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Volume 11 Issue 5 May 2018 16 Iyyar - 17 Sivan 5778CONGREGATION OF MOSES • Kalamazoo, Michigan
CoM bulletin
www.congregationofmoses.org www.facebook.com/congregationofmoses VISIT US!
Hello my friends.
It was lovely to see so many of you attending our congregational annual meeting last Thursday. For those who were unable to attend, here’s the “Reader’s Digest” condensed summary of the meeting: • Both motions, as provided ahead of the meeting, passed. • We are welcoming three new congregants to our Board of Directors. Each will serve a 3-year term. They are Sherrie Deems, Jenna Verne and Rachel Haus. • We are also welcoming two returning Directors, who will each serve a 3-year term. They are Adam Strauss and Neal Berke. • Thanks beyond measure go to Patricia Kirschner, for volunteering to step into the seemingly endless and oftentimes thankless position of Board Secretary, following Connie Bowman’s move to Florida. Pat has provided wisdom, support, grace and tireless effort on our behalf. And we also acknowledge and thank Rich Kirschner for all of his assistance and input as maven and I.T. department during this past year. • We welcome Diane Fogel to our Executive Committee. Diane will complete the second of two, one-year terms, replacing Pat in the position of Board Secretary. • We bid thank you and farewell to Rabbi Jeremy and Paula. May your futures hold many blessings. • We are in urgent need of congregants to serve on the Membership Committee and the Cemetery Committee. Please accept such an invitation when you are personally asked, or better yet, volunteer! • Our next true Town Hall gathering and work session will be Wednesday, June 20 at 6:00 pm. To remove barriers from attendance and participation, we will begin with a community dinner and childcare will be provided.
Lastly, there is a survey question which I would like to pose to the entire congregation.
If, in order to be able to attend Friday night Shabbat services, the one and only consideration you needed to entertain was the time of the service, which time would be most desirable and most consistently amenable to your schedule: 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm or 7:30 pm?
Please vote for only Friday Shabbat services time slot and email me your preferred time by Sunday May 20 at my address: [email protected].
Thank you!
Michelle
Thought You’d Like to Know
PAGE 2
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSalways welcomes comments from CoM congregants and invites you to attend its regular board meetings, held the first Tuesday of each month. Minutes of the previous month’s board meeting are available upon request from the Board Secretary.
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] Pat Kirschner
385-8999 [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 bythe 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].
CoM Committeesand chairpersonsExecutive Committee Brad Hershbein, VP [email protected]
Archives Art Feinberg [email protected]
Cemetery Bruce Minsley [email protected]
Communications Brad Kennedy [email protected]
Etz Chaim Ken Goodman [email protected]
Facilities Operating Committee Bruce Stein [email protected]
Finance Art Feinberg [email protected]
Governance Beth Grode [email protected]
Kitchen Joanne Simon [email protected] Gail Brot [email protected]
Membership
Outreach/Social Action Judy Davis-Rosenthal [email protected]
Religious Activities Brad Hershbein [email protected] Saraphoena Ko ron sbko [email protected]
Social Committee/Adult Education
Synagogue Connection RaeLee Howard [email protected]
Israel A airs Committee Nomi-Kluger-Nash [email protected]
Colef Tzedakah Committee Carolyn Kennedy [email protected]
PAGE 3
Shabbat scheduleFRIDAY May 4 6:30 p.m. Announcements: SATURDAY May 5 9:30 a.m. Rachel Snyder Bat Mitzvah Torah: Leviticus 22:17-23:22 Rabbi Spivak Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-44:31 Rachel Snyder Announcements: Michelle Angel FRIDAY May 11 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Charlie Ofstein SATURDAY May 12 9:30 a.m. Torah: Leviticus 25:39-26:46 Al Rosenthal Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Rachel Haus Announcements: Earl Norman
FRIDAY May 18 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Gillian Thommes
SATURDAY May 19 9:30 a.m. Torah: Numbers 2:1-3:13 Judah Ari-Gur Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-2:22 Judah Ari-Gur Announcements: Shirley Wise
FRIDAY May 25 6:30 p.m. Announcements: Stephen Grode SATURDAY May 26 9:30 a.m. Torah: Numbers 5:11-6:27 Judah Ari-Gur Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 Judah Ari-Gur Announcements: Tamara Norman
.
Bracha for candle lighting
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech
haolam asher kideshanu bemitsvotav
vetzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
May 4 8:26 p.m.May 11 8:33 p.m.May 18 8:41 p.m.May 25 8:47 p.m.
Shabbat candle lighting times
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO CHANT TORAH AND HAFTARAH.
PAGE 4
May 2018
1 2RS @ TBI
3 4 5Rachel SnyderBat Mitzvah, 9:30 am
6RS @ CoM, Toddler Play Group, 10:30 am; Adult Ed: “Street Walking ThroughHistory,” with Tom Dietz, 1:00 pm
7 8 9RS @ TBI
10 11 12
13Last day of RS
14 15EC Mtg. 7:00 pm
16 17Adult Education, Self-Defense Workshop with Jamie Blake, 7:30 pm
18Sisterhood Luncheon, Wild Ginger, noon
19Erev Shavuot Services, 7:30 pm
20Shavuot Services& Luncheon 9:30 am; BulletinDeadline 8 pm
21Shavuot Services(Yizkor) 9:30 am; Synagogue office closed;Hadassah BookClub, 7:30 pm
22 23 24 25 26
27 28Memorial Day-Synagogue officeclosed
29 30 31
Su M T W Th F Sa
PAGE 5
June 2018
1Stella AmyBat Mitzvah @CoM;Jackie Odza Bat Mitzvah@TBI
2Stella AmyBat Mitzvah @CoM;Jackie Odza Bat Mitzvah@TBI
3Vegan 101 withHillary Rettig, Youth Lounge, 11:00 am
4 5
6 7 8Installation ShabbatService, 6:30 pm
9
10Unveiling for Evelyn PrywellerMaurer, at Riverside Cem-etery, 11:00 am
11 12Synagogue JointBoard Mtg., 7:30 pm
13 14 15Sisterhood lunch12 noon
16
17 18Camp Keshet;Hadassah BookClub 7:30 pm;Bulletin deadline 8:00 pm
19Camp Keshet; Executive Committee Mtg, 7:00 pm
20Camp Keshet;MemberCommunity Dinner &Town Hall Mtg.@CoM, 6 pm
21Camp Keshet
22Camp Keshet
23
24 25Camp Keshet
26Camp Keshet
27Camp Keshet
28Camp Keshet
29Camp Keshet
30
Su M T W Th F Sa
PAGE 6
May 4, 5 (20 Iyar – 26 Iyar)
Peggy Friedman Frank* Michael Goldberg* Jean Grossman*
Harry Kalis Carrie Kanofsky* Samuel Konigsberg*
Dora Leiberman* Dorothy Pollens Irving Rappaport*
Ronn Sofen* Morris Spivak* Julius Stulberg*
May 11, 12 (27 Iyar – 4 Sivan)
Samuel Berman* Morris Louis Friedman* Bryna Graff*
Samuel Graff* Ida Levene* Nathan Silverman*
Celia Slosberg* Irvin Wise*
May 18, 19 (5 Sivan – 11 Sivan)
Joyce Fisher* Goldie Fogel Myron Freed
Irving Lando* Jean H. Morrison* Harry Okun*
Sarah Oshinsky Mitchell Peven* Sol Raffel
David Rose* Zipporah Seeder* Mina Blum Seidler*
Meyer Turndorf
May 25, 26 (12 Sivan – 18 Sivan)
David Berkowitz David Hyman* Ida Kazanoviz
Rose Lando King* Dora Kirschner* Robert Pereles
Gerald Pryweller* Diana Zheutlin* Aron Ziv*
* Denotes a memorial plaque in the synagogue
YAHRZEITS
PAGE 7
GENERAL FUND Mazel Tov to Rabbi Harvey and Natalie Spivak on the engagement of their daughter Elana, to Bryan. Speedy recovery wishes for Saraphoena Koffron and Judy Davis. Condolences to Tova Schreiber on the passing of her grandmother, Pauline Schreiber. Condolences to Charlie Ofstein and family on the passing of his grandmother, Doris Ofsa Kohn. Shirley Wise, Joanne & Mike Simon, Tamara & Earl Norman, Men’s Club, Emily Freed & Brad Hershbein, Liz & Don Thall, Diane & Harvey Fogel, Cindy & Larry Beer, Wilma Kahn & Phil Horwich, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Judy Davis & Al Rosenthal, Beth & Stephen Grode
Condolences to Rabbi Jeremy and Paula Szczepanski on the passing of his grandmother, Rosemary Schumacher. Shirley Wise, Joanne & Mike Simon, Tamara & Earl Norman, Men’s Club, Emily Freed & Brad Hershbein, Liz & Don Thall, Diane & Harvey Fogel, Cindy & Larry Beer, Wilma Kahn & Phil Horwich, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Judy Davis & Al Rosenthal, Beth & Stephen Grode, Nan Goldenthal
Condolences to Tamara Norman and family on the passing of her mother, Rose Schanwald. Cindy & Larry Beer, Diane & Harvey Fogel, Judy Davis & Al Rosenthal, Men’s Club, Emily Freed & Brad Hershbein, Liz & Don Thall, Shirley Wise, Joanne & Mike Simon, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Wilma Kahn & Phil Horwich, Beth & Stephen Grode, Leslie & Joel Bez, Stein Family, Steven Shapiro & Family, Paulette & Ed Margulies, Nan Goldenthal
In loving memory of my Aunt Ernestine Ernst. Marjorie Gaynor
BUILDING FUND Mazel Tov to Rabbi Harvey and Natalie Spivak on the engagement of their daughter Elana, to Bryan. Speedy recovery wishes to Judy Davis. Condolences to Charlie Ofstein and family on the passing of his grandmother, Doris Ofsa Kohn. Sallie & Ken Goodman, Valerie & Ken Eisenberg, Maxine & Neal Berke
CONDOLENCES TO OUR FRIENDS Rabbi Jeremy and Paula Szczepanski on the passing of his grandmother, Rosemary Schumacher Tova Schreiber on the passing of her grandmother, Pauline Schreiber Tamara Norman and family on the passing of her mother, Rose Schanwald Charlie Ofstein and family on the passing of his grandmother, Doris Ofsa Kohn
SPEEDY RECOVERY WISHES TO Saraphoena Koffron and Judy Davis
MAZEL TOV TO Rachel Haus on her “special” birthday
Donations have been made to the following tzedaka funds
Mishpacha
PAGE 8
Mishpacha (continued)
Get well wishes to Saraphoena Koffron. Maxine & Neal Berke, Sallie & Ken Goodman, Valerie & Ken Eisenberg, Rae Lee Howard, Gerry & Lee Tregerman, Carolyn & Brad Kennedy
Condolences to Tamara Norman and family on the passing of her mother, Rose Schanwald. Maxine & Neal Berke, Sallie & Ken Goodman, Valerie & Ken Eisenberg, Gloria Besbris, Rae Lee Howard, Joyce & Steven Camhi, Gerry & Lee Tregerman, Carolyn & Brad Kennedy
Condolences to Rae Lee Howard and family on the passing of Mac Howard. Josh & Pamela Weiner, Joyce & Steven Camhi
Condolences to Rabbi Jeremy and Paula Szczepanski on the passing of his grandmother, Rosemary Schumacher. Condolences to Tova Schreiber on the passing of her grandmother, Pauline Schreiber. Sallie & Ken Goodman, Valerie & Ken Eisenberg, Maxine & Neal Berke, Gerry & Lee Tregerman
In loving memory of my father, Cy Beer. Larry Beer
In loving memory of our parents, Celia and Norman Besbris and our Uncle Stanley J. Besbris. Randie, Terry, David, Debra & their families
MARVIN AND ROSALIE OKUN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND Mazel Tov to Rabbi Harvey and Natalie Spivak on the engagement of their daughter Elana, to Bryan. Speedy recovery wishes to Saraphoena Koffron and Judy Davis. Condolences to Rabbi Jeremy and Paula Szczepanski on the passing of his grandmother, Rosemary Schumacher. Condolences to Tova Schreiber on the passing of her grandmother, Pauline Schreiber. Condolences to Charlie Ofstein and family on the passing of his grandmother, Doris Ofsa Kohn. Judy & Lowell Seyburn, The Fischell Family
Condolences to Tamara Norman and family on the passing of her mother, Rose Schanwald. The Fischell Family, Judy & Lowell Seyburn, Jill & Rudy Ruterbusch
HERMAN AND ROSE FISHER LIBRARY FUND Mazel Tov to Rabbi Harvey and Natalie Spivak on the engagement of their daughter, Elana to Bryan. Speedy recovery wishes to Saraphoena Koffron and Judy Davis. Condolences to Rabbi Jeremy and Paula Szczepanski on the passing of his grandmother, Rosemary Schumacher. Condolences to Tova Schreiber on the passing of her grandmother, Pauline Schreiber. Condolences to Tamara Norman and family on the passing of her mother, Rose Schanwald. Condolences to Charlie Ofstein and family on the passing of his grandmother, Doris Ofsa Kohn. Marilyn & Art Feinberg
Thank you to Rachel Haus for chairing the Blood Drive.
Alan Cohen
PAGE 9
JOYCE AND MORTON FISHER KITCHEN/KIDDUSH/ONEG FUND Speedy recovery wishes to Saraphoena Koffron and Judy Davis. Condolences to Rabbi Jeremy and Paula Szczepanski on the passing of his grandmother, Rosemary Schumacher. Condolences to Tova Schreiber on the passing of her grandmother, Pauline Schreiber. Condolences to Charlie Ofstein and family on the passing of his grandmother, Doris Ofsa Kohn. Michelle & Alan Angel
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Harvey and Natalie Spivak on the engagement of their daughter, Elana to Bryan. Michelle & Alan Angel, Renay & Marvin Berkowitz
In honor of Rabbi Harvey and Natalie Spivak’s 30th wedding anniversary. Renay & Marvin Berkowitz
Condolences to Tamara Norman and family on the passing of her mother, Rose Schanwald. Michelle & Alan Angel, Renay & Marvin Berkowitz, Miriam Brot, Gail Brot
Condolences to Rae Lee Howard and family on the passing of Mac Howard. Kim & Arlen Rubin
In loving memory of my husband, Frank Szopo. In loving memory of my father, Irvin Wise. Shirley Wise Szopo
HONOR AND MEMORIAL FUND Condolences to Tamara Norman and family on the passing of her mother, Rose Schanwald. David Shapiro & Family
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Mazel Tov to Rabbi Harvey and Natalie Spivak on the engagement of their daughter Elana, to Bryan. Kim & Arlen Rubin
Mishpacha (continued)
Thank you for the many tributes, donations, phone calls, cards, emails, and comforting thoughts sent in memory of my Bubbie, Pauline Schreiber. They were a great comfort to my family during a difficult time. ~ “Morah” Tova Schreiber
Thank you to everyone for the love, cards and contributions made in memory of Mac Howard. ~ Rae Lee Howard and family
PAGE 10
Board Meeting Summary
Summary of Board Meeting Minutes from April 3, 2018
President’s Announcements included the following: • The RAC and Communications Committee tried to match seder hosts with guests but we had 5 congregants who had no place to go for a seder. Next year, I’d like to begin making these public requests on March 1, 2019, as Pesach is April 19-27. Six weeks lead time should be more helpful in successfully matching availability with need • At the March meeting the board gave its permission for the Rabbi Advisory and Negotiating Committee (RANC) to begin contract negotiations with Rabbi Spivak. Paul Davidoff is chairing this committee, and B. Hershbein, B. Kennedy, N. Berke, K. Goodman, and R. Strauss will round out the remaining members. This committee is actively working to prepare a document to present to the Board for approval. Once approved, that document will be presented to Rabbi Spivak, and the negotiations will officially commence from there.
S. Grode presented and explained the CoM Restricted Funds Report, the CoM Monetary Report and the Treasurer’s Budget Progress Report. In regard to the first, M. Angel inquired whether monies from the Colef Fund might ever be available to replenish the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund if that were necessary due to (an) emergenc(y)(ies) which greatly depleted the RDF. The answer was YES.
A. Rosenthal will take on the position of assigning pulpit officers and will contact B. Patrick to arrange for the transition. Assignments have already been made until July.
High Holy Day Honors –The RAC has noted that assignment of High Holy Day Honors has become increasingly difficult, with falling congregant interest. There is an idea to send a physical letter, by early July 2018, to the congregants which contains the following:
-Asking them if they are interested in receiving an honor
-If so, which service(s) they will attend and what type(s) of honor they would like to receive
-Notice that response to the letter (an electronic poll will also be available) is required to receive HH honors that year
The ideas received unanimous support.
B. Grode described a new program for how to help kids (by donations of money and goods) who will be going to camp at Pretty Lake. (Our fee for the retreat we held last year at Pretty Lake went toward funding to help kids participate in camp.) She recommends we participate in a program Pretty Lake is launching and get our name out as a sponsor. M. Tenenbaum added that we need to put specific info in any publicity as to needs, drop off areas, time frames, etc. He added that this is a good, active program and not just one of sitting and listening. The Board unanimously supported participating although no formal vote was taken. No motion was necessary, and no funds were requested.
Summary notes are presented in response to requests from members.
PAGE 11SPRING
the earth
in flowers~ Emerson
laughs
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.
The CongThe 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]
Purchase Wenke Bucks by June 12.
Spring is here! Get Wenke Bucks and get busy in the garden!
Ask Wenke’s about Senior Discount Days!
PAGE 12
MAY 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].
5/1 P’nina AriGur 5/2 Carrie Richman 5/5 Steve Richman 5/6 Alan Cohen 5/8 Adam Strauss 5/9 Michael Simon 5/9 Bruce Minsley 5/9 Emma Fischel 5/10 Jeffrey Scheinker 5/14 Blake Bernard 5/22 Paula Szczepanski 5/23 Isaac Green 5/24 Stella Amy 5/29 Tamara Norman 5/30 Earl Norman
5/5 Michelle & Alan Angel 5/8 Sylvia & Alfred Blum 5/26 Rebecca & Adam Strauss
PAGE 13
Make Each Day CountThis is an excerpt from Rabbi Jeremy’s commentary at the April 3, 2018 board meeting.
In ancient Mesopotamia there was a yearly ritual known as the Akitu ceremony. In this ceremony the ruling king was re-crowned as the ruler of the people for another year. This ritual involved the high priest of Ba’al leading a processional through the streets to the temple. There, he stripped the king of his royal vestments and finery down to his skivvies, made him kneel down before him, and proceeded to slap him repeatedly as hard as possible until tears flowed freely from his eyes. Once the tears flowed to the priest’s satisfaction, he declared that the gods had again favored the king to rule for another year, stood the king up, dressed him in new royal finery, and re-crowned him as ruler.
There was a similar such ceremony in ancient Israel, minus all the violence and humiliation. Rather than rededicate the king as ruler, the ark was paraded through Jerusalem by the kohen gadol and it was the people who re-consecrated themselves to God and the Torah.
The second night of Pesach has come and gone, and with it we are now in the beginning of the period known as Sefirat HaOmer, or the “counting of the omer.” Each night, from the second night of Pesach on, we are commanded by God in the Torah to count off sheaves of barley each day in the period leading up to the Festival of Shavuot, whereby we celebrate matan Torah, or the “giving of the Torah.” After we were expelled into the Diaspora, we maintained this law by counting each day, from one to forty-nine.
The Jewish calendar is a journey; nothing on it is unrelated or haphazard. Having been symbolically liberated from slavery we are now on a spiritual journey towards again accepting upon ourselves the yolk of the Torah. This counting of the Omer is an exercise in mindfulness and intentionality as we move closer each day to this moment.
The Shulchan Aruch teaches that unlike most blessings, one cannot vicariously fulfill the obligation to count each day of the omer through hearing someone else do it. Rather, each of us bear the responsibility for ourselves. Each of us must take on this intentional journey towards Sinai to gather together as one people with our fellow Jews and rededicate ourselves to God and His Holy Torah. No one gets a pass, no one gets to say, “I’ll do it next year.”
Judaism is about living each moment with intentionality infused by God’s Torah. My blessing for us all is that each of us has a fruitful journey back to Mount Sinai this year and every year henceforth.
Rabbi Jeremy Szczepanski
Dear Jewish Community of Kalamazoo,
Please allow me to thank you for displaying wisdom, hospitality, and kindness to me during my time in Southwest Michigan.
While major life changes – moving across state, beginning a new job, and joining a different community – were initially difficult, I was happy to create a home here for nearly two years. I’ve learned an enormous amount from this small-yet-dynamic community!
We’re proud of our students for leading Friday night services so capably on April 27th at TBI. On Sunday, May 6th, our students will lead a special morning service at CoM. The service will feature guitar accompaniment from our music director, Naomi Morse. It will also include a presentation of awards from our librarian, Rachel Haus. I look forward to seeing the entire community at this event! Our final day of school is Sunday, May 13th.
There are a number of Simchahs on the horizon! Rachel Snyder will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah at CoM on Saturday, May 5th. Stella Amy will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah at CoM on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd. Jackie Odza will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah at TBI on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd.
In completing my final column as Director of MROKCJS, I want to again thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. I’m confident that the memories, friendships, and connections I’ve made with the Jewish community of Southwest Michigan will last for years to come. Please keep in touch!
Best wishes,Morah Tova Schreiber
Marvin & Rosalie OkunK A L A M A Z O O C O M M U N I T Y
Jewish School
• •
l rl •
The Congregation of Moses is participating in the Daisy Dollar Fundraiser sponsored by Schuring's Retail Greenhouse. Daisy Dollars can be redeemed for flats of annuals, herbs, vegetables, specialty container gardens, hanging bags and hanging baskets, as well as hardy perennials - and much more. CoM will receive 25% of the total sold!
Buy Daisy Dollars to beautify your yard or give as a gift (birthdays, Mother's Day, etc.) and at the same time support CoM. To purchase Daisy Dollars, simply fill out the slip below, then enclose a check made payable to Congregation of Moses in an envelope with "Daisy Dollars" written on the front. Mail to the CoM office. All orders must be returned no later than May 15. If you have questions, please contact Jill Ruterbusch at 323-9161.
PURCHASING DAISY DOLLARS: 1. Dollars will be sold in denominations of $10
2. No change greater than 99 cents \Vill be given for Daisy Dollars.
3. Daisy Dollars are to be used solely for the 2018 retail year.4. Schuring's Retail Greenhouse is not responsible for misplaced or Jost Daisy Dollars.
5. Daisy Dollars can be redeemed until June 16, 2018. Shop early for the best selection!
Schuring's Retail Greenhouse is located at 610 Schuring Rd., just south of Romence Rd. between Oakland Dr. and S. Westnedge Ave.
Phone: 321-8840 (seasonal)
Store hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.
• DAISY DOLLARS ORDER FORM
Please return to COM by May IS, 2018
I \vouJd like to purchase$ ________ worth of Daisy Dollars.
Name _____________________ _ Phone _____________ _
Please make checks payable to the Congregation of Moses. Mail money and order form in a sealed envelope with
"Daisy Dollars• written on the front to: CoM, 250 I Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Thank you!
PAGE 16
Sisterhood EventsThanks to Emily Hoffman, Maxine Berke, and Janet Heller for coordinating the April Rummage Sale. We are grateful to all of the Congregation of Moses volunteers, Rod Anderson, Shirley Mengel, and Retro for their assistance.
Friday, May 18 at 12 p.m.—Sisterhood Luncheon at Wild Ginger, 639 Romence Rd, Portage near the Stein Mart. For reservations, please e-mail Maxine Berke at [email protected] or Emily Hoffman at [email protected] .
Friday, June 15 at 12 p.m.—Sisterhood Luncheon at Martell’s Italian Restaurant, 3501 Greenleaf Blvd., in Parkview Hills. For reservations, please e-mail Maxine Berke at [email protected] or Emily Hoffman at [email protected]
Gift Shop: The Sisterhood Gift Shop is open during Religious School on Sundays and by appointment. Please contact Kim Rubin for more information at [email protected].
What is PocketTorah? PocketTorah is an application (a free app) that will provide the user the ability to learn the weekly Torah and Haftarah portion anywhere, at any time, on any mobile device or computer for free.
Please feel free to ask any veteran Torah reader to coach you. It will be a mitzvah for both.
Learn to Read Torah
pockettorah.com
Shavuot Torah Study
PAGE 17
Shavuot is a two-day Jewish holiday that falls on the Hebrew calendar dates of Sivan 6-7. It begins at sundown on Saturday, May 19 and concludes at nightfall on Monday, May 21.
Shavuot is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals in Judaism (Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot). During Temple times, Jews would make pilgrimages during these three holidays to the Temple in Jerusalem, as commanded by the Torah.
During the period of post-Temple Rabbinic Judaism, Shavuot was reworked into a holiday commemorating the divine gift of Torah received at Mount Sinai. It was at Sinai that Judaism spawned possibly the first text-centered religious community in human history.
Shavuot established Judaism as a portable religion based upon a canon susceptible to unending interpretations.
We invite you continue our heritage by attending a Torah study, led by new CoM member Troy Zukowski, on Saturday, May 19, 2018 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The one-hour Torah study will be followed by a Ma’ariv service led by Rabbi Harvey Spivak.
Please join the family of Marc Amy and Sara Amy for their daughter Stella’s Bat Mitzvah.Saturday morning June 2nd with Kiddush
luncheon to follow.
Stella will also be leading services at 7:00 pm
Friday night with an Oneg Shabbat to follow.
PAGE 18
News from the Fisher LibraryIt’s now time to enter the 21st century in the Library! After finally getting rid of our old card catalog, I’m working on making some leaps that I hope will come to fruition within the next school year. In the meantime, our budget may be small, but our aspirations are big.
In order to help you continue to enjoy the new books and up-to-date periodicals you’ve come to expect, the Fisher Library is continuing its program Friends of the Library. Here are several easy ways to participate:
ITEM DONATIONS1) Purchase and enjoy a newly-published or slightly older Jewish book or DVD. Once you have finished, simply donate the item to the Library. Your gift will be acknowledged with a donation sticker inside the item, which can also be placed in honor or memory of someone special.
2) Choose from a selected list of items from our Library “wish list.” Kids’ books: The (unofficial) Hogwarts Haggadah by Moshe Rosenberg, Aviva Shur Meet Me at the Well: The Girls and Women of the Bible by Jane Yolen, Barbara Diamond Goldin Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli Refugee by Alan Gratz Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar How it’s Made: Torah Scroll by Allison Ofanansky Adult books: The Golden Age Shtetl: A New History of Jewish Life in East Europe by Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern A History of Judaism by Martin Goodman The Woman Who Fought an Empire: Sarah Aaronsohn and Her Nili Spy Ring by Gregory J. Wallance The Jews in Poland and Russia: A Short History by Antony Polonsky The Jews of France: A History from Antiquity to the Present by Esther Benbassa The Sacred Calling: Four Decades of Women in The Rabbinate (2017 National Jewish Book Award Winner)3) Donate a year or more of periodical subscriptions. Or donate just-read issues of a Jewish peri-odical to which you already subscribe. We sustain many periodicals this way. Just let me know!
MONETARY DONATIONS4) Simply mail a check to Congregation of Moses, with Fisher Library Fund – books (or DVDs, supplies, whichever you prefer) in the memo line. All monetary donations, large or small, are welcome and needed. You can also donate online at the CoM website.
I’m looking forward to many new Friends of the Library! Please contact me with questions at [email protected].
Todah Rabah, Rachel Haus, Library Director
PAGE 19
PAGE 20
Join us for these upcoming special learning events.Kalamazoo History, Sunday, May 6 at 1:00 p.m. Tom Dietz, former curator of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, will discuss “Street Walking Through History: The Historical Roots of Local Street Names” at the Congregation of Moses in the Social Hall. Refreshments will be served.
Self-Defense Workshop, Thursday, May 17, 7:30 p.m. Jamie Blake, an expert on self-defense, will do a workshop for synagogue members of all ages on how to handle dangerous situations and ward off attackers. She has a black belt in judo and teaches for the Alliance AZO Martial Arts Training Center. This event will be in the Social Hall of the synagogue. Refreshments will be served.
If you have questions about these events, please contact Janet Heller at [email protected].
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]
Adult Education Programs
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
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Hadassah News
On April 8 Hadassah sponsored a presentation by Robert Thall, attorney with Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, P.C. in Kalamazoo on the legal status of medical marijuana in Michigan.
Marijuana and hemp are both strains of the cannabis plant. Hemp has very low levels of THC and marijuana very high levels that create the psychoactive effect that gives a high. Hemp was the biggest cash crop in the U.S. for years after the Revolutionary War and was used to make fabric, paper, rope, oil, and food from seeds. After the Mexican Revolution of 1910, immigrants started bringing marijuana into the U.S. for recreational use. Propaganda began against its use and as a reaction, laws started to prohibit its use in the early 1900s. In 1937 Congress effectively criminalized it.
In 1996 California passed a proposition allowing it for medical use by patients with AIDS, cancer and other painful or serious medical conditions. Twenty-nine states have now followed suit allowing for medical marijuana, including Michigan in 2008. Michigan passed further legislation (PA 283) in December 2016, allowing for the extraction of medical marijuana in edible, topical, and infused products. Yes, federal laws still prohibit medical marijuana use, which restricts it’s transportation across state lines, or financial interests involving nationally-owned banks.
At the state level, the use of medical marijuana requires physician approval and a permit to grow limited amounts for the patient and/or primary caregiver. It is considered a “home industry” and is nearly always grown privately in a home basement with grow lights. Your next door neighbor could grow limited quantities of it without any community approval or knowledge. As of November 2017, Michigan reported 269,000 registered patients and 43,000 primary caregivers growing and using marijuana for medical purposes.
There are many questions still to be resolved. How do you acquire seeds to grow your plants? What authority do local jurisdictions have? What permits and taxes apply? There are regulations for Medical Marijuana Facilities under the Licensing Act which regulates five types of facilities: grow, processor, transporters, dispensary and safety testing. It also tracks seed sales and imposes taxes and fees on marijuana facilities.
So many unresolved issues! Two proposals will likely be on the November 2018 ballot: (1) regulation of marijuana [similar to alcohol], and (2) no prohibition of marijuana in Michigan. This is a proposed Constitutional amendment which requires 315,654 signatures by July 9, 2018 and is quite open-ended with practically no prohibitions. How will federal law impact state and local laws and regulations?
In closing, we thank Rob for the generous use of his time and materials he distributed, and Diane and Harvey Fogel for arrangements to meet at the beautiful new Walden Woods Clubhouse.
Getting to the Root of Cannabis Law
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A week at camp helps kids learn to work together, solve problems and gain independence. Each summer, Pretty Lake Camp provides a free summer camp experience to 800 Kalamazoo County kids.
Congregation of Moses is helping provide basic supplies that Pretty Lake campers need. Here’s how you can help.
Shop and drop: Purchase any of the items from the shopping list, and drop them off at CoM. Your donations will be delivered to Pretty Lake Camp.
Shop online: Save time by shopping at amazon.com and having your donation shipped directly to CoM. Go to congregationofmoses.org/camp
Provide cash to buy supplies: Financial donations are also welcome to purchase supplies. Go to congregationofmoses.org/camp
Pack a tent with supplies for campers!
Pack a tent with supplies for campers!
Your Shopping List
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Bathing suits
Underwear
Laundry detergent
Sunblock
Find a more complete list at congregationofmoses.org/camp
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• Learn about Israel and our Jewish heritage• Lunch and snacks provided• Field trip, crafts, outdoor activities, cooking, music, dancing
Week Two: At Camp Tavor in Three Rivers Open to all children ages 4-12 years old
• Monday through Friday day camp programming• Friday - Sunday Weekend Shabbat overnight camp
experience for older campers
• Day camp at Tavor, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mon, June 25 - Fri, June 29 Campers will be bussed from Kalamazoo to Camp Tavor. Koshermeals and snacks provided by Camp Tavor. Campers will be able to take full advantage of Camp Tavor’s facility which includes a pool, lake, arts and crafts center, sports fields, low ropes course and music recording room.
• Shabbat Overnight Weekend at Camp Tavor, Friday, June 29 - Sunday, July 1 Campers will depart for Camp Tavor at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning. Older campers will spend Friday and Saturday night at Camp Tavor. Parents will pick their children up from Camp Tavor at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Camp Keshet campers will fully experience a Shabbat at camp and a trial overnight camp experience.
Note: The youngest children will only participate in the day camp part of the program, while older children will take part in both the day camp as well as the Shabbat Overnight part of the program. The week at Tavor will give kids a taste of sleep-away camp in a safe and positive way with their Camp Keshet friends. Children will gain the self-confidence and enthusiasm necessary to attend a Jewish sleep-away camp in the future.
Mon, June 18th - Fri, June 22nd – Congregation of Moses Mon, June 25th - Fri, June 29th – Camp TavorMon, July 2nd - Fri, July 6th – Congregation of Moses
$170 per week or $450 for all three weeksRegistration due by May 15th.
Please contact Beth Grode at [email protected] to register.
Back Again for Three Weeks!Led by two Israeli counselors sharing their love of Israel and Judaism with the children.
Week One AND Week Three: at Congregation of Moses Mon, June 18 - Fri, June 22 AND Mon, July 2 - Fri, July 69:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. each day
Camp Keshet 2018
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K tchen KvellersThe CoM kitchen is a sacred space to prepare food for public consumption and therefore must follow regulations set forth by governing agencies. As Kitchen Committee Co-Chairs, we have been charged with seeing that these safeguards and kashrut guidelines are adhered to, for the health and well-being of all guests.
This month, we will be chatting about how to properly clean surfaces. We’ll break this down into easy to follow steps.
Surfaces to clean/rinse • Walls, floors, storage areas, garbage containers
Surfaces to be cleaned/sanitized • Any surface that comes into contact with food - pans, knives, cutting boards a. Scrape food from surface. b. Wash, rinse, sanitize and air-dry the surface
If you notice worn or cracked equipment, please advise the Kitchen Committee co-chairs.
Equipment: • Turn off and unplug the equipment. • Disassemble (if you can) and thoroughly wash, rinse, sanitize and dry by hand before re-assembling.
a. In the case of mixers – be sure to get into all the crevices where dirt and gunk accumulate and are a source for bacterial growth. Several of us have used toothpicks to get into the small narrow areas. Accumulations can take several hours to make the item safe for use again, if not addressed every time it is used.
b. Thoroughly wipe down all visible parts of the equipment – cords, underneath and the back - all areas that can make the equipment unsanitary for use.
It cannot be emphasized enough to clean/sanitize when you are done using anything that comes into contact with food or before you start working with a different type of food. If you have been interrupted in your work or after four hours of constant use, the surfaces may have become contaminated and should also be cleaned and sanitized.
Prep surfaces must be air-dried after using the sanitizer.
We will be purchasing the sanitizer and test strips to verify that the sanitizer being used is the correct temperature and strength.
We will post the appropriate water temperature and amount of sanitizer to be used, as well as time the items need to be in contact with the sanitizer to reduce pathogens to safe levels.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please ask. Let’s work together on finding solutions. Thank you - Gail Brot and Joanne Simon, your Kitchen Co-Chairs, [email protected]
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Professor Eli Rubin of the WMU Department of History gave an engrossing talk in April entitled “Ordinary Men? Perpetrators, Bystanders and Victims in the Holocaust.” Historical research has shown that much of the killing was perpetrated by non-Germans or Germans who were not fanatical
Nazis. What were the motivations of these “ordinary people” to kill others?
Anti-Semitism is still alive and well in Europe: Poland recently passed laws that forbid discussing the Holocaust and denying its role in it. The AFD (Alternative for Germany) far-right, right-wing German political party was formed in response to Merkel’s admittance of over a million Arabs and Muslims and recently came in third in an election. Thousands of French Jews have fled to Israel.
Hitler’s mantra was that if a country didn’t take the initiative to attack another country, it was vulnerable to being overtaken. He spoke of the races locked in an existential struggle–kill or be killed. He was convinced that Germany was losing resources due to too few overseas African colonies and lack of vast fertile farmland, so he strove to re-enact colonization in Europe. Hitler also felt the extermination of the Jews needed to be done and they were the “greatest generation” to take on this onerous task.
He started his campaign to overtake Europe by pitting groups against each other and blamed the poor economy on the Jews, so he could take advantage of the discontent. According to Prof. Rubin, a leader like Hitler only comes along every 2,000 years! Hitler instigated a mob contagion among ordinary citizens that enabled him to kill millions with impunity. The SS was actually small in number, and could not have killed so many people without the evil unleashed among ordinary people. From Estonia to Ukraine, people turned on their Jewish neighbors. The Nazi hierarchy was physically removed from most of the killing, as it was mostly delegated to civilians and soldiers.
At the war’s beginning, the rural Polish city of Jedwabne in the Pale of Settlement was attacked first by the Nazis and then the Soviets during a few hot July days in 1941, years after Stalin and Hitler had signed a non-aggression treaty to divide Poland. Jedwabne had a strong Jewish presence, about 2/3 of the citizenry and coexisted with its Polish minority. The locals were enlisted to kill Jews and Bolsheviks (interchangeable in many people’s minds) and plunder their assets. Where Poland was previously a multiethnic society, today it is 98.5% ethnic Christian Polish.
The Police Battalion 101, composed of ordinary German family men and professionals in their 30s and 40s who were too old for combat, were tasked with rounding up and executing Jews. Despite the moral pain, they managed to kill 83,000 men, women and children as they traveled through Nazi battlegrounds. There were heroic people in every country attacked who refused to comply with the prevailing evil, but there were far too few of them.
Prof. Rubin drew parallels to other wars in other times, even our own Confederacy where poor whites fought for rich whites. It was enlightening to learn how people can be enlisted to turn against each other by stigmatizing other races or groups as inferior, how wars can start and grow with such intensity, and what we can learn by studying this phenomenon.
As pundit Molly Ivens has said, “Polarizing people is a good way to win an election and also a good way to wreck a country.”
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Food and Toiletries CollectionTo help the poor and hungry, Judaism places great importance on the giving of charity. The Hebrew word for charity (tzedakah) literally means justice. In the Jewish tradition, tzedakah is not an act of condescension from one person to another who is in need. It is the fulfillment of a mitzvah, a commandment, to a fellow human being, who has equal status before God.
Although Jewish tradition recognizes that the sharing of our resources is also an act of love - as the Torah states, "Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Lev.19:18), it emphasizes that this act of sharing is an act of justice. This is to teach us that people who are in need are entitled to our love and concern. They too are human beings created in the Divine image; they too have a place and a purpose within God's creation.
Toiletries and non-perishable, dry groceries (no glass containers please) are donated to Loaves and Fishes, Ministry with Community, or Portage Community Outreach Center (PCOC) food pantry, and the YWCA.
There is a new collection box in the synagogue lobby. We are looking for a young family with children to take on the responsibility of delivering the collected items to the appropriate agency. This is a great opportunity for our children to learn about the Jewish concepts of tzedakah, mitzvoth, and justice.
If your family can help by delivering collected items monthly, please contact: Tamara Norman ([email protected]) or Michelle Angel ([email protected]).
Recommended grocery items include canned beans, canned tuna, canned or boxed soups, canned fruits (low sugar) and vegetables (low sodium), bagged or boxed rice, whole grain pasta, cooking oil, cereals, healthy snacks with
low sugar and low sodium—granola bars, fruit snacks, and trail mix.
Toiletries and self-care items include bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, body lotion, combs and hairbrushes.
We no longer collect eyeglasses. Please bring eyeglasses directly to an Rx Optical store or the Oshtemo Library.
Todah rabah!
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Shop to Help Your Synagogue.
Shopping at Reaps Big Rewards!As of February 9, 2018 we have collected $41,000 in receipts. We are nearly 30% of the way toward our goal of $150,000 when we can earn $1,000!
So remember to shop at D&W, save your receipts and place them in the collection envelope outside the CoM office door. Your Starbucks receipt at D&W counts! Thanks for your support!
By clipping those 10¢ coupons from selected groceries, we are helping support the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School.
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.
Box Tops for Education
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.
Meijer, Walgreens, Target, Menards, Lowe’s, Celebration Cinema, Macy’s, Amazon, Biggby Coffee, Bed Bath and Beyond are just a few of the gift cards available.
Stop in the office from 7:30-11:30 a.m. to purchase gift cards, or call us and we can mail them to you. The Congregation of Moses can earn from 2-15% of your total purchase price. Thank you.
Goal - $150,000
Almost there
Doing great
$41,000 raised
