Weekly Newslinks

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

Announcements & Upcoming Events

There are 2 Lulav/etrog sets for sale at $50 each.
Contact the office at 856-667-9700.

DROP AND GO HIGH HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE THROUGH JCFS
Drop off canned goods at SOI on Kol Nidre
Food will be donated to Betsy & Peter Fisher Food Pantries

I am 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 excerpt from an article from Debbie Gutfreund entitled 'The Five Ways We Mess Up an Apology', which speaks to how we ask for Mechilah/forgiveness and how we should.

The week before Yom Kippur can become full of rushed, half-sincere apologies and obligatory, automatic requests for vague forgiveness. The essential, inner work that we’re supposed to be engaged in before Yom Kippur requires us to examine our actions in the past year and when we find specific instances in which we hurt someone, ask them for forgiveness with an apology that is both meaningful and sincere.

Dr. Harriet Lerner explains in her book, Why Won’t You Apologize? Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts, the five ways we typically mess up an apology and how to avoid them:

1. Making vague apologies.
2. Using an apology to reverse the blame. 
3. Avoiding a difficult conversation with a quick apology. 
4. Being defensive while apologizing. 
5. Seeking first to be understood instead of to understand. 

[...] Dr. Harriet Lerner explains. “The courage to apologize and the wisdom to do it wisely and well is at the heart of friendship, leadership, marriage, parenting and being grounded in maturity, integrity and self-worth.”

As Rav Nachman of Breslov once said: “If you believe breaking is possible, then believe fixing is possible.” If we have the power to hurt, we also have the power to heal. Apologizing sincerely, to others and to God, is the first step to healing the brokenness within ourselves and in the world around us.

Have an Easy and Meaningful Fast, Gmar Chatimah Tovah, and Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Davies
Rabbi@SOICherryHill.org

"A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure."
                           Henry Kissinger
Pressure we have; let’s sparkle knowing we are part of a gem of a team

As usual we opened our monthly meeting with an informative, short and interesting d’var torah from Heshy Chaitoff, equating a person’s birthday as their own personal Rosh Hashanah – reflecting on our year and ourselves.  

Following is a synopsis of the meeting:
Advertising/Marketing– There will be opportunities to advertise on our Newslink and/or web page.  This will generate additional income for the shul and offer opportunities for businesses/services to reach our members.  There is a new WhatsApp group specifically for SOI announcements only.  Please sign up https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2uWWdEVNogLTdyHvoYEJ4
Building – Due to permit delays and shortages, the front renovation is taking a little longer than expected.  Brushed steel adornments will be used on the doors and canopy
Chesed Committee  - Due to some generous donations, the Chesed Committee was able to purchase Shoprite gift cards for families in need in our community.
COVID Committee –masks are required during chagim in all indoor spaces.  We will have the protective shields up for davening, please step down after you Aliyah.  Kiddush may have things served if not individually wrapped or portioned. Continuing to reevaluate how we put out kiddush and open to feedback from those who attend. Next discussion is Simchat Torah adaptations.
Fundraising –Our Virtual Simchat Torah auction, Emcee’d by Chemmie Sokolic & Dan Drabkin,  on September 26th, will be an interesting way to bid on honors and donated services/products while socializing with friends new and old at several block parties or in the privacy of your own home.  Thank you to Eytan for running the Sweet honey gifts for the community.  The lulav & etrog sale was a great service for the community.
Historical Society- We are working on preserving the history of Sons of Israel with a cooperative project between young and old by creating a visual history and virtual one.  We are looking into purchasing a camera for interviewing members of the shul, new and not so new, and a new TV screen to preserve many of the artifacts we have uncovered.  Scanning many of the objects has also been discussed.  Portraits of our past Rabbis and Chazzan are on display in the hallway.
Membership – We have had several new families join SOI  this month along with a new Legacy Member.
POLITZ -  3-4 days of dry weather are needed to fill the trench around the building.  As soon as they finish the work in the blacktop basketball area they will repave that and add a fire hydrant. Still waiting on PSEG and NJ Water to schedule connections.  Lights were put up on the side of the building.
Programming – MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!!!! There are many great events in the works: New Members Kiddush, Scholar in Residence, Memoirs Course, Crash Course in Hebrew Reading, and Yoetzet Initiative event.  On October 3 is the March of Remembrance – please join us, wear your Jubilee shirt or you can order one.  GET INVOLVED!!!!  Also on October 3 is the Red Cross Blood Drive.  Please see the flyer to sign up.
Ritual – There was great attendance at all the minyanim for Rosh Hashanah and Rabbi Davies made it to all 4 to deliver his sermon on both days.  The highlight of the holiday was Rabbi Davies Shabbat Shuva Drasha outdoors.  His source sheets are still available in the lobby.  There will be four minyanim for Yom Kippur: indoors, outdoors, vasikin and Sephardic.  If there is inclement weather, the outdoor minyanim will be able to move inside in the banquet room.  All speeches will be given both indoor and out.
Security - There is a delay with the doors to the succah due to the bullet resistant glass.  The front doors have been ordered.  More volunteer security greeters are needed for every Shabbat and Yom Tov.  Please speak to Sam Tilonsky at drsamod@gmail.com to volunteer
Youth – A survey went out to determine teen engagement with very few responses.  NCSY will be offering programs to the teens such as a Latte & Learning and a BBQ to name a few.  Camp Shofar was not as well attended as last year.  B’Nai Akiva had their first SNIF event with approximately 50 children in attendance.  We are looking into having more inclusive Shabbos Groups/davenings.  There will be a Succah decorating party, Succah Candy Decorating Contest on Succah Shabbat and a  Birthdays in the Park in October.  Keep your eyes out for more updates.
New Business –  Rabbi Kramer, from the Chevra Kadishah, informed us that they will be purchasing more comfortable shiva chairs and an Ahron Kodesh to be used by the community. 

Thanks to a grant from Federation, we have new folding chairs and a rack to store them on, and two new canopies to extend our tenting.

I would like to thank Avital Zeffren & Karen Cohen for their service on the Board.  They have both resigned, with promises to stay active on their committees. . Volunteer to be “in the room where it happens”

Have an easy and meaningful fast & Shabbat Shalom
Donna Moskowitz     

A new way to spread the Simchat Torah JOY!

Sign Up to participate in a special Zoom auction event on Sunday evening,
September 26, 2021, Chol Ha’Moed Sukkot.

Join us on your laptop or smartphone, or sign up to experience the auction at one
of several intimate outdoor “block parties” happening around the community.  A
wonderful opportunity to support SOI and have lots of fun with food, drink, and
good friends. Come with your device, ready to bid on some amazing auction
items!

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN A BLOCK PARTY. Please note specifics about each location as well as the number of attendees at each location. Sign up before the slots fill up:   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15dUezPabcp0P9GNdBzAmNwqSFcqadA-g0r8WL7-LVhs/edit?usp=sharing

Philadelphia's Veteran's Stadium dedicated
Super Bowl V - Colts beat Dallas Cowboys, 16-13;
MVP: Chuck Howley, Dallas, LB

WAYS TO HELP SOI PAINLESSLY

 Just go to smile.amazon.com, search for Congregation Sons of Israel Synagogue.  Every qualifying purchase will send 0.5% of the total to our Shul. Over time, this will add up.

https://www.kosherwine.com/?rfsn=5940204.12e2a2

SOI  members and affiliates can click the link to go to the JCommerce websites and purchase their products. You can support SOI through the commission we earn. 

KEY RECALL
If you have a master key, please return it to the office.  We will be re-keying all of the locks.
If, as a member, you would like a fob to gain access to the building during minyan times, we would be glad to activate one for you.  Please contact Jean Klein at officeadmin@soicherryhill.org.

Hashkama Minyan Update
Postponed starting until after the High Holy Days
For questions please contact Bill Jungreis at soiprez2014@gmail.com.

______________________________________________________
                          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. You do not need to be a Board member to be involved.

Welcome new members Marvin & Nancy Bleiberg

• Mazel tov to Eytan & Diane Irwin ​​​​​​​on the engagement of their daughter Tali to Josh Lieman of New Rochelle, NY
•  Let's wish Donna, our fearless leader, Mazel Tov as she was nominated as part of JOFA's 2021 Ushpizot "Notable women who paved the way in Orthodox synagogues in 5781."https://www.jofa.org/ushpizot-2021  

Join the NEW SOI Updates Whatsapp group!
For all the news and announcements you don't want to miss.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2uWWdEVNogLTdyHvoYEJ4

 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 see past submissions.

Condolences to Rabbi Ephraim Epstein on the death of his beloved mother, 
Gittel Dina Epstein 

Florence Axelrod – Fruma bas Sarah
Estelle Lerner- Esther Ethel bas Rochel
Andy Rauer – Avigayal bas Peshe Ella
Sheryl Malamud 
Amy Goldwasser
Gavriel Yehuda ben Chaya Sarah 
Raphael Shraga Ben Dina Sarah

David Partnow - David Avram Ben Tilla Razel 
Machla Leah bat Chava
Marvin Korff - Moshe ben Bessie
Devora Tehilah bas Leah

 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

ATTENTION TEENS AND PARENTS OF TEENS
Please complete the following survey so we can better serve our teen population.
​​​​​​​https://forms.gle/gC5mEC1LUQz1hYRDA

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 ​​​​​​​

ERUV UPDATE
As a part of creating a new organization for the community eruv, we are making a new email server for the eruv status and other eruv related information.    
 
Sign up to receive email communications by clicking here and filling out a short form
 
After Sukkos the official announcement of the weekly status of the Eruv will come from the new email server.

Boscov Department Store is sponsoring Friends Helping Friends 25th Anniversary on October 20,2021 from 8AM to 11 PM!  Amazingly you will get a 25% discount on most items in the store!  All you have to do is donate $5.00 to SOI’s Bikur Cholim organization!  Get your discount shopping pass now.  Call the shul office or Janet Miller at 856-667-0860 to receive your pass!

                                       COVID UPDATE - Mask Recommendation
    In accordance with the CDC guidlines, which recommend universal mask wearing in public indoor settings in areas with substantial Covid transmission, we strongly recommend wearing masks at all heavily attended indoor shabbat services, regardless of vaccination status. Masks must continue to be worn by all unvaccinated individuals (including those with prior Covid infection) inside the SOI campus.
     We are looking forward to a joyful holiday season and welcoming many congregants and guests alike into our synagogue. As the reality of High Holy Day tefillot will result in many people, including those traveling from out of town, being together for long periods of time, masks will be required at all indoor services during the chagim. Vaccinated baalei tefillah will be permitted to lead services without a mask.
      We will continue to seek guidance from the CDC, the NJ Department of Health, and the rabbinic and medical leadership of the OU to help keep our synagogue safe and we expect that our policies and recommendations may change as the pandemic continues to unfold. Thank you all for helping to keep our synagogue and our community safe.

Thank you for your cooperation.  

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 from 10-2 Monday, Thursday & Friday this week