Erev Shabbat, April 22: Shevii Shel Pesach, 6th Day Omer (Nisan 21) 8:00am 8AM Minyan 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:36am Latest Shema 10:00am Youth Groups 7:27pm Candle Lighting 7:30pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שבעה ימים שהם שבוע אחד לעמר
Shabbat, April 23: Acharon Shel Pesach, Yizkor, 7th Day Omer, (Nisan 22) 8:00am 8AM Minyan 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:35am Latest Shema 10:00am Youth Groups 10:30am Yizkor in the Main Sanctuary (Approximately) 7:15pm Mincha/Maariv with Special Shiur from Rabbi Chaim Tropper 8:30pm Havdalah 9:00pm Earliest time to access Chametz sold through SOI Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שמונה ימים שהם שבוע אחד ויום אחד לעמר
Sunday, April 24: 8th Day Omer (Nisan 23) 7:00am Shacharit 8:00am Shacharit 10:00am Shamos Burial (Ends at 12:00pm) 7:35pm Mincha/Maariv Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום תשעה ימים שהם שבוע אחד ושני 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 Dr. Leslie M. Gutman entitled 'Do You Have the Necessary Grit to Cross Your Red Sea?', about one of the crucial messages of the miracle of Kriyat Yam Suf.
As the vengeful Egyptian army advanced, the Jewish people stood with indecision and fear at the edge of the sea. Nachshon ben Aminadav, prince of the tribe of Judah, jumped into the sea, and as the waters reached his mouth and nostrils, he almost drowned. With God’s command, Moses lifted his staff and the waters parted. The Jewish people entered and were saved from assault. After this miracle, the Jewish nation reached such a high level of faith and trust in God that it continues to sustain us even during the most challenging times.
While the Jewish people experienced many setbacks along the way[, c]rossing the Red Sea was the crucial turning point of their momentous journey. It is the defining moment when the Jewish People committed to their mission. Whatever the cost, there was no turning back. Now, they could move forward from slavery into freedom, accepting the Torah and becoming a nation.
As modern Jews, we can relate to the struggles of our ancestors. We are often in a place of indecision – considering all the available options (there are so many!). How do we cross our own metaphorical sea to arrive at a place where we are fully committed to striving toward our dreams? Psychological research offers a few tips:
First, consider what are your goals, dreams, ambitions – in other words, your sense of purpose in life. What drives your sense of meaning? Once this is clear, ask yourself – what is my mindset? Am I focused on why or how? With a why mindset, we are always questioning our commitment. When we have a how mindset, in contrast, we concentrate on when, where and how to act, staying on track to reach our goal. [...]
Judaism teaches us that each of us has our own unique mission. Psychological research emphasizes that having a sense of purpose and striving for meaningful goals are important for our mental health and wellbeing. Passover offers us an opportunity to become gritty, re-committing ourselves to reaching our dreams and meeting our highest potential. Crossing our metaphorical Red Sea can be the first step on this journey.
Volunteers in the United States hold up the foundation of civil society by helping their neighbors, serving their communities, and providing their expertise. No matter what kind of volunteer work they do, they are contributing in meaningful ways. To better understand the importance of a volunteer, the Independent Sector recently conducted a national survey and estimated that the current national rate of a volunteer is $29.95/hour. This estimate helps us quantify the enormous value volunteers provide. SOI relies heavily on volunteers to operate. We are grateful to our fantastic volunteers who continuously go above and beyond. That is why, this year’s Jubilee GALA celebrates Sons of Israel and its former Presidents.
Our past presidents are the guiding force that has brought us to this moment in time. They are the people that helped navigate trials and tribulations like bank foreclosures, power shut offs, canopy destruction, COVID – they did it all; and they did it all as volunteers. They have grown the shul through personal connections and a true caring of our Mission Statement and Vision: Enhancing, enriching, and embracing the mosaic of Modern Orthodox Jewish life in Cherry Hill. Having served as your President over these past two years, I am aware of the time commitment, stress, and boundless problems they have had to resolve. I am also aware of their joy in seeing the shul blossom and succeed. There is much pride and satisfaction knowing one has improved the quality of Sons of Israel.
Much thanks go to our past presidents including:
Larry Miller Herb Zarge Alan Baker Sid Goldberg Allan Zarembski Ken Panitch
Ron Zanger Bill Weiss Bill Jungreis Aaron Greenberg Eytan Irwin Jeff Lubin
To honor these individuals, and Sons of Israel’s 50 years in Cherry Hill, we invite you to take part in our Jubilee Gala, Monday, May 23rd featuring an exquisite cocktail hour and dinner and lively music by Avi Maza and his band. An assortment of raffles will be available ranging from handcrafted mezuzahs to art lessons to food packages and many more. This gala is SOI’s major fundraiser and to make this a success we need your help!
Here are some easy ways to get involved: 1. Register for the dinner at https://www.soicherryhill.org/form/gala2022 2. Submit an ad or solicit ads from whomever you do business with – dry cleaner, jeweler, food store, hairdresser, dentist, doctor, etc. 3. Provide raffle items (ex. Include providing a skill to donate or an item to give away.) 4. Event volunteers are needed (phone calls, set up and clean up, and more!)
When you volunteer, you gain a vested interest in the shul, get to meet some exceptional people, and help SOI to exceed our expectations.
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.
William Jungeis President of SOI 1996-1998 2004-2005 2014-2015 Bill was treasurer in 1996, but transitioned quickly to President, because he was the only shomer shabbat executive Committee member at the time. Traditionally, the President of the shul sat on the Bima next to the Rabbi. After one year Bill transitioned to the Hashkama Minyan and that tradition stopped. Bill also had hair at the beginning of his term.
Volunteers Needed
Help is needed to transport our Shamos to Crescent Memorial Park on Sunday, April 24th. Please meet at shul by 9am so we can be at Crescent by 10am.
Constructing the tents on April 27th, 6:30pm for the Linetsky Bar Mitzvah Rain date April 28th.
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 yourself to some "light" reading during the holiday.
Thank you to Ron Zanger for coordinating the siyum Erev Pesach
Thank you to Eytan Irwin for printing out donation cards and upgrading them with QR codes making it easier than ever to donate to SOI
A big Pesach thank you to Bill Jungreis, Harvey Chaitoff, Jeff Liss, Seth Cohen, Debbie Pester and Donna Moskowitz for providing security on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Your participation is vital to help keep everyone safe.
It’s Your Shul,
Help Protect it and the Community!
Volunteer for Security!!!
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 Wednesday, Thursday 830 -11:30am & Friday 10-2pm
