A MESSAGE FROM OUR RABBI - Congregation B'nai …bisrael.com/newsletters/MARCH2015.pdf · A MESSAGE FROM OUR RABBI GOT MITZVAH? W ... the mitzvot. At CBI, each Bar or Bat Mitzvah

March 2015 www.bisrael.com Adar I-Adar II 5775

A MESSAGE FROM OUR RABBI

GOT MITZVAH?

We ask our kids to do it. Just read the back pages of the Menorah or look in our lobby and notice

the donation boxes put out by b’nai mitzvah students. If you are going to become an adult member of the Jewish community, we tell them, you don’t just need to learn the prayers, a Torah portion, and a Haftarah. You also need to learn about - and take responsibility for - the mitzvot. At CBI, each Bar or Bat Mitzvah specializes in one mitzvah of the 613, studying and becoming something of an expert in it. And, of course, we ask our students to choose a mitzvah project – and put mitzvot into action.

The idea of specializing in particular mitzvot goes all the way back to Abraham. Abraham, a righteous man who practiced countless acts of justice and kindness, was known for his special enthusiasm in three areas: keruv (bringing others closer to God and spreading the awareness of monotheism); hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests into his home with enthusiastic hospitality); and hashkamah (handling his obligations early and with alacrity, avoiding all procrastination).

Some Talmudic rabbis believed that the performance of a single mitzvah could be enough to merit life in the world to come.

When others objected to this apparently low standard of admission to Heaven, various explanations were offered. One was: it’s not enough to perform a single mitzvah once. But if you were to become known for a single mitzvah, that would be meritorious indeed! You could be the ambassador for one of the Torah’s holy imperatives.

The name Israel Meir Kagan may not be known to many. Chofetz Chaim, the pen-name of that rabbi, is more famous. Rabbi Kagan, the Chofetz Chaim, was one of the greatest rabbis of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although learned in countless areas, he was known for one mitzvah: keeping speech pure and free of gossip.

Michael Chusid, a former congregant of mine in Los Angeles, is an architect, consultant, avid hiker, and family man. He plays many roles, has many talents, and serves people and God in various ways. But he is known for his love of Shofar. He has written three books on that one mitzvah. He has taught thousands of people, including my husband, Craig, to blow Shofar. He travels with a fabulous power point presentation on Shofar in the Bible. And he blows shofar each High Holiday season for people in prisons, nursing homes, and hospitals.

Last Passover, Evan Robbins and the Baer family spoke at CBI about their mitzvah specialty. Evan, a High School social studies

teacher, has a healthy obsession with saving child slaves in Ghana. For 8 years, he has eaten, slept, dreamt, and actualized this mitzvah. He has rescued 40 children off fishing boats, and taken steps to keep them free: building a school for 250 children, providing local housing for 8 teachers, hiring a social worker support children who are at risk for (re-)enslavement. You can learn more, join him on a mission, or donate toward his efforts at btcte.org.

For the last two years, like Evan, I have entered deeply into the mitzvah of redeeming captives. It has become a true passion for me to help free slaves, and I am so very grateful that the CBI community and especially the Social Action Committee (SAC) have joined me in this mitzvah. Please read this month’s SAC article in the Menorah to learn more. We have an exciting matching grant that can help raise enough money to free approximately 100 slaves! “A Taste of Freedom,” a fair trade coffee and chocolate tasting, is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, after morning minyan.

Sometimes, you take hold of a mitzvah. And sometimes a mitzvah takes hold of you. But one way or another, at every age and stage of life, each Jew has the right, the privilege, and the responsibility to choose a mitzvah to focus on. All the mitzvot are beautiful. Which one will you explore in

RABBI/continued on page 5

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53 Palisade Ave., Emerson, NJ 07630

Temple Office: (201) 265-2272

Rabbi Debra Orenstein (201) 265-2272

Cantor Lenny Mandel (973) 325-1778

Cantor Emeritus Sidney Derner

Temple Fax (201) 265-0971

Temple Website www.bisrael.com

Temple E-Mail [email protected]

MENORAH NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: Articles due 5th of preceding month. E-mail articles to [email protected]. Questions? Call 201-768-9661.

TEMPLE OFFICERS2014-2015

Refer to www.bisrael.com for officer e-mails.

President Jamie Kreiman

Immediate Past President David Spatz

Vice Presidents Nancy Passow

Robin Pierce

Judy Samuels

Financial Secretary Peter Reiff

Treasurer Don Segal

Recording Secretary Fred Pierce

Corresponding Secretary Rashella R.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Coordinator Bruce Kasper

Education Co-Chairs Lori Cohen

Jodi Paulen Samantha Segal

Ritual Co-Chairs Audrey Bida

Judy Schoenfeld

Sara Willovit

Membership Chair Carol Aferiat

The Menorah Editor Allegra Fox

House & Grounds Dan Levine

Ways & Means Co-Chairs Joseph Rosenthal

Men’s Club Dave Bloom

David Gordon

Sisterhood Co-Chairs Andrea Collier

Tracy Ganbarg

Trustees Meryl Kutzin

Allan Millstein

Gary Schwinder

Sheryl Silver

Naomi Weinberg

To contact Board members go to www.bisrael.com

Please “LIKE” us on FACEBOOK.

Search on FACEBOOK for Congregation B’nai Israel, Emerson.

Keep up to date on all the events and news of our shul!

CANTOR’S CORNERMichael Nanus stood on our Bimah

giving his Bar Mitzvah speech five years ago. One of the things that made this Bar Mitzvah special was that he chose to “twin” with a child who perished in the Holocaust and could never have a Bar Mitzvah.

Michael’s Parsha was Beshalach from the book of Sh’mot (Exodus). In chapter14, verses 15–25 God told Moses to lift up his rod, hold out his arm, and split the sea. Moses did as God commanded, and God drove back the sea formed a wall on both sides, and the Israelites marched through on dry ground.

He spoke beautifully and then, relating what happened to his Bar Mitzvah twin to his Parsha, said: “no one parted the Red Sea for him.”

It’s a line that had tears running down my face (according to my son, when I cry it sets the bar at a very low level), but Michael was spot on. There were no miracles for the six million Jews that perished in the Shoah of which about 1.2 million were children.

In the late 70s through the 80s (and maybe up until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991) many kids twinned with Russian Jews who were not allowed to practice Judaism; forget about celebrating a Bar Mitzvah.

Cindy Friedman who is a Jewish educator in Chicago now, became a Bat Mitzvah in 1982. She twinned with a girl from Russia: Olga Kogan. We didn’t meet the Friedman family until Pesach 1985 but we became extremely close: they are our Detroit extended family.

Six years later, 1988, her youngest brother Jeffrey celebrated his Bar Mitzvah and all the Mandels flew out. It was a very special time made more special and truly emotional

by the fact that Olga, Cindy’s twin six years earlier was there, and was introduced from the Bimah.

Granted, those days are long gone and many if not most of the Jews of the former Soviet Union are living in free countries all over the world. They are free to worship (or not) any way they choose: if only that could be said for those who were killed in the Shoah.

What’s my point? Our kids’ mitzvah projects are very special, very worthy and certainly do their share to help Tikun Olam (repairing the world), but I would love to see every one of them “twin” with a child who perished in the holocaust as well.

There is a group out of the Chicago Holocaust Museum, in conjunction with the Holocaust Museum in DC, called “Chain of Memory” (Karen Hamity is the co-chair @ 847 433 8099). They will send you a packet with as much information, including pictures, of the child if they have them. They will ask you your last name and if they have information on a child with your surname who perished, the twin will, most likely, have the same surname.

I believe that “twinning” with a child who didn’t survive the Shoah will keep a flame alive. It’s the flame that every anti-Semite, white supremacist, and neo-Nazi works hard at to deny its existence.

This flame will continue to burn and hopefully be carried, just as we hand the Torah among the families, L’Dor VaDor: from generation to generation to ensure that we will never forget and keep the spirit of our resolve alive as we have said for generations: “NEVER AGAIN.”

Cantor Lenny Mandel

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Although the ice and snow are still falling around parts of Northern New Jersey. In Israel spring has come and the

almond trees are blooming. We celebrated spring in Israel and Tu Bshvat here at Congregation B’nai Israel on Sunday morning February 1 with a Green Fair. Tu in Hebrew represents 15 so Tu’Bshvat means the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat. The birthday of the trees. It is customary to plant trees in Israel via JNF or the Jewish national Fund on this Holiday. Our Hebrew school children in conjunction with the SAC and the help of Jill Blum and all of our teachers presented a green fair to all of our congregants and parents. Each class came up with a topic to research about the environment and presented it at their own class table through posters and handmade solar ovens and everyone had such a good time. Parents and students alike. For those that wanted we feasted on some of the seven species that Israel is famous for such as figs, dates, raisins, and wheat crackers with olive oil. Following the GREEN FAIR, the students drew their own Cards in the topic of trees and the environment. Each child took home a plastic bag with their drawing. You can order the cards that they drew through the school by sending the card back with the order form. It can be used as a Thank you card or any multipurpose card. If you have not bought a tree to be planted in Israel in honor or in memory of someone or for the pure joy of helping Israel, envelopes are in the lobby under our Tu’Bshvat sign. Just fill one out and give it to myself or Marie.

Moving forward, Passover is coming! We have sent home Miss Barton Passover candy catalogues with order forms. This is an important fundraiser for the school. If everyone just purchased one box of candy it would truly help the school and have something delicious to serve your Passover guests. This fundraiser will help

in having great programs for the students. We sent home a booklet with every student so please send the order form back with your order as soon as possible. I know that Marie also e-mailed it out to many families in the congregation as well. The letter and order form are with the candy flyer and all the instructions on how to fill it out. Above I have mentioned two very easy and inexpensive ways each family can help the school. Even by ordering just one item. Thank you in advance! Below are some important dates to remember:

March 1st-Purim carnivaltuesday March 3rd –NO cLassEs-instead please come to the Purim shpiel and Megillah reading on Wednesday March 4th at 7:00 PM. everyone dress up in costume and come have a ball!!!! This service will count towards your service requirements.

March 15th-Dalet Kehillah DayMarch 13th-The Dalet class Erev shabbat service in

conjunction with shabbat across america. The Dalet shabbat was originally set for March 20th and has been moved to the 13th.

suNDay, March 22ND-Passover workshopsuNDay, March 29th-Parent meeting following services at

9:30.aPriL 5-12-passover break no hebrew school-hs resumes on

tuesday april 14thsaturDay aPriL 18th-Gimel shabbat service 10:00 aleph shabbat service-saturday april 25th

B’shalom,Karen Weiss,

Principal and the Education Committee

The Pr incipal ’s Pen

Green Fair

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RITUALThe weather outside may be frightful, but inside it’s delightful as it

is the month of Adar – a time to be joyful! We start the month of

March with our Purim celebration on Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00

pm. Everyone is invited for our annual Purim Shpiel (play) and Megillah

reading. Come in costume (or at least wear a funny hat), bring your

favorite noisemaker, and be prepared to have fun!

On Friday, March 13, we celebrate Shabbat Across America with a

dinner and special service. We will enjoy a Shabbat dinner, with rituals,

songs, and prayers around the table, led by Rabbi Debra Orenstein,

Cantor Lenny Mandel, and the Dalet class. Children attending will

have the opportunity to play Shabbat games. Our abbreviated service,

including Kaddish, will be completed in the sanctuary, ending around

8:00 pm, followed by the oneg. Shabbat Across America is an outreach

event, supported by hundreds of synagogues across North America,

including CBI. Its motto is: “Turn an ordinary Friday night into something

extraordinary!” We do need help (and RSVPs) to make the evening a

success – please complete the sign-up form and send it back!

Friday, March 20, during the 8:00 pm Erev Shabbat service, will

be our second Torah Town Hall. Come participate in a communal

conversation about Jewish perspectives on the news and issues of the

day. Saturday, March 21, join us for the Learning Service for adults

and children, mandatory for our Dalet/Hey families, at 10:00 am in the

sanctuary. The Learning Service is an opportunity for a prayer “refresher”

-- review the language, choreography, pronunciation, and meaning of our

prayers. At 10:30 am are the Young Family Service and 8-11 Service, both

in the Hebrew School wing. The theme for all three services this month is

“Holiness”. In addition to songs, prayers, and age-appropriate activities,

March birthdays will be celebrated. Pizza, salads, and ice cream will be

served to all at the conclusion of all three services (11:45 am). To make

sure there’s enough food (and birthday gifts), please RSVP to the CBI

office at [email protected] or 201-265-2272.

Please join us and support our B’nai Mitzvah families on the following

March Shabbatot: the Glastein family for Lily’s Bat Mitzvah on Saturday,

March 7 at 9:30 am and the Schreiber family for Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah

on Saturday, March 28 at 9:30 am. Lily and Daniel will also be leading

Sunday morning services (March 1 and March 22) and Friday night

services (March 6 and March 27).

Once again this year we’d like to “match” those who offer seats at

their Seder tables with those who seek a place to celebrate the holiday

on either the first night (Friday, April 3) or the second night of Pesach

(Saturday, April 4). See the flyer elsewhere in the Menorah to sign up.

Mark your calendars for the many April events including Yizkor service

on Saturday, April 11; Maya Schwartz’s Bat Mitzvah Erev Shabbat

on Friday, April 17; Gimmel class service on Saturday, April 18; Yom

HaShoa commemoration on Sunday, April 19; Young Family Service and

Learning Service on Friday, April 24; and Aleph class Shabbat Service

on Saturday, April 25. Always check the weekly Shmooz for updates and

additions!

See you in Shul!

Audrey Bida, Judy Schoenfeld, and Sara Willovit Ritual Co-chairs;

Nancy Passow, Vice President

S I S T E R S I N T H E H O O D

Spring is finally around the corner! Sisterhood has some fun

activities planned for this Spring. We are interested in putting

together a mahjong game, perhaps both to learn and to play. If

anyone would like to teach mahjong to a small group of us, and /

or play in a game, please email us at [email protected].

Lookout for information on a game night in the upcoming weeks.

Also, look out for a Pesach recipe exchange. We will get together

to exchange our favorite Pesach recipes. Look for announcements in

the Shul Shmooz and Happenings soon.

Our annual Paid-up Luncheon will also be in the works soon.

Look for announcements about this fun event coming in May. It

is a chance to enjoy a festive lunch together. Don’t forget to join

Sisterhood by sending in your dues if you have not already done so.

The funds we raise go toward supporting the synagogue and creating

programs that we all enjoy.

Looking forward to Spring!

Andrea Collier & Tracy Ganbarg

Sisterhood Co-Chairs

After a last minute change of plans and a call for HELP! Lori Yoselow came to the rescue and hosted. We all sat in Lori’s kitchen, discussing A Pigeon and a Boy, by Meir Shalev, and enjoyed a tea and treats. Thanks Lori! As a special, added attraction, we face-timed with Lisa Pollack, who is soaking up the sun in Florida (lucky Lisa!). That was fantastic!

On Tuesday, March 10 at 7:30, we will meet at Marsha Fleishner’s house. This time the book is, The Lotus and the Storm, by Lan Cao. It is a tale of assimilation and community, love and loss, and the aftermath of war. Reviews describe Cao as a master story teller and Amazon gives it 4½ stars: “Cao transports readers back to the war, illuminating events central to twentieth-century history through the lives of one Vietnamese American family.”

If you want to get out of the deep freeze for a few hours, join us. There’s always lots of warmth and laughter, and we love to welcome new members. Look for details in the Shul Shmooz, or contact Carolyn Ginsberg at 201-417-6722.

SISTERS IN THE HOOD BOOK CLUB REPORT

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President's CircleIn February it was our time to honor Tu’b’Shvat by planting trees

in Israel. This year, I chose a fruit bearing tree, rather than the customary Jewish National Fund tree. It did cost a little bit more, but it seemed so worthwhile to me. I could imagine it. That seemed important because it made it “real” to me. I could “pay it forward”, giving something that would have value and share gifts into the future, and develop the land. I planted it in honor of my Uncle Erv, who died a couple of months ago. He was the biggest teaser ever, almost painful in growing up.  Yet, he was also a very loving uncle. He and my Aunt Shirl helped my parents when they needed it. My family took care of them. We loved our first cousins, their 3 daughters. Two blocks away, all of us growing up, and so close in our hearts. I only have one aunt left on each side of my family. Now, we children are the grown ups. I rather liked it the other way. 

So, in our hearts, we know there is going to be a tree for Uncle Erv. But really, that’s not the only reason I did it. I did it for you, for us, the Children of Israel/B’nai Israel. That means of our Shul, and all of the other Jews around the world, especially in Israel. We each have a responsibility to take care of our land and fellow Jews. Simply writing one check does not entirely take care of our responsibility. You cannot

go to the cemetery once, and hope the spot is tended properly. We shouldn’t just pay our synagogue dues and then stay away. Someone needs our help, in the kitchen, to pick up something at the bakery, carry furniture, visit someone ill, make up a minyan, make a shiva visit, call a person, make a contribution for a worthy cause, add an item to one of the boxes where our Bar and Bat Mitzvah young people are collecting money or something in particular for their cause, vacuum the carpet, or to hug a person on Shabbat. 

We work, we have children, we have family who are ill, there are activities for family or our kids - seriously, we all agree that there is not enough time for everything in our lives. That’s why Rabbi Orenstein always talks about pausing, the importance of becoming conscious of the moment, appreciative of the gift of rest on Shabbat. Use that time to reflect, get in touch. Think about where you are, on the page of your life. Arrange something other than the script you follow so well. Plant a tree, plan a trip to Israel, enjoy the Shabbat at B’nai Israel. Smile at a nice face. 

Do something meaningful.

Jamie Kreiman,

President

RABBI/from page 1

depth? What mitzvah would you like to be associated with? For whom do you want to advocate? What do you want to disseminate? Is it time to recommit yourself to a mitzvah that you have already explored and practiced or is it time to choose a new mitzvah?

In short, what is your mitzvah project? If you have one, please let me know. I’d

like to join you and support you. If you want to take on a mitzvah, and

would like some help in selecting, studying, or practicing one, please be in touch with me at 201-265-2272. It would be a privilege to have a “mitzvah meeting” with you.

Rabbi Debra Orenstein

After a long winter hiatus, the CBI Significant Seniors are coming out of hibernation in

March for a wonderful program prepared and presented by Craig Weisz.

We will have an Afternoon-at-the-Movies meeting on Tuesday, March 24 at 1PM at the

Shul and expect to have a most enjoyable afternoon as we did in previous years when Craig

entertained us with his knowledge and talent.

So, plan to be there and bring your family, friends and neighbors and be prepared for a fun

time. All CBI members are welcome.

Refreshments will be served and there will be no charge, although a small donation to

defray the refreshment costs will be appreciated.

See you then and stay warm, safe and healthy.

Arlene and Don Fultonberg,

CBI Significant Seniors Co-Chair

CBI Significant Seniors

COMEDY NIGHT 2015 AT CBI!Saturday Night, May 16th

Tell Your Friends! Reserve Your Tickets Now!$50 per person in advance and $55 at the Door

All Ticket Holders will Receive Two Free Drinks!Bring your own Kosher wine. Soft Drinks, Munchies Provided

* SAve The DATe! *

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SAC EXCHANGEWhat is slavery? Slavery: being forced to work without pay,

under the threat of violence, and being unable to walk away. Are you unknowingly supporting slavery? Many everyday products you use are made by slaves, or with slavery- tainted parts or raw materials -- such as cars, computers, chocolate, coffee, cell phones and clothing.

You might have seen in the shmooz that one of the initiatives SAC is taking on is to raise awareness about modern slavery and help the Rabbi reach her goal of raising $4000. As of this writing, we have already raised $3,199.00 from – and beyond – our CBI membership. If we raise the entire $4000, we will be getting a matching grant, thereby actually having $8000 to donate to the organization Free the Slaves. If you haven’t already done so, please go their website www.freetheslaves.net and see what they’re all about. Their stated mission is to “liberate slaves around the world and change the systems that allow slavery to exist.”If you want to donate, go to www.rabbidebra.com (the Rabbi’s website) and donate through the link provided so we get credit towards our goal. Keep an eye out for the “Reaching our Goal Thermometer” in the lobby.

One of the easiest things you can do right away is “like” Free the Slaves on Facebook and follow them. Then share their updates on your page. This will help spread the word.

Another very easy thing you can do right away is to start buying Fair Trade products, especially coffee and chocolate. Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Target, Fairway and even Shoprite carry fairly traded products. Fair Trade certifications mean that care was taken to promote fair wages and prevent human trafficking. Want to know about a specific company or product? Visit knowthechain.org to find out about the supply chain.

On March 8, join us for a Taste of Freedom. We will be having a Fair Trade Coffee tasting after minyan. (There will also be an opportunity during that tasting to meet and speak with Alayne Birnkah, our Youth Director for USY, grades 9-12, and Kadmiah, grades 6-8.) Watch the shmooz for more information as the date approaches.

Sincerely,SAC Co-chairs,

Jill Blum & Judy Newell

Deeds of loving kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments.Talmud, Peah 1:1

At Congregation B’nai Israel we believe in those words and perform deeds of loving kindness by reaching out to others.

The Good &Welfare Ambassadors are there for our CBI family in all sorts of ways.

• We sent a bouquet of flowers to brighten a hospital room• Or a basket of cheer to someone who needed some cheering up• A child with a broken bone or had surgery enjoyed a goody bag of fun

things to help pass the time • A comforting meal delivered to a family sitting Shiva• A visit or a phone call from an Ambassador to check in on a congregant• A ride to a doctor’s appointment for someone unable to drive• Sometimes all it takes is a card to let someone know we are thinking of them

That is what’s so GOOD about Good & Welfare!

Consider making a donation to the G&W Fund as a deed of loving kindness. Help us continue to be there for our CBI family.

What a great way to pay it forward!

What’s So Good About Good & Welfare

Town Hall Torah Takes OffA new and exciting component was just added to one of our Erev Shabbat services on January 30th, Town Hall Torah. Rabbi Orenstein lead the attendees that night in an insightful presentation followed by a thought provoking question and answer period on the topic “Responding to Terrorism - What is the Way Forward After Paris?”

The Rabbi presented background information on the recent terror attacks in Paris and then posed certain questions to the congregants. She then opened up the floor to a lively and interactive question and discussion session.

In speaking with a number of the members after the services, many described it as exciting, unique, innovative, and highly interactive. They found listening to other members’ views on the topic very interesting as well as the way the Rabbi responded to questions from the audience.

We hope many of you will attend the next Town Hall Torah scheduled for Friday March 20th at 8 pm. The topic will be announced in the weekly Schul Schmooz so remember to look there for more details. We would be so happy to see some new faces at Erev Shabbat services this night to experience another creative and always stimulating service delivered by Rabbi Orenstein.

MeMBeRShIP MATTeRS

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ATTENTION: 6th-8th Graders!“KADIMA DAY” at Powerhouse Studios

SunDAY, MArch 1St from 2:00pm-5:00pm• Wild & Wacky Game Show• Video Games• Trivia Contest

Address: 7 Littell Road, East Hanover, NJCost: $22 in advance, $25 at the door

Contact your Kadima Adviser, Alayne Birnhak at: [email protected] as soon as possible!

SunDAY, MArch 8thMeet the Youth Group Adviser, Alayne Birnhak!

EIGhth GrADE KADIMA ShABBAtOnMArch 13-15

(Deadline is Thursday, February 26th)For details, a copy of the registration form, etc. contact your Kadima Adviser, Alayne Birnhak at:

[email protected] as soon as possible!

KADIMA cOOKS At cBI SunDAY, MArch 22nD after Hebrew School –

Food and fun – for sure!More details to follow!

ATTENTION: 9th-12th Graders!uSY hEADS tO MOnStEr MInI-GOLF

thurSDAY, MArch 19thDinner, mini golf, and arcade games at Monster Mini-Golf

Address: 49 E Midland Ave., Paramus

Tentative time: 5:00pm - 6:30pmMore details to follow!

Jewish Federation oF northern new Jersey’s Good deeds day is March 15

An international day of caring and sharing, Good Deeds Day in northern New Jersey combines a telethon (9 am-1:30 pm) with a food drive to help fill up local food pantries.

Both are community-wide. Share in the spirit of the day! Don’t forget to answer the call in the morning and bring your food (no glass, please or perishables) to Federation’s offices,

50 Eisenhower Drive in Paramus, in the afternoon by 1 pm.

Remember: no good deed goes unnoticed!

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Yes, We’re Going!Israel Tour Connection (ITC) is an experienced

synagogue travel agency that will be organizing

Congregation B’nai Israel’s trip to Israel with Rabbi

Orenstein. The dates are October 10-19, 2015 with

an optional extension to Eilat/Petra October 18-22.

Whether you’ve been to Israel before for not, it will be

an amazing trip. Members and their friends are invited

to join the fun. There will soon be a link in the Shmooz

for further information. Clear your calendars!

Pick up your Mishloach Manot on Sunday,

March 1st to get a head start on gathering

all the items on the scavenger hunt list.

Family members can run around crazy

together for some added Purim fun!! The

winning family/individual receives a $25 gift

certificate for the gift shop AND a reserved

parking space for the High Holidays! The

bags are available all week of March 1st as

long as Marie is in the office to let you in. Of

course, join us for our annual Purim Shpiel at

7pm, March 4th.

Purim Scavenger Hunt Excitement Grows at Camp CBI

z Adam PlautLori Aisenman

Elaine and Irv KadinAlice KriegerCherry Clarke

Kendra Meinhard

Get Well

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PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

WWW.JFNNJ.ORG/FILMFESTIVALWWW.JFNNJ.ORG/FILMFESTIVALWWW.JFNNJ.ORG/FILMFESTIVAL

OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY

Jewish Federation

OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY

Jewish Federation

OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY

Jewish Federation

OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEYJewish Federation

ISRAEL FILM FESTIVALOPENING NIGHTSATURDAY, MARCH 7 | 9PMHILL STARTTENAFLY CINEMA 4

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 | 7PMIS THAT YOU?RIDGEFIELD PARK LUXURY CINEMAS 12Discussion with “Is That You” actress Suzanne Sadler

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 | 7PMSUPER WOMEN WAYNE YMCADiscussion with Boris Fishman, author of “A Replacement Life”

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 | 7:30PMCUPCAKESKOLO KLUB, HOBOKENYoung Professionals Event

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 | 7PMTHE GREEN PRINCEKAPLEN JCC ON THE PALISADESDiscussion with counterterrorism expert Olivier Guitta, Managing Director at GlobalStrat

MONDAY, MARCH 16 | 7PMHILL STARTRAMSEY THEATREDiscussion with George Robinson, fi lm critic with The Jewish Week

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 | 7PMGETTTEANECK CINEMASDiscussion with Rabbi Jeremy Stern, Executive Director, Organization for the Resolution of Agunot

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 | 7PMZERO MOTIVATIONKAPLEN JCC ON THE PALISADESDiscussion with Bur Ashrov,Captain (Res.) in the IDF Spokespersons Unit

LESLIE BILLET, ISRAEL FILM FESTIVAL CHAIRDANIT SIBOVITSDIRECTOR, CENTER FOR ISRAEL ENGAGEMENT [email protected] | 201-820-3907

Between 89th and 90th

Thank you to our sponsors

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CBI SAC is sponsoring the Westwood Area Interfaith Blood Drive to be conducted

on by the Community Blood Services Sunday, April 26 at CBI from 10AM to 3PM

To get donor volunteers, CBI and Westwood area church members are being asked to make telephone calls in early April to previous local donors

from lists provided by Community Blood Services.

We need CBI volunteers to make some calls. If you are willing to help, please call Don Fultonberg

@ 201-767-7657 or Email him at [email protected]. It will only take a small amount of your time to make the calls but the

effort is needed so we can achieve what the area desperately needs; many donors.

ENHANCE YOUR SEDER, REPAIR THE

WORLDBy the time you read this article, you should be able to log onto freetheslaves.net and click on the Judaism page (freetheslaves.net/Judaism), where you will find Passover seder readings and curriculum that relate the story of the Exodus to the slavery that is happening in the world today. Please scroll through the options and pick something to do or discuss at your seder. Just putting a padlock on the seder plate can spark questions and conversation!

If all the Jews who attend a seder discussed human trafficking around the table this year, we would not only add meaning and relevance to our seders, we would begin to fulfill the Torah’s favorite mitzvah (or at least the one it repeats most often): “Love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

Are You Considering A Jewish CAmp?Scholarships for Jewish sleep-away camp are available at onehappycamper.org AND at bunkconnect.org. You can save up to 60% off for a first-time camper.

Sociologists have studied the effects of attending Jewish summer camp on adult Jewish identity and participation. As adults, former campers at a Jewish camp are: 30% more likely to donate to a Jewish charity than their peers; 37% more likely to light Shabbat candles; 45% more likely to attend synagogue monthly or more; and 55% more likely to be very emotionally attached to Israel. All this comes along with hiking, swimming, meeting new friends, telling ghost stories around the campfire, and everything else that camp entails.

There are many specialty Jewish summer camps (outdoor adventure, sports, special needs, travel, etc.), as well as generalist Jewish camps with various camp activities – from arts & crafts to radio to Israeli dancing to tennis, et al. There are over 40 local Jewish sleep-away camps and hundreds (of various lengths and approaches) across the country.

If you would like help or input in choosing a Jewish camp, please contact Rabbi Orenstein at at 201-265-2272 or [email protected].

Are You Going to Summer Camp of

Any Kind?Stay-at-home or sleep-

away, specifically Jewish or not?

If your kids are going to summer camp, please let the

rabbi know. Contact her at 201-265-2272 or [email protected]. If others from CBI are going to that same camp (day camp or sleep-away), she will let you know. She will also be happy

to correspond with those attending sleep-away camp.

11

DANIEL SCHREIBERHello, Shalom! My name is Daniel Schreiber, and my Bar Mitzvah will take place on March 28, 2015. I will be leading services that morning, on Friday, the 27th at 8 pm, and on Sunday, the 22nd at 9:00 am. My torah portion is Tzav from the Book of Leviticus. It deals with sacrifices and offerings in the Temple.  Some are eaten by the priests, some by the poor, some by people bringing the animals, and some are burnt up in a complete sacrifice to God. My Torah portion also talks about special clothing worn by the priests, to show their holy intentions. Today, we don’t feed the poor through sacrifices, but it’s still a mitzvah to feed the poor. So, I will be putting a box in the Temple lobby where you can donate food. The centerpieces at my Bar Mitzvah will be made of canned and boxed foods, which we will donate later to a food pantry. (Flowers are nice, but poor people can’t eat them!) I hope that you will join me in feeding the poor and at my Bar Mitzvah. 

BAT/BAR MITZVAH MESSAGE

Daniel Henry

Daniel will be called to the Torah

as a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday,

the 28th of March at

nine-thirty in the morning

Joyce and edward Schreiber

It is our pleasure to invite you to

an Oneg Shabbat following services

on Friday evening, the 27th of March

in honor of the Bar Miztvh our son

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING!

Wow what a great IDEA! At CBI we get something for doing nothing.

It’s called Supermarket Gift Cards

Here’s how it works:

Before you go to market and spend $100 CASH or CHECK

take your check made out to CBI & get $100 in gift cards.

You get $100 for groceries; CBI gets $5.00

Multiply $5.00 by 52 weeks, we make $260 from your family.

Multiply $260 by 180 family members, CBI makes $46, 800.

$46,800 a year for DOING NOTHING.

Available for Shop Rite, Fairway, and Stop & Shop (Tell your friends and family you will buy it for them!)

Gift Cards do not expire.

Buy as many as want as often as you want!

It’s so easy! Why didn’t you think of this before??

Purchase gift cards at the temple Sunday mornings or when Marie is in the office. Or you may call Idelle Schwinder at 201-265-7281

ChOCOlATE, COffEE, frIENds, ANd Our

KIds' frIENdsOn Sunday, March 8, immediately following minyan, all CBI members and the general

public are invited to A Taste of Freedom - a Fair Trade chocolate and coffee tasting that will supplement our usual bagel breakfast and educate all of us about the (delicious)

moral opportunities in our food choices. The community, and especially our Hebrew School

parents, will be able to Meet & Greet our Youth Group Advisor, Alayne Birnhak, who runs Kadimah (grades 6-8) and USY (grades 9-12) for our synagogue and three others, in a collaborative Youth Program. Come and

learn about the amazing social and spiritual opportunities your kids can enjoy!

12

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5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

APRIL 2015Adar II-Nisan 5775

MARCH 2015Adar I-Adar II 5775

Candle Lighting Times: 3: 7:04 9: 7:11 10: 7:12 17: 7:19 24: 7:27

Candle Lighting Times: 6: 5:34 13: 6:42 20: 6:49 27: 6:57

MONDAY

MONDAY

SUNDAY

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SATURDAY

7:30pm CBI Board Meeting

No Erev Shabbat Service

No Shabbat morning service

9am Minyan & Matzoh

No Hebrew School

No Hebrew School

8pm Erev Shabbat Service

10am Shabbat morning service & Yiskor

12pm Kiddush Sponsored by Schwartz Family

9am Minyan & Bagel Breakfast

No Hebrew School

9:30am Bagel Breakfast Sponsored by Schwartz Family

12:30pm JConnect Parenting Workshop4pm Hebrew School

Yom HaShoah 7:30pm Maya Schwartz Bat Mitzvah

9pm Oneg Sponsored by Schwartz Family

10am Gimmel Class Shabbat morning service

9am Minyan & Bagel Breakfast9am Hebrew School1pm Kadima Roller Rama7pm Yom Hashoah Service

4pm Hebrew School

Yom HaZikaron Yom HaAtzma’ut 6:30pm Young Family Service

7:30pm Learning Service

10am Aleph Class Shabbat morning service

9am Minyan & Bagel Breakfast9am Hebrew School9:30am Bagel Bkfst spon-sored by Feder Family10am Community Blood Drive

4pm Hebrew School

9am Minyan & Bagel Breakfast9am Hebrew School9:30am Bagel Bkfst sponsored by Glastein/Cohen Family10am Purim Carnival1pm Kadima Day

4pm Hebrew School7:30pm CBI Board Meeting

7pm Purim Shpiel 8pm Erev Shabbat Service

9pm Oneg sponsored by Glastein Family

9:30am Bat Mitzvah of Lily Glastein

9am Minyan & Bagel Breakfast

9am Hebrew School

10am A Taste of Freedom

4pm Hebrew School

12:30pm JConnect Parenting Workshop

6:30pm Shabbat Across America Dinner & Service

7:30pm Dalet Class Erev Shabbat services

10am Share & Care service @ JHAL

9am Minyan & Bagel Breakfast

9am Hebrew School

4pm Hebrew School

8pm Erev Shabbat Service

10am Learning service

10:30am 8-11 Service

10:30am Young Family Program

9am Minyan & Bagel Breakfast9am Hebrew School9:30am Bagel Breakfast sponsored by Schreiber family10am Passover Workshop

1pm Significant Seniors Afternoon at the Movies4pm Hebrew School

8pm Erev Shabbat Service

9pm Oneg sponsored by Schreiber Family

9:30am Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Schreiber

9am Minyan & Bagel Breakfast

9am Hebrew School

4pm Hebrew School

13

L E T T E R STo Rabbi Orenstein, Cantor Mandell and my CBI family,Thank you so much for the gorgeous flowers,

they really brightened by days. Most of all, thank

you for your kind support and offers to help and

prayers.

Sincerely,

Alice Krieger

To our dear Emerson Family,Although we moved from Emerson in 1992, we

could never move from Congregation

B’nai Israel.

Emerson Jewish Center, as it was known

then, was a BABY in the 1950’s and we cannot

believe how much it has grown. Dan and I were

always proud of our Congregation and that

haven’t forgotten us.

From the bottom of my heart I thank Rabbi

Orenstein and those of you who attended Don’s

funeral, those who paid a shiva call to me and

our family and those who made donations in his

memory.

Sincerely,

Phyllis Kirschner

ETErnAl lIGHT FundTO: Dave BechfelWe are so sorry for your losses. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.FROM: Allen & Sharon Neuhaus

TO: Moreen Fand

In loving memory of your motherFROM: Les & Donna Kaufman

TO: Ira Grodin

In loving memory of your beloved brother, Mark Barry Grodin FROM: Allen & Sharon Neuhaus

GEnErAl Fund TO: Meryl & Larry KutzinCongratulations on the marriage of your son, Jared to Melissa. Wishing you lots of joy.FROM: Andrea & Jay Collier

TO: Lori Aisenman

Wishing you a speedy and early recovery.FROM: Andrea & Jay Collier

GOOd & WElFArE Fund TO: Meryl & Larry KutzinMazel Tov on the marriage of your son, Jared to Melissa. Wishing you lots of joy.FROM: Naomi & Bruce Weinberg, Hal & Judy Abrams, Marc & Shelly Saperstein,

TO: Alice Krieger

Wishing you a speedy recovery.FROM: Don & Arlene Fultonberg

TO: Lori Aisenman

Wishing you a complete and speedy recovery. FROM: Ellen & David Michelson

TO: David Gordon

Condolences on the passing of your father, Richard Lewis GordonFROM: Andrea & Jay Collier

GET WEll Fund TO: Lori AisenmanWishing you a complete and speedy recovery. FROM: Naomi & Bruce Weinberg

dErnEr BuIldInG Fund TO: Sid Derner Our sincerest condolences on the passing of your beloved Bunny.FROM: Hal & Judy Abrams

CAnTOr’s dIsCrETIOnAry Fund TO: Cantor Lenny MandelIn memory of your beloved Mom, LottieFROM: Hal & Judy Abrams

rABBI JEHIEl OrEnsTEIn EduCATIOn dEVElOpMEnT Fund TO: Karen Weiss My best wishes for a refuah sheleyma FROM: Rabbi Debra Orenstein

yAHrZEIT dOnATIOns Hal & Judy Abrams in loving memory of our

beloved son, Aron Garth Rosalyn Sternbach in loving memory of

Blanche SilverbergFern Segal in loving memory of Anshel

FishmanMr. & Mrs. David Weinstein in loving memory

of Irving WeinsteinJamie Kreiman in loving memory of Melvin

KreimanMr. & Mrs. Bernard Silverberg in loving

memory of Samuel KulkinPeter Ganbarg in loving memory of Pearl

GanbargBarbara Steinberg in loving memory of Samuel

Steinberg

FUNDS

Sharon and Allen Neuhaus sponsored minyan on Sunday, Jan 25 in honor of

their granddaughter Sophie’s 3rd birthday

Join your CBI family on a Saturday morning and share an occasion you are remembering

or celebrating. Whether it’s a yahrzeit or a birthday or something else special in your life,

come and be honored at our Shabbat service. Open the ark, lift or carry the Torah, have

an Aliyah (or just come and share the morning with us). Please let the Ritual Committee

know ahead of time ([email protected]) and we will be delighted to include you.

14

Rebecca Swerlick 10 Adar 03/01/15Ann B Kossar 10 Adar 03/01/15Martin Wintner 10 Adar II 03/01/15Anna Gobstein 12 Adar 03/03/15Jack Kaplan 13 Adar 03/04/15Florence Shustak 13 Adar II 03/04/15Benjamin Rosner 14 Adar 03/05/15Claire Lieberman 14 Adar 03/05/15Fannie Kirschner 14 Adar 03/05/15Barbara Levitt 15 Adar 03/06/15Jack J Silverberg 16 Adar 03/07/15Ben Ratner 17 Adar 03/08/15Sheldon H. Lubitz 17 Adar 03/08/15Sam Markman 18 Adar II 03/09/15Charles Rosch 18 Adar II 03/09/15Clara Shustak 19 Adar 03/10/15Dora Bein 19 Adar 03/10/15Edward Birnbaum 19 Adar 03/10/15Sidney Edward Cherry 19 Adar 03/10/15Martin Friedman 19 Adar 03/10/15Irving Rosenbaum 20 Adar II 03/11/15Eileen Saperstein 21 Adar 03/12/15Lillian Tauber 21 Adar 03/12/15Alexander Rosenberg 22 Adar 03/13/15William Golub 22 Adar 03/13/15William Fultonberg 22 Adar 03/13/15Erica Lauren Lipson 22 Adar 03/13/15Louis Schoenholtz 24 Adar 03/15/15Beatrice Davidson 25 Adar 03/16/15Stanley Schwalbe 25 Adar 03/16/15Charles Shustak 27 Adar 03/18/15Abraham Wigotsky 28 Adar 03/19/15Bernard Mills 28 Adar 03/19/15Jennie Stein 28 Adar 03/19/15Anna Federman 29 Adar 03/20/15Joseph Greenwald 29 Adar II 03/20/15Minnie Radin 3 Nisan 03/23/15Victor Vigotsky 5 Nisan 03/25/15Natalie Radin 5 Nisan 03/25/15Murray E. Michelson 6 Nisan 03/26/15Bertha Gould 7 Nisan 03/27/15Rose Simberg 8 Nisan 03/28/15Bernice Kuperinsky 8 Nisan 03/28/15Harry Beldner 10 Nisan 03/30/15Marilyn Altfield 10 Nisan 03/30/15

MARCH YA H R Z E ITS TEMPLE SERVICESYAHRZEIT/MEMORIAL PLAQUESA reminder card is mailed every year prior to the yahrzeit anniversary. Plaques are displayed on the sanctuary walls.

TREE OF LIFE LEAVESCommemorate special occasions or honor someone special with a leaf displayed on our lobby walls.

SENTIMENT CARDSWe’ll send a beautiful card to express your sentiments. Choose from one of the following funds:

• Freyda Fund for all occasions, in memory of the good deeds of Freyda “Fran” Klein

• eternal light Fund for memorials• irving riekes MeMorial

garden Fund for all occasions. Funds used to maintain garden behind temple.

• get Well Fund• Cantor sid derner Building

FUND for all occasions. Funds used for existing building needs.

• good & WelFare Fund• soCial aCtion Fund to help those

in need• BerniCe’s kitChen Fund for

all occasions, in memory of Bernice Kuperinsky. Funds used for kitchen equipment.

• the raBBi Jehiel orenstein EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT FUND In memory of Rabbi Jehiel. Funds scholars-in-residence, teacher development, and other educational needs of the synagogue.

Prayer Book FundBook plate dedications for all occasions.

JudaiCa giFt shoPLocated in the temple lobby.

suPerMarket giFt CardsA major fundraiser that can be used at any Fairway, Shop Rite, Stop and Shop. Temple earns $5 on every $100 gift card.

ProsPeCtive MeMBersLet your neighbors know about our shul.

FACILITIES RENTALAvailable for private parties

MENORAH NEWSLETTERadvertising

SPONSORSHIPSSponsor a Kiddush, an Oneg Shabbat, or Sunday bagel breakfast.

$200Email Lynn Reiff at [email protected]

$126Call Bob Greenblatt at 201-265-5777

$7.50 minimumCall Bruce & Ellen Sonkin at 201-358-0129 or e-mail [email protected]

Contact Barry Bluestein at 201-782-0969

Contact Meryl Kutzin at [email protected]

May be purchased in $50 increments.Contact Idelle Schwinder at 201-265-7281

Contact Carol Aferiat at [email protected]

Contact for rates at [email protected]

For rates email Allegra Fox [email protected]

Contact Meryl Kutzin at [email protected]

• raBBi disCretionary Fund Contributions made will benefit organizations, members, causes, and/or purchases at the discretion of the Rabbi

• Cantor disCretionary Fund Contributions made will benefit organizations, members, causes, and/or purchases at the discretion of the Cantor

MENORAH PATRONSHarold & Judith Abrams,

EmersonElyse & Leonard Asch, ClosterShelly, Richard, Marisa, & Elana

Birnbaum, Harrington ParkThe Bluestein Family,

River ValeStephen Brody, Susan Hertzberg,

Michelle, & Derek, HaworthShirley Cook, HackensackJoan, Gus Eben and Family,

EmersonSheila & Ed Faerber, EmersonArlene Feinman, Cary, NCTracy, Peter, Peri and Julia

Ganbarg, HillsdaleNancy Kihn & Reed Glassman,

West New YorkSonie Glazer, San Diego, CA

Debra & Donald Green, DemarestBob, Bonnie, Michelle &

Stephanie Greenblatt, Emerson

Stanley & Marilyn Halprin, Closter

Gertrude Hecht, New MilfordRuth & Peter Hirschel, HaworthVivian Holzer & Mitchell

Ignatoff, Harrington ParkBelinda, Gillian, Andrew, &

Glenn Howard, EmersonFrancine, Sandy & Stephanie

Kaplan, WestwoodLes & Donna Kaufman,

EmersonKen & Connie Klein, NorwoodBill, Marcy, Steven, & Allison

Lazarus, Boynton Beach, FL

Irwin & Vivienne Levenson, River Vale

Beth, George, Jonathan, and Neil Liepmann

David Meinhard & Ellen Breger, Woodcliff Lake

Robert, Lisa, Alex & Spencer Mendelson, Hillsdale

Allan, Jackie, Lisa & Zach Millstein, Emerson

Sharon and Allen Neuhaus, Emerson

Victoria Sonshine Pasher, Hillsdale

Martin and Susan Pelavin, Woodcliff Lake

The Passow Family, EnglewoodThe Pierce Family, Demarest

Ellen, Marcel, Wendy and Adam Plaut, Washington Township

Lynn & Peter Reiff, River ValeRobin & Maurice Rosenberg,

Lake Worth, FLShelly, Marc, Allison & Gregory

Saperstein, AlpineBernard, Judy, Melissa

Jocelyn, & Jeffrey Schoenfeld, Emerson

Idelle, Gary, Eric, & Meredith Schwinder, Emerson

Fern & Don Segal & Family, Emerson

David, Sheryl, Ben & Matt Silver, Paramus

Roberta, Martin Simon and Family, Emerson

Bruce & Ellen Sonkin, Washington Township

Gail, Michael & Rachel Starr, River Vale

Harriette & Seymour Turk, Emerson

Hanna Wechsler, Woodland ParkPhyllis and Bernard

Weinberger, Boynton Beach, FLThe Zamkoff Family, Upper

Gynedd, PAJoan, Steven & Marcia Zelman,

OradellRobert & Pamela Zisner, Emerson

If you would like to become a Menorah Patron, please e-mail the editors at [email protected]

CraigWeiszPhotography.com

Prints • Fine Art Décor • Stationery (201) 421-8590 [email protected]

Congregation B'nai IsraelP.O. Box 345 Emerson, New Jersey 07630-1935

Change Service Requested

For generations, we’ve made family, community

and tradition our promise to you.WIEN & WIEN INc.

MEMorIal chapElsGUTTErMaN aNd MUsIcaNT

jEWIsh FUNEral dIrEcTors

402 Park Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601Serving all of Florida

1-800-322-05331-800-522-0588 Fax: 201-489-2392

www.GuttermanMusicantWien.com

alan l. Musicant, Mgr. N.j.lic.No. 2890Irving Kleinberg, N.j. lic. No. 2517 Martin d. Kasdan, N.j. lic. No. 4482

ronald Bloom N.j.lic.No.4545 advanced planning director

For Generations_3.5x2.indd 1 7/5/2007 2:04:19 PM