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First article. Time to examine first causes. Who are we and what are we doing here? We are clearly a unique enterprise in the midst of a beautiful area – we are a focus of the Jewish people in our community for our relationship with our God, our learning and history, our holidays and our celebrations. We come here to seek justice in our society and the health and welfare of those

around us, and come together to mourn our sorrows and share our pain and provide consolation to each other, and celebrate our joys and friendships together. Look at the neighborhood -- there’s nobody here like us.

If you’re ever down, or fear for the future of the Jewish people, come over to CBI on a Sunday morning when Hebrew school is in session. In this magically exciting and creative space, it’s impossible not to be thrilled by our potential, and profoundly challenged by our responsibility to achieve that potential.

So let’s look at how we handle that responsibility. I believe there are only six parts in our synagogue life on which we need to focus.

Relationship is the first element. CBI provides an essential Jewish focal point for us to relate to ourselves, to our families, our friends, our hopes and ideals, our various communities, and with the Holy. There are many terms for a synagogue, and others have used the name, but Beit Chaverim, House of Friends, is now a fitting description of CBI.

Attachment is the second. Here is where we put our relationships into commitment and action. I am told that at least 90 of our members are actively engaged in projects in furtherance of the synagogue. To all of you in that number, we thank you.

And for those of you who aren’t, where are you? You’re missing a great opportunity to indulge the best of your soul. Just email me at [email protected] and we fill find a challenge and a group of friends that will clearly enhance your experience as a congregant, a Jew, and a human being.

Membership is the third. We have room for more members. Our revenues have therefore reduced, but even more importantly, we are missing the opportunity to bring to others the Jewish life we are privileged to enjoy. We have a wonderfully energetic and successful membership committee, but it is time for us personally to aide in the effort. Most of us have unaffiliated Jews as friends who hesitate to join in the traditionally formal trappings of a synagogue. But wouldn’t we like to bring in our friends to share in our Judaism in whatever form feels authentic? Certainly we hesitate to ask our friends to pay large fees, but we need to find ways to include them comfortably in the activities that are important to us. Our synagogue needs to be creative, so please contact me with your needs and ideas and what you would like to do to advance them. [email protected] (again)

Buildings come next. Though we laugh at concerns for bricks and mortar in the face of a primary concern with spirituality, it is important to preserve tangible centers of Jewish religious, educational, and social life. We need to know where we can go to get things done. We have talked for years of the need to maintain our roofs, and there are other parts of our facilities that we must care for as well. This will be a substantial concern in the years to come.

Activities are the fifth element. So much of what we do is included in this broad concept – our religious services, our holiday activities, our broad and varied educational programs for our children and ourselves, our social programs as we join in activities to develop our spiritual sensitivities as well as our relationships with others, our social action programs and the various other programs and projects that reflect the multi-varied modern American Jewish consciousness.

C o n g r e g a t i o n B ’ n a i I s r a e l “ B r i n g i n g G o d a n d t h e C o m m u n i t y T o g e t h e r ”

C o n g re ga t i o n B ’n a i I s ra e l

Connection July/August 2015/Tammuz/Av/Elul 5775

Volume 94 • Issue 7 Published Monthly

171 Ridge Road Rumson, NJ 07760

Phone: 732-842-1800 Fax: 732-842-7269

www.cbirumson.org

S e r v i c e s Thursday Minyan 8:00 am

Friday 7:30 pm Saturday 9:30 am

Inside This Issue

Cantor’s Note p3

Message from Immediate Past President p4

Sisterhood Social p5

Sisterhood News p6

July/August Calendars p7

Get Connected at the Library p8

Poems from

Café Pinsky p9 - p10

Adult Education p11

Friday Night Speaker p12

Torah Readers Wanted p12

Book Review p12

Todah Rabah p13

President’s Message

President's Message continued on Page 5

mailto:[email protected]


Congregation B’nai Israel of Greater Red Bank 171 Ridge Road, Rumson, NJ 07760

732-842-1800 FAX: 732-842-7269

WEBSITE: WWW.CBIRUMSON.ORG

Director of Education, Cantor Dov Goldberg, x202

Rabbi Emeritus, Jack M. Rosoff, D.D., x217

Cantor Emerita, Marla J. Barugel

President - Joel Weissglass

Operations VP - Dr. Eric Menell

Education VP - Ellen Levine

Financial VP - Dr. Andrew Burstiner

Secretary - Lynn Einbinder

Treasurer - Iris Michaelson

Executive Director, Emilie Kovit-Meyer, x203

Gan Yeladim Early Childhood Director, Suzanne Wycoff, x209

Youth Program Coordinator, Susan Alderson, x210

Main Office Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Friday 8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Accounting Monday - Wednesday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Alice MacPhee, x 211

Please Note

Because of the HIPAA laws, we are not informed by the hospital when a congregant has been hospitalized. If you or someone you know from the congregation is ill or in the hospital, please notify:

Rabbi Emeritus, Jack M. Rosoff, D.D., 732-842-1800,x217

Cantor Dov Goldberg, 732-842-1800, x202 or email: [email protected]

Mi she-berach (Prayer for the Sick)

Anyone wishing a mi she-berach to be acknowledged should call the office and give the person's Hebrew name whenever possible. Mi she-berachs will be acknowledged for 4 Shabbats. If you need the mi she-berach to be continued, please call the office at 732-842-1800 to request this.

USCJ News

Check out the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s website, www.uscj.org. It’s loaded with wonderful articles and information, a great resource site.

Mazal Tov CBI extends its warmest wishes to:

Mimi Friedman, on her 90th Birthday.

Lois & Len Green, on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Kenny Silver.

Bud & Arleen Natelson, on the occasion of their 65th Wedding Anniversary

Art & Ginny Kamin, on the graduation of their grandson,

William Maxwell Mahany Kamin, who graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cume Laude from Amherst College.

Emilie Kovit-Meyer, on being named Executive Director of CBI

If you have a simcha or good news to share,

please let the office know so that we can wish you Mazal Tov in our bulletin.

Thank You

Thank you to McLoone's Restaurants

and Eastpointe Health and Fitness

which were left out of CBI Bene Fete auction item donor thank-yous in our June Bulletin.

Thank you to Silberstein Interior Designs for repairing one of our red Torah mantles

for the High Holy Days!

Thank you so much to Audrey Harnik, who has been our generous calligrapher

of CBI’s B’nai Mitzvah certificates for more years than we can count!

CBI CONNECTION - July/August 2015

Thank you to all who kept me in their thoughts and prayers during and after

my surgery last month. Lois Green

PLEASE NOTE

Beginning with our October Issue, the CBI Bulletin

will automatically be emailed to you,

if we have your email address so that we

can save postage and printing costs.

If you have an email but prefer to have it mailed to

you please let the office know ASAP.


http://www.uscj.org/

Recently I was reflecting on the time I spent many years ago in a Jewish Day High School teaching Talmud

and supervising one of its many minyan groups. Whenever a tragedy occurred in Israel, the Director of the

school made sure to remind us to say a memorial prayer during the minyan on behalf of those killed in Israel.

The whole thing seemed natural and obvious to me. However, on one occasion during a class following

services, several students remarked that while they felt sorry for those who were killed and for their families,

they didn’t feel a particular need on our part to incorporate the fact of their death into our services. A

discussion ensued about the State of Israel as a Jewish homeland. This was before 9-11 and these students

questioned why we never did anything if American soldiers were killed in a training accident but became so upset when Israeli soldiers

died. A lot has changed since then, and I don’t think we look at the United States quite the way we did back then. And certainly, at least

for a time, we did mark the death of American soldiers in our sanctuaries and Jewish schools.

Back then I discussed the differences that existed at the time between the real dangers facing Israel and those facing the United States;

the difference between the number of people in Israel and in its army compared with those in the United States. I discussed a whole host

of issues, but, at the core I realized that the kids were right. In our zeal to be a Jewish institution that promotes a love for and attachment

to Israel, we lost sight that we were also an American Jewish institution. Maybe we took an attachment to America for granted for

ourselves and our children, while we felt a need to consciously foster a connection with Israel. Maybe. But, maybe we had just forgotten

how much we as American Jews owe to this country and how much we take for granted in this country every day.

Much has changed since then and 9 -11 is just one example. Greater instability has occurred in the Middle East, some of it an outgrowth

of the Arab Spring. The threat of a nuclear Iran hangs over the entire world, but, especially Israel. Just a couple of weeks ago a young

white supremacist massacred parishioners engaged in Bible study in an historic African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Hopefully, we are vigilant about the genuine threat to Israel and continue to make that a priority for ourselves as Jews. And hopefully we

are less complacent than we have sometimes been about the potential threats to the American way of life. But, I fear that after each

violent incident begins to recede from our awareness we have a tendency to slip back into taking the blessings of our nation for granted.

In some ways I guess that’s a good thing, because it means that fundamentally we feel secure in our country.

Not everything in this country is or has been perfect for Jews or any other minority. But, that doesn’t diminish the things which America

has done right or the benefits we receive as Jews by living here. Independence Day is approaching as I write this, and perhaps this

should serve as a reminder for us and our children that while Judaism may not depend on America, the nature and expression of our

Judaism has benefited tremendously from this country. There’s an American flag in our sanctuary for a reason and it’s worth remembering

why that is.

Cantor Dov Goldberg

Susan Alderson Mike Beller

Lynn Einbinder Cantor Dov Goldberg

Alyson Hague Rona Kaplan

Gloria Landy Matthew Laub

Arthur Liberman Iris Michaelson

Abby Schild David Schild

Peter Schild Philip Schild

Zachary Schild Dr. Moshe Segal

Jodi Woolley Sasha Wyman

Cantor's Note


We gratefully acknowledge the following Torah and Haftarah readers who participated in the Congregation B’nai Israel Shabbat Services in May 2015.

A Message from Immediate Past President

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be President for a second time. It has been a very exciting and rewarding year.

1. The Membership Committee, led by Les Mallet and Robyn Etzler, held a number of outstanding events during the year to attract new members. These included:

a. An exciting day at the Landy’s Congress Hill Farm with food, events and animals. b. A real effort to get Gan parents to join CBI. c. A membership increase this year that exceeded membership losses.

2. Fundraising was outstanding. We held two events: A. An Israeli Art Show. B. A Bene Fete Event which honored 4 of our outstanding congregant families: a. Stacey Rassas Klinge b. Eugene and Gloria Landy c. Jodi Woolley d. Dave and Anne Zack

Harriet & Steve Strauss, Joel and Linda Weissglass and Tara Siers and their committees led the event, which produced a profit of over $140,000.

We reflected a profit from operations for 2014/2015.

3. Art Becker and Ed Grodman of our Building Committee were the “Unsung Heroes.” They very carefully and efficiently worked with our engineers and devised a plan for 2015 to meet the needs of our building maintenance.

4. Adult Ed led by Dr. Yona Shulman had multiple outstanding events, including two of which each attracted over 100 attendees. These were: a. The Monument Men b. Author Bret Stephens

5. We reached out to Rob and Pat Fire and the choir rehearsed all last summer and did “one last appearance” at the High Holidays Services.

6. Our video signage as you enter the building was installed and was an instant success.

7. Wi-Fi was enhanced throughout the building which leads to greater efficiency and learning.

8. Al Zager and Fran Semaya did a yeoman’s job in rewriting our constitution. A number of Congregational town hall meetings were held to explain the changes. It passed the Board and was accepted at the Congregational meeting.

9. Rabbi Sultar’s superlative Sunday morning Adult Ed classes were very well attended and intellectually stimulating to the participants. 10. Cantor Dov Goldberg and our excellent staff of professional teachers revised the schedule for classes so we could not only teach more efficiently but also accommodate more of our students' busy schedules.

11. Our USY/Kadima led by Susan Alderson held a very successful regional weekend event that included religious services and a dance.

12. Barbara Fleischer became head of the Endowment Committee and their committee began to initiate new fundraising alternatives.

13. Our staff introduced new initiatives which produced a better bulletin, more efficiency in the day to day operations and a new improved marketing brochure for potential new members.

Bottom Line I want to thank my excellent and hardworking Executive Board: Joel, Melinda, Lynn, Art and Steve and the Board of Trustees.

I’d like to thank all the Committees and their chairpeople for all their time and efforts.

I again want to thank the hardworking and loyal members of our staff, especially those I personally worked with: Emilie, Alice and Charles.

And then I said to Len, "I had so much fun this year and we accomplished so many things – maybe I will do it for another year."

Well, Al Zager and the Restructuring Committee took care of that option with a provision in the new constitution that limits serving as President to two terms.

And finally, I must thank my husband of 56 years, Len Green, if I had not met him I could not be the person I am.

I know Joel will make an excellent President.

Lois Green Immediate Past President

"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion,

in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."

-Thomas Jefferson



President's Message continued from Front Cover

Money,which empowers so many of the activities noted above, is last. We must ensure that our annual budgets remain in

balance and that our endowment is no longer simply a source of funds, but is instead a source of opportunity, to ensure that

we can do the programs that will ensure sustainability for our community, and the potential for it to be as active and creative

as it can be. If CBI is not among your top three charities, let’s make it one. Let me know what needs to be done,

([email protected]) (again), and help us to do it.

And we even have a mnemonic device to help us remember our challenges. Remember the RAMBAM, our loving nickname

for Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (often thought of as Maimonides.) A rabbi, a philosopher, a prolific writer and even a doctor,

his talents and energy provide a model for an effective Jewish life, and point us to the issues we encounter in our life at CBI.

He taught us that “everyone entrusted with a mission is an angel.” Our mission is very clear. We are not only a nation of

priests, but also one of messengers, and so it is our responsibility to ensure that we focus on these six elements, and get

them right.

Joel Weissglass CBI President [email protected]



Announcing New CBI Employee Fund to Recognize our Employees

CBI’s Finance Committee had a mission – to keep our expenses flat from 2014-15 to 2015-16. They succeeded in doing this,

which was a great accomplishment. However, one thing that was also important to them was to recognize the great job CBI’s

employees do each year without increasing our budget. Financial Secretary, Art Becker, came up with a creative suggestion

that would allow us to provide additional compensation to our valued employees without adding a salary increase to the

budget: to create a fund that CBI members contribute to each year, that each year will be divided up among all employees in

proportion with their income on their W2. This suggestion was unanimously supported by both the Finance Committee and

the Board of Trustees.

Here’s how it will work:

Beginning with the first bill to members in July 2015, a $90 voluntary charge will be added that when paid will go directly into

this CBI Employee Fund. On December 31 of each year, 92% of whatever funds have accumulated will be dispersed to all

(non-Clergy) CBI employees on a basis determined by their Gross Pay line on their annual W-2 IRS tax form. The balance

(8%) will pay for payroll tax and any other payroll expenses. The fund will be completely emptied each year and begin

accumulating again for the next year.

This money is effectively a one-time payment, similar to a bonus, that does not get added to an employee’s base salary,

which will stay the same. However, it will be included as part of the employee’s total earnings for the year.

We want to let everyone know about this new CBI Employee Fund, which will also be added as a line item on the tribute form

to allow for additional contributions. We strongly encourage all members to contribute to this Fund so we can accumulate

enough money for it to be meaningful when divided among all included employees (administrative staff, facilities, SHMA &

Gan teachers, etc.). We hope you recognize as we do how great our staff is and will help to recognize them and thank them

financially for all they do. Please keep this fund in mind and when you receive your bill in July, please add the extra $90 to

make a big difference in our employees’ lives.

Thank you.

Lois S. Green Joel Weissglass Immediate Past President President Art Becker Dr. Andrew Burstiner Immediate Past Financial Secretary Financial VP

I am honored and excited to be the new President of Sisterhood at CBI. Although Sisterhood means different things to different people, we can all agree that Sisterhood should provide the women of CBI a collective voice, support our synagogue and religious school, and strengthen our bonds of friendship. Sisterhood is not only for our mothers and grandmothers, but for all generations. So where do we begin? I have started to meet with past Presidents and active volunteers, but we need YOU to step forward, speak up and tell us what Sisterhood means to you and what you would like Sisterhood to do for you. Please join me on Wednesday, July 29th at my home for our first meeting to plan out the 2015-2016 year. I promise that our kick-off social will not last long (9:30-11am) - so stop by and grab a cup of coffee, have a bite to eat, socialize with old and new friends, and then you can head out to the beach! Volunteering for an organization can be daunting for some, but I am hoping that we can persuade each of you to take on a role within Sisterhood. There is always some way you can help, even if you don’t have a lot of available time. We already have many exciting events in the works (social night out to paint and drink wine at Pinot's Palette, Chanukah menorah lighting, festival & dinner, book fair, the winter pledge event), but we need your help to make each event successful and entertaining for all! My main goal for the upcoming year is to bring our members together on a social level, and so I encourage you to join us, as there is no better way to connect Jewish women in our community. Please let me know if you will be able to stop by on July 29th by emailing me at [email protected]. Stacey Klinge Sisterhood President

Sisterhood News



July 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Camp Keshet 10am - Noon Bridge 7:00pm Finance Meeting 8pm Men's Basketball

2 8am Minyan/Breakfast 10am - Noon Library Open

3 Main Office Closed Camp Keshet Closed 7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat

4 9:30am Shabbat Services

BALAK

5 8am CBI Men's Basketball

6 Camp Keshet

7 10am - Noon Library Open

8 Camp Keshet 10am - Noon Bridge 7:30pm Minyan followed by Ritual Committee 8pm Men's Basketball


10 Camp Keshet 7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Friday Night Speaker Series Dr. Harvey Cohen

11 9:30am Shabbat Services Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by Mimi Friedman in honor of her 90th Birthday

PINCHAS


13 Camp Keshet

14 10am - Noon Library Open 7:00pm Special Congregation Meeting

15

Camp Keshet 9:30am Library Committee Mtg. 10am - Noon Bridge 8pm Men's Basketball

16 8am Minyan/Breakfast 10am -Noon Library Open

17 Camp Keshet 7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat

18 9:30am Shabbat Services

MATOT - MASEI


20 Camp Keshet

21 10am - Noon Library Open 7:30pm Minyan 7:45pm Trustee Meeting

22 Camp Keshet 10am - Noon Bridge 7:30pm CBI Book Club 8pm Men's Basketball



25 Erev Tisha B'av 9:30am Shabbat Service 8:30 pm Tisha B'Av Services

DEVARIM

26 TISHA B'AV

27 Camp Keshet

28 10am - Noon Library Open

29 Camp Keshet 9:30am Sisterhood Kick-off Meeting (Offsite) 10am - Noon Bridge 8pm Men's Basketball


31

Camp Keshet 7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat Friday Night Speaker Series Dr. Harvey Cohen

8:07pm

8:13pm

August 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:30am Shabbat Service Kiddush sponsored by Drs. Harvey & Robbie Cohen

VA'ETCHANAN


3 Camp Keshet

4 10am - Noon Library Open 10:30am Sicha: Study Group

5 Camp Keshet 10am - Noon Bridge 7:00pm Finance Meeting 8pm Men's Basketball



8 9:30am Shabbat Service

EKEV


10 Camp Keshet


12

10am - Noon Bridge 7:30pm Minyan followed by Ritual Committee 8pm Men's Basketball

13 8am Minyan/Breakfast 10am -Noon Library Open 12pm Library Movie/Lunch

14 Camp Keshet - Last Day 7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat


RE'EH


17


19 9:30am Library Committee Mtg 10am - Noon Bridge 8pm Men's Basketball


21 7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat


SHOFTIM

23 8am CBI Men's Basketball 30 8am CBI Men's Basketball

24 31

25

10am - Noon Library Open 10:30am Sicha: Study Group

26

10am - Noon Bridge 8pm Men's Basketball

27

8am Minyan/Breakfast 10am - Noon Library Open

28 7:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat


KI TETZE

7:39 pm

7:48 pm

8:02 pm

7:55 pm

7:18 pm


7:29 pm

8:11 pm

Reminder Sicha: Study Group

will not be meeting during the month of July.

Get Connected at the Library

Goodbye Speech from Suzanne Gottuso

June 13, 2015 Shabbat Shalom. When I asked the Cantor about this week’s parsha, he mentioned that it was from the Book of Numbers. As you know, that book contains many statistics, population counts and figures about tribes and priests. As I reflect on my almost ten - year tenure as librarian at Congregation B’nai Israel, I think about all that we, the library committee, have accomplished in numbers. We purchased one online computer catalog system and made the library a WIFI zone, long before the rest of the building had WIFI. We cataloged over 6,123 holdings, each catalog record containing information and location about that holding. We created library cards for over 455 patrons. We purchased a 26 - volume set of Encyclopedia Judaica. In the past 8 years, we checked out 4,997 items, we checked in 4,886 items, we renewed 310 books and 111 of you owe us an overdue book or DVD! We cataloged and then discarded, when they became obsolete, hundreds of VHS tapes. We purchased 140 DVDs to replace them. We hosted numerous film and author programs, including my favorite, Summer Shorts. We held 6 Café Pinsky poetry programs with hundreds of local Jewish poets. We took 2 trips to the Jewish Museum in NYC. We took 1 trip to the Eldridge Street Synagogue and a walking tour of the lower east side. We took 1 trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage. We had 1 American Girl Tea, 1 minyan breakfast, 1 Shabbat dinner and various programs with the Adult Education committee. We shared many corned beef and pastrami sandwiches. I have worked with at least 4 chairs of our committee, including Regina Feldman, Debbie Wasser, Dianne Cohen and Lynn Einbinder. I received guidance from so many people including 1 former synagogue librarian, 1 Monmouth County librarian, 2 Heads of Religious School, lots of Rabbis and one very accomplished Rabbi’s wife. I have received help from so many wonderful and talented volunteers including 1 museum founder, 1 speech therapist, 1 bookstore owner, 1 journalist, 1 school teacher, 1 student from MAST, both of my children and even my husband, one Sunday, when I couldn’t be in the library. Life takes so many unexpected twists and turns. Although I love books, art, culture and religion I never thought that I would have worked as a librarian. And certainly not in a synagogue. I am thankful for this opportunity the past 10 years. I have learned so much, not only about being a librarian and running a library but so much about our Jewish literature and culture and practice. As much as they have helped me, I have loved helping our teachers and students and patrons. I have loved picking up books on every topic and learning more about our religion and heritage. When Mildred Howitt asked me to help in the library more than 10 years ago, she didn’t know that the library would become more than my job, it became a sanctuary and a home. I have been blessed to bring the library into the 21

st century. I have been blessed to get to know so many wonderful talented

members of our library committee and synagogue. I am thankful for all those who support the library, a center for learning and research in our synagogue. Although I leave this month, I feel so proud of our numbers and proud to count all of you as friends. Fondly, Suzanne Gottuso


Poems from Café Pinsky

Cat’s Lullaby

(The Prize Winning Poem of the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association)

By Kenny Silver, Age 11, Grandson of Lois and Len Green

I hear it in a cat’s purring.

A black cat curled up with its eyes closed, falling asleep.

From its chest comes a low rumble, a long, low continuous rumble.

The sound goes on for mere minutes before he falls sleep.

It seems like he is in a joyous mood.

If he wakes up, no purring at first, while he looks around, then slowly he starts to purr again.

A cat’s lullaby to put himself back to sleep.

When I was young, just a baby,

my big black cat would come curl up next to me and sing his own cat lullaby that would set me to sleep.

Even though it was a rumbling, it was a very soothing song.

Whether he was intentionally trying to sing me to sleep, I will never know.

Behind the purring there is a rhythmic beat, like the ocean’s waves coming in and out.

The purr sounds like a soft breeze or a gentle patter of rain.

No matter how long two cats purr next to each other, they won’t get in sync.

Each cat’s purr is his own tune.

To me, a cat’s lullaby is one of the most soothing sounds in the world and it makes me very happy,

no matter what mood I am in.

STOP AGGRESSION AGAINST NEIGHBORS

IN THE MIDDLE EAST

THE PEACE WE ALL DESIRE

I KNOW AMERICA STANDS WITH ISRAEL-

I KNOW YOU STAND WITH ISRAEL

WE THE JEWISH PEOPLE CAN DEFEND OURSELES

ESTHER, HAMAN, PURIM, THOSE DAYS ARE OVER

THE PLOT WAS FOILED, MY PEOPLE WERE SAVED

THIS CAPITAL DOME HELPED BUILD OUR IRON DOME

EVEN IF ISRAEL HAS TO STAND ALONE – IT WILL STAND

THE OLDEST HATRED – ISRAEL MUST BE ANNIHILATED –

DESTROYED – YET ANOTHER PERSIAN POTENTATE

SIXTY MILLION PEOPLE KILLED IN WORLD WAR II

AN ISSUE THAT COULD THREATEN THE SURIVAL

OF MY COUNTRY

THE FUTURE OF MY PEOPLE

THE ALTERNATIVE IS A BETTER DEAL

BAGHDAD, DAMASCUS, BEIRUT, SANA DOMINATED

NO PEACE FOR CHRISTIANS, JEWS OR MUSLIMS

IN THIS CHAMBER IS THE IMAGE OF MOSES

HIS MESSAGE

BE STRONG AND RESOLUTE - NEITHER FEAR NOR DREAD

THEM.

EVEN IF ISRAEL HAS TO STAND ALONE – ISRAEL WILL

STAND

Words By Gloria Landy (Based on Benjamin Netanyahu’s Speech of March 3, 2015)


For years when I was growing up

In Brooklyn, U.S.A.,

Each summer season heralded

A massive get-a-way.

We’d drive up to the Catskills,

New York’s kosher mountain range,

Where cows were strictly “pasture-ized”

At home upon the grange.

The trip was long and bumpy,

But no one seemed to mind.

The hot air of the city

Would soon be left behind.

We’d ride through many places---

“TUXEDO” -–so elite;

“SLOATSBURG” -–Watch the speed trap;

“RED APPLE REST” –Let’s Eat!

At Wurtsboro the mountains loomed;

Quick shift to lower gear.

Once past those hills we’d start to smile,

Our journey’s end was near.

Some families rent bungalows

We’d choose a small hotel.

With fancy name, but stairs that creaked

What tales those rooms could tell…

Upon arrival I would scan

The lobby end to end

Searching for a kindred soul,

That summer’s new “best friend.”

Hotel routine was simple:

Guest roused by clanging bells,

Which also served to signal meals,

In case you missed the smells.

Kids and parents took their meals

At separate place and time—

The “Children’s Dining Room” décor

And food?...less than sublime.

On oil-cloth-covered tables,

Long benches pulled up close,

We’d gag on lumpy oatmeal,

A breakfast overdose.

While grown-ups feasted lavishly

On buttered onion rolls

With cheese and cream and berries served

In heavy white round bowls.

Dancing waiters and their busboys

Balanced trays without a slip,

Knowing future feast or famine.

Would depend upon “The Tip.”

Guests would always dress for dinner

Like it was a fashion show;

Then stream into the “Social Hall,”

Well known as Casino.

Jokes and skits were fast and rowdy—

Some I couldn’t understand—

Led by the “Social Director”

Backed up by the four-piece band.

Rainy days meant village movies,

Shuttled there by hotel car.

Line up for the double feature

And your favorite movie star.

Carefree days fulfilled each promise;

Swimming, ping pong, hayrides shared;

Picking berries and green apples,

Breathing scented country air.

We learned to fly on wooden swings,

Hung from trees with twisted ropes,

While sun and clouds played peek-a-boo

Through our magic telescopes

Then suddenly the silent tears—

Departure’s last farewell.

Back home, I’d shun my friends for days,

Afraid to break the spell.

That time has passed

Today, where hotels once rose proud—

Fresh painted, clean and bright—

Stand weathered shells with broken panes

How sad to see their plight.

Some “grand resorts” still carry on,

For those who care to pay.

And bungalows are “born again”…

With orthodox display.

For me the majesty remains,

Despite the new disguise;

These mountains will forever be

My summer childhood’s prize.

The Summers of My Childhood By Rosalyn Kovit

A Wonderful Dream By David Scheinhartz

Last night I had a wonderful dream

A dream I have had before

I dreamt that people everywhere

Had put an end to War.

The members of the Armed Forces

In each and every land

Put down their guns, picked up a plow

Reached out a helping hand.

Nation no longer fought against nation

Peace became the rule

And whenever you saw a welcome sign

It read, “Welcome Home From School.”

The Generals and the Admirals

Became civilians like you and me

Love filled the hearts of people everywhere

From sea to shining sea.

Throughout the world all armaments were destroyed

War had lost its lease

And the Lord looked down with a smile on his face

All his children lived in Peace.

TO MY FAMILY

By the Late Leonard R. Pamm

Time takes wing when I’m with you

Flashing through the cloudless blue

Each moment together quickly recedes

Blown into the past by a magical breeze

If only we could stay the sun

Command the clock no more to run

I’d hold you forever, clasping you tight

Throughout the day and into the night


On May 3, close to 200 people gathered in the CBI Sanctuary to hear

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and TV commentator Bret Stephens

speak on "Israel, Iran & Global Jihad." After delivering an impassioned

and erudite talk on the Middle East, Mr Stephens received a standing

ovation when Rabbi Rosoff proposed that our speaker become an

honorary member of CBI.

The Adult Education Committee offers its deep appreciation to Lois &

Len Green for their generous support in underwriting this program.

Yasher Koach to Rabbi Rosoff for reaching out to Bret Stephens and for

planning and organizing this event. We were also pleased to co-sponsor

with our partners at Red Bank Hadassah. Thank you to the members of

the Adult Education Committee – Florence Diller Pollack, Rona Kaplan,

and Library committee liaison Sandy Blackman – for registering attendees and handling the sale of Mr Stephens’ book:

America in Retreat.

On May 20, congregants from CBI, Church of the Nativity, and other community

members filled the Parish Hall of the Church for an Interfaith Text Study of the Garden

of Eden narrative. Father Bob Schecker and Rabbi Jeff Sultar welcomed the gathering

and CBI Adult Ed committee members made sure the table study groups consisted of

people from different faiths. Lively discussions ensued and myriad interpretations of

this well-known Bible story were offered in the general group discussion, brilliantly

facilitated by Rabbi Sultar.

This is the second interfaith event with our neighbors across the street. The first took

place last year at CBI, with the presentation of Professor Carol Ritter, a nun and

Holocaust expert, who spoke to a mixed-faith audience on “The Popes and the Jews.”

In the Q&A following her talk, attendees expressed the desire to learn more about one

another’s faiths, and the Adult Ed committee took up the challenge and co-sponsored

this educational forum with the Church. We owe a debt of gratitude to Father

Schecker, a role model of tolerance and humanity, who hosted the program with

wisdom and wit, and made sure the food served was 100% kosher! His warmth, intelligence and leadership will surely be

missed as he retires on June 30.

Rabbi Sultar nimbly led the general discussion, incorporating participants’ questions and comments into a broader

framework of impressive scholarship, and guiding the program, along with Father Bob, to reach its objectives. Yasher Koach

to Jack Needle, a font of creativity, who used his extensive network of contacts to bring both interfaith programs to fruition.

(Jack’s idea of putting apples on the tables, in keeping with the theme, was much appreciated. Interestingly, almost no one

touched the apples until after the discussion!) Melina Stock provided invaluable support in ensuring the tables were of mixed

faiths, so that our program goal of learning from one another could be achieved. We hope to continue our educational

outreach with the Church and other communities – to create a climate of religious tolerance through mutual understanding.

Dr Yona Shulman

Chair, Adult Ed Committee

Adult Education

Pictured from left to right: Rabbi Emeritus Jack Rosoff, Speaker Bret Stephens, and Dr. Yona Shulman.

Father Schecker and Rabbi Sultar


Shalom! CBI’s Adult Education Committee invites you to participate in our summer Friday Night Speaker series, where we draw on the resources of CBI congregants for fascinating presentations and discussions. The program immediately follows our 7:30 PM Friday night summer service in the Chapel. Congregants will take refreshments in the Youth Lounge and join one another at tables to hear our invited speaker.

By popular demand, Dr. Harvey Cohen returns twice in July to lead discussions on Ethical behavior. Dr Cohen is a Principal Member of the Technical Staff at AT&T Labs. He earned his Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology from U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has 8 U.S. patents. Fortunately for CBI, our High school students have been the beneficiaries of Harvey’s enormous talent, wisdom, diversity of interests and unending quest for knowledge. He has taught in the Rabbi Jack Rosoff Hebrew High School for more than 20 years.

Discussion topics come from the NY Times column “The Ethicist”, which features an ethical dilemma or question, followed by the response of the Ethicist, and readers' comments. Harvey will enhance our discussion with references to Jewish sources and texts. Congregants of all ages are welcome to participate!

Dr. Cohen will distribute handouts the night of his talks, but if you’d like to prepare for the discussion in advance, he wil l have the column & selected responses available at our website: www.cbirumson.org

We look forward to greeting you on July 10 and 31!

Torah & Haftarah Chanting Sign-up

Congregation B'nai Israel is fortunate to have volunteers to assist with Torah & Haftarah chanting. If you'd like to be a part of that we have the following tool to help you signup easily.

The link below takes you to a list of all of the upcoming Shabbat dates, along with a list of the specific Torah & Haftarah readings (including chapter & verses) for each Shabbat. The list will always cover the upcoming 3 months or so. Click on the link to peruse which readings are open in the upcoming weeks. Find the weeks you're available and the portion lengths that are comfortable for you. Then just follow the simple process to signup. And you can even use your smartphone! http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0845a9a923abfd0-torah

Torah & Haftarah chanting has never been easier...or at least signing up for it!

BOOK REVIEW

The CBI Library Committee will present a review of a suggested book each month in hopes that it will interest our congregants in utilizing the many books and CD's that are available to all. This month's book, The Paris Architect,

was reviewed and written by our committee member, Susan Glynn.

THE PARIS ARCHITECT By Charles Belfoure

THE PARIS ARCHITECT is a skillfully written story about the effects of the Second World

War on French people, Jews and non-Jews. Lucien, a non-Jewish Parisian architect, who

has never been particularly political, becomes involved with the war in a singularly unusual

way. He has never given much thought to the Jews versus the Nazis, but when approached

by a wealthy client who wants his help to hide Jews, he can’t resist the challenge to his

skills, and eventually becomes emotionally enmeshed in a series of touching and exciting

adventures. This is an engrossing and uplifting book, and well worth reading.

- Susan Glynn

Friday Night Summer Speaker Series launches – July 10


http://www.cbirumson.org

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0845a9a923abfd0-torah

Todah Rabah! We gratefully acknowledge the following contributions.

Abram & Helen Green Fund In Honor of Max Mallet's MBA in Journalism Jared Cohen's Marriage Lily Zager's Bat Mitzvah Adam Lewin's Marriage David Weissglass receiving his Masters in Urban Planning Eve Brownstein receiving her Masters in HR Management Lois & Len Green In Memory of Gary Siegel Anna Siegel Pearl Lemberg Lois & Len Green

Landy - Sadoff Fund Speedy Recovery to Lois Green Gene & Gloria Landy

Rassas Fund In Memory of Rose Bicosky Lilyan Zisselman Samuel Kramer Janet Kramer Molly Rassas Dr. Harlan "Sonny" Glassman Marge & Aaron Rassas

Adult Education Fund In Memory of Pearl Lemberg Janet Kramer Charlotte Brodfuhrer Louis Goldman Shelley & Sidney Schultz Leonard Pamm Herb & Yona Shulman Paul Warren Needle Adult Education Committee

Cemetery Fund In Memory of William Wolf Beverley Wolf James Schwartz Jane, Rachel & Sara Schwartz

CBI Playground In Memory of Reuben Grant Arleen & Bud Natelson

Education-Gan Yeladim In Honor of The marriage of Adam Lewin & Sara Epstein The upcoming marriage of Scott Semaya & Danielle Reiss Danielle Mason Dr. Russ and Ellen Ashinoff 's award from Hand in Hand Stacey & Jeff Klinge The Gan Moms & Dads Sari Morrone In Memory of Gail Schreibman Becky Weisman Sally & Joe Schannen

Education-Religious School In Honor of Lawrence Fuchs' Birthday Madeline Ottino Al & Robin Zager

Ezra Fund In Memory of Pearl Lemberg Jean Klerman

In Honor of Adelaide Komar's Birthday Mimi Friedman Mimi Friedman's 90th Birthday Marilyn & Harold Ostrov Marlene Finkelstein Arnan Finkelstein Art & Ginny Kamin Abby Schild's Bat Mitzvah Dave & Sybil Scheinhartz

General Fund Speedy recovery to Lois Green Fran & Rich Semaya Art & Karen Becker In Honor of the Auf Ruf of Scott Semaya & Danielle Reiss Janet Kramer In Memory of Sam Semaya Lillian Semaya Ann Levitt The Semaya Family Jack Stein Al Israeloff Seena & Sandy Stein Jim Schwartz Harriet & Steve Straus

From Vivianne & Alfred Marzouk Maurice Lefkort

Israel Scholarship Fund In Memory of Joseph Shein Jeffries & Rona Shein

Library Fund In Memory of Colin Droyman Barbara Pivnick The Library Committee Speedy recovery to Lois Green The Library Committee

Oneg/Kiddush Fund In Memory of Harry Marx Jerry & Audrey Harnik

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund In Memory of Edith Schlussler Henry Schlussler Jacob Freedman Marilyn & Allen Freedman Pearl Lemberg Ben & Mary Lemberg Mollye Silver Barbara & Alan Silver From Harvey Cohen Ruth & Larry Korn

Staff Appreciation Fund In Memory of Pearl Lemberg Herb & Yona Shulman

Torah Maintenance and Religious Articles In Memory of Dr. Sheldon Zatcoff Ellen Wagner Zatcoff

Tzedakah - Community of Caring In Memory of Meyer Lewin Loren & Barry Lewin Jack Stein Al Israeloff Seena & Sandy Stein

Yahrzeit In Memory of Jennie Michelsohn Adele Becker Joseph Weinshenker Phyllis Gottlieb


Serving Our Community for Generations

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732-747-3700 www.zagerfuchs.com

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Congregation B’nai Israel

171 Ridge Road

Rumson, NJ 07760-1065

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Please Join Us for Tisha B’Av Services

Saturday, July 25 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Tisha B’Av is the day commemorating the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem, as well as other tragedies throughout Jewish history.

Please join Cantor Goldberg for a service that includes traditional and modern liturgy, and features the haunting chanting of the biblical book of Eichah,

the Book of Lamentations, which is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah.

Along with Yom Kippur, Tisha B’Av is the only full fast day in our tradition, usually lasting from sundown one day until nightfall the next. This year Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbat, so its commemoration is pushed back to begin on Saturday night, July 25 and end on Sunday night, July 26. For those who cannot or do not fast, consider altering your eating patterns in some way to mark the day, such as eating only for sustenance and not for pleasure, by avoiding sweets and favorite foods. The full fast, just as on Yom Kippur, involves five levels of abstention from: eating, drinking, bathing, intimate relations, and the wearing of leather shoes.

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