Friday Shabbat Services
Join us for a Friday night live service 3rd of July with special musical guest Carl McGarn celebrate our Jewish heritage and our American heritage 6 p.m.
Happy New Year Honey and Support Our Sisterhood!
Your purchase benefits Congregation B’nai Israel, Pauline L. Smith Sisterhood To order honey, visit www.orthoney.com/SPA or www.honeyfromtheheart.org.
Order online by July 22nd to avoid a $5.00 per jar shipping surcharge.
News about Friday Night Services, June 17
Our Friday Nite Live Kabbalat Shabbat service will start at a new time. At egg-zack-ly 6:00 p.m. Join Rabbi Carl, Railey, Nancy and Lynn.
Live Streaming on Facebook!
Update from Our Rabbi!
Dear friends,
This is how I have been spending my Wednesday mornings-at Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church at their food bank. I’ve been able to secure through charitable funds very important contributions to help with their effort.
I hope that you will continue to support this effort by dropping off a can or 2 or more at the back door under the portico. Each week there is a line of dozens of those in need. (Soup cans and fruit cans are presently in short supply.)
Sincerely,
Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz
Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz
From the Heart With Rabbi Liebowitz
Dear Friends,
In my youth I would watch some WW II films with my Dad. As a veteran of “the best generation” he would more than relate to the shows, commenting on its realism, exaggerations, and zeal. He got a real thrill when John Wayne (Sargent Striker) in the film The Sands of Iwo Jima said “Amen!” after a Jewish G.I. gave forth with his last breath “Shema Yisrael!” I suspect that this made Dad feel included as he was in no small way victimized by anti-Semitism in the Army Air Core in which he served. Watching another film Battleground (starring John Hodiak, James Whitmore, a very young Ricardo Montalban before he became KHAN in Star Trek) Dad would laugh at the jokes that were threaded throughout the film. It puzzled me that in the midst of gunfire, explosions, general death, and ugly mayhem, a jest would be
uttered. “There was always humor,” dad remarked. “Even in the grimmest of times!”
In the spirit of that recollection I was pleased that a reform rabbi Bob Alper, stand-up comedian has freely posted a daily joke that you can get on the internet. It pops up on my g-mail every day. Rabbi Alper looks like Steve Martin and comes off like an old fashion Borscht belt comic. (Above is the web site of a recent TV interview worth watching.)
“It’s no laughing matter!” is a common refrain that often comes up in this very difficult time. That is certainly true most of the time. But as one psychologist put it “Laughter is but our tears veiled!” In that spirit I shared above some of my favorite quotes. I look forward to that time we can laugh together in per- son. That the words of the psalmist may find its way to us once more: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
Rabbi Yossi Liebowitz, D.D.
P .S.
When will services resume? And what about the High Holy days? Religious School? We are presently as- sessing and discussing safe and reasonable ways to carry on. Stay tuned! Stay healthy! Be patient!
A Message From Our President
Greetings to all,
What is wrong with this picture? As I write this article, it’s almost the end of May. I’m sitting in my living room, sipping tea in front of a roaring fire. As Debby says, it’s May and we’re in February. Yes, it’s just another day in these weird times in which we’re living.
I was honored to attend Ruben Falcon’s Bar Mitzvah a couple of weeks ago. He did a wonderful job conducting the service. Although only a few of us were in attendance, there was a warm feeling in the Temple. It was reassuring and inspiring that happy occasions such as Ruben’s Bar Mitzvah continue to take place.
Looking ahead, Rabbi Liebowitz and the Board are beginning to discuss plans for the High Holidays. As you may imagine, with all of the unknowns, it’s a challenging process. Like many of you, our hope is to come together in the Temple to pray, congregate, and celebrate the holidays. However, if that’s not possible, Rabbi Liebowitz will lead us in meaningful and spiritual services virtually. We will keep you posted on that front.
I look forward to seeing everyone again soon. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to Rabbi Liebowitz, any Board member, or me with questions, concerns, or ideas!
Stay safe!
Sandy
Sisterhood News
Hello my Sisterhood friends,
All is well in my home. I hope the same in yours.
Ruben Falcon began a Bar Mitzvah the weekend of May 23 via video. He did a fabulous job. Mazel Tov to Ruben and the entire Falcon Family. We wish Jerome only the best in his future endeavors.
Honey from the Heart is coming up shortly. As soon as it opens for orders, I will let you know. Sweet at the holiday time is very welcome and since we are at this point of not getting together in large groups, this is a nice way of staying in touch with family and friends.
We have been receiving membership dues and we thank you. Dues are $25. Please have patience with checks being deposited.
Stay well, be safe and “wash your hands” frequently.
Elaine Hyman Sisterhood President
June Birthdays
6/12 Dot Frank
6/12 Paul Freedman
6/13 Marla Steinberg
6/14 Sophia Russell
6/16 Elliott Leader
6/22 Rachel Brough
6/25 Stuart Filler
6/26 Matthew Poliakoff
6/27 Gerald Smith
6/28 Stan Hyman
6/29 Bob Britanisky
June Anniversaries
6/2 Heidi & Robert Moss
6/6 Arlene & Marvin Siegel
6/9 Marla & Hank Steinberg
6/11 Jennifer & Bob Britanisky
6/14 Karen & Robert Lyon
6/15 Helen & Greg Feldman
6/15 Shirley & Gary Koshak
6/20 Susan & Larry Abelkop
6/20 Beth & David Blumenfeld
6/21 Thomas Friedheim & Gwynne Shippy
6/23 Mary & Andrew Poliakoff
6/25 Lisa & Ray Frye
6/29 Elaine & Stan Hyman
6/30 Karen & Roger Fuller
June Yahrzeits
6/1 Nathan W. Blumberg
6/5 Herman Klausner
6/5 Charles Rabiner
6/6 William G. Smith
6/7 Samuel Robinson
6/8 Rose Cohen
6/8 Jake Lurey
6/9 Marsha Poliakoff
6/9 Minnye Weinberger
6/10 Barney Gelburd
6/10 Rhoda Koshak
6/11 Marvin Frank
6/12 Norman Bornstein
6/14 Jessica M. Horn
6/16 Meyer Cohen
6/17 Herbert Shapiro
6/17 Beth Weinberger
6/18 Rosa Levy
6/19 Sidney Captain
6/20 Gittel Smith
6/22 Shalom Baruch
6/24 Louis B. Freedman
6/24 Sarah Robkin
6/26 Zolley Lerner
6/28 Myron Parsons
6/29 Harry Tanenbaum
6/30 Ernest Acanfora
6/30 Fay Friedberg
6/30 Bella C. Karsh
6/30 Richard Packer
