The Shofar. בס''ד July From the. Desk of

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1 The Shofar בס''ד July 2018 Vol. 90 Issue 7 (Published Monthly) Congregation B nai Israel: A Traditional Conservative Synagogue 45 Twombly Ave., Staten Island, NY Tel: (718) Fax: (718) Rabbi Pinchas Pearl , , lamdan453@gmail.com Office@sicbi.com, web site: sicbi.com., Facebook: Congregation B nai Israel, NY Preschool and UPK , cbiacademy123@gmail.com July 2018 Fri. July 6/Tammuz 23 Sat. July 21/Av 9 Light candles, 8:11 p.m. Erev Tisha B Av Services, 8 p.m. Rabbi s class, 8:40 a.m. Services, 9:20 a.m. Sat. July 7/Tammuz 24 Afternoon and evening Rabbi s class, 8:40 a.m. services, 8:52 p,m. Services, 9:20 a.m. Sun. July 22/Av 10 Tisha B Av Fri. July 13/Av 1 Morning services, 8 a,m. Light candles, 8:08 p.m. Afternoon and evening Services, 8 p.m. services, 8 p.m. Cong. Toras Emes Sat. July 14/Av 2 Rabbi s class. 8:40 a.m Hylan Boulevard Services, 9:20 a.m. Fri. July 27/Av 15 Light candles, 8:01 p.m. Fri. July 20/Av 8 Services, 8 p.m. Light candles, 8:04 p.m. Services, 8 p.m. Sat. July 28/Av 16 Services, 9:20 a.m. Other dates to keep in mind July 1-Sun. Rabbi s study session, 10 a.m. July 8-Sun. Rabbi s study session, 10 a.m. July 10- Tues. Ritual committee, 8 p.m. July 15- Sun. Rabbi s study session, 10 a.m. Theatre party, 1:30 p.m. See p. 5 July 24-Tues., Sisterhood meeting, 6:45 p.m., followed by Fun Night All Rabbi s study sessions are preceded by services at 9:15 a.m. and a light breakfast President s letter Now that summer has officially started, and most welcome it is, too, it is time to do serious planning about vacations. There are, of, course, a myriad of choices. To name a few, travel, visiting friends or relatives, amusement parks, beaches, or even staying at home, and enjoying the local attractions.. Whatever you do, we hope you enjoy it and find it as refreshing and invigorating as you thought. We do, however, urge you to be sure and be careful. Getting too much sun, for example, can result in much more harm than good, as can overdoing Continued on page 2 From the Desk of Rabbi Pearl July, a month dominated by mourning, begins with the fast day of the 17th of Tammuz, and continues as we observe Tisha B Av on Saturday night, July 22, and all day Sunday, July, 23. These two days frame the period known as the Three Weeks, a period of mourning for the events leading up to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and culminating with the ninth of Av, the actual day of destruction. This period of time has a dual message. First, it is a review of the events of Jewish history that have defined us for the two thousand years since they occurred. Jewish identity, outlook and religious practice have been shaped by the realities of living in exile, of not having power, of being a vulnerable and frequently persecuted minority. Our prayers reflect our desire to return to our land. Our efforts to live and observe in a distinctive manner reflect the drive not to assimilate, not to lose our identity as a unique people with a unique destiny. The Three Weeks remind us that we have been challenged by exile, and that we strive to ensure that exile does not overwhelm and obliterate us. Second, this period of mourning has a spiritual message we should not overlook. Traditionally, the destruction of the Temple and the enduring exile of the Jewish people have been viewed as divine punishments for failures to observe the Torah and keep faith with G-d. Redemption comes to the Jewish people when the Jewish people redeem themselves with observance and faith. On Tisha B Av, we mourn for the tragedies of the past, which are many, and also for the failure to achieve a level in which tragedies no longer occur. The following story is told of Napoleon Bonaparte. Once, in traveling, he entered a synagogue.. There he saw an incredible sight. Men and women weeping. They were sitting on the floor on Continued on page 2 July 2018 The SHOFAR 1

2 OFFICERS OF CONGREGATION B NAI ISRAEL RABBI Pinchas N. Pearl Chairman of the Board of Trustees President Executive Vice President First VP Second VP Third VP Treasurer Financial Secretary Recording Secretary Sisterhood Presidents Editor Martin Eisenberg Charles Greinsky Barry Kashubo Roger Lader Martin Eisenberg Kevin Brosnick VACANT Susan Finkelstein Rita Eisenberrg Zoya Khalfin Sandy Levy Norman A. Kanter There are several ways you can remember a loved one or commemorate a special occasion. Here are some ideas: Call the Synagogue office (718) : to schedule a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Baby Naming to dedicate a Chumash ($75) or Siddur ($36) to sponsor an Oneg or Kiddush to make a donation to the Hebrew School to reserve a date for a special function to dedicate a leaf on our Tree of Life to plant a Tree in Israel Call Dr. Selman Berger (718) for information about our cemetery plots Call Scott Diamond (917) for information about a Memorial Plaque President s message continued physical activities, and we want you back in the fall. Speaking of which, the first item of business will be the High Holidays. This year, they start on Sunday evening, September 9, which is a little early. (Question: When are they on time?) One of the most important things you, or any Jew, can do is to attend High Holiday services. There is really no reason not to do so..even if you cannot read Hebrew, our prayer books come with English translations so that you can follow what is going on. These days represent a time for all of us to reflect on the year that has just passed and to examine what we need to improve in the future, and we all can improve. There is no better place to do that than at High Holiday services. The form for ordering tickets is on page 3. Please fill it out today and send it in and know that you will be starting the year on the right foot. In reviewing the people who have made a difference to C.B.I., I realize that they can be classified as those who are visible and those who work behind the scenes. A prominent example of the latter group is our Executive Vice President, Barry Kashubo. Barry s major responsibility is taking care of our physical plant and he does that very well. Over the years, he, with Eduardo s help, has saved us thousands of dollars by doing repairs in-house, for which we would have otherwise have had to use outside repair personnel. Barry has also been doing an excellent job handling the rental of our facilities, including the cell towers. Thank you, Barry, for a job very well done, indeed. Yours in fellowship, Charles Greinsky President Rabbi s message continued small stools, holding candles while reading from books. The synagogue had an elaborate chandelier but only a few candles were lit. If not for the small candle lights, the magnificent synagogue would have been in complete darkness. It was a gloomy and sad sight to behold. Napoleon asked why the people were weeping and wanted to know what misfortune had happened here. An enlightened Jewish French officer told him the history of Tisha B Av, and the observances. of the day. Napoleon inquired as to how many years they had been doing this and was told over 2,000 years. Upon hearing this Napoleon exclaimed, "A nation that cries and fasts for over 2,000 years for their land and Temple will surely be rewarded with their Temple." May our mourning end, and our redemption begin, on this Tisha B Av. Shalom.. Pinchas N. Pearl Rabbi Next Book club selection The CBI Book Club will read "The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit," by Lucette Lagnado" as the next club selection. This memoir by a Wall Street Journal writer of her childhood in Cairo, and the life and death of the Egyptian Jewish community, is a wonderful glimpse at a vanished Jewish community. The book is available from the public library. Please read it as soon as possible, so that we can schedule the next meeting of the book club. July 2018 The SHOFAR 2

3 Seats Assigned (For office use) CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL 45 TWOMBLY AVENUE S.I. NY HIGH HOLY HOLIDAYS RESERVATION FORM NAME ADDRESS ZIP CODE TELEPHONE NUMBER GUESTS OF FAMILY (list additional names and addresses on back) NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER FAMILY MEMBERS (MAXIMUM 2) $ 100 EACH PARENTS OF MEMBERS $ 100 EACH ADULT CHILDREN OF MEMBERS (Out of college) $ 100 EACH CHILDREN OF MEMBERS $ 36 EACH NON-MEMBERS $ 200 EACH NON-MEMBER CHILDREN (17 or younger) $ 72 EACH SUBTOTAL $ WE DO NOT SUPPLY PRAYER BOOKS. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OWN HIGH HOLIDAY PRAYER $36 each MEMORIAL PLAQUES ARE AVAILABLE AT $360 EACH ($540 for nonmembers). TREE OF LIFE LEAVES ARE $72 EACH. TO ORDER, PLEASE SEND IN SEPARATE SHEET HIGH HOLIDAY PLEDGES: Rosh HaShanah Kol Nidre SUMMARY OF CHARGES DUES $ SCHOOL $ TICKETS $ MEMORIAL PLAQUES $ TREE OF LIFE $ PRAYER BOOKS $ PLEDGES $ TOTAL $ Credit card: American Express Discover Master Card Visa Credit card number Expiration date Name on card Signature To include names for Golden Book, check here and send in separate sheet July 2018 The SHOFAR 3

4 Thank you for your contribution Contributions received after June 15 will be acknowledged in the July issue. Contributions with no specific designation are for the general use of the synagogue. Rhoda and Sandy Berger in memory of Gertrude Berger Toby and Martin Birnbaum Lillian Brosnick for sponsoring an oneg to honor the memory of Leonard Brosnick Michelle and Kevin Brosnick in memory of Arthur Levy and Leonard Brosnick Nancy Cohen for sponsoring an oneg in honor of Joel Cohen's birthday Vlad Cohen Eileen and Bernard Cooper in memory of Benjamin Kalifowitz Brenda and Marvin Cooper in memory of Miriam Cooper Eleanor and Michael Dovdavany in memory of Ada Landwehr and Charles Landwehr Rita and Martin Eisenberg in memory of George Eisenberg and Herb Sohn Susan and Richard Finkelstein in memory of Heinz Moddel and Morris Finkelstein Bette and Dr. Steve Goldstein in memory of Harry Goldstein Gary Gordon in memory of Gertrude Gordon Barbara and Norman A. Kanter for sponsoring an oneg and a kiddush in honor of the 70 th anni versary of Norman's Bar Mitzvah Gail and Barry Kashubo in memory of Morris Finkelstein Katz families for sponsoring an oneg Dagmar and Otto Katz in memory of Alexander and Irene Ferencik and Eli Katz Naomi Kirsch in memory of Anna Wolf News about our members Mazal Tov to the Khalfin family on Josh's college graduation. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, with honors, and had entered NYU Dental School. Mazal tov, also to their daughter Melanie, who was chosen Valedictorian of her eighth - grade graduation class at IS 24. Our congratulations also go to Bette and Dr. Steve Goldstein on the birth of a new granddaughter. Sisterhood News Sisterhood is grateful to Barbara Kanter for her work in shopping for supplies and preparing meals for kiddushes. We have prepared a list of the basics that will always be needed in the kitchen. Barbara explained what Veronica does on Saturday for the kiddushes and we also discussed Sunday morning breakfasts. The following people will shop, prepare platters for Friday night, and also set up for Sunday: Susan Finkelstein, Alice Frey, Barbara Kanter, Sandy Levy, Laurie and David Raps, and Barbara Smith. Nancy Cohen has donated silver polish for Sunday, August. 26, when we will prepare the sanctuary for the High Holidays. Janice Rappaport will get food for breakfast for that day. We will be going to the Little Victory Theater on July 15, to see Give my regards to Broadway. See the flyer on page 5.. A trip to the Jewish Heritage Museum to see Fiddler on the Roof, a Yiddish show with subtitles, is being planned. The Arden Heights Boulevard Jewish Center is selling gift bottle of honey for the New Year. We may do this next year. Tickets are still available for the Staten Island Yankee game on Sept. 2. Our next meeting, followed by Fun Night, will be on July 24. Golden Book reminder As part of our Yom Kippur service, we traditionally read the names of our near relatives who have passed on. While many of us look forward to this reading as a remembrance of what they meant to us, the fact remains that it takes a long time and others in the congregation feel the reading disrupts the service. In order to keep the book to a manageable size, it has been decided to restrict the names in the Book to those who have purchased High Holiday tickets. We ask that you limit your listing to parents, siblings, and children. Thank you for your cooperation. Automatic External Defibrillator Above the water fountain in our building is a cabinet containing an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). If, G-d forbid, someone is experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, it can help save a life In the cabinet there is also a bottle of aspirin (it is often recommended that an adult complaining of cardiac symptoms be given one), and Benadryl, which is meant for someone experiencing an allergic reaction. Our AED can be used for both adults and children (under 55 lbs. or eight years old). However, when using it for children, the special "key" must be inserted. To locate the key, open the red AED case, it is on the left side and is pink in color. While it is preferable for someone to be trained in how to use a AED and administer CPR, in an emergency, our AED can "talk" you through it. The following will take you to a video that is less then seven minutes long, and will go over how to use the AED. Please at least take the time to watch the video. July 2018 The SHOFAR 4

5 C.B.I. s Sisterhood invites you to join us on Sunday, July 15 at 2 p.m. to see Give My Regards to Broadway Little Victory Theater 4089 Victory Boulevard (718) An original afternoon featuring melodies from your favorite Broadway shows. This all-singing, all-dancing afternoon will feature many of your favorite Broadway favorites, including, A Chorus Line, Bye Bye Birdie, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and many more $22 per person Please return slip below, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, with check payable to Sisterhood of Congregation B nai Israel to 45 Twombly Ave. Staten Island, NY Number of $22 per person Name Phone July 2018 The SHOFAR 5

6 Open House Congregation B'nai Israel of Staten Island convenientlylocated in Bay Terrace 45 Twombly Avenue, SI NY, Telephone # ; office@sicbi.com Invites you to its Open House on Aug. 26, 2018 at 10 a.m. Meet our dynamic new rabbi, Pinchas Pearl Learn about the benefits of membership Free Hebrew School Discount on High Holiday tickets with guaranteed seats Half-price seats for Yom Kippur Hear about our programs for preschoolers Pre-K For All Two and three year olds Refreshments for all! Discount for new members Special discount for JCC members July 2018 The SHOFAR 6

7 Congregation B nai Israel 45 Twombly Ave. SI NY (718) , office@sicbi.com MEMORIAL BOOKLET ORDER FORM Please send your announcements no later than August 16, Rosh Hashanah starts the evening of Sunday, September 9, Rosh Hashanah Greetings In Memorium Inside front or back cover $108 Full ½ 1/3 Name only 18 Your name: Amount of check enclosed $ Cost per ad Credit card: American Express Discover Master Card Visa Credit card number: Expiration date Telephone number: June 2018 The SHOFAR 7

Yahrzeits This Month Yahrzeits start on the evening before the date given. For additions or corrections to this list, please contact Scott Diamond at (917) 674-3317, or slzdiamond@hotmail.

8 Yahrzeits This Month Yahrzeits start on the evening before the date given. For additions or corrections to this list, please contact Scott Diamond at (917) , or If you need to say kaddish for a yahrzeit, please call the office two weeks before, and we will try to arrange a minyan. It would be helpful to bring a few family members and friends to the service to make sure of a minyan as it is not always possible to arrange one from our congregants. Many congregants come to services Friday night to say kaddish. July 2/Tammuz 19 Sol Eldlin, father of Doris Wasser July 3/Tammuz 20 Sydelle Smolowitz, mother of Larry Smolowitz July 6/Tammuz 23 Emanuel Appelbaum, father of Arlene Gerstman July 7/Tammuz 24 Ann Perner, mother of Shelly Harwayne July 10/Tammuz 27 Miriam Sue Greinsky, sister of Charles Greinsky July 14/Av 2 Louis Kroll, grandfather of Naomi Kirsch July 15/Av 3 Lillie Hauser, mother of Jerry Hauser Samuel Perlin, grandfather of Roger Lader July 16/Av 4 Ida Gerstman, mother of Aaron Gerstman July 17/Av 5 Ninia Besen, mother of Ana Cramer July 22/Av 10 Jonas Fisch, father of Leo Fisch Dorian Gitelman, husband of Zoya Gitelman July 23/Av 11 Paul White, brother of Sandy Poris July 24/Av 12 Ruth Ratner, mother of Dr. Steven Ratner July 25/Av 13 Nachum Gitelman, father of Mikhail Gitelman July 27/Av 15 Harry Zuniss, father of Judy Rosen July 29/Av 17 Nathan Berg, father of Barbara Smith July 30/Av 18 Sarah Greinsky, grandmother of Charles Greinsky July 31/Av 19 Robert Davidson, father of Linda Fisch Hannah Kroll, grandmother of Naomi Kirsch Preschool News Beach Fun is the title of the thematic unit as we head into our summer program beginning Tuesday, July 10, The children will be listening to stories, singing songs, doing art activities, and engaging in many different water play activities. They will also be having fun creating color bubbles, drawing with chalk, playing with sand, and so much more! Registration continues for all classes. Have a nice summer! The CBI Academy Preschool Team Shop Amazon and help C.B.I. Amazon will donate a percentage of the cost of all eligible items to C.B.I. if they are purchased on its special site, AmazonSmile.com. The only difference between this site and the Amazon site is that on AmazonSmile, you can designate Congregation B nai Israel to be a recipient of the donation. The prices are the same, the features are the same. However, using this site enables C.B.I. to benefit from your purchase. Here s your chance to help our congregation without any cost to you. About our misherberach list Every Saturday, we say a prayer for the recovery of those members and their families who are not well. The prayer is called misherberach. The names come from our members. These prayers are important and we are honored to do them. The problem, however, is that very often a name is added to the list and is kept there even though there is no further need for the prayer. As a result, the list has grown and has prolonged the service. In order to continue prayers for those who need them, and stop for those who do not, we will keep names on the list for four months. If there is still need for the prayer the person requesting it can make another request at that time. The present list will be kept until October. At that time, if you need to have someone put on the list, please contact Scott Diamond, slzdiamond@hotmail.com, David Raps, spar1012@ netscape.net, or Susan at the office, Office@sicbi.com. July 2018 The SHOFAR 8

9 Congregation B nai Israel s Afternoon with the Staten Island Yankees vs. Brooklyn Cyclones Sunday, September 2, at 1:30 p.m. Richmond County Bank Ballpark, 75 Richmond Terrace, SI NY Ticket & Kosher Meal Deal To Purchase tickets. $25 for adults (over 13) Mail order form to: (includes $10 meal voucher) Congregation B nai Israel.. $15 for ages 3-13 (includes Kosher Meal) 45 Twombly Avenue. Free for children 2 and under Staten Island, NY C.B.I. name on park s high definition board For further information, call Susan at (718) or Laurie at (718) Order Form (Reply by 7/31/18) $25 $15 Total Ticket Amount $ Please make checks payable to: Congregation B nai Israel Name Address City State ZIP code Phone Cell phone Credit card type (please circle one) American Express Discover Mastercard Visa Credit Card Number Expiration Date July 2018 The SHOFAR 9

10 July 2018 The SHOFAR 10

The Shofar בס''ד. From the. desk of. Rabbi Pearl. May Fri. May 26/Sivan 1. Light candles, 7:31 p.m. Services, 8 p.m.

The Shofar בס''ד. From the. desk of. Rabbi Pearl. May Fri. May 26/Sivan 1. Light candles, 7:31 p.m. Services, 8 p.m. The Shofar May 2017 Vol. 89 Issue 5 (Published Monthly) Congregation B nai Israel : A Traditional Conservative Synagogue 45 Twombly Ave., Staten Island, NY 10306 Tel: (718) 987-8188 Fax: (718) 987-7870