Weekly Newslinks

                        Motzei Shabbat and Sunday Tisha B’av Rules and Regs 
This Shabbat is called Shabbat Chazon reflecting the Haftarah Chazon Yishayahu. It is also Erev Tisha B’av which means that this year there are differences in law and custom than other years. I will explain:
This week Mincha will be earlier than usual at 6PM so people can go home and eat Shalosh Seudos at home. Since it is Shabbat – there is NO SEUDAT MAFSEKET this year. One may even have meat and wine at Shalosh Seudos, but all eating must cease at Shkiyah – Sunset 8:26. We begin our fast at that time.
Shabbat concludes at 9:15 pm. At that time one should recite Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol and remove their leather shoes and replace them with non-leather footwear. One should also recite the blessing over fire…Borei Meorei Ha-aysh – no other Havdalah is said until Monday evening. Maariv will be at 9:30pm at shul followed by Eichah.
* Sunday am shacharit will begin at 8am and Kinnos will be recited after davening. From Motzei Shabbos we begin the Tisha B’av restrictions of no eating, drinking, anointing, wearing leather shoes or engage in marital relations or even endearments (Harchakos). As mourners we do not even greet one another with a hello, if someone greets us we answer in a constricted way not to embarrass them but also not to violate the spirit of Tisha B’av. We sit low to the ground as all mourners until Midday on Sunday – 1:07 pm – at that time one may sit on regular chairs.
* Sunday Mincha #1 will be at 1:45pm. It is here that we put on Tallis and Tefillin which we did not don at Shacharis.
The day should be spent in contemplation and sorrow that the Beis Hamikdash has been destroyed and we are living in exile unable to fulfill so many of the Mitzvoth of the Torah. There are no shortage of videos, livestreams, and presentations to help one maintain the spirit of the day. One can search ou.org, Chofetz Chaim Heritage foundation, Torahanytime.com and many more. The day should not be spent frittering away the time just waiting for the fast to conclude. Our sages remark that only those that mourn for the loss of the Beis Hamikdash will merit celebrating when it is rebuilt.
Should someone have a question about breaking their fast early, taking medication or anything else feel free to reach out at Rabbiepstein@soicherryhill.org
* Mincha #2 will be 8:05
* Maariv will be at 9:00pm followed by Kiddush Levanah
* The Fast Concludes at 9:14 pm
* On should recite Havdalah at home on Grape Juice or wine saying the blessing over wine and the concluding blessing. We already recited the blessing over fire; and the blessing over Besamim is not recited this week.
* Finally – After Tisha B’av, the Nine Days restrictions return until Midday Monday at 1:07. At that time one may bathe, do laundry, listen to music…….
May Hashem wipe away our mourning so there are no more tears and only goodness and redemption should fill the world.
 
Debi and I wish everyone a Good Shabbos and a Meaningful Tisha B’av.
Rabbi Epstein

♫   “I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn...And we are led to those who help us most to grow, If we let them…” ♫                                 written by S. L. Schwartz and W. Holzman

As Rabbi Epstein and Debi wind down their time at Sons of Israel, I am reminded of the show-stopping number from the Broadway musical “Wicked”, “For Good”. In this fan-favorite song, Glinda and Elphaba sing about how their lives have changed forever because of their friendship/relationship. Sons of Israel has been forever changed because of the presence of Rabbi Epstein, Debi, and their entire family in our community and for this we acknowledge them and thank them.

Upon Rabbi Epstein's firm request, we did not have a more public, communal, in person acknowledgement of the Epsteins' time leading our shul. We have respectfully acquiesced.  I am  taking this opportunity to show my and our hakarat hatov to Rabbi and Debi. 
 
Since joining Sons of Israel in 2002, Rabbi Epstein has initiated many unique programs, including Project Chizuk, the Lunch & Learn Program at area stores, restaurants and supermarkets, and weekly classes in Talmud, Ethics, Parsha and Jewish Law. He published  a weekly column entitled Tefilla Tips for the Orthodox Union website as well as his weekly Newslink messages and a book, “Davening Divine”. In addition to serving the daily communal needs of the congregation, including maintenance and supervision of the eruv, he was the Rabbinic Kashruth Director of the Tri-County Vaad Hakashruth and then Cherry K, and the first President of the Vaad HaRabbanim of Cherry Hill, an organization recently created to help better Jewish life in Cherry Hill.  He introduced his signature move of, prior to presenting his sermon, taking off his watch and placing it in front of him to insure a set time for his speech.  There is so much more Rabbi Epstein has contributed to this community, and many more things he did privately behind the scenes that cannot be mentioned here.
 
Debi has made herself an integral part of our community spearheading the massively popular Challah Bake and leading the Shabbos Project. She opened her home to hundreds of visitors and guests and has guided many women through the mikvah process by her leadership with Mikvah Ohel Leah. She has shared her delicious recipes through the Jewish Community Voice and has been a stalwart in our services for almost two decades.

We have watched the Epstein children grow and flourish in our rich community that is Cherry Hill. We have shared in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, and congratulated the births of the next generation. Without knowing it, we have woven the rhythms and melodies of our lives into their unique soundtracks.

As we move toward a new era, I want to acknowledge the impact and lasting effect the Epsteins have had on our community. Thank you Rabbi Epstein and Debi for everything you have done for Sons of Israel and the community at large. We wish you further success, good health and nachat from your beautiful family and in all your future endeavors.
                    ♫  “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good” ♫
 
Shabbat Shalom
Donna Moskowitz
 

                          *********ANNOUNCEMENT*********
If, in the next two weeks, while Rabbi Epstein is gone and Rabbi Davies is not due to start,  you need questions answered you may reach out to:
Rabbi Rothman     856-495-6757
Rabbi Shaffer        201 394-7447  
Rabbi Bienefeld has agreed to be on call for in-person emergencies only.  His emergency contact will be forthcoming.  
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​​​​​​​​Please Note:
Highlighted section reserved for social distancing and unvaccinated people

                    Membership Committee Updates: 
SOI began its new fiscal year July 1st. We would like to
remind everyone that while the Synagogue sustains itself on generous benefactors and donors, the yearly membership
dues is an essential component as well.  Your prompt
payment or set up of a monthly payment plan in your Shul Cloud account is really appreciated.
 
Invoices were sent out via email on June 2nd and paper invoices were mailed this week.  If you did not receive your invoice or would like to have it sent again, have any questions about dues, or help with dues due to your unique situations please do not hesitate to reach out to Heshy Chaitoff,  heshychaitoff@gmail.com  or Michael Partnow,mrpmjp@aol.com.  All communication with the financial secretaries are held with the strictest confidence.
 
We appreciate your continued support and look forward to another amazing year!
Heshy Chaitoff              Financial Secretary
Michael Partnow           Asst. Financial Secretary
 ______________________________________________________
                          SOI Committees 2020-2021
Advertising          Chemmie Sokolic    chemsok@aol.com
Bikur Cholim        Larry Miller              twinks-3043@msn.com
Fundraising         
Historical Society                         president@soicherryhill.org
Jubilee                 Helene Raush         raushfamily@comcast.net
                            Sabrina Spector       sabrinaspector@gmail.com
                             Helen Baker            bakera412@comcast.net
Membership        Heshy Chaitoff          heshychaitoff@gmail.com
                           Michael Partnow        mrpmjp@aol.com
Programming    Chani Wiesman      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
Sisterhood                                           sisterhood@soicherryhill.org
Youth                    Sabrina Spector     sabrinaspector@gmail.com
                             Suzie Mindel          suziepm@yahoo.com
Welcome              Aliza Chaitoff          alizachaitoff@gmail.com

Thank you to Yaakov Levy and the Sephardic Minyan for sponsoring last week's kiddush

Thank you to Aliza Sadiky, Gali Brody and Devora and Shmulik Linetsky for running groups

Thank you to Debbie Fineberg, Harvey Chaitoff, Karen and Seth Cohen, Donna Moskowitz, Sam Tilonsky and Mike from OPS for security

Thank you to Chani Wiesman for being vigilant on her way to shul on Shabbat.  
SEE SOMETHING.........SAY SOMETHING

Thank you Rabbi Gore, Chemmie Sokolic and Aaron Greenberg for the 
myriad of hours you put in in establishing the Cherry Hill West Eruv Organization.  Rabbi Gore, we wish you much success in your mission of maintaining and expanding an excellent communal eruv for the Cherry Hill West Community for the betterment of everyone's Shabbat observance and to strengthen community unity.

   This week our featured "Neighbors" are Leah and Herbert Zarge
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 Leah and Herbert Zarge 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 
​​​​Robbie Friedner
Raphael Shraga Ben Dina Sarah

David Partnow - David Avram Ben Tilla Razel 

 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 ​​​​​​​

For more than 75 years, Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) has been dedicated to helping people meet life’s challenges with grace and dignity. We provide quality, accessible, and affordable social services to Jewish families and the community at large. Guided by the Jewish tradition of helping people help themselves, we provide individuals with tools, support, and resources to help them build meaningful and fulfilled lives. JFCS offers: counseling and support groups; family assistance and Kosher food pantries; 60+ services; programs for adults with special needs; and more! Get to know us by calling 856-424-1333 or visiting  https://jfcssnj.org.   

AARP Smart Driver Course
The AARP Smart Driver Course, for drivers over 50, teaches proven driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.
It’s been 3 years since Sons of Israel hosted the last AARP Safe Driver Class and multiyear discounts on auto insurance are expiring.
Due to Covid, classroom Driver Safety courses are currently suspended, however, the course is available on line at  www.AARPdriversafety.org
Upon completion of the course, you could be eligible for a multi-year discount on your auto insurance.
For additional information, please feel free to contact
Elyse Krug at elysebeth1@verizon.net.

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Our Jubilee Year is Starting
50 Years in Cherry Hill/Established 1894
We are asking you to submit statements, stories, anecdotes about what you love about SOI.  They will all be featured in the newslink and other celebrations throughout the year.  See flyer below.
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We will re-evaluate the location at the end of the month. 
We look forward to seeing all of our families at SOI!

                                                   Next class is July 27
                                           Each class stands on it's own

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:
Tuesday to Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm