IMPORTANT COVID UPDATES FOR THIS SHABBAT We are well on the road to recovery from the recent 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.
Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv on Friday night and Mincha/Maariv on Shabbat afternoon will be in the main sanctuary. Due to the cold weather, we have moved the outdoor minyan to 8:30am, indoor and Sephardic minyanim will meet at the usual times.
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.
Rabbi Michael Davies, Donna Moskowitz, and the Covid Task Force
To celebrate Shabbat Chanukah & Rosh Chodesh, we will be having an extra spirited Kabbalat Shabbat this week led by Rabbi Davies. Mincha and Chanukah Candle Lighting at 4:15pm.
Shabbat, December 4: Chanukah, Rosh Chodesh Tevet, Miketz (Kislev 30) 8:30am Main Minyan - Outdoors (weather permitting) 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan - Indoors 9:28am Latest Shema 10:00am Groups K-2nd Jr. Congregation 3rd-5th 10:30am Tot Shabbat 11:30am Chulent Cook Off 4:05pm Mincha 4:30pm Rabbi's Parsha Shiur 5:05pm Maariv 5:20pm Havdalah
Sunday, December 5: Chanukah, Rosh Chodesh Tevet (Tevet 1) 7:00am Shacharit 8:00am Shacharit 10:00am Boys Football Tournament 4:15pm 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.
As many of you know, each morning at the conclusion of Shacharit I share a few words about the coming week's Torah portion. Allow me to share with you the idea I presented on Tuesday morning:
In the naming of Yosef's children we find something somewhat peculiar. When Yosef names his firstborn, Menashe, he proclaims, 'HaShem has made me forget all my hardship...' and when he names his second son, Ephraim, he refers to Egypt as 'the land of my suffering.' Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin asks, "If Yosef praises Egypt as having made him forget his hardship, why in the next verse does he call it the land of his suffering?"
Perhaps an answer can be gleaned from the opening of Charles Dickens' famous Tale of Two Cities - "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." The two conceptions of Egypt are not mutually exclusive - there were elements that were positive and elements that were challenging, and Yosef recognized them both.
The story of Chanukah speaks to this idea as well. When the Chashmonaim return to the Beit HaMikdash after the war they find it in ruins. They are able to find the oil and recreate the Menorah with its lights, but this is all amidst great challenges and a need to rebuild. We celebrate the miracle of Chanukah with the nuance of the story that was 'the best of times and the worst of times'.
I don't think it is a coincidence that Chanukah is celebrated at this time of year, a time that many refer to as the 'dead of winter'. This is the darkest time of year, and we recognize that in our celebration. We light the lights in darkness, seeing the complicated nature of our reality, just as Yosef saw this in his time in Egypt.
May we all continue to celebrate the miracles BaYamim HaHem B'Zman HaZeh - [both] in those days as in our time - and recognize the gifts and blessings we have even and especially in the darkest times.
As we continue to celebrate Chanukah, here are some virtual opportunities for families to enjoy while sitting by their Chanukah candles. Just click the images to find out more, each program has something for every night of Chanukah. Chag Urim Sameach!
Food Glorious Food...Oliver The Chulent Cook-Off is finally here. Who will win our GOLDEN APRONthis year. We have 8 participants vying for this honor, so please come out this Shabbat for ruach davening indoors and out, groups for all ages, and enjoy, taste and vote on your favorite chulent.
Since it seems everything revolves around foods, following is a great recipe from Jamie Geller combining sufganiyot and challah for a delectable holiday treat.
Sweet Sufganiyot Challah - by Jamie Geller Ingredients: 1 ½ cups warm water 2 eggs 1 Tbsp + 3/4 tsp active dry yeast 6 T. canola oil 1/2 cup granulated white sugar 1/2 T pink Himalayan sea salt 1/2 T. or to taste Vanilla Bean paste 5 cups bread flour Filling: Strawberry jelly, halava, or flavor of your choice. Directions: 1. If you are using a bread maker, place ingredients (except for the challah fillings) in order of manufactures instructions. If you are making this by hand or mixer, place water, sugar, and yeast in bowl. Mix lightly for a few seconds, and allow yeast to proof (about 5-10 minutes). You want to ensure your yeast is potent/alive. 2. Next add eggs, oil, and mix. 3. Add flour one cup at a time and salt. You might find you may need slightly more or slightly less flour than the 5 cups the recipe calls for. That’s ok! You can also add a little extra oil or water if your dough feels dry. If using a mixer, continue to “knead” until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and develops a smooth and silky texture. If kneading by hand, it helps to keep a small bowl of oil or cooking spray nearby to coat or spray your hands. A common mistake people make is adding more flour when they feel the dough is sticky. In fact, it’s not the dough that is sticky, but your hands that are warm, which make the dough feel that way. 4. If you find your dough is tough to work with, allow the dough to rest for a few minutes to allow the gluten to relax. Not only will you feel slightly refreshed and relaxed, your dough will too. 5. Spray your workspace with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray to make your life easier. 6. Once the dough is well kneaded, place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Place it in a warm spot and let it rise for at least an hour or two, until it’s doubled in size. 7. Next, punch down the dough, and give it once last knead. Now it’s time to divide it up. 8. Using a sharp knife separate your dough into evenly sized balls. I find a kitchen scale is a challah saver which yields even, beautiful challahs that look incredible and bake perfectly. I recommend 6.5 oz per ball but it’s up to you. 9. Roll out each dough ball into a short snake. Then flatten each snake ever so slightly lengthwise and widthwise with a rolling pin. You want your snake wider rather than longer so it’s able to hold the fillings. I suggest using a pastry bag or cupcake decorating/filling tool for even distribution but a spoon works just as well when adding jelly. 10. Bring up both sides of the strand and pinch together to seal and roll gently on counter to hide the seal. Continue with the remaining strands and shape/braid as you wish. 11. Place on parchment lined baking sheet or in a sprayed loaf or challah pan and Allow to rise approx 20-30 minutes while preheating your oven to 350°F. 12. Meanwhile, beat 2 eggs with a teaspoon (or more) of honey or sugar, and mix well. Using a pastry brush, brush egg mixture over challah. Sprinkle on some sugar in the raw or Swedish pearl sugar. 13. Bake 25 minutes before checking on your challahs. 14. Rotate pans and continue to bake another 10 minutes. 15. You can tell the challah is fully baked by checking the bottom. It should sound hollow when tapped and be golden brown. The top should also be slightly firm without any soft spots. 16. Remove from oven and cool slightly before transferring to a wire cooling rack. Once challahs are cool, slice and enjoy! A light (or heavy) dusting of confectioners sugar on top of the sufganiyot challah really takes it over the top.
Shabbat Shalom Donna Moskowitz
president@soicherryhill.org
Top #5 songs in the USA Sly & The Family Stone - Family Affair Melanie - Brand New Key Isaac Hayes - Theme From Shaft Don McLean - American Pie (Parts 1 and 2) Bread - Baby I'm-A Want You
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.
Mazel tov to Judy & Steve Herzberg on the engagement of their daughter Rebecca (or to some of you, Becky) to Jon Pressman. *Please send all Mazel Tov notifications to MemberHotline@soicherryhill.org in order to put them in the Newslink.
Thank you to Lainie Fastman for teaching the Memoirs Class
Thank you to Yaffa Fuchs for teaching the Learn to Read Hebrew Class
Thank you to Tamar Wiener & Ora Davies for Running the Chulent Cook Off
Thank you to Suzie Mindel & Sabrina Spector for a fantastic Magical Chanukah Celebration
Thank you to Maetal Henig, Heshy Chaitoff, and the Elisha Family for helping to set up kiddush last week.
Thank you to Bill Jungreis, Debbie Fineberg, Jeff Liss, Chemmie Sokolic and Sam Tilonsky for once again shouldering the responsibilities of providing security on Shabbos.
With great sadness we inform you of the passing of Marvin Korff , beloved Husband of Marlene Korff. To offer your own condolences, Marlene can be reached at 856-667-8017 (home) or 856-397-5141 (cell)
Support groups enhance well-being during difficult times JFCS support groups provide a convenient and safe way to nurture your emotional well-being while connecting with like-minded peers. The agency will be offering several support groups this winter. Beginning on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, the Grief Support Group is intended for individuals age 60 and older who are mourning the death of a spouse in the past year. This group provides participants with a safe and supportive space to share a myriad of emotions and to discuss ways to integrate the loss into their lives. Beginning on Wednesday, January 19, the Caregivers Support Group will provide an open and compassionate forum for family caregivers to discuss a variety of topics, including coping skills, stress management, and community resources. The Parental Bereavement Group helps parents who have lost a child of any age, due to any cause, to find comfort, compassion, and mutual understanding. A new session of this group is forming this winter (exact date to be determined). To learn more, visit https://jfcssnj.org/support-groups/.
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 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) Kiddush (starting at $180) 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
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 - Friday
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
