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Volume 10, Issue 6 June 2017 7 Sivan - 6 Tammuz 5777 CONGREGATION OF MOSES • Kalamazoo, Michigan
CoM bulletin
www.congregationofmoses.org www.facebook.com/congregationofmoses VISIT US!
By Congregation President, Michelle Angel In past generations, the synagogue was viewed as an extension of one’s family. The relationships that congregants had with one another was the very glue of the Jewish community, and the synagogue was its hub. But now, societal norms have moved away from an attitude of participation and support for one’s religious community to the more egocentric, “what’s in it for me?” Recent generations seem to increasingly prefer the option of not affiliating with synagogue life and Jewish community.
Over the years, our Congregation of Moses family has been affected by these societal changes, but our congregation has also been affected by our recent efforts to adapt to a changing environment – change.
One of the goals of CoM is that of growing, energizing and engaging the membership. Our synagogue is always looking to grow; that desire never takes a back seat. Over the past two years, leadership has spent time reimagining the way we operate in order to reenergize our community. It is my desire to focus on engaging our membership, so that we may reconnect, rekindle and/or repair these relationships and recognize that it is these positive bonds that encourage people to engage.
There has certainly been a plethora of changes here at CoM recently. Big ones! Need a reminder? Reread the annual reports from the RAC and Religious School Committees to refresh your memories. Depending on who is asked, these changes are arguably viewed as both positive and negative, but many are seen as uncomfortable and to some of our congregants, even downright threatening.
Change is a strange thing. It turns the familiar into the foreign and the comfortable into the stressful. The stresses of change often lead to anxiety, followed by sadness, anger, resentment and withdrawal from the very people who used to provide comfort. I have witnessed our communal discomfort and anxiety. I have heard your concerns of “too much, too quickly.” I understand your frustration.
To our members who feel like nothing is familiar anymore, and your way of resolving that feeling has been to pull back and stop participating, I say that it is familiarity that breeds comfort, not avoidance. It is my opinion that both time and resolute involvement are the healers of the anxiety of change.
• The more we show up, the more familiar we will become. • The more familiar we are, the more comfortable we will become.
The Power of “Re”
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSalways welcomes comments from CoM congregants and invites you to attend its regular board meetings, typically held the first Tuesday of each month. Minutes of board meetings are available upon request from the synagogue office.
Executive CommitteePresident Michelle Angel 321-9090 [email protected] Vice-President Brad Hershbein (617)967-3093 [email protected] Vice-President Maxine Berke (978)761-8212 [email protected] Stephen Grode 598-1465 [email protected] Connie Bowman 383-3403 [email protected] Past President Beth Grode [email protected] President Tema Lando [email protected]
Synagogue Staff
Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski [email protected]
Rabbi Emeritus Harvey Spivak [email protected]
Religious School Director Tova Schreiber [email protected]
Office Manager Shirley Mengel [email protected]
Building Manager Rod Anderson [email protected]
CONG
REGA
TION
OF M
OSES
26
9.34
2.54
63
The CoM bulletin is published monthly by the Congregation of Moses for the benefit of its members. The deadline for submitting articles, photos and ads is the 18th of each month, for publication the following month. Please send submissions to both the editor, at [email protected] and assistant editor, at [email protected].
• The more comfortable we are, the more we are willing to be involved. • The more involved we are, the more our community will succeed and thrive.
That is why I wish to diminish the anxiety of change by rekindling the spirit of community and Yiddishkeit that have historically been the cornerstones of CoM. But this will take a renewed effort on your part so that CoM becomes and remains the place that you want it to be.
In order for the Congregation of Moses to succeed at being welcoming, nurturing and vibrant as well as being an active Jewish community, it is imperative that every member participates. And this success relies on relationships! They are the glue which holds the congregation together.
The leadership and I cannot rekindle these relationships alone. I am asking each and every member to:
• Reassess what you wish to see in your Kehillah Kedoshah and share that vision with leadership. • Reaffirm that you are willing to work with the entire congregation to make that vision come to fruition. • Refocus your resolve to recommit yourself to doing the necessary work of assuring CoM’s future. • Redirect the anxieties of change toward the business of committee tasks that keep our congregation operational. • Be responsible for reinvesting your time. When asked to help with or join in a project, please answer with a resounding “YES.” • Remember to be respectful of those serving our congregation. They too are volunteers.
Each of the actions I’ve mentioned addresses the relationships that we create and enjoy with one another. The stronger and more positive our relationships, the more we look forward to coming to the synagogue to interact. I promise that once you become actively engaged and involved in your synagogue, things will no longer be unfamiliar or uncomfortable. You will have become a renewed, refreshed and reengaged member of the Congregation of Moses.
So please join me as we Recommit. Re-jew-venate. Repeat.
Michelle
Yes!
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Shabbat scheduleFRIDAY June 2 6:30 p.m. Board Installation Announcements: Michelle Angel SATURDAY June 3 9:30 a.m. Torah: Numbers 4:21-5:10 Michelle Angel Haftarah: Judges 13:2-13:25 Joanne Simon Announcements: Judy Davis-Rosenthal FRIDAY June 9 7:30 p.m. Katelyn Koss Bat Mitzvah Announcements: The Koss Family SATURDAY June 10 9:30 a.m. Katelyn Koss Bat Mitzvah Torah: Numbers 8:1-9:14 Rabbi Spivak Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 Katelyn Koss Announcements: Michelle Angel
FRIDAY June 16 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Lowell Seyburn
SATURDAY June 17 9:30 a.m. Torah: Numbers 13:1-14:7 Judah Ari-Gur Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-2:24 Bruce Stein Announcements: Mike Tenenbaum
FRIDAY June 23 6:30 p.m. Maddie Strauss Bat Mitzvah Announcements: The Srauss Family SATURDAY June 24 9:30 a.m. Maddie Strauss Bat Mitzvah Torah: Numbers 16:1-17:15 Rabbi Spivak Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24 Maddie Strauss Announcements: Michelle Angel FRIDAY June 30 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Tema Lando SATURDAY July 1 9:30 a.m. Aufruf for Jen Rubin and Jack Behar Torah: Numbers 19:1-20:13 Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO CHANT TORAH AND HAFTARAH. Please contact Judah Ari-Gur.
Bracha for candle lighting
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech
haolam asher kideshanu bemitsvotav
vetzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
June 2 8:54 p.m.
June 9 8:59 p.m.
June 16 9:03 p.m.
June 23 9:05 p.m.
June 30 9:05 p.m.
Shabbat candle lighting times
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June 2017SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
1Shavuot Services 9:30 am; Synagogue Office closed
2Board Installation 6:30 pm
3
4 5 6 Joint Board Mtg. 7:30 pm
7 8 9Katelyn Koss Bat Mitzvah, 7:30 pm
10Katelyn Koss Bat Mitzvah
11Men’s Club Mtg. 10 am
12 Sisterhood Luncheon, noon, Martell’s
13Calendar Mtg, 7:00 pm
14 15 16 17
18Bulletin deadline 8 pm
19Camp Keshet ; Hadassah Book Club 7:30 pm
20Camp Keshet; Executive Committee Mtg. 7:30 pm
21Camp Keshet
22Camp Keshet
23Camp Keshet;Maddie Strauss Bat Mitzvah, 6:30 pm
24Maddie Strauss Bat Mitzvah
25 26Camp Keshet Day Camp at Camp Tavor, 8 am-4 pm
27Camp Keshet Day Camp at Camp Tavor, 8 am-4 pm
28Camp Keshet Day Camp at Camp Tavor, 8 am-4 pm
29Camp Keshet Day Camp at Camp Tavor, 8 am-4 pm
30Camp Keshet Day Camp at Camp Tavor, 8 am-4 pm; Shabbat Over-night weekend @ Camp Tavor
PAGE 5
July 2017SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
1Aufruf of Jen Rubin and Jack Behar;Shabbat Overnight Weekend @ Camp Tavor
2Shabbat Overnight Weekend @ Camp Tavor
3 Camp Keshet
4 Camp Keshet
5 Camp Keshet
6 Camp Keshet
7 Camp Keshet
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18Bulletin Deadline
19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
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June 2, 3 (9 Sivan – 15 Sivan)
Harry Field Joyce Fisher* Goldie Fogel
Ida Kazanovitz Rose Lando King* Dora Kirschner*
Irving Lando* Jack Levene* Harry Okun*
Sarah Oshinsky Mina Blum Seidler* Meyer Turndorf
Diana Zheutlin* Aron Ziv*
June 9, 10 (16 Sivan – 22 Sivan)
Ida Becker* David Berkowitz Norman D. Bowman*
Samuel Joshua Felix Moses J. Graff* Murray S. Gubin*
David Hyman* Kate Jaffee Norman Kirschner
Robert Pereless Gerald Pryweller* Morris Stulberg
Marilyn Zheutlin
June 16, 17 (23 Sivan – 29 Sivan)
Herman Davidoff* Recia Deutsch Sylvia Goldman*
Pauline Grekin Zelda Handelsman* Sadye Hyman*
Louis Levene* Hilde M. Nadelman* Louis Rose
Yaffa Sasson Samuel Schensul* Gertrude Braufman Stein*
Alfred R. Thea* Sara Lee Weisman* Morris Willage*
June 23, 24 (30 Sivan – 6 Tammuz)
Ruthe Bernard* Arthur Paul Felix Izidor Freiwald*
Bernice Friedman* Dorotha I. Goldstein* Thelma Lipsitt
Miriam Roodin* Sidney Seyburn* Gloria Stein
Paula Strauss*
June 30, July 1 (7 Tammuz – 13 Tammuz)
Marsha Abrams Siegfried Baum* Bernard Kurlan*
Pauline Kushner* Sadye Rosenbaum* Betty Ruden
Leah Schensul* Dorothy B. Slavin* Ruth Sofen*
Edith Stenesh Siegfried Strauss*
* Denotes a memorial plaque in the synagogue
YAHRZEITS
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GENERAL FUND Mazel Tov to Alan Cohen on his “Special Birthday.” Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 97th birthday. Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on their “special anniversary.” Wishing Sandy Rose a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Ken Goodman and family on the passing of his uncle, Daniel Goodman. Shirley Wise, Joanne & Mike Simon, Tamara & Earl Norman, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Beth & Stephen Grode, Men’s Club, Emily Freed & Brad Hershbein, Cindy & Larry Beer, Diane & Harvey Fogel
Condolences to Marc Schupan and family on the passing of his sister, DanaWardlaw. Diane & Harvey Fogel, Cindy & Larry Beer, Men’s Club, Joanne & Mike Simon, Emily Freed & Brad Hershbein, Beth & Stephen Grode, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Tamara & Earl Norman, Shirley Wise, Carolyn & Brad Kennedy
BUILDING FUND Mazel Tov to Alan Cohen on his “Special Birthday.” Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on their “special anniversary.” Wishing Sandy Rose a complete and speedy recovery. Valerie & Ken Eisenberg, Sallie & Ken Goodman, Maxine & Neal Berke
Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 97th birthday. Sallie & Ken Goodman, Maxine & Neal Berke, Valerie & Ken Eisenberg, Shirley Grekin
Wishing Beth Grode, Earl and Tamara Norman a Happy Birthday. Maxine & Neal Berke
Condolences to Marc Schupan and family on the passing of his sister, DanaWardlaw. Sallie & Ken Goodman, Maxine & Neal Berke, Valerie & Ken Goodman, Joshua & Pamela Weiner, Shirley Grekin
MAZEL TOV TO: Alan Cohen on his “special birthday” Rosalie Halpert on her 97th birthday Betty and Joe Hirschfield on their “special anniversary”
CONDOLENCES TO: Marc Schupan and family on the passing of his sister, DanaWardlaw Ken Goodman and family on the passing of his uncle, Daniel Goodman
SPEEDY RECOVERY WISHES TO: Sandy Rose
Donations have been made to the following tzedaka funds
Mishpacha
PAGE 8
Mishpacha (continued)
Condolences to Ken Goodman and family on the passing of his uncle, Daniel Goodman. Maxine & Neal Berke, Valerie & Ken Eisenberg
Condolences to the family of Selma Price on her passing. Condolences to the family of Evelyn Pryweller on her passing. Joshua & Pamela Weiner
Condolences to Irene Abraham and family on the passing of her mother, Ruth Terry Abraham. Condolences to Norma Beatriz and family on the passing of her stepfather, Ray Boyd. Valerie & Ken Eisenberg
Condolences to the family of Ria Szmuszkovicz on her passing. Shirley Grekin
MARVIN AND ROSALIE OKUN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Mazel Tov to Alan Cohen on his “Special Birthday.” Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 97th birthday. Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on their “special anniversary.” Wishing Sandy Rose a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Marc Schupan and family on the passing of his sister, DanaWardlaw. Condolences to Ken Goodman and family on the passing of his uncle, Daniel Goodman. Judy & Lowell Seyburn, The Fischell Family
HERMAN AND ROSE FISHER LIBRARY FUND Mazel Tov to Alan Cohen on his “Special Birthday.” Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 97th birthday. Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on their “special anniversary”. Wishing Sandy Rose a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Marc Schupan and family on the passing of his sister, DanaWardlaw. Condolences to Ken Goodman and family on the passing of his uncle, Daniel Goodman. Marilyn & Art Feinberg
A library book “The Language of Angels” was purchased in memory of Ria Szmuszkovicz. Allison & Marty Gall
JOYCE AND MORTON FISHER KITCHEN/KIDDUSH/ONEG FUND Thank you to all who came to visit, prepared meals and made contributions to the synagogue for my speedy recovery. Your kindness was much appreciated! Liz Thall
Mazel Tov to Alan Cohen on his “Special Birthday.” Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 97th birthday. Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on their “special anniversary”. Wishing Sandy Rose a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Ken Goodman and family on the passing of his uncle, Daniel Goodman. Michelle & Alan Angel
PAGE 9
Mishpacha (continued)
Condolences to Marc Schupan and family on the passing of his sister, DanaWardlaw. Michelle & Alan Angel, Fran Raffel, Renay & Marvin Berkowitz
Condolences to the family of Ria Szmuszkovicz on her passing. Fran Raffel
LEVENE CANTOR FUND Mazel Tov to Alan Cohen on his “Special Birthday”. Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 97th birthday. Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on their “special anniversary”. Wishing Sandy Rose a complete and speedy recovery. Condolences to Marc Schupan and family on the passing of his sister, DanaWardlaw. Condolences to Ken Goodman and family on the passing of his uncle, Daniel Goodman. Condolences to Jay Wardlaw and family on the passing of wife and mother, Dana Wardlaw. Rae Lee & Mac Howard
KIKAR PROJECT Condolences to Marc Schupan and family on the passing of his sister, DanaWardlaw. Condolences to Jay Wardlaw and family on the passing of wife and mother, Dana Wardlaw. Gerry & Lee Tregerman
HARRY B. AND LILLIAN M. SOFEN LEARNING CENTER In loving memory of my brother, Ronn Sofen. Nancy Zarnow & Family
YAHRZEIT PLAQUE A Yahrzeit plaque was purchased for Selma Price. By Selma’s Friends
Thank you from the Szmuszkovicz family for the thoughts and kindness we have received, honoring the memory of our mom Ria. Being part of the synagogue community has been very important for our family. We understand the effort and focus it takes to create and sustain that community and are grateful for it. We will honor the legacy of our parents. Daphne, Kathy, Deb and Jackie
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Send Mazel Tov wishes or condolences to fellow CoM members the easy way! You can send unlimited “Mishpacha” cards to members who are celebrating a milestone, are ill or recovering from illness, or grieving the loss of a loved one. For a $400 annual donation to the synagogue for this purpose, the office will send a card to the person or family you want to recognize. In addition, your name will be included in the monthly bulletin as a Mishpacha donor in honor, recognition or in memory of the important occasion. Please contact Shirley Mengel in the office to make arrangements. Your annual donation can begin immediately.
For more information, please call our office at (269)372-4140 or visit childandfamilypsych.com.
Director: Larry Beer, Ed.D.
We offer professional counseling services for adults, teens, children, couples and families in a caring, comfortable setting.
• individual, family, couples and group counseling• psychological testing • substance abuse evaluations• more than 40 licensed psychologists and social workers in Kalamazoo and Portage offices • most insurances accepted
PAGE 11
Kavannah: Knowing Before Whom We Are StandingWhen you pray, do you always have a clear sense of to whom you’re praying? Is it always easy for you to focus? For me, the answer is “no. ”
Why can it be so difficult to get our kavannah, our spiritual focus, in order when we pray? For one, life has a way of interfering. There are bills to pay, jobs to go to, work around the house, and other more stressing matters that have a way of sneaking into our subconscious and occupying our thoughts. As much as we might want some one-on-one time with God, various aspects of our lives have a way of creeping in when we least want to think about them.
There is a story in the Talmud that goes as such:
Our Sages taught: When R. Eliezer became ill, his students came to visit him. They said to him, “Our teacher, teach us the ways of life so that we merit in them life in the World to Come!”
He said to them, “Take care to honor your friends, keep your children from heresy, place your children at the knees of Torah scholars, and when you pray, know before Whom you are standing. In doing as such, you will merit life in the World to Come.” (BT Berachot 28b)
“Know before Whom you are standing”- what does this mean? According to various rabbinic sources, this refers to praying in a mindful fashion, rather than simply by rote. Without kavannah, our liturgy is little more than words in a book. With kavannah, those words are transformed into the vehicle by which we are plugged into the Source of All Life.
Kavannah is such a critical element to prayer that the Kotzker Rebbe once taught “A little prayer with kavannah is better than a lot of prayer without.” In other words, prayer isn’t about quantity, it’s about quality.
During services at CoM, you’ll often hear me say “If you are still davening (praying), please continue to do so at your own pace.” Public prayer isn’t a race to keep up; the only pacesetter for you is you. You decide when your prayer has concluded and you’re ready to move on with the congregation to the rest of the service. Don’t worry about keeping up with everyone else, just go at your own pace and you’ll get there just fine. Prayer is about making a personal connection with God, not just reading the words on the page.
Recently, in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary, Joe and Betty Hirschfield graciously gifted the congregation with the inscription of - “Know before Whom you are standing” - which now hangs above the ark in the sanctuary. The next time you are at services, I invite you to use this powerful teaching in focusing your own kavannah to have a meaningful prayer experience.
When we find ourselves in a moment of kavannah, it is a most wondrous thing. We feel our words in those moments transcending the earthly realm to resonate higher and higher into the divine realm. We enjoy a moment of deep spiritual connection to the Creator, recharging our spiritual batteries to infuse our daily lives with holiness.
Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski
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The Koss family would like to invite members of the Congregation of Moses to Katelyn’s Bat Mitzvah on Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th.
Please join us for an Oneg Shabbat on Friday evening and lunch following services on Saturday.
AufrufPlease join the congregation as we celebrate the upcoming marriage of
Jen Rubin and Jack Behar
Saturday, July 1st. Kiddush luncheon hosted by Kim and Arlen Rubin.
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June celebrations
BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES
The Congregation of Moses wishes mazel tov and yom huledet sameach to our members who are celebrating anniversaries and birthdays this month. If you would like to be included in our monthly recognition of birthdays and anniversaries, please contact Joanne Simon at 324-6054 or [email protected].
6/2 Ken Goodman 6/4 RosaLynn Pollens 6/7 Don Thall 6/7 Hannah Green 6/11 Chelsea Angel has a Special Birthday! Mazel Tov! 6/12 Stacey Rocklin 6/12 Dona Icabone Satir 6/14 Evan Fischel 6/14 Jonathan Fischel 6/15 Larry Beer 6/15 Alfred Blum 6/16 Marvin Berkowitz 6/23 Alyssa Beer 6/25 Arlen Rubin 6/28 Phillip Horwich has a Special Birthday! Mazel Tov! 6/28 Sandra Snyder 6/29 Natalie Spivak 6/30 Rabbi Harvey Spivak
6/5 Paula & Jeremy Szczepanski 6/12 Judy Davis and Al Rosenthal 6/13 Janet Heller & Michael Krischer 6/15 Tema & Robert Lando 6/20 Joanne & Michael Simon 6/20 Shirley & Pete Mengel 6/21 Tamara & Earl Norman 6/29 Genia & Moritz Angel
PAUL F. DAVIDOFFATTORNEY AT LAW
PAUL F. DAVIDOFF, P.C.The Cornerstone Building
405 W. MICHIGAN AVE., SUITE 130P.O. BOX 51066
KALAMAZOO, MI 49005-1066
Telephone: (269) 388-2100 Fax: (269) 388-5454e-mail: [email protected]
PAGE 14
All chairs of committees and heads of organizations who will be scheduling events involving CoM congregants should plan to attend or send a representative to this meeting.
We will meet in a collegial atmosphere with everyone having equal opportunities to select optimal dates for activities and events.
Please come prepared with two or three alternative dates/times for major events.
If you are completing your junior year of high school and your parents are members of the Congregation of Moses, we invite you to apply for the Andrew Levene Scholarship. If you would like an application, please call the synagogue office at 342-5463. Applications must be turned in to the synagogue office by July 20, 2017.
Heads Up, High School Juniors!The Andrew Levene Scholarship is now accepting applications.
2017/18 Calendar Meeting Tuesday, June 13th, 7:00 pm
Summer has finally arrived, and I am pleased to announce that we have completed our first year as a unified school! We’ve experienced successes, challenges, and a persistent feeling of excitement and newness. Through it all, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the lovely and welcoming Jewish community of Southwest Michigan, which is passionate about Jewish education and determined to support our school. Enormous thanks are in order to the Joint Religious School Committee, rabbis, regular staff, and substitute teachers.
This season will see a number of B’nai Mitzvah. I am looking forward to celebrating with our families as their children come of age. At the same time, I am reminded of the importance of lifelong education. This summer, I’d like to ask parents and children to seek out Jewish experiences and incorporate Hebrew into their regular routines. Doing this will help our students stay
connected, engaged, and ready for the next school year.
As I prepare for the Fall, one goal of mine is to reach out to families who may be new to our community or school. Parents with children ages 4 and 5 are strongly encouraged to contact me about our energetic, loving, and educational Pre-K/Kindergarten program.
If we cross paths this summer, don’t be a stranger. Say hi! Please accept my wishes for a happy, healthy, and fun summer season.
Morah Tova, Director
The Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School
Calling all children ages 4 and 5 (and beyond)! Registration is now open for the Kalamazoo Community Jewish School’s second year. We strive to foster community, belonging, and Jewish learning. Our curriculum is broad and includes Hebrew, Jewish holidays, prayers, Torah, music, literature, and fun activities. Families are encouraged to contact Morah Tova, the Director, for more information. ([email protected])
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I greatly appreciate Rabbi Jeremy’s enthusiasm, time, and caring as he has shared his great knowledge of Judaism and Hebrew with us in Judaism 101. It has helped me, a beginner, get a solid foundation upon which I can continue to build with group and solo study. Thank you so much, Rabbi Jeremy! ~ Wilma Kahn
Rabbi Jeremy’s warm sense of humor, depth of understanding of Judaism and ability to share with us were wonderful. Mostly held in our library, he was able to pull reference works right off the shelf and elaborate on concepts presented in our course books. Provided with the ability to work together in small and larger groups, participants were able to interact and to relate personal reactions with historical references and interpretations. A wonderful sense of “community” grew within our class. This shared experience has been one of the most positive of my tenure as a CoM member! Please, may we have another? ~ Mike Tenenbaum
Eighteen weeks, and ready for moreSixteen students spent eighteen weeks and many hours of Hebrew practice, reading and discussion on Judaism basics plus a whole lot more. Rabbi Jeremy’s Miller Intro to Judaism course finished its first run in early May and by all accounts was a resounding success. Here’s what a few of the participants had to say.
Front row from left: Alan Cohen, Shirley Wise, Gerry Tregerman, Joanne Simon, Mike Simon. Back row from left: Carolyn Kennedy, Brad Kennedy, Shane Riley, Paul Nimz, Cheryl Tenenbaum, Mike Tenenbaum, Rabbi Jeremy, Beth Grode, Lee Klingman. Not pictured: Lee Tregerman, Phil Horwich, Wilma Kahn.
PAGE 17
HADASSAH
Aliya: From Uzbekistan to the Holy Land A tale of bravery and perseverance, sponsored by
the Dorothy Slavin Chapter of Hadassah
Thursday, May 4, 12:00 pm at Saffron Restaurant
(1710 West Main, next to Zooroona)
Buffet lunch will be available for $15.00 (checks or cash to Hadassah)
Dr. Judah Ari-Gur will speak about the immigration of Bukhari Jews to Eretz Israel over a period of several decades. He will talk about his own family’s travels in the first half of the 20th century, including their lives in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, their connection to Jerusalem, why and how they decided to move, and what they went through in their long trips from Bukhara to Israel.
Please RSVP to Nan Goldenthal, [email protected], by April 27.
Indian buffet lunch is always a treat, as the 19 people who attended the May 4th Hadassah program at Saffron Restaurant can attest. After lunch we were fortunate to have Dr. Judah Ari-Gur, professor at WMU, discussing his family’s trek from oppression to freedom during the early 20th century.
Judah first talked at length about conditions the Jews were living under in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, part of Central Asia, where many were being forced to become Muslim or face death by being pushed from a tall tower.
His maternal grandfather, Avraham Polatof, lost two wives in childbirth and his fourth wife Sarah, Judah’s grandmother, was only thirteen when they married. Because his grandfather was a trader, he had connections in many cities along the Silk Route to sell his wares. After the communist takeover, the family decided to escape to Jerusalem, which had been visited before by his grandfather and where there was a significant Bukhari community.
Unfortunately his grandfather was not up to the trip. He died in Kabul, Afghanistan, and was buried there. His grandmother, with his mother and other family members stayed in India until after World War II and then traveled to Jerusalem.
Judah’s paternal grandparents, Yehuda and Rahel Aglanof, lived in Chorjoy (now in Turkmenistan). His grandfather died there and left his wife pregnant with six children. His grandmother left with three of her children and traveled to the Holy Land. The other three children chose not to join her in the trip and his grandmother never saw them again.
Judah’s parents were married in Jerusalem and the family lived in Tel-Aviv. Yehuda and Rahel Aglanof
Avraham and Sarah Polatof
PAGE 18
Upcoming Events Monday, June 12, noon Luncheon at Martell’s Italian Restaurant at 3501 Greenleaf Blvd., in Parkview Hills. For reservations, please e-mail Maxine Berke at [email protected] or Emily Hoffman at [email protected] by Friday, June 9, 2017.
Women’s League will hold its International Convention 100, celebrating the 100th birthday of WLCJ on July 23-26, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia. If you wish to attend, please contact Janet Heller at [email protected].
Don’t forget to purchase items at our Sisterhood Gift Shop. It’s open during Religious School on Sundays and by appointment. Please contact Kim Rubin for more information at [email protected].
Please contact Co-Presidents Susan Welbourne ([email protected]) and Maxine Berke ([email protected]) if you would like to join Sisterhood, join the Sisterhood Board or become involved in any Sisterhood activities.
May Rummage Sale Wrap-up Thank you to Emily Hoffman for coordinating a very sucessful sale. We are grateful to everyone who donated items, helped with set-up, volunteered on the sale days, and assisted with clean-up.
Kudos to Rod Anderson for all of his hard work before and during the Rummage Sale. Thanks also to the following individuals: Betty and Joe Hirschfield, Rachel Haus, Alice and Steve Koss, Diane Minsley, Dona Satir, Pat Kirschner, Gloria Besbris, Andrea Johnson, Rae Lee Howard, Maxine Berke, Janet Heller, Judy Seyburn, Kim and Ellie Rubin, Joyce and Allie Camhi, Paul Nimz, Shirley Wise, Al Rosenthal, Tamara Norman, Kristi Arntzen, Jenn Odza, Michelle Angel, Judy Davis-Rosenthal, Carolyn Kennedy, Paulette Levy -Thompson, Gillian and Montana Thommes, Susan Katz-Scheinker, Olivia Scheinker, Brandt, Randy, and Stanley Lubratich, Laurel Ofstein, Tova Schreiber and Tema Lando.
Both members of the Congregation of Moses and members of Temple B’nai Israel helped with our Rummage Sale. Sisterhood is grateful to Joyce Camhi for organizing volunteer families and staff members from the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School. Funds raised during our Rummage Sale are donated to the school.
Sisterhood news
PAGE 19
And the Garden Blooms
The Garden Committee of Diane Fogel, chair, and assistants Tamara Norman, Judy Seyburn and Shirley Wise got busy in April working to spruce up the gardens by weeding the beds, trimming and fertilizing the hydrangeas and spirea bushes, raking up leaves, and cutting back the ornamental grass in the front.
Just last week team members met to plant the flowers that Diane picked up the day before from the Wenke Good Neighbor Program. Shirley planted flowers around the sign, while Diane and Judy potted 7 pots of flowers for Shirley’s Garden. We also potted flowers in the blue planters for the entrance of the building.
We hope everyone enjoys the beautiful entryway for our congregants and guests.
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Outreach Committee
It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and all of its supporters are joyful!
For weddings, births, anniversaries, B’nai Mitzvot, graduations, friendship, gratitude, milestones, and more, please consider marking a special occasion with the purchase of an engraved leaf ($200) or rock ($750).
This is a beautiful way to count your blessings or make a meaningful group gift while supporting the Congregation of Moses.
Please contact Office Manager
Shirley Mengel, at 342-5463 for
more details. Thank you!
“Etz chayim hi lamachazikim ba, vetomecheha me-ushar.”
This newly appointed committee to our CoM Board is available to assist members with rides to events or other needs.
If you know of anyone who could use a helping hand, please call us. We can be reached at:
Alice Koss (269) 327-3144 Rae Lee Howard (269) 217-2833
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Make Your Shopping Help Meijer, Walgreens, Target, Menards, Lowe’s, Celebration Cinema, Macy’s, Amazon, Biggby Coffee, Bed Bath and Beyond are just a few of the cards available.
Stop in the office from 7:30 am to 11:30 am to purchase gift cards. We can earn from 2-15% of your total purchase price. Thank you.
Last month’s bulletin urged you to sign up for Harding’s Rewards program to benefit the Congregation of Moses. It’s so easy! Just go to Harding’s website (www.hardings.com) to register. CoM’s name is already appears in the drop-down menu of organizations. Thereafter, just enter the same 10-digit phone number you used at registration whenever you check out at Hardings.
NOW INTRODUCING: D&W and Family Fare have also started a new program called Direct Your Dollars. Just save your actual receipts from their stores and place them in the folder with the Direct Your Dollars logo outside our office. Once we reach $150,000 in total receipts, CoM can get $1000 back! This is a super easy fundraiser.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t catch on to this new program until the end of September,” says Tamara Norman, “but already I have two receipts worth $145.” Just $149,855 to go! So please start saving those receipts and turning them in promptly!
Remember to buy your D&W scrip at our office! Your purchase of D&W gift cards earns another 2% for CoM. It’s the icing on the cake!
Last month’s bulletin urged you to sign up for Harding’s Rewards program to benefit the Congregation of Moses. It’s so easy! Just go to Harding’s website (www.hardings.com) to register. CoM’s name is already appears in the drop-down menu of organizations. Thereafter, just enter the same 10-digit phone number you used at registration whenever you check out at Hardings.
NOW INTRODUCING: D&W and Family Fare have also started a new program called Direct Your Dollars. Just save your actual receipts from their stores and place them in the folder with the Direct Your Dollars logo outside our office. Once we reach $150,000 in total receipts, CoM can get $1000 back! This is a super easy fundraiser.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t catch on to this new program until the end of September,” says Tamara Norman, “but already I have two receipts worth $145.” Just $149,855 to go! So please start saving those receipts and turning them in promptly!
Remember to buy your D&W scrip at our office! Your purchase of D&W gift cards earns another 2% for CoM. It’s the icing on the cake!
Our goal is to reach $150,000 at which point D&W will reward us with $1,000. Thank you to all of you who have been placing your receipts in the folder in the rack located just outside the synagogue office. We have a long way to go but hope to reach our goal this year! Keep ‘em coming!
Goal - $150,000
Almost there
Doing great
On the way!
D&W and Family Fare have a program called Direct Your Dollars. Just save your actual receipts from their stores and place them in the folder with the Direct Your Dollars logo outside our office. Once we reach $150,000 in total receipts, CoM can get $1000 back! This is a super easy fundraiser.
Remember to buy your D&W scrip at our office! Your purchase of D&W gift cards earns another 2% for CoM. Double-dipping is allowed!
Direct Your Dollars
PAGE 22
If you shop at amazon.com, the Congregation can receive 0.5% of all eligible Amazon purchases. It may not sound like much, but many of us spend more on Amazon than we realize, and almost every purchase is eligible to benefit CoM.
Go to smile.amazon.com to set up your special account and choose the Congregation of Moses to receive the benefit of your purchases. Then, remember to use it whenever you shop at Amazon.
Another simple way to support your congregation! Thanks for your help!
Tell Us What You Think!We want your input about anything at CoM.
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School, please email Joyce Camhi at [email protected]. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding Space-Sharing, services, or anything at all related to CoM, please email Mi-chelle Angel at [email protected]. If you don’t use email or would like to remain anonymous, there will be a suggestion box on the ledge outside Shirley’s office. Put your comments in an envelope and address it to Joyce or Michelle.
PAGE 23
Please continue to help us collect Box Tops for Education.
By clipping those 10¢ coupons from selected groceries, we are
helping the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community
Jewish School.
You may already have some box tops in your home! Look for
them on products from Reynolds, Green Giant, Annie’s, General
Mills cereals, Nature Valley, Mott’s, Land O’Lakes, Go-Gurt,
Yoplait, Ziploc, Hefty, Betty Crocker, Cascadian Farms, Kleenex,
Scott’s, Old El Paso, Progresso, Lysol, Fiber One, and Larabar.
PAGE 24
the earth au in flowers -Emerson
Spring is just around the corner! Get Wenke Bucks and get busy in the garden!
Get everything you need for this year's garden by purchasing "Wenke Bucks" from the Congregation of Moses.
Buy in increments of $10, and use them anytime before June 30 at Wenke Greenhouses, on Sprinkle Rd and Market St.
Flowers. Vegetables. Tools. Supplies. Decor.
T he Congregation will make $2.00 on each $10.00 you purchase.
To buy your Wenke Bucks, contact Shirley Mengel in the CoM office, at 342-5463 or by email at [email protected]
