Congregation Agudath Jacob

Transcription

1 August Tammuz/Av 5776 Rabbi: Ben-Zion Lanxner Phone: Fax: Congregation Agudath Jacob President: Abbye Silver Office Admin: Amanda Henson This bulletin is published twelve times per year by Congregation Agudath Jacob a non profit organization. Founded in 1888 Celebrating 128 years Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. "What is a Jew?" the teacher asked the class. I was at a conference at (U of M) the University of Ann Arbor, MI, checking out a new teacher on the faculty as my son David registered for that class. Every type of Jew could attend and any attendee could present his personal views or definition. This session was the teacher s first class. This casual looking teacher introduced himself as a non-affiliated Jew and let the class lead the discussion. His question got them thinking. Most of the students had a definition ready: A Jew is someone who is born of a Jewish mother or who converted. However, it was not their definitive answer. It answered "who" but not "what" we are. The teacher had written down a bunch of words on a piece of paper for them to consider. The first definition was the most obvious: "religion." Judaism is a religion we agreed. After all, we've identified it as such our entire lives. However, that wasn't satisfactory. A Jewish person is still Jewish whether or not he believes or practices Judaism. Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner Can You Define a Jew? The BuJew, the atheist, Reform Jew, the Conservative Jew, and Orthodox Jew are all equally Jewish. What religion, or lack thereof, someone practices, is not definitive of whether or not they can be considered a Jew. So they crossed religion off the list. Every Jew cannot be classified as someone of the faith. The next word on the list was "race". One student raised his hand. "We are not a race," he said with confidence. This classification, in his mind, was responsible for the Holocaust. He explained that there are Jews of every race. Those whose skin is darker than his pale, white Ashkenazi skin. Asian Jews. Blond haired blue eyed Jews. And they are just as Jewish as we all are. Plus, converts can be of any race. Everyone agreed. "Are we a culture?" the teacher pressed, moving on. The students agreed that there is a Jewish culture. A Yiddish or Hebrew word shared between two Jews can spark an understanding smile. "Gefilte fish, "Knishes" and "Tcholent" can make a meal "Jewish. Jewish culture makes us "feel Jewish.

2 However, it's an effect of being Jewish and not the cause. Doing things because they are "tradition" is nice but meaningless if those rituals are arbitrary. Furthermore, many things that are "Jewish" are really ethnic elements found in the countries of where Jews lived. Jews existed long before bagels and lox. Therefore, this was not the right answer either. Next on the list were the words "nation" and "people. The Zionists in the room argued for these words. People conceded that we are often called a "nation. But there's a problem with this definition, too. People of certain nationalities tend to only hold onto their ties to that land but their children don't usually feel that way. Jews have been in the Diaspora for many years and still feel tied to the nation of Israel. Why? What does it mean to be G-d's "chosen" nation? What are we chosen for? Next were the words "Hebrews" and "Israelites. Everyone agreed those were just synonyms for "Jew" and therefore, not the answer either. The students were at the end of the list. They were tired. They just wanted the definition. "Don't you have an answer?" they challenged the teacher. "It's open for discussion," he said curtly. I realized he did not. I hoped someone in the class could come up with something. They felt torn. They strongly identified as Jews but, they also realized, that they didn't really know what that meant. That was a big problem for them because they wanted to know who they were and what they stood for. Finally, an Orthodox man raised his hand. He stood out from the mostly Reform and Conservative crowd. They were wearing jeans and t-shirts. He wore a black hat, suit, and tzitzit. "Being a Jew is a job description," he said knowingly. A woman with brown hair and blue jeans looked at him and winced. "Are you saying I'm not doing my job?" she chastised. She introduced herself as Reform. The man was silent. It was a loaded question. I personally, liked his answer. Jews are people who were given a job to do. Some were born into that line of work (Jewish from birth) and others decided they wanted to take it on (converts). Our birthright is to be leaders in the pursuit of tikkun olam, repairing the world, by studying the Torah and doing the commandments as prescribed by the Torah. That is a unique job description that no other person has. It is not the actual fulfillment of the commandments that makes one Jewish, but having that destiny, having that special bond with our Borei Olam our Creator, and job-description of doing the Mitzvot, that defines our identity as Jews. Whether we choose to embrace it or not is our choice. From the most secular to the most observant Jew, I think, intrinsic to our being, is a desire to improve the world. Jews have been at the forefront of most world revolutions. For the most part, they have not been religious. However, I believe, Jewish observance is an enormous tool to help us

3 cultivate that inner spark of the Pinteleh Yi. There is a part of every Jew who yearns for change. A Jew who does not act on that feeling, is not living up to his full potential. Of course, some would argue, that non- Jews also feel this desire. I don't doubt it. But, it seems to me that Jews outnumber everyone else percentage wise in their pursuit of it. No matter what situation we are in, good or bad, we are always creating and innovating. The word "Jew" is a verb. And as a side note, so is G-d! Who we are is defined by what we "do. The other definitions on the paper weren't incorrect. Those characteristics are aspects of who we are but don't define us. They are only the shallow essence of our existence. They are the "ish" of Jewish. Our fundamental nature is something deeper. The students felt empowered by the Orthodox man's definition. It gave them a sense of purpose. It colored all the other definitions with rich meaning. Individually and collectively we are a striving people. Pondering the piece of paper, sometime later, the students noted that the teacher had forgotten to reference the Bible for an answer to the question. They decided to check it out. Ironically, they realized that struggling over who a Jew is was quite Jewish. Jacob was named "Israel" because he wrestled with G-d. Jews aren't content with the status quo. We strive for improvement and wrestle with how to bring about change. But our wrestling has an even deeper purpose. A Jew is supposed to be "a light unto the nations". Or Lagoyim. We are meant to bring sparks of light in the form of loving kindness, justice, and meaning to a world that can get stuck in the darkness of immorality and selfishness. Light gives direction when all seems lost. Light leads you out of the darkness. A flame, no matter which way you turn the candle, will always rise up. Whether we do it or not, our job is to elevate the world through giving it values. If we do not have an understanding of who we are, we won't be able to actualize our potential. We are also in danger of becoming what other people want us to be which is not always beneficial for us. And that is the reason that G-d told us when giving us his Torah at Mount Sinai: ve-atem Tiheyu Li, Mamlechet Kohanim ve- Goy Kadosh! And you will be for Me, a Kingdom of priest and a Holy Nation. Kadosh means not only Holy, elevated, but separated. We will always be on our own! Don t we have enough history to prove it? But, we must also realize that our job is a gift. Like the miracle of Hannukah, if we just tap into that little bit of light inside of us, it will burn longer and brighter than we ever thought possible and maybe, just maybe, illuminate the entire world. And if you still did not realize it, this is Our Mission! Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner

4 Friday, August 5 Candle Lighting Saturday, August 6 Shabbat Ends Friday, August 12 Candle Lighting Saturday, August 13 Shabbat Ends 8:03 p.m. 8:59 p.m. 7:56 p.m. 8:52 p.m. Friday, August 19 Candle Lighting Saturday, August 20 Shabbat Ends Friday, August 26 Candle Lighting Saturday, August 27 Shabbat Ends 7:49 p.m. 8:44 p.m. 7:41 p.m. 8:35 p.m. Cemetery Restoration Fund Justin Lynn August 5 Mr. & Mrs. Howard Miller August 19 Mr. & Mrs. Miguel Perez August 27 Mr. & Mrs. Brent demoville Robert & Gayle Monta Joyce Bresler Brandon & Teresa Harris August 3 Lilia Schwarz August 4 Kalize Bauer August 7 Linda Kowal August 11 David Hersh Levy August 13 Colleen OConnor Wolf August 15 Joshua Hareilk August 17 Kathleen Keller August 19 Aislinn Tala Brooks Judy Hersh Lindsay Weissman August 24 Simone Bauer August 25 Brent demoville August 26 Gabby Jortner August 31 George Keller Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner

5 In Honor of Joseph Settles Conversion In Honor of Brandon & Teresa Harris s Wedding Stanley & Florence Hersh Ilsa Burns Inez Bonneville Joseph Settle Abbye & Susan Silver George & Jenny Wankmueller Melvin Lipsitz In Honor of Dr. Hersh s Haftarah Reading Deborah Hersh Herma Benjamin Morton Benjamin Discretionary Fund Please note: At CAJ, the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund is used to make contributions to the Rabbi s choice of charities. If one wishes to give a gift of gratuity to the Rabbi, that check should be made out to the Rabbi personally. In Honor of the birth of the Rosen s Grandson, Riley Joshua Baum Abbye & Susan Silver In Honor of the Harris family s conversion Howard & Yaffah Miller In Honor of Stanley Hersh s health & well-being Howard & Yaffah Miller In honor of the birth of the Kamenetskys Granddaughter Ilsa Burns Morris Novy Mary Novy David Novy Food from the Faithful We will bring Cereals & pastas on an on-going basis. Please bring packages throughout the year and Susan Silver will see that they are delivered to Caritas Isadore Budin Stanley & Florence Hersh Hilda Ruttenberg Rina Ruttenberg Morris Zoblotsky Morris Zoblotsky Kate Kahan Rick & Melanie Bauer Dora Kleinman Anna Neuwirth Nathan Neuwirth Carolyn Neuwirth Rosaline Gardner Phyllis Ruttenberg Akmal Jack Chodorow The Chodorow Family Eugene Gurkoff Jerry & Gloria Gurkoff

6 The monthly CAJ Board meeting will be held Wednesday, August 10 at Please contact the office if you will be unable to attend. Get Well Brent demoville Abbye & Susan Silver Deborah Hersh Steve & Lilia Schwarz Shabbat Donations July 2 Jerry & Candee Gerson Brandon & Teresa Harris Stanley & Florence Hersh Jeff & Lea Levin Miguel & Lourdes Perez Joseph Settle David & Kerry Wolpo Elliot & Barbara Wolpo Steve & Lilia Schwarz July 9 Stanley & Florence Hersh Jeff & Lea Levin Miguel & Lourdes Perez Jerry & Candee Gerson George & Kathleen Keller Ilsa Burns David & Kerry Wolpo Steve & Lilia Schwarz July 23 Brandon & Teresa Harris Judy Hersh Stanley & Florence Hersh Jeff & Lea Levin Howard & Yaffah Miller Joseph Settle Abbye & Susan Silver Steve & Lilia Schwarz July 16 Jake & Simone Bauer Brandon & Teresa Harris Stanley & Florence Hersh George & Kathleen Keller Jeff & Lea Levin Miguel & Lourdes Perez Jospeh Settle Abbye & Susan Silver Steve & Lilia Schwarz

7 HOW TO OBSERVE THE YAHRZEIT It is traditional to kindle a Yahrzeit Candle in the home on the evening Yahrzeit begins. It should remain lighted until sunset the next day. Possible prayer before lighting a Yahrzeit candle: Eternal God, I/we light this candle in memory of (name), my/our beloved (relationship). The light of the flame rekindles all the warm memories of the moment we shared together, and reassures me /us that a piece of his/her soul dwells in my/our heart(s) forever. May his/her soul be bound up with the bonds of eternal life. Amen. Candles are available at the Gift Shop. Every effort should be made to say Kaddish at congregational services. It is meritorious to perform some Mitzvah or to contribute to the synagogue in commemoration of the deceased. Kaddish will be read on July 29 Tammuz 23 Gitle (Gussie) Jacobson Claire Seriff Tammuz 24 Max Israel Ida Knobler Mrs. M. Novy Morris Rubinsky Tammuz 25 Tammuz 26 Tammuz 27 Tammuz 28 Izadore F. Aronson Kate Kahan Hannah Wolpo Gray Sidney Lynn Leon Jacobson Herma Benjamin Ida Budin David Fuller Edna Levy Tammuz 29 Mose Genecov Emanuel Wizig Kaddish will be read on August 5 Av 1 Av 2 Av 3 Av 4 Av 5 Av 6 Av 7 Rudolph Genecov Hyman Frindell Jacob Beerman Ilona E. Belove Samuel Levy David Segal Kalman Solovey Bessie Gilbert Mrs. Sam Koenigheit Bessie Toblotsky Evelyn Hoffman Josephine Ringold Dr. Barry Phillips Abe Ellis Charles Brodkey Aleck Genecov Gussie Rosenbaum Emanuel Rubel Rachel Goodman Kaddish will be read on August 12 Av 8 Gussie Beerman M. Cohen Simon Shalti Av 9 Av 10 Av 11 Av 12 Mark E. Wolf B.M. Goodman Jackie Harris Samuel Lynn Sol Kempler Hannah Rosenblatt Norman Smith Av 13 Meyer C. Levy Av 14 I. Feldt Kaddish will be read on August 19 Av 15 Charles Goldstein Haskell Harelik Av 16 Isidor Ellis Av 17 Mammie Comer Minnie Wood Av 18 Joe Ellis Av 19 Rachel Goldberg Jake Gandler Av 20 Sarah Levy Esther Samet Lee David Miller Charles I. Silver Ben Tobolowsky Av 21 Marilyn Ellis Emma Lynn Kaddish will be read on August 26 Av 22 Av 23 Av 24 Av 25 Av 26 Av 28 Daniel Kamenetsky Irwin (Buddy) Levy Abe Berlowitz Violet H. Lyons Rachel Aronson Sam Aronson Rae Levin Mrs. Toby Freeman I. Chodorow Eunice Rosen Adolph Schein

8 Important Info for the New School Year!! RELIGIOUS SCHOOL RETURNING REGISTRATION FORM 2016 Cost per student: To be determined Family Name: Phone: Address: City: Zip: PLEASE FILL IN THE NAME AND SCHOOL GRADE FOR EACH CHILD YOU WISH TO ENROLL: Child s English Name: School Grade Child s English Name: School Grade: Child s English Name: School Grade My child/children named above have my permission to go on field trips with the CAJ School. CAJ has my permission to use photos of my child/children taken at school to be used on the web-site or other areas as is appropriate. Signed: Date: PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM OR THE INFORMATION TO THE OFFICE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 th.

9 CAJ Directory Information Please fill out your updated contact information for the CAJ Member Phone Directory and return it to the office no later than August 31, 2016 Family Name: Spouses Name: Children s Names: Address: Home Phone: ( ) Work Phone: ( ) Cell Phone: ( ) Any Other Information: Please return this form to the CAJ office no later than August 31. You may also the information to the office at cajassistant@grandecom.net. If you do not submit a form, no changes will be made to your contact information. Please call with any questions

10 August Tammuz Av 5776 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5:20AM/7:44PM 5:21AM/7:43PM 5:22AM/7:42PM 5:23AM/7:41PM 5:24AM/7:39PM Tanya Session 4:30 p.m. 7:21PM Rosh Hodesh 5:25AM/7:38PM 8:23PM 26 Tammuz 27 Tammuz 28 Tammuz 29 Tammuz 1 Av 2 Av Bava Kamma 62 Bava Kamma 63 Bava Kamma 64 Bava Kamma 65 Bava Kamma 66 Bava Kamma 67 5:26AM/7:37PM 5:27AM/7:36PM 5:28AM/7:35PM 5:29AM/7:33PM 5:30AM/7:32PM 5:31AM/7:31PM Minyan & Class Board Meeting Tanya Session 4:30 p.m. 7:13PM 5:32AM/7:29PM 8:14PM 3 Av 4 Av 5 Av 6 Av 7 Av 8 Av 9 Av Bava Kamma 68 Bava Kamma 69 Bava Kamma 70 Bava Kamma 71 Bava Kamma 72 Bava Kamma 73 Bava Kamma 74 5:33AM/7:28PM 5:34AM/7:27PM 5:35AM/7:25PM 5:36AM/7:24PM 5:37AM/7:22PM 5:38AM/7:21PM :13PM Fast of Tisha B'Av Minyan & Class Tanya Session 4:30 p.m. 8:06PM/ 7:03PM Tu B'Av 5:39AM/7:20PM 8:05PM 10 Av 11 Av 12 Av 13 Av 14 Av 15 Av 16 Av Bava Kamma 75 Bava Kamma 76 Bava Kamma 77 Bava Kamma 78 Bava Kamma 79 Bava Kamma 80 Bava Kamma 81 5:40AM/7:18PM 5:41AM/7:17PM 5:42AM/7:15PM 5:43AM/7:14PM 5:44AM/7:12PM 5:45AM/7:10PM Minyan & Class Tanya Session 4:30 p.m. 6:52PM 5:46AM/7:09PM 7:54PM 17 Av 18 Av 19 Av 20 Av 21 Av 22 Av 23 Av Bava Kamma 82 Bava Kamma 83 Bava Kamma 84 Bava Kamma 85 Bava Kamma 86 Bava Kamma 87 Bava Kamma :47AM/7:07PM 5:47AM/7:06PM 5:48AM/7:04PM 5:49AM/7:03PM Minyan & Class 24 Av 25 Av 26 Av 27 Av Bava Kamma 89 Bava Kamma 90 Bava Kamma 91 Bava Kamma 92 [ Candle Lighting, Observance End, Printed July 26, 2016/20 Tammuz 5776 for Canton, Ohio]