Beth Israel Synagogue 12604 Pacific Street, Omaha NE 68154 www.orthodoxomaha.org 402-556-6288 The Beth Israel Bulletin A Publication of Beth Israel Synagogue September 2015 • Elul 5775/Tishri 5776 Table of Contents Mazal Tov to our Members ........................... 2 Chai Lights .................................................... 3 Weekly Classes .............................................. 4 High Holiday Schedule ................................. 5 Holiday Information ..................................... 6-10 Babysitting and Holiday Child Care ............. 10 The Month in Photos .................................... 11 Scholar In Residence Schedule ...................... 12 Mishnah L’Neshamah Club ........................... 13 Weekly Youth Events ..................................... 13 Birthdays & Anniversaries ............................. 14 Contributions ................................................. 15 Service Schedule ............................................ 16 (Back Cover)
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The Beth Israel Bulletin · Bruce Potash, VP of Membership & Executive Officer Bruce Goldberg, VP of Financial Planning Jeff Kirshenbaum, Treasurer Joey Shyken, Secretary Joel Alperson
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Beth Israel Synagogue
12604 Pacific Street, Omaha NE 68154
www.orthodoxomaha.org
402-556-6288
The Beth Israel Bulletin
A Publication of Beth Israel Synagogue
September 2015 • Elul 5775/Tishri 5776
Table of Contents
Mazal Tov to our Members ........................... 2
Service Schedule ............................................ 16 (Back Cover)
2
Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, Rabbi
The High holidays are upon us. We are about to start a new year, which we hope will be better than the last. The month preceding the high holidays, "Elul," is a time to prepare for the holiness. There are many different ways to prepare. The Rabbis tell us that the name "Elul" is an acronym for "ani ldodi vdodi li," I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me. First we work on bringing ourselves close, and then we will feel the ultimate closeness. We work this month on returning. We must rid ourselves of any blockages to achieve this. Our rabbis tell us that as a prerequisite for achieving closeness with G-d one must first achieve closeness with fellow man. We spend the next few weeks working on making sure we have minimal negativity towards others and attempting to resolves one's negativity towards us. If we are able to achieve this, then G-d will only see the positive in us as well. May the blockages we remove with our fellow man lead to removing the blockages between us and G-d. Blessings for a Shana Tova, filled with happiness and health.
About the Cover:
Rosh Hashanah is a time of newness. New beginnings. New hope. And new chances to pursue our dreams. The f o o d s o f R o s h Hashanah help pave the way by symbolizing all the good things to come.
Rabbi Yaakov Weiss, Mashgiach Ruchani
The Jewish people often have opportunity for looking into the future. We don’t know what will happen in the future but we try our best to predict and prepare for what will happen. Many of our prayers and thoughts on Rosh Hashana look towards the coming year with anticipation. Rosh Hashana is a very special time of year when people come out and identify themselves as practicing Jews. They come to synagogues, social events, or dinners as people that are proud of being Jewish. Perhaps we can take a cue from one of the central prayers of the holiday: Ki Anu Amecha – we are your people and You are our G-d. The prayer goes through different relationships we have with G-d, and I believe its essence is that at different times the Jewish people look to understand their relationship with G-d in varied ways. Let us start off the year as a quest to find out the best way for us to relate to ourselves, each other, and the Master of the world. Shana Tova u-Metukah
...to Meira Gitt & Taliah Shrago on the celebration of their Bat Mitzvot! Mazel Tov to grandparents Leon & Dani Shrago and the entire extended family. ...to Sarah Potash on the birth of Jenna Rose. Mazal Tov to grandparents Linda and Bruce Potash. ...to Brittani & Ido Shtrobach on their wedding. Mazal
Tov to Brittani (Rut), Lillyanna (Keshet), Leaha, and Dvorah on completing their conversions. ...to Brittani & Ido Shtrobach on the birth of their son Israel James (Yisrael), and to big sisters Lillyanna (Keshet), Leaha, and Dvorah. ...to Abby Kohll upon the celebration of her Bat Mitzvah. Mazal Tov to Alan Kohll & Briggete Mimram.
BETH ISRAEL STAFF
Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, Rabbi Rabbi Yaakov Weiss, Mashgiach Ruchani Jeannie Nickels, Office Manager Kris Eschliman, Administrative Assistant Betty Bader, Kitchen Jay Benton, Housekeeping Leo Fettman, Cantor Emeritus
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Toba Cohen-Dunning, President
Liat Shyken, VP of Administration
Bruce Potash, VP of Membership &
Executive Officer
Bruce Goldberg, VP of Financial
Planning
Jeff Kirshenbaum, Treasurer
Joey Shyken, Secretary
Joel Alperson
Aryeh Epstein
Mary Sue Grossman
Julee Katzman
Zoë Riekes
Stacey Rockman
Lynne Saltzman
Michael Shrago
Sherry Taxman
Harry Weiner
All past presidents
BETH ISRAEL CHAI LIGHTS
Our community continues to thrive because of our dedicated benefactors and volunteers. Thank you to…
• Sponsors of August Kiddushes:
• Leon & Dani Shrago and for sponsoring the Kiddush Lunch and
Seudah Shlishit in honor of their granddaughters’ Bat Mitzvot
• Ruth Edelman in honor of her birthday, her Bat Mitzvah, and chanting
of the Haftorah on this same day
• Lynne Saltzman for providing birthday cake in honor of her birthday
• Bruce and Linda Potash in honor of the birth of their granddaughter
Jenna Rose
• Sponsors of the August Simcha Kiddush:
Birthdays: Lynne Saltzman, Jack Shrago
Anniversaries: Ruth & Harold Edelman, Paysie & Susie Shyken,
Jack & Helene Shrago
• Day of Learning sponsors:
• Ruth & Harold Edelman in honor of those who called or visited Harold
while he was in the hospital
• Anonymous in honor of the children of Beth Israel
• Jonathan Duitch to commemorate the Shloshim for his mother Jean
Duitch
• Susan Katzman for sponsoring the Shabbat Sheet once a month
• All of the community members who helped host our guests from Project
SEED: Aryeh & Crystal Epstein, Rabbi Ari, Donald Gerber, Harry & Kathy
Weiner, David & Shirley Goodman, Jack & Bette Kozlen, Gary & Liat Shyken,
Joey & Rachel Shyken, Rabbi Yaakov & Ilana Weiss, and Leon & Dani Shrago
• Mary Sue Grossman & Jordana Kurtzman for editing the Shabbat sheet
• Mary Sue Grossman, Jordana Kurtzman, and Deborah Platt for editing the
monthly bulletin
• Rachel Shyken for leading the monthly Kids Craft for August
• All those delivering a Dvar Torah and reading from the Torah during August
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Buy ANYTHING on Amazon and earn cash for Beth Israel Synagogue.
Every purchase you make on Amazon that begins on the Beth Israel
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The link is found on the website at www.orthodoxomaha.org.
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WEEKLY CLASSES & PROGRAMS
SHABBAT DAY
Shabbat Morning Children’s Classes
Beginning with the Torah parade at 9:45 am,
classes are available for children of all ages
Parshah Study
Before and after the Torah reading each week
Shabbat Afternoon
One hour before Mincha, delve into insights of the
Weekly Torah Portion or upcoming holidays
Seudah Shlishit
Celebrate the beauty of Shabbat with Torah, food,
and song
SUNDAY
9:45 am - Bagels and Beit Medrash:
Understanding Our Prayers
2:00 pm - Caffe Ivrit with Eliad
TUESDAY
12:00 pm - The Portion of Israel with Eliad
(Social Hall) - Please note that class on the second Tuesday
of the month will take place at the Kripke Library in the JCC
THURSDAY
9:30 am - Women’s Class: Deepening Our
Connection with G-d (Social Hall)
3:30 pm - Scholar’s Club for 6th grade
will resume after Sukkot
7:00 pm - Avot U-Banim—Parent-Child Learning
7:30 pm - Girls Learning Program at Beth Israel
8:30 pm - Talmud Learning at Beth Israel
DAILY
Daily Learning of Jewish Law and Jewish Thought
following Sunday and weekday Shacharit services
7:45 am - Principles of Jewish Thought on weekdays
New Classes Coming to Beth Israel with Shaliach Eliad Eliyahu
The Portion of Israel
Every Tuesday at 12:00 pm you are invited to join Shaliach Eliad Eliyahu for an
interesting session of Israel updates. During the sessions Eliad will share the current
news from Israel and the different versions reported in Israeli and international media.
The second part of the session will be dedicated to learn the highlights from the Torah
portion and their connection to Israel and to our life nowadays! The first session will be
on Tuesday, September 1st at 12:00 pm at Beth Israel. The program will take place every
Tuesday except for the second Tuesday of the month. The monthly Eye on Israel session
will take place at the Kripke Library in the JCC on the second Tuesday of the month.
Caffe Ivrit
Do you have basic skills in Hebrew and want to improve them?
Please come to our Caffe Ivrit class with Shaliach Eliad Eliyahu every Sunday at 2:00 pm at Beth Israel
Synagogue. The session will include short updated clips from Israel, tips for fluent conversational Hebrew and
basic understanding of Hebrew grammar. Session will begin at 2:00 pm.
Place your order by noon on September 4 by either going to the website and using the link under “Upcoming Programs & Events” or by
calling the office.
Cost - $48.00
It is a beautiful mitzvah to perform as part of the Sukkot holiday!
Holiday Preparation Classes:
What you thought you already knew everything about...
Songs and Prayers of High Holidays:
Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 pm
High Holiday Crash Course:
Shabbat, September 12 at 6:00 pm
Teshuva—Repentance
Shabbat, September 19 at 6:00 pm
Sukkot Crash Course
Shabbat, September 26 at 6:00 pm
Pre-Selichot Concert
Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 pm
Rabbi Ari Dembitzer and Rabbi Yaakov Weiss
Get ready for Selichot and High Holidays through a meaningful concert. Bring your
own instruments and play along
Selichot will follow at 11:59 pm
Open to ALL Jewish
Omaha teens in
11th & 12th grade!
December 20, 2015 -
January 1, 2016
Study sessions and dinner with Eliad are open to all 11th & 12th
grade teens. Sessions are required for those attending the
Omaha Teen Trip to Israel.
Study sessions dates are as follows:
September 30, 6-8pm
at Temple Israel
October 21, 6-8pm at Beth Israel
November 18, 6-8pm
at Beth El
December 2, 6-8pm at JCC
The Synagogue Discovery Tour:
Sunday, September 20, 2015
9:45am—12:15pm
Just for Omaha’s Jewish 1st and 2nd Graders
In place of Sunday religious school classes, students
will visit Omaha’s synagogues for a bit of exploration and games in
search of Jewish symbols at each location. A kosher snack and
souvenir will also be provided for each child, all free of charge. Please
contact the office for registration forms.
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Looking Ahead at October
Mikvah News For mikvah access, please contact Dani Shrago at (402) 333-6108. Please give as much notice as possible. The community mikvah is located at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home on the JCC Campus.
From the Synagogue Office
• Beth Israel sends a weekly e-mail reminder of
upcoming events. Contact the office if you are
currently not on the list and would like to receive it.
• We are happy to include announcements of your
family simchas. Contact the synagogue office to
share your good news.
• The synagogue office will send e-mail notifications of
funerals to the congregation when we are contacted
by a family member.
• The office will be closed September 7 for Labor Day,
14-15 for Rosh Hashanah, close at noon on 22 and be
closed on 23 for Yom Kippur, and 28-29 for Sukkot.
Mishnah L’Neshama Every Shabbat at Beth Israel, enjoy singing, learning, and having fun. Attend this great session 15 minutes after kiddush.
Shabbat classes for Children During and after Shabbat services, classes are available for children in preschool through high school.
Monthly Kids Craft and Class
Sundays at 10:00 am Sep 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, & Dec 6
Share your crafting talents for these great
events!
Scholar’s Club - For Grade 6 “Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders” Class for children in the sixth grade will begin after Sukkot. “Avot U-Banim” - Parent-Child Learning
Thursday Nights at 7:00 pm in the Beth Israel Beit Medrash
Parents and children are invited to come learn as we explore lessons from Avot.
Class for Girls Grades 7-10 Thursday Nights at 7:30 pm at Beth Israel!
Mishna L’Neshama Club by Eliad Eliyahu, Community Shaliach
According to the Talmud, the survival of the entire
world rests upon the pure breath of small kids
learning Torah (Tinokot shel Beit Raban). Here, at
Beth Israel you can definitely feel the blessing that
comes from our children who memorize the
Mishnayot as they learn with songs and hand
motions.
Thanks to Naama Weiss and Shilat Ben Shushan for
sharing with us their favorite Mishnah! You are more
My favorite Mishnah is "Eitz Chayim Hee." I like it because I just like the song. That song has lots of different versions and tunes. It makes me think about that every tree goes in a life-cycle and never ever dies. We go around with the Torah in circles and the Torah never dies and grows old.
Shilat Ben Shushan
My favorite Mishnah is
“harcheck Mi Shachen Ra.”
"harchek mishachen ra" means
"Keep away from a bad
neighbor" (Pirke Avot 1:7). I
love this Mishnah because I
love the melody of the
Mishnah, which was the first
song I knew in English – “Bim
Bam, Shabbat Shalom.” I also think it is important to
have only good friends around us, because we learn
from them how to behave.
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���OR���I�IS �O
L�B�ATE ��D
����ORT
BETH �S�AL
Bag n’ Save Gift Cards
are available for
purchase at Beth
Israel!
Use just like cash at the
Bag n’ Save stores. There
is no extra fee to buy gift
cards. The synagogue
earns a percentage of
what you spend! Cards
are available for purchase
during regular synagogue
office hours.
Celebrate with a
Simcha Plaque!
A special birthday or
anniversary, birth of a
child or grandchild, Bar
or Bat Mitzvah in your
family? Simcha plaques
cost $100, and are a
wonderful way to
celebrate.
A leaf on the Tree of
Life! A beautiful and
meaningful way to
celebrate a milestone
or commemorate a
loved one.
Prices begin at $300.
Tree of Life donations
fund the Beth Israel
Endowment Fund.
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CONTRIBUTION FORM
In Honor Of
In Memory Of
For the Recovery Of
For the Yahrzeit Of
Contribution By
Amount $ � General Fund � Other (please specify)
� Please do not list my name on the Contributions page of the Bulletin.
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Beth Israel sends its very best wishes to those who will be
celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in the coming month.
Please call the synagogue office at 402-556-6288 for any additions.
Birthdays
Anne Joseph Sep 2 Deborah Platt Sep 14
Zachary Stein Sep 3 7th Yaakov Weiss Sep 14
Maximo Shechet Sep 4 Jessica Rich Sep 15
Dorothy Suvalsky Sep 7 Todd Gerber Sep 16
David Goodman Sep 8 Esther Silver Sep 20
Shirley Goodman Sep 8 Evan Stoler Sep 20
Mary Sue Grossman Sep 8 Jordan Stoler Sep 20
Alyssa Gerber Sep 8 Ms. Crystal Epstein Sep 20
Alan Stoler Sep 10 Helene Shrago Sep 21
Mark Javitch Sep 10 Nathan Feldman Sep 22
Bonnie Hines Sep 10 Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan Sep 22
In Honor of Bennett Fishbain's birthday - Jack & Bette Kozlen
In Honor of Donald Gerber's birthday - Adina Schuller, Aviva & David Atri
In Honor of Sara Potash & Jake on the birth of Jenna Rose - Julee Katzman
In Honor of the Bat Mitzvah of Leon & Dani Shrago's granddaughters - Harold & Ruth Edelman, Beth, Harry, Zoe & Bradley Cohen
In Honor of Rabbi Yaakov & Ilana Weiss for their warm hospitality - John & Sara Berlowitz
In Memory of Rita Biniamow - Mary Sue & Alex Grossman, Connie Wheeler, Suzi & Mike Mogil, Georgia Plotkin, Banner Family, Jack & Helene Shrago, Banner Family, Paysie & Susie Shyken, Julee Katzman
In Memory of Bernice Cohen - Sheila & Ray Tomps, Paula & Stanley Burnstein, Marc & Laurie Sorkin, Marilyn, Michael & Jeremy Ivers, Esther Silver, Paysie & Susie Shyken, Julee Katzman, Jack, Helene, Michael Melissa, Ethan & Noah Shrago
In Memory of Jean Duitch - Shirley & David Goodman
In Memory of Sidney Mirvish - Van Argyrakis
In Memory of Stan Widman - Jack & Helene Shrago
For the speedy recovery of Anne Cohen - Jack & Helene Shrago, Michael & Melissa Shrago
For the recovery of Harold Edelman - Estelle Faier
For the speedy recovery of Martin Leiserowitz - Harold & Ruth Edelman
Thank you to Rabbi Ari for your hospitality and kindness - Nate Mellman
Lester H. Bloch - Howard Gendelman & Bonnie Bloch
Rose Blumkin - Frances Blumkin
Don Cohen - Mel Cohen
Harry Cohen - Bernice Cohen
Bernice Crounse - Joni Crounse
Aaron Feldman - Howard & Lori Feldman
Louis Friedman - Sol & Lois Friedman
Norman Garrop - Barbara Garrop
Mamie Gotsdiner - Lewis Izenstat
Mariam Grossman - Alex & Mary Sue Grossman
Lloyd J. Hollander - Cheryl Smith
Pearl Kaplan - Phyllis Kaplan Brown
David W. Katskee - Melvin R. & Pola Katskee
Mabel M. Katskee - Melvin R. & Pola Katskee
Mariam King - George King
Eleanor Kurtzman - Jordana Kurtzman
Zena P. Kutler - Debbie Pacey, Ronna, Mallory & James
Ella Braunstein Milder - Lois Milder, Emily & Abbey Milder
Hymie Milder - Lois Milder, Emily & Abbey Milder
Harry Noodell - David & Shirley Goodman
Yetta Orenstein - Harvey & Marcia Lipsman
Bede Ostrow - Stosh Ostrow
Glenn Pickett - Alex & Mary Sue Grossman
Harry Rifkin - Helen Rifkin
Mary Rifkin - Helen Rifkin
Rose Schonbrun - Helen Rifkin
Ruth Himelbloom Sharff - Dick & Bev Fellman
Michael Shukert - Gloria Jones
Mary Shukert - Gloria Jones
Howard Silber - Sissy Silber
Arthur Simon - Edith Siegler
Joseph Weinberg - E. A. & Doris Nachman
Rebecca Winberg - Roger & Helen Porter
Joe Wolfson - Leona Wolfson
Mary Zalk - Harlan & Dorothy Hockenberg
Gertrude "Gussie" Zweiback - Maxine & Joe Kirshenbaum
SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 2015
NONPROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
OMAHA, NE
PERMIT #329
Beth Israel Synagogue
12604 Pacific Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
Beth Israel Synagogue is a member of the
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations.
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Shacharit Schedule
7:00 a.m. - Weekday Shacharit
6:40 a.m. - Selichot Weekdays September 8-22
9:00 a.m. - Sunday Shacharit
CANDLE LIGHTING AND HAVDALAH TIMES
Friday Night
Mincha/Maariv and Kabbalat Shabbat
will be at candle lighting time after
the second week in September
Shabbat Day
9:00 a.m. - Shacharit
Mincha and Seudah Shlishit is approximately 15 minutes
before candle lighting
Ki Tavo—September 4-5 7:30 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat 7:35 pm Candle Lighting 9:00 am Shacharit 7:15 pm Mincha/Seudah Shlishit 8:41 pm Havdalah 11:00 pm Concert followed by Selichot Nitzavim—September 11-12 7:23 pm Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat 7:23 pm Candle Lighting 9:00 am Shacharit 7:05 pm Mincha/Seudah Shlishit 8:29 pm Havdalah