This week's NewslInk is sponsored by Eve and Sam Narrow-Tilonsky in memory of Chaya Tova Klavens (may her beautiful neshama have an aliyah) and to honor all of the loving people who were so kind to her. Her first yahrzeit is May 21st (20th of Iyar).
Announcements & Upcoming Events
Lag B'Omer Fire & Ice Program: Thursday, May 19 6-7:30 Register
Kiddush this week is Sponsored by Jack Schpector welcoming his family Guillaume and Devora Schpektor to Cherry Hill and his Bar Mitzvah parsha.
Insights into Megilat Ruth with Rabbi Shaffer: Final Session in the Series Thursday, May 19 8:45pm | Zoom Link Meeting ID: 88211049415
Erev Shabbat, May 20: 34th Day Omer (Iyyar 19) 6:45am Shacharit 6:42pm Plag HaMincha (Earliest Candle Lighting) 7:00pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv 7:54pm Candle Lighting Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום חמשה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה שבועות לעמר
Shabbat, May 21: 35th Day Omer, Behar (Iyyar 20) 8:00am 8AM Minyan 8:30am Sephardic Minyan 9:00am Main Minyan 9:18am Latest Shema 10:00am Youth Groups 10:30am Tot Shabbat 11:15am Kiddush is sponsored by Jack Schpektor in honor of his Bar Mitzvah Parsha 6:25pm Gemara Shiur 7:45pm Mincha 8:10pm Rabbi's Parsha Shiur 8:50pm Maariv 9:01pm Havdalah Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום ששה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה שבועות ויום אחד לעמר
Sunday, May 22: 36th Day Omer (Iyyar 21) 7:00am Shacharit 8:00am Shacharit 10:00am Art of Prayer Class with Chazzan Moskowitz 8:00pm Mincha/Maariv Tonight's Sefirah Count Is: היום שבעה ושלשים יום שהם חמשה 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 Yosef Farhi entitled 'An Awesome Thought', about how to look at and appreciate those around us.
"Rabbi Akiva would say, Beloved is Man, for he is created in the Image of God (Avot Ch. 3). What does this mean? God is infinite, immortal, immeasurable. The First and the Last. Was, Is and Will Be. He is in the Past, Present and Future, simultaneously. He is not limited by time or nature. There is nothing about God that we can grasp, except his traits and His infiniteness. So what image are we referring to when we say that man was created in the image of God?
[...] To notice aspects of Godliness in human beings, one has to read between the lines. Humans are God-like, for they have a soul that is eternal. After death, the soul lives on. Humans are God-like in the sense that they have Free Will, the ability to overcome their nature and choose good from bad. This power of choice is Godly because it makes us an independent force like God.
[...] Humans have this inborn trait of resourcefulness. If the person really wants something, he can figure out how to get it. God gave us the power to control and overcome our impulses, our habits. He gave us the God-like power to forgive. [...] God gave humans the distinctive capability to communicate. To transport an idea between the two parties of the discussion. The human species can make plans and execute them. Humans can be creative. God created the world through speech, and He gave us the power to create and destroy through speech. Relationships. Civilizations. To bless and curse. [...]
In this week's parasha, we are forbidden to call another person derogatory names, or to act with any other form of belittlement. "You shall not wrong one another" (Lev 25:17). The sentence continues to say, "And you shall fear your God". What is the connection? When you call your friend unintelligent, weird, boring, you are not "fearing" the Godliness in that person. His ability to create new habits, his ability to change. The Baal Shem Tov would say, if you want to talk to God, you will find Him standing on your enemy's shoulder. Go ahead and respect your enemy's Godly ability to forgive, and his God-like ability to be aware of what he has done wrong. Respect his ability to choose a new way, and change.
[During this period of Sefirat HaOmer, we remember that] Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students died, for they did not respect each other. We cannot fathom their greatness, but we are told that it was their lack of respect for one another on their level that brought about their deaths. So, Rabbi Akiva's mantra in Ethics of the Fathers, his message to us all is never to forget, even for a minute of your life, that Man is God-like. How awesome.
Moving Forward is important in life if you want to make progress. Forward is defined as toward the front; in the direction that one is facing or traveling; onward so as to make progress; towards a successful conclusion; toward the future; and ahead in time. Looking back is an important mirror to moving forward. Each week I have been highlighting different events of 1971, the year SOI was established in Cherry Hill. The first Shabbat was held using folding chairs. Look how far we have come. We have a beautiful sanctuary and lobby and soon a newly renovated front entrance.
This Monday, May 23rd, is our yearly GALA celebrating 50 years in Cherry Hill and all of the past great men, our past presidents, who have brought us to where we are today. They did a lot, but they did not do it in a vacuum . They all had the support of many volunteers, especially their Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The Board for the past two years has been such a supportive and helpful group of members. They have gone above and beyond with phone calls, emails, fundraising, flyer creations, grant writing and follow-through, banking, programming, set ups, etc. Some of the unsung heroes are the spouses of all these volunteers, who also have become emmeshed in the fabric of SOI life. Thank you to all of these volunteers, their significant others and family for your dedication.
May 25th is our Congregational meeting. It will be on zoom for all members in good standing to vote in the new Board of Directors. We have a great group of people volunteering to move us into the next 50 years. Your support and help will enable us to be successful. Please look out for that email.
I look forward to celebrating with you at our GALA Monday night with good food from Majestic Caterers, delicious wine, interesting Raffles/Auction items, great music with Avi Maza Band and of course our many friends and supporters. Thank you for helping to keep SOI strong and moving forward.
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
Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, located at the northeast corner of Broad St. & Pattison Ave., as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The listed seating capacities in 1971 were 65,358 seats for football, and 56,371 for baseball. It hosted the Phillies from 1971 to 2003 and the Eagles from 1971 to January 2003. The 1976 and 1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Games were held at the venue. The Vet also hosted the annual Army-Navy football game seventeen times. The Phillies played their first game at the stadium on April 10, 1971, beating the Montreal Expos, 4–1, before an audience of 55,352. The first ball was dropped by helicopter to Phillies back-up catcher Mike Ryan. Jim Bunning (named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996) was the winning pitcher while Bill Stoneman took the loss. Entertainer Mike Douglas, whose daily talk show was taped in Philadelphia, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the game. The emcee for the opening ceremonies was newly-arrived Phillies play-by-play announcer Harry Kalas. It was demolished by implosion in March 2004 being replaced by the adjacent Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field.
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 Fran & Mark Boardman on the birth of a grandson to Sam Boardman
Mazel tov to Meital Lindenberg on being elected president of university student council of Stern College for Women-YU
Thank you to Jack Schpektor for sponsoring kiddush this week in honor of his family Guillaume and Devora Schpektor and his Bar Mitzvah parsha. Thank you to Tamar Wiener for making Chulent last week and this week.
Thank you to our kitchen crew: Sylvia Levine, Sandy Crass, Tamar Wiener, Rafi Wiener, Lianna Weinberg
Thank you to Sharon Chaitoff, Nachum Glasser, Malka Moskowitz, Vicki Miltz, Mayer Miltz, and Donna Moskowitz for making 16 kugels (eating one) this week for future kiddushes.
Thank you to Sabrina Spector and Suzie Mindel for organizing Fire & Ice
Thank you to Diane and Eytan Irwin for sponsoring the ice cream truck in memory of David Zauder and Abraham Irwin
Thank you to Debbie Pester (Sanctuary - Women's Section), Jeff Liss (cameras), Harvey Chaitoff (cameras), Robbie Friedner (cameras), Chemmie Sokolic (cameras), Ken Panitch (Sanctuary - Men's Section) and Donna Moskowitz (various places) and Mike from OPS (doors) for providing security on Shabbos.
Thank you to everyone and the CHFD who helped Herb Zarge during his difficulties this past Shabbos. Baruch HaShem, Herb is doing much better.
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 David Blain on the passing of his beloved father Michael Blain. Shiva is being observed in Highland Park starting Friday, May 20 through Monday, May 22 morning at 20 Cedar Avenue, Highland Park, NJ.
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 highly recommended inside 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
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 Monday to Friday 10-2pm
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
