Kislev—Tevet 5781 December 2020 web: shir-tikvah-homewood.org email: [email protected] 1424 183rd Street, Homewood, IL 60430 708-799-4110

Table of Contents Rabbi’s Message Pages 1-2

President’s Message Pages 2-3

Holiday Greetings Page 4-5

Building Use Policy Rabbi’s Message Page 6

Chanukah is the Festival of Lights and light is Building Re-Opening the symbol of hope. How important hope is Page 6 to have right now, especially as the year Women of Shir Tikvah draws to a close and the chill and darkness of Message winter set in. Although it is even tougher to Page 7 have hope in these conditions, our tradition, JUF Announcements like so many others, reminds us that even in Page 8 the darkest of times, there will be light to illumine the way forward. A debate between Birthdays & Anniversaries Hillel and Shammai is recounted in the Page 9 Talmud. Shammai suggests that the Chanukah menorah should be lit Yahrzeits beginning with eight candles on the first night of the holiday, and a Page 10 candle should be taken away each subsequent night. If this sounds Tributes rather odd to us now, it is because we have adopted the candle lighting Pages 11 method suggested by Hillel: Begin with one candle on the first night, and then, each subsequent night, add a candle so that by the last night of the News You Can Use Page 12 festival, eight candles shine bright. The idea here is that on each night of Chanukah we increase the light and the joy. It is this aspect of the Chanukah Special Page 13 holiday upon which I’d like to invite you to focus this year: Increasing light and joy! This year, I invite you to find unique and creative ways to Calendar (Continued on page2 ) Page 14

increase light and joy in the world. Whether sending time when we can rededicate our own community, a card or making a call to let someone know that after everything is safe again - even if it feels you’re thinking about them, baking treats to drop off improbable. In the meantime, stay safe and do what on your neighbors’ doorsteps, or volunteering in some you can from home. Together, we can illumine the way, each of these acts can go a long way toward whole south suburban community and beyond, and making this challenging time so much easier and bring hope, light, and joy to those around us! better for everyone. Chanukah celebrates the miracle of an improbable military victory and the rededication Wishing you a very happy Chanukah! of the Temple in Jerusalem. Keep believing in ~Rabbi Carmit Harari miracles: We will yet get past this pandemic when we each do our part to keep everyone safe and see a

President’s Message

I hope everyone had a healthy and happy Gear will be held on Sunday from noon to 1:30PM. Thanksgiving. Fall is upon us and we celebrated TOV is collecting kits with winter necessities of another holiday during the pandemic. As we gloves, scarves, hats, and handwarmers. Please continue to live with the virus, this Thanksgiving check your emails for details to participate in this was different than those before it. For the first time, much needed service. only three of my family were together and we Later in the day, the CJC will be hosting a virtual ordered out a turkey dinner with the traditional Chanukah party at 7:00PM. Together, over Zoom, sides. Luckily, we have Zoom and Facetime to stay we will light the Chanukah candles, sing your in touch with our families. favorite Chanukah songs, and engage in a debate As the temperatures begin to drop, Chanukah will of earth-shattering significance – The Latke- be here soon. Chanukah begins the evening of Hamantaschen Debate. We thought since Chanukah December 10 and we have several events planned is a celebration, it would be fun to do something for the holiday. for the whole family. The challahs were a big hit at The first event is an Erev Shabbat Chanukah service the last CJC event, so this time there will be latkes on Friday, Dec. 11 hosted by the Joliet Jewish for those who sign up early. Congregation (JJC). Rabbi Kuvin (JJC) has created a The final event is on Thursday December 17 at service with music and a description of how 7:30PM, the last night of Chanukkah. This is a Chanukah is celebrated in 21 different Chanukah program with Kol Emet in Palo Alto, CA. countries. Children from both congregations’ Our members, Lloyd and Risa Graff’s daughter is schools will participate in the service. It is beneficial the Rabbi at Kol Emet. Kol Emet has put together a to develop a relationship with the Joliet Jewish program called IllumiNations to celebrate the last Congregation. They joined Shir Tikvah last month night of Chanukah with a communal lighting of the for our Kristallnacht observation. candles along with entertainment. The highlight On Sunday December 13, we are, again, working will be celebrating the 8th night of Chanukah with JUF-TOV with our parking lot serving as a drop (virtually) with fellow Jews in all 50 states! spot for their next community-wide collection drive. (Continued on page 3) The event, Nourish Our Neighborhoods: Winter 2

We hope you can take part in these activities. We Fefferman; Ritual Vice-President, Janet recognize virtual events cannot replace the Herbstman; WoST President, Gayle Weil; Dan togetherness of meeting in person. This presents Greenberg and Larry Burrows. We honor and a challenge to the congregation to maintain our thank them for the many hours spent making the community and provide needed services to our High Holiday services so special. The cost to add members. This is especially hard on those who are your name to the special support page is $18. restricted to home or limited in the ability to be To support Shir Tikvah, you can buy a personal around others. We have, therefore, created a ad. The ads can celebrate families-children, Caring Committee to provide a line of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, life cycle communication with our members. events or in memory of a loved one. Ads run from The purpose of the Caring Committee is to keep $45 for a quarter page to $130 for a full page. The in touch with members and build a sense of forms to pledge support for the honorees or to community and belonging. The committee will purchase a personal ad have been mailed to all make phone calls to members who are in need of members. personal contact. The calls are of a social nature, The forms also include a letter for soliciting an ad to make sure the members feel a part of the Shir from a local business that you frequent. I know Tikvah community, and their pastoral needs are many people do not feel comfortable asking for a being met. I am grateful to Eila Koltun for donation. I have found that asking local business volunteering to Chair the Caring Committee. If owners I personally know are receptive to the you would be interested in being a part of the idea. This includes barber/hair salon, doctor/ committee and make phone calls, please contact dentist, insurance agent, investment advisor, Eila. If you would like to receive a phone call from restaurant, or small business owner. Business ads another member, please contact Eila or Diedre at help to generate income from outside our the office. We hope this committee will help keep membership. all our members in touch with Shir Tikvah during As we celebrate the miracle of Chanukah, let us these trying times. hope the vaccines will be the light at the end of Fundraising is also challenging during the the tunnel of this pandemic. Until then we will pandemic. We are moving forward to publish the continue planning virtual events for the coming Shir Tikvah Membership Directory and Ad Book. winter months. Together we will get through this The Ad Book has been the largest fundraiser for difficult time. the last few years. Last year, the Ad Book received Happy Chanukah! $10,000 in ads and honorary support which resulted in $9,350 for Shir Tikvah after printing costs. The revenue was split evenly between ~Jerry Tenny, President personal ads from members and business ads. Each year, as part of the Ad Book, we honor a member or members for their service to our community. This year we are honoring our congregants who developed our Virtual High Holiday Services. This was a great effort and enabled our congregation to be able to participate in High Holiday services. The congregants are: Ritual Vice-President, Carole

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Holiday Greetings 5781

Barry & Susan Bayer The Bloomberg Family Mark & Andreatte Brachman Lynn Brown Edith K. Buntman Cathy Burnett & Nacho Tejeda & Family Nancy & Larry Burrows Lawrence & Barbara Cohan Sherry & Ron Dieckman Rabbi Ellen & Dr. James Dreyfus Deedee DuBrow & Family Laura & Jake Eisenwasser Carole Fefferman Ruth & Sherman Friedman & Family Harlene & Irwin Friedman The Garbow & Howse Families Ginny Gilbert Lloyd & Risa Graff Debbie & Dan Greenberg Janet & David Herbstman Susan Johnson Beatrice Kamen

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Holiday Greetings 5781

Sheri , Mike & Zachary Larks Charles Licht & Fran Moeckler Judy & Rich Lieb Marcia Lippert Judy Lohr-Safcik Henry & Sharon Lorsch Donelle Macey Shari Cohen & Bob Mayer Rabbi Shalom & Dalia Podwol Micah & David Rader Ev and Ed Rappaport Harold & Marcy Reisler Ron & Alene Rutzky David & Carmencita Schoeneman Barb and Gary Schwarz & Family Penny & Jerry Shnay Jordan and Leslie Sigale Celia-Ann Toll & Family Jodie & Jeff Virene Gayle Weil Helen Wolkow and Family

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Building Use Policy During COVID-19 Effective July 15, 2020 General Rules No handshaking or hugging. Face mask must be properly worn inside the building. Prayer books can be picked up at the book cart by the This means covering the mouth and nose area with front sanctuary doors. These books have not been support straps around the ears. A mask will be used for at least two weeks. After the service, please provided if you do not have one. No one will be return the books to the same cart, so they can be allowed to enter the building without a properly isolated for a proper period. worn face mask. No Choir until further notice. Practice social distancing when in the building. Restrooms Maintain at least six feet distance between people Only one person should use the restroom at a time. not living in the same household. If a line forms near the restroom, please remain six Hand sanitizer should be used on entering the feet from each other in the main hallway. building and as needed. Office Sanctuary will only be used for Bar/Bat Mitzvah If you need to enter the building, please contact services. Maximum capacity 25 Diedre prior to coming to the building. She can All guests must be registered with the Shir Tikvah ensure she will be there for your visit and we can office at least five days before the event. control the number of visitors in the building. Upon arrival at Shir Tikvah, all attendees must Upon entering the building, please sign into the complete a COVID-19 questionnaire. If any answers logbook in the foyer and sign out when exiting. This indicate a potential risk, admission to the building will allow us to track all individuals who have been in will be denied. the building. Do not congregate by the entrance, foyer, or hallway. Rabbi Harari and Diedre are the only people allowed After entry, individuals should proceed immediately in the offices. If you need to communicate with them, to seats to avoid congregating. please do it from the hallway. Only sit with people within your household. ` Kitchen - No food service will be allowed in the Sanctuary doors will remain open for improved air building. flow and to avoid unnecessary contact.

Facility Re-0pening Committee There has not been much change to the status of the Currently, we do not feel it is safe to begin in person re-opening since last month. The office is open if you services or meeting. Therefore, there are no changes need to borrow a prayer book or drop something off. to our status planned. We will make an exception to We have developed a Covid19 policy for those use the synagogue for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. entering the building. The policy is on page 6. If you This is the status until conditions with the virus need to enter the building, please follow the rules. change. Please join us on Zoom for weekly services We want to minimize the number of visitors to our and other events. If you need assistance with Zoom, building. If you are required to come to the office, please contact Diedre so we can assist you. Please be please email or call Diedre so she can schedule your safe and stay healthy. visit. When in the building, please record your time in Jerry Tenny and out in the logbook in the foyer. This will allow us President and Re-Opening Committee to track who has been in the building. Please wear a face mask, practice social distancing, and use the hand sanitizer stationed in the hallway.

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sisterhood unity . purpose . cause stronger together

The Women of Shir Tikvah

wish you

Happy Chanukah!

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Happy Chanukah!

This has been quite a year, and while things are still in flux, we continue to find creative ways to come together even though we must remain physically distant. This month there are a variety of zoom programming opportunities, including the Latke-Hamantaschen Debate on December 13 at 7pm.

Receive a FREE small box of Zelda’s Latkes from the JUF!

Simply complete this registration form by December 8, 2020 at NOON!

To enhance your debate watching experience, individuals or families who register for the program and are current members of a South Suburban Chicago Cooperative Jewish Council organization can receive a small box of Zelda's Latkes from us! Pick up of latkes will be on Sunday, December 13, 2020 from 12-1:30 at Shir Tikvah in Homewood. When you pick up your latkes you can do a mitzvah as well, by participating in the JUF TOV/ NCJW South Cook Nourish Our Neighborhoods drive thru drop-off of hats and gloves for South Suburban PADS.

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December Birthdays January Birthdays 12/1 David Plofsky 1/3 Sopie Kern 12/1 Jacob Plofsky 1/3 Evelyn Rappaport 12/1 Isaac Plofsky 1/7 Fern Katz 12/6 Mike Larks 1/7 Jose Salas 12/7 Pamela Toll 1/8 Cathy Burnett 12/8 Stephanie Sigale 1/10 Sherman Susman 12/10 Ed Rappaport 1/12 Edith Feldmann 12/13 Deedee DuBrow 1/15 Merle Hurowitz 12/14 Bettie Gilbert 1/16 Jacqueline Burnett 12/14 David Herbstman 1/18 Meira Burnett 12/15 Marimonica Murray 1/19 Bernard Heilicser 12/16 Lloyd Graff 1/22 Jodie Virene 12/16 Elena Morone 1/27 Donelle Macey 12/20 James Dreyfus 1/29 Sandra Stelzer 12/20 Sarah Munson 1/30 Rori Narter 12/20 Gary Schwarz 12/20 Joel Weiss January Anniversaries 12/23 Linda Wilkins 1/19 David & Lana Golland 12/24 Joel Levitt 1/19 Roy & Dale Robinson 12/25 Larry Malis 1/24 Lawrence & Nancy Burrows 12/25 Bob Oros 1/30 Evelyn & Ed Rappaport 12/28 Jeff Virene 12/28 Caylon Gwinn 12/29 Zachary Larks 12/29 Marilynn Tannebaum 12/31 Janet Herbstman

December Anniversaries 12/4 Shelley & Ben Ritter 12/21 Dr. Joel & Gayla Cahan 12/22 Alene & Ron Rutzky 12/28 Pat & Mitch Simon 12/30 Judy & Ken Fleischer

9 Yahrzeits

Week of Week of Week of Week of December 4 December 11 December 18 December 25 Felix Bartfeld Herman Altman Yetta Abelman Max Adelman Wilma Bedford Else Altmann Earl Arkin Kurt Altman Vera Brachman Rosa Beber Jacob Arkiss Irving Arine Eugene Cohn David Beederman Clara Aronson Dora Blitstein A. David Dosick David Benzecrit Martin Berkowitz Libby Cohn Max Dreyfuss Benjamin Burrows Dr. I.R. Birnbaum Leona DeLue Alan Marc Goldberg Natalie Chaiken Sarah Birnbaum Pink Feinberg Roslyn Greenberg Miriam Eisenwasser Norman Blumstein Sidney Friedman Mark Greenburg Lillian Feinberg Carole Bransky Louis Gershowitz Philip Ashley Greene Sam Fruitman Sam C. Brin Henry Hesky Ettel Haspel Melvin Ginsburg Sydney Choslovsky Dorothy Katz Sadie Hemleben Eric Glaser Linnea Cutler Sonia Kite Harry Horwitz Sam Gollay Benjamin Ehrlich Morris Klein David Katleman Henry Greilsheim Sam Fine Louis Lacob Erwin Kinsky Bela Gruen Julius Garb Gladys Lassner Sophie Klamka Eva Horwitz Maureen Merle Gerber Esther Levy Pearl Kliff Simon Kaufman Meta Goldberg Ida Lichtensetin Eleanor Knight Joseph S. Klein Ida Handler Emma Mansfield Benno Kronthal Henry Landauer Selma Heumann Rose Marks Lillian Levy Jacob Marks Eva Hoffman Joseph Moore Dr. Isert Lewin Goldie Haya Merkin Samuel Jaffe Dora Paskin Jean Lieberman Berniece Mirsky Anna Kaplan Morris Pomerantz Baruch Lorsch Harry Moeckler Seymour Kaplan Jack Rosen Mildred Magid Manny Moeckler Miriam Kohn Alex Rubin Bailey Manilow Bernard Narter Aaron Hyman Kroopkin Frank Safcik Norman Mervis Anna Noskin Anne Levene Harry Shiff Alice Meyers Sara Platt Charles Lewis Lottie Steiner Charles Mozer Gene Salloway Celia Lippman Jenny Strassman Betty Portman Leo Samson Jacob Litton Sydney Switt Annette Rosenbaum Cindy Sax Benjamin Lurie Hermine Weiseberger Dr. Martin Rozenfeld Minnie Schneider Louis Mansfield Mary Zeman Joseph Schoeneman Marian Schoeneman Fannie L. Mayer Hedwig Zwang Malka Schwartz Phyllis McGrath Samuel Singer Herman Snyder Amy Michelle Shapin Carl Reikes David I. Spark Joseph Shepell Benjamin Rosenblum Tessie Sultan Meyer Sher Florence Madeline Jack Susman Bernard Sherman Rozenfeld Mark Webster Matthew Smason Morris Runes Nathan Weinhouse Klara Stern Barbara Saxonberg Samuel Strat Fred Schulein Anna Tenny Helen Strat Louis Turken Morris Vinegar Greta H. Wagner Emmy Wolf Dr. Seymour Warady Norman Wolf Dorothea Wolf Nellie Wolf Leanore Zipser

10 Tributes

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund Sympathy Macey, Susan & Barry Bayer, Judy In Memory of To Gayle Weil in memory of her Lohr-Safcik Bernard Lieb from Judy & Rich Lieb husband, Norm, from Celia-Ann Toll, To Helen Wolkow and Family, in Mary Gilbert, Genevieve Sosin from Linda Dunn, Eila & Doug Koltun, memory of Leo, from The Heilicser Jeffrey, Bettie, Barbara & Melissa Penny & Jerry Shnay Family Gilbert To Janet & David Herbstman for Irving Weinberg from Roz & Oren condolences on the death of their Conway sister-in-law, Pat Schreiber, from Judy & Ken Fleischer To send a congregational Frederick Stein from David Stein To Robin Higgins in memory of her card please notify Diedre in Chester Ulman from Barb Cohan father, Neil, from Larry & Barb the office (suggested Renee Mirsky from Mark & Sharon Cohan Mirsky donation is $10).

Curt Lorsch from Henry Lorsch To send a Sisterhood card Get Well please notify Carol Zucker To Jack Levitt from Charlotte Fox Sympathy (suggested donation is

To Amy & Rick Bloomberg in memory $5.50). Choir Fund of Amy’s step-brother, Brad, from Judy & Ken Fleischer In Memory of Melissa Carrier from Iris Napoleon General Fund Robert J. Mayer from Larry & Nancy In Honor of Burrows Thank you to our Shir Rabbi Carmit Harari from Celia-Ann Toll Gertrude Gold from Alan A. Gold Tikvah family for the Stuart & Marianne Switt’s 50th Leo Schwarz from Gary & Barb donations, cards and words of Anniversary from Debbie & Dan Schwarz condolence in memory of Amy’s Greenberg step-brother, Brad Rosner.

In Memory of Amy Bloomberg and Family Gerald Silver, Monica Hesky from Susan Silver Johnson Sisterhood Tributes Jeanette Rappaport from Ed & Evelyn Sympathy Rappaport To Robin Higgins in memory of her Ben Levitt from Jack Levitt father, Neil, from Alene & Ron Morris Berliner from Laura & Jake Rutzky, the Sisterhood Board, Eisenwasser Bonnie Mosbacher, Donelle Macey, Sarah Blumenthal from Iris Blumenthal Gayle Weil, Judy Lohr-Safcik, Carole Frances Bransky from Willard E. Fefferman, Susan & Barry Bayer We mourn the deaths of Bransky & Family To Jeff & Jody Virene in memory of Barbara Larks Tucker Irene Adler from Charlotte Landauer Jeff’s father, Marshall, from Gayle Neil Higgins Reva Copen from Margie Copen Weil Bradley Scott Rosner Abraham, Shirley, & Molly Fefferman, To Eileen Winterfeldt in memory of her Marshall Virene Rose Hirsch, Bernard Kruglick from husband, David, from the Sisterhood Board, Gayle Weil, Susan & Barry Carole Fefferman May their memory forever be a Dr. John Fox from Charlotte Fox Bayer, Judy Lohr-Safcik, and Ron & Alene Rutzky blessing to all who loved them

To Amy & Rick Bloomberg, in memory and may their family be Mazal Tov of her step-brother, Brad, from Carol To Aviva & David Rubin on the birth of comforted among the mourners of & Rich Zucker, the Sisterhood Zion and Jerusalem. granddaughter, Liba, from Judy & Board, Alene & Ron Rutzky, Gayle Ken Fleischer Weil, Carole Fefferman, Donelle

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We held our first Parent Meeting and received great suggestions. One is to create a dedicated email for school business. Shir Tikvah President Jerry Tenny and computer maven Irwin Friedman are helping to implement. Hebrew classes resumed on Wednesday December 2. Carole also began a Thursday Beginning Hebrew class on December 3 at 4:30-5:30. The Rabbi is working on the Excel spreadsheet, provided by parent Robin Latman, with the prayers needed for B’nei Mitzvah. The next school Shabbat service is Saturday December 5th, a Reform service, at 10:15. Classes will end December 12 for Winter Break. Sunday School restarted virtually for both 5th-6th graders and the new 7-9th graders, taught by Sherry Dieckman, on December 6 from 10-11:30. The final project for the Jewish Foods unit will be a non-secret family-recipe Sunday School cookbook which includes the bagel /bialy recipe. On December 6th, all Sunday School classes will meet together on one zoom; Shir Tikvah members will share their immigration stories. On December 13th, both Sunday school classes will talk about Chanukah Around the World and share their own traditions. The final activity, with bagel baker Donelle Macey, will be the decorating of Hanukkah cookies sold by Shir Tikvah. Classes will end December 14 for Winter Break. FYI: according to the Jewish Daily Forward. “Chanukah” comes closest to representing the pronunciation of the Hebrew word, while “Hanukkah” accurately recreates the Hebrew spelling. “All the other spellings—Hanuka, Hannukah, Chanukkah and so on—are simply guesswork or jazz improvisation.” The South Florida Reporter says there are 16 ways to spell Hanukkah, since Hanukkah is transliterated from Hebrew letters. The most common in English are “Hanukkah” or “Chanukah.” However one spells it, have a wonderful Holiday! Barb Cohan, School Coordinator

Support the Sisterhood by purchasing Jewel Cards! We receive a percentage from each card we sell. Denominations are $50 and $100 and are available by emailing or calling the office. Diedre will get them to you! Thanks for your support!

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Make the 8th Night Bright A National Virtual Hanukkah Celebration ______Organized by Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto, CA December 17, 2020 7:30pm CST Hanukkah reminds us that we have the power to bring light into any darkness. Join Conservative Congregations from across the nation as we light our menorahs, share holiday music, and connect with friends in celebration, joy, and unity.

FEATURED GUESTS

Internationally Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter New York Times bestselling Author and Neshama Carlebach Journalist AJ Jacobs

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December 2020 Kislev-Tevet 5781

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 4:02PM 5 Yahrzeit Minyan Hebrew School Evening Service School Attend 6:30PM 4:30PM 7:30PM Reform Shabbat JTS-Hidden Grieving a Death Morning Service Histories and 7:30PM 10:15AM Untold Stories Ziegler-Equity, 7:00PM Forgiveness, Intersectionality 9:00PM

6 7 8 9 10 11 4:02PM 12 Sunday School JTS-Hidden Fundraiser Pick Yahrzeit Minyan Evening Service Conservative 10:00AM Histories and Up 2:30-4:00pm 7:30PM with the Joliet Shabbat Morning Untold Stories Hebrew School Jewish Service 9:45AM 7:00PM Congregation 4:30PM 7:30PM Ziegler-Equity, Forgiveness, Intersectionality 9:00PM Chanukah 1 Candle Chanukah 2 Candle Chanukah 3 Candle

13 14 15 16 17 18 4:04PM 19 Sunday School WoST Board Ad Book Cut-Off IlluniNation Evening Service Reform Shabbat Morning Service 10:00AM Meeting 10:30AM Program 7:30PM 7:30PM TOV Drop Off Yahrzeit Minyan 10:15AM AND 6:30PM Latke Pick Up 12:- Board Meeting 1:30PM 8:00PM CJC Chanukah Party 7:00PM

Chanukah 4 Candle Chanukah 5 Candle Chanukah 6 Candle Chanukah 7 Candle Chanukah 8 Candle Chanukah 8th Day

20 21 22 23 24 25 4:08PM 26 Office Closed Conservative Shabbat Morning

Service 9:45AM Evening Service 7:30PM

27 28 29 30 31

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