COVID UPDATES FOR THIS SHABBAT Reminder: Masks are required in the building for Shabbat for everyone at ALL minyanim. Out of concern for fellow Shul attendees, if you are feeling sick we ask that you please refrain from attending. Thank you. Rabbi Michael Davies, Donna Moskowitz, and the Covid Task Force
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 week, I share an excerpt from an article by Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt entitled 'Doctor of Doctors', which speaks about how we should best look at sickness and healing.
The Torah lists five categories of damages that one pays for personal injury, and one of these is medical bills. The Sages cite this verse as evidence that a doctor has "permission to heal." It seems strange that a doctor should need permission to heal, but think of the logic for a moment. Jewish understanding is that sickness is not a "chance happening." God is intimately involved in our lives, and a person only becomes sick if God wants him to be sick.
That being the case, one might be tempted to trust only in the true Doctor of doctors. The Torah teaches that this type of thinking is incorrect. We Jews never rely on miracles. To go to a doctor when one is ill is the appropriate effort. The one who relies solely on God is no great saint. He is simply stupid and irresponsible.
The Vilna Gaon, one of the great rabbis of the 17th century, makes an important clarification of the Torah's attitude. A man once came to him in despair. The doctors had told him that nothing could be done about his illness. He was going to die very soon. The Vilna Gaon quoted the verse from this portion. Yes, permission is given to doctors to heal. Permission, however, is not given to say that a person cannot be healed!
The Jewish concept is that the doctors put in their efforts, but it is God Who ultimately provides (or does not provide, as the case may be) the cure. No one but God can say when a person is going to die. [...] Being a doctor is not an easy job. They heal and save lives under difficult conditions, and often without sufficient, if any, appreciation. And there are many great doctors. But they must be careful to retain humility, while holding the keys to life and death, seemingly, in their hands. Have a Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Davies Rabbi@SOICherryHill.org
We are excited to be partnering with Mizrachi World Movement to provide their new publication of HaMizrachi Parasha Weekly.
Snow seems to be a prevalent theme this week. Israel had a rare winter snow storm, Elpis, closing down schools, Jerusalem and many activities. My next painting assignment is snow (no I can’t paint a polar bear in a snow storm. I tried.) We are expecting 2-12 inches of snow on Shabbat. If it was only 1 snowflake, we would not be concerned. Many snowflakes banding together like a team can incite great pleasure (days off of school, sledding, snow men, snowball battles) or wreak havoc (power outages, shoveling). Whatever the outcome, it is teamwork that precipitates it. Let’s hope our teamwork has a positive effect.
Purim, a topsy turvy time, hopefully with no snow, is 48 days away, March 16-17. Our Mishloach Manot team has been hard at work getting the baskets and supplies ordered and updating the membership information. At this point they need your help. Please check out your shul cloud account. Sign in and update your addresses, profile, etc. If you have not signed in before, go to “forgot password” and set up your login. Adding in your children’s names and birthdates is very helpful to our Youth Committee.
“Team work makes the dream work” is an apt statement for the Executive Management Task Force. As a team, they are re-assessing the framework and duties of the SOI Board and its volunteers. A representative from another community shul said it very well, “We get 100% of the work done by 5% of our shul members”. When an organization is run by volunteers there needs to be clear delineation of responsibilities and goals. Chemmie Sokolic has been instrumental in helping to formulate this so that in the future, transition to different leadership will be seamless.
A great volunteer Kitchen Committee met to re-assess our clean, organized kitchen needs, pricing for rentals and kiddush set ups and menus. We are examining rental fees from various facilities to keep competitive. A Banquet Manager is a necessity, if you know of anyone available and qualified. We have a beautiful facility and would like to make it more readily available to celebrate many simchas together.
Creative menus and additions to enhance our kiddushes and to provide more options are pending along with pricing verifications. Kiddush sponsorships and volunteers are always needed and appreciated. Help is needed in preparation, chulent cooking, set up and clean up. Flo Shulman has been instrumental in organizing the volunteers. Please Sign up here. On February 26th we will be having a Moroccan Cooking Event and Kitchen Shower. Please stay tuned for more details and sign up.
As you can see, we are trying to get all our ducks in a row and move forward. SOI Volunteers are fantastic , especially as we snowball together to make SOI a great place for all. Join our team.
The first Starbucks opened in Seattle, Washington in1971, by three partners who met while they were students at the University of San Francisco: English teacher Jerry Baldwin, history teacher Zev Siegl, and writer Gordon Bowker were inspired to sell high-quality coffee beans and equipment by coffee roasting entrepreneur Alfred Peet after he taught them his style of roasting beans.The company took the name of the chief mate in the book Moby-Dick: Starbuck, after considering "Cargo House" and "Pequod".
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.
Shoprite Scrip Now Available SOI Office Monday-Friday 10-2 Yaeli Sokolic at ycsgraphix@gmail.com Flo Shulman at florence.shulman@gmail.com
Thank you to Tamar Wiener, Sabrina Spector, Malka Moskowitz, Dan Malamud, Adam Shulman, Baila Silverman & Oze Henig for helping with last week's kiddush.
Thank you to Bill Jungreis, Debbie Fineberg, Adam Shulman, Oriel Weinberg, Avi Rynderman, Baila Silverman, Gary Kundin, Harvey Chaitoff, Chemmie Sokolic, Mike and Sam Tilonsky for providing security this past Shabbos.
Volunteer for a 30 minute shift helping to protect our congregation. Contact Sam Tilonsky at drsamod@gmail.com to volunteer or more information.
Join the NEW SOI Updates Whatsapp group!
For all the news and announcements you don't want to miss.
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
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 Robert Shapiro - Doniel-Avraham ben Hannah Aaron Moshe ben Ruth Refael Shimon ben Chanina Yosef Simcha Chaim Ben Sarah Chana Gaela bas Pinina
Refuah Sheleima to Rabbi Rothman who is recovering from recent surgery. You can contact him to wish him well ateyk1savta1@gmail.com. The Congregation would like to send Rabbi Rothman a gift package wishing him a speedy and complete recovery while he recuperates at his daughter's home. Any excess funds raised will be added to the synagogue's Chesed Fund in honor of Rabbi Rothman. Click Here to Donate
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
JFCS launching new post-bereavement educational group There is life after loss. Jewish Family & Children’s Service is here to help widows and widowers build a positive, purposeful future while embracing their own strength and courage. Join us to learn important life skills and build new friendships. The agency will be launching a new, eight-week Post-Bereavement Educational Group, beginning on Thursday, February 24 at noon. Intended specifically for individuals in the post-bereavement stage, the group will address cooking for one; banking; self-care; financial planning; emotional support; socialization skills; advance directives and living wills; and legal education. There is no charge to participate but advance registration is required by contacting Tanya Zaslavsky at 856-424-1333 ext. 3035 or tzaslavsky@jfedsnj.org.
- All vaccinated and unvaccinated adults and children must wear masks properly indoors at all times on Shabbat (except while eating at Kiddush). - Everyone on the bima must wear a mask except for vaccinated baalei tfillah and baalei kriya in the main minyan. - It is recommended that high risk individuals remain masked indoors at all times for their protection - Masks and social distancing are required at all times in the 8AM Shabbat 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 SOI EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Now that we’re already into 2022, it is time to get moving toward that 50 mile goal! Start the new year off right by adding some exercise to your week. Yes it's cold out, so bundle up and embrace the crisp air ~ you won't regret it and your body will thank you for it! Here are log sheets to record your progress. Feel free to print and stick on your fridge. If you have any questions, email Hildy at hberlin610@gmail.com
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 to Friday
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
