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
Cocktail Party: Saturday, February 19 8:00pm-11:00pm https://www.soicherryhill.org/event/cocktail-party.html
Backyard Bonfire Smores and Shmooze: Saturday, February 26 8:00pm-9:30pm - Join your friends for a bonfire and smores with Rabbi Davies in the Provdas Backyard. Open to all 6th-8th Graders
Erev Shabbat, February 4 (Adar I 3) 6:45am Shacharit 5:04pm Candle Lighting 5:05pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv
Shabbat, February 5: Terumah (Adar I 4) 8:00am 8AM Minyan No Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:40am Latest Shema 10:00am Groups K-2nd Jr. Congregation 3rd-5th 10:30am Tot Shabbat 10:40am Donuts & Discussion 6th-8th graders 11:15am Cocktail Kiddush 4:55pm Mincha 5:20pm Rabbi's Parsha Shiur 5:55pm Maariv 6:06pm Havdalah 6:30pm Musical Glow Havdallah
Sunday, February 6 (Adar I 5) 7:00am Shacharit 8:00am Shacharit 9:00am Red Cross Blood Drive (Ends at 2:00pm) 5:10pm Mincha/Maariv 8:00pm Advanced Gemara Shiur
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 Boruch Leff entitled 'A Tedious Tabernacle?', which speaks to what our contributions to the community really mean.
In the beginning of Parshat Trumah (Exodus 25:1-7), God tells Moshe to collect donations from all Jews for the building materials of the Mishkan. He mentions the specific materials that they should bring such as gold, silver, copper, and turquoise wool. Why must they bring specific materials? Why isn't it enough to donate money and the Tabernacle Building Fund would go buy the materials? Why the emphasis on set items that needed to be donated as opposed to simple money?
The answer teaches us something fundamental about God's Mishkan. The Tabernacle was to be the combination of the efforts of all Jews. Each possession that we own is part and parcel of who we are. God wanted us to contribute our essence to the Mishkan, which is present in our possessions.
In each bar of gold that I donate, in every piece of fabric that I give, there is a piece of who I am. I invested part of my life and energies to acquire this belonging and it is in many ways a representation of my inner being.
[...] God lists all the various ways in which the possessions that the Jews donated were used. Every single nuance, every architectural instruction is mentioned. God wants to show us how He fashioned our possessions to form one collective whole structure that manifests all Jews and their substantive qualities together.
This theme explains why the Torah spends so many verses describing the Tabernacle's construction. [...] God is 'obsessed' with the Tabernacle's building and architecture because He sees in it a collective soul of the Jewish People, through the material they donated from their personal acquisitions. 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.
Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilisation.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
Diversity; according to Merriam-Webster dictionary is, ”the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.” This was self-evident from the results, so far, on our Purim survey. I went through the responses and comments so far and they are all over the spectrum about masks, even though that was not a question asked, but obviously a hot topic. Several people said they would not come to events at SOI unless everyone wore masks, while others say masks are unreliable and unnecessary. As a good leader, I read them all and then threw my hands in the air, got a glass of wine, and came to the conclusion that, no matter what we do, some people will not agree.
Acknowledging the fact that there are differences within our own community is a value that we have embraced, publicized and is in our mission statement: “Enhancing, enriching, and embracing the mosaic of Modern Orthodox Jewish life in Cherry Hill.”
To make a beautiful bouquet, you need many different flowers. And our shul is comprised of many beautiful, unique individuals. Realizing we do have many different opinions is always at the forefront of Board decisions and conversations. I pray everyone can bend a little, like the willow tree, for the betterment and cohesiveness of our warm and welcoming diverse community.
We are still evaluating the results of the survey and will keep it open until Sunday evening. Plans for Shaloch Manot are underway and we would appreciate you updating your account in Shul Cloud so we can deliver our members’ packages on Purim.
We are initiating a new email that will go out on Mondays listing all the events for that week along with their links to ease participation. Please participate at whatever your comfort level is. If you have any suggestions for programs and learnings within the shul, please let us know.
This week will be a very special Cocktail Kiddush thanks to donations from Adam & Flo Shulman, Harvey & Shaton Chaitoff, and the mixology expertise of Dore Provda. He will be serving: French Martini, Pineapple Mule and a Cosmopolitan. For the children, and people not wanting alcohol, non-alcoholic Lion's Eyeball and Tiger Blood Zombie. This is a teaser to the Mixology Event on February 19th where you can join along with Dore and make special drinks in the comfort of your own home. Registration is open for this event.
Our Family Musical Glow Havdallah, which was postponed from last week, will be in full swing this Saturday night at 6:30 pm. Explore your inner glow as we usher out Shabbat with musical accompaniment.
Ongoing programs are our Learnigns with Rabbi Davies on both Monday and Wednesday evenings, our Purim Food Drive benefitting the Betsy & Peter Fischer Food Pantries and our 50 Miles for 50 Years Challenge. The Red Cross Blood Drive is this Sunday, thanks to Jon Bender.
"There are only 3 primary colors, red, yellow and blue, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen." ― Sun Tzu. I hope we can all come together, embrace our differences and uniqueness, but still paint a beautiful canvas of unity that is SOI.
Shabbat Shalom, Donna Moskowitz SOI President
The Ed Sullivan Show aired from 1948 until 1971 and changed the landscape of American television. Sullivan’s stage was home to iconic performances by groundbreaking artists from rock ‘n’ roll, comedy, novelty, pop music, politics, sports, opera and more. There were historic rock ‘n’ roll performances by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones and The Doors; sensational Motown acts by The Jackson 5, Supremes and Temptations; hilarious stand-up comedy acts by Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin and Carol Burnett; unforgettable Broadway performances by the stars of musicals like My Fair Lady and West Side Story. This list of who stepped on The Ed Sullivan Show stage goes on and on.
As we are nearing Rosh Chodesh Adar 1, we are excitedly planning for Purim. We'd like to make sure that our plans meet the needs of the community. Please respond at the link below for a short survey so that we can plan with your needs in mind! We understand that there are many factors which would contribute to uncertainty. Please respond with your best guess. Purim is March 16-17.
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
Mazel Tov to Joachim Rudolor, Israel Advocacy Award, and Rebecca Raush, Young Adult Israel Advocacy Award, on being honored at the Middle East Institute Event on February 13.
With a heart full of gratitude, my family and I wish to extend a huge "Thank You" to the SOI and Cherry Hill community for coming together to help us during this extremely difficult time. From davening for Hillel, reaching out to ask what was needed, your guidance and support, and of course, the delicious meals. What's a Jewish community without the food?! Our family from near and far were so impressed by the outpouring of love and support from this community. They all commented that they have never experienced that in their own communities; Chicago and Beit Shemesh. That speaks volumes! I am so blessed to have that around me. A special "Thank You" goes to Rabbi and Ora Davies. Being new to our SOI family, they are just learning to get to know each of us. Unfortunately, Hillel had been unable to make it to shul for quite awhile, so Rabbi Davies didn't get a chance to really know Hillel. But both Ora and the Rabbi reached out on a regular basis and were instrumental in ironing out so many little details. I appreciate their continued guidance. Tziku L'Mitzvot and Shabbat Shalom, Debbie Pester and Family
A very big thank you to Bill Jungreis, Jeff Liss, Steve Herzberg, Mike from OPS and Sam Tilonsky for providing security this past snowy, snowy 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 at his daughter's. You can contact him to wish him well ateyk1savta1@gmail.com. He sends his thanks and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the beautiful fruit basket he received.
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
Parental Bereavement Group offers solace and support
When a child of any age dies, parents often cycle through shock, numbness, denial, and disbelief, which often cushion the full impact of their tragic loss. After the initial mourning period, parents must begin the long process of grieving for their child. As time passes, new emotions may emerge: from guilt, anger, and loneliness to despair, sadness, and regret. These emotions may be too overwhelming for parents to process on their own. Some parents express their grief easily and openly, while others keep their feelings hidden away. While there is no “correct” way to grieve, it can be helpful to seek professional guidance along the road to healing. JFCS knows that grief doesn’t end with Shiva. Many bereaved parents find hope and comfort by sharing their stories with others, and—more importantly— feeling free to speak their child’s name without the fear that others will turn away when the tears begin to fall. Sharing can ease the loneliness and enable parents to express their grief in an accepting and understanding atmosphere. With a new eight-week session beginning this winter, the JFCS Parental Bereavement Group creates a welcoming space to help parents can find the courage and emotional strength to persevere and effect positive change in their lives. This group is offered at no charge to participants but advance registration is required by contacting Meri Seligman at 856-424-1333 or mseligman@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.
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
