All in-person services at the synagogue are cancelled
until further notice.
Please join us on ZOOM
for
Friday Evening Service
Friday, July 31, at 6:00 pm
with Rabbi Chaya Bender
This will be a special musical Shabbat in honor of the 15th of Av, the Jewish holiday of love. Look forward to special love songs sprinkled throughout the service.
As we observe Tisha B'Av today, I am reminded that it is only 7 weeks until the High Holidays. Although many aspects of our lives are now different, we can stay grounded and connected to each other through Shabbat and the holidays.
It's true that this year's services will be like no other. We will not be in the synagogue and the services will be shortened. We will hear the shofar in a different setting and will miss gathering together in person as a community. However, the importance of these days can take on even more significance during this extraordinary time. Rabbi Bender and the Ritual Committee are working diligently to prepare services that will be meaningful to all of you. Over the next several weeks, you will hear more about what is planned.
Thank you to the 77 members who participated in our recent High Holiday survey. The responses have been very helpful in letting us know what aspects of the holidays are most important to you.
Stay Well & Shabbat Shalom,
Michelle
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
High Holiday Survey Results
1. Will you participate in services via Zoom?
Definitely would: 62% Probably would: 32%
2. What do you think you will miss most since we cannot have traditional in-person services? (may pick up to 3)
The tradition of coming together as a congregation in person: 76%
Hearing the Shofar: 39%
Meaningful Prayer: 33%
Yizkor memorial service: 30%
Rabbi's sermon: 28%
3. In what ways do you envision participating in the High Holidays if we do it by Zoom? (May select as many as you wish.)
Attending Zoom services: 91%
Reading a passage in English: 40%
Attending a small, socially distant gathering at the synagogue: 40%
Chanting in Hebrew: 23%
Watching pre-recorded portions of the services: 17%
4. If we are able to schedule small socially distanced activities, what would you likely attend? (no limit on the number selected)
Shofar blowing: 44%
Small study groups outdoors: 38%
I will not participate in any in-person events: 31%
Tashlich at Burnt Mill Creek: 24%
Small study groups inside: 20%
5. What do you need from Bnai Israel to make your holiday complete? (you are not limited by the number of options you can select)
Prayer book to borrow: 69%
A learning pamphlet to have at home: 58%
Other comments:
I need instruction to understand much of this.
Some study texts from the Rabbi
A few moments to pray in the sanctuary.
Yiskor booklet with everyone listed mailed to us.
Any suggestions /reminders for home instead of Synagogue "touches" that would add to the meaning of our Holiday. (non food/drink/ flowers)
Keeping traditional tunes of prayer, songs
6. If you have children or teens at home, would you like to see programming oriented to them? Please tell us the children's ages in the comments.
There were 4 "Yes responses from those members with children from ages 4-16. We will be including the children in the HH plans.
7. If you have grandchildren or other family members that you cannot be with this year, would, you like to invite them to participate in a remote Bnai Israel activity geared toward multi-generation participants? If so, please include their age group in the comments.
There were 12 "Yes" responses and many comments.
Some of our members are having their parents or their children or grandchildren sharing the services with them. Ages range from 2 to 80.
8. What else would you like the Rabbi and ritual committee to consider?
I trust in their decisions and will make the most of whatever they come up with to participate in the high holidays.
To make everyone feel involved .
Ensuring the Rabbi's sermon(s) are part of the service
Traditional melodies
Streaming services instead of Zoom services
Streaming video with interactive and prerecorded portions of the service
If at the time of the holidays we are no longer in lock down can we have a service in the Synagogue?
Zoom group Kiddush & prayer for apples & honey
I would like to see the ritual committee and the Rabbi, find ways to encourage the younger generation to attend services and enjoy the experience
if you are forced to have zoom services do them from our synagogue
Keeping the service tight, keeping in mind that people will be in their own homes .
Yizkor services possibly live but at least "televised "
Meeting in small groups in homes
Torah reading .....can that be done with the Rabbi minus a minyan with her? Taking the Torah from the Ark?
Shorter services that hits on the most important sections and prayers.
Music, Kavanotes, instruments, Supplemental English readings
If conditions permit, would consider a shortened in person service with face masks & limited attendance, which would be by reservation only, and repeated based on demand. Service would have most important prayers and a sermon.
I would love a brochure or explanation of the parts of the holiday services and their meanings. Thank you.
Rotation of people attending in person via sign up
Both live and taped segments so that more can participate both virtually and in person
To be open to make adjustments as things change. If there is improvement consider having more small group activities.
Keep it short and sweet, and don't worry about pleasing everyone. The loudest voices are always heard.
Renovation Update
The past few weeks are not exciting to write about because we have been dealing with mechanical and electrical details and placements. This week, we finished the venting and electrical rough-ins of the walls. We passed our inspection, and we are set to start insulation and drywall installation. The sub-floor of the Bimah and the ramps will begin next week as well. The air conditioning is back on and working great! The humidity levels in the sanctuary will stabilize so work can continue Monday.
Help Name this Kid
The Densmore's nanny goat just gave birth to a new kid, and they would like the community to help name him! Send name suggestions for the new baby boy to
Rabbi Bender at rabbibender.bnaiisraelilm@outlook.com
One Room Shul House Presents on ZOOM
Camp Mensch
Sunday mornings from 10:00 am-11:00 am
July 19-August 30
Cost to attend: Free
Menschlichkite (the act of being an upstanding and moral adult) is a Jewish value that we all strive for. Through the activities in this camp, we will endeavor to become "mensches" through the practice of mussar, a Jewish code of moral and ethical conduct gained through the lens of instruction, self-discipline, and practice.
Each week we will focus on one aspect of being a mensch:
1) Kindness, 2) Patience
3) Friendship 4) Forgiveness/Trust,
5) Active Listening 6) Responsibility
7) Generosity and 8) Courage.
Activities will include building one's own character as well as relationships to others, objects, animals, and the world.
RSVP to Rabbi Bender. A bag of supplies will be available for pick up from the synagogue. Delivery of supplies can also be arranged.
The B'nai Israel Men's Club will once again be publishing a Book of Remembrance for use during the 2020-2021 and at Yizkor Services starting with Yom Kippur on Sept 28, 2020. The cost for inclusion in the Yizkor Book is a donation of $10 per individual name memorialized.
Please print the form below and follow instructions for submitting the requested information and your donation. The deadline for submitting the form is September 11, 2020. Please make your check payable to B'nai Israel Men's Club.
Israel Scouts Cancelled due to Corona Virus Pandemic
The B'nai Israel Men's Club had planned to host the Israel Scouts this
year but the Scouts had to cancel their 2020 Friendship Caravan tour but made a very special video to send their message to all the communities who were so
looking forward to their visit and show!!
Please click this link to view their Friendship Caravan 2020 video.
Please take a look at their video! You'll see and hear something that should
lift up everyone's spirits!
We offer prayers of healing for the following:**
Steve Glaser
Sydel Gluck
Cindy Throne
David Burns
Faye Sobol
Henry Westreich
Elaine Lathrop
** 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.
2020 Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays in August
Theresa
Densmore
3-Aug
Jane
Birnbach
6-Aug
Lyne
Glaser
8-Aug
Chase
Popkin
8-Aug
Jim
Liberman
9-Aug
Noa
Alper
9-Aug
Elane
Janz
13-Aug
Cindy
Throne
15-Aug
Ronnie
Schreiber
15-Aug
Carolyn
Moskowitz
16-Aug
Murray
Sherman
22-Aug
Glenda
Dubs
22-Aug
Rebekah Lynn
Johnston
26-Aug
Carol
Johnston
31-Aug
Anniversaries in August
Phyllis & Warren
Rosenberg
August 3
Gail & Howard
Grotsky
August 10
Margery & Henry
Jordan
August 18
Carolyn & Todd
Atwood
August 21
Rabbi
Emily
Bender
Jaeger
August 21
Martha & Steve
Stein
August 22
Debbie & Martin
Meyerson
August 23
Carolyn & Bruce
Moskowitz
August 23
Rita & Alan
Katz
August 24
Lyne & Steve
Glaser
August 25
Cindy & Harold
Throne
August 26
Ellen & Jean-Paul
Emard
August 28
Yahrzeits
4 - 10 Av 5780 ~ July 25-31, 2020
Celia Jacobs
Mother of Arlene Burns
Donald Jacobs
Brother of Arlene Burns
Ida Washington
Loved one of Rabbi Bender
Magdalena Orlo
Mother of Diane Gerberg
Max Margolis
Respectfully remembered
Morris Cohen
Respectfully remembered
Noah Ginsberg
Respectfully remembered
Paul Yellon
Father-in-law of Mike Medress
Sam Bergen
Father of Shirley Raphael
Solomon Uden
Brother of Shirley Levine
Sylvia Wolk Schwartz
Respectfully remembered
William Block
Grandfather of Franklin Block
Zelda Perlman
Mother of Debbie Smith
Donations
If you would like to make a donation to B'nai Israel, please click below
and use the Pay Online tab on our website.
Franklin Block
B'nai Israel Sisterhood
Tzedakah in memory of
Wendy B. Block
Jim Liberman
General Fund
In memory of Rose Liberman
Freddy Robinson Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
In appreciation for B'nai Israel
Janet Vrecenak Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
In memory of her mother, Fran Strauss
Ninette Kartchner Cemetery Fund
In memory of her brother, Armand Amram Lugassy
Rena Goldwasser & Nancy Freyberg B'nai Israel Sisterhood
In memory of Fran Strauss
Richard Weisman & Michelle Bannon Capital Improvement Fund
B'nai Israel
We offer prayers of healing for the following:**
