CBT Nu'z. Nisan-Iyar 5771, May 2011 * Congregation B nai Torah, Olympia, Washington, U.S.A. -- President s Message -- Mid-East Unrest:

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1 CBT Nu'z Nisan-Iyar 5771, May 2011 * Congregation B nai Torah, Olympia, Washington, U.S.A. -- President s Message -- Mid-East Unrest: Challenges for Israel As everyone is aware, we ve seen more political turmoil in the mid-east during the past 4 months than at any time in the past quarter of a century. During that period the government of Egypt has been overthrown; the governments of Libya, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain have been under substantial attack. Clearly, the citizenry of those countries have voiced gross dissatisfaction with their nation s leaders as well as indicating a greater say in their country s governance. In a number of those countries, the revolutions appear to have an Islamic fundamentalist undertone which if it takes hold will be destabilizing for the entire Mideast! Of primary concern to the Jewish community is what these changes in the Arabic mid-east portend for Israel. While the jury is still out in assessing the potential outcomes, there are several realities that warrant consideration. First, while clearly a despot, Hosni Mubarak, did his utmost to prevent illegal arms entering Gaza. While not a friend of Israel, he did not out rightly advocate for Israel s destruction. Secondly, in Syria President Bashar al-assad has been an ongoing supporter of the Hezbollah in Lebanon, and a supplier of arms to that organization as well as allegedly to the Hamas in Gaza. He, along with the Iran s Ahmadinejad, strongly favors Israel s elimination. It is highly unlikely that Syria s position and aid to those advocating the overthrow of Israel would change if Assad is deposed.

2 The direct impact on Israel of changes in the governments of Yemen and Libya is probably peripheral that s to say that there would be very little impact. However, I fear that all of these mid-east uprisings are indicative of a growing voice amongst Islamic fundamentalists, who collectively do oppose Israel s existence. While at these early stages in the mid-east deck chairs being repositioned, I think that we have to be ever more concerned about Israel s security. To that extent we have to further encourage our nation s leadership to exert an ever expanded role in guaranteeing Israel s security and well-being. Annual Meeting While the date has not been set, sometime towards the end of June we will have the CBT annual meeting. At that time, the membership will elect the CBT officers and adopt a budget, as well as conduct such other business as is raised. I would like by this president s message to encourage CBT members interested in serving on the Board to contact either myself, or other Board members indicating their willingness to serve. We are a small congregation, ever seeking to expand the involvement of our modest membership in the governance of CBT. While the pay is modest ($0.00), the rewards are great. Submitted by Stan Finkelstein President Sisterhood May 3rd - 7:00 at the home of Nina Shecter, 6139 Tiger Tail Drive SW, Oly Topic for this meeting will be "Our European Heritage". Nina has some great books to share-please bring your own books and pictures. RSVP to NinaShecter@aol.com If you haven't already done so for this Jewish Calendar year, please send your dues, $18 little dollars to: Treasurer Beth Dubey, 624 Carlyon Ave SE, Olympia, Help to replenish our treasury for upcoming scholarships and activities.

3 Tea & Tsoras Our next meeting is on May 10. We will gather at 6 pm. May 10 Shanghai Chinese Restaurant th Ave SE Lacey Please let me know if you have any questions or comments and if you are able to come. Sue Cordas slcordas@yahoo.com May Birthdays & Anniversaries: 2 Len Albert 8 Lois Roselle 6 Mike Zorn 30 Jon Auster 31 Alexander Hankin May Yahrzeits 6 Iyar ~ May 10: Sheldon Leo Matlow father of Rabbi Jaron Matlow 15 Iyar ~ May 19: Lisa Anne Corwin, daughter of Alan and Robin Corwin 17 Iyar ~ May 21: Frank Arnol Echols, brother of Eleanor Gibson 18 Iyar ~ May 22: Chaya bat Shmuel halevi, mother of Len Albert 18 Iyar ~ May 22: Barry P. Aronovitch 23 Iyar ~ May 27: Hartman, grandmother of Laurie Elgin 25 Iyar ~ May 29: Vesta (Shoshana) Fewel, daughter of Eleanor Gibson

4 Save the Date First Friday: Cantor Brad Smith Second Saturday: Cantor Brad Smith May 10- Tea and Tsoras, Shanghai Chinese Restaurant May Rabbi Weekend May 22 Rabbi Jaron Matlow s Class D O N A T I O N S Donation from the Cordas family for the Pump House fund Mimi Silver sent a contribution to CBT in honor of the Cordas Seder. Donations are always needed and appreciated. Thank you all donors. Checks should be made out and mailed to: Congregation B'nai Torah CBT Treasurer, P.O. Box Olympia, WA Current funds include: Adult Education Fund, Building Fund, Pump house Fund, Kiddush Fund, Loan Fund, Megillah Esther Fund, Memorial Book Fund, Morris Belling Leadership Fund, Newsletter Fund, Prayer Book Fund, Youth Education If you make a donation please let the editors at CBTnuz@live.com know so that we can make sure you are acknowledged promptly.

5 May 2011 ~ Nisan-Iyar, 5771 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Yom HaShoah 2 3 7:00 pm Sister- Hood with host: TBA :00 pm Shul 8:10 7:30 pm Evening Service with Cantor Brad Smith 7 Emor :00 pm Tea & Tsoras, Shanghai Chinese Restaurant :00 pm Shul 8: :30 am Morning Service Cantor Brad Smith Followed by Kosher Dairy Lunch Behar :00 pm Shul 8:28 7:30 pm Evening Service with Rabbi Bob Maslan 21 9:30 am Morning Service with Rabbi Bob Maslan Followed by Kosher Dairy Lunch Bechukotai am -12:30 pm Women in the Bible Adult Ed, Rabbi Matlow DEAD- LINE FOR NUZ :00 pm Shul 8: :30 am Morning Service Followed by Kosher Dairy Lunch Bamidbar Please submit your articles and information to: cbtnuz@live To view C more CBT calendars visit nai-toraholympia.org Congregation.com June Services: June 3 rd, 7:30 pm; June 11 th, 9:30 am; June 18 th, 9:30 am; June 25 th, 9:30 am B T B nai Torah

6 Congregation B nai Torah (CBT) 3437 Libby Road Olympia, Washington Affiliated with the Conservative (Masorti) Movement Contact Information: President: Stan Finkelstein Phone: stan.finkelstein@comcast.net Rabbi Bob Maslan Office: Cell: rgmaslan@hotmail.com CBT Mailing Address: P.O. Box Olympia, WA Phone: (360) WEB site: To be placed on our mailing list please cbtnuz@live.com If you have Calendar details (or other newsletter info) please cbtnuz@live.com Congregation B nai Torah P.O. Box Olympia WA