Congregation B’nai Jacob

June-July 2009 Sivan-Av 5769  

The President’s Corner

By Dr. Ron Friedman

We have recently read from the Torah the

well-known passage found in the Book of

Leviticus ‘Love thy neighbor as yourself’ and heard the Rabbi meaningfully give several Shabbat D’rashot on this verse. The theme of loving-kindness continued with the reading of the Book of Ruth on the holiday of Shavuot at the end of May. When asked why the Book of Ruth was written, Abba Zaira said (Ruth Rabbah 2) ‘Because of loving-kindness; to teach how greatly G-d rewards those who do kindness.’ The attribute of kindness – chesed - is considered

Mitchell Kornspan, Rabbi Shabbat Services Ron Friedman, President

Weekly Portion: Naso Earliest CL 7:36pm/CL 8:50pm Friday June 5th Scholar In Residence 7:00pm and Services 8:00pm Havdalah: 9:52pm Saturday June 6th Services 9:15am Scholar In Residence 1:00pm

Weekly Portion: Beha’alotecha Earliest CL 7:39pm/CL 8:54pm Havdalah: 9:56pm Saturday June 13th Services 9:15am Torah Class 1:00pm

Weekly Portion: Shelach Earliest CL 7:42pm/CL 8:56pm Havdalah: 9:59pm Saturday June 20th Services 9:15am Torah Class 1:00pm

Weekly Portion: Korach Earliest CL 7:42pm/CL 8:56pm Havdalah:9:59pm Saturday June 27th Services 9:15am Torah Class 1:00pm

Weekly Portion: Chukat/Balak Earliest CL 7:43pm/CL 8:57pm Havdalah 9:58pm Saturday July 4th Services 9:15am Torah Class 1:00pm

Weekly Portion: Pinchas Earliest CL 7:41pm/CL 8:54pm Friday July 10th Services 7:30pm Havdalah: 9:56pm Saturday July 11th Services 9:15am Torah Class 1:00pm

Weekly Portion: Matot/Masei Earliest CL 7:38pm/CL 8:50pm Havdalah: 9:52pm Saturday July 18th Services 9:15am Torah Class 1:00pm

Weekly Portion: Devarim Earliest CL 7:34pm/CL 8:45pm Shabbat Chazon Havdalah: 9:46pm Saturday July 25th Services 9:15am Torah Class 1:00pm

Weekly Portion: Va’etchanan Earliest CL 7:28pm/CL 8:38pm Shabbat Nachamu Havdalah: 9:39pm Saturday August 1st Services 9:15am Torah Class 1:00pm

one of the pillars on which the world is built (Psalms 89:3) and is one of the divine attributes people try to imitate.

If we are commanded to love our neighbor, then how meaningful it must be to love our family, including, by extension, our B’nai Jacob family. When we demonstrate kindness to one another and, indeed, when we work all together as one, it is amazing what we are able to accomplish. The recent fundraiser held at Emmanuel Community Church in the form of an Israeli lunch organized and spearheaded by Iris Fuchs is but one example. Words cannot adequately express the degree of appreciation we have for Iris for her tireless energy and enthusiasm as she saw this event come to reality. In addition, I need to express gratitude to all those members of our B’nai Jacob family who so actively were involved in assisting Iris with this program. And based on the comments received from members of the church, it is safe to say that they were both touched and impressed by the strong turnout and active participation from our synagogue on the day of the fundraiser.

I hope that by us working together and demonstrating acts of kindness towards one another as well as to our ‘neighbors’, we will be even brought closer together as a K’hillah, a community.

I look forward to seeing you at Shabbat services and other community events.

B’shalom. Ron

Rabbi Jacques Cukierkorn will be speaking at Congregation B'nai Jacob as the Harry W. Salon

Foundation Scholar-in-Residence.

He will be speaking Friday evening, June 5th at 7 pm and Saturday, June 6th at 1 pm in the afternoon. Friday evening's topic is They Were Just People. Rabbi Cukierkorn will talk about the remarkable and uplifting stories of Jews in Poland who survived the Shoah with help from non-Jews. In most cases, these stories are based on interviews – in the United States and in Poland – both with survivors and with members of the families who helped them survive. What makes someone willing to risk his or her life to save another? What are the ethics and morals we can learn from these amazing individuals? Saturday afternoon's topic: Cowboys and Indians, Priests and Women of the Night: the Lesser Known Jews of Latin America. Rabbi will share with us the amazing stories of Jews who came to Latin America, many whose Jewish identity had to be hidden in Europe. There Will Be No Friday Evening Services from June 12th- July 31st. Saturday morning services will be held as per usual. Friday evening services will commence on August 7th. If you have a Yahrzeit and need a minyan, please call the Rabbi.

Tisha B’Av Services Remembering the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and other national tragedies in our Jewish experience, we

will read the Book of Aicha (Lamentations) Wednesday evening, July 29th at 9 p.m. and also hold services on

Thursday, July 30th at 7 p.m.

Mazel Tov to Josh Bradley and Adam

Mil ler on their High School graduations. Josh is graduating from South Side High School and going to

Sul l ivan Univers ity in Louisvi l le , KY pursing his cul inary arts degree . Adam is graduating from Wayne High School

and is going direct ly into the Air Force . We wish them the best of luck

in their future endeavors .

Pool and Ice Cream Party August 2nd from 2-5 at

Josh and Donna Tourkow’s. If you need

more information, please call the office.

The unveiling of Rosalie Becker’s monument will be on August 5th at 12:00 at Lindenwood

Cemetery. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the synagogue office.

Thank you to Bruce Merritt for

helping

last month in the cleaning up of the

synagogue grounds.

A big thank you to Annie Appel, Diane Wolf, Bee Siegel, Jan Finkel, Nina Bosell, Mort Schaffer, Mike

Adams, Marc Nusholtz, Rabbi Spanjer, Cassie Martinez and all the children who built and

supported the Lag B ’Omer bonfire. The children had a great time roasting the marshmallows.

Wednesday June 24th will be the Red Cross Blood Drive. Please call them and make

your reservation at 480-8100 to give blood. If you would like to make a donation in honor/memory of someone, please fill out the form and submit it with your check to :

Congregation B’nai Jacob 7227 Bittersweet Moors

Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814 I have enclosed $_________in honor/memory of:__________________________________ From:___________________________________ Fund Preference: Please indicate which fund you prefer to donate to: ___A.J. Ochstein Fund ___Building Fund ___David Siegel Memorial Fund ___General Fund ___Kiddush Fund ___Levy/Levin Endowment Fund ___Library Fund ___Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund ___Seth Horwitz Education Fund ___Simon/Hannah Crell Education Fund ___Sisterhood Nursery Fund ___Torah Maintenance Fund

___Winnick Memorial Garden Fund ___Yahrzeit Fund

Partaking of Parashiot Rebbitzen Penny Kornspan June 6, 2009 / 14 Sivan, 5769 Naso Triennial cycle: B’midar 5:11 – 6:27 The test of the sotah existed within the system as a remedy for a man resentful toward his wife, fearing she had been unfaithful. He took her to the Kohen along with a sacrifice for his anger. The Kohen mixed water with dirt from the floor of the Mishkan; the wife stood before the Kohen, hair uncovered, and she held the meal offering her husband brought. The Kohen explained the bitter water she would drink held deadly consequences if she had been guilty of adultery (she had the option of admitting if she had sinned). The curse in the words was written on a scroll and then dipped into the water (See Mar. 21st column re from where the water was drawn.) If she were innocent, she would have a child. Next are the laws of the Nazir. Anything derived from grapes was forbidden to eat, no haircuts and one could not attend to the dead unless no one else was present, just as for the Kohen Gadol. Upon the completion of the restricted time of being a nazir, a sin offering was required to be brought to the Temple. The triennial cycle concludes with the threefold blessing of the Kohanim, which is incorporated into the Amidah. A pasuk to ponder: … “ ‘So shall you bless the B’nai Yisrael, saying to them:’” 6:23 Rashi on this verse notes “saying to them” illustrates everyone needs to hear the words of the blessing. Some take it to mean one cannot

receive it unless one is quiet to hear it. He also notes the use of runt rather than rcs. The former usually indicates a softer voice, and the Zohar confirms these brachot are to be spoken in a soft voice akin to the tenderness Kohanim use in performing all their duties. Rashi adds the full spelling with the u indicates there is to be no haste, only full concentration during their recital. Here is another example of proper communication for us to contemplate. How we listen is equally important to how we speak. Speech patterns between family members can fall into the familiar, fading into unconscious nods and grunts at times. Let’s try practicing better communication with those we love most. June 13, 2009 / 21 Sivan, 5769 B’haalotecha Triennial cycle: B’midar 9:15 – 10:34 The description of a cloud overhead by day and a pillar of fire by night begins this cycle. B’nai Yisrael knew their course via the stillness or motion. This equated with Hashem telling the people to stay or go, and they were obedient to this instruction. Sometimes they lingered long in a place, while at other times it was merely a stop over for the night. Next the Eternal commands Moshe to make two silver trumpets to be used for calling people together. The trumpets are sounded in diverse patterns to gather various groups of people. Aharon’s sons were assigned this heralding. The instruments are also to be used if Yisrael is pursued by war. Different musical configurations announced the festivals and new moon. Residing in the same area for nearly a year, they ready themselves to leave. Dismantling the Mishkan was entrusted to three groups: the sons of Merari, the sons of Gershon and the sons of Kehath. The tribal leaders names are listed and the conversation turns to Moshe asking Yitro to continue to stay with them, as he believed they were about to enter Canaan. The cycle ends much as it began telling us the cloud of Hashem was over them as they traveled. A pasuk to ponder: “On a day of your gladness, on your festivals and on your new moons, you shall sound the trumpets …” 10:10 Pesach and Shavuot are past and I ask myself with how much joy did I greet them? Pesach is so exciting; it can be easy to get caught up in

the joy if you don’t allow insanity to reign in your home. But Shavuot is almost humble. Even though we counted the 49 days, some nights we had little enthusiasm. Plus, when the day arrived, our tables held simple dairy meals. And we can’t always keep awake during the Tikun. Yet these were the days of trumpet blasts and great joy. In a few days we will celebrate the New Moon for Tammuz – another time for bliss. We are taught the Shechina can reside only in a joyful heart. Judaism has so many occasions for joy. If you missed one for whatever reason, embrace and celebrate the next, with or without trumpets. June 20, 2009 / 28 Sivan, 5769 Shelah Lecha Triennial cycle: B’midar 14:8 – 15:7 The twelve spies returned; ten gave an evil report and only two gave a fair account based upon their understanding. We are told: if G-d desires it to be, we will be in the Land flowing with milk and honey and there is no need to fear the people living there. The Eternal is upset with the people believing the evil report from the ten spies, and He suggests destroying B’nai Yisrael and creating a new nation via Moshe. Moshe speaks to Hashem re the importance of His honor and how this destruction would be cause for denial of His power, if His people were slain there in the desert. Moshe then seems to remind G-d of His Thirteen Attributes spoken after the sin of the golden calf. At this point G-d forgives them, punishment not withheld, and the unworthy people among them will not enter the Land. They were to wander a year for each day the spies were in the Land. After being given this news, a change of heart comes over them and they decided to enter into battle, doing so regardless that Moshe warned them against the plan. The defeat was abysmal. The next verses explain the oleh, offerings to be brought once they did enter Canaan in the future. The wine offering is mentioned also. A pasuk to ponder: “‘Like the number of days you spied out the land, forty days, a day for each year shall you bear your sins…”’ 14:34 This may be (antrophmorically) the angriest picture in the Torah we have of Hashem, based upon what happens. Some see this as a natural

reaction against repeatedly refusing to obey instruction. Rashi gives a key to this: in Shmot 32:34 “‘In the day when I punish, (i.e. the sin of the spies) I will punish their sin (i.e. the sin of the golden calf)…”’ So there is a double punishment noting sins is plural here in 14:34. but The Midrash comes to give us comfort; perhaps this is not so harsh after all. Forty years are an opportunity for all to learn and deeply immerse themselves in Torah before beginning the task of nation building. For once they entered the Land, Torah learning might have been secondary to working the Land. As usual, there is always a miracle in Hashem’s decisions! Bad day? Look for the blessing. June 27, 2009 / 5 Tammuz, 5769 Korach Triennial cycle: B’midar 16:20 – 17:24 Korach gathered the community together. G-d tells Moshe and Aharon to separate from him, as he was about to be destroyed. Moshe warns all to stay clear of the rebels and their things because of the imminent ruin. His speech is clear: if Korach dies of natural consequences – he (Moshe) wasn’t sent by Hashem. If he dies via the earth swallowing him – it is a sign that he is G-d’s servant. The earth does open, and his men who had been offering incense were consumed by fire, but their fire-pans were to be used for a holy purpose. The copper would cover the Altar and serve as a reminder - none but the Kohanim were to engage in this activity. Witnessing all of this did not stop some from continued complaint against Moshe and Aharon, and understanding their roles. Next the plague to destroy those guilty comes about and is quelled through the incense Aharon offers. Afterwards, each of the tribes brings a staff with their names engraved on them. Aharon’s staff not only blossoms, it produced ripe almonds the next day after spending the evening together with all the staffs in the Tent of Testimonies. Moshe brings the staffs out of the tent and all witnessed the event. The owners of each staff take his, and for the moment there is quiet. A pasuk to ponder: “The entire assembly of B’nai Yisrael complained against Moshe and Aharon, saying, ‘You have killed the people of Hashem.’” 17:6

Ibn Ezra tells us that the people, regardless of what they saw, did not believe Korach was wrong in his complaint against Moshe regarding the role of the priesthood falling solely to Aharon and his sons. Ramban tells us that the people accused Moshe of tricking Korach’s followers into offering unauthorized incense to ensure their deaths. While this is not good, one

thing is clear – the people wanted to have the priesthood relationship with Hashem that was being taken away from them. Judaism is not / was not a ‘democracy;’ western minds don’t always respond well to this notion. Great honor comes from greater responsibility. There is a Higher Order. How good are you at recognizing and tapping into It.

June Birthdays 6 Steve Sarratore 8 Morton Schaffer 12 Jacob Crell 13 Eve Farber 15 Danny Rifkin 17 Lazette Selan 19 Diana Wyman 20 Ted Levy 21 Adam Trauner 22 Keith Roberts 23 Sandra Brateman 24 Jewel Hammond 25 Nola Katinsky 28 Eden Fuchs 30 Kiel Bosell

July Birthdays 5 Alex Martinez 6 Rebecka Roberts 9 Jacob Current 10 Adam Miller 10 Shelah Shaw 11 Sarah Jo Shaw 11 Niesie Shulkin 12 Zoe Zefo 14 Bradley Finkel 17 Ann Droegmyer 17 Iris Fuchs 21 Ron Miller 25 Kyle Shaw 27 Lior Ben-Yehoshua 29 Dr. Matthew Farber

June Anniversaries 12 Dr. Jere and Arlene Leib 15 Ted and Bessie Levy 16 Marvin and Harriet Crell 16 Dr. Ron and Pam Friedman 16 Kyle and Sarah Shaw 17 Ron and Vicki Goltz 22 Dan and Lisa Bradley 22 Steve and Jan Sarratore 27 Yuval and Iris Fuchs

July Anniversaries

7 Ben and Sharon Eisbart 12 Melvin and Margot Krel 17 Keith and Debby Roberts

Bar/Bat Mitzvah June and July Anniversaries

Rhonda Gerson-Hurwitz Naso Ann Droegmyer Naso Sarah Jo Shaw Naso Lee Blumenthal Naso Saloman Borenstein Naso Mort Schaffer Naso Sidney Sheray Beha’alotecha Robert Sheray Beha’alotecha Heidi Schwartzberg Beha’alotecha Bradley Finkel Shelach Lazette Selan Shelach Michael Brown Korach Aaron Ochstein Chukat-Balak Michael Brateman Pinchas Michael Dicker Pinchas Stephen Russ Pinchas Alan Levine Pinchas Morris Kanter Devarim

June/July Congregational Donations Rabbi  Discretionary  Fund  

     Anonymous  Donation    In  memory  of  Gean  Rihm                          Bee  Siegel    Sisterhood  Kiddush  Fund  In  honor  of  the  ladies  of  the  kitchen  brigade                Anonymous  Donation    Building  Fund  In  memory  of  Irene  Schwartz                          Elsa  Jakob    Winnick  Memorial  Garden  Fund  In  memory  of  David  Winnick    

                                                                                       Edward  and  Kris  Winnick    

Torah  Maintenance  Fund                                  Yehuda  

 In  memory  of  Samuel  Zaslawsky                                    Adolph  and  Adrienne  Brateman    In  honor  of  the  grounds  clean  up  crew                                                Anonymous  Donation    In  memory  of  Samuel  Brateman                                    Adolph  and  Adrienne  Brateman          Yahrzeit  In  memory  of  Jennie  Weisman              Linda  Snitzer          In  memory  of  Max  Weisman                                                        Linda  Snitzer                In  memory  of  Daryoush  Boudaie          Issac  Boudaie   June and July Yahrzeits   Sivan June Irving Zeal 10 1-2 Jacob Kaplan 11 2-3 Ann Levy 11 2-3 Getel Himelstein 12 3-4 Samuel Weiner 12 3-4 Harry Slutsky 12 3-4 Peter Bronstein 12 3-4 Danny Levin 13 4-5 Rae Lipp 14 5-6 Mitchell Bronstein 15 6-7 Kate Dicker 15 6-7 Rabbi Price 16 7-8 Rose Gibson 16 7-8 Esther Smith 16 7-8 Norma Trauner 16 7-8 David Altheide 16 7-8 Isador Vigran 17 8-9 Pearl Marks 17 8-9 Beryl Novitsky 18 9-10 Abraham Brateman 18 9-10 Louis Siegel 18 9-10 Max H. Leib 19 10-11 Jean Fishbein 20 11-12 Issac Schwartz 20 11-12 Yitzchok Falk 21 12-13 Etta Zussman 21 12-13 Ann Golder 21 12-13 Joseph Finkelstein 22 13-14 Becky Weinberg 22 13-14 Florence Weinberg 22 13-14 Ruth Davis 22 13-14 Nathan Dull 24 15-16 Tillie L. Speyer 24 15-16 Samuel Schecter 27 18-19 Abe Magazine 27 18-19 Solomon Gabe 27 18-19 Philip Kaplan 28 19-20 Robert Goldstein 29 20-21

Otto Gartner 30 21-22 Jack Komisarow 30 21-22 Tammuz June Klara Goldfarb 1 22-23 Louis Schefman 1 22-23 Stephen Mirman 1 22-23 Morris Hyman 1 22-23 Eleanor Schwartz 2 23-24 Toba Baum 3 24-25 Ruth Henzel 3 24-25 Ada Rothberg 3 24-25 Dr. Naf Gladstone 3 24-25 Andy Kollman 5 26-27 Louis Levin 6 27-28 Sigfried Schmitz 8 29-30 Sam Herman 8 29-30 Nathan Stoller 8 29-30 Joel Bass 9 30-1 Tammuz July Anne Doran 11 2-3 Irving E. Appel 11 2-3 Oscar Eisbart 12 3-4 Maurice Cohen 12 3-4 Sarah Gerber 14 5-6 Louis Novitsky 14 5-6 Harry Marlin 14 5-6 Edward Finkel 14 5-6 Don Sewell 14 5-6 Julius Saffron 15 6-7 Betty Saul 15 6-7 David Block 15 6-7 Walter Weinstein 16 7-8 Abraham Field 16 7-8 Owen Miller 17 8-9 Betty Fischer 17 8-9 Jack Golder 17 8-9 Dr. Hyman Cohen 17 8-9 Ben Kelman 18 9-10 Jeanette Sposeep 19 10-11 Albert Smith 19 10-11 Abraham Metzger 19 10-11 Norma Levin 19 10-11 Meyer Levin 20 11-12 Isadore Berkowitz 20 11-12 Jacques Tourkow 20 11-12 David Auerbach 20 11-12 Adolph Weigler 23 14-15 Freida Friedman 23 14-15 Gulian Friedman 23 14-15 Leah Babich 23 14-15 Israel Kaplansky 25 16-17 Raoul Roderick 26 17-18 Kalman Beck 27 18-19 Herman Fischer 27 18-19 Celia Masursky 27 18-19 Issac Kretzman 27 18-19 Alfred Bronstein 28 19-20 Av July Charles Samet 1 21-22 Rose Rothberg 1 21-22 Sidney Rouda 3 23-24 Rose Portman 3 23-24

Minnie Sposeep 4 24-25 Susan Cohen 4 24-25 Issac Hoffman 5 25-26 Molly Bronstein 6 26-27 Aaron Kravitz 7 27-28 Louis Levin 7 27-28 Natalie Duckor 7 27-28 Mary Siegel 7 27-28 Anne Kurzner 7 27-28 Claude K. Lee 8 28-29 Alfred Stoller 8 28-29

Zalman Sposeep 9 29-30 Harry Bossell 10 30-31 Louis H. Saul 10 30-31 Hyman Komisarow 10 30-31 Alex Honig 10 30-31

Congregation B’nai Jacob Non Profit Organization 7227 Bittersweet Moors Drive U.S. Postage Paid Fort Wayne, IN 46814 Fort Wayne, IN (260) 672-8459 Permit 1402 www.bnaijacobfw.org bnaijacob@verizon.net Rabbi Mitchell Kornspan President Ron Friedman 1st Vice President Mike Adams 2nd Vice President Dan Bradley Recording Secretary Susie Miller Financial Secretary Estelle Greenberg Co Treasurer Donna Tourkow Co Treasurer Mort Schaffer Past President David Bussell Past President Josh Tourkow Past President Matt Farber Board Members Arlene Leib Paula Adams Marc Nusholtz Yuval Fuchs Pam Friedman Dan Appel David Miller Janet Finkel

Salon Foundation Disperses Tzedakah The Salon Foundation grants a id to St . Andrews Soup Kitchen, The Associat ion of Churches Food

Bank, St Vincent Vil lage, The Interfai th Hospita l i ty Network and the Fort Wayne Jewish Federat ion. The foundation expressed i ts desire to g ive substant ia l tzedakah to these worthy inst i tut ions .