B'nai Israel Congregation
Wilmington, NC
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Spring in Israel ~ along the roadside |
There is a tradition of selling your hametz (bread or leavened products) in preparation for Passover. Please use the link below to sell your hametz by 8am March 25th. Also consider giving a gift of charity to those in need when selling your hametz.
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Shabbat Shalom
Friday, March 19, 2021 ~ 6 Nisan
Shabbat Candle Lighting ~ 7:04 pm
All services are held on ZOOM until further notice.
Please join us.
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Due to the recent increase of cases of Covid-19 in our region and state, we will continue to hold all services on Zoom only. We will reassess in the Spring and continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC and
NC Dept. of Health & Human Services.
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SHABBAT SERVICES
Friday evening, March 19, 6:00 pm
Meeting ID: 870 4502 6973
Passcode: 296299
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Saturday morning, March 20, 9:30 am
Meeting ID: 840 5575 1022
Passcode: 296299
You may also listen by calling this telephone number for either service:
1-301-715-8592
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These services will include the opportunity to say the
Mourner's Kaddish and to offer names for the
Mi Sheberach
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Parsha Vayikra
Vayikra (Leviticus) 3:1 - 4:26 (Triennial 2)
Etz Hayim pages 592 - 599
Haftara: Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 43:21 - 44:23
Etz Hayim pages 606 - 612
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Preparing for Pesach During a Pandemic
We’ve all been staying at home almost nonstop for the past year. If your house is anything like mine, it shows. Cleaning for Passover and trying to get rid of all the dust and fur from my overly spoiled pets seems to take way more energy than I have.
This raises the question: How important is it to get rid of every last bit of chametz and dust? While I’ve never been the type to use a feather or white glove, I was raised in a home where cleaning was frequently the main event, especially before holidays. I’ve always rebelled a bit about cleaning, but nothing prepared me for a year like this.
I figure that I have 2 choices: spend every waking moment for the next week scrubbing and scouring. Or, I can concentrate on what are, in my view, the more important things to prepare for the upcoming holiday.
So, next week I’ll pick up the multitude of papers and books in my living room and desk. Then I’ll pull out a few of my hagaddahs and reread the story of our people’s liberation. Although this will recited during the seder, I find it easier to concentrate on it before.
Our story hasn’t changed, but its effect on me has evolved over time. Our ancestors were slaves in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago, but I now understand more fully that this experience is not unique to us. Slavery is a significant part of the history of America. There are still millions of enslaved people in many parts of the world, including North Korea, India (debt bondage), Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Isis enslaved thousands of Yazidi women, and Chinese internment camps target Uyghurs & other ethnic Muslims. Foreign workers in the Persian Gulf, who cannot leave or change jobs without their employer’s consent, are exploited and often treated as property. In our own city, there is human trafficking with forced prostitution, another common problem worldwide. Sadly, these are only a few examples.
As Jews it is important to educate ourselves about this modern-day plague - speak out when we see injustice and engage in Tikkun Olam - by supporting the organizations actively fighting to end these atrocities.
This Passover season, it will not be enough, but it will be a good start.
Stay Safe & Shabbat Shalom,
Michelle
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Mazel Tov to Rabbi Bender and Emily Jaeger on the birth of their beautiful daughter! We are thrilled that everyone is healthy and at home. Please join them for the Baby Naming this Sunday at 12:00 Noon as we celebrate the arrival of their little girl! |
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Unveiling for
Frederick "Fred" Retchin
Efraim Ben Yerachmeil v’ Chaya Sarah
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Sunday, March 21st, 11:00 am at B'nai Israel Cemetery. The family will welcome your attendance, but please wear a mask for protection if you attend. |
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This Week
Thursday, March 18 thru Wednesday, March 24
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Thursday, March 18th, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
A Journey Through the Jewish Bible
The Prophets, the second part of the Tanakh: What is in this section? (Hint - it's more than just about Prophets!)
on ZOOM
This nine- part course is an opportunity to Take a Journey Through the Tanakh with Amy Ripps. Amy is our interim education director and comes to us after serving for 20 years as the educator at Beth Meyer Synagogue in Raleigh. She has a passion for Jewish education and loves sharing this through teaching. Each session stands alone so no worries if you have to miss a session or two. However, we will record the sessions and they will be available for viewing if you'd like to see what you've missed.
Meeting ID: 858 8497 9408
Passcode: 873235
Dial in: 646 558 8656
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March 25 through March 31
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Thursday, March 25th, 7:00 pm
Are You My Mummy?
A 3D Guided Tour of an Egyptian Tomb
on ZOOM
or copy this URL into your browser
Meeting ID: 778 641 3847
Passcode: 296299
Phone: 646-558-8656
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Saturday, March 27th, 7:00 pm
First Night Passover Seder with Rav Waxman
or paste this into your browser:
You could print the Haggadah in advance to follow along easily at home, or you could use a second device during the Seder.
or paste this into your browser:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7786413847
Meeting ID: 778 641 3847
One tap mobile
646-558-8656
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Sunday, March 28, 9:30 am Passover service on Zoom.
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Save These
Dates
A Journey through the Jewish Bible
Exploring the Books of the Tanakh
Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm on ZOOM
April 1 - The Books of Judges and Samuel: more history and some fab stories
April 15 - The Books of Kings: there were more than just Saul, David & Solomon!
April 29 - The Named Prophets; who were these guys? When did they live? Who wrote the books? Why have we never heard of some of them?
May 6 - The Writings, the third part of the Tanakh: History, wisdom literature, & fanciful tales.
May 20 - The Five Megillot: We all know Esther from Purim, but the other four are just as worthy!
May 27 - The Rest of the Story: a look at the final books of the Tanaka.
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April 4, 9:30 am, Yizkor
April 7, B'nai Israel Sisterhood Book Club 1:00 pm
April 7 - 7:00 pm and April 22 - 3:00 pm - Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary presents the premiere of:
Where Can I Go? / Wo Ahin soll Ich Geh’n?:
April 8, 7:00 pm - Yom HaShoah service with Rabbi Apple and Reba Alper
April 11, 2:00 pm - Yom Ha'Atzma'ut Celebration Across America
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Interest-free Loans for Higher Education |
JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) provides interest-free loans for Jewish students in need to meet their post-high school degree(s). Students pursuing an undergrad, graduate, vocational and/or technical school are eligible to apply. |
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The Wilmington Jewish Film Festival is planning an all-virtual line up this year. We will be showing seven movies in May. Details to come!
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Benefactor
Scott & Carol Johnston
Sponsor
Harold & Roberta Eichenholz
Neil & Heather Harris
Stanley & Barbara Prushik
Leigh & Walter Winter
Steve & Martha Stein
Carol & Todd Atwood
Rich Weisman & Michelle Bannon
Carolyn & Bruce Moskowitz
Dee & Murray Sherman
Judith Malman
Sharon & Steve Mechum
Sharon & Terry Dresbach
Rose & Alan Zimmer
Debbie Smith
Pam & Barry Weiss
Nancy Kraselsky
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Searching for Chometz? We have you covered!
Don’t see what you want? Contact us
and we will help find it for you.
Every purchase you make from the Bnai Israel Gift Shop, goes to help fund Bnai Israel activities and projects.
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Sydel Gluck
Cindy Throne
Mimi Bloch
Lois Wolf
Joelle Serot
Paula Clemmons
Stephanie Greenberg
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Faye Sobol
Stephanie Bell
Heather Harris
Myra Frieder
Silvia Galeano
Adesha Edge
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Birthdays
and
Anniversaries
March 2021
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Birthdays
Elizabeth Freedland 2-Mar
Neil Harris 5-Mar
Kenny Densmore 6-Mar
Corinne Retchin 8-Mar
Jonathan Alper 10-Mar
Debbie Smith 11-Mar
Jeff Beecher 14-Mar
Amy DeLoach 15-Mar
Carole Siegel 18-Mar
Esther Eisenstein 20-Mar Carol Atwood 23-Mar
Henry Westreich 23-Mar Jerold Jaeger 24-Mar
Jeffrey Roberts 24-Mar Melanie Harris 28-Mar Efraim Jaronowski 28-Mar Stanley Prushik 28-Mar
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Anniversaries
Sharon & Jerry Spivak
5-Mar
Sharon & Terry Dresbach
9-Mar
Arlene & David Burns
13-Mar
Elizabeth & Harrison Freedland
17-Mar
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Yahrzeits
29 Adar - 6 Nisan 5781
March 13-19, 2021
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Audrey Chotiner
Sister of Jim Liberman
David Weiner
Respectfully remembered
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Morris Coolik
Father of Sandy Moskowitz
William James Smith
Husband of Jane Birnbach
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Donations
If you would like to make a donation to B'nai Israel, please click on the link below and use the To make Donations or Payments tab.
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Stanley & Arlen Weinrich
General Fund
in memory of Nathan Weinrich
Jeanne & Irwin Lecker
General Fund
in memory of Jeanne's mother, May Cohen Morris
Fred & Sheri Opper
Cemetery Fund
in memory of
George & Estelle Opper
Matthew Popkin
B'nai Israel Sisterhood
in memory of Lila P. Popkin
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Robert, Irv & Dotty Freedland
Cemetery Fund
in memory of Joseph L. Freedland
Abby Schreibman Bender
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
in honor of the birth of
Baby Girl Bender
אחלת להם רק דברים טובים
Joan Samet
General Fund
In appreciation of B'nai Israel
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Rabbi Chaya Bender
Rabbibender.bnaiisraelilm@outlook.com
Office Hours Monday thru Friday - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Administrative Secretary, Kate Maclay
kate.bnaiisraelilm@outlook.com
910-762-1117
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