Shavuot: Saturday, June 4 - Monday, June 6 - More Details Coming Soon
New at SOI This Shavuot - Torah Slam– Sign up with Rabbi Davies (Rabbi@SOICherryHill.org) to give a five-minute presentation on one of the Parshiot in Sefer Bereishit during second day Kiddush (6/6/22), however you want. It can be a skit, poem, or rap. Family participation encouraged, creativity required!
Schedule for the Weekend
Erev Shabbat, May 13: 27th Day Omer (Iyyar 12) 6:45am Shacharit 6:37pm Plag HaMincha (Earliest Candle Lighting) 7:00pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv 7:48pm Candle Lighting Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שמונה ועשרים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות לעמר
Shabbat, May 14: 28th Day Omer, Emor (Iyyar 13) 8:00am 8AM Minyan 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:21am Latest Shema 10:00am Youth Groups 10:30am Tot Shabbat 11:15am Kiddush Sponsored by Vicki & Mayer Miltz 6:15pm Gemara Shiur 7:35pm Mincha 8:00pm Rabbi's Parsha Shiur 8:40pm Maariv 8:54pm Havdalah Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום תשעה ועשרים יום שהם ארבעה שבועות ויום אחד לעמר
Sunday, May 15: Pesach Sheni, 29th Day Omer (Iyyar 14) 7:00am Shacharit 8:00am Shacharit 7:55pm Mincha/Maariv Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שלשים יום שהם ארבעה 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 Adam Lieberman entitled 'The Anonymous Gift', about the best way to give to others.
God tells the Jewish people that they need to a leave a corner of their fields unharvested to allow the poor to come and take from it. God doesn't tell them to give some of their crops to the poor, but rather they should leave them some of their crops. The difference, although seemingly insignificant, is actually quite powerful. [...]
In an effort to allow the receiver of the crops not to feel ashamed, God tells the owner of the field to leave the crops. This way, perhaps in the middle of the night, the one who's in need can simply take without any embarrassment. To be able to pick up the crops with no one seeing him is an effort to lessen the receiver's emotional pain of knowing that at this moment he is dependent upon someone else for life's necessities.
[...] Today most people aren't farmers and the Torah is also an instruction guide for living in modern times. So, what lesson does this come to teach us? Perhaps it's sometimes to give to others without ever letting them or anyone ever know that it was you who gave. To give anonymously to someone powerfully demonstrates that your motives are totally altruistic and you seek nothing in return expect for knowing that you helped someone in need.
The more you can give without the receiver ever knowing who you are, the more you'll be giving for the right reasons. It will be all about them and not about you. It won't be for the sake of an award, gratitude, or to see you name in lights. Rather, you'll be giving because you know that God simply "decided" that you should, as opposed to the one who's now in need. You're merely God's "go-between" to leave for others some of what God so graciously gave to you.
Giving in this way not only ensures that the recipient won't be embarrassed, but it also gets you completely in touch with the true and only source of all your possessions. And when you do this, you prepare yourself to receive God's blessing always to be an agent to give.
While cleaning out our garage this past month, Bob and I found a beautiful but dusty tin, taped up securely. Inside was a still working 3D viewer and slides of my parent’s wedding, 68 years ago, in color. It was so beautiful seeing my parents as young people at a crossroads of their lives together. They looked so happy. I was able to “see” my grandparents, my aunts and uncles. The dress styles, cars and furniture were a depiction of a bygone era. There was fruitcup served in cantelope carved bowls. Petit fours saying “Flo” and “Fred”. The picture of my grandparents’ home brought back such beautiful memories. All in beautiful color. My parent's wedding album is in black and white.
Sharing these slides this week with my mom was fantastic. As soon as she saw the tin, her eyes lit up. The smile on my mom’s face was euphoric and her memories of that day were amazing to share. At one point she broke into song, remembering every single word. It was such a beautiful start of her life with my father – the start of our immediate family history, and a great sharing experience between me and my mom. Learning about our past and moving forward towards our future by sharing pictures of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
There is a story about a traveler on a road who reaches a crossroads. The four-directional signpost was down. Not knowing which road to take, he picked up the sign, pointed it with the name of his starting point towards whence he came and was then able to see which way he should go. We learn from this story that in order to move forward in the right direction one must know where you came from.
Sons of Israel has 50 years of history in Cherry Hill, originating in 1894 in Camden. On May 23rd, we celebrate Sons of Israel and honor all of our past presidents at our Jubilee GALA. Sign up now to help us take the correct road forward. Let us learn from our past and move forward to our certain and righteous future.
Today is the deadline for ads for the GALA Journal. If you cannot make it on May 23rd, please consider taking out an ad acknowledging our Presidents, celebrating our history and looking forward to our future.
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.
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
Ken Panitch President of SOI 2007-2009. As president, Ken prioritized building bridges between generations, listening to the concerns of members, and trying new ideas to instill new energy. He has lead most of the renovation projects at SOI including the lobby, sanctuary and now thre front entrance. He continues to believe that our warmth and intergenerational connections are the hallmark of what makes Congregation Sons of Israel such a special community.
An unforgettable event in this 1971 timeline is the march on Washington D.C., by around 500,000 anti-Vietnam war protesters. Another 125,000 march in San Francisco. It became the largest demonstration against a United States war in history.
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 Eugene & Jane Resnick on their daughter Elana's engagement and the birth of a baby boy to Sharon & Jeffrey Resnick.
Thank you to Yaacov Zeffren for sponsoring kiddush last week in honor of Mother's Day and his wife Avital Zeffren.
Thank you to Flo Shulman, Neely Elisha, Mayer Milltz, and Malka Moskowitz for comin out in the pouring rain last week to help set up kiddush.
Thank you to Steve and Karine Koloski for sponsoring kiddush at the Sephardic Minyan last week in honor of their son, Natan's, Shabbat Chattan.
Thank you to Vicki & Mayer Miltz for sponsoring kiddush this week.
Thank you to Tamar Wiener for making chulent this week
Thank you to Bill Jungreis, Debbie Fineberg, Jeff Liss, Harvey Chaitoff, Steve Herzberg, Avi Rynderman, Ken Panitch and Mike from OPS for providing security this past Shabbos.
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!
Condolences to Tanya Kundin on the passing of her sister Ira bat Masha. Shiva information went out in email earlier today.
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 Dovah bat Esther
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.
We are excited to join Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center and Mizrachi Canada for the second annual Global Family Health & Halacha Virtual Conference. From May 15-17, 2022, the conference will create space for dialogue around contemporary family health issues, deeply rooted in Torah values and timeless wisdom. Rabbis, rebbetzins, Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha, physicians, therapists and community leaders will guide us in conversations that focus on our spiritual, emotional and physical well-being, as individuals and in our closest relationships
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 Monday to Friday 10-2pm
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
