August 2018
Please Join Us For A Traditional Break-the-Fast
Wednesday, September 19, 7:00 pm
Traditional Menu
Lox, Bagels, Kugel, Tuna & Egg Salad, Fruit Salad, Doughnuts & More!
$12.50/Adults (11 and up) $5/Children 5-10 FREE 5 & under
PLEASE RSVP BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 TO THE TEMPLE OFFICE
You MUST have a paid reservation! ***$15/Adult at the door or after September 7
Groups of 10 can reserve a table
Looking Ahead to the High Holidays: Save the Dates!
Selichot Movie: Saturday, September 1 at 7 pm
Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sunday, September 9, Service at 7:30 pm with ONEG to follow
Rosh Hashanah Day 1: Monday, September 10, Service at 9:30 am Children’s Service with ONEG at 4:00 pm
Rosh Hashanah Day 2: Tuesday, September 11, Service at 9:30 am
Shabbat Shuva: Friday, September 14, Service at 7:30 am
Memorial Service: Sunday, September 16 at 12:30 pm at Greenlawn Cemetery
Kol Nidre: Tuesday, September 18, Service at 7:30 pm
Yom Kippur: Wednesday, September 19, Service at 9:30 am; meditation & discussion at 2:00 pm, children’s service at 3:00, afternoon service at 4:00 with Yizkor & Neilah to follow. Break-the-fast: 7 pm. Please RSVP.
Sukkot Setup: Sunday, September 23
Sukkah Traditional Dinner: Friday, September 28 at 6:00 pm with 7:30 service Yizkor Service: Tuesday, October 2 at 5:00 pm
Simchat Torah: Monday, October 1, pizza dinner at 6:00 pm
Fall & Winter Service Schedule
Unless otherwise specified on the calendar, Friday night services will begin with refreshments at 5:30 pm and Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:00 pm beginning September 7, 2018.
A Message from Our President
During these hot days we’re all trying to beat the heat but enjoy our summertime. What better way than to be at the Temple on Friday evening for worship and fellowship!
Recently the Rabbi prepared his now famous lasagna accompanied by delicious side dishes and scrumptious desserts made by congregants. The kitchen was overflowing with helpers getting ready for the evening meal. My daughter, Debby, got into the spirit and baked some cookies. Our in-house band, The Oy! Boys, entertained us while delivering a musical tribute and gentle roast of the Rabbi. Others stood to share their stories and affection for the Rabbi’s 15 years of service as our spiritual leader and religious teacher. I left the Temple feeling good after having spent the evening among my friends. It was gratifying to see everyone enjoying themselves! Yes, it was a good way to spend a hot, summer evening. A special thank you to everyone who helped make the evening special.
The High Holy Days are just around the corner. Everyone keeps saying they are early this year and the Rabbi keeps reminding us that they are the same time every year. Whatever the case, we will soon be observing our holiest days of the year. Until then, we will continue with our Friday evening schedule with services at 6 followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Summer can be busy for all of us, but I encourage everyone to make time to spend with your fellow congregants. I think you’ll find the atmosphere relaxed and congenial, and in many ways, refreshing. That is, of course, what the Sabbath is all about.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Sandy Gordin
Cheryl August is Our Mensch of the Month!
Mazel Tov to our August Mensch of the Month, Cheryl August! If you do not know her (which seems impossible) please meet Cheryl in her own words!
I was born outside of Rochester, NY. I worked over the years as an administrative assistant in the legal and real estate fields. I met Barry when he was transferred to the Rochester area by the Veterans Administration. Because of his job we have lived in San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston area, and Vermont before retiring to North Carolina to be near family.
I was not born Jewish but after meeting Barry and going to services with him, I realized that I had found the spiritual home I was looking for. After a year of meeting weekly with a Rabbi, I had my mikvah a month before our wedding.
After moving here we did not find a congregation that we felt comfortable with. We then heard about Congregation B’nai Israel shortly before the High Holidays. We attended a Friday service and everyone was so friendly and welcoming that we knew we had found a home. Plus, we both really liked Rabbi Liebowitz.
For me I feel that the congregation is like a cherished friend to me. I am so grateful to the support everyone gave to me after Barry passed away, especially Rabbi Liebowitz. I really appreciate that so many call to check on me whenever I have been absent from services or if I am sick.
A funny story – Several years back I visited Ireland for two weeks. I had forgotten to remind anyone that I was going to be gone. The day after my return my doorbell rang and there was the sheriff checking on me. It seems that the Rabbi as well as many other members were concerned they had not seen me in a while and had called the sheriff. It gave me a warm feeling to know others cared.
I got involved in the Temple several months after Barry passed away when they put a notice in Temple Topics for a volunteer for financial secretary. I felt I needed something to keep me busy and volunteered. I also became more involved at that time in Sisterhood which was a great experience learning so much about the history of Sisterhood and the Temple from all the older members. I eventually became the Treasurer and am currently the President of Sisterhood. I am so grateful to all the women in Sisterhood and the wonderful work we do on the bake sale to support the Temple.
I am grateful to have found this congregation and the sense of community that is here. I wish to be able to do whatever I can to keep the Temple as not only a place of worship, but as a community of caring individuals.