Weekly Newslinks

You can sponsor this newslink for $36 in honor or in memory of a dear one.

Announcements & Upcoming Events

                                       COVID UPDATE - Mask Recommendation
After consultation with the newly reinstituted re-opening committee composed of Rabbi Davies, Dr. Ken Panitch, Dr. Oze Henig, and Deborah Feinberg; and with consideration of the recommendations of the CDC and Rabbi Dr. Glatt of the OU, we strongly recommend the use of masks for all who attend services, even those who have already been vaccinated.

As has been our policy, unvaccinated persons must wear masks when indoors at the SOI campus, including those who have previously had COVID. 

B”H we are celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of BZ Sokolic this Shabbat so there will be many people in attendance and social distancing may not be feasible.  Let’s all do our part to make this Shabbat and this simcha as safe as can be.

Thank you for your cooperation.  

Parking Lot Demolition Update
Be Aware!
For the next few weeks driving around the building will not be possible and access may be limited to the upper lot. Proceed with care, following the markers provided by the construction workers. 

In preparation for the High Holy Days, if you have anything in the coatroom/and or lockers - please collect it. All things left there after August 8th will be donated to Goodwill.

I am very excited to be here in my first week as rabbi of Congregation Sons of Israel. Baruch HaShem, there is so much to take in and I look forward to meeting and speaking with each and all of you in the coming weeks and months. 
I am also very excited for the opportunity to share words of Torah with you. Each week, in this spot, I will look to share an idea I've found that speaks to me and that I think will resonate with you as well. 
This week, I share an article from Rabbi Shraga Simmons of Aish HaTorah entitled 'Where is Jerusalem?',  which I feel is very poignant in that it relays the balance we are meant to strike in our Judaism between the beautiful framework of our Tradition and the personal energy with which we must imbue it:

​​​​​​​A verse in Parshat Re'eh (Deuteronomy 12:5) tells us to serve God "at the place that God chooses." This "place" refers to Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, the site of the Holy Temple. It's on this very spot that some of the greatest spiritual events in history occurred - it's where Noah brought animal offerings upon exiting the Ark; it's where Abraham bound his son, Isaac, on the altar; and it's where Jacob dreamed of the ladder with angels going up and down. It's all at the place that God chooses.
But why can't we choose our own spot? Whatever happened to individuality?!
Let's look deeper. The verse says to build the Temple at the place that God chooses - but you must "seek it out." While our ancestors established a deep connection with God and determined many of the ground rules, we must still discover it for ourselves. We take the traditional framework, and with dedication and effort, we make it our own.
Nachmanides says that's why in Temple times there were no road signs leading to Jerusalem. A person has to seek out the concept of Jerusalem - to ask for himself: Where's Jerusalem?
In fact, the Talmud says that when King David was planning to build the Holy Temple, he didn't know where it should be! Even with so much of Jewish history connected to Mount Moriah, King David still had to delve into the verses of the prophets to derive the exact location.
So yes, Judaism has specific traditions - keeping kosher, observing Shabbat, and praying from a text. But that's just the framework. The essence is what we invest of ourselves. Jewish spirituality is found at the place that God chooses - but you must seek it out.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Davies
Rabbi@SOICherryHill.org

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” –         Sherry Anderson

This past Sunday, our welcome to Rabbi Davies and his family and the kick-off of our Jubilee Year, was heart warming.  The attendance was larger than expected and we had over 35 volunteers give of their time to set up, clean up, man booths and plan this extraordinary event. The out-poring of support, cooperation and kindness was overwhelming.  Thank you to the following volunteers:
Bob Moskowitz         Sam Tilonsky               Robbie Friedner    Gali Brody   
Sabrina Spector        Hildy Berlin                  Debbie Fineberg   Gail Belfer
Eyal Lubin                 Chemmie Sokolic        Sylvia Levine         Ilana Weiss
Leah Spector             Yaeli Sokolic               Sandy Crass          Helen Baker
Aaron Spector            Marilyn Mindel           Janet Miller            Elon Elisha   
Shari Goldberg           Larry  Miller                Asaf Mizrachi         BZ Sokolic  
Caryn Brody               Avi Rynderman           Jeffrey Weiss         Jack Fuchs
Baila Silverman          Helene Raush             Marsha Sadres      Rachel Ovitz
Sybil Bernstein           Malka Moskowitz        Heshy Chaitoff        Bob Belfer   
Gavriel Sokolic           Aaron Greenberg        Chani Wiesman      Rabbi Gore                                         (If I left anyone out, I truly apologize)
 
We had extremely generous benefactors pay for the food and security so that everyone could enjoy and feel welcome and safe at this event.  We had vendors give generous donations to the shul for the opportunity to meet our congregation.  Board members manned (or wo-manned) booths to educate people on what’s available at our shul.  Advertising introduced opportunities and fundraising plans. Bikur Cholim stressed their outreach and the Boscov’s fundraiser. Sisterhood was selling scrip, gift shop items and recruiting members. Ritual Committee was questioning congregant’s preferences for davening and the High Holidays. B’nai Akiva and NCSY had great give-aways and were representing. JCFS was there to answer questions and  Mikvah Ohel Leah had beautiful pictures of their facilities. The SOI Softball team was having batting practice, security was recruiting and giving out reflector belts, and membership was putting us all on the map.  We had Nothing Bundt Cakes, Mia’s Meals, HOK Pizza, Primo Water Ice, Gali’s Cotton Candy, kosherwine.com, Tasty Twisters pretzels and fresh popcorn. We were able to learn about the eruv, its procedures and equipment.  Hats Incredible with Helen Baker and Sew Unique Judaica by Machla Shaffer had great items to sell.  Trader Joe’s, Shoprite, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Hats Incredible offered items to raffle.  It was an amazing day, the start of an amazing year and a beautiful representation of SOI and the myriad of opportunities available to volunteer, meet new people and help your community to grow.

We warmly welcome Rabbi Davies, Ora and their family into our SOI family.  As we start a new era with Rabbi Davies at our helm, I am confident that we are moving forward in a positive direction.  I pray that this year we have fantastic, interesting and inspiring learning, increase our membership and volunteerism, have fun and unique programming and a community that comes together in unity, friendship and mitzvot. 

As has been said, "You can't pay me to do this job."  Volunteering, giving of your time, is a gift to yourself and others.  To find out how you can get involved, reach out to me at president@soicherryhill.org.

Shabbat Shalom
Donna Moskowitz     

​​​​​​​​With the High Holidays quickly approaching, there is extensive planning involved:

• High Holiday Seating
• Yizkor Book   
• ​​​​​​​Kol Hanearim preparation  
• Camp Shofar

We have several volunteer opportunities for interested people. 

Locker rentals open to all members. If you have previously rented a locker and are not renewing, please clean it out

Hashkama Minyan Update
The will be re-starting Hashkama Minyan Shabbat Shuva, September 11, 2021
at 7:30am in the Chapel.  
Kiddush immediately following davening.
For questions please contact Bill Jungreis at soiprez2014@gmail.com.

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

______________________________________________________
                          SOI Committees 2021-2022
Advertising            Chemmie Sokolic  chemsok@aol.com
Chesed                  Karen Cohen        karen.e.cohen@gmail.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           Karen Cohen          karen.e.cohen@gmail.com
Youth                   Sabrina Spector      sabrinaspector@gmail.com
                            Caryn Hurlock         cmhurlock@gmail.com
Welcome             Aliza Chaitoff           alizachaitoff@gmail.com

Volunteers are needed for fundraising, Gala and our Installation.  You do not need to be a Board member to be involved.

HELP NEEDED
To get ready fo the upcoming holidays, we have a lot of work to do.  Please volunteer for one or more of these in-person activities:
August 10 - 10:30 am - Repair Siddurim and Chumashim Coffee Klatch
August 16 - 7pm - organize Book Closet (NEED MUSCLES)
August 17 - 10:30 am - Oganize Storage Room
Get to know areas of the shul not regularly accessable

Welcome to Rabbi Chaim Greenwald, new Head of School at Politz, and his family.  May your move here be for a blessing. B'Hatzlacha.

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

Thank you to Bill Jungreis Harvey Chaitoff, Avi Rynderman, Baila Silverman, Debbie Pester, Seth Cohen, Donna Moskowitz, Jeff Liss, Chemmie Sokolic and Sam Tilonsky and Mike from OPS for volunteering for Security on Shabbat.
 
Thanks to the Spectors, Mindels and Moskowitzs for hosting the popular Backyard Schmooze.

Thank you to our Jubilee Sponsors:
Nothing Bundt Cakes                         Sew Judaically Yours- Machla Shaffer
Mia’s Meals                                         Trader Joes
Hats Incredible – Helen Baker           SOI Sisterhood
Primo water ice                                   kosherwine.com - Brad
Trader Joe's                                        Shoprite

Jubilee Volunteers:
​​​​​​​Bob Moskowitz         Sam Tilonsky               Robbie Friedner    Gali Brody   
Sabrina Spector        Hildy Berlin                  Debbie Fineberg   Gail Belfer
Eyal Lubin                 Chemmie Sokolic        Sylvia Levine         Ilana Weiss
Leah Spector             Yaeli Sokolic               Sandy Crass          Helen Baker
Aaron Spector            Marilyn Mindel           Janet Miller            Elon Elisha   
Shari Goldberg           Larry  Miller                Asaf Mizrachi         BZ Sokolic  
Caryn Brody               Avi Rynderman           Jeffrey Weiss         Jack Fuchs
Baila Silverman          Helene Raush             Marsha Sadres      Rachel Ovitz
Sybil Bernstein           Malka Moskowitz        Heshy Chaitoff        Bob Belfer   
Gavriel Sokolic           Aaron Greenberg        Chani Wiesman      Rabbi Gore     

Mazel Tov to BZ Sokolic and his entire family on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah

Mazel Tov to Jeff & Menorah Schwartz on the engagement of their daughter, 
Naamah to Avi Amon 

This week our featured "Neighbors" are:
                                         Rabbi Michael and Ora Davies
 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 Rabbi & Ora Davies 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.

Condolences to Perry Zand and his family on the death of his beloved wife, Yvette

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 
Amy Goldwasser
Gavriel Yehuda ben Chaya Sarah 
Raphael Shraga Ben Dina Sarah

David Partnow - David Avram Ben Tilla Razel 
Aaron Greenberg

 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 ​​​​​​​

Community Job Board Addresses South Jersey’s Employment Needs 
 
JFCS prides itself on responding to the needs of our community as they arise. In response to COVID-19’s devastating economic effects across South Jersey, the agency created the JFCS Community Job Board, which connects job seekers with potential employers in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties. With a wide variety of temporary, part-time, and full-time positions across multiple industries, the Job Board is a wonderful and free resource for our community. With almost 100 active positions posted, the job board has a wide variety of opportunities ranging from entry level, such as warehouse associates and direct support professionals, to positions requiring advanced engineering or technical degrees. It also features information about local job fairs and networking opportunities. To post a job or view open positions, visit https://jfcssnjjobs.org. 

***********************************************************
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.
****************************************************************************************

The title of this week's workshop is:
A Taste of Mussar Vaad: Compassion Workshop

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
The office will be open by appointment only by contacting Donna Moskowitz at
president@soicherryhill.org