Weekly Newslinks

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Announcements & Upcoming Events

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 Rabbi Yehudah Prero entitled 'A Happiness of Oneness', which speaks about the significance and meaning of the Simchat Beit HaShoeva.

On Yom Kippur, we all stand together and are judged. We ask G-d for forgiveness. We beg for mercy. We affirm that we will not do those evil deeds again. On Yom Kippur, I am no better than the next guy. I might be rich, but maybe he is a better person…I am smart, but maybe she is more righteous than I. The divisions which we may have created in our mind crumble. We realize that all anyone has is from G-d, and that we are truly all the same. The barrier to unity that our evil inclination erected comes down. On Yom Kippur, we are one united people, and united we want to stay. On Sukkos, both rich and poor move outdoors to temporary dwellings. We are all protected only by G-d. Our unity is reinforced. We are one nation, all celebrating the holiday of Sukkos together in glee.

G-d reminds us that He loves each and every one of us, regardless of what our status appears to be on earth. Usually, wine is poured on the altar. Fine wine is used. The vines are carefully nurtured, the grapes tenderly picked, the wine masterfully squeezed and thoroughly filtered. It is the product of toil and energy. On Sukkos, water is poured on the altar as well. Water is plain. What you see is what you get. No work went into producing this water. Yet, water is accepted upon the alter as is the wine. Plain water is on the same standing as fine wine. The common denominator between these two is that they must remain pure and adulterated. We may be like fine wine, the product of much blood, sweat, and tears. We may be like water, simple and straightforward. However, this classification, G-d is telling us, is irrelevant, as long as we remain pure in thought and committed to His service. If we remember that this is what is important, and that the trappings are just that, it helps us realize that G-d is the one who gave us the trappings in the first place. If this is our focus, unity is sure to stay.

Why is this a time to rejoice? When the water is poured on the altar, we all see that Hashem accepts all of our service to Him, as long as it is done with a pureness of heart. We can take solace in the fact that Hashem sees that we do want to serve Him, and that the mitzvos we do are performed with that in mind. Although our prayers might not be perfect and our observance sub-par, if we tried with all our might to serve Hashem properly, our service is readily accepted. The fact that Hashem sends us this message right after Yom Kippur is cause for celebration.

We also have an opportunity to come together and celebrate our oneness, whether we are comfortable davening indoors or outdoors, or may not even be comfortable coming back to Shul yet at all. Please join us for our virtual Pre-Simchat Torah Auction Under the Stars which is sure to be a great time. If you are up for it, join one of the several block-parties that will be taking place. It may not quite be the Simchat Beit HaShoeva, but it will sure be a lot of fun.

Have a Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Davies
Rabbi@SOICherryHill.org

“We have all known the long loneliness, and we have found that the answer is community.”      ~Doris Day

We have all been exposed to “the long loneliness”. Living through this pandemic for the last year and a half has exposed feelings of isolation, deprivation, and seclusion – feelings of being separate, not a part of something bigger than our own insular families. 

This past week we have witnessed a rejuvenation of community; a notion that we are not as insular as we once were.  We are getting back to a semblance of normalcy, hosting three full minyanim. Fresh new faces are popping up, and old acquaintances are being reunited. Many more people are starting to return to shul, including smiling children. It is pure joy to witness, and while you can’t see the smiles behind the masks, it’s evidently present; that sense the joy of coming back together – as a family and a wider community.

Cherry Hill was fortunate to have gorgeous weather at the start of sukkot, and Sons of Israel certainly took advantage of it in their celebrations. Thank you to those who opened their sukkahs to the community during the Sukkah Hop, it made for an uplifting and heartwarming start to yuntif.

Now looking forward we can continue to forge even stronger and closer ties to those around us. We are a community - a group of people that care about each other and belong together. Thank you for joining us to those who are new and thank you for returning to those that have been distant.
B’ruchim Ha’baim – we are honored that you have joined us.  

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!

Apollo 14 -  3rd US manned Moon expedition, lands near Fra Mauro.
Alan Shepard and Edward Mitchell (Apollo 14) walk on Moon for 4 hours
First time a golf ball is hit on the Moon (by Alan Shepard).

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 Holidays
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            Yaeli Sokolic        ycsgraphix@gmail.com
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           
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.

Mr. Finklestein L'Chaim Bottle Club
Thank you to the following people for making donations and enhancing our kiduushes.
Mervyn Becker           Helen & Alan Becker
Dan Malamud            Marcy & Michael Partnow

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.

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

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!

On behalf of JCRC:
Register now for March of Remembrance

                                       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