqND7
 
Looking forward to a great year rich with learning, meeting new friends and growth of SOI
  
Shabbat Shalom 
Donna Moskowitz
SOI President

​​​​​​​(I'm up to 18 random acts of kindness - 32 to go)

Please Note:
Highlighted section reserved for social distancing and unvaccinated people

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
​​​​​​​_______________________________________________________

                    
                          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 Mitch Benedon and the entire Benedon family on the aufruf this Shabbat and upcoming wedding.

Mazel tov to Audrey and Don Becker on the birth of a grandson & Cheryl (Becker) & David Chakrin on the birth of a baby boy.

Mazel tov to Rabbi & Deena Max on the engagement of their daughter Chaya to Donny Hecht.

​​​​​​​Mazel tov to Dr. Paul Berlin for being named Top Doctor 2021 for All Allergy & Asthma Care.

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

Thank you to Eytan Irwin for teaching a very informative program "Stop The Bleed".  Bleeding trauma techniques were covered with demos and hands-on opportunites on how to access and controll bleeding.  Another in person class will be available along with a zoom option.
Thank you to everyone who attended:
​​​​​​​Diane Irwin, Debbie Fineberg, Sarah Zanger, Bernie Thau, Herb Zarge, TL Weinberg
______________________________________________________
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 .
______________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________
MISSING
1 Riser 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 Meet the Kurlansiks and see past submissions

Florence Axelrod – Fruma bas Sarah
Estelle Lerner- Esther Ethel bas Rochel
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
​​​​Robbie Friedner
Raphael Shraga Ben Dina Sarah 
Joseph Chaim Ben Dina Sarah 
Akiva Moshe Ben Dina Sarah
Tinok Ben Chana Faygel
 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)
Bottle Club ($36)
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