COVID UPDATES FOR THIS SHABBAT The 9AM Main Sanctuary Minyan and minyanim during the rest of Shabbos and throughout the week will be “mask optional”. For the time being, the 8 AM Minyan will remain “fully masked” for all participants.
Based on the recent lifting of the State Mandate and following the decisions of local schools, children’s groups will now be “mask optional”.
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
Announcements & Upcoming Events
Shabbat Parshat Zachor: We add a brief additional Torah portion relaying the Mitzvah of Mechiyas Amalek - Remembering to wipe out Amalek. This is considered one of the only biblically mandated Torah readings of the year, and so we encourage all to make special effort to attend. There will be an additional reading at the conclusion of the 9am davening (approximately 11am) for those who miss it earlier.
The Mishloach Manot Project is still open. You may make your purchase on our website until 10:00pm tonight! Register Here.
Kiddush sponsored Joyce and Jeffrey Joseph, Igor Koralnik and Pam Scheinman celebrating the Aufruf/Shabbos Kallah of their children Sara Joseph and Sam Koralnik -Saturday, March 12 11:00am-12:00pm
Erev Shabbat, March 11 (Adar II 8) 6:45am Shacharit 5:44pm Candle Lighting 5:45pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv
Shabbat, March 12: Parshat Vayikra, Zachor (Adar II 9) 8:00am 8AM Minyan 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:14am Latest Shema 10:00am Groups K-2nd Jr. Congregation 3rd-5th 10:30am Tot Shabbat 11:00am Additional reading of Parshat Zachor following davening 11:15am Kiddush is sponsored by Joyce and Jeffrey Joseph, Igor Koralnik and Pam Scheinman in honor of the upcoming marriage of their children Sarah Joseph and Sam Koralnik 5:35pm Mincha 6:00pm Rabbi's Parsha Shiur 6:30pm Maariv 6:44pm Havdalah 7:15pm Pre Purim Family Havdallah
REMEMBER TO SPRING FORWARD ON MOTZAI SHABBOS
Sunday, March 13 (Adar II 10) 7:00am Shacharit 8:00am Shacharit 6:50pm Mincha/Maariv 8:00pm Advanced Gemara Shiur
Schedule for Purim
Wednesday, March 16 (Adar II 13) - Taanis Esther 5:50am Fast Begins 6:30am Shacharit 6:35pm Mincha 7:35pm Maariv 7:41pm Fast Ends 7:45m Megillah Reading 8:00pm Purim Pizza Palooza
Thursday, March 17 (Adar II 14) - Purim 6:30am Early Shacharit 8:30am Late Shacharit 10:30am Megillah Reading 2:00pm Purim Pirate Party 6:50pm 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 week, I share an excerpt from an article by Rabbi Shraga Simmons entitled 'Your Very Best', which speaks of the importance of perseverance during the good times and the difficult as well.
Parshat Vayikra discusses the "Oleh v'Yored" offering - literally the "up-and-down" offering - so called because it had three levels, based on one's financial ability: A wealthy person would bring a cow; a middle-class person brings a bird; and a poor person brings an offering of flour.
In fact, a wealthy person was not allowed to bring a lesser-quality offering. We see from here that God does not judge everyone by the same standards. Someone who has a greater natural ability is expected to do more. For why else would God have given him those resources?!
On the flip side, a poor person was not allowed to bring an expensive offering. This teaches that while we strive to improve, we must be sensitive to our own limitations, and not pressure ourselves unrealistically. [...]
We must never look askance at another person's achievements, however small they may appear. Because whatever level we're on, God only expects us to be ... the best that we can be.
We are celebrating National women’s month and with Purim one week away, the most prominent female figure is Queen Esther. The Megillah opens with Esther as beautiful and obedient; a relatively passive figure. During the course of the story, she evolves into someone who takes a decisive role in her own future and that of our people. According to Sidnie White Crawford, "Esther's position in a male court mirrors that of the Jews in a Gentile world, with the threat of danger ever present below the seemingly calm surface."
Artemesia Gentileschi is the most famous, and perhaps only, serious woman painter of 17th Century Italy. Her life story is fascinating and for a non-Jew she had a curious interest in strong Jewish women. She painted an extremely gory picture of Judith Slaying Holoferenes several times and a painting of Esther before King Achashverosh nearly “fainting” in his presence when seeking an audience. This painting is depicted above. There is a midrash stating that Esther swooned when approaching the king without an invitation. Artemesia has treated this swoon in a very creative and unusual manner. Esther’s arm is extended out, almost pleading for the king to assist her. Her “artful” collapse is well calculated. While she might seem vulnerable to the king, she is in fact very much in control of the situation. Her head is tilted back at an angle, her eyes closed and eyebrows arched in theatrical abandon. Until we notice that only one knee has given way to throw her off balance we might have thought she would soon end up on the floor in a heap. She originally swoons out of abject fear of the king’s anger and yet has turned this into a way of controlling him, manipulating him and actually causing him to rise in her presence. Artemisia has found a singular place in the story of Esther where a “mere woman” can control events normally quite beyond her grasp. (Once an art teacher, always an art teacher)
Celebrating Purim and celebrating Queen Esther is a fitting holiday for International Women’s Month. Women’s roles have changed tremendously from the 4th century BCE, and 17th century.
Let’s all join together and celebrate Purim with our Purim Musical Havdallah Saturday night,Purim Pizza Palooza on March 16th,Purim Pirate Show and Treasure Hunt on March 17th and a Bnal Akiva Purim Carnival on March 20th. The links to register are below on the flyers.
This recipe has been handed down through four generations. It is easy and delicious and a Great family activity.
Hamantashen Makes 3 dozen Preheat oven to 350 degrees Ingredients: 5 cups flour 1 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs 1 tsp. salt 3 tsp. baking powder 1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup sugar 1 orange – juice and grated rind Fillings: Any commercial filling: Cherry, blueberry, poppy, raspberry, prune, lemon, strawberry, etc. Chocolate chips, peanut butter. Tye Dye using food dye. Directions: 1. Mix and sift all dry ingredients 2. Add eggs, oil, grated rind, orange juice & vanilla 3. Knead until smooth or use a bread machine or Kitchen Aid. If the dough is too stiff, add a T. of orange juice at a time until the dough holds together (I used 4T.) 4. Refrigerate for several hours in an oiled bowl or plastic bag 5. Roll out onto a floured board and cut into 4” round circles using either a cookie cutter or high ball glass 6. Place a 1/2 T. full of filling in the center of each round. 7. Bring the edges together to form a triangle, pinching them together securely (al little water can be used to secure the corners) 8. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake until golden brown (approximately 12-15 minutes) 9. Cool completely and store in an airtight container (if they last that long)
Nicolette Daisy Milnes-Walker, MBE (1943-) was the first woman to sail non-stop single-handed across the Atlantic in 1971. She set sail from Milford Haven, UK and arrived in Newport USA forty five days later. She made her crossing in a 30 ft yacht, Aziz, a 'Pioneer' Class 9 meter designed by Van Der Stadt and constructed by Southern Ocean Shipyard Ltd, Poole, Dorset. Miss Milnes-Walker returned from the USA to the UK on board the Cunard passenger liner Queen Elizabeth 2. Upon her arrival, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston presented her with a painting of Aziz on behalf of the builders.
FINANCIAL/MEMBERSHIP UPDATE It’s hard to believe that as Purim is just around the corner, we are heading towards the end of the current fiscal year. We appreciate everyone's support and commitment to SOI. We respectfully ask everyone to review your accounts, to see if you are up to date with dues and pledges. Clearing any outstanding balances allows the shul to start the new fiscal year fresh and financially ready to meet the challenge of returning to normal programs and services. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Heshy Chaitoff or Michael Partnow with any questions or concerns Thank you!
Thank you to those who have already participated in our Mishloach Manot Project. The Mishloach Manot Project is still open. You may make your purchase on our website until 10:00pm tonight! Click Here to Register
Volunteers are needed this Sunday at 9:30 at SOI to help package our beautiful Mishloach Manot Packages Volunteers needed to help deliver packages on Purim Please contact Maetal Henig or Flo Shulman to volunteer
Advertising Opportunity Do you have a business or service you’d like to advertise to our Cherry Hill community and beyond? Would you like to get more business and benefit SOI at the same time? Now you can! SOI now has a Products and Services page on our website where, for a small donation, people can post a business card advertising their products or services. As more business cards are added, cards will be displayed by category – the more people advertise, the more people will look, and the more business will flow. Check out https://www.soicherryhill.org/local-products-services for more info.
Mazel Tov to Joyce & Jeffrey Joseph, Pam Scheinman & Igor Koralnik & the proud grandparents Harold and Marla Scheinman on the upcoming marriage of Sara Joseph & Sam Koralnik.
Mazel Tov to Sara on her Shabbos Kallah and to Sam on his aufruf.
Thank you to all our kitchen help last week: Vicki Miltz, Sabra Hess, Maetal Henig, Sandy Crass, Liana Weinberg, Soso Miltz, Malka Baratz, Yair Klein, Baila Silverman, Adam Shulman, Sylvia Levine
Thank you to Shira Baratz, Dan Drabkin, and Gerald Mindel for helping with the shopping this week.
Thank you to Bob Moskowitz for making the delicious chulent last week. This week's chulent is created by Tamar Weiner.
A big thank you to Bill Jungreis, Debbie Fineberg, Avi Rynderman, Baila Silverman, Jeff Liss, Harvey Chaitoff, Steve Herzberg, Robbie Friedner, Chemmie Sokolic and Sam Tilonsky for helping to keep us safe and secure this past Shabbos.
It’s your shul, help protect it! This past week the JCC and locations in Philadelphia and New York were threatened by a bomb scare. Thankfully, to my knowledge, no-one was injured and no devices were found. It’s extremely important to be aware of your surroundings. If anything or anyone looks suspicious or out of place contact me, our security guard, shul leadership, any of our greeters or CHPD immediately. See something? Say something! Please give us 30 minutes of your Shabbos morning to help protect your friends, family and fellow congregants. Volunteer for security greeter duty now!
Welcome new members Jenni Jimenez-Fischman & Akiva Fischman
A Message from the Welcoming Committee: Over the past two years during the COVID pandemic, many families have moved into our community. As many of us become more comfortable hosting people for meals, consider inviting these new families to your home or including them in your mishloach manot deliveries. If you would like a list of new families, reach out to anyone on the SOI Welcoming Committee: Aliza Chaitoff , Ora Davies, Michal Drabkin, Hannah Kaufman, Melissa Klein, Rachel Klein Michael Linetsky, Suzie Mindel, Alise Panitch, Aliza Sadiky, or Ilana Weiss
At this time the community is raising much needed funds for Morah Francine and her 4 children. Please join us in publicizing the campaign and making your donation in support of this important Mitzvah.
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 Yosef Simcha Chaim Ben Sarah Chana Gaela bas Pinina Jackie Nussbaum - Eta Ruchmam bas Chaya Golda
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
The death of a spouse is one of the most difficult things many of us will ever experience. Following such a painful loss, each person journeys through grief, mourning, and adjustment in their own way, but no one needs to go through this process alone. JFCS is committed to helping bereaved individuals begin to heal and rebuild their lives. A new, virtual session of the agency's Grief Support Group will begin on Tuesday, April 19 at 10:30am. Specifically designed for community members aged 60+ who are mourning the death of a spouse or partner in the past 12 months, this group provides a safe and supportive space, facilitated by a licensed social worker, for participants to share a myriad of emotions and discuss ways of integrating the loss into their new reality. Advance registration is required by contacting Reva Farenback-Brateman at (856) 424-1333, ext. 1184 or rfbrateman@jfedsnj.org.
With the encouraging news of dropping numbers of Covid cases in our area, we are taking small steps to relax our masking requirements. If numbers continue to fall, we hope to further relax these masking requirements.
· The 9AM Main Sanctuary Minyan, as well as the other minyanim throughout Shabbos and the course of the week will be “mask optional”. · For the time being, the 8 AM Shabbos Minyan will remain “fully masked” for all participants. · Based on the recent lifting of the State Mandate and following the decisions of local schools, children’s groups will now be “mask optional”.
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.
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
SUGGESTION Use a box of pasta as a grogger and then donate to the food bank in the box in front of the office.
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.
Shoprite Scrip Now Available SOI Office Monday-Friday 10-2 Yaeli Sokolic at ycsgraphix@gmail.com Flo Shulman at florence.shulman@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
