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November 2015
Heshvan - Kislev 5776 Volume 5776 Issue 3
IN THIS ISSUE
Contact Page 2 Announcements Page 3
Messages Pages 4-5 Gift & Craft Show Pages 6-7 A-Team Page 8 Jewish Young
Professionals Page 9 Adult Studies &
Special Services Pages 10-11 PRECEC Page 12 Youth Page 13 Calendar Pages 14-15 Women’s League Page 16 Mitzvah
Men’s Club Page 17 Life Cycle Pages 18-19 Donations Pages 20-21 Kehilla Page 22 Sponsors Pages 23-27 Chase the Dreidel Back Cover
Being thankful is one of the qualities that define us as Jews. One of the roots of the word yehudi, Jew,
is hoda’ah, thanks. So, one of the roots of being Jewish is giving thanks. This gives rise to the mitzva of
hakarat hatov – acknowledging the good. There are two steps to this mitzva: first, to acknowledge
what we have and second to appreciate it. It is one of the most valuable messages for modern society
because it is about having enough, doing enough and being enough.
Despite the fact that the root word for yehudi is to be found in hoda’ah, gratitude is not a natural state of being. Gratitude is
not natural because we tend to assume that we are entitled to all the good things in life simply because we are good people.
And so we pray and we give thanks, the whole time aware that though God may not need our prayers or our gratitude, God
does need us to be the kind of people who know how to be grateful.
The concept of hoda’ah implies that we do not fulfill our obligation of gratitude through words alone. From its root we also find
the word yad – hand, so we learn that we must give God our hand as part of our Thanksgiving.
At CBI, we do hakarat tov in many ways, by:
✡ Coming to morning/evening minyan and thanking God for our many blessings ✡ Visiting a shiva house and appreciating the comfort of community
✡ Volunteering our time on a mitzva project and saying thank you with our hands
✡ Making a gift to the synagogue in honor of happy occasions ✡ Inviting someone over for Shabbat dinner and acknowledging the blessings of a full house
✡ Thanking the greeter who welcomes us on Shabbat evening or morning ✡ Visiting those in the hospital or a nursing home
✡ Spending time in God’s presence in our sacred spaces
And we acknowledge the good in our lives simply by walking in the doors of the building and allowing
the community to do what it does best – comfort and celebrate, share and educate, inspire and uplift.
With best wishes for a most pleasant and meaningful Thanksgiving,
Shalom,
From the Cantor
One of my former rabbis used to say that Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday. I think it’s easy to see why – the message of the day is simple, yet fundamental. Although it was originally
a day on which the pilgrims gave thanks to God for bringing them safely to America, for us it is a day on which we
can reflect on and recall all that we are thankful for in our lives.
In the spirit of the holiday, I would like to share with you some things for which I am thankful: I am thankful that I am
able to work in a profession that I love, and that I have the opportunity to serve a congregation filled with such
wonderful people. I am thankful that I have my family, who are there for me in both the best and the worst of times.
I am thankful to be an uncle – my niece and nephew are adorable. I am thankful to have my friends, many of whom
are also colleagues.
There are many places in our formal liturgy where we thank God. Upon waking up in the morning, we say “Modeh /
modah ani:” “I thank You, enduring Sovereign, for restoring my soul to me in compassion. You are faithful beyond measure.” The psalm for Shabbat begins “Tov l’hodot Ladonai (It is good to thank Adonai).” In Hallel, we say “Hodu
Ladonai ki tov (Thank Adonai, for God is good)” and “Od’cha ki anitani (I thank You, for You have answered me).”
We even devote an entire brachah of every Amidah to thanking God: “Modim anachnu lach” (for all you Hebrew
buffs, “modim anachnu” is the plural of “modeh / modah ani”). We say this brachah three times every day, and four
times on days when we have Musaf. Let’s take a look at the end of this brachah:
“For all these blessings we shall ever praise and exalt You. May every living creature thank You and praise You
faithfully, God of deliverance and our help. Barukh Atah Adonai, ‘The Beneficent One’ is Your name, and it is fitting to
give thanks to You.”
Happy Thanksgiving,
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From the President What is the perfect gift for a 90 year old? If it’s Morrie LeVine, the answer is easy…
Minyannaire regular Morrie LeVine shared his 90th birthday at a Wednesday morning Minyan service
filled with congregants last month and it was indeed a memorable occasion. At the end of the service,
congregants shouted “Yasher Koach” to the Davener Caryn Baird for leading the service. I saw some
tears well up in Caryn’s eyes as she explained to me that this was her first time leading the service, as
she took on the challenge to lead the service as her personal gift to Morrie.
Morrie’s birthday celebration continued through Shabbat. He enjoyed many of his grandkids who came into town for the
occasion, and his daughter, Sharon (LeVine) Rosenthal, from Texas, read Haftorah in honor of her dad’s big birthday.
Oh yes, and the big 90th birthday present? We got together and honored him with a Golden Leaf on the Tree of Life and my
kids insisted on a new blender for his famed ice cream milkshakes!
The Spirituality of Welcoming, a book by Jewish motivation speaker Ron Wolfson, delves into the importance of Jewish
camaraderie, the need to feel connected. We seemed to have missed this opportunity the last several years, with statistics
showing that new members without senior family at our shul have not retained their memberships. Even though we have a
bounty of programs, the feelings of warmth and connection are vital to the future of Conservative Judaism in St. Petersburg.
Minyan is multi-faceted, as it provides the necessary ten worshippers to pray alongside the bereaved to recite the Mourner’s
Kaddish, the twice weekly Torah service, a pre-Simcha service and most importantly the Breakfast Club friendship group.
It is a place where everyone feels welcomed.
Other friendship groups are in the works at CBI. Newborn babies to toddlers are invited to come with mom, dad, bubbe or
zaydie to an open to the community Music with Mar musical playdate on Tuesdays at 10:00 am at CBI followed by a social time.
A Rosh Chodesh monthly women's discussion group has been organized and other outreach programs are soon to come.
We are looking at proven programs to reengage different segments of our congregation.
Please experience the vibrancy and great gift items at this year’s CBI Gift and Craft Show on Saturday night, November 14 (free
evening preview reception) and Sunday, November 15. Volunteer or come to see your friends and fulfill your holiday gift list.
I will display my brightly glazed functional ceramics alongside many talented craftsmen. Another way to support the event is to
buy, buy, buy the $100 gelt giveaway tickets. Come see me or any Board Member to purchase your winning ticket!
See you in Shul! Visit Page 22 for Morrie’s Minyan L’Chaim photo!
From the Executive Director
It’s November again, and time to kick back and reflect on all the things for which we’re
grateful. In addition to my wonderful family and friends, I’m grateful for many people here at
CBI. Over the next few months, I’d like to share some thoughts with you in celebrating what
we do particularly well. This month’s focus is the Gift and Craft Show.
This group of women amazed me when I first saw them in action, and that amazement has only increased during the
past two years. They choose exquisite merchandise throughout the year and pull off a remarkable event that begins
on Saturday night with a charming dessert reception, cash bar, and music a la the Reich family. On Sunday, enjoy a
delicious kosher lunch from Jo-El’s after you’ve taken part in the workshop with artist-in-residence Loren Stein.
In addition to merchandise they’ve purchased, they bring in talented artists from around the country who offer
antique jewelry, wood work, drawings, and much more. And don’t miss the opportunity to snare a unique piece of
pottery from our president, Susan Marger LeVine (I have several pieces in my miniature kitchen!).
This is an event that appeals to everyone who wants to volunteer, who loves to shop, or is on the hunt for treasures
to give as Hanukkah gifts. Cherry on the ice cream sundae: they make money to help support our programs.
I will miss this year’s show because I’ll be at my granddaughter’s wedding in Palm Springs. But I’ve purchased my Gelt
Giveaway and Dreidel Drawing tickets and will make some purchases both before and after the event. If you’ll be in
town, show up for the fun. You’ll be glad you did!
Yasher Koach to Susie Berman, Susie Schwartz, Marilyn Benjamin, Joanne Luski, Phyllis Werner, Judi Gordon,
Vivian Lurie, and Louisa Benjamin – and apologies to anyone whose name I inadvertently omitted.
Happy Thanksgiving,
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Advocacy for Israel Committee
A LETTER FROM ISRAEL BONDS SYNAGOGUE DIVISION
Long after the Book of Life is sealed, our congregation's Book of Participants in the Israel Bonds
High Holy Days Appeal remains open for additional names. Participating in our Israel Bonds
campaign strengthens Israel and strengthens the ties of our congregation to the land and people of
Israel. For 64 years Israel Bonds has been standing with Israel. When you invest in Israel through
Israel Bonds, you too will be standing with Israel.
Less than 50 shopping days remain until Hanukkah. The best form of Hanukkah gelt are
eMitzvah bonds for $36, $54, $72, $90, available online at israelbonds.com. No schlepping to
the mall, standing in line, or searching for wrapping paper required.
“Nat’ah Karem ~ She plants a vineyard ~ Torah Fund Theme ~ 5776”
The words, nat’ah karem, “she plants a vineyard,” appear in chapter 31, verse 16 of the book of Mishlei (Proverbs) in the Hebrew Bible. Most of chapter 31 takes the form of a poem, and has long been known fondly in Judaism by its
opening words, Eishet Chayil (“woman of valor”). It describes the exemplary woman. The words that precede nat’ah
karem in verse 16 tell us that this extraordinary woman plants a vineyard mip’ri kapehah “by the work of her own
hands.” In this poem, planting a vineyard is one of many labors the woman performs for herself and her family, both
inside the home and by interacting with the outside world. Among the many other virtues mentioned in the poem
are: helping the needy, being a deep source of emotional support for her spouse and her children, and always
speaking with wisdom and kindness.
This year your support of Torah Fund as a benefactor remains at a donation of $180 (checks made out to “Torah
Fund,” mailed to Marilyn LeVine, 1900 Park St., St. Petersburg, 33710).
With your pledge, you will receive this beautiful gold and silver pin. Higher gift giving is also available, $300 for
Guardian, $600 for Associate Patron, see above opportunities.