Campfire Schmooze Hang out by a campfire and get to meet new people Wednesday, July 28 8:30 pm Women Only Saturday, July 31 9:45 pm Date Night Wednesday, August 4 8:30pm Men Only
D'var Torah by Rabbi Heshy Chaitoff Sidrat Va'etchanan is always read on Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort, after Tisha B'Av. One of the famous mitzvot in this week's sidra is Kriat Shema that we say once at night and again in the morning. "Shema Yisrael HaShem Elokainu, HaShem Echad"~"Listen, Israel: HaShem is our God, HaShem is One" (Devarim 6:4). This mitzvah is unique because there is no specific action tied to the mitzva. Unlike Shofar, which has specific requirements of what makes a shofar kosher and certain sounds of blasts in a specific order for a length of time, as well as the arbah minim, the four species on Sukkot are waved in a specific order, the mitzva of reading Kriat Shema must be said by each individual with intent of the words and mindset of the concept (placing our hand over our eyes is not intrinsic to the mitzva, but an accepted practice to assist in concentration by keeping distractions away). One may wonder why there is no action tied to this special mitzva. Perhaps we can answer that the purpose of Kriat Shema is being Mekabel Ol Malchut Shamayaim~accepting the yoke of the kingdom of heaven. There is no action required for accepting the authority and existence of HaShem. It is within each person's capability to seek out HaShem and let His will guide our life in thought and action. If and when that happens, one will naturally study the other mitzvot and perform their required actions bringing oneself closer and closer to HaShem. When each person, and more so, Knesset Yisrael reaches the great level of love and performance of mitzvot, it creates an everlasting positive impression to the rest of the world, "See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as HaShem, my God , has commanded me...etc. You shall safeguard and perform them, for it is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the peoples, who shall hear these statutes and who shall say 'Surely a wise and understanding people is this great nation!'...etc" (Devarim 4: 5-6). May we take to heart the lessons learned of the past few weeks during the Month of Av and Tisha B'Av and let that help us love Hashem, His mitzvot and inspire the world. Comfort comes from bringing peace to the world through Torah, "Shalom Rav L'ohavei Toratecha" ~"Those who love Your Torah have great peace...etc" (Tehilim 119:165).
"Leadership is not a position or title, it is action and example."
Tuesday night was the first official Board meeting of your new Board. After the approval of the minutes, Heshy Chaitoff started us off with an interesting shuir about Birkat HaMazon.
Committees were picked and reports were given. One of the highlights, leading to extensive discussion, was from the Ritual committee. Their first order of business was about the daily minyanim and Friday night services. We are encouraging people to come back to shul. Many of our regulars go away during the summer, and men are needed to maintain our minyan. Friday night services are a beautiful way to welcome in Shabbat for men, women and children. We encourage all to make davening at shul a regular committment after such a long period of isolation due to the pandemic..
With the High Holidays quickly approaching, there is extensive planning involved: Yizkor Book , Kol Hanearim preparation , Camp Shofar, seating, various additional minyanim, shofar blowing, membership, unvaccinated members, fundraising, shtick, NCSY, and the sukkah hop, to name a few. This could have been an entire meeting in and of itself. We have several volunteer opportunities for interested people. There will be a honey sale lead by Eytan Irwin to insure everyone's holiday is sweet. Aaron Greenberg will be compiling the Yizkor Book. If you are willing to help out in any capacity to make the upcoming holidays inspiring for all, please reach out to me.
Sam Tilonsky reported for Security that there have been no updates from CHPD about the incident at shul two weeks age. He has increased surviellance with more Security Greeters. For the High Holidays there will be more hours for our paid Security Guard and the need for more volunteers. The grant from Homeland Security is progressing with the hopes of having the Sukkah doors replaced prior to the High Holidays. To volunteer to be a Greeter or to help Sam out, please contact him at drsamod@gmail.com
The Jubilee Committee is in full swing preparing for the kick-off on August 1st from 5-7pm, which coincidentally is Rabbi Davies first day. Many of the kosher establishments will be there to purchase foods and to show off their wares, we will have games for the children, a mural to decorate, booths of all the opportunites at SOI, beautiful T-shirts with our new logo and many many more. Save the date.
Membership is progressing nicely. We would like to encourage everyone to please go to your Shul Cloud account to make a payment or set up a monthly payment plan. Reduced memberships and payment plans do not automatically renew. Invoices were sent out via email and snail mail. 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.
The Youth Committee has lots of work moving forward and with the influence of Rabbi Davies and introduction of NCSY, under the leadership of Asaf Mizrachi, back in Cherry Hill there is lots in the works. We are looking to expand groups and get the youth more involved. Volunteers are needed. Please reach out to Sabrina Spector at sabrinaspector@gmail.com.
We have many things to look forward to as we try to recover from the pandemic, come back to shul, and to celebrate a sweet New Year and new beginnings. Shabbat Shalom Donna Moskowitz
*********ANNOUNCEMENT********* Rabbi Serebrowski has graciously agreed to be on call or available for in-person issues until Rabbi Davies' start date of August 1. His cell phone number is 908-770-8248 and his email is yserebrowski@torahlinks.org.
Rabbi Rothman and Rabbi Shaffer will be glad to answer halachic questions by phone or email. Rabbi Rothman 856-495-6757 evyk1savta1@gmail.com Rabbi Shaffer 201 394-7447 rebshaff@aol.com
We greatly appreciate the support and help of our community Rabbis through this transition and moving forward. **********************************************************************************************
Please Note: Highlighted section reserved for social distancing and unvaccinated people
______________________________________________________ SOI Committees 2021-2022 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 Sabrina Spector sabrinaspector@gmail.com Suzie Mindel suziepm@yahoo.com Ritual Heshy Chaitoff heshychaitoff@gmail.com Chani Wiesman chaniwiesman@gmail.com Security Sam Tilonsky drsamod@gmail.com Sisterhood sisterhood@soicherryhill.org Youth Sabrina Spector sabrinaspector@gmail.com Caryn Hurlock cmhurlock@gmail.com Welcome Aliza Chaitoff alizachaitoff@gmail.com
Thank you to Joseph and Jonathan Zarge and their familys for sponsoring this week's kiddush in honor of their parents, Herb and Leah Zarge's 61st wedding anniversary. Thank you to Aliza Sadiky, Gali Brody and Devora Linetsky for running groups
Thank you to Debbie Fineberg, Harvey Chaitoff, Avi Rynderman, Baila Silverman, Adam Shulman, Jeff Liss, Seth Cohen, Donna Moskowitz, Sam Tilonsky and Mike from OPS for security
Mazel Tov to Hildy and Paul Berlin on the engagement of their daughter Ariana to Yoni Ohayon
Mazel Tov to Leah and Herb Zarge on their 61st ewedding anniversary
Mazel Tov to the SOI Softball Team for making it to the championship of The Jewish Athletic Goup B Division. Come cheer our team on at Rosa Middle School, Sunday, July 25th at 8am.
This week our featured "Neighbors" are Avital and Yaacov Zeffren 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 Avital and Yaacov Zeffren and see past submissions
The blue tablecloth from the security table is missing. If you borrowed it or know where it is please let us know as soon as possible.
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 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 ($36) Siddur for the sanctuary ($50) Welcome Basket ($18) Bottle Club ($36) https://www.soicherryhill.org/sponsor
Support groups boost well-being during difficult times The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we live. Many of us are struggling to manage life stressors, anxiety, and deep feelings of loneliness. Facilitated by licensed social workers and therapists, JFCS support groups provide a convenient and safe way to nurture your emotional well-being while connecting with like-minded peers. With both in-person and virtual options, our support groups are offered on a rolling basis, and address a variety of topics including grief and loss, addiction recovery, caregiving, loss of vision, and domestic abuse. For more information, visit https://jfcssnj.org/support-groups/.
*********************************************************** 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. ****************************************************************************************
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
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
