In just over a week we will enter the most sacred time of the Jewish year. Erev Rosh Hashanah begins on Friday evening, September 18th. The Days of Awe continue through the end of Yom Kippur, after sundown on Monday, September 28th. Soon after that, we will celebrate the festive holidays of Sukkot and then Simchat Torah.
The Days of Awe are a time for self-reflection and re-dedication: a time to consider the past year and how we might be a better person or a better Jew. What that means to each of us is completely personal. It could mean attending more services, giving more Tzedakah or taking part in social action projects, i.e., Tikkun Olam. For others, this time of year can provide the impetus to repair damaged relationships with others or even with ourselves. In other words, we can do better at accepting and loving the imperfect humans we all are.
I encourage all of you to take some time for reflection, BUT there are a few concrete items to do to be ready for the Holidays.
Do you have a Mahzor, the High Holiday prayer book? Pick up a prayer book at the synagogue or call the office and ask for one to be delivered.
If you are a member, have you signed onto ShulCloud?Sign onto ShulCloud if you haven't done so before. Advise us if you have difficulty doing so. This is how you will view the Holiday services.
If you are NOT a member, have you arranged for a High Holiday ticket? Please speak to Kate in the office to arrange for a ticket, if you are not a member of the congregation.
Have you submitted names you wish to have included in the Yizkor book? Tomorrow (September 11th) is the deadline for submission of names for the Yizkor book. Call Efraim Jaronowski if you wish to include any at 910-343-5789.
Yes, the holidays are certainly very different this year, but we are striving to keep them as meaningful as possible. Our Sisterhood and Men's Club are making 'Break the Fast' for all our members. The kits contain some honey, chocolate and a small bottle of Kedem grape juice - just what the rabbi ordered for a sweet year! A copy of the Book of Remembrance (Yizkor book) will also be included. The kits & booklets will be available for members to pick up at the synagogue on Tuesday, September 22nd from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you need to have yours delivered, please contact Efraim Jaronowski at 910-343-5789 or Diane Gerberg at 910-399-6201.
The Yizkor book can also be mailed to you; however due to postal delays, it is possible you may not receive it until after Yom Kippur. To ensure that everyone has access, a copy of the Book of Remembrance will be placed on our website.
Also, in the spirit of remembrance, tomorrow is September 11th. Most of us remember exactly where we were when the attacks occurred. Many of us knew people that were lost that day in the Twin Towers, Pentagon or Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We are thankful every day for those who were spared. Many who helped in the rescue or cleanup efforts have suffered or died from the effects of toxins left in the wake of the attack. Take a moment and say a prayer for those lost, for those who lost loved ones, and for our country, in the hope that we never experience such a tragedy again.
Stay Safe & Shabbat Shalom,
Michelle
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Be sure to login to ShulCloud if you never have at
It is very important to sign on to your ShulCloud account if you've never done so before or if it's been a while. Please make that a priority this week. If you have any difficulty signing on to ShulCloud, we want to help you before the High Holidays. Not sure how to sign on? Click here to learn how:
The Publix at South College Road and Bragg Drive is taking advance orders for round Challahs for the Holidays. They will have plain and raisin for $3.99 each. There is usually a limited quantity, so order now by calling 910-313-2201.
If you want round Challahs after Rosh Hashana and through Sukkot, order now and freeze. There is no guarantee they will be available beyond the week after Rosh Hashana.
Apple Annie's on Kerr Ave and in Land Fall also has very good challah - 910-799-9023.
Your safety is our primary concern, as is the safety of our rabbi, staff and all members. Therefore, we ask that you follow these guidelines when coming to the synagogue for Private Time before the Ark:
Please be aware that the temporary Ark being used for Private Time is located in the Social Hall. The sanctuary and permanent Ark are undergoing renovation.
Please arrive about 10 minutes before your scheduled time slot.
Your temperature will be checked with a touchless thermometer
Face mask is required (we will provide one if needed)
Hands must be cleaned with hand sanitizer.
Social distancing must be maintained at all times.
Each time slot is for 15 minutes
In order to limit the number of persons in the building, we ask that you leave the building through the Chestnut St. entrance after your private time at the Ark is over.
High Holidays
Are On The Way
Prayerbooks for Shabbat and High Holidays services are available!
You may pick them up at the synagogue during office hours, Monday- Friday, 10-4. Call the office and we will have them ready for you!
We are also happy to deliver! Call Kate at 910-762-1117 and let us know.
Need High Holiday Tickets?
Although this year's services will be virtual, Rabbi Bender and the Ritual Committee are working diligently to provide both meaningful and spiritually fulfilling holidays for everyone.
Members have access to all services. For nonmembers, the cost is $118.00 to be able to view all of our High Holiday services. Call the office to request tickets. Prior to the start of the holiday, you will be given the login information.
Renovation Update
September 11, 2020
The HVAC is completed and awaiting inspection. The memorial boards have been laid out and are waiting for the electrician. We hope to have received the balance of the lighting fixtures by the end of next week. Finish work on the Ark has begun.
Rampway and Bimah
Placement of Memorial Plaques
Thursday Summer Learning
with
Rabbi Bender
Thursdays
September 10 through
September 17th
at 7:30 pm on ZOOM
see email for link
Shabbat Services
with
Rabbi Bender
Friday evening,
September 11, 6:00 pm
and
Saturday morning
September 12, 9:30 am
on ZOOM
Book of Remembrance
Sign-up deadline is
Friday,
September 11
Sisterhood Event Baking Round Challah
Wednesday, Sept. 16
7:00 pm
watch for more info
Sisterhood Event Sign-language Class
Sunday, October 18
1:00 pm
watch for more info.
B'nai Israel
Sisterhood Book
Club
Meeting on Zoom on
October 21, 1:00 on
Annual Hadassah Shabbat Service
Shabbat Service
October 31
7:00 pm
on ZOOM
Dear Sisterhood Book Club Participants,
First, I want to remember with great affection and sadness, our book club member Elaine Lathrop, who was an active participant in our meetings and hosted one of the last (if not the last) in-person meeting we had. I also recall her insightful comments at our Zoom meeting about Unorthodox. May our memories of this sweet, strong, kind woman always be for a blessing.
Second, I want to remind you that we have two books for our October 21st meeting: The Floating Feldmans and Kaddish.Com. Both books were ordered for the B'nai Israel library and are in circulation. The first book offers some good insights into the quirks of a dysfunctional Jewish family as they gather for a cruise. The second tracks the spiritual departure and return of the main character Lennie, with satirical portrayals of Jews from Memphis to NYC to Jerusalem.
If you would like to help host our double-portion book club on the 21st at
1:00 pm, please let me know at barbarawaxman@gmail.com.
May you all have good health and a sweet New Year.
Barbara
SAVE THE DATE
Hadassah Annual Shabbat Service
OCTOBER 30, 2020
7:00pm ON ZOOM
Traditionally Hadassah has had an annual Shabbat service. Since we rotate yearly between congregations, this year it would have been held at Temple Israel, but due to Covid-19 it will on ZOOM.
The Hadassah Shabbat will include all Hadassah members, plus this will be the Shabbat Service for all members of B'nai Israel and Temple of Israel.
We offer prayers of healing for the following:**
Steve Glaser
Sydel Gluck
Cindy Throne
Faye Sobol
Henry Westreich
Kenneth Densmore
** Each week we will show our members and their families who wish to be on the Misheberach list. Names will remain on the list for 3 months unless you ask us to remove them earlier. Please contact the office to add or remove names.
The names of those who are not members but whom you wish to
receive prayers will be read at Shabbat services.
One Room Shul House
Coming Soon
This year the One Room Shul House
will be free!
The school year will start off with distance learning so for the meantime classes will be divided into developmentally appropriate smaller sizes. To help facilitate distance learning, all materials will be sent home with the student.
In addition to the typical topics (Tikkun Olam, Holidays, Hebrew Language, Lifecycle, Prayer, History, Values, and Israel, to name a few) this year we will also be using a Covid-inspired supplemental curriculum called La'Briyut, To Our Health and Wellness, to provide Jewish context to our unusual times. The calendar will be released shortly (subject to change given the evolving nature of Covid). Please register as soon as possible and share widely!
Call or email Kate in the office to register:
910-762-1117;
kate.bnaiisraelilm@outlook.com
Fall Adult Ed Coming Soon
For the fall, we will be having two weekly classes. For variety of time, the proposed class times will be Tuesday "Lunch and Learn" and Thursday night class. One of these courses will be a 101 in Hebrew reading as well as answering the age old question of "What the Heck are we saying in services anyway?!"Another course will cover a variety of topics from Tanakh, to Talmud, to Jewish Literature and more!
Please email if you have a preference in timing for this classes, with the understanding that not everyone can be accommodated.
Also please email is you are interested in an Introduction to Judaism Class. I have been approached by a few seekers of Judaism and want to try to expand the class. This class would be for those who are not Jewish and interested in exploring Judaism more deeply. There is absolutely no requirement for conversion, only the desire to learn. Interfaith couples may join together.
Finally, if you are interested in adult bar/bat mitzvah class, please email!
B'nai Israel 
Placement of Memorial Plaques
We offer prayers of healing for the following:**
