Deep Look at Sefer Bereishit: Monday, May 9 after Mincha/Maariv - This week we begin the story of Kayin and Hevel - Live in the SOI Kiddush Room or on Zoom
Semichas Chaver Programwith Rabbi Davies: For registered participants
Erev Shabbat, May 6: 20th Day Omer (Iyyar 5) 6:45am Shacharit 6:31pm Plag HaMincha (Earliest Candle Lighting) 7:00pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv 7:41pm Candle Lighting Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום אחד ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות לעמר
Shabbat, May 7: 21st Day Omer, Kedoshim (Iyyar 6) 8:00am 8AM Minyan 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:25am Latest Shema 10:00am Youth Groups 10:30am Tot Shabbat 10:30am Donuts & Discussion 6:10pm Gemara Shiur 6:30pm Special Yom HaAtzmaut Snif 7:30pm Mincha 7:55pm Rabbi's Parsha Shiur 8:35pm Maariv 8:46pm Havdalah Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שנים ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות ויום אחד לעמר
Sunday, May 8: 22nd Day Omer (Iyyar 7) Mother's Day 7:00am Shacharit 8:00am Shacharit 7:50pm Mincha/Maariv Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שלשה ועשרים יום שהם שלשה שבועות 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 Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen entitled 'The Value of Life', about the Jewish value of life.
The Torah tells us that if we will keep the Mitzvot, then we will ‘live by them’. Rashi explains that the Torah does not simply mean that we will live forever by them in this world, because everyone is destined to die. Rather, the Torah is referring to life in the only place that is eternal – the Next World. However, the Gemara derives a very different lesson from this verse. The Gemara1 has a lengthy discussion about the source of the halacha that one is permitted, and obligated, to transgress any Mitzva, (with the exception of murder, Idol worship and immorality) in order to save a life. Shmuel states that the source is this verse where the Torah says, ‘you will live by them’ (vechai bahem). Shmuel explains that the Torah is coming to allude that one should live through his Mitzva observance and not die through keeping the Torah, hence one should not do a Mitzva that could result in death. The Gemara concludes that Shmuel’s interpretation is the best one.
It is instructive to analyze the ramifications that ‘vechai bahem’ is the source of the obligation to break the Torah in order to save a life. One of the other suggested sources for the source of this obligation is a verse relating to the obligation to keep Shabbat: The Torah tells us, “And the children of Israel will keep the Shabbat in order to keep the Shabbat throughout their generations.” Rebbe Shimon Ben Menasya interprets this verse to be instructing us to break one Shabbos to save a person’s life so that he will be able to observe many Shabbatot in the future. This derivation would seem to apply not just to Shabbat, but to all Mitzvot in general, whereby the Torah instructs us to break any Mitzva in order to potentially enable the sick person to keep other Mitzvos in the future.
The commentaries note that there is a very significant difference between this interpretation and that of Shmuel. According to Rebbe Shimon Ben Menasya, the reason that we break Shabbat is so that the sick person may be able to observe Shabbos in the future. It follows that in a case where it is totally certain that person will not be capable of surviving to keep another Shabbos then there is no permit to break Shabbos to save his life. In contrast, according to Shmuel’s drash that life is of more value than a Mitzvah, the permit and obligation to break a Mitzva to save a life would apply even if the sick person will definitely not be able to live long enough, or be well enough to perform any Mitzvos in the future. The Mishnah Berurah rules definitively that the halacha follows Shmuel, that we must break any Mitzva (excluding the three aforementioned Mitzvot) in order to save a life. The reason for this is that life in and of itself is of intrinsic, infinite value, even if there would seem to be no practical benefit for lengthening the sick persons’ life.
This message rings true especially this week with the commemoration of Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day) and the celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day). We must appreciate the over 24,000 Israeli soldiers who have given their lives so that we can live and flourish in our land.
Saying “Thank you”, two little words, can change a person’s attitude tremendously. Knowing your efforts, time and commitment are appreciated and welcomed, that your help is needed, can make a huge difference in a person’s involvement and self-esteem.
Our past presidents have put in an inordinate amount of time and effort to bring SOI where it is today. Everyone always tells me that it’s a thankless job. I would like to change that by reaching out to you, Sons of Israel members, to show our Past Presidents how much we appreciate all that they have done from beautifying the shul, to keeping it afloat, to managing the day to day running of the shul, hiring and managing personnel and creating needed changes to move forward through the ages.
Attending our Jubilee GALA on May 23rd is saying THANK YOU to all of our Past Presidents. Please register now. If you cannot make it on May 23rd, please consider taking out an ad acknowledging our Presidents. Proceeds raised from the dinner, our largest fundraiser, are our main source of income for the upcoming year. Other ways you can help: * Submit an ad or solicit ads from whomever you do business with – dry cleaner, jeweler, food store, hairdresser, dentist, doctor, etc. * Provide raffle items (ex. Including providing a skill to donate or an item to give away.) * Event volunteers are needed (phone calls, set up and clean up, and more!) * Generous donations
Following is the proposed Sons of Israel Board of Directors for 2022-2023 Executive Committee President: Ilana Weiss 1st VP: Heshy Chaitoff 2nd VP: Judy Herzberg 3rd VP: Eric Klein Treasurer: Mark Littwin Financial Secretary: Yaeli Sokolic Assistant Financial Secretary: Michael Partnow Recording Secretary: Chani Weisman
Term Expiring 2023 Helene Raush Sabrina Spector Dan Drabkin Sybil Bernstein Ken Panitch
Term Expiring 2024 Sam Tilonsky Hildy Berlin Flo Shulman Jack Fuchs Dan Malamud Suzie Mindel
Term Expiring 2025 Moshe Moskowitz Akiva Fischman Judi Barg Shari Solomon Charles Kivolowitz Oriel Weinberg
Congregational Meeting May 25, 2022 8:30pm
OUR HONOREES:
Larry Miller Herb Zarge Alan Baker Bill Jungreis Sid Goldberg Allan Zarembski Ken Panitch
Bill Weiss Ron Zanger Mark Lowitz Aaron Greenberg Eytan Irwin Jeff Lubin
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.
Allan Zarembski President of SOI 2005-2007 The Gala, during Allan's term, was a huge success primarily due to the entertainment, insisted by the honoree, Dudu Fisher. David "Dudu" Fisher is an Israeli cantor and performer, best known for his Broadway performance as Jean Valjean in the musical Les Misérables. A very generous person was so impressed, he donated an additional $2000, and in turn they broke six figures at their Gala.
The Nixon shock was a series of economic measures undertaken by United States President Richard Nixon in 1971, in response to increasing inflation, the most significant of which were wage and price freezes, surcharges on imports, and the unilateral cancellation of the direct international convertibility of the United States dollar to gold. Yearly Inflation Rate USA 4.3% Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 890 Average Cost of new house $25,250.00 Average Income per year $10,600.00
FINANCIAL/MEMBERSHIP UPDATE The end of the fiscal year financial statements were sent out. 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!
Mazel Tov to Bill and Lynn Jungreis on the birth of a baby boy to their children Brian and Jacquelyn Jungreis living in Boca Raton, Florida. The baby was born April 28, 2022 and Mazel tov to big brother Trevor Liam.
Thank you to Malka Moskowitz, Sylvia Levine, Sandy Crass, Dan Malamud, Aliza Sadiky, Sara Sadiky and Yoni Sadiky for helping to set up, serve and clean up a beautiful Bar Mitzvah kiddush
Thank you to Drs. Elon and Neely Elisha for sponsoring the Yom Ha'Atzmaut Program in memory of Tzion Elisha z"l, Rami Anaf z"l, and Rafi Elisha z"l
Thank you to Robbie and Debbie Friedner for sponsoring Rabbi Shaffer's series on Megillat Ruth in memory of Robbie's parents.
Thank you to Debbie Fineberg, Michael Morgenstern, Harvey Chaitoff, Jeff Liss, Debbie Pester, Avi Rynderman, Chemmie Sokolic and Mike from OPS.
We need volunteers for security! You can watch the cameras, stand by the doors or be in one of the minyanim. Whatever makes you comfortable. Contact Sam Tilonsky (drsamod@gmail.com) for details.
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 Shari Goldberg
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
Due to the increased number of cases nationwide mask wearing is recommended but not mandatory. Vaccination, including booster immunizations, are highly recommended.
Masks are optional for all minyanim and programs.
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.
The time-honored tradition of Flagging the Graves of our Veterans returns on Friday morning, May 20. In cooperation with the Camden County Board of Commissioners, American Legion Post 372, and Jewish War Veterans Post 126, JFCS is proud to offer community members two opportunities to flag the graves of our fallen heroes in honor of Memorial Day. Flagging events will be held at New Camden Cemetery and Harleigh Cemetery in Camden. Please note that space is limited and advance registration is required. For more information visit https://jfcssnj.org/bite-size-opportunities/.
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
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
