CBI January 2016 Kolenu

Tu B'Shevat, the New Year for the trees, was designated, following debate in the Talmud, as the time of renewal of budding in the trees. The early winter rains were mostly over, the sap in the trees had risen, and the period of budding was just beginning. The origin of Tu B'Shevat in the Torah was a time for renewal of our commitment to God and to share the yield of the land with the poor. "Every year, you shall set aside a tenth part of the yield, so that you may learn to revere your God forever." (Deuteronomy 14:22-23) Today we celebrate Tu B'Shevat also for renewal of our commitment to serve and protect the trees, and all of God's creation.

The evolution of this holiday has an interesting history. After the exile of the Jews from Israel, Tu B'Shevat became a day on which to commemorate our connection to the Land of Israel. During much of Jewish history, the only observance of this day was the practice of eating fruit associated with the land of Israel. A tradition based on Deuteronomy 8:8 holds that there are five fruits and two grains associated with it as a "land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and [date] honey." Almonds were also given a prominent place in Tu B'Shevat meals since the almond trees were believed to be the first of all trees in Israel to blossom.

The medieval mystical Kabbalists carried Tu B'Shevat a step further. For them, trees were a symbol of humans, as it says: "For a human is like a tree of the field" (Deuteronomy 20:19). In line with their general concern with Tikkun Olam – spiritually repairing the world – the

Kabbalists regarded eating a variety of fruits on Tu B'Shevat as a way of improving our spiritual selves. They believed that the ritual consumption of the fruits and the nuts, if done with the proper intention (Kavannah), would cause the sparks of holy light hidden in the fruit to be liberated from their shells and rise up the heavenly ladder to return to their divine source, thereby contributing to the renewal of life for the coming year.

The Torah is referred to as a "tree of life to them that hold fast to it." The Kabbalists pictured their philosophical construct of the Sefirot – the ten mystical emanations of

the divinity – in the form of a heavenly tree, or ladder. For the Kabbalists, trees were symbolic also of the tree – the Tree of Life, which carries divine goodness and blessing into the world. To encourage this flow and effect Tikkun Olam, the Kabbalists of Tzefat (16th century) created a Tu

B'Shevat Seder loosely modeled after the Pesach Seder. In the twentieth century, with the growth of Zionism

and the founding of the State of Israel, the association of Tu B'Shevat with the land of Israel has gained even more significance. In Israel, thousands of children plant trees. They play a vital role in the ecological healing of the land that was degraded after centuries of Ottoman rule.

The joy of a Tu B'Shevat Seder is eating the fruits and reading of their significance, and expressing our joy and thankfulness for the mystery and grandeur of nature, and renewing our commitment to God's land, the State of Israel.

Words from Wolintz-Fields

The Evolution of Tu B'Shevat

January 2016

Kolenu Congregation B’nai Israellarwy y nb tlyhq

Tevet–Shevat 5776

Upcoming EventsInterfaith Hospitality WeekSunday, January 3– Sunday, January 10

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January 2016 • Tevet–Shevat 5776

Congregation B'nai Israel Service Schedule

Friday/Holiday Evening Services: 7:30pmFriday Junior Congregation: 7:30pmShabbat Morning Serivces: 9:00am

Shabbat Junior Congregation: 10:15amSunday Morning Services: 9:00am

Monday through Friday Morning Minyan: 7:45am

January 2016Tevet– Shevat

Friday, January 1, 20169:00am Morning MinyanCandle Lighting 4:24pmEvening Services

Saturday, January 2, 2016Parashat ShemotShabbat Morning ServicesTorah Study Group

Friday, January 8, 2016Candle Lighting 4:30pmEvening Services

Saturday, January 9, 2016Parashat Va'eraBirthday ShabbatShabbat Morning Services Torah Study Group

Friday, January 15, 2016Candle Lighting 4:15pmUSY ShabbatAnniversary ShabbatEvening Services

Saturday, January 16, 2016Parashat BoShabbat Morning ServicesTorah Study Group

Friday, January 22, 2016Candle Lighting 4:46pmEvening Services

Saturday, January 23, 2016Parashat BeshallachShabbat ShiraShabbat Morning ServicesJunior CongregationTorah Study Group

Friday, January 29, 2016Candle Lighting 4:54pmKitah Heh/Vav Class ServiceEvening Services

Saturday, January 30, 2016Parashat YitroShabbat Morning Services Torah Study Group

Clergy

Rabbi Ellen S. [email protected]

Hazzan Steven [email protected]

Rabbi Richard Hammerman, D.D. Rabbi Emeritus

Cantor Daniel GreenCantor [email protected]

Staff

Office Manager/BookkeeperLaurie [email protected]

Administrative AssistantChristine [email protected]

Officers

Co-PresidentJeremy [email protected]

Co-PresidentPhil [email protected]

1st Vice PresidentMichele [email protected]

TreasurerFred [email protected]

Financial SecretaryPosition Open

Recording SecretarySteve [email protected]

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As you are aware, Bob Van Bochove has resigned as President of the congregation due to additional demands on his already hectic schedule. Bob did not feel he could give the necessary time that the congregation deserves to continue as president. We appreciate Bob's hard work and dedication and are grateful that he will remain as past president and active on the Executive Board.

There have been many tennis doubles, comic duos and the dynamic duo, now B'nai Israel has the Brilliant-Grunin duo as co-president. As Executive Board members and active community and synagogue members we are confident we can hold down the fort until the next synagogue annual meeting. We plan on continuing the projects and activities that have been planned prior to our appointment including B'nai Israel hosting The Ariel Rivka Dance Company performing an original ballet entitled "Book of Esther: The Journey of Queen Vashti and Queen Esther"on Sunday, March 6th at noon. This will be a joint community Purim event co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Ocean County. More information will follow shortly.

If you need to contact us our email addresses are provided below. If you would like to discuss matters directly with Jeremy, call in to his new morning radio show (5:30am–8:00am) on WOBM-AM called "Wake Up With Jeremy Grunin," where he will be discussing Ocean County happenings.

Jeremy Grunin Philip I. Brilliant [email protected] [email protected]

CBI Family, do you think winter is a time to hibernate? Do you feel like just snuggling under the covers with a hot cocoa and binge watch Friends until March rolls around? No! you want to prepare for the second edition of:

For those of you without any talent, all you need to know is that it will be on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 1:30pm. But for those of you with a talent, sign up for First round auditions by Friday, January 29th, to be held on Sunday February 7th.

So what constitutes a talent? Well, sure there's the old standbys of singing, dancing, magic tricks, musical instruments, comedy routines….but what about blowing up a balloon with your nose? (I'm looking at you, Hannah Kaufman!) Burping the entire alphabet? Well, if you can do it in Hebrew. You get the idea. Note: this event is open to all ages, and will be judged separately, so you retirees don't have to worry about competing against the cuteness of a Brynley Brodzinski.

CBI's Got Talent

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ______________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________

Talent: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please submit to the synagogue office no later than Friday, January 29, 2016.

Hazzan Steven Walvick

A Message from Our President

CBIˇs

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Sisterhood

Make us your #1 stop by first shopping in our

CBI Judaica Sisterhood Gift ShopForget buying at the local malls in NJ or small strip malls. Keep it within the

CBI family and shop with us instead! (no big markups and no sales tax)

New beautiful merchandise has arrived, much from Israel. Don't delay. Many original one of a kind pieces! We can also special order from our catalogs

or online if the order is large enough to permit. For more information contact Terri at 732-864-1566 or Susan at 732-279-0443.

Sisterhood Book ClubTuesday, February 16th 7:30pm

The next Sisterhood Book Club will meet on Tuesday, February 16th at 7:30pm. We will be discussing "The Far Side of the Sky" by Daniel Kalla. The meeting will take place at the home of Harriet Wolf. Please RSVP to Harriet directly so that she can give an accurate list to the security gatehouse.

Join the New B'nai Israel SisterhoodWe hope that you'll want to be a part of Congregation B'nai Israel Sisterhood's "reboot," for the 2015–2016 year, which we're sure will have something for everyone–and it'll cost you only $36 for a whole year's membership! Some of Sisterhood's activities and events have been running on an ongoing basis and some are new, so please show your support by joining Sisterhood–it's time for the women of B'nai Israel to get to know each other a little better.

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Paint PartyEasel on Down!

with

Congregation B'nai IsraelThursday, February 46:30pm

$18 for Sisterhood Members$25 for Non-Members RSVP by January 28 to the synagogue office. Contact the synagogue office at 732-349-1244 for more information.

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Sunday, February 7 @ 6:00pm


All boxes must be purchased and RSVP's received by February 1st. Contact Michael Collins at 732-503-4395 or [email protected]

Congregation B'nai Israel Men's Club Presents....

Third Annual Student Essay ContestJanuary –April 2016• Open to all children grades 4 through 12 (parents must be CBI members)

• Deadline for entries: Friday, March 18th, 2016

• Awards ceremony at Men's Club Shabbat Services on Saturday, April 9th, 2016.

• Contest rules and essay titles are attached and will be available from your Talmud Torah teachers, at the synagogue office and lobby table. Students do not have to attend classes at CBI in order to enter this contest.

• There will be three prizes in each of four grade categories: 4th & 5th grades6th, 7th & 8th grades9th & 10th grades11th & 12th grades:

• First prize: $100 Barnes & Noble Gift Card

• Second prize: $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card

• Third prize: $30 Barnes & Noble Gift Card

• Photos of contest winners will be taken on Sunday, April 16th

• Winning essays and photos will be published in the summer issue of the Kolenu.

• For full contest rules and essay questions, please see the flyers available at the synagogue office, on lobby table, and from Talmud Torah and Hebrew High School teachers.

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Men's Club

January 2016 Update by Michael Perks, Men's Club President

Since my last Kolenu article, Men's Club has, as usual, been busy volunteering at CBI and our thanks go to:

• Bob Foxman and Hy Mittleberg, food shoppers for both our Community Menorah Lighting and our Chanukah Fair food concession

• The Men's Club team of volunteers who set up, cooked and cleaned up for the CBI Chanukah Fair – outstanding job, guys!

• Marion and Steve Pardes for the great job they did for our "Movie Nite" & Kosher Chinese Buffet Dinner – a big hit for the second year in a row. The movie, the food and the schmoozing were exceptional!

Please get your kids thinking about Men's Club's "Third Annual Student Essay Contest" (open to all 4th through 12th-grade CBI children). Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at Men's Club Shabbat on April 9th (this year's deadline for entries will be Friday, March 18th). Our students did a great job last year and we can't wait to see what they come up with this time!

I want to thank everyone for all the support and prayers during my recent surgery. I consider myself fortunate to have so many terrific CBI friends. Men's Club wishes our entire B'nai Israel family a very happy, healthy prosperous 2016!

Upcoming Men's Club Events:

January 2016 Third Annual Student Essay Contest

"Third Annual Student Essay Contest" begins. CBI members with children in grades 4 through 12 may enter. For more information and complete contest rules, see the announcement in this issue. Sunday, January 3rd Hearing Men's VoicesHeld right after morning services. Breakfast will be served. Sunday, February 7thWorld Wide Wrap9:00amEveryone's invited to wrap tefillin together. Breakfast will be served.

Superbowl Party & Betting Pool6:00pmEveryone is invited.Non-member guests are welcome! RSVP is required. See the announcement in this issue for more information.

CBI MEN’S CLUB PRESENTS

SUPERBOWL BETTING POOL & PARTY

This is a BIG, FUN, FAMILY event…all CBI members are invited

(We encourage you to bring your children)

$2,000 prize pool!$54-per-play (includes two dinners!)

$18-per-person dinner entry fee for non-betterschildren aged 12 and under eat free!

(If you decide to purchase a betting box, your $18 entry fee will be waived)

B.Y.O.B. (if you bring wine, it must be Kosher!)Betting charts are posted at CBI lobby & office

All bets must be registered (in person, or by phone) at the synagogue office.

Payment can be mailed to CBI or can be dropped off at the synagogue office.

Sunday, February 7 @ 6:00pm


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January 1 – Alyssa MarshallJanuary 2 – Lore Feldman Hy MittlebergJanuary 3 – Neal WinzelbergJanuary 4 – Ernest Feldman Phyllis NatterJanuary 5 – Robert Kirschner Harry PelcmanJanuary 7 – Wayne Jarrett Monica WinderbaumJanuary 8 – Howard SchlesingerJanuary 9 – Irene GoldsteinJanuary 11 – Gail Reichman Barbara SpectorJanuary 12 – Coby Fields Sara Sundheim Jilian WinderbaumJanuary 14 – Laura Grunin

January 16 – Marc BunisJanuary 17 – Meryl SchulmanJanuary 18 – Ruth Kerr Gail SimpsonJanuary 19 – Linda Grunin Ira Hosid Hazzan Steven WalvickJanuary 20 – Lenore DanskerJanuary 21 – Bernard Barnett Marjorie Frankel Cynthia SambolJanuary 22 – Rachel Dispoto Mark Silverstein Elizabeth WalvickJanuary 24 – Cantor Daniel GreenJanuary 25 – Martin Abramson Arielle TouitouJanuary 26 – Herman Josovitz

January 30 – Jill Collier Peggi Rand Lee SubaiJanuary 31 – Michael Fried

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Anniversaries (Anniversary Shabbat – Friday, January 15th)

אני לדודי ודודי ליJanuary 1 – Louis and Jean BonusJanuary 7 – Richard and Jeanette Schatzman Jonathan Fields and Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-FieldsJanuary 9 – Michael and Adele BarnettJanuary 18 – Stephen and Barbara SpectorJanuary 21 – Morris and Rose Laiter

Birthda�s (Birthday Shabbat – Saturday, January 9th)

יום הולדת שמח

Manny and Lauren Lindenbaum Light the Chanukah Menorah at the White House

"Imagine the world we could build together if all of us took our cues from Manny and truly lived up to the ideal that we are all God's children, that none of us should turn our backs on a stranger"

President Barack Obama

Mazel TovMyra Drozdoff on the birth of her great-grandson Hyde Scott.

Avrum and Averil Glazier on their granddaughter Lauren Rachel Molter marking her Bat Mitzvah.

Joseph and Henny Schwartz on their grandson Noah Ethan Schwartz marking his Bar Mitzvah.

Carol Wolintz on her granddaughters Emily and Erica Weintraub marking their B'not Mitzvah.

Michael and Jane Yavener on the marriage of their daughter Erin to David Gise.

Our CondolencesElsa Abrahamovic on the passing of her husband Samuel Abrahamovic

Debra (Bryan) Kay and Stella (Greg) Constandaki on the passing of their father Samuel Abrahamovic

Saul (Barbara) Balasiano on the passing of his mother Shirley Balasiano.

With Appreciation ToThank you to Rabbi Deborah Miller and Hazzan Steven Walvick for the several dozen beautiful balloon weights they have purchased for our synagogue. Their thoughtful and generous donation will definitely enhance CBI parties and events!

- In memory of Elaine Albert - David, Lauren, Adam, Ethan, and Eli Rosen - In memory of Jerome Berson - Marc and Jill Bunis - In memory of Bertha Bild - Herman and Ruth Adler- In memory of Doris Bunis - Brian and Ruth Kerr- In memory of Clara Busillo - Martha Harween- In memory of Julius Buzzel - Thelma Rubens- In memory of Max Carroll - Barbara Stone and Family- In memory of Tanya Dansky - Bernie and Irma Dansky- In memory of Beverly Diamond - Harvey and Janet Diamond- In memory of Simon Dingott - Michael Dingott- In memory of Yetta Dodyk - Jerry Dodyk- In memory of Helen Finkel - Al and Rhoda Finkel- In memory of Morris Finkel - Al and Rhoda Finkel- In memory of Heinrich Friedman - Fred and Evelyn Weil- In memory of Roy Geneslaw - Charles and Kim Geneslaw- In memory of Benjamin Gordon - Bob and Judy Cook- In memory of Eric Gottesman - Sandra Gottesman- In memory of David Hammer - Phyllis Hammer- In memory of Theresa Hirshfeld - Henry Lieberman- In memory of Eisig and Yetta Husen - Manny and Rhoda Kuflik- In memory of Karl and Theresa Koppel - Gertrude Weil- In memory of Henrietta Levine - Maxine Prager- In memory of Ivor Levy - Harvey and Janet Diamond- In memory of Anna Lewinson - Renate Lewinson- In memory of Louis Littman

- Jeanne Littman- Wesley and Beth Walter

- In memory of Shirley Litwack - Jeanne Littman- In memory of Murray Markowitz - Lillian Sokolow

- In memory of Harmon Matin - Jack and Lenore Matin- In memory of Samuel Matin - Jack and Lenore Matin- In memory of Mollie Mednick - Michael Mednick- In memory of Paul Miller - David and Janet Miller- In memory of Susan Miller - Charles and Kim Geneslaw- In memory of Jeffrey Nadler - Harriet Wolf- In memory of Benjamin Persky - Eileen Genna- In memory of Abraham Provder - Maxwell Cooperman- In memory of Faye Provder - Maxwell Cooperman- In memory of Dora Rapaport - Mona Ginsberg- In memory of Esther Rubin - Joe and Henny Schwartz- In memory of Joseph Rubin - Rita Simpson- In memory of Charles Schechter

- Elaine Caplan- Richard and Jeanette Schatzman

- In memory of Bernice Siegel - Jack and Lenore Matin- In memory of David Slowatek - Beatrice Hopper- In memory of Florence Soffer - Philip Soffer - In memory of Paul Soffer - Philip Soffer- In memory of Cantor Joshua Steele - Adina Steele- In memory of Florence Steier - Lillian Levine- In memory of Anna Topping - Maxwell Cooperman- In memory of Max Weil

- Howard and Ruth Schutzbank- Gertrude Weil- Jeffrey Weil

- In memory of Eva Wolf - Selma Davis- In memory of Herman Wolf - Selma Davis - In memory of Belle Wolin - Hy and Megina Mittleberg

Yahrzeits


Join Congregation B'nai Israel's New Minyan Alert You can help make the minyan if you're needed to make 10. It's simple and free: (1) Go to the iTunes App Store or Google Play and install the whatsapp application to your smartphone.(2) Follow the easy directions to activate.(3) Text Your Cell Number & Minyan Alert to Michael Collins at 845-661-0089, or email him at [email protected].

That's it! You'll be enrolled in our latest hi-tech mitzvah project, and you'll get a notice when and if a 10th is needed.

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Join PJ Library!PJ Library is a Jewish family engagement program implemented on a local level throughout North America. We mail, high-quality Jewish children's literature and music to families across the continent on a monthly basis.

PJ Library is a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, made possible through partnerships with philanthropists and local Jewish organizations. Today, families in hundreds of communities across the United States and Canada are able to explore the timeless core values of Judaism through books and music. The Jewish Federation of Ocean County is the local funder for this program.

All families raising Jewish children from six months up to six years old are welcome to sign up. Grandparents and other relatives can buy subscriptions on line for children who do not live in our community and do not have a sponsor in the child's families community. For more information, go to www.pjlibrary.org.

Talmud Torah

Poignant Points from the Principal by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields Ten Commandments of Water

On Saturday January 30, we will be reading Parashat Yitro, which is the Torah reading that includes the Ten Commandments, just a few short days after the observance of the holiday of Tu B'Shevat, the New Year of Trees, which will be celebrated on Monday, January 25. In observance of Tu B'Shevat, this month, I am sharing the Jewish National Fund's Ten Commandments of Water: 1 – Defrost smart. Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave. 2 – Keep a water jug. Store drinking water in a refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cold glass of water.3 – Clean green. Only do a load of laundry or dishes when you have enough to fill a load. Switch to a cold water detergent to save on heating bills as well. 4 – Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster, plus you'll avoid wasting water while it heats up. 5 – Water your lawn weekly and in the morning. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every 5–7 days. Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation. 6 – Switch to a low flow shower head. You can greatly reduce your water consumption by switching to a low flow showerhead. 7 – Does your toilet leak? Check you toilet for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowel within 30 minutes. 8 – Water your plants. Instead of throwing your half-finished cup of water down the drain, water your plants with it. 9 – Conserving electricity conserves water. Running a 60-watt bulb for one hour requires 1.3 gallons of water. Turn off those lights when you leave a room; it'll cut your bill and contribute to water conservation at the same time! 10 – Compost! Kitchen sink disposal require lots of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste instead of using a garbage disposal.

December 2015 Perfect AttendanceKitah Alef – Gavin Dempsey, Madelyn WikoKitah Dalet – Coby FieldsKitah Heh – Holden DempseyKitah Vav – Emma Grunin, Jillian WeintraubKitah Zayin – Cameron Fields, Rebecca Grunin

Talmud Torah is in Session: January FebruaryWednesday – 6, 13, 20, 27 Wednesday – 3, 10, 17, 24Sunday – 10, 24, 31 Sunday – 7, 21, 28

Junior Congregation w/Max Silverstein: Saturday, January 23, 10:15am Friday, February 5, 7:30pm

Class Services: Heh/Vav – Friday, January 29Dalet – Friday, February 19Bet/Gimmel – Friday, March 4Zayin – Friday, April 8Kabblat Siddur: Gan/Alef – Saturday, May 21

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Toms River USY Superbowl Sunday Lox Box is Back!

SundayFebruary 7, 2016Lox Boxes will be delivered between 8:00–10:00am.Please choose below and send your payment in NO LATER than Monday, February 1st to guarantee your order!If you will not be home, You can still help! Send a Lox Box to friends, co-workers, neighbors or ANYONE in the Toms River area!

SUPER SUNDAY BREAKFAST – includes 4 bagels, lox, tomato, cream cheese, butter & rugelach..........$21.00 DELICIOUS DELUXE – includes above plus Sunday paper and 2 more bagels............................................$30.00

Your Name Your Phone Number

Delivery Name (if different)

Delivery Address & Phone #

# Super Sunday Breakfast @ $21.00 each = $

# Delicious Deluxe @ $30.00each = $

Total enclosed $

check here if you would like us to leave lox box and not ring doorbell

check here if you would like us to ring doorbell and wait for someone to answer

Make checks payable to:

TRUSYc/o Congregation B’nai Israel 1488 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, NJ 08753732-349-1244

TRUSY Update

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Around the Synagogue

Ocean County has been a great place to call home. Now is the time to make it your permanent home!We never know when the end of life will come. The only thing we know for sure is that our own death will be at a very inconvenient time. Let us admit that it will probably be our spouse or our children who will have to make the funeral and burial arrangements. But do we even own a burial plot?

If we do not make these hard decisions during our own lifetime, our family members will have to do so without being able to ask our opinion. And they will have to do it hastily. Is that really what we would want?

End-of-life decisions should be for each of us to make – not anyone else. We ourselves deserve to choose our own burial place and funeral arrangements. Let us not leave these for others to decide in haste.

Congregation B'nai Israel urges you to visit our synagogue office or main lobby and take home a copy of our B'nai Israel Memorial Park Guide & Policies. Then contact our Cemetery Chairman to reserve plots for yourself and loved ones in our beautiful Jewish cemetery, which is lovingly maintained by dedicated volunteers from our congregation. Your family will beeternally grateful.

B'nai Israel Memorial Park is located at the corner of West Whitty Road and Old Freehold Road in Toms River. For more information please contact Fred M. Weil, Cemetery Chairman, at 732-797-0197 or [email protected].

Sharon and Rabbi Richard Hammerman Honored by Masorti OlamiCongregation B'nai Israel's Rabbi Emeritus Richard Hammerman and Sharon Hammerman were honored by the international Masorti/Conservative organization, Masorti Olami/World Council of Conservative Synagogues at a festive last day of Chanukah Tribute at the Park Avenue Synagogue, New York City, on Sunday, December 13, 2015. Sharon and Rabbi Richard Hammerman were presented with the Rabbi Mordecai Waxman Rabbinic Leadership Award for their pioneering work in serving Conservative/Masorti communities throughout the world and in Israel. After retiring from Congregation B'nai Israel, Rabbi Hammerman served as Vice President for North America of Masorti Olami/World Council of Conservative Synagogues. Their children (Rabbi) Eytan and Rebecca Hammerman were previously recognized for their service as educators and rabbinic leaders at Congregation Beth El, Madrid, Spain by Masorti Olami and received the Chayil Masorti Youth Leadership Award.

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Interfaith Hospitality WeekSunday, January 3–Sunday, January 10Please help with our CBI project to feed and shelter the homeless in our community! Our week of service begins on January 3rd and continues through January 10th. If some of you have college students at home, this is a great way for them to contribute meaningfully and to log in some community service hours for projects they might be involved with. If you are unable to help, please consider making a small monetary donation for food and supplies. You can send any donation to Barbara Schulman and she will provide you with a receipt. As always, we appreciate all efforts to help.

The address of the house where we volunteer is 409 Lexington Ave, Toms River, New Jersey. Barbara Schulman, CBI Interfaith Hospitality Network Coordinator can be reached at 732-267-3961. Donations can be sent to her at 171 Lamdan Lane, Toms River, New Jersey 08753.

The following are ways you can help:

Household Supplies and Groceries – I will provide a list to anyone who can help. The more people/the less responsibility on any one person or family.

Dinner Preparation – Drop off a home cooked meal around 5:30pm any day. Please let me know what you would like to prepare so we can avoid duplicate meals.

Special note: Thank you to Joanne Gethard, TRUSY, Jonathan Fields and Kadima for providing Christmas gifts for one of our Interfaith families. Many, many thanks for your help. It makes such a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Around the Synagogue

Hillel International Honors Shoshana Gibbor with 2015 Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence AwardOn December 16, 2015, Hillel International President and CEO Eric Fingerhut presented Shoshana Gibbor, Director of Birthright & Israel Engagement at MIT Hillel, with a 2015 Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award. For nearly two decades, Hillel International has recognized those individuals who embody our mission with enthusiasm and dedication on college campuses around the world, knowing that they are an example and inspiration to all of Hillel's student and staff. Shoshana is honored in particular for her unique ability to excel in a panoply of roles at Hillel – counselor, educator, mediator, organizer and community partner.

"Shoshana Gibbor, and every Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award winner, demonstrates a passion for enriching the lives of our students and ensuring that every facet of Hillel reflects a culture of excellence," said Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of Hillel International. "Her work is critical not only to her community at MIT Hillel, but is helping to grow the next generation of Jewish leaders across the country."

The 2015 Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Awards were presented at the Hillel International Global Assembly, held in Orlando, Florida from December 14–17. This conference brought together more than 700 Hillel

staff and leaders from around the world to share best practices, teach new skills and build a community among Hillel staff from countless different colleges and universities. The Hillel International Global Assembly aims to highlight and spread the powerful work, like that of the Exemplar of Excellence winners, in order to strengthen and innovate Hillel's work on every campus.

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Community Chanukah Candle Lighting

Our B'nai Israel Family and the Greater Ocean County Community came together to celebrate Chanukah at CBI.

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The Place To BeThursdayApril 14, 2016atCongregation B’nai Israel1488 Old Freehold RoadTom’s River, New JerseyThis will be a solid gold evening beginning with a Gift Auction and dinner starting at 6:30pm, followed by the comedy of Judy Gold at 7:30pm.

Save the date for this golden opportunity for an evening of food and fun.

General admission is $54.00 per person.Sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information, contactThe Jewish Federation of Ocean county at 732-363-0530.

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Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

- In honor of Cameron Fields marking her Bat Mitzvah - Mona Ginsburg- Avrum and Averil Glazier- Sidney and Rosalind Kassenoff- Alice Pomaski- Shirley Shames- David and Elaine Yelner

- In honor of my birthday - Barbara Stone

- In honor of the donation of Lev Shalem for use in our synagogue - Rabbi Daniel Victor, Temple Beth El

Educational Endowment Fund

- In honor of Cameron Fields marking her Bat Mitzvah - Steve and Marion Pardes

- In honor of Hannah Repole marking her Bat Mitzvah - Ruth Guenzburger- Fred and Evelyn Weil

- In honor of our grandson Noah Ethan Schwartz marking his Bar Mitzvah - Joe and Henny Schwartz

- In honor of Fred Weil's 80th birthday - Mona Ginsburg- Lillian Levine

- Contribution by - Mr. and Mrs. Volkert Veeder

Talmud Torah Fund - In honor of Cameron Fields marking her Bat Mitzvah - Harold and Carol Schlesinger

Congregation B'nai Israel Gratefully Acknowledges the Following Contributions

General Fund

- In memory of Marcia Bolotsky - Toby Schier

Music Fund

- In honor of an aliyah for my brother Steven Shmiel Meyer at Ben Aba's Yahrzeit

Kiddush Fund

- In honor of their 66th anniversary - Harriet and Stanley Brown

Be a Patron Oneg or Kiddush SponsorCelebrating? Any occasion – be it important events in your child's life, your work life, or your home life; a graduation, anniversary, anniversary of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah, birthday, engagement, retirement….

A Patron sponsorship is designed to allow you, the congregant, to celebrate special occasions with your congregation family when you are not inviting many outside guests. The food provided by a Patron sponsorship will be ample for the usual number of congregants attending Shabbat Services plus a few invited guests. Consider becoming a Patron sponsor of a Friday night Oneg Shabbat or a Saturday morning Kiddush. Just contact the Synagogue

Office to make arrangements for sharing your simcha with our whole Congregation!

Thank you to Sponsoring our Oneg and Kiddush:

Dr. Neil and Michelle Brodsky for sponsoring our Kiddush in honor of their daughters Amanda and Lauren marking their B'not Mitzvah.

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Synagogue Funds

Arielle Eytan Memorial Fund: Provides materials for the Nursery School Program. Mitzvah Care Fund: Helps needy families and individuals within our Congregation. Educational Endowment Fund: Perpetual support for our Talmud Torah educational programs. Esther and Frank Simon Youth Lounge: Provides and maintains items and furnishings in our Youth Lounge. Harry and Molly Garson Fund: Used for special annual programs for the children of Congregation B’nai Israel Talmud Torah. General Fund: Used to support the ongoing needs of Congregation B'nai Israel. Goldsmith Endowment Fund: Used for the education of our youth. Memorial Plaques: Installed in the Sanctuary to memorialize dear ones who are deceased. Music Fund: Provides for musical programs and ongoing musical needs for Congregation B'nai Israel. Dr. Norman J. Meyers Library Fund: Used to support the Congregation B'nai Israel Library.Prayer Book Fund: Used to purchase Chumashim and weekly Sabbath and High Holy Days prayer books. Books may be dedicated to specific individuals.

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund: Used for needy individuals and causes.Ramah-Youth Scholarship Fund: Provides scholarships for summer educational and cultural programs for our youngsters (Camp Ramah, USY on Wheels, Israel Pilgrimage, etc.) Ritual Fund: Used to purchase new siddurim, tallitot and other ritual items needed to benefit and assist the Congregation. Rosen Adult Education Fund: Perpetual support for Adult Education. Talmud Torah Fund: Used to support the Religious Schools of B'nai Israel and to enhance our educational program. Tree of Life: Leaves may be purchased in honor of special occasions and family simchas. USY Fund: Used for scholarships toward regional or national events and programs for the youth of our synagogue. Yahrzeit Fund: Supports Talmud Torah in memory of dear ones. Yizkor Fund: Memorializes dear ones who are deceased. All requests must be in writing accompanied with payment to the Synagogue Office.

Congregation B'nai Israel Gratefully Acknowledges the Following Contributions

This is a perfect time to share your simchas of your loved ones by dedicating a Leaf for those that you love. Please consider adding a Leaf to our Tree of Life now. Your check for $150.00 each is made payable to Congregation B'nai Israel. You get 4 lines and 29 spaces per Leaf. Share your children and grandchildren's simchas by adding a Leaf to our Tree of Life. What a lovely gift!

Add a leaf to our Tree of Life or reserve some for the future. Please call the office, 732-349-1244 for more information. You can also chip in with friends to share a special birthday, marriage, anniversary, bar/bat mitzvah, graduation, birth of a child or grandchild, etc.

Shalom, Arlene Neugarten, Tree of Life Chairperson

Thank you to those who added the following to our Tree of Life:It is a tree of life to those who uphold it – Proverbs 3:16-8

MAZEL TOV ON YOUR MARRIAGELARISSA TAFF & GREG MORGANOFF

DECEMBER 31, 2015LOVE, GRANDMA SHIRLEY TAFF

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CBI Academy for Learning and Journeying 5776

Women's Rosh Chodesh Study Group 10:30am–12:00pmJoin us for an informative, lively, and confidential gathering of women sharing in the celebration of the new Hebrew month. Rosh Chodesh is a time for women to gather for insightful study through various activities and conversation on the topic of the new month. Coffee and nosh are always served.

Thursday, March 10 – Rosh Chodesh Adar II More About Jewish Food and Eating Habits

Thursday, April 7 – Rosh Chodesh NisanDoes Pluralism Really Work?

Monday, May 9 – Rosh Chodesh IyarAll Begins with a Date

Thursday, June 9 – Rosh Chodesh SivanWedding Bells

Lunch and Learn iEngage 2.011:30am–1:00pmEngaging Israel: from the Shalom Hartman Institute Lecture Series – A video produced by the Shalom Hartman Institute, featuring Hartman scholars discussing these topics, will be watched and then discussed. Lunch at each session will be served. Please RSVP the Monday before each session. These programs are open to men and woman.

Thursday, March 17 – The Jewish People as a Tribal Family: Explores how the Jewish tradition conceptualizes the Jewish people as a tribal family. It recognizes that Jewish collective identity has always been a divided and tribal one, requiring the balancing of collective consciousness with individual and tribal sensibilities.

Thursday, May 19 – The "Orthodox" Jewish Tribes: Explores two Jewish tribes within Israel that conceive of orthodoxy as the only authentic form of Judaism: the ultra-orthodox and religious Zionists. It presents a nuanced understanding of the defining characteristics of each tribe, the challenges they face, and their place within the broader mosaic of Israel society.

Monday, June 6 – The "Liberal" Jewish Tribes: Examines the four Jewish tribes within Israel that reject the monopoly of orthodoxy – Masorti (traditional), "Jewish" secular, Israeli secular, and "Jewish Non-Jewish."

Evening iEngage 2.0 Central Themes of Dilemmas of Faith 7:00pm–9:00pmWednesday, March 2 – Dilemma of Biblical Theology: What is the Redeeming Idea of Monotheism? Explores how the Bible wants us to understand God and holiness. Dr. Micah Goodman suggests that biblical monotheism is about the absolute uniqueness of a God who is beyond nature and beyond the world. Since our beliefs in God shapre our vision for humanity and the world, Jewish theology strives to instill the ethos that perfection is not possible in the human realm.

Wednesday, May 11 – Dilemma of Theodicy: Where is God in the Midst of Suffering? Addresses the problem of understanding God, God's power, and God's goodness in the face of evil. Rabbi Lauren Berkun suggests that there has never been one response to the problem of theodicy. She offers several different traditional Jewish approaches to the question of evil and G-d's in the world.

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January 2016 Events Calendar

KolenuSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 New Year's Day Office Closed9:00am Morning Minyan4:24pm Candle Lighting7:30pm Evening Services

2

9:00am Shabbat ServicesTorah Study Group

3

No Talmud TorahMen's Club – Hearing Men's VoicesMen's Club Student Essay Contest BeginsInterfaith Hospitality Week Begins

4

Hebrew High School

5

1:00pm Hadassah Board Meeting7:30pm CBI Board Mtg.

6

Talmud Torah

7 8

4:30 pm Candle Lighting7:30pm Evening Services

9


10

Talmud Torah12:30pm USY/Kadima Broadway Show TripInterfaith Hospitality Week Ends

11 Rosh Chodesh

Hebrew High School

12 13

Talmud Torah

14 15

USY ShabbatAnniversary Shabbat4:38pm Candle Lighting7:30pm Evening Services

16


17

No Talmud Torah

18

No Hebrew High

19 20

Talmud Torah

21 22

4:46pm Candle Lighting7:30pm Evening Services

23

9:00am Shabbat Services10:30am Jr. CongregationTorah Study Group

24

Talmud Torah 31 Talmud Torah

25 Tu B'Shevat

Hebrew High

26 27

Talmud Torah

28

29

Kitah Heh/Vav Class Service4:54pm Candle Lighting7:30pm Evening Services

30 9:00am Shabbat ServicesTorah Study Group

Documents

CBI January 2016 Kolenu