June 2016 - congregation of moses

CoM bulletin
CONGREGATION OF MOSES * Kalamazoo, Michigan
INSIDE
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
page 1
SHABBAT SCHEDULE
page 3
YAHRZEITS
page 6
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
page 11
HADASSAH
page 14
SISTERHOOD
page 17
RABBI’S MESSAGE
page 18
LIBRARY NEWS
page 19
SPECIAL
EVENTS
JEWISH FEDERATION BUS
TRIP TO CHICAGO
JUNE 5
RACHEL RICHMAN’S BAT
MITZVAH
July 1-2
June 2016
Volume 9, Issue 6
24 Iyar - 24 Sivan 5776
Sharing Space
Those of you that attended the annual meeting learned that there have
been ongoing discussions about the possibility of TBI and CoM “sharing
space”. The idea of “sharing space” began with a conversation between
TBI President Joan Hawxhurst and myself during one of our regular
meetings. Joan shared with me that TBI was trying to find ways to
retain a full-time rabbi while living within its means. TBI had retained
a synagogue sustainability consultant who suggested they investigate
sharing space with another house of worship. As Joan and I talked, the
idea grew into a vision for a Jewish community space where we could both reside.
The first meeting of three representatives from each board led to the idea of our two
congregations entering into a joint operating agreement that would involve the sharing
of a physical space. This would not be a merger of our two congregations, but an
agreement to share a physical space.
In late February, six board members plus both rabbis visited Temple Kol Ami and
Congregation B’nai Israel in West Bloomfield, reform and conservative congregations that
share a physical space. The takeaway messages from these two congregations were:
• Sharing space can be a very positive experience: “If you start with a willingness to make
it work, no obstacle is insurmountable.”
• It is possible for one congregation to own a space and have an equal partner as renter.
• Joint programming can enlarge the audience for adult education, Shabbat services, and
social events.
• The shared space becomes more vibrant and well-used.
Through some research we learned that there are many congregations all over the country
that share space. We had conversations with many of these congregations to find out how
it was working and to get insight and guidance on how to proceed.
There were two more meetings in March where we compared each congregation’s
expenses, we toured CoM’s building and we talked about the benefits as well as the
potential hurdles. There is no getting around the fact that the benefits are huge:
• A stronger and more connected Jewish community in Kalamazoo.
www.congregationofmoses.org
VISIT US!
www.facebook.com/congregationofmoses
CONGREGATION OF MOSES
269.342.5463
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
always welcomes comments from
COM congregants and invites you
to attend its regular board meetings,
typically held the first Tuesday of
each month. Minutes of board
meetings are available upon request
from the synagogue office.
Executive Committee
President Beth Grode
598-1465 beth.grode@yahoo.com
1st Vice President Michelle Angel
321-9090 mhangel1961@gmail.com
2nd Vice President Brad Hershbein
(617)967-3093 bjhersh@umich.edu
Treasurer Steve Grode
598-1465 shgrode@yahoo.com
Secretary Connie Bowman
383-3403
conniebowman18@gmail.com
Immediate Past President
Tema Lando
Temazysla@chartermi.net
Past President Tamara Norman
tdnorman@sbcglobal.net
Synagogue Staff
Rabbi Harvey Spivak
avocet68@aol.com
Religious School Principal
Susan Katz-Scheinker
comprincipal@congregationofmoses.org
Office Manager Shirley Mengel
comofficemgr@yahoo.com
Building Manager Rod Anderson
combldmgr@yahoo.com
The COM bulletin is published
monthly by the Congregation of Moses for
the benefit of its members. The deadline
for submitting articles, photos and ads is
the 18th of each month, for publication the
following month. Please send submissions
to both the editor, at congofmosesbulletin@
gmail.com and Carrie Richman, assistant
editor, at congofmosesbulletin@hotmail.
com.
PAGE 2
Sharing Space
(continued)
• Better understanding of our congregations’ commonalities and
differences.
• Modeling positive collaborative behavior in a polarized society.
• Cost savings for both congregations.
• More efficient use of space.
The two big hurdles that were identified are:
• Kosher rules for the building that would allow both congregations to
practice authentically.
• Finding adequate space for two sets of High Holiday services.
The committee has decided to expand and the following three subcommittees are being formed. Members from each congregation with
relevant expertise have been invited to serve on these three committees.
• Financial decisions (income & costs, real estate, etc.).
• Governance decisions (joint operating agreement & governing body,
etc.).
• Space-sharing decisions (kashrut, wall space, High Holiday space
usage, etc.).
I want to emphasize that no decisions of any kind have been made.
We believe these are important conversations to have in order to ensure
the growth and success of the Congregation of Moses as well as to build
a stronger more united Jewish community in Kalamazoo.
We believe that sharing space can be mutually beneficial as well as a
financially sustainable option for both TBI and CoM. We recognize
that our two congregations have more things in common than we do
differences, and we envision a shared space in which each congregation
retains its identity, membership, and religious leadership.
As Rabbi Spivak said in his sermon at the March shared service, our
congregations are “better together.” Our board presidents, our rabbis,
and our religious school principals have been meeting regularly,
establishing strong and trusting relationships.
We invite our members to join us in this process of coming together
and building meaningful relationships with our fellow Jewish brethren
here in Kalamazoo. As we continue to move forward in this positive
direction we invite you to join us in this conversation by offering input
and ideas.
Beth
Shabbat schedule
FRIDAY June 37:30 p.m.
Announcements: Adam Strauss
SATURDAY June 49:30 a.m.
Torah: Leviticus 26:3-27:34
Judah Ari-Gur Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 Stephen Koss
Announcements:
FRIDAY June 10 7:30 p.m.
SERVICES AT TEMPLE B’NAI ISRAEL - 150th ANNIVERSARY
NO SERVICES AT CONGREGATION OF MOSES
SATURDAY June 11
9:30 a.m.
Torah: Numbers 1:1-4:20 Rabbi Spivak
Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-2:22
Announcements:
Erev Shavuot Services 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY June 17 7:30 p.m.
Announcements:
SATURDAY June 18 9:30 a.m.
Torah: Numbers 4:21-7:89 Al Rosenthal Haftarah: Judges 13:2-13:25
Announcements: Paul Davidoff
FRIDAY June 247:30 p.m.
Announcements: Jeff Scheinker
SATURDAY June 259:30 a.m.
Torah: Numbers 8:1-12:16 Earl Norman
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 Earl Norman
Announcements:
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO CHANT TORAH AND HAFTARAH! PLEASE CONTACT JUDAH ARI-GUR.
Shabbat candle lighting times
June 3
8:56 pm
June 10
9:00 p.m.
June 17
June 24
PAGE 3
9:03 p.m.
9:05 p.m.
Bracha for candle lighting
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech
haolam asher kideshanu bemitsvotav
vetzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
June 2016
SUN
MON
TUES
WED
1
THURS
2
5
Jewish
Federation Bus
Trip to Chicago
Jewish Festivalmeet at 8:30 am
at CoM
6
7
Joint Board
Mtg. 7:30 pm
8
9
Important
Congregational
Meeting re:
new Rabbi,
merged RS,
space sharing
with TBI, 7:00
pm
12
Shavuot
Services 9:30
am; Luncheon
Sponsored
by David
Rosenberg
13
Shavuot
(Yizkor)
Services 9:30
am; Luncheon
Sponsored
by David
Rosenberg;
Office closed
14
15
2016-17
Calendar
meeting, 7:00
pm
16
19
20
Bulletin
deadline 8pm;
Hadassah Book
Club 7:30pm;
Camp Keshet
begins
21
Camp Keshet;
Executive
Committee
Mtg. 7:30pm
22
Camp Keshet;
Paint Your
Own Pottery
Event at Art
Bayou,
6:00 pm
23
Camp Keshet
26
27
Camp Keshet
28
Camp Keshet
29
Camp Keshet
30
Camp Keshet
FRI
SAT
3
4
10
Temple B’nai
Israel 150 year
Celebration!
Shabbat
Services at
TBI - NO
SERVICES AT
COM
11
Erev Shavuot
Services 7:30
pm
17
18
2nd Cup
Bunch meets
after services
24
Camp Keshet;
Sisterhood
Luncheon
@ Oakwood
Bistro
noon—2 pm
25
July 2016
SUN
3
MON
4
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT
1
2
Rachel
Richman Bat
Mitzvah
Rachel
Richman Bat
Mitzvah
5
6
7
8
9
Synagogue
office closed
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Sisterhood
Luncheon @
Hunan Gardens
12 noon—2 pm
24
PAGE 5
25
26
27
28
29
30
YAHRZEITS
June 3, 4, (27 Iyar – 4 Sivan)
Jacob Aleinik
Samuel Berman*
Morris Louis Friedman*
Bryna Graff*
Samuel Graff*
Ida Levene*
Henry Liepman
Nathan Silverman*
Celia Slosberg*
Irvin Wise*
June 10, 11, (5 Sivan – 11 Sivan)
Harry Field
Joyce Fisher*
Goldie Fogel
Irving Lando*
Jean H. Morrison*
Harry Okun*
Sarah Oshinsky
Mitchell Peven*
Sol Raffel
David Rose*
Zipporah Seeder*
Mina Blum Seidler*
Meyer Turndorf
June 17, 18, (12 Sivan – 18 Sivan)
David Berkowitz
Sol Graff
David Hyman*
Ida Kazanovitz
Rose Lando King*
Dora Kramer Kirschner*
Jack Levene*
Robert Pereles
Gerald Pryweller*
Diana Zheutlin*
Aron Ziv*
June 24, 25, (19 Sivan – 25 Sivan)
da Becker*
Norman D. Bowman*
Samuel Joshua Felix
Philip Finkelstein
Sylvia Goldman*
Moses J. Graff*
Murray S. Gubin*
Zelda Handelsman*
Kate Jaffee
Norman Kirschner
Hilde M. Nadelman*
Louis Rose
Samuel Schensul*
Morris Stulberg
Morris Willage*
* Denotes a memorial plaque in the synagogue
PAGE 6
Mishpacha
MAZEL TOV TO:
Rosalie Halpert on her 96th birthday
Betty and Joe Hirschfield on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter, Hailey
Maxine and Neal Berke on the birth of their grandson, Dov Meir Adler-Berke.
Laura Levene on her graduation from University of Alabama
Adam Beer on his graduation from University of Wisconsin
Gabe Amy on his Bar Mitzvah
Selma Price on her 93rd birthday
Blue Koffron, Zachary Morrison and Rachel Torres on their high school graduation
Rebecca and Adam Strauss on their 20th anniversary
CONDOLENCES TO OUR FRIENDS
Steven Camhi and family on the passing of his mother, Bella Camhi
Donations have been made to the following tzedaka funds
GENERAL FUND
Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 96th birthday.
Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter, Hailey.
Mazel Tov to Maxine and Neal Berke on the birth of their grandson, Dov Meir Adler-Berke.
Mazel Tov to Laura Levene on her graduation from University of Alabama.
Mazel Tov to Adam Beer on his graduation from University of Wisconsin.
Mazel Tov to Gabe Amy on his Bar Mitzvah.
Mazel Tov to Selma Price on her 93rd birthday.
Mazel Tov to Blue Koffron from his graduation from high school and wishing him success at University of Michigan.
Mazel Tov to Zach Morrison on his graduation from high school and wishing him success in the US Air Force.
Mazel Tov to Rachel Torres on her graduation from high school and wishing her success at New York University
Tisch School of Art.
Mazel Tov to Rebecca and Adam Strauss on their 20th anniversary.
Shirley Wise, Joanne & Mike Simon, Tamara & Earl Norman
Beth & Stephen Grode, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Men’s Club
PAGE 7
Mishpacha (continued)
Condolences to Steven Camhi and family on the passing of his mother, Bella Camhi.
Men’s Club, Pnina & Judah Ari-Gur, Beth & Stephen Grode
Tamara & Earl Norman, Joanne & Mike Simon, Shirley Wise, Gary Kushner
BUILDING FUND
Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 96th birthday.
Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter, Hailey.
Mazel Tov to Maxine and Neal Berke on the birth of their grandson, Dov Meir Adler-Berke.
Mazel Tov to Laura Levene on her graduation from University of Alabama.
Mazel Tov to Adam Beer on his graduation from University of Wisconsin.
Mazel Tov to Gabe Amy on his Bar Mitzvah.
Mazel Tov to Selma Price on her 93rd birthday.
Mazel Tov to Blue Koffron from his graduation from high school and wishing him success at University of Michigan.
Mazel Tov to Zach Morrison on his graduation from high school and wishing him success in the US Air Force.
Mazel Tov to Rachel Torres on her graduation from high school and wishing her success at New York University Tisch
School of Art.
Mazel Tov to Rebecca and Adam Strauss on their 20th anniversary.
Sallie & Ken Goodman
Happy Birthday Wishes to Tamara and Earl Norman.
Maxine & Neal Berke
Condolences to Steven Camhi and family on the passing of his mother, Bella Camhi.
Sallie & Ken Goodman, Bruce Stein & Family, Carolyn & Brad Kennedy
In loving memory of our parents, Norman and Celia (Halpert) Besbris and our uncle, Stanley Besbris.
David, Debra, Randie and Terry
In memory of my good friend, Rhoda Kagan.
Shirley Grekin
MARVIN AND ROSALIE OKUN RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND
Happy Birthday wishes to Marvin and Rosalie Okun.
Barb Brown & Jane Greischar
Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 96th birthday.
Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter, Hailey.
Mazel Tov to Maxine and Neal Berke on the birth of their grandson, Dov Meir Adler-Berke.
Mazel Tov to Laura Levene on her graduation from University of Alabama.
PAGE 8
Mishpacha (continued)
Mazel Tov to Laura Levene on her graduation from University of Alabama.
Mazel Tov to Adam Beer on his graduation from University of Wisconsin.
Mazel Tov to Selma Price on her 93rd birthday.
Mazel Tov to Blue Koffron from his graduation from high school and wishing him success at University of Michigan.
Mazel Tov to Zach Morrison on his graduation from high school and wishing him success in the US Air Force.
Mazel Tov to Rachel Torres on her graduation from high school and wishing her success at New York University Tisch
School of Art.
Mazel Tov to Rebecca and Adam Strauss on their 20th anniversary.
Condolences to Steven Camhi and family on the passing of his mother, Bella Camhi.
Judy & Lowell Seyburn, The Ruterbusch Family Rae Lee & Mac Howard, The Fischell Family
Mazel Tov to Gabe Amy on his Bar Mitzvah.
Rae Lee & Mac Howard, The Ruterbusch Family, The Fischell Family
Judy & Lowell Seyburn, Carolyn & Brad Kennedy
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In loving memory of my mother, Jean Grossman.
Leonard Lebowitz
JOYCE AND MORTON FISHER KITCHEN/KIDDUSH/ONEG FUND
Condolences to Steven Camhi and family on the passing of his mother, Bella Camhi.
Michelle & Alan Angel
In loving memory of Abe Rocklin.
Sharon & Paul Schwartz
HERMAN AND ROSE FISHER LIBRARY FUND
Mazel Tov to Rosalie Halpert on her 96th birthday.
Mazel Tov to Betty and Joe Hirschfield on the Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter, Hailey.
Mazel Tov to Maxine and Neal Berke on the birth of their grandson, Dov Meir Adler-Berke.
Mazel Tov to Laura Levene on her graduation from University of Alabama.
Mazel Tov to Adam Beer on his graduation from University of Wisconsin.
Mazel Tov to Gabe Amy on his Bar Mitzvah.
Mazel Tov to Selma Price on her 93rd birthday.
Mazel Tov to Blue Koffron from his graduation from high school and wishing him success at University of Michigan.
Mazel Tov to Zach Morrison on his graduation from high school and wishing him success in the US Air Force.
PAGE 9
Mishpacha (continued)
Mazel Tov to Rachel Torres on her graduation from high school and wishing her success at New York University Tisch
School of Art.
Mazel Tov to Rebecca and Adam Strauss on their 20th anniversary.
Condolences to Steven Camhi and family on the passing of his mother, Bella Camhi.
Marilyn & Art Feinberg
KIKAR PROJECT (LIEPMAN CHILDHOOD PLAYGROUND FUND)
In loving memory of Werner and Ruth Liepman, Harry and Garetta Kalis and Bernard Kurlan.
Marcia & Michael Liepman
KIKAR PROJECT
Condolences to Steven Camhi and family on the passing of his mother, Bella Camhi.
Gerry & Lee Tregerman
In loving memory of Frank Szopo.
Heather & Jonathan Greenfield
PAUL F. DAVIDOFF
ATTORNEY AT LAW
PAUL F. DAVIDOFF, P.C.
The Cornerstone Building
405 W. MICHIGAN AVE., SUITE 130
P.O. BOX 51066
KALAMAZOO, MI 49005-1066
Telephone: (269) 388-2100 Fax: (269) 388-5454
e-mail: pdavidoff@ameritech.net
PAGE 10
Marvin & Rosalie Okun Religious School
Important Dates to Remember:
June 20 - 24 Camp Keshet Week 1
June 27 - July1 Camp Keshet Week 2
July 1 - 2 Rachel Richman Bat Mitzvah
July 5 - 8 Camp Keshet Week 3
Mazal tov to Gabe Amy and family on his recent Bar Mitzvah! What lovely services Gabe led both Friday
May 13th and Saturday May 14th!
We ended our school year in style. With heartfelt love we led our last services in the Sofen Room as just
CoM students. We discussed how we will always be a family together and yet how exciting the new
school year will be this coming Fall 2016.
In honor of the wonderful energy our students have about
coming up to lead services, we had all of the students who
shared in our last morning come up to lead the Shema.
Our picnic at Oshtemo Park was a smashing success! Joyce
Camhi so kindly made the macaroni and cheese and Jill
Ruterbusch transported the paper goods from CoM to the park.
Our families brought many tasty side dishes and treats to share.
Despite the chilly wind, families joined together to celebrate and
play.
Thank you all for a wonderful three years as the leader and principal for our congregation’s religious
school. What an exciting and adventurous future our children will experience.
B’Ahava (Much Love),
Susan Katz-Scheinker
PAGE 11
College Scholarships
Heads Up, High School Juniors!
The Andrew Levene Scholarship is now accepting applications.
If you are completing your junior year of high school and your parents are members
of the Congregation of Moses, we invite you to apply for the Andrew Levene
Scholarship. If you would like an application, please call the synagogue office,
at 342-5463. Applications must be turned in to the synagogue office by July 20, 2016.
Attention High School Seniors, College Students
and Non-Traditional College Students!
The Jerrold M. Raffel Scolarship Fund is accepting applications.
The purpose of the Jerrold M. Raffel Scholarship Fund is to strengthen expertise
in all areas of higher education by giving financial assistance to a worthy college
student who is a member or whose family is a member of the Congregation of
Moses, and is attending an accredited institution of higher learning.
Applications must be received by August 4, 2016, and are available online at the
congregation website, www.congregationofmoses.org.
PAGE 12
Committee on Israeli Affairs Returns
At the Annual Meeting on April 26th, the motion to bring back the Israeli Affairs Committee was voted
upon affirmatively — and has thereby come into being
again, with me happily volunteering to be the Chair.
As an Israeli citizen born on a kibbutz in 1936, I am
saddened by the lack of knowledge and understanding
of the culture and societies of the State of Israel; its
history past and present, its daily street life, its variety of
nations.
My immediate notion was to establish a forum for
the study and teaching of the history of Zionism in all
its shapes and colors, its many schools of thought
beginning with the writings in the mid-19th century and
continuing to this day.
I am hoping that others with knowledge and curiosity will join this committee, with the view of not only
educating ourselves and our congregation, but eventually the community at large which is badly in need of
understanding the meaning of “Zionist” – a term that has increasingly been viewed as derogatory.
I propose to chair a committee that is most definitely not for a debate between political parties or religious
affiliations, but an objective and open-hearted view on the meaning of each of the multiple schools of
thought on Zionism, which word “Zion”, is simply one of the many for Jerusalem and which concept is
simply the Jewish Homeland.
Whomever is interested, please contact me at nomi.kluger-nash@charter.net.
Thank you-
Nomi Kluger-Nash
Hadassah
The Dorothy Slavin Chapter of Hadassah announces its Board for the next year:
President: Joanne Simon
Secretary: Emily Hoffman
Treasurer: Raye Ziring
Membership: Micki Verne and Kay Slater
Programs: Nan Goldenthal and Valerie Eisenberg
Computer newsletter and communications: Diane Fogel
Cards, Certificates and JNF Trees: Liz Thall and Marlene Denenfeld
Mah Jongg Group: Judy Seyburn
Book Club: Diane Fogel
Red Box Donations: Emily Hoffman
Immediate Past President: Shannon Dion
Hadassah Humanitarian “People to People Mission to Cuba”
December 4 - 11, 2016
Back by popular demand! Experience Cuba with
all of your senses amidst a mixed, vibrant culture
locked in time. Step back to 1959 & ride the classic
cars, taste the unique cuisine, hear incredible music
and sway to the sounds of Cuba. Take a walking tour
of Old Havana and visit sites of interest to Jewish
visitors, like the Jewish-themed Raquel Hotel, an
Orthodox synagogue and the Sephardic Center.
Enjoy a Shabbat dinner with the Jewish Cuban
community of Havana. Visit Finca Vigia, the villa that
Ernest Hemingway called home for 21 years. Walk
through the streets of Trinidad, a 500-year-old city with Spanish colonial architecture and the UNESCO
World Heritage Site of Cienfuegos. Sure to sell out quickly, so register today!
PAGE 14
Thank you to the Garden Committee composed of Diane Fogel, Tamara Norman,
Sara and Marc Amy for planting flowers donated by Wenke's Good Neighbor Program, in Shirley's Garden and around
the front sign.
We also spread 39 bags of top soil on Shirley's
Garden before the planting took place. Thank
you to Brad Kennedy for picking up the soil
and delivering it to COM.
New ostrich ferns were planted in the
window box next to the entrance and in
Shirley's Garden.
Please stop to enjoy the new additions to the
landscaping.
Customized CoM Calendar Planned for September
Do you have some nice photos of our CoM family from recent events? We would like to put together a
CoM calendar for September 2016 through August 2017, featuring our congregants. We will choose
photos from Purim, The Marvin and Rosalie Okun Religious School, Chanukah, B’nai Mitzvah, Men’s
Club, Sisterhood, and any other synagogue-related pictures. Please email photos to Tamara Norman
at tdnorman@sbcglobal.net by July 15.
Please join us as we celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of our daughter,
Rachel Rose Richman, on July 1-2, 2016
Steve and Carrie Richman
54th Annual Kalamazoo B’nai
B’rith Scholar/Athlete Awards
The B’nai B’rith Scholar-Athlete Award program honored 22
of the Kalamazoo area’s top student-athletes at a reception on
May 10 at Congregation of Moses.
One senior female and one senior male from each of 11
schools – Comstock, Galesburg-Augusta, Gull Lake, Hackett
Catholic Prep, Kalamazoo Central, Kalamazoo Christian, Loy
Norrix, Mattawan, Parchment, Portage Central and Portage
Northern – were chosen by their athletic directors based on
leadership in academics and athletics.
Congratulations to all the winning scholar-athletes, listed
below, and their families.
The Winners
B’nai B’rith Award sponsors Tema and Rob Lando (Rob not pictured);
Gary Kushner, master of ceremonies; Rabbi Harvey Spivak;
Marc Schupan, keynote speaker.
Comstock
Emily Veenhuis, Cal Ormanovich
Galesburg-Augusta
Colleen Whitman, Joshua Saggio
Gull Lake
Riley Martell, Tyler Gleason
Hackett Catholic
Elizabeth Stull, Mitchell Yelton
Kalamazoo Central
Taylor Washington, Faruq Schieber
Kalamazoo Christian
Audrey Bouma, Kevin Wunderly
Loy Norrix
Grace Labadie, Traver Parlato
Mattawan
Genevieve Soltesz, Mitchell Dundore
Parchment
Ryann Stutz, Odessa Britman
Portage Central
Camille Getty, Jack Eichman
Portage Northern
Alexa VanderHoff, Tommy Henry
PAGE 16
SISTERHOOD
SPRING & SUMMER LUNCHEONS
Sisterhood is sponsoring monthly luncheons during the spring and summer. Please join us to talk and make new
friends. Here are upcoming dates and places for the lunches.
Friday, June 24, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.—Sisterhood luncheon at Oakwood Bistro at 3003 Oakland Dr. The phone is
(269) 344-5400. For reservations, please e-mail Emily Hoffman at emily.hoffman@wmich.edu
Friday, July 22, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.—Sisterhood luncheon at Hunan Gardens at Main St. and Drake Road: 5059 W.
Main St. The phone is (269) 373-1188. For reservations, please e-mail Fran Raffel at franraffel@aol.com
Friday, August 19, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.—Sisterhood luncheon at the Craftsman Chop House near Sears at 6905
Sears Dr, in Portage. The phone is (269) 327-2000. For reservations, please e-mail Fran Raffel at franraffel@aol.com
Please contact President Janet Heller if you would like to join Sisterhood, join the Sisterhood Board, or become
involved in any Sisterhood activities. Happy Shavuot!
Janet, janetheller@charter.net
CONNECTIONS / VISITATION COMMITTEE
The Synagogue Connections/Visitation
Committee remains
active. Members
of this2015
committee visit Jewish people
SISTERHOOD
PROGRAMS
FOR FALL
in our community who are housebound, are injured, or are in the hospital. We may bring
events
are open
both
and women.
meals orAll
simply
talk with
people.toWe
alsomen
accompany
individuals to the hospital for
procedures when requested to do so. Most of our work involves visiting senior citizens.
In addition, we can drive people to the synagogue for services or events.
Synagogue members often contact Rabbi Spivak, Shirley Mengel, or me to ask for help
from the Synagogue Connections/Visitation Committee. Please tell us promptly if a
synagogue member is lonely, is shut-in, is injured, or is in the hospital. We want to
help all local Jews who need us.
Please contact me at janetheller@charter.net if you would like to join this committee or know of someone who
needs attention.
Janet Heller, Chairperson
PAGE 17
W
RABBI’S MESSAGE
hen she was 10 years old, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary,
now known as Queen Elizabeth II, received a visitor at Glamis Castle. He was a preacher. When he was
about to leave, he promised young Elizabeth that he would send her a present, a book. The future queen
replied, "Oh, thank you so much. But please let it be not about God. I've already learned everything about Him."
We can smile at her naïve statement because it is obvious to us that it's not possible for a 10-year-old to know and
understand what she will know as an adult. That's exactly why Jewish tradition gives so much emphasis to life-long
learning. No matter how good a student you may have been in Religious School as a child, adult learning has to bring you a
deeper and richer understanding of Torah and spirituality.
This is a theme of Shavuot, the holiday that we celebrate in June. What you learned about God as a 10-year-old will not, by
itself, be enough to sustain your spiritual life as an adult. Going back to the lessons of a great religion like Judaism brings
new understanding. That's why learning is for all ages.
Rabbi Harvey Spivak
“A Psychological Interpretation of the Book of Ruth”
Nomi Kluger-Nash will lead a learning/discussion session on this topic. Her teaching will be based on the book about this
subject written by her father, Yechezkel Kluger, Ph.D. Dr. Kluger wrote: “It is no disparagement of the Holy Writ to read
it with psychological understanding. Many biblical texts reveal unsuspected dimensions when approached with modern
psychological insight.”
Nomi is Jungian psychologist with extensive experience as a therapist and teacher.
The learning/discussion session will be on Saturday evening, June 11, following Shavuot services. The service will begin at
7:30 and learning will start at 8:30 and conclude about 9:30.
It’s a long-standing custom to read and study Ruth on Shavuot, in part because the story is set at this time of year. In
addition, Shavuot is the holiday that celebrates our receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, and Ruth’s voluntary conversion to
Judaism is parallel to our voluntary acceptance of the Torah.
Important events during the second week of June:
June 10, 7:30 pm Friday services will take place at Temple B’nai Israel as we help them celebrate their 150th anniversary.
There will be no services at CoM that evening.
June 11, 9:30 am Shabbat morning service
June 11, 7:30 pm Shavuot evening service followed by learning/discussion, “A Psychological Interpretation of Ruth” led by
Nomi Kluger-Nash
June 12, 9:30 am Shavuot service
June 13, 9:30 am Shavuot service and YIZKOR at about 11:00 am
PAGE 18
LIBRARY NEWS
As promised in the last bulletin, I am including a short eclectic list of items to donate for those who would like to
participate in our new program,
Friends of the Library.
I will focus on children’s books next month. To avoid duplication, please do not order these on your own. Simply contact
me at rachelhaus@yahoo.com with your choice and we will discuss details. As always, if you would like to purchase
anything for yourself and then donate it to the library, that’s great, but please let me know to avoid duplication.
Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence, by Jonathan Sacks
Shared Stages: Ten American Dramas of Blacks and Jews (SUNY Series in Modern Jewish Literature and Culture),
by Sarah Blacher Cohen, Joanne B. Koch
Jewish Poland Revisited: Heritage Tourism in Unquiet Places (New Anthropologies of Europe), by Erica T. Lehrer
Building Singing Communities: A Practical Guide to Unlocking the Power of Music in Jewish Prayer by Joey Weisenberg,
Rabbi Elie Kaunfer
The Grammar of God: A Journey into the Words and Worlds of the Bible, by Aviya Kushner
The Talmud - A Biography: Banned, censored and burned. The book they couldn’t suppress, by Harry Freedman
A Backpack, a Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka: A Memoir, by Lev Golinkin
Transgender and Jewish, by Naomi Zeveloff
Washing the Dead, by Michelle Brafman
The Best Boy in the United States Of America: A Memoir of Blessings and Kisses, by Dr. Ron Wolfson
All the World: Universalism, Particularism and the High Holy Days (Prayers of Awe), by Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman
A Non-Swimmer Considers Her Mikvah: On Becoming Jewish After Fifty, by Ms. Mary E. Carter
Celebrating the Jewish Year: The Spring and Summer Holidays: Passover, Shavuot, The Omer, Tisha B’Av
by Rabbi Paul Steinberg, Janet Greenstein Potter
After Abel and Other Stories, by Michal Lemberger, Jonathan Kirsch
Bewilderments: Reflections on the Book of Numbers, by Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg (and anything else by Zornberg)
Son of Saul, Starring Géza Röhrig, Levente Molnár, Urs Rechn (DVD)
Deli Man, Starring Jerry Stiller, Larry King, Ziggy Gruber (DVD)
Todah Rabah,
Rachel Haus, Library Director
PAGE 19
June celebrations
The Congregation of Moses wishes mazel tov and yom haledet sameach to our members who are celebrating
anniversaries and birthdays this month. If you would like to be included in our monthly recognition of birthdays
and anniversaries, please contact Joanne Simon at 324-6054 or jhsimon@charter.net.
BIRTHDAYS
6/2 Ken Goodman
6/4 RosaLynn Pollens
6/7 Don Thall, Hannah Green
6/11 Chelsea Angel
6/12 Stacey Rocklin, Dona Icabone Satir
6/14 Evan Fischel, Jonathan Fischel
6/15 Larry Beer, Alfred Blum
6/16 Marvin Berkowitz
6/23 Alyssa Beer
6/25 Arlen Rubin has a Special Birthday!
6/28 Phillip Horwich
6/29 Natalie Spivak
6/30 Rabbi Harvey Spivak
MEN’S CLUB
We are looking for ideas for new programs. Please let
us know what activities you would like Men’s Club to
conduct. You are not under obligation to run it, but
we want to know what interests you.
Dean Thommes will be my successor as Men’s Club
President this fall, and he will welcome your support.
Spring/Summer events: Kayak Trip, Baseball game:
Whitecaps, Growlers, or Tigers?
ANNIVERSARIES
6/12 Judy Davis and Al Rosenthal
6/13 Janet Heller & Michael Krischer
6/15 Tema & Robert Lando
6/20 Shirley & Pete Mengel
6/20 Joanne & Michael Simon
6/21 Tamara & Earl Norman - Double Chai
Anniversary!
6/21 Hillary Howard and Adam Kahn
6/25 Ria (Rachel) & Jake (Jacob) Smuszkovicz
6/26 Ken & Marian Fisher - 50 Year Anniversary!
6/29 Genia & Moritz Angel
We offer professional counseling services for
adults, teens, children, couples and families in
a caring, comfortable setting.
•
•
•
•
individual, family, couples and group counseling
psychological testing
substance abuse evaluations
more than 40 licensed psychologists and
social workers in Kalamazoo and Portage offices
• most insurances accepted
For more information, please call
our office at (269)372-4140 or
visit childandfamilypsych.com.
Neal S. Berke, President
Director: Larry Beer, Ed.D.
PAGE 20
The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival
This Sunday, June 5
Great musicians and nationally reknown Jewish performers on four stages, including:
•
•
•
•
Rick Recht
The Maccabeats
Noah Aronson
Maxwell St. Klezmer Band and many, many others.
Grab a bus ride with The Jewish Federation of Kalamazoo and SW Michigan, and ride in style.
The bus ride is $10/person and the festival ticket is $5/person.
You must RSVP by June 3rd, so hurry!
For more info, contact Al Rosenthal at alvin.rosenthal@wmich.edu
Rick Recht
Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
And so much more!
PAGE 21
The Maccabeats
Please accept our invitation
to attend a special pottery painting class
at Art Bayou,
on May 26th or June 22nd, 2016.
With our compliments to the women of the Congregation.
Thanks for all you do.
The Men’s Club
Art Bayou pottery painting
3306 Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo
May 26th or June 22nd, 2016 6:00pm
The invitation is open to all adult female members of the
Congregation of Moses. There is no charge. It’s fully funded by
the Men’s Club and other members of the Congregation.
Art Bayou is a paint your own pottery studio.
You’ll get to choose any piece with a value up to $20 from Art
Bayou’s collection of hundreds of bisque items. You’ll get basic
instructions and techniques, and access to lots of stamps, stencils,
Pinterest posts, and painted examples. One week after the event,
your pottery will be ready for pickup.
Chilled non-alcoholic beverages and specially selected
Israeli and domestic wines will be served.
Everything is provided, all you have to do is wear play
Owner Palee Haney
clothes appropriate for painting. No food will be served to avoid
contamination of the pottery. The average adult takes 2-3 hours
to complete a project.
More information, including a map, wine list and directions is at congregationofmoses.org/paint
Please register at: congregationofmoses.org/paint or contact Shirley at 269-342-5463.
Spread the News!
Three Weeks of Camp Keshet
This Summer!
As always Camp Keshet will be led by two Israeli counselors
sharing their love of Israel and Judaism with the children.
Week One AND Week Three: at Congregation of Moses
Mon June 20 - Fri June 24 AND Tues July 5 - Friday July 8
9:30 am - 2:00 pm each day
• Learn about Israel and our Jewish Heritage
• Lunch and Snacks Provided
• Fieldtrip, crafts, outdoor activities, cooking, music, and dancing
Here’s what’s new:
Week Two: At Camp Tavor in Three Rivers!
Open to all children ages 4-12.
• Monday through Friday day camp programming
• Friday - Sunday Weekend Shabbat overnight camp experience
for older campers
• Day camp at Tavor, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday June 27 - Friday July 1
Campers will be bussed from Kalamazoo to Camp Tavor. Kosher meals and snacks provided by Camp
Tavor. Campers will be able to take full advantage of Camp Tavor’s facility which includes a pool, lake, arts
and crafts center, sports fields, low ropes course and a music recording room.
• Shabbat Overnight Weekend at Camp Tavor, July 1 - July 3
Campers will depart for Camp Tavor at 9:00 am Friday morning and older campers will spend Friday and
Saturday night at Camp Tavor. Parents will pick their children up from Camp Tavor at 11:00 am on Sunday.
Camp Keshet campers will fully experience a Shabbat at camp and a trial overnight camp experience.
Note: The youngest children will only participate in the day camp part of the program while older
children will take part in both the day camp and the Shabbat Overnight part of the program. The week at
Tavor will give kids a taste of sleepaway camp in a very safe and positive way. They will be at Tavor with
their Camp Keshet friends and after spending five full days at
Tavor they will feel comfortable there, and be able to meet and connect
with Jewish kids outside of Kalamazoo. Children will gain the
self-confidence and enthusiasm necessary to attend a Jewish
sleepaway camp in the future.
Monday, June 20th through Friday June 24th – Congregation of Moses
Monday, June 27nd through Friday July 1st- Camp Tavor
Tuesday July 5th through Friday July 8th –Congregation of Moses
$150 per week or $400.00 for all three weeks
Registration due by May 15th.
Please contact Beth Grode at beth.grode@yahoo.com to register.
Graduations,Weddings, Father’s Day
Why not buy gift cards to celebrate the ones you love?
Meijer, Walgreens, Target, Menard’s, Lowe’s, Celebration Cinema, Macy’s, Amazon, Biggby, Bed Bath and Beyond
purchase gift cards through Shirley, our awesome office manager. You name
are just aPlease
few ofcontinue
the cardstoavailable.
the company, we can probably get scrip cards. Here are just some of the cards that will earn us
Stop in the
officeoffrom
to 11:30
a.m.
to purchase
cards.
We canDearn
2 -Meijers
15% of (4%
your),total purchase
rebates
4% 7:30
or more.
And
don’t
forget to gift
order
the basics:
&Wfrom
( 2%),
price. ASpeedway
very easy way
to help the
Congregation
Moses!
you.
or Marathon
(4%
), Walgreensof(6%,
Yes,Thank
for prescriptions
too!), Bed, Bath and
Beyond (7%), Kohls (7%), Home Depot and Lowes (4%), Target (2.5%). Flying Delta Airlines?
We can earn 4%!!
PAGE 24
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