The Voice of Hakol Congregation B’nai Jacob

Congregation B’nai Jacob of Phoenixville, PA I y a r – S i v a n 5 7 8 1 May 2021

Our mission is to provide a place rooted in Jewish tradition where all people feel welcome, supported and enriched. We strive to foster connections to our past, to our future and to the divine in an intimate, accepting community.

Service Times

Friday Night (Unless otherwise indicated) 7:30pm

Saturday Morning 9:30am NOTE: All services will be virtual via Zoom Rabbi’s Message 2

Candle Lighting President’s Message 3

May 7 7:45pm Sisterhood 4 May 14 7:52pm May 16– Shavuot 7:54pm Learning for Life (Adult Ed) 5 May 17– Shavuot 9:00pm In Our Community 5-10 May 21 7:59pm May 28 8:05pm CBJ Events Calendar: May-June 6 Sanctuary Renovations 10 Events Donations 11

Learning for Life– May 2 See p. 5 Celebrations 13 Cemetery Clean-up—May 2 See p. 6 Yahrzeit 14 Board Meeting– May 12 Calendar 16 Food Distribution– May 23 See p. 7 Something Shabbat Every Friday CBJU– Running & Governing– See p. 8

May 23 Friday, May 7th Community Shabbat with Jewish Comedy Night– June 16 See p. 9 Family Friendly service 6:30 PM

Friday, May 14th Birthday/Anniversary At this time the CBJ building remains closed for Shabbat 7:30 PM community use.

CBJ will continue to support social distancing for Friday, May 21st Samantha Schwartz Bat as long as the safety of our members requires it. Mitzvah Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 PM As soon as it’s truly safe for us to gather to- gether again in-person, we will do so. Until then, Friday, May 28th Memorial Day Weekend – let’s all take care of each other in every other Regular Service 7:30 PM possible way available to us. RABBI'S MESSAGE

Dear Chaveirim/Friends: of each other, and take some time to grieve the losses, no matter how big or how small, of In the 2011 movie Return, Kelli is a the past year. And to begin resetting our sights reservist who thought she’d never toward the post-pandemic world in which we’ll get called up, but winds up serving hopefully be living in the near(-ish) future. a tour of duty (in either Iraq or * * * * * * * * * * * * * Afghanistan, it’s never made clear). Please save another date, Sunday, May 16 at The movie begins as Kelli returns 7:00 PM, because in the meantime, we as a home to her husband and two community have some important decisions to children and - not really a spoiler- make, as vaccines are now widely available, and alert - it doesn’t go so well. As she struggles to before long anyone who wants to will be able to return to her ‘normal’ life after a year or two of get one: displacement, people try to get her to talk, to tell about the challenges she endured. Kelli, who had -What does Jewish law teach about whether worked in a supply depot, missed most of the there’s an obligation to be vaccinated? actual horrors of war, and the refrain she keeps -About whether Jewish institutions can and saying is, “A lot of people had it a lot worse than should require vaccinations? me.” -What does Jewish law have to say about whether vaccines should be required of As I recently watched Return, I thought of our anyone entering our synagogue? Congregation B’nai Jacob community in the midst of this pandemic. In speaking with many of you These are questions that we as a community will over this past year, I heard variations of Kelli’s need to figure out, both as individuals and at the almost-apologetic downplaying of the difficulties Board level. Halachah (Jewish law) will provide she’d experienced, “A lot of people had it a lot much guidance, and our leadership will have to worse than me.” Broadly speaking, few people in figure out how to apply that guidance. So our our community experienced the worst impacts of topic of learning for our annual Tikkun Leil Covid-19. Most of us were spared the serious Shavuot (Night of Learning on Erev Shavuot) will health and financial devastation so many other be to consider the halachic responsum of The communities faced. Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly titled And yet, it’s been a year of constant and deep Vaccination and Ethical Questions Posed by loss for all of us. We’ve all given up and missed COVID-19 Vaccines out on so much near and dear to us. With any luck, and if projections are correct, there’s an Please join us via Zoom at 7:00 PM on Sunday, excellent chance that we’ll begin opening up May 16 for our learning that will directly inform again before next . But before we and effect some of the most pressing questions get there, I invite us to come together as a facing CBJ as a community. The tikkun/learning community on Friday night, June 4, to pause for a will be followed by a brief service for the festival moment before we enter our slower summer of Shavuot. Please note for your calendars that season, and to spend some time with each other the two days that follow are full chag/festival mourning the losses of the past year. It’s tempting days, with services at 9:30 AM on Monday and to say, “A lot of people had it a lot worse than Tuesday mornings, May 17 and 18. On the first me,” but each of our losses, small as they might day of Shavuot, Monday morning, we seem, especially in comparison to the sufferings commemorate the receiving of the Ten of others, is still something to grieve. Commandments; on Tuesday, we will recite Please save the date for our Kabbalat Shabbat Yizkor. service (at 7:30 PM, over Zoom) on June 4, L’Shalom, when we will have an opportunity to come Rabbi Jeff Sultar together, in the warm embrace of Shabbat and 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

So, What is Next or Nu? Our theme this year has been to Connect Our Community; and after all, the CBJ of tomorrow, Hard to believe, it is May of yesterday and today is still reliant on people and 2021…Springtime and soon to be relationships. Summer! On June 16, together, we will conduct some Thank you to all our Sponsors important business, look ahead to re-opening and Donors who helped to make CBJ, and laugh with Joel Chasnoff! our Maccabeats live concert and Rabbi Sultar celebration fundraiser a success! L’Shalom,

As our school year soon comes to an end for this Mark J. Snow unprecedented year, I also want to thank our President Director, Andrea Zavod, for designing and leading a tremendous school program this year! Also thank you to our Students, Teaching staff and Parents for your participation, commitment, and support.

As we look ahead to the conclusion of the Hebrew School year and our Fiscal Year, here are opportunities for us to positively Connect our Community – “So What is Next?”

-June 16 – CBJ’s Annual Meeting 7:00pm Via Zoom

Annual Meeting Agenda

-Proposed Bylaw’s Changes and Vote Come join and give your input to the -2021-2022 Budget Presentation and CBJ RELIGIOUS LIFE COMMITTEE! Vote

-Sanctuary Renovation We are looking for new members from all facets of the congregation to help with this important -Plans for Re-Opening committee - whether or not you are a regular service participant, your voice matters! -June 16 – Following the Annual Meeting at 8:00pm - In collaboration with Rabbi Sultar, the religious A Special Jewish Comedy Night Live on life committee is responsible for all religious Zoom Featuring Joel Chasnoff Direct services and evaluating our religious growth as from Israel -Let’s Laugh Together! a synagogue. If you are interested in joining this

-Final Fundraiser for this Fiscal Year important committee, please contact committee chair Sandy Stone at [email protected] -Go to www.congbj.org for more information and to purchase tickets!

-Also visit www.joelchasnoff.com to “meet” Joel.

3 SISTERHOOD

CBJ Sisterhood Update **Now Available**

An Easy and Secure Way to Make a Sisterhood members met for our Passover Payment and/or Donation to CBJ! Memories and Recipes event on March 21

Congregation B'nai Jacob is now accepting Question - what makes Pesach Pesach? online payments via a secure credit card payment processor. Answer- the stories and traditions. As seders No credit card information will be stored at serve as the basis for discussion, we also any time. If you would like to make an reminisced, shared recipes, enjoyed each other’s online payment, go to www.congbj.org/ and family traditions and each other. A great click on the Make a Payment Button or restarting and recharging event for all of us! Make a Donation. Torah Fund also continues as we need to Use your Smart Phone, Tablet, Lap Top or support the five Conservative schools of Desk Top Computer and Support CBJ, education. Please send your donations to Karen anytime anywhere. All credit cards are Real, our Torah Fund chair, at 701 Coventry accepted. Lane, Phoenixville, PA 19460 by June 10.

More events are being planned so watch for info on the CBJ weekly email or on the CBJ Facebook page. We will be meeting this summer to organize our year ahead 2021-2022. Don’t miss out on the fun, learning and sisterhood!

(Please note that a portion of any payments to CBJ thru use of a credit card goes to the credit card processor)

4 CBJ’S ADULT EDUCATION LEARNING FOR LIFE PROGRAM

Why Bother with Judaism?

Please join us for Rabbi Jeff Sultar’s 2020-2021/5781 Edition of The People of the Book (Club)

Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life – In Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There) By Sarah Hurwitz.

“A beautiful book about Judaism. It will stir your and touch your heart. …It will remind you of the beauty of your religion.”

The fine print: - While your experience will be enhanced by reading the book, classes will each be designed to still be appropriate for those who haven’t done so, so please join us regardless - Classes will build on each other, but will also be free-standing, if you can’t make them all - Consider purchasing your copy through your local independent bookstore - Each class will be taught by Rabbi Jeff Sultar - Each class will be on Sunday morning from 11:00 AM – 12 Noon on the days listed below - Classes will begin via Zoom, and switch to in-person, in the CBJ library, as soon as the pandemic permits - Watch your emails for the link to the classes held via Zoom. Contact the CBJ office if you don’t receive emails from CBJ, or with any questions.

Dates – Topics – Chapters:

May 2 – The Future of Judaism? (After a Few Thoughts on Death) (Chap. 9 & Conclusion)

5 IN OUR COMMUNITY

CBJ Calendar 5781 May—June 2021 May 2021

Sat 1 Jacob Steinberg Bar Mitzvah 9:30 AM Sun 2 Rabbi’s Adult Education Class—Why Bother with Judaism? 11 AM, Cemetery Clean Up 8:30 AM Fri 7 Community Shabbat with Family Friendly service 6:30 PM Wed 12 Board Meeting 7:00 PM Fri 14 Birthday/Anniversary Shabbat 7:30 PM Sun 16 Erev Shavuot - Tikkun Leil Shavuot Study Session and Service 7:00 pm Mon 17 Shavuot – 1st Day service 9:30 AM Tue 18 Shavuot – 2nd Day service with Yizkor 9:30 AM Fri 21 Samantha Schwartz Bat Mitzvah Kabbalat Shabbat 7:30 PM Sat 22 Samantha Schwartz Bat Mitzvah 9:30 AM Sun 23 Tikkun Olam/Social Action CBJ/JRA/PACS Food Distribution curbside pick-up 10:30 AM; CBJU—The Mechanics of Running and the Mechanics of Governing (Talk w/ Chuck Yeiser & Jerry Weiss) Fri 28 Memorial Day Weekend – Regular Service 7:30 PM

June 2021

Fri 4 Birthday/Anniversary Shabbat 7:30 PM Fri 11 Community Shabbat with Family Friendly service 6:30 PM Sun 13 CBJU Author Talk – Jodi Rosenfeld on her novel Closer to Fine 7:30 PM Wed 16 Annual Congregational Meeting 7:00 PM – followed by a Virtual Jewish Comedy Night Fundraiser featuring Joel Chasnoff direct from Israel! Sun 20 Tikkun Olam/Social Action CBJ/JRA/PACS Food Distribution curbside pick-up 10:30 AM

6 B’NAI JACOB/JRA GROCERY BOX DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

7 IN OUR COMMUNITY

8 IN OUR COMMUNITY

June 16 – Following the Annual Meeting at 8:00pm A Special Jewish Comedy Night Live on Zoom Featuring Joel Chasnoff Direct from Israel

9 IN OUR COMMUNITY

Sanctuary Renovation Project

Project included: Replacement of damaged drywall around the Ark Removal of all old wall covering from entire Sanctuary Painting of Sanctuary walls and ceiling Ceiling repairs and painting in the Social Hall

10 DONATIONS

B’nai Jacob Cemetery

Diane Zavod in memory of beloved father, Sidney Hurwitz Allison Robin in memory of beloved mother, Betsey Robin Hal Tucker in memory of beloved wife, Karen Pozefsky

Congregation B’nai Jacob

Lorraine and Stephen Schur in memory of Lorraine’s beloved father, Herman Wrubel Stephen and Lorraine Schur in memory of Stephen’s beloved father, Morris Schur Hal Tucker in memory of beloved wife, Karen Pozefsky The Rosenfeld Family in memory of Mark Real’s beloved brother, Lawrence Real Chuck and Roslyn Epstein in memory of Mark Real’s beloved brother, Lawrence Real

Capital Fund

Jerry and Mary Jane Weiss in memory of Jerry’s beloved father, Harry Weiss Lori and Mark Snow in memory of Mark Real’s beloved brother, Dr. Lawrence Real Lori and Mark Snow in honor of Stephen and Lorraine Schur’s new grandson, Henry

High Holiday Prayer Book

Marv and Connie Silverman in memory of Marv’s beloved mother, Silverman Meira Itzkowitz In memory of Susan Perstein Kaimowitz, beloved friend of Dr. Morton Winner

Liss Scholarship Fund

Diane and Fred Liss in memory of Diane’s beloved brother, Andrew Hickman Beverly Neumann and Stuart Berman in memory of Gil Liss

Pinkus Stern Torah Restoration Fund

Carol Lincoln in memory of Susan Kaimowitz

Rabbi Discretionary Fund

Pearl Reznik in memory of beloved husband, Neil Reznik Barbara and Allan Cohen in memory of Barbara’s beloved mother, Berte Zatuchni Hal Tucker in memory of beloved wife, Karen Pozefsky Allan and Barbara Cohen in memory of Allan’s beloved father, Max Cohen

Siddur

Helene and Emanuel Bachman in memory of Helene’s beloved father, Herman Talansky Emanuel and Helene Bachman in memory of Manny’s beloved father, Isak Bachman

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MEMORIAL PLAQUES and appreciations for life-long friends. You will th th see momentous occasions like 25 and 50 th wedding anniversaries and 80 or “special”

birthdays commemorated on the tree. Other leaves document continuity celebrations for our

congregation like births of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Testimonials of generous

service to our congregation and other individuals are written in its’ boughs.

It is a sacred Jewish tradition to remember the It tells a story of a community- our community- departed. At Congregation B’nai Jacob, we have one we can celebrate and continue to tell going made this tradition a part of our continuous forward. worship and observance by creating a lasting memorial tribute in our sanctuary to our loved This is a great time to purchase one and add to ones. our legacy. Let this bring our congre- gation both physical and spiritual sustenance for These plaques will be viewed by future the years to come. generations with love and remembrance. You can honor your loved ones by eternalizing their To purchase a leaf, contact Carol Actor memory with a bronze plaque in our sanctuary. ([email protected]). Leaves are $150 each.

Every year, in perpetuity, on the anniversary of their Yahrtzeit, and at every Yizkor service, their memory will be rekindled as the plaque is illuminated. SCHOLARSHIP You may order a plaque by contacting Sandy

Stone or Valerie in the office.

THE TREE OF LIFE Donations to the Louis and Sadie Liss Scholar- ship Fund are always welcome. In Judaism, the "Tree of Life" often symbolizes the wisdom of the Torah. In Proverbs it says: "Its The Fund provides Scholarships for children of ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths our members for enriching Jewish experiences, are peace. It is a tree of life for those who grasp such as Jewish camps, USY Program, USY it, and those who draw near it are fortunate." Israel Pilgrimage, and Maccabi Games.

Laws and customs connected with trees Please help by making donations in honor of or in permeate the Bible and Talmud, providing an memory of love ones. They may be made in any ethical basis underlying human relationships amount over $18.00. Special individualized cards (tithing and charity) and the environment will be sent for any occasion. (ecology). Just call the CBJ office at 610-933-5550. We have a beautiful Tree of life sculpture as you enter our main lobby on the right hand wall. Stop a minute next time you are in the building and look at the names and memories permanently ensconced there- most are happy memories- milestone events like b’nai mitzvahs, marriages

12 MAY CELEBRATIONS

Birthday Wishes

1 Linda Loux 9 Bruce Fegan 2 Sheli James 10 Lyn Rubenstein 2 Gerald Bell 11 Bradley Gargiulo 3 Jeffrey Anton 14 Jane Corbman 4 Rhoda Goldberg 17 Morton Winner 4 Berger 18 William Fleisher 4 Zeke Katz Simon 19 Hannah Evans 5 Paige Fetzner 21 Amy Siegel 5 Walker 21 Tracey Rich 6 Jasen Walker 24 Fyllis Etter 6 Eriko Liebers 24 Emily Valenci 7 Marc Caplan 25 Carson Goodman 7 Rachel Peine 25 Andrew Baskin 8 Sandy Katz 26 Jonathan Evans 8 Joe Berger 30 Jennifer Hoffman

17 Judy & Jonathan Lemco 27 Deborah & Mark Marotta

13 MAY YAHRZEIT

May Hebrew Day Honoree Month

2 IYAR 20 Israel Meil 2 IYAR 20 Grace Garfield Forbes 2 IYAR 20 Sidney Goldstein 2 IYAR 20 Beatrice Bernstein 3 IYAR 21 Pearl Magrill 3 IYAR 21 Maurice Asher 4 IYAR 22 Martin Farkas 4 IYAR 22 Anita Abowitz 4 IYAR 22 Zachary Kerner 5 IYAR 23 Joseph Cantor 6 IYAR 24 Harold J. Berger 7 IYAR 25 Sara Cohen 7 IYAR 25 Louis Liss 7 IYAR 25 Samuel Actor 7 IYAR 25 Dorothy Goldberg 8 IYAR 26 Herman J. Stango 8 IYAR 26 Zanvil Weisman 8 IYAR 26 Maurice Harbon 10 IYAR 28 William M. King 14 SIVAN 3 Ralph Cherashore 15 SIVAN 4 Oleg Salzberg 17 SIVAN 6 Randy Stern 17 SIVAN 6 Martyrs Of Auschwitz 17 SIVAN 6 Sarah Stern 18 SIVAN 7 Blime Stern 18 SIVAN 7 Reuven Stern 18 SIVAN 7 Tila Stern 18 SIVAN 7 Stern 18 SIVAN 7 Hanah Stern 18 SIVAN 7 Asher Stern 18 SIVAN 7 Hillel Stern 19 SIVAN 8 Nancy Stone 19 SIVAN 8 Myer Kreckovitz 21 SIVAN 10 Celia Fleisher 22 SIVAN 11 Milton Jaffee 23 SIVAN 12 Fannie Kohn 23 SIVAN 12 Leah Yellen 23 SIVAN 12 Sophie Baer 24 SIVAN 13 Bella Dubis 27 SIVAN 16 Daniel Baer 27 SIVAN 16 Samuel Etter 28 SIVAN 17 Fanny Kulick 28 SIVAN 17 Barbara B. Cohen 28 SIVAN 17 Sandra Bell 28 SIVAN 17 Isaac Baer 29 SIVAN 18 Fruma Goldberg 29 SIVAN 18 Meyer Cantor 29 SIVAN 18 Norman Brenner 31 SIVAN 20 Chaim Reznik 31 SIVAN 20 Daniel Burg

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FROM THE RABBI

I Look Forward to Talking with You!

I look forward to meeting with you to talk about, well, just about anything that might be on your mind.

While you can always leave this to chance by just dropping by CBJ, it’s best to call or e-mail to set a time for us to meet. While it’s wonderful when people just stop by, sometimes people are frustrated that I’m not available when they do so. The problem is that much of the time I’m at CBJ is already scheduled with meetings; also, I frequently have meetings and Pastoral requirements that take me out of the building; and finally, I usually spend one day a week (typically Thursday) working at home.

For these reasons, never hesitate during “normal” hours to call my cell phone, and please also call the cell number at any time for a life-cycle emergency or for any other truly pressing matter. I typically check e-mail at least a few times during the day, but please also know that I have a “dumb” phone and do not get e-mails instantly when away from the computer. I get texts just fine.

While I always prefer talking in person, one of e-mails’ best features is that it’s good for finding mutually -good times to meet.

So be in touch, and let’s figure out a good time to talk!

L’Shalom, Rabbi Jeff Sultar

E-mail: [email protected]

Cell Phone: (732) 606

Board of Directors

Executive Committee Committee Chairs Mark Snow, President Sandy Stone, Religious Life/Memorial Plaques Kathy Koller, Vice President Chuck Epstein, House and Grounds Alan Verbit, Vice President Jerry Neumann, Chevra Kadisha Larry Koller, Treasurer Sonja Goldman, Kitchen/Kashrut Kenneth Kulick, Financial Secretary Carol Actor, Tree of Life Mary Jane Weiss, Secretary Fred Liss, Scholarship Charles Epstein, Security Officer Karen Motzer and Linda Loux, Membership Jodi Rosenfeld, Immediate Past President Lorraine Schur, Public Relations and Social Eric Miller, Chairman of Board of Trustees Media Rabbi Jeff Sultar, ex officio William Schultz, Parliamentarian

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16 TO MAKE A DONATION

Congregation B’nai Jacob thanks you for your very generous contributions throughout the year. In keeping with the tradition of tzedakah, you may make a donation to commemorate any occasion.

This page is for your convenience to facilitate the transaction. When making your contribution, please specify to which of the following funds you wish to donate. (A minimum contribution of $10 per acknowledgement) You may wish to save this page for future use.

CBJ Security System - Fund security enhancements and protection for the congregation

General Operating Account - supports the day to day operation of the Synagogue

Capital Fund - supports projects to maintain, enhance and beautify the Synagogue's building and facilities

High Holiday Appeal - annual fund raising campaign to support ongoing synagogue operations

Oneg/Kiddish Fund - donation go into the General Fund to support the purchase of refreshments after Shabbat services

Prayer Book Fund - any amount appreciated ($30 donation for label of acknowledgement in prayer book – siddur, machzor, or chumash)

Louis & Sadie Liss Scholarship Fund - provides scholarships for children for the Passport to Israel program and other enriching Jewish experiences ($18 minimum donation)

B’nai Jacob Cemetery Association - for the upkeep of the cemetery

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund - for special uses as designated by the Rabbi

Sisterhood General Fund - for synagogue improvement projects (please make check payable to “CBJ Sisterhood”)

Pinkus Stern Torah Restoration Fund - for the repair of the Torah Scrolls, to purchase additional Torah Scrolls, and to enhance the ark and bimah

Please send to: Congregation B’nai Jacob Date: P.O. Box 461, Phoenixville, PA 19460

The enclosed contribution is to the Fund

In memory of Or In honor of

Please acknowledge to: Recipient’s Name (s): Address:

Donor’s Name (s):

*** All contributions are listed in the Hakol unless checked here.

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