IMPORTANT COVID UPDATES FOR THIS SHABBAT By now you are likely aware that there has been an outbreak of COVID in our community. We wish a refuah sheleimah to all those families affected. Let's all keep them in our Tefillot and do what we can to support them.
In order to help stem the spread of this virus at SOI this Shabbat, we have decided to cancel all youth programs, including the very popular Tot Shabbat. There will also be no kiddush this week.
Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv on Friday night and Mincha/Maariv on Shabbat afternoon will be in the main sanctuary. There will be ONE minyan for Shabbat morning - it will be inside the main sanctuary at 8:30am. Anyone davening inside will be required to wear a mask at all times.
If you have been instructed to quarantine or are feeling sick in any way, please stay home.
We encourage anyone at high risk for infection or complications to exercise additional precaution during this local uptick in COVID cases.
We hope to be able to get back to our regular Tefillah schedule, youth programs and kiddushes as soon as possible. Rabbi Michael Davies, Donna Moskowitz, and the Covid Task Force
Announcements & Upcoming EventsD'var Torah: Thursday, November 18, 8:45 pm
Sunday, November 21 (Kislev 17) 7:00am Shacharit 4:20pm Mincha/Maariv
I am very excited for the opportunity to share words of Torah with you. Each week, in this spot, I look to share an idea I've found that speaks to me and that I think will resonate with you as well.
This past Sunday was my first day back in Shul after my bout with Covid. I would like to share with you what I shared at the end of davening that morning.
Many have the practice every morning to recite the phrase Va'Ani B'Rov Chasdecha Avo Veitecha - As for me, in Your great loving-kindness, I will come into Your House. This is a part of the Mah Tovu prayer, but some recite it separately as well to give it added emphasis.
To me, especially this week, it speaks of the great privilege we have to join in Tefillah B'Tzibbur - communal prayer. Especially after not having had the opportunity personally to do so for a week and a half, this was so resonant with me and brought tears to my eyes when I said it. How fortunate am I to be able to join together with others of our community to connect with the Divine every morning and evening!
This time of year in general is a very challenging time for Tefillah B'Tzibbur. With nightfall so early, it is difficult to amass the requisite numbers for a minyan, in particular for daily Mincha/Maariv. I encourage all of you to take the opportunity, if you are able, to join us for weekday Tefillah at Shul. I know that there are many reasons why people are not able or willing to come at this time, but if you can, please make every effort to join us - to recognize the great loving-kindness we are afforded by our Creator to connect spiritually in this way on a daily basis.
I am so proud to be the president of Sons of Israel. We are in the throws of a pandemic in our community and the outpouring of concern and support and caring for everyone suffering is beautiful. Many people have been involved from cooking foods, baking challahs and desserts, delivering Shabbat meals and COVID Care Packages. Twice over the course of the week pizzas were ordered and delivered to families affected. A campaign blossomed whereby many people made foods for Shabbat and delivered them to nearly 20 families. This effort is ongoing this week too. Donations were made to the Rabbi's Discretionary fund to purchase foods. If anyone is able to help with delivery, please contact odavies@politz.orgorazeffren@politz.org Thank you for all your support and kindness.
We had a record breaking Board Meeting this past Tuesday evening. Following is a brief summary: Covid Task Force is monitoring the current Covid outbreak in our community and continually assessing how it impacts SOI. Please see the updated protocols at the beginning of the Newslink. As the situation is fluid, please bear with us as things may change over the course of the coming week(s) as we assess the information at hand.
In case you haven’t heard, this is our 50th anniversary in Cherry Hill. Our GALA is rescheduled to May 23rd in hopes of being in person with our honorees being all of our past presidents. Many of them are still vey active, dedicated volunteers in our shul and have been a font of information and help throughout my term. Their time, efforts and altruism to bettering our shul should be applauded. We are looking for GALA Chairs. No experience is necessary. There are many people willing to help. Please contact me with any questions.
Historical Society: Helen and Alan Baker along with Janet & Larry Miller reviewed and labeled several pictures, even finding one of Biden at one of our events. Kitchen: An SOP for the kitchen has been initiated and will be laminated and posted in the kitchen. The walk-in was repaired. Flo Shulman has set up a sign up for kiddush volunteers that still has a couple openings available. We are looking for kitchen supervisors to oversee the volunteers and be familiarized with where things are in the kitchen. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pwaSlS1AfDYlDBxVTb8WI3bduOWPt_X6bmpUG9WZtmM/edit?usp=sharing Marketing, Communication, Advertising, and Technology committee had a very productive meeting this past month discussing the marketing of the different types of community/institutional events and streamlining the process for what and how we advertise. Future discussions will include business, personal, and classified ad opportunities, updating our website, Facebook, Newslink, and Lobby screen. Membership Committee: We welcome Judi Krumbein, David Barg, Sam & Rena Oshlag and Joyce Joseph as new members this month. Calls and emails about dues and balances will begin within the next month or two. Programming: No decisions are being made on upcoming programming for Chanukah until next week. The "can"ukyah sculpture and can drive is ongoing and growing. Please drop off your donations in the lobby. Cans will be donated after Chanukah. Ritual Committee: Our Official gabbaim are: Gabbai Rishon- Jeffrey Weiss Gabbai Sheni- Yoni Panitch (interim gabbai) Back up gabbai: Sid Goldberg We are still in need of individuals to be gabbaim. Please contact Jeffrey Weiss stamvaad@yahoo.com or Heshy Chaitoff heshychaitoff@gmail.com if interested &/or willing . Security Committee: New impact resistant doors were recently installed for the shul office, Rabbi’s office and Presidential/ Bridal Suite. We continue to need more volunteers for Shabbat Security Greeters. Jenni Fischman and Sam Tilonsky recently completed and submitted a NJOHS grant for $50,000 to be used to upgrade our fire alarm system and several other security needs. Youth Committee: Shabbat Group leaders met to discuss next steps for Shabbos Groups including beginning to go into the main sanctuary to sing songs at the end. There was a great turnout for the Hayride on Sunday, Oct. 31. SIP is going very well and more kids are signing up each day. We are hoping to start programs for middle school as soon as we get past some COVID issues. Under New Business:
There is a zoom meeting this Thursday, Nov. 18 at 2:30pm with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, lead sponsor of the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act that will provide grants for nonprofits to make their buildings more energy efficient. Sen. Klobuchar will give details about how our institution can benefit from this new program. If you are interested, please let me know. Register for Special Briefing with Senator Amy Klobuchar - OUAdvocacy Center.
The Eruv , which we utilize every week, is doing a fundraiser for upkeep and
improvements. Please see their flyer.
Ken Panitch presented updated renderings of the proposed front entrance renovation.
Thanks to Eytan Irwin’s sister-in-law we have a beautiful new chuppah to enhance all future weddings at SOI.
The Board wishes a speedy Refuah Sheleimah to all people suffering with COVID and pray that this disease will soon be eradicated from our midst.
Shabbat Shalom & Refuah Sheleimah to all who are battling this disease, Donna Moskowitz
president@soicherryhill.org
Charles Manson is sentenced to death for his murder crimes. A year later, sentences for California Death Row inmates are commuted to life in prison.
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.
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.
Welcome new members Sam & Rena Oshlag Welcome to Baila Silverman's mother and stepfather, Gail and Neal Mandelbaum.
Mazel tov to Sam & Rena Oshlag and big brother Meir on the bris of Akiva Yonah
Mazel tov to Sharyn Rauer on having a new great granddaughter *Please send all Mazel Tov notifications to MemberHotline@soicherryhill.org in order to put them in the Newslink.
Thank you to Nate & Tamar Wiener, Eugene Resnick & Jane Glassman, David & Barbara Felder, Bill & Lynn Jungreis, Robert & Gail Belfer, Hooshang Sadiky & Lea Alvo, Eytan & Diane Irwin, Shealtiel Weinberg & Sabra Hess, Allen & Debra Fineberg, Paul Berlin & Hildy Steinbach, Adam & Florence Shulman, Akiva & Jenni Fischman, Avi Rynderman & Baila Silverman, Sid & Shari Goldberg, and Karen & Mark Hess for donating to the Rabbi's Discreationary Fund during this COVID crisis.
Thank you to Debbie Fineberg, Mike from OPS and Sam Tilonsky for providing security this week.
Volunteer for a 30 minute shift helping to protect our congregation. Contact Sam Tilonsky at drsamod@gmail.com to volunteer or more information.
______________________________________________________ SOI Committees 2021-2022 MCAT Chemmie Sokolic chemsok@aol.com Chesed Karen Cohen karen.e.cohen@gmail.com Bikur Cholim Janet Miller twinks-3043@msn.com Fundraising Yaeli Sokolic ycsgraphix@gmail.com Ilana Weiss weiss.ilana@gmail.com Historical Society president@soicherryhill.org Jubilee Helene Raush raushfamily@comcast.net Sabrina Spector sabrinaspector@gmail.com Helen Baker bakera412@comcast.net Kitchen Dan Malamud daniel@furn1.com 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 youth@soicherryhill.org 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 Michael & Marcy Partnow for your donation
On October 28, Jewish Family & Children’s Service officially cut the ribbon and dedicated our new Rhona Fischer Family Assistance Building / Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantry, located at 6 East Miami Avenue in Cherry Hill. The outdoor event attracted local political and community leaders as well as clergy, who offered words of gratitude to the crowd of about 100 people. In her remarks, Cherry Hill Mayor Susan Shin Angulo shared that while “this building is technically made up of wood and drywall and nails, it’s about this community of JFCS that brought together and made this possible today. This is an example of when we come together as a community, love and unity prevails.” The new and expanded facility features case management offices, two counseling suites to accommodate therapy and support groups, and a nutrition kitchen for cooking classes, as well as a healing garden and an outdoor picnic area.
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 Eytan Raphael Shraga ben Dina Sarah David Partnow - David Avram ben Tilla Razel Marvin Korff - Moshe ben Bessie Elyse Greenberg - Elisheva Miriam bas Dovah Hillel Yochanan ben Bracha Moshe ben Leah Gittel 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
SOI Members Get Great Benefits We are so excited about the many families who have recently joined Sons of Israel. As a member in good standing, you are entitled to a fob which would give you access to the building for minyanim. Please reach out to Heshy Chaitoff for more information at heshychaitoff@gmail.com
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
On behalf of the Eruv, we are excited to announce that the Eruv is raising funds to cover costs for repairs, expansions, tree trimming, inviting a Posek to come, and more. This is the first fundraiser for the new communal eruv organization, and everyone should make a contribution. Most of our families use the Eruv every shabbos especially during the pandemic, and this is a way to show our appreciation for the eruv checkers and all who are involved with the Eruv. Eruv Checkers are Sid Goldberg, Avi Lifschitz, Dr. Simcha Moshe Gerzoff, Heshy Chaitoff, and R’ Baruch Gore. If you have any questions about the Eruv, please speak to Moshe Moskowitz, Rabbi Davies, or any of the Eruv checkers. Go to this website to make your contribution: https://thechesedfund.com/chwesteruv/startingcampaign/teams/sonsofisrael
COVID UPDATE - Mask Protocols - All unvaccinated adults and children must wear masks indoors at all times. - Masks (properly worn) will be required for all indoor attendees. - Everyone on the bima must wear a mask except for vaccinated baalei tfillah and baalei kriya - It is recommended that high risk individuals remain masked indoors at all times for their protection - Masks are optional at the outdoor minyan 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.
UPCOMING/ONGOING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
YOUTH & TEENS
Football Tournament has been SNIF is postponed postponed
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 9-2 Monday - Wednesday
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
