Beth Israel Congregation s

Transcription

1 Beth Israel Congregation s Sept. 2016/5776 BULLETIN Rabbi s Message General Service Schedule Friday 7:00pm; Saturday 10:00am The Best and the Worst of Times As we approach the start of this Rosh Hashanah of 5777, perhaps the opening words of Charles Dickens classic, A Tale of Two Cities seems most appropriate. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. When we observe the political, economic, and social situation in our country at the twilight of 5776, these words seem to describe our condition. Sadly, our beloved city of Salisbury has not benefited from the economic recovery that has revitalized many areas of the United States. When I speak to many older individuals in Salisbury, they reminisce nostalgically about the factories that once hummed with activity and provided jobs to many blue collar workers. The former Salisbury economy also brought many middle class professionals to this city, including a good number of the members of this congregation. Unfortunately, the current economy of Salisbury is far different from those golden years. The result has been the decline of the middle class population including the Jewish community. We hope and pray that this year will give rise to a vision that will help renew the City of Salisbury and in turn, benefit this congregation. On the other hand, many areas of the United States have blossomed in the economic recovery since the Great Recession. The major cities of the East Coast are filled with young people. You can feel the dynamic energy when you walk the streets of New York and Boston. Many cities throughout this great nation have seen the return of young people to re-energize older urban neighborhoods such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Omaha, where Hadas now lives. These communities feel optimistic about their future and Jewish life in these areas is stronger than ever. We should recall the pithy gem that summarizes it all As the Christian world goes, the Jewish world goes even more so. The areas that are thriving in our country have witnessed the revitalization of older synagogues in the heart of cities and the growth of Jewish Community Centers. These communities have seen creative new approaches to Jewish education, religious worship, and social activism. --Continued on page 2 September Events Sept. Sept. October Events Oct. 2@7pm Oct. 3@9am Oct. Oct. 9am Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct Oct. 24 Oct. 25 Book Club Selihot Service to usher in the New year of 5777 Rosh Hashanah eve service First day Rosh Hashanah Service Tashlich service at boat Launch Eve of second day of Rosh Hashanah service Second day of Rosh Hashanah service Kol Nidrei service Yom Kippur morning service Yom Kippur afternoon service Neila service Sounding of the Shofar/ break fast Sukkot Shmini Atzeret Simchat Torah Religious School Schedule TBA Shabbat Candle Lighting Times Sept. 2-7:12pm Sept. 9 7:01pm Sept. 16 6:50pm Sept. 23 6:39pm Sept. 30 6:28pm

2 Rabbi s Message, Continued The same words from Charles Dickens could apply to our beloved State of Israel. Israel s hi tech economy is stronger than ever as it recruits ultra-orthodox Jews and Israeli Arabs to become integrated in its industries. Israel continues to develop its economic relationships with China, India, and the emerging nations of Africa. On the. other hand, the BDS (Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions) movement against Israel has gained support from groups on the left in both the United States and Western Europe. Sadly, the academic community in the United States is one of the foremost proponents of the boycott of Israel. Many academic organizations have discussed boycotting Israeli academics at their annual meetings. Unfortunately, too, many of the liberal Protestant denominations have discussed boycotting Israel. On the other hand, Israel is developing subtle, behind-the-scenes political ties with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States as both Arab nations and Israel fear radical Islam and the rise of a nuclear Iran. Egypt and Turkey also are strengthening their cooperation with Israel. Israel is also forming relationships with some of the Muslim nations in sub-saharan Africa. Domestically, Israel is facing the great divide between the haves and the have-nots of its nation. Sadly, according to the Office of Economic Cooperation and Development, Israel has the greatest gap between rich and poor of any developed economy. This situation threatens Israel s economic well-being as well as violates our Jewish sense of justice. Israel continues to attract new immigrants from France, Ukraine, and Brazil because of the challenges in those countries - as well as idealistic Americans who wish to fulfill their Zionist dreams. Israel lives with the tension of the best and the worst of times. As we approach this New Year, we reflect upon our hopes and our fears. Indeed, for all of us, we might say in some ways it is the best of times yet in other ways, the worst of times. We pray that G-d will grant us the strength to confront our fears with determination and courage and that our hopes will give us the faith to believe in the future. Our prayer has always been to be written in the Sefer hahayyim, the Book of Life, for a year of peace and blessing. Despite the challenges, we place our trust in the promise of the New Year. Ultimately, faith has the power to subdue the worst of our fears. May this be a year of renewal for all of us personally, for the United States of America, and for the State of Israel. Please join us at Beth Israel Congregation as we inaugurate the New Year with our Selihot Service on Saturday evening, September 24, 2016 at 7:00 pm. Rosh Hashanah begins on Sunday evening October 2, 2016 with our evening service at 7:00 pm. I look forward to seeing all of you and your families. Shana Tova. May it be year of health and happiness for all of us. From the President: It s back to school time around the country. The roads are full of busses and busy parents running kids to schools and getting supplies. We are eager to meet the new college students from the area colleges. We had a very lively bunch of college students last year that helped with Shabbat services, taught Hebrew school, and helped make the minyan many times. This year is particularly important with the high holidays falling in the middle of the week. Please make sure to say hello when you see them at services just like you would with anyone new. I often think about how wonderful it is that they want to be involved in religion. I think back to my college years and seem to remember many other things on my mind on Friday nights. We still offer free tickets to college students, so if you know a student please encourage them to come for high holidays or any service. If you have not been told we have moved Friday services to 7 pm. This was a request and we would like to see how this is received and if this affects attendance. We have been doing well to maintain a minyan when there is a special event or yarhzeit, but we struggle on most Friday nights and Saturdays. I really appreciate the people that make the effort to help support our events and yarhzeits. I hope to see you too soon in the coming days. Until we see each other again, let peace be with you and your family. BIC Birthdays: Roy Hansen- Sept. 2 Cynthia Eisen- Sept. 4 Susan Land- Sept. 8 Murray Lustig- Sept. 8 Ellen Cohen- Sept. 11 Andrea Kahn- Sept. 12 Andrew Sortman- Sept. 14 Mark Rudnick- Sept. 15 Shayna Davis- Sept. 16 Keith Hall- Sept. 23 Jamie Albright- Sept. 26 BIC Anniversaries: --Todd Berman Todd & Pam Berman Sept Rabbi Bienstock

3 Donations: General Fund Michael and Doris Ehrlich Mark and Lucille Rudnick James Hatley Yahrzeit of Shirley Ehrlich Yahrzeit of Gladys Herter Yahrzeits Ann Hancock Janice Spieler Janice Spieler Yahrzeit of Hattie Rosenberg In memory of my dear husband, Al Spieler. In memory of my dear father, Jack Kerman. Bob and Judy Scherr David Lustig In honor of Murray Lustig s 97 th birthday In honor of his parents Thank you to the following members who have donated towards our High Holiday flowers: Steve and Laurie Schwalb Fred and Andrea Kahn Jeff and Joann Sherr Andy and Karen Karten Bruce & Nicole Krasner Bob and Judy Scherr Sharon Servadio Jeff and Jaime Albright In memory of our loved ones In honor of our parents, Abner and Roslyn Gnatt and Ronald and Shirley Kahn In memory of Sidney F. and Bernice S. Sherr In loving memory of Dr. Alfred Spieler and Irv Karten In memory of Hannah Krasner In memory of our parents Mr. & Mrs. Max Kessler and Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Scherr In memory of my late husband, John J. Ferger In memory of Malcom Pierce and Mildred Albright If you would like to donate towards our High Holiday flowers, please contact Julie at or bicsecretary@verizon.net Member-to-member Happy Birthday and wishes for a speedy recover to Andy Karten from Mark and Lucille Rudnick. Bat Mitvah of Shayna Davis, the daughter of Dr. Alon and Ella Davis will be celebrated on Sept.2-3. Mazal Tov to the Davis family. Beth Israel Congregation extends its sincerest condolences to the Owrutsky family upon the death of Harriet Owrutsky.

4 Hi everyone, It's that time of year again. The High Holidays are almost here. You can take time to wish your friends and family a happy New Year in the Beth Israel card for only $25. This is also the time that we remember our loved ones who are no longer with us by contributing to our Yahrzeit Book. In addition, your contributions help raise much needed revenue for the Synagogue. Letters have gone out so please send your completed sheets with the money to the Needlemans. They will take care of everything else. Yahrzeits: September LILA KAPLAN Sept 2-3, 2016 GLADYS HERTER Sept 2-3, 2016 HATTIE ROSENBERG Sept 2-3, 2016 MARY REBACH Sept 2-3, 2016 SOLOMON COHEN Sept 2-3, 2016 FRANCES POLIN Sept 2-3, 2016 MARIE L WOLTERS Sept 2-3, 2016 BENJAMIN BERNSTEIN Sept 2-3, 2016 BENJAMIN S MEYER Sept 2-3, 2016 MAURICE B SHEIN Sept 2-3, 2016 DR TOBIAS BORIS FRUMIN Sept 9-10, 2016 ROSE JAFFEE Sept 9-10, 2016 SIMON HILLER Sept 9-10, 2016 FLORENCE E COHEN Sept 9-10, 2016 NATHAN H KLIOZE Sept 9-10, 2016 DORA GORDON Sept 9-10, 2016 ANSHEL SCHUTZBANK Sept 9-10, 2016 BARNETT SOLOMON FOLKOFF Sept 9-10, 2016 ISIDORE F POLIN Sept 9-10, 2016 SAMUEL GERSHENFELD Sept 16-17, 2016 ITSUK BEN JOSEPH Sept 16-17, 2016 SARAH SCHWARTZMAN Sept 16-17, 2016 ABRAHAM DEITCHMAN Sept 16-17, 2016 ARNOLD WOLTERS Sept 16-17, 2016 LOUIS SCHEUER Sept 16-17, 2016 MILTON MYERS Sept 16-17, 2016 BENJAMIN HERSCHEL MARMER Sept 16-17, 2016 MARJORIE BOOTH Sept 16-17, 2016 ROSE BENJAMIN Sept 16-17, 2016 HARRIET ESTHER DRUZ Sept 16-17, 2016 MILTON J WALCOFF Sept 16-17, 2016 CORINNE S. LIEBMAN Sept 16-17, 2016 ANNA HERRING Sept 16-17, 2016 MITCHELL KEATS Sept 16-17, 2016 SADIE SCHERR Sept 23-24, 2016 JACK STEIN Sept 23-24, 2016 MEYER BEN JOSEF GINCHER Sept 23-24, 2016 HARRY BAKER Sept 23-24, 2016 MILTON MEHLMAN Sept 23-24, 2016 HARRY(HERSHEL) RADERMAN Sept 23-24, 2016 ISRAEL L BENJAMIN Sept 23-24, 2016 RAPHAEL BOGAGE Sept 23-24, 2016 FANNIE WEISS Sept 23-24, 2016 SIDNEY FRANK SHERR Sept 23-24, 2016 DOROTHY NEEDLEMAN Sept 30-Oct 1, 2016 BENJAMIN JACOB SCHERR Sept 30-Oct 1, 2016 RACHELE BERNSTEIN Sept 30-Oct 1, 2016 SADIE RUBENFELD Sept 30-Oct 1, 2016 LILLIAN ROSS Sept 30-Oct 1, 2016 LENA BAKER Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 WILLIAM SEGAL Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 HERBERT MILLER Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 ROSE MASOWITZ Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 ANNA MYERS Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 DANIEL MILLER Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 BERNARD LEPSELTER Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 ETTA SCHWARTZ Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 DEBORAH FINK ZIGUN Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 PATRICIA WILCOX Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016 PHILIP SILVERSTEIN Sept 30- Oct 1, 2016

5 The Beth Israel Book Club will meet on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 10:00am. We will be discussing Deuteronomy. Everyone is welcome to attend. Would you like to honor a loved one? There are many ways to acknowledge your loved ones at Beth Israel. Consider a leaf on our Tree of Life, displayed in the lobby. This is a wonderful way to commemorate a special event or to honor or remember a special person. The cost of a leaf is $500. Beth Israel Cards Appropriate for every occasion and affordable, BIC Cards can be purchased in the Office. You may also wish to consider purchasing a Yahrzeit Memorial Plaque for your loved one. The cost is $360 and will be displayed in our Sanctuary. Beth Israel Staff Rabbi: Arnold Bienstock Office Manager: Julie Thompsen Board of Governors President: Todd Berman Vice President: Arlene Miller Secretary: Andy Karten Treasurer: Shari Miller Youth Education: Sara Stivelman USY: Ella Davis Religious: Jaimi Hall Membership: Susan Tilghman Ways & Means House: Joe Beatus, Mike Folkoff Contact Us 600 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD Phone Fax General Information: bicsecretary@verizon.net Summer Office Hours: Wed. - Friday 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Shabbat Services: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism The mission of this Congregation shall be to establish and maintain a Synagogue and such educational, religious, social and recreational activities as will help further the cause and objectives of the Synagogue and Conservative Judaism. Established 1926 Or maybe you'd like to purchase a chair for the social hall in the honor/memory of a loved one. The cost for a chair is $50. Please contact Julie at the Synagogue Office and she'll be happy to assist you with your tribute. Do you love ONEG? Who doesn t? So come celebrate a simcha, remember a yahrzeit or just make it a great end to a long week by hosting one! It s easy and quick. Call Julie in the BIC office for details