10 Adar 11 Nisan 5775 MARCH 2015 Vol. LXXV No. 6 Service Schedule FRIDAY EVENING SERVICE March 6 at 8:00 pm Oneg sponsored by our Sisterhood SATURDAY, March 7 at 9:30 am Jr. Congregation at 10:00am Followed by a Kiddush FRIDAY EVENING SERVICE March 13 at 8:00 pm 4th & 5th Grades Shabbat Oneg sponsored by parents of the 4th & 5th grades and our Sisterhood SATURDAY, March 14 at 9:30 am Followed by a Kiddush Tot Shabbat 5:30pm FRIDAY EVENING SERVICE March 20 at 8:00 pm Oneg sponsored by our Sisterhood SATURDAY, March 21 at 9:30 am 6th Grade Class Shabbat Followed by a Kiddush sponsored by the parents of the 6th grade and CBOI FRIDAY EVENING SERVICE March 27 at 7:30 pm Primary Class Shabbat Oneg sponsored by the parents of the Primary class and CBOI SATURDAY, March 28 at 9:30 am Followed by a Kiddush luncheon Rabbi Gaber Please contact the office if you wish to sponsor an Oneg or Kidush Brothers of Israel Invites you to Share in the Installation Weekend of Services and Joy Honoring Rabbi Aaron Gaber Please Join Us in this Weekend of Events Whereby Rabbi Aaron Gaber Will be Formally Installed as our Rabbi. Together, We will be Celebrating, Honoring, and Making Memories to Last a Lifetime as We Honor Rabbi Gaber. The Series of Programs and Events Throughout the Weekend will be Enriched by Your Presence and Support!! Save the Dates Now! There is Much More Information to Come!!!
From the Rabbi "May God who blesses our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah bless the entire congregation along with others who unite together to establish synagogues for prayer, and those who enter to pray, and those who give funds for heat and light, and wine for Kiddush and Havdalah, bread to the wayfarer and charity to the poor, and all who devote themselves to the needs of the community and the Land of Israel. May God remove from them sickness, heal them and forgive their sins. May God bless them by prospering all their worthy endeavors, as well as those of the entire people Israel and let us say, Amen." Every Saturday morning, we recite a prayer very similar to this reminding us that a community is not just one group of people or another; it is every individual and every group offering that which they have to make us a more inclusive and welcoming community where individuals and families are able to live a Jewish life within the context of a warm and welcoming community. Throughout the past six months, I have encountered so many members of CBOI and I have come away with an understanding of how devoted, caring and nurturing this community is for those who choose to become involved. I am excited that people are willing to go out of their way to help another person. I am excited by the growing energy (and attendance) on Friday night and Shabbat morning. I can't believe the learning that goes on at CBOI through the week from Religious School to Wednesday Talmud, to the Linda Gradstein event and the random questions I am asked by young and old. I am counting my blessings about how lucky it was for me to be elected as the Spiritual Leader and Rabbi of CBOI. I am grateful to the lay leadership and to the staff for welcoming me with open arms and already I can see that together we are creating a congregational team that will ensure we will continue to fulfill the message of this Shabbat morning prayer. But there is still so much more to be done and we need to work on it together. The Jews of Shushan succeeded because Esther, Mordechai and others worked together to defeat Haman and to root out the evil that existed. The Israelites were able to escape Egypt because God carried them on wings of eagles but more so because each one of them offered to help another in need. As you will have noticed from the cover of this month's Voice, together we will be celebrating my formal installation at the end of the month. I hope it will be the start of our charting a shared vision and shared future together at CBOI. A shared vision dedicated to the values of learning, prayer and making acts of loving kindness a regular activity in our lives. I also hope that each of us will continue on a spiritual journey toward living an engaged Jewish life on our terms. I began with a prayer and I end with a prayer: Avinu Shebashamayim, our Parent in Heaven, please bless this community with the ability to continue to turn our house into our home. Help each of us spend more time in our spiritual home. CBOI is not just a place for services, it is a home where each of us will feel safe and able to explore what our faith and our Jewish way of life means to us. It is a place where we, our children and our families will find meaning, comfort and peace. Help us to use our home to its utmost potential, not to just fill the space with lots of programs but to fill our sacred space with meaning and mitzvah. Help us create moments and memories that will be with us for our lifetime. CBOI is a refuge from the world where every person who walks through the door is welcomed, warmed, and nurtured. Help us to hear the beautiful orchestra of music in our community; maybe a lively melody on Friday night or the voices of a busy Sunday morning engaged in learning and sharing with one another. Finally, Our Parent in Heaven, help us to recognize all the best parts of ourselves and our community when we come together. Could this or that part of CBOI be different? Could something in the synagogue be larger or something else smaller? Sure, but truly what matters most is that our house is a home filled with the warmth of family and friends spending time together to be Jewish together and creating a community dedicated to peace and Justice and love for all. May You God watch over us and protect us and grant us peace. Amen Rabbi Aaron Gaber Friday, March 20th Page 2
From the Co-Presidents On Tuesday, February 24 th, the Board of Trustees held a discussion that mirrored a discussion going on throughout the Conservative movement. The question was posed to the members of the Board about Congregation Brothers of Israel s position going forward as it relates to non-jewish spouses of members having rights of membership and rights even further beyond that. This was a moment of reflection which was brought about from the work of the committee revising the Bylaws and Constitution of the synagogue who came upon the question of who is a member?. The goal of the meeting wasn t to come to any final determination or to persuade anyone that their opinion was wrong but rather to join in the discussion which is happening at synagogues around the country as the demographics of the Jewish community changes. There was an excellent turnout for the meeting and the members of the Board were asked for their individual input. It was not a debate and no person s opinion was elevated over another person s. The goal wasn t to come up with an answer but rather to initiate the discussion which gets to the very core of how we identify ourselves within the larger Jewish community. With that goal in mind we wholeheartedly feel that the evening was a success and time very well spent. We expect that the discussion will continue for years to come as more synagogues wrestle with the same question. As this issue is central to who we are, we hope that people will, respectfully, discuss their opinions with synagogue leadership over the course of the next few years as we here at CBOI, and the larger community, decide the question of who is a member. Lastly, the synagogue has created a new Security Committee tasked with the job of reviewing and suggesting to the Board of Trustees a comprehensive safety plan for our facility. If anyone is interested in assisting in this endeavor, please contact the office to be included. Leslie & Brandon Great program with Linda Gradstein on Feb. 15th. Thank you Israel Forum! Passover in the Matzo Aisle We re organizing a local community event called Passover In The Matzo Aisle to be held on March 22 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Our goal is to meet Jewish families in a casual setting. We believe that by being visible and sharing aspects of Passover we can make new connections to establish Congregation Brothers of Israel as a centerpiece of Jewish life in Bucks County. In order to get people to stop and sign up for our newsletter, and additional information about CBOI, we will be setting up a table at a local supermarket (perhaps McCaffrey s) in Newtown and /or Yardley, where we ll be offering Charoset and matzo for people to taste. We ll also have a raffle for a prize that is seasonal. We want to create a classy and well advertised program. We re looking for volunteers of all ages to help us. It could be for an hour or two or more. You tell us what you re good at and we ll find a way to incorporate your talents into the event. This project could be kept really simple, i.e., make Charoset (Saturday night or Sunday morning) and show up to meet and greet on Sunday. On the other hand, we can make this event a Coming Out Event for Congregation Brothers of Israel. Josephine Aynat Call or email me at: 267-205-9009 or jam212@verizon.net To volunteer or not to volunteer, that is the question. Page 3
Religious School By the time this edition of "The Voice" reaches you, we will be in the midst of our Purim Celebration. I hope you will be part of the celebration by joining us at the Purim Carnival on March 1st for our traditional home-made Purim fun. Special Thanks to Meryl Cooperman who's efforts help us to continue the tradition. We will hear the megillah read on March 4 and be treated to the premier showing of "The Megillah Thrill-ah Movie" staring our very own Religious School students. A NOT TO BE MISSED EVENT!! Many thanks to our Cinematographer, Aliza Bromberg Gaber, our narrator, Haley Lester, and our film editor, Rabbi Gaber! And then it is Passover. Passover is the most celebrated of Jewish holidays and, in our house, family and friends from far and wide join us each year to make it a wonderful celebration. The story of the Exodus is our family history. We have lovingly received this tradition from our parents and, it is a blessing to be sharing it with the next generation. I am blessed to have many children and grandchildren, some of my own and so many I have "adopted "as children of my heart. It is as much for them, as it is for myself, that I treasure my Judaism so greatly. As we approach Passover, the responsibility to teach our children well becomes an even greater commandment. There are many more than just "Four Questions" and we must be prepared to answer them, as well as we can. We need not boast to our children, but we must share our pride in our people and our way of life. We must tell them of the wondrous things that G d has done for us and help them acquire the tools to find their own path to G"d. As my friend, a fellow Jewish Educator, Adrian Durlester, so beautifully said: "How can I answer them if I myself do not know? Do I send them off to their computer to look it up on some CD-Rom encyclopedia? Or do I look it up myself and then answer them? Do I wait for them to learn it themselves or do I teach them? It is not enough to just give our Jewish children the tools and skills to learn things for themselves. As valuable as that might be, there are some things we adults need to teach them ourselves. We must find out what needs to be taught and seek to know these things in our own hearts so we can teach them to our children. So we study and learn not only for ourselves, but also for our children. And my children are your children - our children. They are our future. Let us heed the messages of Torah. Shalom, JOAN School Calendar Update: In addition to no school on April 5 & 8, there will be no school Sunday, March 29 th and Wednesday, April 1 st. Classes resume Sunday, April 12 th. Happy Passover! Torah Tots Sun., March 22nd 10am-noon For all preschoolers and an adult buddy! Celebrate Passover INTERACTIVE, MULTI SENSORY PROGRAM UTILIZING CREATIVE DRAMA, CRAFTS, SONGS, MOVEMENT AND STORY TELLING. TO REGISTER: CALL 215-579-2200 or EMAIL office@cboi.org Page 4
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DONATIONS WITH DEEP APPRECIATION, WE ACKNOWLEDGE: GENERAL FUND Irwin Zimmerman Andrea & Alan Kornblum The B nai Mitzvah of Avi & Max Young Co-Presidents, Leslie Floyd and Brandon Wind Alex Gilinsky s engagement to Kate Finn Co-Presidents, Leslie Floyd and Brandon Wind YAHRZEIT FUND Ramon Lerit Shari Leichter Family members Lillian Gitin Martin Siegel Esther Siegel Dr. Lawrence Siegel Edith Joseph Harlan Joseph Alvan Gilinsky Marion Gilinsky David Kohn Elka Koniuk Martha Friedman Mildred Rosenblatt Dr. Barry Rosenblatt Allen Beckman Cynthia Beckman Hyman Rubin Sydney Silverman Rachel Shanfeld William Shanfield Erwin Gripman Alice Gripman Regina Einhorn Carol Solomon Stephen Einhorn ALVIN BERGER MEM. FUND Alvin Berger Gloria Berger Beth Berger Fred and Craig Berger Bertha Tankel Edith Tankel Lillian Zettler Willard Cohen Jill & Dr. Timothy Hoffman B nai Mitzvah of Avi & Max Young Morton Goldstein s 90th Birthday The birth of Ryan James Schnitzer Alex Gilinsky s engagement to Kate Finn Gloria Berger MELVIN KUSHNER MEM. FUND Herbert Kauf Nati Kushner Morty Goldstein s 90th Birthday Nati Kushner Page 6 Congratulations Judith & Fred Young in honor of the B nai Mitzvah of grandsons, Avi & Max Young and to the parents Michelle & Richard Young Harriet Belovin in honor of the birth of great-grandson, Ryan James Schnitzer and to the parents Ashlee & Jeffrey Schnitzer and grandparents, Elaine & Scott Belovin Diane & Scott Gilinsky in honor of son, Alex s engagement to Kate Finn Condolences Frank DeFeo Husband of Grace DeFeo GEORGE WEINER SCHOLARSHIP FUND Harry Golluber Ellen Weiner Anna Schulz Andrew Schulz Avi & Max Young becoming B nai Mitzvah Maxine & Brian Goldsmith MARTIN BELOVIN MEM. FUND Elva Schwartz Ronald Schwartz The birth of Kylie Hannah Seavey Harriet Belovin & Family The birth of Ryan James Schnitzer Harriet Belovin & Robin Sue & Ron Schwartz Jan Hanlon Martha Friedman MILLIE MINSKY MEDIA & TECH. MEM. FUND Auguste Lowenstein James & Susan Wartenberg B nai Mitzvah of Avi & Max Young Susan & James Wartenberg Donna & Seymour Nowicki Judy & Steve Minsky Alex Gilinsky s engagement to Kate Finn Judy & Steve Minsky Susan & James Wartenberg Jennifer Kessel s engagement to Dean Smith The birth of Ryan James Schnitzer Judy & Steve Minsky MARCI SCHARF MEM. FUND James Tator Fred Tator In appreciation Being asked to chant Maftir at services Dr. Mark Nemiroff MARTIN ROGOFF MEM. FUND Seymour Blaustein Ruth Blaustein ROSE CHASIN MEM. FUND Samuel Gripman Mrs. Harriet Schafer Avi & Max Young becoming B nai Mitzvah Rabbi Howard & Joan Hersch DR. SEYMOUR COHEN MEM. FUND Karen Ring Sheila Hayes EDUCATION FUND Sadie Klinghoffer Elaine Melamed Kal Segel Dr. George Segel Sandy Kitain s mother Liz & Harvey Spector Abraham Sturm Andrea & Alan Kornblum Louis Rosenthal Bernice Rosenthal Howard Cohen Mitchell Cohen Avi & Max Young becoming B nai Mitzvah Donna & Seymour Nowicki The birth of Eleanor Yukie Allaire Andrea & Alan Kornblum BUILDING FUND Harry Lutzky Barbara Packer PRAYER BOOKS Al Hyman George Hyman Rose Flesher Barbara Flesher PAULINE ISRAEL/MOLLIE FRIEDMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND Joan Zirilstein Bernice Rosenthal Rose Flesher Barbara Flesher Morry Rozansky Donna Rozansky KIDDUSH FUND Ruth Lutzky Barbara Packer CEMETERY FUND Lorraine Kalland Mark Cooper
WAYS & MEANS Avi & Max Young becoming B nai Mitzvah Sharon Segarra & Family Alex Gilinsky & Kate Finn s engagement The Segarra Family DISCRETIONARY FUND Maynard Barker Ms. Bette Epstein Esther Geller Dr. Henry Geller In appreciation of Being asked to read Maftir at services Mark Nemiroff Parent Teachers Organization Making Ordinary Extra-Ordinary Did you know that the educational programs of our Religious School are greatly enhanced by the funding assistance given by our own Parent Teachers Organization (PTO) here at Brothers of Israel? PTO makes it possible for our School and our Students to have all the extra activities that do so much to enhance their religious education. PTO works closely with the Religious School Education Director and Teachers to plan and implement new and invigorating programs/event for Families, Students and the School itself. With a joined effort, PTO establishes a caring community and promotes acts of kindness within our synagogue. In order to achieve the above goals, PTO needs your help!! Please join PTO. You DO NOT have to have a student in the religious school to join. If you have a student(s) enrolled, please become a member!! If you do not have a student enrolled, why not consider becoming a PTO BOOSTER this year by contributing and becoming a member. With your membership and involvement in PTO, our Religious School and Students will benefit greatly throughout the year ahead!!! PTO dues are $36/year. Checks can be made out to CBOI PTO and can be sent directly to the office. Calling all knitters and crocheters... We are gathering a group to participate in knitting and crocheting hats for Israeli soldiers. See :hatsforisraelisoldiers.blogspot.com From this site you can find: Hat Pattern, B&W, English Hat Pattern, B&W, Hebrew Hat Pattern, Full Color, English & Hebrew Ravelry Pattern download New! Crochet Pattern, English How-To: Circular Knitting How-To: General Knitting Help How-To: Mattress Stitch Our meeting will be Monday, March 16 at 7:00pm at the home of Sharon Gertzman, in Pennington, NJ Bring needles and scrap yarn as well as any simple patterns you may have to share. Please RSVP to Sharon at sgertzman@yahoo.com or (908)303-3976 Page 7
Yahrzeits M A Y T H E M E M O R Y O F T H E R I G H T E O U S E V E R B E A B E N E D I C T I O N! March Adar 1 10 Mabel Bensky 1 10 Laiber Draifinger 1 10 Leonard Finkle 1 10 Rose Gale 1 10 Rebecca Leichter 1 10 Ruth Levy 1 10 Heinz Rosenbush 1 10 Lisa Strulson 1 10 Jack Sweed 2 11 Anna Campbell 2 11 J. Louis Finkle 2 11 Ida Friedland 2 11 Alfred Gurney 2 11 Morris Hersch 2 11 Bernard Oransky 2 11 Eva Schwartz 3 12 Walter Asnin 3 12 Alfred Brickman 3 12 Israel Elitzer 3 12 Laye Etel Flesher 3 12 Lynn Laskin 3 12 Allen Nichols 3 12 Sonia Schenke 3 12 Anna Small 3 12 Herman Wagner 4 13 Lyla Barondess 4 13 Edward Blumin 4 13 Herman Esko 4 13 Jacob Okean 4 13 Emma Poloyko 4 13 Joseph Rowe 4 13 Estelle Shapiro 4 13 Rose Teitz 4 13 Daniel Trause 5 14 Edna Axe 5 14 Albert Chasin 5 14 Gertrude Dauer 5 14 Harold Gherman 5 14 Sophie Gordon 5 14 Samuel Lavine 5 14 Jacob Newman 5 14 Joseph Steingesser 5 14 J. Leonard Weiss 6 15 Pearl Aldouby 6 15 Roberta Batshaw 6 15 Isaac Finkle 6 15 Saul Marcus 7 16 Conrad Druker 7 16 Bessie Glick 7 16 Marion Hyman 7 16 Sarah Kirman 7 16 Joseph Rothschild Page 8 Memorialize a loved one May their memory ever be a blessing Name plaques are available for our Yahrzeit tablet in the lobby. Call the office for Information. Cost: $250 7 16 Sophia Saperstein 7 16 Sadie Weinberg 7 16 Irving Welger 8 17 Leonard Barbesh 8 17 Anna Berman 8 17 Albert Blumgold 8 17 Sylvia Goldman 8 17 Reuben Levine 9 18 Leon Bernard 9 18 Morton Effron 9 18 Anna Goldstein 9 18 Moshe James 9 18 Isadore Rutkin 9 19 Harriet Feuerstein 10 19 Rachel Glazer 10 19 Doris Goldberg 10 19 Robert Goldsmith 10 19 Rose Hershkowitz 10 19 Morris Himmelstein 10 19 Morris Laskey 10 19 Arthur Laskin 10 19 Pearl Levy 10 19 Rose Siegel 10 19 Nathan Siegle 11 20 Shirley Ableman 11 20 Franklin Axe 11 20 Sally Feldman 11 20 Harry Fine 11 20 Sophia Fried 11 20 Martha Kaplan 11 20 Sylvia West 12 21 Lester Debren 12 21 Hyman Friedman 12 21 Alvin Geser 12 21 William Glaser 12 21 Tobias Goldman 12 21 Doris Lubitz 12 21 Dora Rauch 12 21 Ida Stern 12 21 Jennie Wolk 13 22 Leon Flesher 13 22 Ada Gurney 13 22 Helen Jaffey 13 22 Hyman Lidsky 14 23 Louis Fishman 14 23 Gertrude Fleischner 14 23 Edna Greenspan 14 23 Ronnie James 15 24 David Etzcovitz 15 24 Bertha Karklin 15 24 Martin Rosenberg 16 25 Anna Berkofsky 16 25 Stanley Dubin 16 25 Emanuel Geller 16 25 Lynn Lutz 16 25 William Nass 16 25 Herbert Posner 16 25 Irwin Rosenthal 16 25 Gwendolyn Weiner 17 26 Isidore Alter 17 26 Judith Biro 17 26 Masha Blumgold 17 26 Michael Cohen 17 26 Pearl Fine 17 26 Liba Heller 17 26 Samuel Hirschfield 17 26 Max Janoff 17 26 Hilda Kushner 17 26 Norman Schottland 17 26 Samuel Urken 18 27 Charles Algazi 18 27 Sadie Berkelhammer 18 27 Esther Bletter 18 27 Margaret Herman 18 27 Joseph Shein 19 28 Beulah Bresler 19 28 Nathan Litt 19 28 Mary Lubis 19 28 Henry Marshall 19 28 Paul Romanoff 19 28 Robert Sherbekow 19 28 Celine Welger 20 29 Dora Bernstein
20 29 Adele Greenberg 20 29 Evelyn Kallus 20 29 Louis Kalnitsky 20 29 Rebecca Kern 20 29 Louis Krieger 20 29 Anne Litowitz 20 29 Sheldon Moonay 20 29 Merrill Schutzbank 20 29 Donald Strulson Nisan 21 1 Norman Axe 21 1 Gittel Glick 21 1 Ida Levie 21 1 Alvin Lipitz 21 1 Catherine Rabel 21 1 Benjamin Rogoff 21 1 Mitchell Rosenstein 21 1 Sophie Siegle 21 1 Edward Strauss 22 2 Rachel Bellin 22 2 Samuel Berger 22 2 Ida Epstein 22 2 Arthur Gometz 22 2 Jewel Kushner 23 3 Sam Kornblum 23 3 Anna Rams 24 4 Norman Bishusky 24 4 Haefel Cohn 24 4 Shane Litvin 24 4 Bernard Weiss 25 5 Jacob Albert 25 5 Max Albom 25 5 Sophie Litt 26 6 Joan Bulitt 26 6 Fay Haveson 26 6 Yetta Haveson 26 6 Barney Movsovich 26 6 Annie Siegle 26 6 Fanny Tan 26 6 Fanny Tan 27 7 Morris Aranoff 27 7 Sylvia Cohen 27 7 Thomas Diskin 27 7 Samuel Gurney 27 7 Abraham Mallen 27 7 Pearl Marcus 27 7 Salomon Salama 27 7 Morris Tankle 28 8 Israel Albert 28 8 Carl Balk 28 8 Joseph Brownstein 28 8 Esther Diamond 28 8 Edward Edelman 28 8 Geralyn Glazer 28 8 Freda Stein 29 9 Sophie Elitzer 29 9 Pauline Fogelson 29 9 Sarah Harris 29 9 Mary Raymond 29 9 Samuel Vetensky 29 9 Israel Wagner 30 10 Jennie Abrams 30 10 Tillie Albert 30 10 Mollie Cohen 30 10 Irving Laskey 30 10 Ray Popkin 30 10 Herman Rubien 30 10 Daisy Tolzess 31 11 Hulda Bandmann 31 11 Esther Brodner 31 11 Milton Kaufman 31 11 Meyer Robinson 31 11 Sallye Youth Dear Friends at CBOI I would like to thank all of you who prayed for my return to health in 2013 when I was so ill. I also want to thank those of you who continue to express concern and wish me good health in my recovery. Without your prayers and Ha-Shem's help, I would not be here with you today. It is my privilege to be part of such a caring congregation. Sincerely, Susan Wartenberg BOI Sisterhood Gift Shop Giftware, Judaica, Kippot, Tallitot, Jewelry and more! If you don t see it in our showcase ask for it! Open during office hours and by appointment on Sundays. On behalf of the entire Vistoso family, we would like to thank you all for your support in helping make Jake's dream a reality. Our sanctuary is now accessible to those who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing through a T-Coil Loop. Thank you to Rabbi Gaber and to the Board Members who made it happen in time for Jake's Bar Mitzvah. Thank you to those who walked with us and who sponsored us. Finally, thank you to Chip and Nancy Hilger of East Coast Hearing Loops for their generous donation of two neckloops, which benefit those who do not wear hearing aids. We truly appreciate all of your support. The T-Coil not only benefits Jake and Evan, but many people in our congregation, and we're excited to know that the words of the Torah are now accessible to all of them! Thank you! Francisco, Jennifer, Jake, Evan, and Gabriella The Voice, newletter of, is published 10-11 times per year. If you would like to promote your business or service to our membership and friends, please contact the office for rates and details. Page 9
Israel Forum Anti-Semitism at the United Nations On January 22, 2015 the U.N. organized a special meeting on the subject of anti-semitism with anti- Semites not just in attendance but making speeches. At the U.N. General Assembly this meeting was a run-up to the International Holocaust Day. French Philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy explained that the current upsurge of anti-semitism is based on three keys: the demonization of Israel as an illegitimate state, the denial of the Holocaust and scorning the Jewish effort to commemorate the Jewish Holocaust as an attempt to belittle the sufferings of other nations. Arab and Muslim delegates repeated the myth that Palestinians are Semites hence they can t be anti-semitic. In addition they repeated that occupation, the persecution of Palestinians, their denial of their human rights are acts of anti-semitism. The Arab delegates turned this conference from being about world prejudices against the Jews to made-up stories about Palestinian treatments. I am personally astonished that Ben Cohen who wrote the article in the Jewish Florida Journal did not expect nothing less than the continued anti-semitism from Arab and Moslem nations. Most of us do not pay much attention to the media in these countries because our main stream media does not think it is an important part of the rising anti-semitism in the world. I assure you that my experience growing up in Egypt strongly supports that anti-jewish feelings have not changed in more than 70 years but in fact appear to have increased progressively. The exponentially expansion of Muslim immigration to the West brought with them a culture of learned hate that continues to spread in the free world. Therefore it is not surprising that at the U.N. the delegates continue to spew hatred. Unfortunately, through many conversations I had with some of my liberal friends, I do not see a priority concern about the anti-semitic culture in the Muslim world that would necessarily have a negative impact to the State of Israel. The growing anti-israel-jewish campaign documented in the World in a U.N. that automatically supports the Palestinians against Israel will not go away just because we wish it. Since I left Egypt I have had many conversations with Arab and non-arabs. Most insist that they know all the Jewish historical facts. At one Engineering event, I was introduced to a company manager who immediately asked me what type of name is Algazi because it sounded Middle Eastern. I replied that my name goes back to the city of Safed in Northern Israel in the 1600 s as documented in the Jewish encyclopedia. He insisted that I must be mistaken because there were no Jews there at the time. I also noted that My Grandfather and Great-grandfather were both born in Jerusalem in the 1800 s and again he was adamant that it was impossible because the Jews came from Europe to Palestine only after World War II. We should not really be surprised that this highly educated and respected engineer holds the typical school learned fabricated Jewish historical facts. Ben Cohen writes Why then bother trying to engage the U.N. as a partner in the fight against anti- Semitism? The haters will use the podium to continue their goal for the delegitimizing the Jewish state. Cohen suggests that in future meetings at the U.N. State at the beginning that the movement to destroy Israel- which spans Middle Eastern governments, Middle Eastern terrorist groups, and assorted Western activists brandishing signs in favor of anti-israel boycotts- is the greatest concern and threat. If we can t say any of those things, then it s not worth holding the meeting to begin with. The solution has to start at the top. The United States has to be serious about taking the lead worldwide but in particular at the U.N. and needs to be very clear about our values so that no one is confused about our intentions regarding anti-semitism. Israel Forum Albert Algazi (Next, I will share my conversation with several members of my family in France) Page 10
LEISURE CLUB 530 Washington Crossing Road, Newtown, PA 18940 Mel Berman, President (215) 638-4997 Susan Leeds, Programs (215) 547-6959; Mina Stein, Treasurer Sandra Berman, Secretary Selma Krosnick, Phone Squad Eva Moszer, Hospitality Tuesday March 3, 2015 10:30 Exercise 11:30 Dairy Bag Lunch/ coffee & cake 12:00 Business Meeting 12:30 Matthew Weintraub, Office of the District Attorney of Bucks County Interesting criminal cases in Bucks County 215-638-4997 Tuesday March 24, 2015 11:30 Model Passover Seder led by Sidney Moszer Happy March Birthdays 3/1 Mina Stein 3/10 Shelly Deitch 3/20 Herb Borenstein 3/23 Helen Baum 3/24 Selma Krosnick Happy March Anniversary 3/28 Sidney and Eva Moszer Dear Leisure Club Family, Purim March 4-5, 2015 Purim commemorates a time when the Jewish people were saved from extermination by the evil Haman. Purim is often observed by dressing up in costumes and masks Sincerely, Mel Page 11
Yellow Candle Design Contest Entries must be received by May 1, 2015! Have your (or more correctly, your child's) artwork appear on thousands of candles distributed throughout the world! Exhibit your talent and feelings about the Holocaust! The winners will receive cash prizes of: $500 for First Place (and your artwork on the candles) $300 for Second Place $200 for Third Place For application go to: http://fjmc.org/sites/default/files// images/shoah_yellow_candles/fjmc_copyrightyellow_candle_contest_2015-agreement.pdf For Yellow Candle Contest Rules go to: http://fjmc.org/content/yc_contest Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs 475 Riverside Drive Suite 832 New York, NY 10115-0022 SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST 8:00PM Sisterhood is going the Bristol Riverside Theatre TICKETS: $45 May still be able to get you tickets, call the office now! Be sure to send in your payment, make checks payable to: Sisterhood Page 12
Selling the Hametz Dear CBOI Family, In addition to our preparations for Passover, we observe the Mitzvah (obligation) of ridding our homes of hametz (leavened products). However there are times when getting rid of our hametz is too costly, so we sell it for the duration of Passover. At the same time, we make a donation to Maot Hittim (Feeding the Hungry) so they too will enjoy a joyous Passover. This year, the ritual sale of hametz must be completed by 9:30am on Friday, April 3, 2015. At that time, Rabbi Aaron Gaber will sell all of our hametz to a non-jew and immediately following the completion of Passover, the Hametz will be returned to their original owner. This symbolic sale is accomplished by your returning the attached authorization to the office by April 1, 2015 If you have a pet and are concerned about feeding it hametz during Passover, Jewish law allows you to sell your pet along with your hametz. Since caring for animals is a mitzvah, you are then able to keep your pet fed and happy during the holiday. You can use the form below to sell your pet by making a contribution to the Bucks SPCA in any amount you wish. Please make the check payable to the CBOI Rabbi s Discretionary Fund. All funds collected will be divided between local and national organizations that provide food for the hungry. ============================================================================== Form for the Sale of Hametz I or We,, hereby authorize and permit Rabbi Aaron Gaber to act in my place and stead, and in my behalf to dispose of all hametz, as defined by Torah and Rabbinic law, that may be in my possession at home, in place of business or elsewhere, in accordance with the requirements of Jewish law. I/We are enclosing a contribution of $ for Maot Hittim. I/We are enclosing a contribution of $ for Bucks SPCA on behalf of my pet (s) Name Signature Date Address =============================================================== Please mail/return to: Rabbi Aaron Gaber 530 Washington Crossing Road Newtown, PA 18940 This form must be returned no later than April 1, 2015 Passover begins Friday night, April 3rd. Page 13
Yin Yoga Mondays 7-8:15 pm Enjoy a class that is open to all levels of yoga students. No prior experience needed. Using gentle stretching in longer held poses to bring flexibility and mobility to our bodies. Focus is on relaxing into the stillness of each pose to release and relieve stress. Bring a yoga mat and a blanket to class. Yoga blocks are a good idea too, if you have them. Some mats and blocks will be available on a first come first served basis. CBOI members: $12 /class or $100/10 classes Non-members: $15/class or $120/10 classes Questions? Please call or text Shannah at (267) 307-0140 or email shannah@hotmail.com Through the One Happy Camper program, families can access incentive grants of up to $1000 toward transformative summer experiences at one of 155+ nonprofit, Jewish overnight camps for the first time, regardless of need. One Happy Camper is a program of the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC), in partnership with Jewish federations, foundations, PJ Library, and camps across North America. Grants are available on a first come, first served basis. Families can find camps and secure their grants by visiting www.onehappycamper.org today! A big thank you to everyone for bringing in their McCaffrey s receipts. Please continue to bring your register receipts to CBOI (they can be up to 6 months old.) We will receive 1% of whatever you spend! Look for the box in the lobby. You eat up and we cash in. That s a pretty sweet deal! You re going food shopping anyway... Support CBOI by purchasing scrip. It s a dollar-for-dollar value, and we ll make 5%. Available for: Acme, Giant, McCaffrey s, ShopRite, Pathmark Make checks payable to BOI Sisterhood BOX TOPS Clip them from items you already buy and bring them to the box in the synagogue lobby to help support our Religious School. It's that easy! Page 14
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530 Washington Crossing Road Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED TIME VALUE MATERIAL The Voice Published monthly by 530 Washington Crossing Road Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 579-2200 Fax: (215) 579-2204 www.cboi.org E-mail: office@cboi.org Rabbi Aaron Gaber Rabbi Howard Hersch, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Dr. Robert Winter, Cantorial Soloist Joan Hersch, Education Director Leslie Floyd......Co-President Brandon Wind... Co-President Lauren Cell... Vice President Larry Cooperman... Vice President Barry Wind... Co-Treasurer and Co-Financial Secretary Michelle Goldberg...Co-Treasurer and Co-Financial Secretary Andrew Berezin...Recording Secretary