Kiddush sponsored by Judi Barg & Mordechai Krumbein in honor of their son, Moshe's engagement to Elisheva Feldman
Chodesh Elul Book Club:We will be reviewing and going through the exercises in the book Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey - Monday, September 5 8:30pm-9:30pm
Semichas Chaver Program with Rabbi Davies: Wednesdays after Maariv, Next session Wednesday, September 7.
Two New Morning Minyanim at SOI: 6:00am Sephardic Selichot in the Kiddush Room 8:15am Weekday Shacharit Minyan in the Kiddush Room with Politz Day School
Q & A with Yoetzet Stacey Goldman: Saturday, September 10, 9:00-10:30pm at the home of Lea Sadiky, 27 Liberty Lane
Information regarding High Holy Day seating reservations and the Yizkor book will be sent out next week. Limited more-space-seating will be available in the main sanctuary. Look out for information in your email. If you are interested in a COVID-conscious minyan for the High Holy Days, please email Rabbi Heshy Chaitoff.
Monday, September 5 (Elul 9) Labor Day 6:00am Sephardi Selichot 7:00am Shacharit 8:00am Shacharit 7:05pm Mincha/Maariv 8:30pm Chodesh Elul Book Club Meeting
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 Abba Wagensberg entitled ‘Emotional Alignment’, which speaks to appreciating both the positive and challenging situations we face in life. [...] The Talmud (Ketuvot 105a) wonders what new idea we learn from the verse, "Do not take a bribe." If the phrase is trying to teach us not to acquit the guilty and accuse the innocent, this idea is stated explicitly elsewhere, "You shall not pervert judgment" (Deut. 16:19). Rather, the Talmud explains that a judge must not take a bribe even if it is in order to acquit the innocent and accuse the guilty. Accepting a bribe is wrong even if the verdict issued is ultimately correct!
This raises a problem. [I]t seemed that shochad led to the corruption of justice, which distanced the dishonest judge from God. Now it seems that shochad applies even if the judge issues a true verdict. How [...]? Ultimately, he did what was right!
In order to resolve this difficulty, we must return to the Talmudic statement we mentioned initially: "Any judge who issues a true verdict (emet l'amito) is considered to be a partner with God in Creation." The commentator Divrei Chanoch wonders why the double expression emet l'amito (literally, "truthful truth") is used here, when the single word emet (truth) would seem to suffice. Once absolute truth has been reached, what could possibly make it truer?
The Divrei Chanoch explains, based on the Beit Yosef (Choshen Mishpat 1:2), that even if the final ruling is true, a judge who accepts a bribe will still favor one party more than the other. This is a corruption, since the judge loves the party that gave him the bribe and hates the party that didn't. Although the ruling itself may be emet, the judge's emotions have been altered, so the verdict cannot be emet l'amito. "Truthful truth" refers to the internal world as well, not merely an externally correct judgment.
[...] According to the commentator Torat Avot, there are two levels of truth. The first level is intellectual, based on knowledge and reasoning. The second, higher level is emotional, drawn from the wisdom of the heart. This does not in any way dismiss the value of intellectual knowledge. However, it is crucial for the Torah learning that we acquire intellectually, to permeate our hearts emotionally. Torah study often changes the way we think - but we must be sure that it also changes the way we feel. [...]
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!
Cherry Hill's very own Shlomo Levy is a fifth-year psychology doctoral student at Widener University. He is conducting a survey as part of his dissertation.
Welcome to the community Meir & Carrie Miskin, Kit & Shlomo Aronoff, and Rafael Medoff
Mazel tov to Dore & Jenni Provda on the upcoming celebration of Grant's Bar Mitzvah.
Mazel to to Aaron & Elyse Greenberg on the celebration of Esther's Bat Mitzvah. Mazel tov as well to grandparents Herman and Helen Greenberg.
Mazel to to Judi Barg & Mordechai Krumbein on their son, Moshe's engagement to Elisheva Feldman.
Thank you to Avi Rynderman, Dan Malamud, Sam Oshlag, and Dovid Schwartz for taking down the outdoor tent.
Thank you to Heshy Chaitoff, Alisa Fox, Devorah Shpekter, Sylvia Levine, Audrey Dahan & Sophia Miltz for helping with the kiddush last week.
Thank you to Flo & Adam Shulman, Vicki & Mayer Miltz, Marilyn Mindel, Avi Knijnikov & an anonymous donor for their donations to the Mr. Finklestein Bottle Club.
Thank you to the Panitch and Gal families for hosting last week's Motzai Shabbat Bonfire
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 the following individuals for helping keep our shul and community safe: Bill Jungreis (doors and early minyan), Debbie Fineberg (doors and main minyan), Gila Davis (cameras), Harvey Chaitoff (cameras), Donna Moskowitz (cameras), Guillaume Schpektor (cameras), Chemmie Sokolic (cameras) and Sam Tilonsky.
A special thanks to Mike from OPS and Jeff Liss for providing security outdoors during the Ziskind Bar Mitzvah. Mazal Tov to the Ziskind family!
New Fiscal Year - Locker Rental Renewals - New Rentals Available
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 Yisroel Chanan ben Riva Alta
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. Snack items served at kiddush will no longer be individually packaged. Please be courteous to others and make use of the serving utensils provided.
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.
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 closed Monday for Labor Day and reopen Tuesday - 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
