Two New Morning Minyanim at SOI: 6:00am Sephardic Selichot beginning Monday, August 29 in the Kiddush Room 8:15am Weekday Shacharit Minyan beginning Tuesday, August 30 in the Kiddush Room with Politz Day School Chodesh Elul Book Club: We will be reviewing and going through the exercises in the book Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey - Monday, August 29 8:30pm-9:30pm
Semichas Chaver Program with Rabbi Davies: Wednesdays after Maariv, next two sessions will be tonight, August 25 and Wednesday, August 31
Mezuzah and Tefillin Checking with Rabbi Long: Monday, August 29 - Friday, September 2. To schedule an appointment contact Chanan Avraham (Shawn) Baratz: Call/Text 856-870-3333 or Email shawnbaratzsoi@gmail.com
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 Menachem Weiman entitled ‘Shades of Gray’, which speaks to appreciating both the positive and challenging situations we face in life. "See I put before you today a blessing and a curse" (Deut. 11:26). This is a poignant phrase from a densely evocative section of the Torah. What is a curse? What is a blessing? Why is so much of life an enigmatic mixture of the two?
When you have a pain in your elbow, you are in discomfort and want the pain to go away. But the pain is your body's way of telling you there is a problem. Maybe there's an inflammation, a cyst, or something worse. If you don't experience any pain, you would not go to the doctor to find out what is wrong, and the problem could escalate or be fatal. So the next time you feel a pain, say "Thank God I feel pain!" Because if you didn't feel the pain, you'd be in for a worse problem.
Life has many situations that seem bad on the surface, but a deeper look reveals a true benefit. We can't be short-sighted or superficial. We need to always be on the lookout for a benefit hidden within a problem. That's part of being wise - looking past the surface.
In some ways, the nature of the universe forces an illusion of God's non-existence. He is hidden, though He permeates everything. This is the way He designed it. We don't automatically recognize Him. However by looking for Him, we gain merit. By working out intellectually how there has to be an Infinite Creator, we develop a more personal and more powerful understanding of God than if it were given to us without any work. [...]
Wisdom comes from looking deeper into life. Don't judge things on appearance or by how your body reacts. Your body reacts well to chocolate cake. (You get excited and salivate.) But who says it's healthy? Maybe it's the wrong thing for you to eat. By nature, our bodies react to stimulation. Our mind has to take the reigns and decide what to do about the desires of the body.
[...] It takes wisdom to discern what is taking you toward God, and what is pulling you away from Him. What is bringing more light into the world, and what is bringing more darkness. Look past the surface. Think. It's the only way.
Contact Information for Co-Presidents Ilana Weiss: president@soicherryhill.org Rabbi Heshy Chaitoff: copresident@soicherryhill.org
What Do You Love To Do? Congregation Sons of Israel thrives on the efforts put forth by our volunteers. We would love to connect you with committees that can use your help in ways that utilize your unique skills, talents, and interests. Click here to let us know what you love to do so you can get involved!
Welcoming New Members with a Service Dog
We are pleased to let the congregation know of a new family moving into the community over the summer. This family relies on the use of a service dog and you might see the dog accompany the family at shul. Service dogs help perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities and they are well trained.
Please keep in mind these important best practices: - Do not feed/pet/distract the dog while the dog is in his harness. Ignoring the dog altogether is best. - Do not grab the harness in an attempt to guide. This is alarming for the handler. - Talk to your kids about the work service dogs do and prep kids to not feed/pet/distract the dog.
Preparing yourselves and your family to encounter a service dog in shul will help ease this family's transition into the community. Contact Chani Wiesman with any questions at chaniwiesman@gmail.com.
Do you want to join our staff of Group Leaders? Being a Group Leader is a great opportunity to add meaning to your Shabbat mornings, enhance the experiences of our cutest and youngest shul-goers, as well as foster useful life skills such as teamwork, leadership and board game strategy. 8th-12th graders are eligible for paid positions and younger middle schoolers can volunteer to help support our younger age groups. Please let Ora Davies know if you are interested by emailing oradavies@gmail.com.
Important Membership Dues Reminder As the High Holidays draw near, we are so glad that so many of our members have already renewed their SOI membership dues for this year! If you have not yet done so, please take a moment to log into your ShulCloud account on www.soicherryhill.organd pay your membership dues for the 22-23 year. You can either pay in full, send a partial payment or set up a payment plan. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your account, please contact the Financial Secretaries Yaeli Sokolic ( financialsecretary@soicherryhill.org / 551-206-7385) or Michael Partnow (mrpmjp@aol.com/ 609-760-9083).
Thank you!
Welcome to the community Sari & Yaakov Linder & Family
Mazel tov to Hillel Ziskind and Daniela & Avi Ziskind and family on the celebration of Hillel's Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat.
Mazel tov to the shul for receiving a $150,000 Homeland Security Grant.
Thank you to Oze Henig, Yair Klein, Adam Shulman, Malka Moskowitz & Tamar Wiener for helping with last week's kiddush.
Thank you to Sam Tilonsky & Jenni Fischman for securing the Homeland Security Grant.
We love seeing families in Shul every Shabbat. It is so great to have all ages engaged in our community. We continue to work on enhancing opportunities for everyone to have a comfortable and meaningful place at SOI. Part of this effort involves ensuring the safety of all participants and of our beautiful space. Recently, multiple children have been running around in the sanctuary and small chapel and have even entered the Aron Kodesh after davening has ended. We ask parents to please be aware of your children’s whereabouts and encourage them to treat our sacred spaces with the appropriate respect. The playground is a great alternative space for the kids to spend time and play. That said, please be sure that if your children are on the playground there is an adult or a responsible teen present to supervise them. Thank you for helping us to provide a safe, nurturing, and welcoming place for all of us and our children.
Thank you to Bill Jungreis (doors and early minyan), Debbie Fineberg (doors and main minyan), Ken Panitch (main minyan), Debbie Pester (cameras), Gila Davis (cameras), Jeff Liss (cameras), Donna Moskowitz (cameras), Andy Rauer (cameras), Chemmie Sokolic (cameras), Mike from OPS and Sam Tilonsky.
New Fiscal Year - Locker Rental Renewals - New Rentals Available
From the Building Committee Seeking volunteers to assist with taking down the tents on Sunday, August 28th at 10AM. Contact Avi Rynderman at avirynd@gmail.com for more information or to sign up to help.
Mr. Finkelstein L'Chaim Bottle Club
The Bottle Club is seeking to replenish its cart for the upcoming year. Please consider donating a bottle of your favorite alcoholic beverage or making a donation at www.soicherryhill.org/sponsor to sponsor a bottle to be served at kiddush. Contact Donna Moskowitz for more information at donnamoskowitz1@gmail.com.
Florence Axelrod – Fruma bas Sarah Gavriel Yehuda ben Chaya 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 Joan Solomon Weinberg - Yehudit Sarah 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
Recently, a local medical student contacted our congregation with an opportunity to participate in a short survey looking at religion and spirituality in medical care and we are pleased to be a source of support. You will find a description of her project and information on how to participate at this link: Link: https://rowan.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abIW62WUtVm0Isu
Join the NEW SOI Updates Whatsapp group!
For all the news and announcements you don't want to miss.
We are excited to inform you that the construction to the front entrance of the building has begun!
Since the front entrance will be inaccessible during the construction, please see below on how to get into the building:
Shabbat Minyanim: Please enter through the back sukkah doors. Just as we usually have security volunteers by the front door, there will be a volunteer by these doors as well. There is some ongoing construction around the building including near the Politz Classrooms. Please remind your children of all ages to stay away from construction and not cross any barriers.
Daily Minyanim: Please come as timely as you can. The side doors from the main sanctuary will be open for some time to let everyone in with a point person guarding and overseeing the area. The door will be closed when davening begins. Those who are running late may text the point-person, Ken Panitch at 856-906-2545 and he will let you in when you arrive.
Office Visitation Entering the building outside of minyan times will be through the back sukkah doors. We encourage you to communicate with Jean via email and phone as much as possible during this time. We understand that for some, email is not an efficient option and some issues are easier to deal with in person visitation. Please email or call Jean to make an appointment prior to coming to the office. When you arrive, please call her so she knows to let you inside.
Thank you for your patience while we beautify our campus.
Rabbi Heshy Chaitoff Ilana Weiss SOI Co-Presidents
COVID UPDATES FOR THIS SHABBAT Due to the increased number of cases nationwide and specifically in our community, 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.
Kosher by the Case Kosher by the Case is back for a bulk meat order pre-Rosh Hashanah. It allows for affordable prices for meat even with the cost of inflation baring down. The order form can be found here:
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
All submissions for the Newslink are due by noon on Wednesday
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 Monday from 9-11am, Tuesday & Wednesday from 9am-2pm, and Thursday and Friday 10am-2pm Rabbi Davies general office hours are Monday, Wednesday-Friday 10am-5pm
Congregation Sons of Israel 720 Cooper Landing Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
