The Shofar. בס''ד September From the. desk of. Rabbi Pearl. September Thus. Sept. 21/Tishrei 1 Fri. Sept. 1/Elul 10

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1 The Shofar בס''ד September 2017 Vol. 89 Issue 9 (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 September 2017 September 2017 Thus. Sept. 21/Tishrei 1 Fri. Sept. 1/Elul 10 First Day Rosh Light candles, 7:10 p.m. HaShanah Services, 8 p.m. Morning services, 8:30 a.m. Sat. Sept. 2/Elul 11 Tashlich, 4:30 p,m. Rabbi s class, 8:40 a.m. Great Kills Boat Basin Services, 9:20 a.m. Evening services, 6:30 p.m. Fri. Sept. 8/Elul 17 Light candles, 7:35 p.m. Light candles, 6:58 p.m. Services, 8 p.m. Fri. Sept. 22/Tishrei 2 Second Day Rosh Sat. Sept. 9/Elul 18 HaShanah Rabbi s class, 8:40 a.m. Morning services, Services, 9:20 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Light candles, 6:35 p.m. Fri. Sept. 15/Elul 24 Evening services, Light candles, 6:46 p.m. 6:45 p.m. Services, 8 p.m. Sat. Sept. 23/Tishrei 3 Sat. Sept. 16/Elul 25 Rabbi s class, 8:40 a.m. Rabbi s class, 8:40 a.m. Services, 9:20 a.m. Services, 9:20 a.m. Selichot (see p.9) Fri. Sept. 29/Tishrei 9 Program, 9:30,p.m. Kol Nidre Temple Emanu-El Light candles, 6:24 p.m. 984 Post Ave. Services, 6:15 p.m. Wed. Sept. 20/Elul 29 Sat. Sept. 30/Tishrei 10 Erev Rosh HaShanah Yom Kippur Light candles, 6:39 p.m. Morning, including Services, 6:45 p.m. yizkor, 8:30 a.m. Afternoon, 4:30 p.m. Fast ends 7:20 p.m. OTHER DATES TO KEEP IN MIND Sept. 5-Tuesday, Ritual Committee, 8 p.m. Sept. 10- Sunday, Set up sanctuary for High Holidays, 9 a.m. OPEN House, first day Hebrew School and registration, 10 a.m. See p.9 Sept. 13-Prepare Holiday solicitation cards, 7 p.m. Sept. 19-Tuesday, Finance Committee, 7:15 p.m. Board of Trustees, 8 p.m. 2 From the desk of Rabbi Pearl What is the shofar, the rough-looking horn that we blow repeatedly during services on Rosh HaShanah, all about? There is a parable from the Dubno Magid, the author of many moving allegories of faith, that answers the question. A poor farmer had a wealthy uncle who lived in the city and who once invited him for a visit. Thrilled with the invitation the farmer wasted no time setting out for his rich uncle's home. When he arrived he was greeted warmly and led immediately into a large dining hall with a long table. As they spoke and shared stories about their family, the uncle picked up a brass bell and clanged it. Immediately, a troop of servants emerged from side doors with trays of appetizers. The farmer had never seen such enticing food in his life. The servants returned to the kitchen quarters and the two relatives continued the conversation. Shortly thereafter, the uncle clanged the bell again and the servants reappeared, taking away the old trays and bringing out new ones with the first course. The farmer's eyes bulged. He had never seen such enormous quantities of food and such dedicated service. This pattern continued throughout the evening. Each time the uncle rang the bell,3 an entourage of servants answered his call, removing the old food and replacing it with the new. And with each clang the poor farmer was more dumbstruck. When it was time to leave, the farmer thanked his uncle heartily and made a stop at a local store before rushing home. When he arrived he woke up his wife and excitedly told her. "You'll never believe what I did?" "What?" "I spent our last penny!" Continued on page 2 September 2017 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 Norman A. Kanter (acting) Charles Greinsky Barry Kashubo Roger Lader Vacant 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 Mr. Scott Diamond (917) for information about a Memorial Plaque President s letter This year, as every year, I look forward to the end of summer. It is not a question of enjoying the pleasant weather, I do. However, with the end of summer comes the High Holidays, a time of spiritual rejuvenation. To come to services, to listen to the inspiring messages of Rabbi Pearl, to listen to the chanting of the prayers by Rabbi Rappoport and the members of our congregation, to greet my fellow worshippers, I ask you, what could be more inspiring than that? If you come to services, I am sure you know what I am talking about. If you do not, then all I can say is that you don t know what you are missing. It is not too late to make arrangements for this year, so why not start the year off right and come. For us, at C.B.I., this time of year signals resumption of full-scale activities, including start of our two schools, the Rabbi s Sunday morning sessions, etc. As you can see on the first page of each month s Shofar, there is a variety of programs available, some of which may well be of interest to you.i urge you to take advantage of them You will find them most interesting. Finally, I need to mention that this is the time of year when we ask you to show your support from a financial point of view. I know this can be difficult because, everything costs more now. But, remember, everything costs more for us as well. Your electricity bill is higher, and so is ours. Your gas bill is higher, and so is ours. I could go on, but you get the idea. Therefore, please be as generous as you can when you make your annual pledge. Ilene joins me in hoping that all of you will be inscribed for a healthy, and happy New Year.. Yours in fellowship, Charles Greinsky President Rabbi s message (continued) You what!? Don't worry. I spent it on something you will thank me a million times for buying. Here, look." He took a brass bell out of his pouch just like his uncle's. "This," the farmer said, "is a magic bell." His wife looked at him as if he was crazy. Undaunted, the man said, "You see, all I have to do is ring it and, immediately, servants will come out and serve us the most exquisite food which we can eat to our hearts content." Of course, the servants didn't appear. The bell possessed no magic. It only worked when used as a signal to servants already waiting in the wings. So, too, the shofar. It s not a magic bell. Like the rich uncle, however, if you ve set up things before, it brings forth wonderful blessings for the new year. I have no rich uncle to offer you. But if you will learn Torah, if you will determine to live according to the traditions and beliefs of the Jewish people, you will be rich. You ve got to study, you ve got to think, you ve got to resolve and follow through on those resolutions to change and improve. The bell is ringing, the alarm clock is going off, and G-d awaits all of us. Hear the call, and be blessed for the New Year. Shalom. Pinchas N. Pearl Rabbi September 2017 The SHOFAR 2

3 CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL SEAT # 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 FILL OUT THE INFORMATION ON THE BACK 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 (please print) Signature September 2017 The SHOFAR 3

4 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. Sept. 1/Elul 10 Bernard Greenglass, father of Sharon Pekuly Abraham Kroll, uncle of Naomi Kirsch Leon Kullback, father of Maxine Spierer and Yolanda Zinn Miriam Tasman, mother-in-law of Dr. Steven Ratner Sept. 2/Elul 11 Leonard Kastell, brother of Walter Kastell Sept. 4/Elul 13 Roslyn Greenzweig, mother of Louis Greenzweig Sept. 6/Elul 15 Anna Preiser, mother of Gloria Hirsch Harry Surpin, father of Nancy Cohen Alvin Resnick, father of Coby Forin Sept. 8/Elul 17 Miriam L. Sklar, mother of Ira Sklar Sept. 10/Elul 19 Paul Kravitz, father of Carole Wassner Sept.12/Elul 21 Morris Wolf, grandfather of Naomi Kirsch Sept. 14/Elul 23 Roza Brofman, mother of Yakov Brofman Shirley Cohen, mother of Joel Cohen Sept. 15/Elul 24 David Morrison, father of Aviva Levine Sept. 16/Elul 25 Aaron Steingart, father of Helen Suss Sala Ziegler, mother of Gladys Graham Sept. 17/Elul 26 Edward Wool, cousin of Norman Olinsky Irwin Rosenblum, father of Laurie Raps Sept. 18/Elul 27 Gladys Greenglass, mother of Sharon Pekuly Sept. 19/Elul 28 Mollie Zaffos, mother of Anna Gordon Sept. 20/Elul 29 Rhoda Moddel, mother of Susan Finkelstein Sept. 23/Tishrei 3 Jerry Kroll, uncle of Naomi Kirsch Isidore Suss, father of Stuart Suss Lawrence Wasser, father of Val Levy Sept. 24/Tishrei 4 Esther Kirsch, mother of Larry Kirsch Sept 30/Tishrei 10 Ruth Greinsky, mother of Charles Greinsky Eve Kroll, relative of Naomi Kirsch In appreciation My deepest thanks to all of you who sent cards or s, or who made phone calls, following the death of my wife, Natalie. I am also very grateful for the exceptionally large turnout at her funeral, and for all who made sure that there was a minyan every night when I was sitting shiva. This huge exhibition of support has been a tremendous source of consolation to my family and me, and we will never forget it or you. Mel Fox Thank you for your contribution Contributions received after August 15 will be acknowledged in the September issue. Marina Busnovetsky Vlad Cohen Ira Elias for sponsoring a kiddush in memory of his father, Benjamin Isaac Elias Arlene and Aaron Gerstman in memory of Theodore Appelbaum Zoya Gitelman in memory of her husband, Dorian (Dima) Ilene and Charles Greinsky in memory of Miriam Erdman, Jacob Greinsky, Miriam Sue Greinsky, Sarah Greinsky, and Lawrence Sandick Gloria Hirsch in memory of Nathan Preiser Drs. Betty and Richard Jensen in memory of Shlomo Klainminc Naomi and Larry Kirsch in memory of Hannah Kroll Norman Levine in memory of Lenore Hartman Sandy Levy in memory of Artie Levy, Gertrude Springer, and Edith Levy David and Laurie Raps Steven Ratner in memory of Ruth Ratner Judy and Paul Rosen in memory of Harry Zuniss Diane and Harris Schwartz in memory of Helen Hoffnung September 2017 The SHOFAR 4

5 Congregation B nai Israel 45 Twombly Ave. SI NY (718) , office@sicbi.com Please send your announcements no later than September 11, Rosh Hashanah starts the evening of Sunday, September 21, Rosh Hashanah Greetings In Memoriam 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: September 2017 The SHOFAR 5

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7 Sisterhood news Due to the holidays, there will not be any Sisterhood events in September, However, things will start rolling again in October. On October 18, Sisterhood will meet at 6:45 p.m. Sisterhood Fun Night will start at 7:30. We are also planning a trip to the Jewish Heritage Museum on October 29, which will be open to all. Details to follow. Arrangements were made to send a shiva platter to Mel Fox. Several women volunteered to do the shopping for Shabbat. There will not be any onegs or kiddushes for the last two weeks of September, due to the Holidays. We are grateful to Judy and Ted Schneider for their donation of two boxes of High Holiday items to the Hebrew School. Lillian Brosnick suggested that the Sisterhood work with the Hebrew School on a Mitzvah day. Susan Finkelstein, Barbara Kanter, and Laurie Raps volunteered to help at the Open House on September 1.. The baseball game event drew 19 adults and three children. (For more details, see below.) Sisterhood Fun Night is the new name for the monthly get together. Join us October 18 at 7:30 pm. News about our members Our condolences to our long-time gabbai, Mel- Fox, on the loss of his wife, Natalie. Mazal tov to Sophia and Al Cohen on the marriage of their daughter, Ilana to Bryan Friedman. We wish a speedy and complete recovery to Feliks Levit, father of Zoya Khalfin. I had 10 customers like you." "Wow! It s nice to hear you say that," says Martin, "but why are you thanking me? You know I always argue with your prices and I always complain about the work you do on my car." "I know," says Harry, "but I'd still like 10 customers like you - the trouble is I have at least 50 like you." Baseball game a grand slam The annual trip to see the S. I. Yankees play took place on August. 20, Jewish Heritage Night. It was an exciting game, even though the Yankees lost, 3-1. A highlight was when Kevin Brosnick and Laurie Raps participated in a trivia contest. They had to answer four questions about Jewish major league baseball players. We are pleased to report that they came up with four correct answers. (See photograph below, courtesy of Michelle Brosnick.) Organizing this outing required an unusually large amount of work on Laurie Raps s part. We are grateful for all of her efforts. About The Golden Book As many of you know, during the Yom Kippur service, we read the names of deceased parents, siblings and children of those who have purchased tickets. This list will be read before the yizkor service. In order to make sure that our list is current, we are asking all those who would like the names of their loved ones read to please notify the office IN WRITING. You can this information to the office (Office@cbi.com), mail it, or bring it in. The written request must be received by September 14 for the names of your loved ones to be read. Just for the fun of it Tony owns a local car repair garage. One day, Martin, one of his customers, arrives to pick up his car. Tony goes over to him, shakes his hand and says, "I d just like to say thanks for your patronage. I wish September 2017 The SHOFAR 7

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9 Slichot While most Jewish services are held during the day or early evening, High Holiday Selichot are the exception, held in the wee hours of the morning. Drawing from a plethora of biblical verses and rabbinic teachings, they are a soul-stirring introduction to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The first night of Slichot is the biggie, held after midnight on a Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah In some larger congregations this service is led by a cantor and choir, and can take well over an hour. In smaller, more informal congregations, it may take less time than that. All subsequent Selichot are conducted just before morning prayers, generally with less fanfare. The Slichot are a collage of Torah verses and poetically written Hebrew works in which we ask G-d to forgive us on a personal and communal level. An oft-repeated phrase is the 13 Attributes of Mercy, which G-d revealed to Moses at Sinai as the key to forgiveness. This is the core of the entire service, and since it is considered a communal prayer, this line may be said only when praying with a minyan. This year, Selichot will be held on Sept. 16. at Temple Emanu-El, 984 Post Ave. The evening will start at 9:30 p.m., featuring refreshments and an inspirational program. Services start at 11:30 p.m. Come join us and start this holiday off right. Preschool News We welcome you to the school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you, all families, the NYCDOHMH, and the NYCDOE to ensure that our students can achieve their highest potential. You are most welcome to join our volunteer program, as our students will greatly benefit from your involvement and contributions to our school. We feel privileged to be a part of this school family. Thank you for your support and we look forward to a wonderful school year. Wishing you a blessed Rosh HaShanah! The CBI Academy Preschool Faculty Don t miss September 10! Why? Because that the day, C.B.I. has its Open House and Hebrew School registration. The open house, which starts at 10 a.m.,will give you the opportunity to ask questions about anything connected with our synagogue. Of course, the primary purpose of the morning is to interest people into becoming members. So, if you know of people you think would enjoy being part of our community, please bring them with you. There will be refreshments available. If you are particularly ambitious and want to be helpful, we will setting up the sanctuary for the High Holidays, starting a 9 a.m. and we could use some extra hands. As indicated, Sept.10 is also the day that we will have Hebrew School registration. This year promises to be an exciting one, with our Rabbi, teacher and computer equipment all in place. Attending Hebrew School gives a child the opportunity to be exposed to our history and traditions, which, together with support from home, will start the young child on the right road. Again, if you know of a child who is not presently receiving such instruction, please invite his or her parents down on Sunday, September 10. In Case Of... By following these guidelines, you will help yourself and your family in times of great joy, or G-d forbid, moments of crisis and stress. As rabbi, it is my desire to attend to your lifecycle needs. In order for me to be of help, I must be kept informed. Please take a moment to read through these steps and always keep this page in a handy place. Rabbi Pinchas Pearl Illness In case of illness or hospitalization, please notify the synagogue office at (718) Death Even before making funeral arrangements, notify Rabbi Pearl at the synagogue office (718) ) or on his cell (718) ). He will assist and guide you in making the appropriate arrangements for the funeral. If you cannot reach the rabbi, contact the Jewish funeral home and begin to make your arrangements. Please, if Rabbi Pearl is going to officiate at the funeral, do not set a time until the rabbi has contacted you. If the rabbi is away, other local rabbis are on call. Simchas For the joyous occasions in your life, please share your nachas with the rabbi by informing him about births, engagements, weddings, and other noteworthy family moments. The rabbi will arrange for a baby-naming, provide information regarding a mohel (for newborn boys), coordinate a pidyon haben (the redemption ceremony for first-born males), schedule an aufruf (to celebrate a forthcoming marriage), perform a wedding, and bring the richness of Jewish traditions and mitzvot into your simcha. May you all be inscribed for a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year. September 2017 The SHOFAR 9

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