cbi february bulletin 2012
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CBI February bulletin 2012TRANSCRIPT
VOLUME 5772 ISSUE 6 www.cbistpete.com
Shabbat Services 2
From Rabbi 3
Cantor’s Notes 3
Sisterhood/Men’s Club 9
Schools 11
Youth 12
Adult Studies 13
A-Team 13
Buns Family Library 15
Family Programs 18
Life Cycle Events 19
Mitzvah Grams 21
February 2012 Shevat/Adar 5772
Kosher Cooking 7
Joyful Prayer 7
Hevra Kadisha Dinner 8
Torah Fund Dinner 9
Jewish Meditation 13
Silent Auction & Pasta 17
Manatees & Strawberries 26
Purim Celebration 26
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CHILD CARE To request Shabbat morning childcare for preschoolers,
please call the Synagogue office by Wednesday prior to Shabbat.
Congregation B’nai Israel
727-381-4900 Contacts
Rabbi Jacob Luski, D.D. 727-381-4900 Ext. 207
Cantor Jonathan Schultz
727-381-4900 Ext. 305 [email protected]
Executive Director, Sara A. Latham 727-381-4900 Ext. 202 [email protected]
Pauline Rivkind Preschool Director Bonnie Halprin 727-381-4900 Ext. 211
Pauline Rivkind Talmud Torah Education Director, Ilana Dayan
727-381-4900 Ext. 310 [email protected]
Youth & Family Program Director Sandy Brasch 727-381-4900 Ext. 209
Community Engagement, Liz Sembler 727-381-4900 Ext. 206 [email protected]
Torah Reader/Educator Deborah Marmon 727-381-4900 Ext. 205
Office Manager, Pam Askin 727-381-4900 Ext. 203
Receptionist, Anita Helfand 727-381-4900 Ext. 201
Accounting, Barbara Jarvis 727-381-4900 Ext.204
PRTT Secretary, Patzi Gil 727-381-4900 Ext. 210 [email protected]
President, Leslie Pearlstein M.D [email protected]
Sisterhood President, Alice Ettinger Men’s Club President, Jesse Rodman
USY President, Alyssa Kobernick Kadima President, Max Kobernick
Bulletin Committee:
Layout Editor, Masha Ronay
Coordinators, Pam Askin, Anita Helfand
B’nai Israel Review Publishes 11 times a year by
Congregation B’nai Israel 300 58th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710 727– 381-4900 FAX 727-344-1307
www.cbistpete.org
All rights reserved. No part of this document can be copied without the permission of
Congregation B’nai Israel
Shabbat Services & Candlelighting
ROSH HODESH ADAR Thursday, February 23, 2012 & Friday, February 24, 2012
PARTICIPATE IN ALIYOT The Ritual Committee of Congregation B’nai Israel
encourages worshippers to participate in services by
performing aliyot. If you would like to receive an aliyah, please
call the synagogue office at 381-4900, or kindly speak to one of the ushers when you
enter the sanctuary, and every effort will be made to
accommodate your request. Those wishing to receive an
aliyah on Shabbat morning are asked to arrive at services no
later than 9:30 am. We look forward to your
participation. Shalom,
Morry Bornstein, Ritual Chair
Friday, February 3, 2012 Candlelighting 5:55 pm Shabbat Service 8:00 pm USY Shabbat Sit Down Oneg: Tu B’Shevat Seder Saturday, February 4, 2012 Sedra – Beshallach Shabbat Shira Services 9:00 am Ice Cream Kiddush Jewish Meditation 9:15 am Junior Congregation 10:00 am Minha, Seudah Shlishit, Maariv & Havdala 5:40 pm Seudah Shlishit sponsored by Allen and Betty Tut Polon Friday, February 10, 2012 Candlelighting 6:00 pm Shabbat Service 8:00 pm Bar Mitzvah of Robert Thomas Carroll Saturday, February 11, 2012 Sedra – Yitro Shabbat Services 9:00 am Bar Mitzvah of Robert Thomas Carroll Junior Congregation 10:00 am Minha, Seudah Shlishit, Maariv & Havdala 5:45 pm Seudah Shlishit sponsored by Dr. Robert & Cindy Weisberg Friday, February 17, 2012 Candlelighting 6:05 pm Shabbat Ruach 8:00 pm USY Turns 60! USY Alumni Shabbat Saturday, February 18, 2012 Sedra – Mishpatim Shabbat Shekalim Shabbat Services 9:00 am Law Shabbat Joyful Prayer: Come & Learn 9:15 am No Junior Congregation Minyan Katan, Rm 9, 10:45 am Minha, Seudah Shlishit, Maariv & Havdala 5:50 pm Seudah Shlishit sponsored by Rabbi Jacob & Joanne Luski and Vivian Neumann in memory of Jack Neumann
Friday, February 24, 2012 Candlelighting 6:10 pm Shabbat Service 8:00 pm Hadassah Shabbat Anniversary Shabbat Saturday, February 25, 2012 Sedra – Terumah Shabbat Services 9:00 am Jewish Meditation 9:15 am Junior Congregation 10:00 am Minha, Maariv & Havdala 6:10 pm Friday, March 2, 2012 Candlelighting 6:00 pm Shabbat Service 8:00 pm Bat Mitzvah of Leah Beth Kunins Saturday, March 3, 2012 Sedra – Tetzaveh Shabbat Zahor Shabbat Services 9:00 am Bat Mitzvah of Leah Beth Kunins Junior Congregation 10:00 am Minha, Seudah Shlishit, Maariv & Havdala 6:05 pm Seudah Shlishit sponsored by Ralph and Ruth Ann Mizrahi
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat on Friday evening, a Seudah
Shlishit on Shabbat afternoon or a L’Hayim following a
Morning Minyan in honor or memory of a loved one or a
special occasion, please
contact Synagogue office.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
The Mitzvah Men’s Club provides a Continental
Breakfast for all worshippers on Minyan Mornings in the
alcove of the Social Hall. Please join the Minyanaires
for the morning Shaharit service and relax and
schmooze over breakfast bagels, cream cheese,
coffee cake and coffee/tea.
DAILY SERVICES
Be a mensh! Make a Minyan!
Attend our twice daily minyan: Mornings at 7:45 am,
Sunday & national holiday mornings at 9:00 am and Sunday-Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm
CBI Website
www.cbistpete.org
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From the Rabbi
As in past years, the CBI dues statement includes voluntary contributions to Mercaz and to Friends of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Our contributions to and efforts on behalf of these organizations are proving more vital every year. I strongly encourage
all of us to make commitments to Mercaz and the Jewish Theological Seminary through our dues statement and other donations. In doing so, we can help to ensure that the Jewish traditions and values that are so important to us will continue to resonate in our lives. Mercaz is the Zionist membership organization of the Conservative Movement, the voice of Conservative Jewry within the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Zionist Movement, and the Jewish National Fund. Its purpose is to support religious pluralism in Israel and strengthen the connection between Israel and the Diaspora. Your membership in Mercaz enables our representatives to obtain allocations for many of the Masorti/Conservative programs and for our movement to secure millions of dollars of funding from the Jewish Agency for movement programs.
For more than 100 years, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America played a unique and central role in the life of the Conservative Movement. Situated in New York, its influence and leadership are felt here in the United States, Europe, and South America as well as in Israel. In addition to training Conservative rabbis, cantors, Jewish educators, and teachers, the Seminary enrolls many others who take courses or participate in programs because of its high academic level. Because it is a religious institution and cannot solicit government funds, the only constituency to which the Seminary can turn for support is members of the Conservative Movement. We are its primary source of funding, just as it is our source of intellectual and spiritual strength. Therefore, we call on every member to contribute a minimum of $36. Thank you for participating in these endeavors and for recognizing how vital they are for our Movement, for the future of the American Jewish community, and for our Movement’s efforts to create pluralism in Israel.
Shalom,
Rabbi Jacob Luski
He is become my deliverance. This is my God, and I will enshrine Him; The God of my father, and I will exalt Him. Adonai, the Warrior – Adonai is His name! …. Your right hand, Adonai, glorious in power, Your right hand, Adonai, shatters the foe! …. Who is like You, Adonai, among the celestials; Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in splendor, working wonders! …. Till Your people cross over, Adonai, Till Your people cross whom You have ransomed. ….
Adonai will reign for ever and ever! Coincidentally, Shabbat Shirah happens to be my Bar Mitzvah parashah. I invite you to join me for services on Shabbat morning, February 4, when I will chant both Shirat ha-Yam and the Haftarah, in commemoration of my Bar Mitzvah.
Shalom, Cantor Jonathan Schultz
Shabbat Shirah features one of the oldest extended poems (shirim) in the Hebrew Bible: Shirat ha-Yam (the Song at the sea). It recounts the pivotal moment in the birth of the Israelite nation: the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, and the final defeat of the
armies of Pharaoh at the hands of God at the Sea of Reeds. One aspect of this pivotal event that sets it apart from other victories in the Bible, is that it was God who defeated the armies of Pharaoh. This is a key distinction: in Israelite military victories, the Israelites did the work. At the Sea of Reeds, it was by the Hand of God that we were saved. For this reason, we chant Shirat ha-Yam with special ceremony: We stand during its recitation; we use a special melody that is distinct from normal Torah trope; and in some communities, certain verses are said first by the congregation and then repeated by the Torah reader. An interesting point is that the special melody is only used in verses of praise:
I will sing to Adonai, for He has triumphed gloriously; Horse and driver He has hurled into the sea. Adonai is my strength and might;
Cantor’s Notes
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252-0123
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When I was in school, we were often asked to write about “our hero.” There are many famous people that are often named, but I would have to select my parents as my heroes. My parents, Frances and Buddy, were always helping others, volunteering in
various settings, and always considering those less fortunate. It’s one of the most important things we can do as Jews. This month you will have the opportunity to be a mitzvah maker. On Sunday, February 12, we will be Performing a Mitzvah by Feeding the Hungry. Not only will you have a chance to do a mitzvah, but you will be working with your fellow congregants. There is something for everyone. Minyan will begin at 8:30 that morning, followed by a hearty breakfast, then off to the mitzvah of your choice. Make sure to register early. Registration forms are in this bulletin. Earlier in the month on Sunday, February 5, you will have the opportunity to participate with Mitzvah Men’s Club at the “World Wide Wrap.” If you choose, you can come early at 8:30 a.m. to learn to “wrap Tefillin.” Here is another great chance to be part of your CBI community. In March, we will begin the new Photo and Advertising Directory. The
From the Executive Director very popular directory was last done five years ago. The company we are working with Lifetouch, who will be making automatic calls to set up appointments. When you see your caller id from CBI, answer the phone and say “yes” to a free photo. Thank you Phil Redisch, for chairing this very important fundraiser, and to your hard working committee. If you haven’t already heard, I will be retiring at the end of June, 2012. I’m planning to spend more time playing the part of “Bubbe.”
With shalom, Sara Latham
Executive Director
This is God’s Country!
How many times have you heard this common phrase? Usually a person who proudly introduces you to where they live uses these words. Often, it is used to describe some beautiful
place with a grand vista; snow covered mountains, crystal clear blue skies, or oceans cresting with mighty waves come to mind. Right? No body will argue with you and then describe a dark alley, a forest with dead trees, or a polluted lake as “God’s Country”. I think you get my point. “God’s Country” brings us warmth and peace; a place with no fear or urgency. It is a place that fills our mind with peleh, wonder, our heart with koach, strength, and our nefesh, soul, with a sense of belonging to something much bigger than just a spot on Earth. Many poems, songs, and novels have been written about this place. This location may be a physical site, or a virtual reality in “our minds eye.” Our gut feels warm and full when we even think about going to such a place. It is a deep, visceral, good sensation that we get when we are mentally or physically in that time and place. Yes, “God’s Country” has four dimensions, those of time and space.
From the President
So where is your “God’s Country”? Is it North Carolina’s mountains, Tampa Bay’s beaches, on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem, at the Kotel looking at a tiny piece of folded paper, or perhaps in CBI facing the open Aron Kodesh? You know where you can find your place. All of the above listed spots have brought me to the transcendental realm of “God’s Country”. Please join others and me at our Shul (CBI) for Minyan or Shabbat Services in order to visit “God’s Country”. Not to mention that we are inexpensive, close by, and always open.
Shalom, Leslie Pearlstein, MD, President
QUOTE
Everything is foreseen, yet freedom of choice is granted.
The world is judged favorably, yet all depends On the preponderance of good deeds
Rabbi Akiva
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FRANK I. MENDELBLATT, M.D.
DAVID J. MENDELBLATT, M.D. OPHTHALMOLOGY
600 6th Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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JOYFUL PRAYER: COME AND LEARN
Join us on Shabbat mornings for an introduction to the Shabbat morning prayer service. Each session is independent and designed to be a comfortable, informal way for you to learn more about and personally connect with the prayers in our service.
Sessions will be held from 9:15-9:50 in the Chapel on the following Shabbatot:
February 18, March 17, April 21,
May 19, and June 9.
Please call Liz Sembler for more information.
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Congregational Engagement
The members of the CBI Engagement Committee and I are so excited about new opportunities at our synagogue for you to connect – with our congregation, with our tradition and heritage, with God, with your soul. We have begun our Jewish Meditation sessions and welcome all newcomers at any point in the series of four Shabbat morning sessions. Meet us from 9:15-9:50 am in the Chapel on January 28, February 4, February 25 and March 11 and learn how to incorporate ancient Jewish practices into your prayer experience. This month, we will offer the first of five sessions to broaden your understanding of the Shabbat morning prayers. Join us on February 18, from 9:15-9:50 am in the Chapel. Joyful Prayer: Come and Learn will also be offered on March 17, April 21, May 19, and June 9. Each session is independent and will focus on one particular prayer in the liturgy. Bring your questions and your curiosity. Cantor Jonathan Schultz has attracted many worshippers with his joyful Friday evening services, whether in a Ruach (spirited) style or a Carlebach service. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach of blessed memory composed beautiful melodies for prayer that have inspired and uplifted worshippers around the globe. Sing along and see why! As always, I’d love to hear your ideas of how CBI and its offerings can add spiritual meaning to your life. Please contact me at 381-4900, x-206.
Liz Sembler, Coordinator of Congregational Engagement
TU B’SHEVAT New Year of Trees
February 8, 2012 is Tu B’Shevat, the 15th day of the month of Shevat, when we celebrate the New Year of the Trees. Shevat is the Hebrew month when heavy rains in Israel mark the end of the winter and the beginning of spring. In the middle of the month, severe rainstorms taper off and signs of spring begin to sprout greens and flowers of every kind and color carpets the earth. Tradition tells us that just as the fate of human beings is decided on Rosh Hashana, the fate of trees is decreed and Rosh Hashana Liilanot, the New Year of the Trees.
It is customary to plant trees for Tu B’Shevat in Israel through the Jewish National Fund. Israel relies on the Jewish National Fund and the Jewish National Fund depends on you! Trees are $18 each and may be planted in our B’nai Israel Forest in honor of loved ones.
Please make your check payable to:
Jewish National Fund Mail to:
Jewish National Fund 78 Randall Avenue Rockville Centre,
New York, NY 11570-3946 Please note on your check: CBI Forest, Project #002600
For more information, you may call the JNF office 1-800-542-8733 Please join us for our Congregation Tu B’shevat Seder on Friday evening, February 3, 2012; Services are at 8:00 pm; the Tu B’shevat will be held during the Oneg Shabbat. This program celebrates this beautiful holiday.
February 8, 2012 15th day of the month of Shevat
HEVRA KADISHA TO BE HONORED The Hevra Kadisha Society of Congregation B’nai Israel will be honored at a dinner on Tuesday, February 21, 2012. If you are a member of the Hevra Kadisha, please join us for minyan at 6:30 pm followed by our annual dinner at 6:45 pm.. Hevra Kadisha is a voluntary committee of men and women who serve the needs of an individual after death. This priceless act of kindness is considered one of the greatest mitzvot to be performed. One who serves on this committee is considered to be a partner with heaven in providing dignity to another Jew when that Jew and his/her family are totally dependent upon the community. The Ritual Committee looks forward to providing appropriate kavod to this very special group of people at B’nai Israel. For more information about participation, please contact Joel Goetz and Ellen Goetz, Chairpersons of the Hevra Kadisha.
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Congregation B’nai Israel Sisterhood invites you to attend our annual
TORAH FUND DINNER
On behalf of THE JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
OF AMERICA
Honoring
RUTH ANN MIZRAHI
Receiving “THE JACKIE JACOBS WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD” FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE
PROGRAM: CANTOR JONATHAN SCHULTZ
Graduate of the Cantors’ Institute, Jewish Theological Seminary and Cantor at Congregation B’nai Israel will
present a Musical Program
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2012, 6:00 P.M. In the Benjamin Social Hall
Couvert $20.00 Plus suggested minimum donation
to Torah Fund. Your check is your reservation.
Donation Opportunities Minyan $10, Chai $18, Koach $28,
Benefactor $180, Guardian Level $300, Associate Patron $600,
Patron $1200
RSVP BY Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Anita Helfand – 347-2300 Chairman, Joanne Luski
Marilyn LeVine – Special Gifts Jennifer Sternberg – TF Cards
SISTERHOOD
The WORLDWIDEWRAP is Superbowl Sunday, February 5th. Starting at 8:30 am, this huge annual event includes an opportunity for yourself, your kids and grandkids to learn how to “lay” tefillin in a fun, friendly atmosphere, then join in a special morning minyan – and you’ll also be joining literally 1,000s of parents and kids all over the world – followed by a fabulous Mitzvah Men’s Club Sunday Brunch. The featured speaker at the brunch will be NEIL SOLONDZ, the new pre- and post-game host for your Tampa Bay Rays. Joining “The Show” from 8 years as the play-by-play announcer for the Rays Triple A farm club, the Durham Bulls, Neil has also broadcast games for the MLB network as well as for ESPN and various college networks. Truly, a man who knows what he’s talking about. Get your questions ready! Co-chairs Sam Cohen and Jay Kauffman said Neil has promised to take on all questions. Prayer and learning, unbelievable food, great fun all for the low, low price of zip, nada, zilch. Reservations required. Call 381-4900 ext. 201. MMC Membership VP, Pincus HaMelech, aka Phil Redisch, has announced that this year’s membership tally is well over 100 members. In an interview on JNN, Phil said. “I can only attribute this growth in our membership to the efforts of our VP of Fun, the mysterious MOISHE PIPICK, who’s clearly the driving force behind our success.” Mitzvah Men’s Club Shabbat is scheduled for March 23rd and 24th. In addition to the superb Friday Night Dinner and the presentation of the new MAN OF THE YEAR, we’ll be privileged to have a very special, exciting speaker joining us for the weekend, Rabbi Andy Shugerman, both Friday night and on Saturday as well. The Annual Steak and Scotch Dinner was such a success that we’ll be doing another similar event, but this time including the ladies as well. Stay tuned for details.
Jesse Rodman MMC President
MITZVAH MEN’S CLUB
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THE PAULINE RIVKIND TALMUD TORAH
Come in Peace…Greeted with Joy
The last verse of the L'ha Dodi prayer read every Friday night states, that the Shabbat should "Come in Peace and be Greeted with Joy!" In our learning at PRTT we emphasize the importance of Shabbat within our homes and with our extended family at CBI. Recently a child having his Bar Mitzvah told the class that growing up in the synagogue and attending services made his ceremony more significant. Members of the Congregation, our CBI mishpacha, were able to celebrate and enjoy this occasion with him. A Bat Mitzvah child who comes often sits with many of the regular worshippers and tells of her school and family experiences. You will not find a more attentive audience than our congregants who share Shabbat and your Simcha together with you. They are supportive and want to share your pride and "nachas."
Please bring Shabbat to your homes and involve your children in candlelighting, Kiddush, Ha'Motzi and Shabbat and Israeli songs. If you do not know Hebrew, they will guide you from their education at PRTT. Do not be a stranger in our warm and welcoming Shul…attendance creates an important aspect in your future and the socialization of your children.
See you at CBI! Shalom, Ilana Dayan, Education Director
THE PAULINE RIVKIND PRESCHOOL
The month of February, Pauline Rivkind Preschool will celebrate Tu B’Shevat. This is a holiday of nature, the New Year of the Trees. It reminds us that we are all children of the Garden of Eden. Our children at PRPS will concentrate not only on the New Year of the Trees, but also how to preserve what the trees have to offer us. We will be upgrading our recycling program. We will learn about the resources that are renewable and those that are not. We will continue nourishing our vegetable garden, preparing for a Passover harvest! MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Sunday, February 26, 2012 will be the Silent Auction/Pasta Dinner sponsored by the preschool. EVERYONE is invited to attend. Please respond to the flyer include in this month’s bulletin and contact Bonnie Halprin for more information or to make a donation for the Silent Auction
B’shalom! Bonnie Halprin, Preschool Director
The Spring Semester will begin on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Registration forms will be e-mailed out the first week of January. We look forward to a dynamic and exciting course of study for the Spring
Semester, 5772. Classes will meet on Wednesday evenings from
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. All Jewish teenagers are invited – so bring your friends!
Spring Semester course offerings and instructors are:
1) MISHNA BRAHOT II - Rabbi Jacob Luski
2) IT’S A MITZVAH! AND HEBREW CALLIGRAPHY - Rivy Chapman
3) JEWISH LEADERSHIP & HEROISM - Dr. Marc Reiskind
Save the date for Hebrew High Graduation Shabbat: Saturday, March 31,
2012.
HEBREW HIGH SCHOOL
MINYAN KATAN
Shabbat Morning Service for children 5 and younger with their parents.
Saturday,
February 18, 2012 Picture Perfect Purim
Contact Bonnie Halprin for more information.
Sunday, March 18, 2012 Family Passover Program 10:00 m
CBI STUDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN SHABBAT
SERVICES
Each Shabbat morning, children are invited to participate in Congregation Services by leading Ein Keloheinu and Aleinu at the conclusion of Musaf. Please make plans to have your child present at the assigned time. We look forward to hearing our children’s voices raised in song and prayer as they take their places along side all those who continue who make services meaningful, spiritual and successful here at CBI. This month the schedule for participation is as follows: February 4 Grades 3 & 4 February 25 Grade 7
JUNIOR CONGREGATION
All B’nai Israel children, ages 9 to 13, grades 3 through 7, are invited to participate in our special age-appropriate Shabbat Service in the Chapel. Junior Congregation will meet on the following Saturdays in February at 10:00 a.m.: February 4, 11, 25. This is a great time for children to pray with their fellow students.
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YOUTH DEPARTMENT
After a much needed break the kids returned to school in January and activities at CBI. January 28 the Youth Department sponsored Seudah Shlishit and after Havdalah Kadimaniks and USYers boarded a bus for Mystery Bus Trip! The kids had such fun guessing where we were going!
A highlight of every year is Yom Disney when USYers and Kadimaniks from around the southeast spend a day at a Disney theme park. This year, February 18th, nearly 1,000 kids will enjoy a fun filled day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom! What is it that makes a day at Magic Kingdom so unique, so vastly different from any other time you have visited? The answer is simple. Wherever you go you see kids with Kippot and wearing chapter tee shirts. There is a connection that is palatable, even if you do not know the person you just passed. We are all Jewish! We come from different communities but share the same traditions and rich heritage and whether it is conscience or subconscious it feels good.
Please join us Shabbat evening February 17th for USY Alumni Shabbat. Two generational USYers, Karen and Jay Kauffman, along with their son, Joe Kauffman are co-chairing Alumni Shabbat. With the help of Alumni, Jackie Wertel, they will be contacting YOU to participate in services.
USY will be joining the residents at Toby Weinman Assisted Living Residence for Shabbat dinner, February 3. The residents always enjoy having the kids visit and particularly delight in the ruach they bring. After dinner the USYers will participate in Friday evening services.
The Scholarship Committee will meet Wednesday, February 22. Applications must be in by February 15 in order to be considered for a scholarship.
Eleventh and twelfth grade students have been participating in a special program, Israel: Inside/Out. Not only have they had the opportunity each month to mingle with Jewish teens throughout the county, but they are learning about current issues facing Israel today. February 8th CBI will host the program beginning at 6:30 with a light dinner.
B’Shalom, Sandy Brasch Youth and Family Program Director
February Calendar 2/1 7:00 – 9:00 Hebrew High & Mehina 2/3 4:45 – 9:00 USY Dinner at Toby Weinman and USY Shabbat 2/5 9:00 am World Wide Wrap; 12:00 – 1:00 Kadima Board meeting 2/8 6:30 – 9:00 11th & 12 Graders Israel: Inside/Out; 7:00 Hebrew High and Mehina 2/12 9:00 am Feed the Hungry, Perform a Mitzvah 2/15 Scholarship applications due; 7:00 – 9:00 Hebrew High &Mehina 2/17 8:00 USY Alumni Shabbat 2/19 Yom Disney 2/22 6:00-7:00 USY Board Meeting; 7:00-9:00 Hebrew High & Mehina 2/23 4:00 Hebrew High Graduation Photos and Rehearsal
The College Committee will be sending Shalach Manot packages to college students for Purim! Please make sure we have your college & graduate student’s mailing address and e-mail address. If you would like to make a donation to offset some of the expenses of this mailing, please make your check payable to CBI with “college committee” in the subject line. Also if you have an hour or two to help assemble packages to mail, please contact me or Sandy Brasch. Thank you in advance.
Pam LeCompte College Committee Chairperson
COLLEGE CORNER
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ADULT STUDIES
Kosher Cooking with Shelley Lynn: FABULOUS FISH
Sample some new fish dishes and share your favorite recipes with others.
Wednesday, February 1st at 7:00 pm in the CBI Kitchen. For planning purposes, please rsvp to the CBI office.
Hebrew Classes with Ruth Mauer, all beginner levels welcome
6:45 pm Tuesdays, February 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.
Talmud Made Easy, led by Stephen Wein Tuesdays, February 8th and 29th at 7:00 pm in the Buns Family
Library
Torah For Seniors, led by Rabbi Jacob Luski Tuesday, February 14th, at 11:00 am at Philip Benjamin Tower
Activities Room.
CBI - Hadassah Book Discussion Club Wednesday, February 15th at 10:00 am in the Buns Family Library
To discuss: Great House by Nicole Krauss
Lunch With Rabbi Mishna Study & Deli lunch with Rabbi Jacob Luski.
Order for deli lunch order with the CBI Office by noon the day prior to class.
Wednesday, February 16th at 12:00 noon in Silverberg Atrium
Jewish Meditation We will offer 4 introductory sessions on Shabbat morning
in our chapel on Saturday mornings: January 28, February 4, February 25 and March 10 at 9:15 am after which we will join the congregation for the Torah service.
Joyful Prayer: Come and Learn
Join us on Shabbat mornings for an introduction to the Shabbat morning prayer service.
Each session is independent and designed to be a comfortable, informal way for you to learn more about and
personally connect with the prayers in our service. Sessions from 9:15-9:50 am in the Chapel on the following
Shabbatot: February 18, March 17, April 21, May 19 and June 9.
Israel Advocacy The CBI A-Team formation meeting will be held in the Atrium on Sunday, 26 February, at 9:45 am. The A-Team will inform and assist us at CBI to be able to respond to increasing negativity to Israel and to intensifying anti-semitism. We’ll find that many resources are available – it’s the distribution of this information that’s a problem! Each of us has a role in delivering the message – we’ll take the offensive. Please show your support by attending the meeting and joining the A-Team. In mid December, I had the privilege of participating in the first Mercaz Israel Advocacy Seminar. It was an intensive two-day training meeting that provided many contacts and much information to be shared. In case you’re not familiar with Mercaz, please let me explain. Mercaz is the Zionist membership organization of the Conservative Movement. It’s the voice of Conservative Jewry within the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the American Zionist Movement, and the Jewish National Fund. Its goal is to support religious pluralism in Israel and to strengthen the connection between Israel and the Diaspora. Mercaz is expanding its agenda from simply concentrating on “advocacy IN Israel” on behalf of religious pluralism to also including “advocacy FOR Israel”, ie, support in defense of Israel’s right to exist. I encourage you to visit the Mercaz website (www.mercazusa.org). Each of us has the opportunity to become a member of Mercaz USA. If you didn’t check the box on the CBI dues sheet for 2011-12, please contact the CBI office to process your registration (or do it directly on the Mercaz website). You become eligible to vote in matters at the World Zionist Congress. Truly, this is one of the most democratic of our worldwide Jewish organizations. Especially for the issue of pluralism in Israel, USA numbers are critical. A challenge: On a proportional basis, Mercaz Canada far exceeds Mercaz USA in membership. In fact, the USA has only about 1,000 more members than does Canada! Let’s ensure that CBI is counted.
Byron Kolitz The Advocacy for Israel Committee
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BUNS FAMILY LIBRARY
CBI - HADASSAH BOOK DISCUSSION CLUB MEETINGS The CBI-Hadassah Book Clubs will continue to meet monthly on Wednesdays at 10:00 am
in the Buns Family Library for lively discussions of current books.
Date Book Author 2/15/12 Great House Nicole Krauss 3/21/12 To The End Of The Land David Grossman 4/18/12 All Other Nights Dara Horn 5/16/12 The Lazarus Project Aleksander Hemon
If you would like to lead a discussion group, please call Sheila Wasserman at 347- 5816!
BOOK REVIEW: THE ARROGANT YEARS: One Girl’s Searcj for her Lost Youth - From Cairo to Brooklyn
Author: Lucette Lagnado; reviewed by Ruth Lebowitz
Once upon a time, in the 1930’s and ‘40’s, there were 80,000 Jews living in Egypt. The Jewish community, was a vibrant, prosperous, and dynamic element of Egyptian society. The Lagnados were one such prosperous family, the subject of author Lucette Lagnado’s best seller of a few years ago, The Man in The White Sharkskin Suit. For the Jews in Egypt, everything changed after the 1948 war, after the Suez Crisis in 1956, and after the Six-Day War in 1967. The Lagnado family, after hanging on as long as they could with the anti-Semitism of the Nasser regime, finally left Egypt in 1963. In her newest book, The Arrogant Years – One Girl’s Search for her Lost Youth – from Cairo to Brooklyn, Lucette, or LouLou, as everyone called her, describes the experiences of her once-affluent immigrant family after their move to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The title of the book is borrowed from a phrase from F. Scott’s Fitzgerald’s “Tender Is the Night”, in which he wrote about the great arrogant years in the life of a pretty girl; the years defined by an overwhelming sense of possibility, and unshakeable confidence. This book is a memoir of two women….LouLou and her mother, Edith. Some parts of this story are really funny, such as the experiences of LouLou as she enters her arrogant years. Other parts are moving and sad, as her parents grow old, her father contracts Alzheimer’s, and her mother has to enter the Jewish Home for the Aged in Brooklyn. This is a lovely, well written story, by a talented and gifted writer. Lucette Lagnado is an investigative reporter for the Wall Street Journal. In recent years, she has focused her coverage on hospitals and nursing homes, with a special emphasis on the elderly, the poor, and the uninsured.
Both of her books are available from the CBI Buns Family Library.
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FAMILY PROGRAMS
As parents we cherish special moments with our children and are especially pleased when they can be “teaching moments”. Over the next few months CBI programming will provided you with many opportunities for just that. Sunday morning the Mitzvah Men’s Club will join communities throughout the country for the annual World Wide Wrap Feb. 5th. If you have never put on tefillin this is a chance to learn, alongside your children, how to participate in this mitzvah. Boys and girls preparing for Bar or Bat Mitzvah can share this experience with their Mom or Dad. Come at 8:30 am for individualized instruction. Sunday, March 4th you are invited on an adventure. For just $5 a person you can reserve your spot. We will board a bus travel over the beautiful Skyway Bridge to Ruskin where we will visit Hydro Harvest, a hydroponic farm. We will tour the farm and learn about this interesting method of farming. You are welcome to pick and purchase fruits and vegetables. Next stop is the Manatee Viewing Center at the Tampa Electric Company where hundreds of manatees gather in the cooler months. An educator will teach us about these gentle giants and we will have a chance to walk through mangroves on a boardwalk to watch the
manatees and enjoy the view of Tampa Bay. There we will enjoy fresh made strawberry shortcake! Begin now talking to your children about Purim. The story of Purim and its lessons are pertinent to this day. Get your children excited about making a gragger for CBIs most creative contest or about what costume they will wear so they are ready Wednesday evening for Purim Megilla reading and Costume Parade! Of course another highlight is the Purim Carnival, Sunday March 11 at CBI from 12:00 until 2:30 pm. CBI and TBE will once again join together for fun filled day! Each and every week we have the chance to create Shabbat memories. Friday evening, March 23rd, join us for Musical Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 pm followed by “Got Shabbat?” dinner. I hope you will choose to join us for one or all of these Family Programs!
B’Shalom,
Sandy Brasch, Youth and Family Program Director
CBI Website
www.cbistpete.org www.jewishpinellas.org
Todah Rabah to the following volunteers who assisted with the office work and special mailings over the past month:
Marian Lustigman Rooth
Carol Marcin
Sally Swale
Helen Wertel
Jermiah Weiner Through their efforts many tasks have been accomplished and their time and assistance are greatly appreciated. Our apologies to anyone we may have inadvertently omitted. If you would like to do volunteer work, please call the synagogue office at 381-4900.
THANK YOU TO OUR
VOLUNTEERS
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LIFE CYCLE EVENTS
Mazal Tov To: BIRTHS: Mrs. Shoshana Russek on the birth of twin great-grandsons, Joel
and Zalman. Dr. Loren & Yardena Isakson and Robert & Carolyn Isakson on the
birth of their daughter and granddaughter, Nili Hasya Isakson.
We share in the
sorrow of the passing of:
WILLIAM WOLFSON
Brother of Bette Schroeder & Harold Wolfson
HELEN RUSSON Mother of Patricia Levenson
Looking for a special way to honor your family and
friends who are celebrating a simha?
The TREE OF LIFE is just the answer. What a joy it is for someone to walk into our shul and see a Tribute of their special
birthday, anniversary or wedding.
Does your child or grandchild have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or special occasion coming up? What a great way to honor them!
Also makes a great “group gift” for a special occasion. Order forms are in the synagogue office and lobby.
Minimum donation $254.
LIFE CYCLE EVENTS
BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL TRIPS - Summer 2012 REGISTRATION
USCJ Taglit-Birthright Israel provides a gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26 from around the world. Taglit Birthright Israel is a unique partnership between private philanthropists through The Birthright Israel Foundation; the people of Israel through the Government of Israel; and Jewish communities around the world. Registration for Summer 2012 trips opens on February 15, 2012 at 10:00 am ET, online at: www.BirthrightIsrael.com. If you applied in the past, you will have access to early registration on February 14, 2012 at noon ET. You must log in with the user name (email) and password you previously registered under.
Birthright Israel Excel: Apply Now! Elite Fellowship Program for Business-Oriented Students
A high-level business fellowship/internship program for this summer. Selected candidates who meet the program's qualifications will be placed at Israel’s top global companies for a 10-week fellowship. The application for the 2012 Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship is now available and will remain open until February 26, 2012. To register or If you are interested in learning more about this program, visit www.BirthrightIsraelExcel.com.
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Please patronize
our advertisers
Do you want to
place an ad? Call Pam Askin
Call 381-4900 ext 203 St. Petersburg Chapter
Come join us! For membership information
please contact:
Susan Kagan – Membership VP
727-347-3243
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2 Jesse & Sandi Rodman 5 Bruce & Mary Ann Marger 7 Alan & Elaine Kay 10 Louis & Yolette Frey 11 Dr. Ben Ami Braun & Anita Braun-Luria 13 Richard & Chana Olmstead 14 Ed & Eileen Silverstein 14 Fred & Diane Friedman 17 Robert & Sheryl Sutton 19 Dr. Frank & Kathy Mendelblatt 22 Richard & Ruth Erman 26 Thomas & Carol Epstein
In Honor of: ________________________________
Check the names of everyone to you would like to send a Mitzvah Gram. Send this form together with your check, minimum $10 donation each, to: Congregation B’nai Israel, 300 58th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 *The minimum donation per acknowledgement is $10. Please print:
Your Name: ______________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________
City, _____________________________Zip: __________________
Telephone: ______________
Join us in wishing Mazal Tov! to members celebrating their birthdays, anniversaries and B’nai Mitzvah. Your good
wishes can be part of their memories, while at the same time, supporting B’nai Israel’s commitment to help our
schools, youth groups and Synagogue through your donations to our Mitzvah Fund.
1 Masha Ronay 2 Dolores Diamond 2 Edward Ginsberg 3 Joseph Fuchs 3 Dr. Sheldon Scheinert 4 Sue Applefield 5 Michael Noonberg 8 Fred Geffon 8 Terri S. Gross 9 Bill Dolgoff 9 Carol Epstein 11 Marilyn Goldberg 11 Ed Bailey 12 Patricia Adelson 12 Ellen LeVine 12 Jennifer Levy 13 Marian Lustigman Rooth 13 Eileen Richman 13 Michael Lurie 14 Leah Sandler
14 Beverly Sherman 15 Rony David 16 Dr. Starr Silver 16 Dean Hershkowitz 17 Livia Wein 19 Mark Howard 21 Jeffrey Litt 23 Sara Latham 24 Charlotte Goldberg 25 Vivian Neumann 25 Dr. Mark Sokolov 26 Yardena Isakson 27 Dr. Maury Seldin 27 Rosalind Litt 27 Erica Pstmas 28 Mark Alperstein 28 Millie Gelfond 28 Tertia Kunins 28 Beverly Levine
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY SHABBAT SATURDAY, February 18st , 2012
9:00 AM
February
CELEBRATE YOUR FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARY
SHABBAT FRIDAY, February 24th, 2012
8:00 PM
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DONATIONS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2011
Adult Studies In Memory of
Vera Green I. J. Silverstone
Library Fund In Memory of
Ruth Lebowitz Jack Lebowitz
Library Music Fund In Memory of
Vivian & Dr. Ed Lurie Betty Elias
Minyan Fund In Memory of
Rhoda & Lenny Bader Louis Dubinsky
Mitzvah Fund In Honor of
Marilyn Benjamin Engagement of Joel Berman to Cari Englander
Larry Shane Aliya
Marilyn Benjamin Happy 85th Birthday to Dotty Goldblatt
Thelma & Jerry Gilbert "Women of Distinction Honorees":
Adele Morris, Kitty Jacobs, Marilyn LeVine,
Ellen Bernstein, Dr. Starr Silver, Anita Helfand
Lucille Ginsburg "Women of Distinction Honorees":
Adele Morris, Kitty Jacobs, Marilyn LeVine,
Ellen Bernstein, Dr. Starr Silver, Anita Helfand
Susie & Alan Schwartz Woman of Distinction Honor for CBI Sisterhood,
Anita Helfand
Birth of Diane & Shelly Kamins' granddaughter,
Hazel Ruby
Engagement of Joel Berman to Cari Englander
Gift & Craft Show Committee for all their hard work
Marvin & Lee Leibson Bar Mitzvah of Marc LeVine
Cyndi Bond Engagement of Joel Berman to Cari Englander
Anita Sher Happy 85th Birthday to Dotty Goldblatt
Arthur & Bebby Marlin Misheberah for Aaron Wein
Mariene Vasquez Happy Hanukka to Pam Wittner
Larry & Vera Green Happy Anniversary to Charlotte & Harold Goldberg
Vicki York In appreciation to CBI members for being so kind
Audrey Kopelman Happy Birthday to Dotty Goldblatt
Mitzvah Fund In Memory of
Ruth Mauer Seymour T. R. Abt
George & Faina Sakovich Khana Sakovich
Jerome Rosenberg Louis Rosenberg
Gloria Diamond Milton Strauss
Adele Morris Lou Dubinsky, Beatrice Mehl
Bill Dolgoff Alfred Dolgoff, Dee Dolgoff
Dr. Larry & Alica Ettinger Joseph Ettinger
Harold Wolfson Jessie Tucker
Rabbi's Fund In Honor of
Jean Giles Wittner Rabbi Luski's Birthday
Jackie Kanner In appreciation
Shirley Sommella Happy Birthday to Pam Askin
Rivka Schechter, Love & Get Well Wishes
Myra & Dr. David Gross Speedy Recovery - Diana Rosin
Shelley Lynn on birth of granddaughter,
Hazel Ruby
Margot & Michael Benstock Happy Birthday to Susie Berman
Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary to Rabbi Jacob
& Joanne Luski
Myrna & Murray Rubin In appreciation
Anita Helfand In appreciation
Rabbi's Fund In Memory of
Marilyn & Dr. Morris LeVine Blanche Ettinger
Lionel Levinson Rachel Levinson
Sharon & Art Schloss Morris Teckler
Dr. & Mrs. Irwin Feinman Fay Feinman, Jeanne Faber
Fred Silverman Rebecca Silverman
Helen Kahan Loved ones
Louis & Yollette Frey In appreciation for all the prayers for our family
Lil & Dr. Sid Grau Harry Grau, Rose Grau
Ed Ginsberg Sam Obnetsky
Lawrence Salzer William Salzer, Reba Salzer
Dr. Nancy Landfish Morris Landfish
Margot & Michael Benstock Barry Augenbraun
Fred & Mali Feld Irwin Schantz
Beverly Dikman Gertrude Berger
Barbara Feinman Emanuel Faber
Anita Sher Otto Weiskopf
Dolores Diamond Bob Diamond
USY Fund In Memory of
Lucille Ginsburg Eva Warga
Audrey Chenkin Rose Chenkin
USY Pilgrimage In Honor of
Diane & Arthur Jay Speedy Recovery - Vivian Neumann
USY Pilgrimage In Memory of
Diane & Art Jay Dr. Jeffrey Jacobson, Garry Freid, Barry Augenbraun
Sheryl Feinman Manuel Fiel
Susie & Ira Berman Max Greif
Gail S. Warren Legacy In Honor of
for Leadership Fund
Jack and Linda Goldfarb Engagement of Joel Berman to Cari Englander
Dr. Stan & Nancy Rosenberg Happy Special Birthday to Dotty Goldblatt
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Rabbi's Fund In Honor of
Jean Giles Wittner Rabbi Luski's Birthday
Jackie Kanner In appreciation
Shirley Sommella Happy Birthday to Pam Askin
Rivka Schechter, Love & Get Well Wishes
Myra & Dr. David Gross Speedy Recovery - Diana Rosin
Shelley Lynn on birth of granddaughter,
Hazel Ruby
Margot & Michael Benstock Happy Birthday to Susie Berman
Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary to Rabbi Jacob
& Joanne Luski
Myrna & Murray Rubin In appreciation
Anita Helfand In appreciation
Rabbi's Fund In Memory of
Marilyn & Dr. Morris LeVine Blanche Ettinger
Lionel Levinson Rachel Levinson
Sharon & Art Schloss Morris Teckler
Dr. & Mrs. Irwin Feinman Fay Feinman, Jeanne Faber
Fred Silverman Rebecca Silverman
Helen Kahan Loved ones
Louis & Yollette Frey In appreciation for all the prayers for our family
Lil & Dr. Sid Grau Harry Grau, Rose Grau
Ed Ginsberg Sam Obnetsky
Lawrence Salzer William Salzer, Reba Salzer
Dr. Nancy Landfish Morris Landfish
Margot & Michael Benstock Barry Augenbraun
Fred & Mali Feld Irwin Schantz
Beverly Dikman Gertrude Berger
Barbara Feinman Emanuel Faber
Anita Sher Otto Weiskopf
Dolores Diamond Bob Diamond
USY Fund In Memory of
Lucille Ginsburg Eva Warga
Audrey Chenkin Rose Chenkin
USY Pilgrimage In Honor of
Diane & Arthur Jay Speedy Recovery - Vivian Neumann
USY Pilgrimage In Memory of
Diane & Art Jay Dr. Jeffrey Jacobson, Garry Freid, Barry Augenbraun
Sheryl Feinman Manuel Fiel
Susie & Ira Berman Max Greif
Gail S. Warren Legacy In Honor of
for Leadership Fund
Jack and Linda Goldfarb Engagement of Joel Berman to Cari Englander
Dr. Stan & Nancy Rosenberg Happy Special Birthday to Dotty Goldblatt
Gail S. Warren Legacy In Memory of
for Leadership Fund
Dr. Stan & Nancy Rosenberg Max Savitsky
Phil & Joan Redisch Benjamin Norotsky
Mike & Sandy Slomka Gary Freid, Max Savitsky
Maj Goddesses!
It's that time of year again ....... place your orders for the 2012 Mah Jongg cards !!! Standard card ......$ 7 Large card ............$ 8 Checks payable to: CBI SISTERHOOD Mail to: SUSAN SCHEINERT 9228 SILVERTHORN RD. LARGO , FL. 33777
Any questions? Contact me at 394.1428 or
PS ........ no order too large or small :-))
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Change Service Requested
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID St. Petersburg, Fl.
Permit # 618
Congregation B’nai Israel B’nai Israel Review 300 -58th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710-7889 Tel: (727) 381-4900 Fax: (727) 344-1307 Website: www.cbistpete.org 24 Hour Telephone Voice Mail
Deadline for March Bulletin, January 20th