The Shofar s Voice B N A I I S R A E L S Y N A G O G U E P E N S A C O L A, F L. Rabbi s Message. President s Message. Derby Photos 5 Sisterhood 7

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1 B N A I I S R A E L S Y N A G O G U E P E N S A C O L A, F L The Shofar s Voice S I V A N / A V J U N E / J U L Y I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Rabbi s Message President s Message 2 4 Derby Photos 5 Sisterhood 7 Religious School News 9 Donations 10 Birthdays 11 Yahrtzeits 11 Calendar 17 Here's a picture of centenarian. Bubbe or Granma Martha Miller and visiting Royal Spanish Navy training vessel, the De Elcano, in Pensacola, Floria. Bubbe Martha Miller celebrated her 100th birthday in March of this year surrounded by loving family and friends. She is a venerable member of B'nai Israel Synagogue in Pensacola. The Spanish tall ship was built in 1927 and has a complement of 74 officers, naval cadets and 14 able body seamen. This marks the third or fourth visit by the De Elcano to Pensacola. The ship will make only one other port of call in the US this summer. The vessel arrived on May 27th and has been open for daily tours and will depart on May 31st. On May 29th the crew and band of De Elcano joined US Navy representatives and band from the Naval Air Station to commemorate the victory of the Spanish over British forces during the Revolutionary War under Gen Galves. A descendent of Gen. Galves from Miami was present at the ceremonies. Bubbe Martha was thrilled to revisit the De Elcano as she saw it when it visited Pensacola in 1951, when a descendent of explorer Christopher Columbus was Captain of the Spanish Training Ship. 1 submitted by Jerome Gordon

2 RABBI S MESSAGE RABBI ISRAEL VANA To my fellow congregants; Late last month we celebrated Shavouth. This message will be dedicated to explaining the holy day of Shavouth. The holy day of Shavouth is a special day of thanksgiving. It is called: Chag matan Torah; Chag Shavouth; and chag Habikurim. Wow! Three names for one holy day. Let's see why. Chag matan Torah = giving the Law Why should we have a holy day that is full of restrictions and rules that seem to control our lives.? We want freedom not laws, no statutes just freedom. Why should we celebrate such an event? Well, imagine society without law, kol dealim gevar. The strong survive regardless of who is right or who is wrong. No punishment for the wicked or reward for the righteous. Such a world is not G -dly - nor is it free. This law is the law of the jungle. Lions hunt, and everything they can get, they chow on. This is not what G-d wanted us to do or to be. If G-d did not intervene and take us out of Egypt we would have succumbed to Pharaoh's ruthlessness. We would have never left Egypt, we would have vanished. This was not G-d's intent or desire. Therefore, G-d gave us his law which we accepted on Mount Sinai. We all said Na asei Ve nishmah. We shall do first and question later. Study the meaning of the law. This is G-d's world and G-d gave us rules that tell us how to make his world gentler and kinder. G-d demanded that we shall be kind and nice to each other, for example; honor your pop and mom... don't murder (not kill) don't commit adultery... don't steal (don't loot) don't covet other people's belongings... don't be a false witness. Q. Name the remaining four laws and them to the Rabbi. Six out of ten statements are between humans to make a better society. 2

3 Rabbi s Message Continued - 2) The second name is Chag Shavouth: We must count seven weeks from the second day of Passover to Shavouth. In Hebrew shavua means week. Plural is Shavouth = weeks. It tells us that the Exodus would have been in vain if we did not accept G-d's law. The two holy days intertwine. Physical freedom is not complete if there is no spiritual freedom. Anarchy is not freedom. Spiritual freedom must be associated with acceptance of G -d's law. statement. Aser teaser meaning you must tithe. Not if or but. I can write volumes about tithing, but not now. See you in shul, Rabbi Israel Vana Nat Rickoff 3) The third name is Chag Habikurim the holy day of bringing to the temple the first fruits of the year. Every fruit that is first ripened must be brought to the temple. Furthermore tithing is mandatory in Judaism. Aser teaser: mandatory you must tithe. Not an option. When I meet with Christians and I ask how do you raise so much money for your 'mega churches', all answer, We tithe. The Christian world uses our law better than we do! Give to your shul the best that you can. Don't hold back. We are commanded to care for our poor and needy. This is where tithes go; to improve the well-being of the community and the synagogue. Tithing is G-dly Headstone Unveiling It would honor me and my late husband, Nat, if you could join me for the unveiling of his headstone. It will take place on Sunday, July 5th, 2015 at Temple Beth El Cemetery I will be hosting a small reception at my home after the ceremony. - Greta Rickoff 3

4 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE VIKKI GOLDSTEIN, SYNAGOGUE PRESIDENT In Need of Your Assistance. Did you attend the Derby at the Shul and Art Auction? If not you missed out on a lot of fun! This event brought to mind "how lovely your sanctuary". We indeed are blessed with a lovely sanctuary and amazing congregation. Our building planning committee is continuing to make progress in how we can continue to improve and maintain our Synagogue. However, each congregant can assist. Yes, summer time fun is here with family vacations, camps and of course enjoying our beautiful beaches. One simple way you can help is to attend services. Having a minyan is imperative for Saturday Torah service, to continue the love and learning of Torah so many of our congregants desire. Our Ritual committee has requested each congregant commit to attending a Saturday service, just once a month would be appreciated. Have you made your commitment? Please contact Rebekah, our Shul Secretary to pick your date. Benjamin Nettles and myself will also be utilizing the summer to organize and clean out clutter. Another simple way each of you can give back to your community. Please let us know if you would like to assist. Wishing you all a fun filled and safe summer! See you at the Shul! Shalom, Vikki Goldstein June 10th, 2015 From: Ritual Chairman, Avi Baurberg To: B'nai Israel Membership Subj: Saturday morning worship services Ref: BOARD MEETING REQUEST OF MAY 12TH, Saturday morning minyan's are essential for having ongoing Torah services and learning experiences for our children and our congregants. 2. Please show your support by committing to attending one Saturday morning service each month in order to continue our practice of Shabbat observances. Services are held from 9:30 AM to approximately 11:30 AM each Saturday morning. (We seem to have sufficient minyans present on Friday evenings, but we need help for Saturday mornings). Participation in religious services can be both inspiring and rewarding in so many different ways. 3. Please contact our Shul Secretary, Rebekah, via at: help@bnaiisraelpensacola.org, or by phone ( ) with the Saturday morning dates you can commit to for shul attendance. The Secretary will annotate those dates on a master calendar thereby insuring our congregation has full minyan's on Shabbat mornings. Thank you for understanding our critical need for shul attendance and I personally look forward to your support for this initiative. Shalom, Mr. Avi Baurberg 4

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7 SISTERHOOD NEWS BY LORI RIPPS, SISTERHOOD PRESIDENT Derby Helpers and Mazel Tov to the Graduates! The Derby at the Shul and Art Auction was a fun and beautiful event, and would not have been so without the devotion of the Sisterhood members and their helpers who spent countless hours preparing the food for the event. Many helped, but a special thank you goes to Kate Lollar and Rosemary Lieberman for your creativity in the kitchen, and for organizing it all. It was simply delicious! The guests at the Ronald McDonald were very appreciative to receive some of the leftovers. Kol Ha Kavod! and Sarah Ripps. You have given us all such naches as we have watched you grow and become confident and successful. We are incredibly proud of each of you, and wish you all the best in your future endeavors. B hatzlacha! Lori Ripps The Sisterhood extends a hearty Mazal Tov to the following high school graduates: Cara Shemaria, Hallie Friedman, Jack Davies, Sammi Sontag, Danielle Lieberman 7

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9 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL NEWS VIKKI GOLDSTEIN, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION New Price Structure for Next Year May 31st was our last day of school with fun games to review all that we learned this year. The students were impressive and I have enjoyed working with each one! Many thanks to Herman and Shelly Davies for all their support and hard work this past year. Herman will be attending the ISJL conference this summer and we are excited to see what new ideas he will bring back for next year! I am excited to announce the following changes to our program. We will be returning to Sunday School and we are offering a new price structure of $100 per family. New registration forms will be designed and added to our website over the summer. Please call or me or the Synagogue secretary if you are interested in registering your child for next year! Our future is our children and our goal is to make learning fun! I am in need of 3-4 individuals who would like to serve on the Board of Education. Please let me know if you are interested. Mazel Tov to our High School graduates! Jack Davies, Hallie Friedman, Danielle Lieberman, Sarah Ripps, Cara Shemaria and Sammi Sontag. Please join us for our celebration of this milestone Friday night June 5th at 7pm. Wishing you all a fun filled and safe summer! Vikki Goldstein 9

10 Donations for June/July Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Ms. Delores Livingston YAHRTZEITS General Fund Keith Stimnell Education Fund Carol K. Parker In Honor of Arthur Rasnick by Marci and Alan Shemaria Martha Miller's 100th Birthday by CaroK. Parker Martha Miller by Marci and Alan Shemaria If you would like the office to send the Yahrtzeit by of your loved ones, please let the office know, and it will be sent to you as the Yahrtzeit approaches. This was a suggestion by a distinguished congregant and thought this idea would be nice to share with all. In Loving Memory Jon Davies by Santa Rosa County Health Department Jon Davies by Mr. and Mrs. Alan B. Cox Jon Davies by Shelly and Joel Cyprus Jon Davies by Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Thomas Jon Davies by Faye and Chip Merritt Jon Davies by Walter L. Belford Jr. Jon Davies by Rebecca K. and Louis H. Bolesta Jon Davies by Lewis R. and Deborah M. Sims Dr. Phil Levine by R.D. Cox Please see the donation form on page 18 to make a contribution to B nai Isral Synagogue. 10

11 Sivan/Tammuz June 2015 YAHRZEITS Tammuz/June 2 19 Belle Silverman 3 20 Millie Kalishman 4 21 Max Perlman 5 22 Sigmund Solomon 6 23 Leo Berinhout 7 24 Michael Bernard Mazur 8 25 Ceal Gordon 9 26 George Brownleader Julius Cantor Gussie Barkoff Sivan / June 14 1 Pauline Mary Heisley 15 2 Soloman M. Shams 16 3 Joe Willenzik Meyer A. Tyshler 17 4 Morris Liss 18 5 Leonard Weiner 20 7 Polly Rickoff Janice Schiff 21 8 William Morgan Davidson 22 9 Jack Kapner Celie Chassin Gertrude Cohen Louis Lefkowitz Max Chorney Samuel Eskin Alfred Ageloff Hiam Cirota Daniel Kroll Fannie Katz Frieda Ellis BIRTHDAYS 2 Stanley Schmerken 3 Deborah Sims 4 Lisa Lefkowitz 5 Frederick Wenc 6 Michele Bearman Michael Bearman 8 Haley Elizabeth Efland 9 -- Miriam Christina Blackman 10 Stuart Cohen Natalie Davis 13 Jack S. Marquis David Baranowski 14 Faye Rosenbaum 15 Rachael Kates 16 Donna Cash 22 Saul Nochumson 23 Thaddeus Baranowski 25 Herman Lefkowitz Dani Berkowitz 26 Hallie Rana Friedman 27 Gerald Goldstein ANNIVERSARIES 6 - Al and Dee Shemaria 8 Michael and Marcy Friedman 9 Warren and Wendy Zirkin 25 Scott and Faye Rickoff 26 Phillip and Jennifer Davies 27 Marvin and Beverly Kaiman 12 Marvin and Marsha Fish 13 Lou and Vikki Goldstein Barry and Lori Ripps

12 Tammuz/ Av July 2015 YAHRZEITS BIRTHDAYS Due to a computer change over at the Shul the July Yahrzeits for July are unavailable at this time. Look for an update soon. Our sincerest apologizes. B nai Israel Synagogue 2 Isaac Gabriel Jamison 3 Bill Allen 4 Terry Schwartz Remy Rheault 7 Joel Kaiman Caroline Pock 9 Sam Bearman Danielle Lieberman 15 Izak Baranoski 17 Becky Gerson Hillary Kates 19 Arnold Pock Jordan Gerson Riley Blackman 20 Noah Haller 20 Sidney Kalishman Michelle Zirkin 21 Emily Davies 22 Anjali Davies 23 Richard Haller 29 Sherrod Levin ANNIVERSARIES 1 Brian and Melissa Sontag 30 Bill and Esther Allen 6 Herman and Shalini Davies 14 Arnold and Carolyn Pock 26 Joe and Faye Rosenbaum 12

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14 ADVERTISERS 14

15 BEARMAN INSURANCE AGENCY All types of Insurance Phyllis Bearman 7552 Navarre Pkwy, Ste 53 Navarre, FL Fax:

16 BEARMAN INSURANCE AGENCY All types of Insurance Phyllis Bearman 7552 Navarre Pkwy, Ste 53 Navarre, FL Fax:

17 What s Happening at B nai Israel Synagogue June 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Services 7pm Morning Service 9:30 Last day of Board Meeting Services 7pm Religious School 13 Morning Service 9: st day Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 18 2 nd day Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 19 Services 7pm 20 Morning Service 9:30 21 Father's Day Services 7pm 27 Morning Service 9: Services 7pm Morning Service 9:30 17

18 Donation Form Please select where you would like your donation to go by checking the appropriate box below. General Fund Religious School Fund L Dor V Dor Fund Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Book of Remembrance Tree of Life ($125) Perpetual Care Funds Jack & Leah Rosenbaum Memorial Fund Library Fund Youth Scholarship Fund Prayer Book Fund Kiddush Fund Flower Fund Norman Willenzik Memorial Fund Men s & Women s Organizations Men s Club (make check out to Men s Club ) Sisterhood (make check out to Sisterhood ) In Memory / Honor of (circle one) Acknowledge to: Donated by: Address: City: State: Zip: Mail this form and your check to: B nai Israel P.O. Box 9002 Pensacola, FL

19 B nai Israel Synagogue B nai Israel Synagogue P.O. Box 9002 Pensacola, FL Rabbi: Israel Vana President: Vikki Goldstein Vice President: Benjamin Nettles Secretary: Rosemary Lieberman Treasurer: Richard Haller Sisterhood: Lori Ripps Men s Club: Alan Shemaria Have a story for the newsletter? submissions to The Shofar s Voice Editor, Christina Blackman, at mscmblackman@gmail.com preferably in Microsoft Office format, by the 15th of the month. 19

20 Published by: B Nai Israel Synagogue Founded in 1899 FIRST CLASS MAIL Affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 1829 North 9 th Avenue P.O. Box 9002 Pensacola, FL (850) Rabbi.Israel Vana President Vikki Goldstein Vice President.Benjamin Nettles Secretary Rosemary Lieberman Treasurer Richard Haller Immediate Past President Samuel Bearman Visit us at: bnaiisraelpensacola.org Men s Club Pres. Alan Shemaria Please send this form, along with your check to: Sisterhood Pres. Lori Ripps B Nai Israel Synagogue, P.O. Box 9002, USY President: Pending Pensacola, FL Reporters-At-Large Editor: Christina Blackman Reporters: Arnold Pock Military News: Bill Allen General Fund Library Fund Harry Fish Memorial Fund Abe Levin Memorial Fund BnaiIsraelpensacola.org Religious School Fund Youth Scholarship Fund L Dor V Dor Fund Prayer Book Fund Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Sisterhood Donations Men s Club Donations Perpetual Care Funds Please make checks Mail to: Jack & Leah Rosenbaum Memorial Fund payable to Sisterhood Lou Goldstein Norman Willenzik Memorial Fund Mail to: B Nai Israel 4619 Pebble Creek Dr. Prayer Book Needs 1829 N. 9 th Avenue Pensacola, Fl The 5 Meggilot ($18) Pensacola, FL Pentateuch ($35) Book of Remembrance Siddur ($35) Flower Fund Kiddush Fund In Memory of In Honor of Tallis n Tefillin Acknowledge to: Tree of Life ($125) Donated by: Address: City: State: Zip: The 15 th of each month is 20 the cut-off date for Newsletter submissions. THANK YOU!