Erev Shabbat, April 15: Erev Pesach, Taanit Bechorot (Nisan 14) 6:45am Shacharit 9:00am Latest time to get in Sale of Chametz forms 10:30am Communal Chametz Burn (Ends 11:30am) 10:48am Latest time to eat Chametz 11:54am Latest time to own Chametz 7:00pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv 7:20pm Candle Lighting 8:21pm Earliest time to start 1st Seder
12:59am Chatzot (Halachic Midnight)
Shabbat, April 16: Pesach, (Nisan 15) 8:00am 8AM Minyan 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:41am Latest Shema 7:10pm Mincha/Maariv After 8:22pm Candle Lighting 8:22pm Earliest time to prepare 2nd Seder 12:59am Chatzot (Halachic Midnight) Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום יום אחד לעמר
Sunday, April 17: Pesach, 1st Day Omer (Nisan 16) 8:00am 8AM Minyan 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:40am Latest Shema 7:30pm Mincha/Maariv 8:23pm Havdalah Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שני ימים לעמר
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 Yehonasan Gefen entitled 'By Your Blood You Shall Live', which speaks to the significance of the Mitzvot surrounding the Exodus and their message for us today.
The Prophet Yechezkel recounts the story of the Exodus and says that God told the Jewish people that in truth they were not worthy of being redeemed because they had not performed any Mitzvot up to that time. Therefore, God gave them two Mitzvot involving blood; the Pascal Lamb offering (Korban Pesach) and Circumcision (Brit Mila). By performing these Mitzvot they would have enough merit to somewhat deserve the incredible kindness of being taken out of Egypt. [...]
[W]hy is it necessary for there to be two Mitzvot that involve the basic commitment to doing God's will, why wouldn't it be sufficient for one Mitzva to fulfill this role? The answer is that the two Mitzvot represent different aspects of a commitment. Circumcision was first commanded to a single individual, Avraham, to form his covenant with God. Thus, Circumcision represents a person's commitment to his individual relationship with God and all that entails. The Pascal lamb represents our commitment to God as part of the Jewish people. The laws of the Pascal lamb emphasize the importance of fulfilling the Mitzva in groups, stressing the national aspect of the Mitzva. Accordingly, it is necessary to have two forms of covenants; one between the individual and God, and one between a person as a member of the Jewish people, and God.
We can now understand why God gave these two Mitzvot in particular to the Jewish people at the time of their spiritual ‘birth’. It was insufficient for them to merely perform an arbitrary Mitzva, rather they first needed to make a tangible commitment to keeping the relationship with him. Accordingly, God gave them the two Mitzvot that represent that commitment – once they fulfilled them, they now showed that they were willing to be God’s chosen nation and that gave them enough merit to be redeemed. The reason that there were two Mitzvot and not one is that they needed to make the commitment on two levels; one as an individual and one as a part of the nation.
Pesach is the time that our nation was born. Every Pesach the energy of spiritual rebirth is at its strongest. Circumcision and the Pascal lamb teach us that it is essential to renew our two levels of commitment to our relationship with God; as individuals who have a responsibility to grow in our personal connection to Him; and as part of the nation. This second obligation is a little less clear than the first, and involves different requirements for different people, but the common denominator is that it requires that we feel a connection to all Jews, no matter what their spiritual level, and a responsibility to help them in both the physical and spiritual realm. Pesach is a time to contemplate whether we are doing enough in this realm and how we can improve. [...]
Download the Sale of Chametz Form here, or pick up a copy at the Shul Rabbi Davies will be available before and after Mincha/Maariv (7:20) for sale of Chametz. If you are not available at that time, please reach out to the rabbi to schedule another time to meet. (all forms must be given to Rabbi Davies no later than9:00am on Friday, April 15th)
Free Machine Shmurah Matzvah Available in the lobby
QUESTIONS? Feel free to email Rabbi Davies – Rabbi@SOICherryHill.org or text or call 609-301-0131.
A couple weeks ago I taught a family education workshop on the Significance of Four on Pesach. Along with the Four cups of wine, Four sons, Four questions, Four seasons, I am grateful for the Four extra days I had to cook and prepare for this amazing holiday. One of my family's favorite recipes is Tishpishti, a kosher for Pesach Baklava. We hope you enjoy and have a beautiful holiday, sedorim, and share many family traditions and memories.
Tishpishti Kosher for Pesach Baklava
Ingredients: Dough: Syrup: 1 cup matzah meal 2/3 cup sugar 1 cup matzah cake meal 2/3 cup cold water ½ cup sugar 2 T. honey ½ cup finely ground blanched almonds 1 tsp. lemon juice ½ tsp. ground cinnamon ½ cup vegetable oil 1 large egg ¾ cup cold water 16 whole almonds Directions: Dough: 1. Combine matzah meal, cake meal, sugar, ground almonds, cinnamon in a medium sized bowl. 2. Add the oil, egg and ¾ cup water mixing well to form a stiff dough. Knead until smooth 3. Evenly press the dough into an 8 inch square, greased baking dish. 4. Use a knife to cut the dough into diamonds being careful not to cut all the way through. a. Cut crosswise into 4 even rows b. Cut diagonal lines in the opposite direction forming diamond shapes 5. Press a whole almond into he center of each piece. 6. Bake in a preheated, 375 degree oven, for 40-45 minutes or until lightly brown and firm. Syrup: 1. Stir sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium high heat until the sugar dissolves and comes to a boil. 2. Boil , uncovered, and undisturbed, for 8 minutes. 3. Stir in the honey and lemon juice, take off the heat and cool slightly. Putting it all together: 1. Remove cake from oven when it is finished baking and re-cut the lines. 2. Pour the syrup evenly over the hot cake 3. Let the cake rest for several hours to completely absorb the syrup. 4. After the syrup has been absorbed Makes about 16 pieces
If you have any questions or concerns about the Gala on May 23rd, please reach out to Vicki Miltz,vickayvickay@gmail.com, or TL Weinberg, seanweinberg1@gmail.com, Committee Chairs.
Alan Baker President of SOI 1980 - 1981. The Baker Family moved to Cherry Hill on Labor Day 1971 and were privileged to attend the very first Shabbos of Congregation Sons of Israel in their new shul. The sanctuary was furnished with folding chairs and the carpet had not yet been installed. During Alan’s term, there was tremendous growth throughout the shul; a growing Talmud Torah afternoon religious school, a great Young Affiliates Group, and a vibrant NCSY.
Volunteers Needed Constructing the tents on April 27th, 6:30pm for the Linetsky Bar Mitzvah Rain date April 28th. Help is also needed with Shamos on April 24th.
As the result of the nation’s reliance on automobiles and increasing popularity of airplane travel that led to the declining use of passenger trains, Congress passed the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970. This legislation established the National Railroad Passenger Corporation to take over the intercity passenger rail service that had been operated by private railroads. Amtrak began service on May 1, 1971 serving 43 states with a total of 21 routes. Related Materials from the Arc
FINANCIAL/MEMBERSHIP UPDATE It’s hard to believe that Pesach is here and the end of the fiscal year is approaching. We would appreciate it if you would clear up any outstanding balances you may have. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Heshy Chaitoff or Michael Partnow. Thank you!
Thank you to the anonymous donor for the books in the lobby. They are free to the congregation. Please help yoursel to some "light" reading during the holiday. Thank you to Rabbi Jeffrey Bilinsky for overseeing and assisting in kashering for the community at the Shul for Pesach.
Thank you to last week's kitchen volunteers: Sarah Zanger, Gail Belfer, Helene Raush, Judy Herzberg, Lianna Weinberg, Malka Baratz, and Gavi Wiener.
A big thank you to Bill Jungreis, Debbie Fineberg, Harvey Chaitoff, Jeff Liss, Steve Herzberg, Chemmie Sokolic, Robbie Friedner, Mike from OPS and Sam Tilonsky for providing security this past Shabbos.
Want to get thanked for helping protect our community? Sign up to help with security and your name will appear here. Remember,
It’s Your Shul, Help Protect It!
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 Chayim Gedalya haLevi ben Henya
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
Out of concern for fellow shul attendees, if you are feeling sick, we ask that you please refrain from attending. Thank you for your cooperation.
Rabbi Michael Davies, Donna Moskowitz, and the Covid Task Force
Men's Mikvah at SOI
Dear Cherry Hill Community Members,
For many decades, the Sons of Israel Mikvah has been a wonderful asset to the Southern New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia Jewish communities. Since the construction of the beautiful Ohel Leah Mikvah for women in 2013, the original Mikvah has been used by men for daily, weekly, and pre-holiday immersion. Sons of Israel would like to make sure that the structure and function of the Mikvah is viable so that it remains available to all who value its presence in our community. In this vein, the synagogue leadership, chaired by Ken Panitch, together with Lee Cohen, have partnered to help strengthen the Men’s Mikvah at SOI.
To ensure the financial viability of the Mikvah, we are asking all regular users to commit to a membership fee based on their usage and pay for this membership each year prior to Pesach. While the rates in aggregate are less than the à la carte rates which are currently in place, having commitments at the beginning of the year will give the Mikvah a reliable source of income to handle the annual operations of the Mikvah.
For further information or to sign up for the package that suits your needs scan the QR code or click on the button below.
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
