CoM bulletin. Causes for Jew-bilation

Transcription

1 CoM bulletin CONGREGATION OF MOSES Kalamazoo, Michigan Volume 10, Issue 8 August Av - 9 Elul 5777 Causes for Jew-bilation At the time that I began to pen this Bulletin submission, the Congregation of Moses was actively engrossed in B nai Mitzvah season. Over the course of four weeks, our congregation had the blessing of sharing in the celebrations of three B not Mitzvah. I would like to take the opportunity here to wish each family a hearty mazel tov, and welcome each of the B not Mitzvah - strong and courageous young women all - into the adult ranks of our Jewish tribe. Michelle Angel, President We were also blessed to celebrate the love of longtime friend and congregant, Connie Bowman, bidding her and Hank farewell, as they moved to Florida to begin their next leg of life s journey. And of course, we have been honored to share in the aufruf of Jen Rubin and Jack Behar - wishing them God s blessings on their wedding and their future - as we welcomed Jack and his family into our communal fold. These life-cycle events and gatherings of extended family are hallmarks of our Jewish heritage, traditions and customs. They offer us a brief window into the unique design of each family, while each family includes the congregation as a connected and important component of itself. The Congregation of Moses has graciously been given five beautiful occasions to: reconnect with our fellow congregants and their families, en masse re-jew-venate the spirit of our heritage through participation in these ancient rites of passage repeat the process over and over again I hope that each of us has taken advantage of these wonderful opportunities to be engaged with our CoM family. Speaking of opportunities to be engaged, we will have a fun event with our Kalama-jew friends from TBI at Woods Lake Park on August 27. Check out the flyer elsewhere in this Bulletin. Hope to see you there! Michelle VISIT US!

2 CONGREGATION OF MOSES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS always welcomes comments from CoM congregants and invites you to attend its regular board meetings, typically held the first Tuesday of each month. Minutes of board meetings are available upon request from the synagogue office. Executive Committee President Michelle Angel st Vice-President Brad Hershbein (617) nd Vice-President Maxine Berke (978) Treasurer Stephen Grode Secretary Pat Kirschner Immediate Past President Beth Grode Past President Tema Lando Synagogue Staff Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski Rabbi Emeritus Harvey Spivak Religious School Director Tova Schreiber Office Manager Shirley Mengel Building Manager Rod Anderson The CoM bulletin is published monthly by the Congregation of Moses for the benefit of its members. The deadline for submitting articles, photos and ads is the 18th of each month, for publication the following month. Please send submissions to both the editor, at gmail.com and assistant editor, at Please continue to collect Box Tops for Education. By clipping those 10 coupons from selected groceries, we are helping the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School. Look for them on products from Reynolds, Green Giant, Annie s, General Mills cereals, Nature Valley, Mott s, Land O Lakes, Go- Gurt, Yoplait, Ziploc, Hefty, Betty Crocker, Cascadian Farms, Kleenex, Scott s, Old El Paso, Progresso, Lysol, Fiber One, and Larabar. We offer professional counseling services for adults, teens, children, couples and families in a caring, comfortable setting. individual, family, couples and group counseling psychological testing substance abuse evaluations more than 40 licensed psychologists and social workers in Kalamazoo and Portage offices most insurances accepted For more information, please call our office at (269) or visit childandfamilypsych.com. Director: Larry Beer, Ed.D. PAGE 2

3 Shabbat schedule FRIDAY August 4 SATURDAY August 5 FRIDAY August 11 SATURDAY August 12 FRIDAY August 18 SATURDAY August 19 FRIDAY August 25 SATURDAY August 26 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Nomi Kluger-Nash 9:30 a.m. Torah: Deuteronomy 3:23-5:18 Earl Norman Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26 Earl Norman Announcements: Earl Norman 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Ken Goodman 9:30 a.m. Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12-9:3 Al Rosenthal Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3 READERS NEEDED! Announcements: 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Rae Lee Howard 9:30 a.m. Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26-12:28 Janet Heller - MORE READERS NEEDED! Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5 READERS NEEDED! Announcements: Judy Davis-Rosenthal 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Beth Grode 9:30 a.m. Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18-18:5 READERS NEEDED! Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12 Michelle Angel Announcements: Mike Tenenbaum VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO CHANT TORAH AND HAFTARAH. Please contact Rabbi Jeremy at rabbij@congregationofmoses.org Shabbat candle lighting times August 4 8:42 p.m. August 11 8:33 p.m. August 18 8:23 p.m. Bracha for candle lighting Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech haolam asher kideshanu bemitsvotav vetzivanu l hadlik ner shel Shabbat. August 25 8:12 p.m. PAGE 3

4 August 2017 Su M T W Th F Sa 6 High Holidays particpation meeting, 9 am, CoM; Men s Club Golf Outing, 9 am, KCC; Eugene Colef unveiling, 2pm Riverside Jewish Cemetery 1 Tisha B Av; Synagogue Board Leadership Workshop, 6:00 pm; Board meeting, 7:30 pm Kitchen Cleanup 20 RAC meeting, 9:30 am 14 Kitchen Cleanup 21 Hadassah Book Club 7:30 pm 15 Kitchen Cleanup; Executive Committee Mtg, 7:00 pm 16 Kitchen Cleanup 17 Kitchen Cleanup 18 Kitchen Cleanup; Sisterhood Luncheon, noon; Bulletin deadline 8 pm TBI and CoM Picnic, Woods Lake, 3-6 pm PAGE 4

5 September 2017 Su M T W Th F Sa Board meeting, 7:30 pm st day of RS; Men s Club Mtg. 10 am; Sisterhood Membership Brunch 10 am; Hadassah Event 11 High Holiday baking 12 High Holiday baking 13 High Holiday baking; RS at TBI 14 High Holiday baking 15 High Holiday Baking; Sisterhood Lunch, noon 16 Blum New Year Kiddush 17 RS at CoM; Toddler Play Group, 10:30-12:30 pm 18 Hadassah Book Club 7:30 pm; Bulletin deadline 8 pm 19 Executive Committee Mtg. 7 pm 20 No RS; Erev Rosh Hashanah Services, 8 pm 21 Rosh Hashanah Services 9 am, 8 pm; Synagogue office closed 22 Rosh Hashanah Services 9 am; Synagogue office closed RS at CoM; Men s Club Mtg. 10 am; Graveside Services, 11 am RS at TBI Kol Nidre Services, 7 pm 30 Yom Kippur Services, 9 am (Yizkor) PAGE 5

6 YAHRZEITS August 4, 5 (13 Av 19 Av) Sol Axelrod* Sophie Barkman Elliott Gluck* Doris Gotthell* Betty Graff* Samuel Hoffman Ruth Harriet Kaplan* Ruth Katz* Esther Marshall* Ruth Rosenberg Pereles Louis Pollens Rose Rose* Phineas Rosenbaum* Nelson Schupan* Ben Weisman* August 11, 12 (20 Av 26 Av) Mary Bennison* Max Besbris* Herb Cane Irving W. Cushner* Molly Feinberg Milton Feinberg Jack A. Fisher* Anna Friedman* Harris Handelsman* Harold Karlin* Milton Kirschner* Lianne Lando* Anna Marks* Leon Okun* Ethel Roodin* Ephraim Rose* Nettie Schwartz* Peggy Schwartz* Richard Star Sylvia A. Weinstein August 18, 19 (27 Av 3 Elul) Aaron J. Bennison* Morris Haffenberg* Lester M. Richman Bertha Rothschild* Sol Schpok* Gertrude Seeder* Harry B. Sofen* Esther Tigay Weiner* Sadie Zimmerman* August 25, 26 (4 Elul - 10 Elul) Evelyn Berke Rose Helen Blank Anne Breslow* Sam Camhi* Sadye R. Goldenberg* Anna Graff* Rose Handelsman* William C. Heller Jr. Phillip Hyman Jacob Krohngold Steven Laventure* Robert Munsch Joseph Sichel* Edward Tyktin Eugene Colef Unveiling Sunday, August 6, 2:00 p.m. Riverside Jewish Cemetery, 1015 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo Please note that the time has changed since the first announcement. * Denotes a memorial plaque in the synagogue PAGE 6

7 Mishpacha MAZEL TOV TO: Linda and Paul Wienir on their 50th wedding anniversary Jen Rubin and Jack Behar on their marriage Kim Rubin and David Green on their special birthdays SPEEDY RECOVERY WISHES TO: Ed Inselberg and Al Rosenthal GENERAL FUND Mazel Tov to Linda and Paul Wienir on their 50th wedding anniversary. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin and Jack Behar on their marriage. Special Happy Birthday wishes to Kim Rubin and David Green. Speedy Recovery wishes to Ed Inselberg and Al Rosenthal. Shirley Wise, Joanne & Mike Simon, Tamara & Earl Norman, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur Beth & Stephen Grode, Men s Club, Emily Freed & Brad Hershbein Cindy & Larry Beer, Diane & Harvey Fogel Mazel Tov to Katelyn Koss on her Bat Mitzvah. Mazel Tov to Shirley Wise on the birth of her grandson, Quinn Harper Bode-Szopo. Mazel Tov to Madeline Strauss on her Bat Mitzvah. Mazel Tov on the Aufruf and Marriage of Jen Rubin and Jack Behar. Speedy Recovery wishes to Joanne Simon. Carolyn & Brad Kennedy In loving memory of my mother, Paula Strauss. Margaret Israelson BUILDING FUND Mazel Tov to Linda and Paul Wienir on their 50th wedding anniversary. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin and Jack Behar on their marriage. Special Happy Birthday wishes to Kim Rubin and David Green. Speedy Recovery wishes to Ed Inselberg and Al Rosenthal. Valerie & Ken Eisenberg, Sallie & Ken Goodman, Maxine & Neal Berke In loving memory of husband, father and grandfather, Robert Grekin. Shirley Grekin & Family Condolences to Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein on the passing of Emily s grandfather Myron Freed. Jill Hershbein MARVIN AND ROSALIE OKUN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin and Jack Behar on their marriage. Special Happy Birthday wishes to Kim Rubin and David Green. Speedy Recovery wishes to Ed Inselberg and Al Rosenthal. Judy & Lowell Seyburn, The Fischell Family PAGE 7 Donations have been made to the following tzedaka funds

8 Mishpacha (continued) Mazel Tov to Linda and Paul Wienir on their 50th wedding anniversary. The Fischell Family, Judy & Lowell Seyburn, Julie Northrop HERMAN AND ROSE FISHER LIBRARY FUND Mazel Tov to Linda and Paul Wienir on their 50th wedding anniversary. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin and Jack Behar on their marriage. Special Happy Birthday wishes to Kim Rubin and David Green. Speedy Recovery wishes to Ed Inselberg and Al Rosenthal. Marilyn & Art Feinberg, Carolyn & Brad Kennedy JOYCE AND MORTON FISHER KITCHEN/KIDDUSH/ONEG FUND Mazel Tov to Linda and Paul Wienir on their 50th wedding anniversary. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin and Jack Behar on their marriage. Special Happy Birthday wishes to Kim Rubin and David Green. Speedy Recovery wishes to Ed Inselberg and Al Rosenthal. Michelle & Alan Angel In gratitude to Michelle Angel for assisting Maddie in preparation for her Bat Mitzvah. Rebecca & Adam Strauss In honor of the upcoming anniversary of Emily Freed and Brad Hershbein. Morris Kleiner LEVENE CANTOR FUND Mazel Tov to Linda and Paul Wienir on their 50th wedding anniversary. Mazel Tov to Jen Rubin and Jack Behar on their marriage. Special Happy Birthday wishes to Kim Rubin and David Green. Speedy Recovery wishes to Ed Inselberg and Al Rosenthal. Rae Lee & Mac Howard RABBI S DISCRETIONARY FUND In loving memory of my father, Louis Loeser. Marjorie Gaynor In loving memory of my father, Meyer Lebowitz. Leonard Lebowitz In loving memory of Siegfried Baum. Elinor Star HONOR AND MEMORIAL FUND In loving memory of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Martin Ginsberg. Carol McCain & Steven Ginsberg Families Thank you for the many donations to the Congregation of Moses in honor of my special birthday. Sincerely, Kim Rubin PAGE 8

9 TBI/CoM Summer Picnic Woods Lake Park Sun, August 27, 3:00-6:00 pm Contact Sharon Wittenberg, with questions. PAGE 9

10 August celebrations The Congregation of Moses wishes mazel tov and yom huledet sameach to our members who are celebrating anniversaries and birthdays this month. If you would like to be included in our monthly recognition of birthdays and anniversaries, please contact Joanne Simon at or BIRTHDAYS 8/2 Mike Siegel 8/6 Sabrina Snyder 8/8 Elizabeth Siegel 8/8 Samuel Siegel 8/11 Patrick Welbourne 8/15 Lori Putman 8/24 Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski 8/24 Michelle Angel 8/25 Marilyn Feinberg has a Special Birthday! Mazel Tov! 8/26 Suzanne Lutwick 8/27 Shannon Dion 8/29 Olivia Judith Scheinker 8/30 Ethan Rocklin ANNIVERSARIES 8/5 Susan & Jeffrey Scheinker 8/8 Mike & Cheryl Tenenbaum 8/11 Joyce & Steve Camhi 8/17 Diane & Harvey Fogel 8/22 Rachel & Jeff Haus 8/30 Marilyn & Arthur Feinberg 8/30 Jill & Rudy Ruterbusch celebrate their 25th Anniversary! Mazel Tov! PAUL F. DAVIDOFF ATTORNEY AT LAW PAUL F. DAVIDOFF, P.C. The Cornerstone Building 405 W. MICHIGAN AVE., SUITE 130 P.O. BOX KALAMAZOO, MI PAGE 10 Telephone: (269) Fax: (269) pdavidoff@ameritech.net

11 Trust and Transparency by Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski As Americans, when someone asks you how you are doing, the expected response is something like I m good, thanks. How are you? We say this, even when things are not good, when we re weighed down by our problems and feel pretty lousy about things. In the former Eastern Bloc countries, where for decades the only thing people really had to call their own was their word, honesty even in these seemingly banal exchanges is prized. Ask someone in Russia how they are doing, and they ll give you a much more blunt, frank answer. If you ask how they are doing, be prepared to find out. There is something admirable about this Russian approach to transparency, even in the small things. Imagine if we translated it to every interpersonal interaction, personal and professional, that we had? What if we exercised greater transparency with one another? As in Russia, Judaism also prizes honesty and transparency in our dealings with one another: You shall not steal, and you shall not deal deceitfully or falsely with others. You shall not swear falsely by My Name, profaning the Name of your God; I am Adonai! (Leviticus 19:11-12) The Torah is clear in prohibiting our using lies and deceit with one another. Note that stealing and dealing falsely with one another are connected to profaning God s name. When we lie or deal in deceit for whatever reason, we have failed to sanctify God s name in this world. The Torah continues, two verses later: Do not curse a deaf person, do not place an obstacle before a blind person, and be in reverence for your God; I am Adonai! (Leviticus 19:14) Withholding information from others can be a form of placing an obstacle before the blind, as without having the necessary information to do our jobs we can often feel as if we are fumbling around in the dark, while others curse us behind our backs without our even knowing it. Rabbi Yosef Karo, in his halakhic magnum opus the Shulchan Aruch, draws out an analogy using business terms: It is forbidden for a person to cheat another person in commerce, or to defraud them (lit. steal their minds ). For example, if a product has some sort of defect, the seller is required to inform the buyer of it. Even if they (the buyer) are an idol worshipper, one cannot sell the meat of an animal that was not slaughtered according to Jewish law by telling them it s kosher. And even with defrauding people with words, if it makes it seem as if they are doing it for the benefit of the other when such is not the case, this too is forbidden. (SA HM 228:6) We cannot deal with one another under false pretenses, even if we tell ourselves we re saving someone from worrying about it. What people don t know often can and will hurt them somewhere down the line; it s only a matter of when these things come to a head, not if. The success of our relationships hinge on our being transparent and honest about the stateof-affairs, granting one another full disclosure, and resisting the urge to present a reality that does not exist. PAGE 11

12 On the importance of transparency in earning and maintaining trust, Julia Kirby wrote in the Harvard Business Review: The truth is that transparency is something that a company mostly controls and that mostly reassures its customers. By giving people a window into its workings, a company can show it has a sound process that it s adhering to. It can avoid asking customers to have faith in a black box. The greater the transparency, in other words, the greater the trust. Withholding information and operating in secret can only serve to damage our relationships with one another. We cannot expect others to trust us or the work we do if we never give them the information they need from us. For us to have a positive, productive working relationship with each other, we must be more honest and transparent with one another. If there are problems, we need to talk about them in the open rather than try to sweep them under the proverbial rug. The more we try to hide these problems, the more they pile up until the whole thing collapses on top of us. I bless us all that the Holy One grant us the strength to be honest with ourselves, with each other, and with our community. May God guide us as we strive to continually earn and keep one another s trust. Men s Club Golf Outing Sunday, August 6, 9:00 a.m. Kalamazoo Country Club, 1609 Whites Rd. 18 holes of golf, followed by lunch around 2:00 pm at Fletcher s Grill in Oakwood Plaza. Golf format: Informal - golf your ball or play a modified scramble. Keep score, or not. The main thing is to have fun and enjoy the beautiful course. Cost: Golf is $30 for walking, and an additional $22 for a golf cart. Lunch is not included in the cost. The course is quite hilly so walking is recommended only for those in good physical condition. Non-golfers can opt to meet us for lunch, cold beer and golf stories at Fletchers around 2:00 pm. Send RSVP and questions to Ken Goodman, kgood001@sbcglobal.net. We ll see you there! Learn how you can participate in High Holidays services Sunday, August 6, 9:00 a.m. The Religious Activities Committee is currently looking for CoM members to learn about and participate in the Hagbah (lifting of the Torah), Gelilah (dressing of the Torah), and Gabbai (facilitator of the Torah reading) honors during the Torah Service. Come learn about these roles at CoM on Sunday, August 6th at 9:00 a.m. We will enjoy bagels and coffee together before learning. In order to provide enough bagels, please let us know if you will attend by contacting Gary Adelman, gade103411@aol.com, and Rabbi Jeremy, rabbij@congregationofmoses.org. PAGE 12

13 kitchen scrub-a-thon The Kitchen Committee has reserved the week of August to sparkle up the kitchen for general use and for High Holy Day Bakers. Please help us make this happen! We ll provide everything except the ELBOW GREASE. We ll be working in teams, attacking cupboards, cabinets, racks, drawers - any and every place crumbs could possibly find a hiding place. Please contact either Gail Brot gbbr0t@hotmail.com or Joanne Simon at jhsimon@charter.net with dates and times of your availability, by August 10th. We would really like to accomplish the major work on Sunday, August 13 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Bring the family too! Tweens and teens can participate. We hope to see representatives from all organizations participating. And yes, we ll provide some sustenance to keep you going! Thank you for choosing to bring your special variety of ELBOW GREASE to make this a community mitzvah! FYI, our Kitchen Procedures Manual (aka How-To and Why document) is in the process of being updated to an easyaccess guide. Stay tuned for news on the release of this manual. Calling All Bakers It s again time to start thinking about baking for the High Holidays. Your help is needed for pastries to serve Erev Rosh Hashanah, Break-the-Fast, and Sukkot. The kitchen has been reserved for baking from September Hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00-5:00, Friday 8:00-3:00 and Sunday 8:00-1:00. We are asking that each baker prepare at least 75 pareve pieces. Please contact Gail Brot at gbbr0t@hotmail.com by August 15 with your date/time, item(s) and approximate yield. We will provide the main and most other ingredients. If your recipe calls for special ingredients, you can be reimbursed. To be considerate of our Mashgiach, all baking is to be done within these 2 weeks. Please find a recipe(s) that you have made and which can be frozen for a few weeks. If this timeframe does not work within your schedule, please consider helping on another event. We appreciate your efforts. Thank you! More details will follow directly with those who volunteer for this mitzvah. PAGE 13

14 The Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School Dear Families, Over the summer, a number of changes take place to improve our school. Paperwork is revised, new hires are made, and programs are altered. As part of MROKCJS s preparations for the fall, the School Committee and I have been revising the High School curriculum. In order to create the most exciting program, students and their parents have been surveyed about their interests and wishes. Please join us at a picnic, hosted jointly by Temple B nai Israel and the Congregation of Moses, on Sunday, August 27th at Woods Lake Park from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. MROKCJS will be exhibiting its new logo, serving refreshments, and allowing families to register their children for religious school. I look forward to seeing you there! Would you like to forge deeper connections with the Jewish community? You or someone you know may enjoy teaching for our school. Religious school teaching is a great way to positively impact students and families, improve your own Jewish and Hebrew knowledge, and maintain an active presence within both synagogues. I am seeking teachers (regular and substitute) for the School year. Staff are paid for their time and will be provided with curricular materials, training, and support. For more information, please reach out to me (KCJSDirector@gmail.com). New Student Round-Up! The Marvin & Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School strives to foster community, belonging, and Jewish learning. Our curriculum is broad and includes Hebrew, Jewish holidays, prayers, Torah, music, literature and fun activities. Registration will take place in August. If you have a child whom you d like to enroll in Religious School for the first time, please contact Morah Tova for more information (KCJSDirector@gmail.com). Fall is fast approaching, and our first day of classes is September 10th. Have a great August! Morah Tova, Director

15 Sisterhood News Upcoming Events Friday, August 18, noon Luncheon at Craftsman Chop House near Sears at 6905 Sears Dr, Portage. No reservations are required, just come if you are able. Sunday, September 10, 10:00 am Sisterhood Membership Brunch in the Congregation of Moses Social Hall. We will also have a special Gift Shop Clearance Sale with great bargains! For reservations, please Emily Hoffman at emily.hoffman@wmich. edu by Tues. Sept. 5, and specify any special dietary needs. Friday, September 15, noon Luncheon at Monelli s Italian Grill & Sports Bar at 7141 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage (south of Sam s Club). No reservations are required, just come if you are able. Sunday, October 29, 10:00 am Torah Fund Brunch at the Congregation of Moses Social Hall. We will honor Diane Fogel and Laurel Ofstein. For reservations, please contact Torah Fund Chair Tema Lando at temazysla@aceironandmetal.com by October 20. Don t forget to purchase items at our Sisterhood Gift Shop. It s open by appointment during the summer months. Please contact Kim Rubin for more information at kimrubin@msn.com. Please contact Co-Presidents Susan Welbourne (pnwelbourne@hotmail.com) and Maxine Berke (maxineberke@gmail.com) if you would like to join Sisterhood, join the Sisterhood Board or become involved in any Sisterhood activities. PAGE 15

16 SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP ANNUAL CLEARANCE SALE 50-60% OFF SELECT ITEMS Sunday, September 10th, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm PAGE 16

17 CHABAD OF KALAMAZOO PRESENTS ב ה A STORY OF TRIUMPH A Historic Evening with EVA SCHLOSS STEPSISTER OF ANNE FRANK Enjoy a unique and historic opportunity to enter the world of the stepsister and childhood friend of Anne Frank Mrs Eva Schloss With Special Guest Interviewer Tami Weiss, a professor of art at the University of Menomonie, who will introduce Eva and speak about art created during the holocaust. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 TH 7:00 PM at Fetzer Center Western Michigan University 2350 Business Court Kalamazoo, MI Suggested Donation Adults $20 Students $8 Family $50 Sponsor $180 - Includes dessert reception with Eva Schloss before the event, & admission for two. For more information and reservations visit Chabadwm.com/Kalamazoo or call PAGE 17

18 Outreach Committee This newly appointed committee to our CoM Board is available to assist members with rides to events or other needs. If you know of anyone who could use a helping hand, please call us. We can be reached at: Alice Koss (269) Rae Lee Howard (269) Etz chayim hi lamachazikim ba, vetomecheha me-ushar. It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and all of its supporters are joyful! For weddings, births, anniversaries, B nai Mitzvot, graduations, friendship, gratitude, milestones, and more, please consider marking a special occasion with the purchase of an engraved leaf ($200) or rock ($750). This is a beautiful way to count your blessings or make a meaningful group gift while supporting the Congregation of Moses. Please contact Office Manager Shirley Mengel, at for more details. Thank you! PAGE 18

19 Gift cards earn $ for CoM Meijer, Walgreens, Target, Menards, Lowe s, Celebration Cinema, Macy s, Amazon, Biggby Coffee, Bed Bath and Beyond are just a few of the cards available. Stop in the office from 7:30 am to 11:30 am to purchase gift cards. We can earn from 2-15% of your total purchase price. Thank you. Direct Your Dollars Yes! We are still collecting D&W receipts. The receipts indicate a dollar amount for their Direct Your Dollars program. So far we have collected over $20,000 in receipts, but we need a total of $150,000 in receipts in order to receive $1,000 check from D&W. Looks like we ll be at this for awhile. Please continue to drop off your receipts at CoM. Thank you to all of you who have been so diligently turning in your receipts. Please keep it up. Goal - $150,000 Almost there If we reach $150,000 in receipts, D&W will reward us with $1,000! $20,000 so far Doing great On the way! Thank you to all of you who have been placing your receipts in the folder in the rack located just outside the synagogue office. We have a long way to go but hope to reach our goal this year! Please keep em coming! PAGE 19

20 Tell Us What You Think! We want your input about anything at CoM. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School, please Joyce Camhi at If you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding Space-Sharing, services, or anything at all related to CoM, please Michelle Angel at If you don t use or would like to remain anonymous, there will be a suggestion box on the ledge outside Shirley s office. Put your comments in an envelope and address it to Joyce or Michelle. If you shop at amazon.com, the Congregation can receive 0.5% of all eligible Amazon purchases. It may not sound like much, but many of us spend more on Amazon than we realize, and almost every purchase is eligible to benefit CoM. Go to smile.amazon.com to set up your special account and choose the Congregation of Moses to receive the benefit of your purchases. Then, remember to use it whenever you shop at Amazon. Another simple way to support your congregation! Thanks for your help! PAGE 20